Candles, holidays and banks

24 August 2012

I'm hoping that the train services passing through Dorktown to Brum and Leicester will now be more reliable seeing as the four morons who had been stealing signalling cables from beside the lines have been jailed.  All together they have been sent down for 11 years - not long enough in my way of thinking considering how much cost Network Rail has been put to in repairs and the inconvenience to rail passengers.

We have had a visit from a case worker for the Royal British Legion.  I had approached them under advice from our neighbours in trying to get the Council to move a bit quicker in getting our wet room sorted out quicker than the 6 months we have been quoted.  At the moment we are having to walk down to Reg Haddon Court for a shower.   Right now while it is fairly warm it's OK but come winter, proper winter, it's going to be a non-starter.  However, the Legion can't help with the shower but they can help with other things, like a holiday and possibly a replacement scooter from Jan.  We were feeling a bit guilty over it and explained how we were feeling when the lady arrived but she assured us that we would not be taking up resources that others might be more entitled to.  Now it's just a case of waiting to hear from them.

The cheque from the insurance company got paid into the bank yesterday but I forgot to ask how long it would be for it to clear.  It's supposed to have been made quicker now but the odd occasion I have paid cheques into our account it hasn't made all that much difference.  With Monday being yet another a bank holiday I don't suppose it will be available to use until next Wednesday at the least - even if the cheque was brawn on another NatWest bank branch.

I noticed yesterday that the new Poundland store has opened in the old M&S store.  It's much larger than the old one in Abbey Street and it looked very bright inside as I rode past it.  I shall go in and have a look around one day when I get the chance.  Mind you, we don't buy all that much from there, batteries at £1 a pack of 10 it's a bad buy.  I'm dubious of buying some of the food items in there though.  The tinned stuff should be OK but I'd be wary of the packet stuff even if it has to be well inside its use by date for them to sell it. 

If you haven't seen last night's Tonight programme on ITV, I urge you to do so.  It was about the way disabled people are being treated and how much abuse of them has increased over the last year or so.  I've been aware of the issue for a long time and have mentioned it on here before.  I hadn't realised just how wide spread it had become though.  Labels fly around all over the place, 'mate crime' is that latest one.  This is where a disabled person is befriended and then abused by the so-called mate.  If a label has to be applied maybe it should cowardly thug!  These prats wouldn't try it out on an able bodied person would they?  No, they wouldn't - so cowardly thug is about right. 

So then, a photo ... 

I got this one in Richmond Park, London last year some time.  The guy in the chair uses the handles to power the chair.  It's looks a great way for some folks to be able to get out and about.

A funny ...

Mrs. Donovan was walking down O'Connell Street in Dublin when she met
up with Father Flaherty. The Father said, "Top o' the mornin' to ye! Aren't ye Mrs. Donovan and didn't I marry ye and yer husband 2 years ago?"
She replied, "Aye, that ye did, Father."
The Father asked, "And be there any wee little ones yet?"
She replied, "No, not yet, Father."
The Father said, "Well now, I'm going to Rome next week and I'll light a candle for ye and yer husband."
She replied, "Oh, thank ye, Father." They then parted ways. Some years later they met again.
The Father asked, "Well now, Mrs. Donovan, how are ye these days?" She replied, "Oh, very well, Father!"
The Father asked, "And tell me, have ye any wee ones yet?"
She replied, "Oh yes, Father!
Three sets of twins and 4 singles, 10 in all!"
The Father said, "That's wonderful! How is yer loving husband doing?"
She replied, "E's gone to Rome to blow out yer Bloody candle."