Tuesday 2 August 2011

Fun and games, and pass the parcel

A little late blogging this week, mainly because we had a problem with our main computer. On Monday I decided to go over to Tring as there is a shop there I wanted to visit. I prefer to use a fountain pen to write letters, and ls prefer a broad nib. Cheap pens do not seem to work very well, and I had tried to buy a decent pen in our local Smith's. the assistant was very lame in advising me, and tried to sell me a cheap calligraphy pen, I already have a few of those. The shop in Tring is a decent stationers, and the assistant was most helpful, she said that had no broad nibs but would send it away to Watermans to have the nib replaced. So I duly paid for a pen. I then wandered around the High Street, which has different shops from most places. I like places that don't have all of the usual chains.
On Tuesday, in the afternoon, I went over to Watford as I wanted to buy something in Lakeland. They did not have the item, I am a bit disappointed as it is not a very big store. I looked around a couple of stores, had a cup of tea, and hit the rush hour as I came home. Husband was already home, he had been on the first day of a  health and safety course in London. He complained about the heat and the crowds, I think he is glad that he no longer commutes to London, although the walk to the station and at the other end  meant he was slimmer and fitter in those days.
On Wednesday, I had finished my Sainsbury's shopping when I realised I hadn't bought any flowers. I went back in, and as I wandered round the flower stand I noticed a folded £20 note on the floor. I went to pick it up, and discovered that it was actually 4 notes, £80 in total. I wondered who could have dropped it, a pensioner perhaps? Maybe the person was still in the store. I took it to the desk and waited, and handed it over to the lady there. I had to fill in a form, and was told if no one claimed it within a month it was mine. I pointed out that there was a shopping list on the floor too, so L, whom I know from when our children were at the same school, kept it with the cash.
I then had to get petrol, so by the time I got home I was running a bit late. I had an appointment with the general specialist at our local hospital, so decided I was running too late to walk, I took the car and parked in the local Asda. I was prepared for a long wait as I am usually there for about an hour and a half. They had changed the clinic area, and it was incredibly hot, so I armed myself with some water and settled down with a newspaper. I hadn't got beyond page 3 when I was called. As the problem for which I was referred has not recurred, I was discharged with some general advice. My appointment had been  at noon. As I left the building I checked my watch, 12.05 pm! That is unknown in my experience of the NHS! It even beats the time I waited at the Spire hospital.
Daughter and Son in Law had gone off to the Isle of Wight for a week, with Son, his wife and some friends. I had been going up to water plants, and had discovered that the local post office had tried to deliver a package. I brought the card home with me, and knowing that I would need Daughter's ID to collect it, decided to have it delivered here; this was duly fixed up for Friday, online, and a confirmation e-mail received.
I think that it was when I had to pop out for sour cream, for the beef fajitas, that husband took a phone call from a very grateful lady, thanking me for my honesty in  handing in the £80. She said to call at the desk next time I went in Sainsbury's, where there would be a note for me.
Thursday was car service and MOT day for my car. I duly took it to Ford's and walked into town, I meant to take some pictures on my walk to post on here, but didn't have my camera. when I returned by car to take them, the camera wouldn't work, dead batteries! As usual I got breakfast in M&S. I like to leave at least an hour after taking my medication before eating, as it is supposed to  make the meds work more efficiently. I must admit though, by the time I got to M&S I was suffering from signs of low blood sugar.
I got on with some housework, had  lunch, and was surprised to hear husband's key in the lock even earlier that the 5 pm that he has been getting home. As Ford's had not long rung to tell me the car was ready, I got him to take me up there. Much better than a crowded bus. The buses here have their heating on in the summer. I wish they would get some of the buses that we used on the York park and ride, they had air con. As I had given then permission to carry out 'advisory' work, the bill came to almost as much as the car is worth! I must find a cheaper garage. Even the discount and the nectar points, it isn't worth taking it to Fords.
On Friday there was to be the funeral of a lady, Daughter of friends of ours, who had had around a10 year battle with breast cancer. I didn't know C, but another mutual friend had asked me if I would go to the funeral to support her parents. By and large C had  never professed faith, which was a great sorrow to her parents. Her father had been speaking much to her about spiritual matters, and the pastor of the church her parents attend had been visiting and going through the gospels. Apparently, one day whilst singing 'And can it be', with her father, she got to the line 'my chains fell off, my heart was free' and realised that yes, now her chains had fallen off and she truly believed. What joy for her parents. Deathbed conversions are rare, but they do sometimes happen, not that I would recommend that anyone leaves it so late.
By lunchtime, there was no sign of the parcel, I was inwardly fuming, and after about half an hour on the phone to various people, was told. 'Oh they don't finish till 5pm'. I had to ring M and explain why I would most probably miss the funeral. By the time husband got home, I was no longer angry, just frustrated at the general decline in services these days. I decided to take the card back up to Daughter's, with a note explaining the circumstances. As I opened her gate, I saw the package tucked behind some of her bins! Needless to say the Post Office got a complaint from me on Saturday morning!
I had called at Sainsbury's and they still had the papers, so I bought those, then went to the customer service desk. There was very nice card there thanking me, and a £5 gift card, sadly no contact phone no for me to thank her. I think that I will pause at this point, as this post is far too long

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