Parking
There is a single parking space allocated to the flat in the underground parking. Enter the main gate and bear right to drive down the ramp under the buildings and you will see No 7’s space on the far left by the wall.
The Key Lockbox
There is a lock box on the wall behind the parking spot. This is where you will find the key. The combination for the lock will be provided in a separate message.
Inside the Flat
The key opens the outside door to the mill as well as the flat itself. The main door to Bobbin Mill is out the west entrance to the parking garage (the opposite one to the one you drove down to get in). The flat is up on the 2nd floor (if you are British) or the 3rd floor (if you are American). There is a lift but the lift is quite slow.
The kitchen is equipped with most things you might need - stove, oven, microwave, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine and all utensils and crockery. The flat has only one bedroom but in the lounge the sofa folds out to form another good sized bed.
Water Heater - Switches and Valves
Entering the flat you should find electricity on but most items should be switched off or unplugged. The water supply should also be turned off so the first thing to do is to turn on the water. The valves that controls this is in the cupboard/closet directly opposite you as you walk in (to the right of the bedroom). There is one valve for the water supply to the bathroom and kitchen and a further valve for the water heater - both need to be turned on. Typically I only turn off the upper water valve as that controls everything. It is high up, so there is a step stool in the closet to assist. There are power switches for the low rate heater element that is only available at night (the lower switch) and the higher rate heater element that is available all the time (the lower switch). Please use the high rate power sparingly and turn off when not required.
There are switched outlets for the following:
Heating - one in the Hallway and one in the Living Room.
Water Heater - one switch for the low tariff heater (the lower one), one switch for the normal tariff heater in the closet in the hall to the right of the bedroom door. Please leave the normal tariff heater off unless it is needed to boost the hot water supply (rarely a requirement).
Refrigerator - toggle the on and off with a long press of the button to the right of the Power Symbol on the row of controls at the top inside the fridge door.
Dishwasher - below the kitchen sink on the left.
Washing Machine - below the kitchen sink on the left.
Microwave/Oven/Stove Top - in the lower cupboard to the left of the microwave/oven and right of the stove top.
TV/Video Equipment - below the left side window bench storage in the living room - the switch is under the bench below the TV.
Bathroom mirror light - this is enabled by a hidden switch just behind the lower right side of the mirror.
Bedroom Window - the window in the bedroom has a faulty track mechanism and currently cannot be opened. All other windows can be opened.
Cell Service - mobile service is very poor in and around the mill. Generally you cannot get a good signal. I have found that by placing the phone in the top of the living room window then one or sometimes two bars can be obtained and if you leave the phone in the window you can carry on a conversation. If you pick up the phone and move it into the living room you will typically lose your connection.
WIFI - there is EE WiFI available for a price. It is available by the hour, day or period up to 30 days. The short time contracts (1 or 2 days) are not good value but the 30 day contract is reasonable and the quality of the connection is pretty good.
TV Viewing - this requires two remotes, one for the TV and one for the Free Sat box. Turn both devices on (TV is red button top left of remote, FreeSat is green button top right or remote), and make sure that the TV is using HDMI 3 (press the AV button top right of the TV remote and select). Thereafter the remote for the Freeview box controls channels and volume.
Heating - there are two wall mounted radiators controlled by switches adjacent to the units. The radiators have a lot of functionality such as automation, wi-fi control, phone app control. Since I am not there continuously and since there is no cell connection to the house I do not use any of this. I turn on the unit when needed and turn off the unit when it is no longer needed. When the power is turned on there is a touch sensitive display that can be used to adjust the temperature. If you want more information about the radiators the manual is available here.
Heated Towel Rail - this is controlled by a switch in the hall outside of the bathroom, adjacent to the bathroom light switch.
Bed Linen - typically the bed linen will be clean and installed. If not there are clean sheets and pillowcases in the water heater closet (in the hall to the right of the bedroom door). What really is the most convenient for us and for any following guests is for those of you visiting from the UK to bring your own sheets and pillowcases (Queen Bed) which you can then take away with you. To wash sheets and dry them in the washing machine takes a long time and is not compatible with a morning or early afternoon departure. If you can't leave clean sheets, just take the sheets of and put them on the bathroom floor and let me know.