Pension

With the weather being a problem I didn't expect to be able to get out today but when I looked out of the window I was surprised to see just a dusting of snow on the ground and the roads were clear.
 I decided to go shopping soon after 9.00.am. getting my groceries and my weekly T.V. magazine.
  I called at the Post Office for my Pension and noticed that the lass gave me several old £10 notes. I immediately told her that I didn't wish to have the old notes. She then let me know that they were still legal tender. I pointed out to her that from Thursday they would cease to be legal tender and as the weather was so unpredictable I could not accept them. Reluctantly she changed them for the new style £10 notes. I could not believe such a thing was happening especially as they cease to be legal tender in a couple of days time. Had I not heard it a few days ago I would have been none the wiser.
 The lad popped round from his work yesterday and wished me to look at his garden. I naturally followed him up my garden and peered over the fence. Sure enough he had dug his garden and removed all of the weeds. I told him that it looked good then led him to where his broad beans were in pots but told him that we would not plant them in his garden until this cold snap had gone.
 Today he has a day off but if it is bad weather tomorrow I don't expect him to go to work. Later in the week the weather is supposed to be bad with gales and snow late Thursday into Friday.
 As for my seeds, to be honest very few have germinated and that is all the more worrying as they have been in a heated propagator. Still nothing I can do about it.
 The lad had a look in the greenhouse and noticed one potato just sprouting that I had set about a month ago. I certainly did not notice it at all. My eyes are not so good. More soon.

T.V. Licence

This happened to my Mother around 1977. She was living alone in a terraced house with a side door.
 It was dark and I guess it was February or early March when there was a knock on the door around 8.30.pm. My Mother shouted "Who is it?" The reply was that  the man on the outside told her he was from the T.V. Licensing and he had come to check her Licence. Naturally she replied she didn't believe him. He told her he honestly was and that he would shove his identity card through the letterbox adding that there was a telephone number which she would call and he would give her his name so that the person could verify who he was. This my Mother did and it was confirmed that the man was in fact who he said. He asked her if she would let him in to see the Licence.
 As soon as he was admitted his attitude changed a little informing my Mother that she did not have a current T.V. Licence according to their records.  My Mother was indignant and insisted that she did have a current Licence so naturally he asked for proof.
 As my Mother was disabled she had difficulty in getting the file which held all of her paid bills. It was a piece of wire with a loop which the bills were threaded.
 It took a few minutes but she found it. The man was shocked and was full of apologies and told her this had never happened to him before and there would be repercussions when he got back.
 She told him also that the name on the Licence was in fact her late Husband's. He then told her not to go down that line as it would be much more complicated than it would be.
 Finally before leaving he did inform my Mother that she would NEVER be contacted again regarding a T.V. Licence.
 Finally a footnote to this is that when my Father was alive he helped me in the Season and the Cook at the time told him how to get a month's  free T.V. Licence by renewing a month later adding that they had already gained 4 months by doing it that way. A couple of years later she told my Father that the Licensing authorities had told her that she owed 6 months T.V. Licence. She had to pay up so she didn't gain anything at all. More soon.

MOD.

This happened in 1992 my last year in the Cafe before I moved up to the Seafront.
 My Lease was to expire in the end of January 1993. This lad came for a job, he told me he didn't want a full time job because he was going to join the Army. The first thing I asked him was his age, he told me he was 17 but 18 in July, the same date as my Sister's Birthday so I remembered it. I then told him that all I had was a place in the kitchen assisting me, he told me that this was fine. As for me it suited me because I presumed he would be available until late September. I did not tell him that I was closing down at the end of the season.
 He started the following week just to get to know how things worked. After he had been there a couple of weeks he told me after his meal that the Steak Pie was gorgeous and the Apple Pie was delicious, naturally I thanked him where he said to me that I did not make them. I looked at him and told him that I certainly did and actually I had to do a lot more baking ready for Easter. He then began to ask if he could help me but I refused but he kept asking until I relented.
 I found out that he studied in Louth and knew few Mablethorpe lads and lassies. His main Pal was a lad who lived in Louth. He told me that he could get to mine before 4.30.pm. on Friday. This was agreed to but I knew he wouldn't complete his task of helping me before it got dark, so on the Friday I made 18 Steak Pies which are frozen then pulled out of the freezer to be cooked, Apples Pies are made and baked then froze and pulled out to defrost and put in the warming cabinet.
 By the time the lad arrived I had made the apple mix and told him to freeze the Steak Pies making sure they laid straight. He did this and I had made enough pastry for about 56 Apple Pies and rolled out the base, I showed him how to fill the base then wet the edge so that I could roll out the top and put it on to make a pie.
 He worked well and began to take some interest in the kitchen, odd times his pal came over from Louth to wait for him to finish work. One day he asked me if I would like to see his scar. To be honest I was not really interested but all the same I said I would like to see hi scar. IT was on his back at least 2 of his vertebrae had been fused. I was impressed and told him that they had made a good job and asked if he had any pain which he told me no.
 As the Season got on the lad was a good help, one day soon after his 18th. Birthday he asked me if he could change his day off. Naturally I told him of course he could, then he told me why. It was that he had to go for a medical for the Army. I looked ta him and said that this was very soon after his Birthday. He readily agreed, when he got back from having his Medical, naturally I asked him how he got on. He told me it was fine and he had given my name as a reference. I just thought that I would hear nothing from them but told him that it was fine because I had given references to several ex workers.
 The next thing was that the week before August Bank Holiday he came and told me he must leave because on Thursday he had to report to Catterick. I think that where he had to report. This meant that I had no cover for the Bank Holiday but it didn't worry me for it was my last Season.
 I used to have several Businessmen come into the Cafe early each morning during the Season where we put the world to rights. My Mother who used to come for a month after the height of the season used to love it hearing the daily tales.
 It was just after my Mother had gone back to Grantham so it would be very early October when the phone rang I answered it and a woman's voice asked to speak to me. I just said speaking and she said it was the Ministry of Defence and I had employed this lad which I concurred. She ten told me that they were conducting a search as to his suitability for the Armed Forces. To be honest I thought it was a wind up so I was uninterested but I told her she could do as she liked. She asked me if I would be willing to have an informal interview which I told her that it was fine. She then told me it would be a MR. I could not remember his name if you gave me a million. I naturally thought it was definitely a wind up when she told me the man would come from Sleaford. A time and date was arranged then she said something that made me wonder and I quote."I wish to thank you for your cooperation in the matter it is very much appreciated." All I said was that she was welcome she bade me goodbye and I waited to see if the Man came.
Sure enough the Man was spot on time, showed me his card. Incidentally he was dressed like a City gent with pinstripe suit, bowler had and a furled umbrella.
 He started to ask simple question like was he tidy, did he get to work on time then out of the blue came this." Has He any Homosexual tendencies". I was taken aback and just said this to him. "Fancy asking me!! HE only worked here and what he did when he left the premises was nothing whatever to do with me," I added after a few seconds."He did have a girlfriend" He then stated that he had to ask these sorts of questions for he might have a sensitive position in the Armed Forces, I added that I could not help him further in that matter. HE told me he quite understood and asked a couple more questions as to hs work then told me he would ask no more and left.
 It was early December when the phone rang, it was the lad who worked in the Kitchen with me asking if he could see me. Naturally I told him that would be fine but I would have to go to Skegness Railway Station on the Saturday morning and meet him off the train. Upon seeing him I knew why he wanted to see me, his pal who had his vertebrae fused had died of a drugs overdose and he just couldn't believe it. Anyway he asked me if he could borrow the car to visit his grave which I gave permission. When he came back to mine he noticed all the furniture had been removed. WE had fish and chips then he showed me photos of where he was staying. He then told me that he was not supposed to show anyone this but he would show it to me. IT was his Identity Card, on it was his date of Birth and his photograph he then told me to turn it over and I was surprised but didn't show it for on there was a description of what he did. It stated Intelligent Service. Naturally I didn't tell him that I had been interviewed nor did I tell him that his pal called to see me a couple of times asking if I had heard from his pal saying that he missed him. I also didn't tell him that I guessed that they both had decided to go into the Army but naturally the lad with his back problems would never have passed his medical.
 I took him back to where he was stationed later that night and I have heard nothing more from him. I suppose he will have done his stint in the Army as this was 1992. More soon.

Some more.

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, if I have I apologise.
 I had a grammar School lad work part time for me until he went to University. I used to pull his leg quite a bit and one thing was that we had a Carnival in the beginning of September just in time for the locals unable to take part because they were back at school.
 If one bough a programme for 1/- 5p to any youngsters that happen to read this blog.. There was what was called Mr. Mablethorpe and if you had the programme on you and you thought you could recognise Mr. Mablethorpe you could challenge him and if you were correct you collected £5 which was quite an amount in 1970.
 There was a fish shop almost opposite and at that time I didn't know the Proprietor. To be honest if you hadn't been in business for about 5 years the fellow businessmen expected you to move on.
 In the summer once a week he sold wet fish and if it was  a warm day he would wear a straw boater.
 I told the lad that if the fish shop guy wore his straw boater he was Mr. Mablethorpe and he should go and claim his £5. At fist he didn't believe me but after being persuasive he finally believed me.
 He kept looking for the fish man to wear his straw boater. One day he did so off he went across the road to challenge him and claim the £5 reward making sure he had a programme. Naturally he was soon back a little red faced. I asked him how he got on, all he said to me was the fish shop Proprietor told him to Pxx off. He was none too pleased with me.
 Several months later he told me he was going to see the Doctor. Naturally I was concerned as to his health so I asked him what was wrong. He told me he was getting spots. I asked him if that was all and he told me yes it was. I just told him that the Doctor would do nothing as it was a sign of growing to be an adult. He told me that he was still going to see him. My final words were you are wasting your time.
 A few days later I asked the lad if he had been to see the Doctor. He looked sheepishly at me and said he had. I asked him what he had said to him. I quote what he told me." Get out of my Surgery and stop wasting my time." I just told him it was no surprise to me. The Doctor was Scottish and was a little sharp and had no time for malingerers or time wasters which he thought the lad was.
 I just told him that in a few months they would disappear which they did. More soon.

Rates

I don't think I have written about this before but it happened, the first time in the early 80s.
 The Rateable Value had been adjusted so I appealed and then Customs & Excise now H.M. Revenue and Customs. The area Head Office being at Boston.
 I had informed my Accountant and he said he would like to go with me to Appeal. I subsequently received confirmation that the Appeal would be held at Mablethorpe Town Council Offices and the date was shown.
 Off we went to the Council Offices which to be honest was impressive. There we met the representative from Customs & Excise. There also was an independent arbiter. The Customs and Excise  man was fully armed with a brief case full of documents and we had nothing so we lost.
 Several years later I guess in the mid to late eighties I once more decided to appeal. This time I received a letter informing me that a representative would call at my place of work to discuss the matter.
The day arrived, it was in September because my Mother used to come to see me for a month or so each September. A man in his 50s came into the Cafe and asked me my name, I just asked him to call me by my Christian name and he readily agreed  saying his name was John. I told him we would not fall out and argue but the first thing we would do was to have a drink. I offered him tea or coffee which he chose coffee. Immediately after his first sip told me it was very nice and first we talked in general. I got him to talk about the Customs and Excise in Boston and the Manager who always stamped his name F. Smith(not his real name) he then told me his name was Eric and the stamp had part of the E missing. He then let me know that Boston Customs and Excise was closing and Eric was going to move to Nottingham. As for him he told me he was not going to move, his lad was at University and he was fully paid up with his Superannuation subscriptions. He told me that he would probably have about 18 months before his Pension and that he could find the odd job if he wished adding that his Wife didn't wish to leave the area.
 I then got him to talk about his work and what he told me surprised my Mother a lot more than me. He told me that as a young rookie hae was sent to Boston and the boss there told him one day  that he would go to Hull the next day to the Hull Docks. So the next day off he went to the Docks arriving the man on the gate asked to see his credentials and once he was sure he told him where to go adding that there would be something to pick up when he left.
 He told me that he didn't think anymore about it and when he had finished for the day the gateman stopped him before he left asking him to open his car boot. He asked him what for and he just told him there was some fish. With that he told the Gateman he could not accept such a thing as it could be strewed as a bribe. The man just told him to please himself.
 As soon as he got back in the Office he went straight to see his Boss letting him know what had happened. As soon as he finished the Boss threw his hands in the s=air and told him that accepting some fish at the Docks was like accepting a cup of tea in a Cafe and he hoped that he had not upset the Dockers. It was well known the Dockers were militant especially in Hull and Liverpool. The Boss told him he was at Hull the next day and he must try to smooth things over.
 He told me that he didn't sleep at all that night and went back to Hull Docks next day wondering what would happen. Thankfully the same Gateman was on and when he saw him he immediately apologised for what had happened the day before and if it was alright he would accept a package from him when he left but added that he would like to donate something to him for his troubles.
 Sure enough when he left the gateman had a large package for him and he told me he gave him half a crown 2/6 in old money, enough to buy 2 pints of beer.
 When he got home and opened the box it was full of fish. He remeined me that most homes hadn't got a fridge let alone a freezer but he did have a very small freezer. He told me that he gave lots to his friends and family, mind you his wife was not over excited with the mess but the fish was beautiful.
 He told me it was several years before he had the chance to go to the Docks again but sure enough he was given a box of fish which he told me he always paid a little for the fish.
 I then explained why I had appealed against my Business Rates letting him know that my Rent was a little more than the Rates. I think it was about £960 per annum. He told me that he could only reduce it by about £12. I looked at him and offered my hand saying that I would be willing to pay £900 adding that he would not be there for much longer. He shook my hand saying that his Boss would play merry heck with him but he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit to me.
 When he left my Mother said to me that she had never heard anything like that before and if I told anyone they wouldn't believe it but I can assure you it DID happen.
 By the way, the original man who I met at the Council Offices left Customs and Excise and worked for ELDC in the Valuations Department and he was in high regard. I met him some months after I moved up to the Seaview and he remembered me. I didn't recognise him straight away but when he reminded me I did let him know that I had my Rates reduced which surprised him greatly adding that I had done well. More soon.
 

Rain.

The Postman called this morning with some netting I have ordered. The first thing he let me know was that we had 17mm. of rain overnight. I assumed we had a large amount for when I went earlier to put the peelings in the composter I could see standing water in my orchard.
 I told the Postman that this netting I had was fairly new it was flexible netting that did not allow butterflies to enter. I bought a length enough for  a couple of raised beds so with the help of the lad when it is better weather we will cut it in half.
 My mate contacted me  and told me he had trouble with his leg, it seems as if it is behind his knee and it affected his driving. I just though that his Partner could not help him much because he told me some time ago that he had to drive because she had a bad back. I let him know that if it didn't improve he must make an appointment to see a Doctor. I also let him know that hopefully I would be available  in about 12 days time.
 I have just finished the last of my eating apples, not bad for it has been early August when I last bought any apples. It is mainly the Braeburn Apples that have kept well.
 Today started cold and cloudy but from Noon onwards it has rained with a little sleet at times so I assume that the 17mm. has increased to about 25mm. that is about 1". With the weather also being so cold it would not have made any difference because had it been warmer the ground will not be ready to dig until March at the earliest so I will not be having extra early vegetables this year. More soon.

Surprise.

Yesterday morning I had just come out of the bathroom after having a shower drew the curtains and to my surprise the lad from next door was walking up the driveway. Not having a top on I did open the door and he was coming to let me know he was not going to Respite as the male member of the Carer's was not going to Australia at all, only the female who's Daughter was living. Incidentally the other one who's is there and much worse than the lad has gone to Respite for a couple of weeks. The lad said it was quiet. I think he looks after her in his way. They certainly get on well together.
 I later told him to tell his remaining Carer that if he was left on his own he must come round to me and have something to eat. I don't expect him round though because it will have been arranged for her Mother to come and look after him. She certainly spoils him buying him coffee and lots of toy cars, most are remote control.
 This morning I decided to travel to Skegness to go to ALDI, although there was a frost I decided to go as tomorrow morning could be worse with late snow being forecast So off I went soon after 8.30.am arriving soon after 9.00.am. There were not many in the store which incidentally is bright and roomy. I managed to get all of what I wanted but was somewhat surprised that when I arrived at the check out there was only one lass on the till. I expected to wait a fair while but they seem to be quick and it wasn't too long before I had my goods checked. The lass there told me it was none too warm and I let her know that handling cold goods didn't help. Once I paid a Woman who had spoken to with her little Daughter gave me a carrier bag which she had bought but didn't need it. I didn't say I wanted it but she pushed it into my trolley. I was grateful for the gift and made my way out to where I had parked my car.
 Once I loaded up I took the trolley back them nade my way to Home Bargains and purchased a couple of pillows, paid for them and took them back to the car and made my way back home.
 I arrived around 10.00.am. which I was pleased at the time it had taken.
 By the time I had put all the goods away  I did manage 30  minutes of leg rest. I think I need a lot more but at least they didn't hurt.
 Later today I may make a few tea cakes because I try to give the lad something for his mid morning break. I know he looks forward to it. More soon.

Disturbing

I do have 3 Sisters one who is older than I am by over 4 years the other 2 are younger, the youngest being some 7 years younger than I am, but it is the other Sister who is almost 3 years younger who is causing concern.
 She has lived in Scotland for many years previously lived in many areas including South Africa but as I said she has lived in the same area for about 20 years.
 over the years we sent Birthday cards and Christmas cards but gradually we all noticed a lack of Greeting cards, so much so that my elder Sister didn't bother to send a Birthday or christmas card but I and my youngest Sister still sent cards.
 My eldest Sister decided to ring her Daughter who lived nearby in the next Village to see what was happening. To be honest we did get a note giving the information of her Parents and daughters, she has 3. Anway when y Sister got through all my Niece would say was that they were doing fine but fiercely independent. My Sister told her not to give her a veiled comment but the truth.
 It was then that we found out what we had all believed but it was worse. My Niece told my Sister that they have helpers going to see them but often they refuse to open the door because they don't recognise them. She added that this has happened to her on several occasions.
 It must be devastating for your Mother not to recognise her own Daughter. She also added that her father was just the same so they both have Dementia. adding that she is not allowed to clean and tidy up when she does gain access. heaven alone knows what will happen to both of her parents.
 How I found out was that I keep in touch with my youngest Sister we both ring each other about once a fortnight.
 She asked me if it ran in the family. I just told her it did as my late Aunt had dementia. She then added that it was the only one. What I didn't let her know was that my Aunt who had dementia lived until she was well into her eighties and that the rest of her siblings including my Father died well before they achieved  the age of 70 in fact nearly all of them died before the age of 65.
 It was in the late 70s or early 80s when I last saw my Aunt, I used to go over to Grantham about once a week  or fortnight. This particular time we met up in Morrison's with her and her Husband. He had Parkinson's and it turned out that he told her what to do such as getting the meals ready and cooked also he told her how to dress him, with Parkinson's he had lot the use to get dressed properly. Whilst I was talking with her Husband and my Mother was talking to her Sister-in-Law she kept asking her Husband things which to me made no sense.
 When eventually we parted I just said to my Mother that she had Dementia. My Mother looked at me and told me she had not thought of that but that I was probably right.
 A few months later my Uncle had a Heart Attack and passed away. With nobody to prompt her it became obvious that she was not fit enough to live alone so went into a private Nursing Home. She was there for about 15 years gradually seeing her savings dwindle.
 I found out from my eldest Sister my Aunt's Daughter married a clever man, he was Head Teacher(the old headmaster) of the King's School in Grantham, the Sister School being The Girl's High School which the late Prime Minister attended, namely Margaret Thatcher. It was the Aunt's Daughter that gave her the information that although she was rich when she went in the Nursing Home almost all the money had gone by the time she had died. Both her and her Husband had a Dance Band and went round the surrounding areas in the 50s. 60s, and 70. Not that they needed the money for some time later her Husband left the Grammar School to build his Computer Business further in London which he had been running for several years. Obviously it paid more than a head teacher of a Grammar School.
 One never knows what is round the corner waiting. More soon.