OK, well, an update, for those who care:
1. Satellite dish.
Fixed: replaced actually, he brought a new one. Now situated much higher on the wall, outside my bedroom window. Signal so far perfect.
2. Central heating:
Fixed. Seriously, he just turned it off and on again (reset). What is this? A computer? 
3. One I forgot to mention: an infestation of ants, presumably brought about by the digging up of the back garden and men tramping the soil through the house. Today was D-Day for Ants, St Valentine's Day Massacre, call it what you want. I sprayed 'em good, and though one or two survivors remained, they were easily squished with my thumb. Trollheart 1, Ants 0. The only time this month that Ireland have triumphed in any event. Although the ants were probably Irish too. Oh well, we Irish love fighting among ourselves! Damn Irish: they
ruined Ireland!
