My meter reader seems to know my travel plans because this is the third time he called while I was abroad, thus earning me an uncomfortable estimate for my water and electricity bill.

The last one was even more spectacular: He called to “drop” his notice that he’d be calling the next day, maybe just one hour after I took my taxi to the airport. I left at 6 a.m. on July 23 and he must have called sometime about 7 a.m. saying he’d call the next day, thereby robbing me of the possibility to read my meters and phone the readings in. But on my estimated bill the date shown is July 20. I wonder what connections this could have? Therefore, may I suggest that some order is brought in and districts in Malta would have fixed days when meters are read, say Paola would be read in the first 10 days of November and February, Cospicua in the first 10 days of March and December and so on and so forth.

People could get a hint and if they happen to be away they could always phone in their readings. I’m sure this will put some stability in the minds of people and reduce the possibility of irritation.