How to restore power after a blackout

The power went out this morning, as I pottered around, preparing for my day. For the whole of my life, whenever we've had a blackout or power's been gone, I've always just waited for it to come back on again.

My flatmate emerged from her room and flicked some switches on the mains/switchboard (whatever it's called) and power was restored.

Oh. my. goodness. Is that how you restore power? How can I be nearly 30 years old and not know this? I do have some vague recollection of flicking switches on the switchboard when I lived in Cracks on Kennedy, but I can't remember what for.

This is another reason why it's good to live with people other than family: you learn stuff!