My postman called a couple of days ago and informed me that a letter was required to have a surcharge of £1,36p. I asked him what it was all about as I had never had this happen before. He told me that it was happening more often. He told me that it was perhaps a large letter which had been incorrectly stamped. Well after some deliberation, I decided to accept the letter.
He told me that he had nothing to do with the letter as it was held back and he had not seen it but he would go back and ask for the letter and it would be delivered the next day. I told him I would wait in to make sure I was there when he came.
Yesterday morning he duly arrived. He had another letter too but the one with a surcharge was from my Bank. I told him as much. He then looked at the envelope, it was blank except for my name and address in the window box. Also in the top left had was the private and confidential note.
So it cost me £1.36 because it had gone through and had not been franked. I just said to him that I knew banks have been having a bad time of it, but didn't realise that It was that bad.
I gave him a few more grapes, a little small and a few hazel nuts. Off he went and it was about 5 minutes later when I realised I had not paid him the surcharge. Luckily enough he had only gone about 50 yds, I shouted to him and he reversed. I laughed and told him I had completely forgotten about paying him. He just remarked that he thought I had not the right money, anyway he told me he knew me so he was not worried.
Later I went to get my pension and went to a place where I get my skimmed milk. To my surprise I saw they were selling grapes. These were obviously home grown. I was rather pleased as they were small. A little smaller than mine. More soon.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
Nuts.
During these last few days we have had some windy weather. Not might I add as windy as it has been today but sufficient wind to cause lots of my hazel nuts to drop off the tree.
I thought that the first ones were blind. That is to say, there is no fruit in the not but this was not the case, Anyway on Saturday I decided to pull the rest of the nits off the tree. With the husks there was almost 5lb of fruit. After I took the nuts out of their outer casing, there was still well over 4lb of nuts. I found it back aching work collecting the nuts, not much better taking the nuts out of the husks, it was not easy and took me about an hour to remove the husks. Now I have lots of nuts just waiting to be opened, using the nut cracker.
It bought back a memory of I would guess 25 years ago at least.
I don't think I told you, but my late Mother was disabled. It happened overnight when I was about 12 years of age. She went to bed and during the night her leg seized and after many months she had her leg straightened and stiffened. It went a little withered so she had to wear a caliper. Mind you, after a while stopped wearing it.
Anyway she used to come to mine after the school holidays, mainly to see the regular holidaymakers who would call every year.
She loved to go nutting as she called it. She could not walk well but she was happy.
This September day I told her that we would go nutting. I had been there to see if there were any nuts and there was the odd hazel tree.
It was off the main road,I guess it was a B road, if there was a C road it would be in that category. Well I took her up to the verge and helped her out of the car we then started to look for nuts, we had found about a dozen or more when this Porsche 928 came along. I was surprised as this seemed a deserted road, behind the car was an elderly man riding a bicycle.
As the car drew nearer I noticed that it was driven by a woman. She almost came to a stop, giving us a glare that was unbelievable. She then very slowly drove off. This cyclist came along and then said. "She thinks she rules the worrrrrrrrrld," as he rode by. We both bust out laughing. We managed to find a few more hazel nuts and back home we went. My Mother was thrilled to be tasting once again fresh picked hazel nuts. More soon.
Friday, 9 September 2011
New ISP eventually
I find it hard to believe, I went to change my ISP through a Company called Simplify digital. I called them to find the best deal. I was a little surprised as I had contacted another ISP earlier only to be told that my Telephone Exchange had not been upgraded and it was most likely it would NEVER be updated.
Plus net was the best deal I was informed so I proceeded with them. They did all but get the MAC. I was given a telephone number to give them the MAC. This I did and later in the evening I checked my mailbox to find several e-mails from Plus net. One gave the detailed pricing information. Totally different from what I was told. Much more so I sent an e-mail through their help line.
I checked mail later and found I had a response telling me that the support team would be contacting me in about 9 hours after investigating the query.
Yesterday around 11.30am. I checked mail. Nothing. I went back online to Simplify digital and found a page saying what was available. I put my postcode in and to my horror found that only 2 ISPs were able to offer me a reasonable deal. The service provider I am with and Plus net.
I thought well that is that, I will have to stay with my current provider.
Around 3.45pm yesterday I had a phone call. It was from Plus net. It turned out that there had been a mistake and that the price that was negotiated by Simplify digital would be honoured. So hopefully in about 3 weeks time, I will be moving to Plus net, not with the cheapest deal as I can not get any cheap deals but a reasonable deal. What with my local garage charging 7p a litre more than my friend pays at Tesco in Skegness and his deal with Talk Talk is it worth living in the country? It is useless complaining as nobody gives a damn. More soon.
Plus net was the best deal I was informed so I proceeded with them. They did all but get the MAC. I was given a telephone number to give them the MAC. This I did and later in the evening I checked my mailbox to find several e-mails from Plus net. One gave the detailed pricing information. Totally different from what I was told. Much more so I sent an e-mail through their help line.
I checked mail later and found I had a response telling me that the support team would be contacting me in about 9 hours after investigating the query.
Yesterday around 11.30am. I checked mail. Nothing. I went back online to Simplify digital and found a page saying what was available. I put my postcode in and to my horror found that only 2 ISPs were able to offer me a reasonable deal. The service provider I am with and Plus net.
I thought well that is that, I will have to stay with my current provider.
Around 3.45pm yesterday I had a phone call. It was from Plus net. It turned out that there had been a mistake and that the price that was negotiated by Simplify digital would be honoured. So hopefully in about 3 weeks time, I will be moving to Plus net, not with the cheapest deal as I can not get any cheap deals but a reasonable deal. What with my local garage charging 7p a litre more than my friend pays at Tesco in Skegness and his deal with Talk Talk is it worth living in the country? It is useless complaining as nobody gives a damn. More soon.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
I S P.
Today I spent many hours trying to sort out the best deal.
To my horror, I found out that because I live in a very rural district, there is insufficient fibre optics for me to get the best deal.
First I went to get a deal worth 2.99 plus 12.80 line rental for an 18 month contract. When they asked me for my postcode, I was informed that my exchange had not been updated and was highly unlikely to ever be updated. So that was the first one gone.
Second was the same so I went on to Simplifydigital and there I was informed that as my exchange was not capable of handling most of the big companies. I was restricted to what I could get.
There was a good deal with Plus net half price for a year . Not available to me unfortunately but I could get half price for 3 months. The guy told me that it was the very best deal available and was cheaper than the current ISP I was with. I then told him that this would have to do and gave all details he needed. Then he told me that I would have to get my Migration Authority Code. MAC for short. I did inform him that I was not out of contract until the 15th September this year. He told me that was no problem, just get the MAC and he gave me a different phone number.
This afternoon I contacted my ISP and informed them I was changing my ISP. After some lenghty talking in which I was informed that it would be more expensive where I was going to, I was given my MAC. A long letters and numbers code.
I then rang Plus net and eventually was sent to a different department. I gave her the MAC and it started with LZ well I gave her it as one should to make sure no mistakes were made. Lima Zulu. Oh dear, when I had finished she spent about 5 minutes trying to sort out my MAC. Eventually she told me that it was not a legitimate number. I told her to read it back to me. She started L22. I stopped her. I told her it was Z for Zulu. She then corrected the code and tried again. Another 5 minutes went by and she again told me that it was not accepted. She then had a brainwave. She informed me that she would re-boot the computer and see if that would cure the trick and she would have to put me on hold. Another 5 minutes went by ans eventually she came back and told me that this time all was well. She blamed her computer. I told her she did not have the monopoly with computers that have a mind of their own.
Now I wait for Plus net to contact me, she told me it would be a while but things would move. We will see. More soon.
To my horror, I found out that because I live in a very rural district, there is insufficient fibre optics for me to get the best deal.
First I went to get a deal worth 2.99 plus 12.80 line rental for an 18 month contract. When they asked me for my postcode, I was informed that my exchange had not been updated and was highly unlikely to ever be updated. So that was the first one gone.
Second was the same so I went on to Simplifydigital and there I was informed that as my exchange was not capable of handling most of the big companies. I was restricted to what I could get.
There was a good deal with Plus net half price for a year . Not available to me unfortunately but I could get half price for 3 months. The guy told me that it was the very best deal available and was cheaper than the current ISP I was with. I then told him that this would have to do and gave all details he needed. Then he told me that I would have to get my Migration Authority Code. MAC for short. I did inform him that I was not out of contract until the 15th September this year. He told me that was no problem, just get the MAC and he gave me a different phone number.
This afternoon I contacted my ISP and informed them I was changing my ISP. After some lenghty talking in which I was informed that it would be more expensive where I was going to, I was given my MAC. A long letters and numbers code.
I then rang Plus net and eventually was sent to a different department. I gave her the MAC and it started with LZ well I gave her it as one should to make sure no mistakes were made. Lima Zulu. Oh dear, when I had finished she spent about 5 minutes trying to sort out my MAC. Eventually she told me that it was not a legitimate number. I told her to read it back to me. She started L22. I stopped her. I told her it was Z for Zulu. She then corrected the code and tried again. Another 5 minutes went by and she again told me that it was not accepted. She then had a brainwave. She informed me that she would re-boot the computer and see if that would cure the trick and she would have to put me on hold. Another 5 minutes went by ans eventually she came back and told me that this time all was well. She blamed her computer. I told her she did not have the monopoly with computers that have a mind of their own.
Now I wait for Plus net to contact me, she told me it would be a while but things would move. We will see. More soon.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Funny
It is funny me talking about old times and things.
Today, I went to the local bank in the next town. There was a queue as there often is. I must admit that when I go on local journeys I am somewhat scruffy. Well that is what my late Mother would tell me.
Anyway, I was waiting in the queue. I was wearing my old railway bib and brace. All of a sudden this guy, who I guess would be in his late 40s, suddenly turned to me and said. "You know you do look smart in the bib and brace. I do wish I had one still. I haven't seen them for years. They are so versatile and I miss mine". I then told him that these were probably a lot older than he was as I was issued them when I was on the footplate on the Railway and I left the Railway in 1964. I told him that we were issued 2 sets of bib and brace and jacket each year and after the first year we managed to use them more efficiently so that over the years I managed to save about 3 sets. I do like them and they are very versatile. I only hope it bought back happy memories to the guy.
To be honest, although I have never tried to buy a bib and brace set, I am surprised that they are still not available. Saying that, I have not seen them being worn.
My best pal came to see me today. The one from Chesterfield. He, like me feel completely at home together and he told me that it was the best time of his stay. I likewise love his company. We seem to really get on and we both think the same.
When his wife came about an hour later, we got on about clothes. He told me that when we were young, Jeans were a type of overall. I told him that my Mother would never allow us to wear Jeans as they were considered inferior clothes. He readily agreed but told me that he once bought a pair of Jeans just to wear at the local football. He told me that they were stiff material and his legs were frozen. The Jeans were never worn again.
Perhaps I will reminisce again soon.
By the way, as usual we have had lots of rain again, mind you my runner beans are giving me lots to give away. More soon.
Today, I went to the local bank in the next town. There was a queue as there often is. I must admit that when I go on local journeys I am somewhat scruffy. Well that is what my late Mother would tell me.
Anyway, I was waiting in the queue. I was wearing my old railway bib and brace. All of a sudden this guy, who I guess would be in his late 40s, suddenly turned to me and said. "You know you do look smart in the bib and brace. I do wish I had one still. I haven't seen them for years. They are so versatile and I miss mine". I then told him that these were probably a lot older than he was as I was issued them when I was on the footplate on the Railway and I left the Railway in 1964. I told him that we were issued 2 sets of bib and brace and jacket each year and after the first year we managed to use them more efficiently so that over the years I managed to save about 3 sets. I do like them and they are very versatile. I only hope it bought back happy memories to the guy.
To be honest, although I have never tried to buy a bib and brace set, I am surprised that they are still not available. Saying that, I have not seen them being worn.
My best pal came to see me today. The one from Chesterfield. He, like me feel completely at home together and he told me that it was the best time of his stay. I likewise love his company. We seem to really get on and we both think the same.
When his wife came about an hour later, we got on about clothes. He told me that when we were young, Jeans were a type of overall. I told him that my Mother would never allow us to wear Jeans as they were considered inferior clothes. He readily agreed but told me that he once bought a pair of Jeans just to wear at the local football. He told me that they were stiff material and his legs were frozen. The Jeans were never worn again.
Perhaps I will reminisce again soon.
By the way, as usual we have had lots of rain again, mind you my runner beans are giving me lots to give away. More soon.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Things of little interest
First however before I waffle on. I am thinking of changing my ISP. My friend will be here on Wednesday so will get more information. I am out of contract in less than a fortnight.
Now to useless thing, well not quite so useless to me as it concerned my life.
Where I was born we had no electricity. An outside toilet but we had a bathroom.
Food rationing was on and the last things food wise to be lifted was sweets. This was in 1951. when they first informed us the sweets were no longer on ration. Everyone queued up and tall the shops ran out of sweets. Thus rationing was once more introduced. Only for a few weeks then when they said sweet rationing was abolished. This time all the shops were well stocked and never again was there a shortage.
Milk and meat was always delivered by horse and cart. Pony and trap with the butcher. He called only once a week. The milkman called every day and the horse knew just where to stop. Each house had a privet hedge and the horse would try to nibble a bit of privet although he had a bit in his mouth.
Cars were almost never seen during the war. There was a famous Doctor who had a car, the only other vehicle I can recall was the bakers van. he called twice a week.
I never saw a banana during the war and I guess it was late 1946 before we saw a banana.
I only saw 1 orange during the war. Of course no exotic fruits ever.
The first fruit of any quantity in the late 40s was the pomegranate. I don't know if anyone has tried them but they are so fiddly. You want a pin to get each small segment out and each segment has a pip. Also we didn't really like the taste a lot. Now of course there are so many different fruits available it is unbelievable.
The only tinned fruits were tinned pears. the biggest treat was prunes. They came dried and had to be soaked in boiling water. The juice was nice and the prunes were also very nice.
When we played football at school we had I think a size 4 football. All footballs were heavy and I never saw a new football all the time I was at school.
The same went regarding cricket. We had to use what they called a cork tipped ball. They had no seam, weighed the same as a leather ball and just as hard. The difference was that they never seemed to wear out. It was years later that I saw my first leather cricket ball.
When it came to cars. In the 1950s the factories had bicycle sheds there were plenty and I guess they had room for about 200 cycles. The car park was only large enough for about 6 cars. Plenty because in those days cars were few and far between. I had a van in 1960 and I think there was only 2 other vehicles at that time parked on the railway. I bought a van because it was cheaper than a car.
I learned to ride a bicycle that had solid tyres. I enjoyed it though learning to ride a bike.
I have never had a driving test. All I did was take an officer in Hong Kong on a run that I had done, I guess 50 times. He just told the guy who was with me as my official driver as he had a licence. When I got back he just told me to keep well into the side and that was it. Passed my test
I used to smoke and drink but ceased smoking in 1975 and to be honest, although I may have an occasional drink, ceased heavy drinking in 1968. When I say I have the occasional drink. I guess I will have about 12 alcoholic drinks a year,
The last time I went to the cinema was in about 1973. Have not been to the theatre since school days.
I very rarely read a book, much to my shame. The only reason I would give is that as children, we were so poor that books were not readily available. No excuse really.
If I go out, I always clean my shoes. That is if I am not going to get me pension but going out to see someone.
I have never worn jeans. When they were first introduced in this country, I think towards the end of the 1940s. They were sold as cheap hard working clothes and my Mother would never allow us to wear them.
I never wear trainers or sneakers. I only wear shoes. As children we would only wear leather shoes or sandals. Leather shoes were generally the only shoes available. Crepe soled shoes were available but quite often they would spread on the soles after a few weeks wear making the shoes look awful.
I never have had long hair, now it is getting thin and very very grey.
Now I never wear a tie. The last time I wore a tie was to my Mother's funeral.
I only wear casual clothes, not branded clothes.
I hardly ever use my car. I have had the car since end of February. It had about 190 miles on the clock. It has less than 1500 miles now. Enough for now. More soon.
Now to useless thing, well not quite so useless to me as it concerned my life.
Where I was born we had no electricity. An outside toilet but we had a bathroom.
Food rationing was on and the last things food wise to be lifted was sweets. This was in 1951. when they first informed us the sweets were no longer on ration. Everyone queued up and tall the shops ran out of sweets. Thus rationing was once more introduced. Only for a few weeks then when they said sweet rationing was abolished. This time all the shops were well stocked and never again was there a shortage.
Milk and meat was always delivered by horse and cart. Pony and trap with the butcher. He called only once a week. The milkman called every day and the horse knew just where to stop. Each house had a privet hedge and the horse would try to nibble a bit of privet although he had a bit in his mouth.
Cars were almost never seen during the war. There was a famous Doctor who had a car, the only other vehicle I can recall was the bakers van. he called twice a week.
I never saw a banana during the war and I guess it was late 1946 before we saw a banana.
I only saw 1 orange during the war. Of course no exotic fruits ever.
The first fruit of any quantity in the late 40s was the pomegranate. I don't know if anyone has tried them but they are so fiddly. You want a pin to get each small segment out and each segment has a pip. Also we didn't really like the taste a lot. Now of course there are so many different fruits available it is unbelievable.
The only tinned fruits were tinned pears. the biggest treat was prunes. They came dried and had to be soaked in boiling water. The juice was nice and the prunes were also very nice.
When we played football at school we had I think a size 4 football. All footballs were heavy and I never saw a new football all the time I was at school.
The same went regarding cricket. We had to use what they called a cork tipped ball. They had no seam, weighed the same as a leather ball and just as hard. The difference was that they never seemed to wear out. It was years later that I saw my first leather cricket ball.
When it came to cars. In the 1950s the factories had bicycle sheds there were plenty and I guess they had room for about 200 cycles. The car park was only large enough for about 6 cars. Plenty because in those days cars were few and far between. I had a van in 1960 and I think there was only 2 other vehicles at that time parked on the railway. I bought a van because it was cheaper than a car.
I learned to ride a bicycle that had solid tyres. I enjoyed it though learning to ride a bike.
I have never had a driving test. All I did was take an officer in Hong Kong on a run that I had done, I guess 50 times. He just told the guy who was with me as my official driver as he had a licence. When I got back he just told me to keep well into the side and that was it. Passed my test
I used to smoke and drink but ceased smoking in 1975 and to be honest, although I may have an occasional drink, ceased heavy drinking in 1968. When I say I have the occasional drink. I guess I will have about 12 alcoholic drinks a year,
The last time I went to the cinema was in about 1973. Have not been to the theatre since school days.
I very rarely read a book, much to my shame. The only reason I would give is that as children, we were so poor that books were not readily available. No excuse really.
If I go out, I always clean my shoes. That is if I am not going to get me pension but going out to see someone.
I have never worn jeans. When they were first introduced in this country, I think towards the end of the 1940s. They were sold as cheap hard working clothes and my Mother would never allow us to wear them.
I never wear trainers or sneakers. I only wear shoes. As children we would only wear leather shoes or sandals. Leather shoes were generally the only shoes available. Crepe soled shoes were available but quite often they would spread on the soles after a few weeks wear making the shoes look awful.
I never have had long hair, now it is getting thin and very very grey.
Now I never wear a tie. The last time I wore a tie was to my Mother's funeral.
I only wear casual clothes, not branded clothes.
I hardly ever use my car. I have had the car since end of February. It had about 190 miles on the clock. It has less than 1500 miles now. Enough for now. More soon.
Friday, 2 September 2011
No Internet
I was surprised yesterday. When I tried to log on I found it impossible to get anything at all. Eventually I rung my ISP and asked them if there was something wrong. I was answered in the affirmative. Apparently there was some fault and quite a lot had no Internet connection at all. I told him that he was not to blame but told him he would get many irate customers. I was correct.
I did not bother to try late at night. The guy on the phone told me he thought that the repair would, hopefully be completed so that all should be well by late evening. As you can see all is back to normal. However I will be looking to change ISP because there are cheaper deals about. My contract runs out in about 2 weeks. I will look to see what is on offer.
On Wednesday I asked my neighbour if she wished to have a cucumber. She told me she would love one but also asked if I could do a favour. I of course said yes. She asked me if I would let the chickens out again, this time for a week in mid September. She told me her parents would shut them up at night. She also asked me if I could, feed them as she was having the feed bought in at night and put in the garage. She would;d give me the garage key. I told her that it would be fine.
I really do not mind at all. In fact I quite enjoy letting the chickens out, all chickens seem to be friendly and love human contact. So I will look forward to a week of chicken company.
Today, I was spraying a little weed killer near my leylandi hedge. I noticed a few bits on the floor. I looked up and noticed that the guy next door had trimmed the top of my hedge. I was pleased and when I saw him I thanked him. He told me that he had cut the tree down and as he was trimming the side decided to trim my top. That tree was a dreadful tree, seemed to grow out of all proportion and had no good attributes at all.
I must admit, I hadn't noticed that he had cut the tree down. Mind you, I had not noticed the hedge had been trimmed. I am not observant at all. I guess I live in a little dream world.
Finally, the weather these last couple of days have been a lot better and today has been quite warm. Typical I suppose, the holidays are about over. More soon, Internet allowing.
I did not bother to try late at night. The guy on the phone told me he thought that the repair would, hopefully be completed so that all should be well by late evening. As you can see all is back to normal. However I will be looking to change ISP because there are cheaper deals about. My contract runs out in about 2 weeks. I will look to see what is on offer.
On Wednesday I asked my neighbour if she wished to have a cucumber. She told me she would love one but also asked if I could do a favour. I of course said yes. She asked me if I would let the chickens out again, this time for a week in mid September. She told me her parents would shut them up at night. She also asked me if I could, feed them as she was having the feed bought in at night and put in the garage. She would;d give me the garage key. I told her that it would be fine.
I really do not mind at all. In fact I quite enjoy letting the chickens out, all chickens seem to be friendly and love human contact. So I will look forward to a week of chicken company.
Today, I was spraying a little weed killer near my leylandi hedge. I noticed a few bits on the floor. I looked up and noticed that the guy next door had trimmed the top of my hedge. I was pleased and when I saw him I thanked him. He told me that he had cut the tree down and as he was trimming the side decided to trim my top. That tree was a dreadful tree, seemed to grow out of all proportion and had no good attributes at all.
I must admit, I hadn't noticed that he had cut the tree down. Mind you, I had not noticed the hedge had been trimmed. I am not observant at all. I guess I live in a little dream world.
Finally, the weather these last couple of days have been a lot better and today has been quite warm. Typical I suppose, the holidays are about over. More soon, Internet allowing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
