Skip to main content

Taking their time

I sent an email to my bank last October asking 4 specific questions.  No-one replied.  Last week I completed a survey  about whether it is important that the bank addresses green issues.  It also included questions about my relationship with the bank so I told them.  The survey was anonymous so I was only really getting frustration off my chest.  Yesterday I received a telephone message from the manager of my branch, then an e mail apologising for not getting back to me sooner and answering all my questions.  Coincidence?  I think not.

I played tennis this morning, and won.  There is life in the old girl yet.

I have been sorting out boxes of articles of mine that have been published in newspapers and magazines.  I had forgotten how much there was.  It was all pretty serious stuff, dealing with issues ranging from organic farming, cancer, job sharing and even netball.  Mixed in with it were poems that I had forgotten I had written.  Some appeared in books of poetry but one was published in a newspaper with a little blurb.  It said that as a serious journalist I found it difficult to write poetry and was surprised that anyone wanted to put it in print, especially as my son had declared it to be 'rubbish'.  It is always nice to have the support of your children.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Temper, Temper

I played tennis with Yvette today.  Yesterday I asked if we could play early before the day gets too hot.  She suggested 9.30am.  I was thinking of 8.00am but Yvette has been married 46 years and her husband still brings her breakfast in bed every morning so 9.30 is probably the crack of dawn. I thought I had got used to Yvette's little antics but this morning she behaved like John McEnroe.  I was 4-1 up in the first set when suddenly she announced that the score was 4-3.  I am used to these little tricks so I stood my ground.  She argued, she shouted.  I ignored her and took my position ready to receive serve but her shouting got louder, calling me a cheat and then using some choice words.  Her ploy worked.  I lost concentration and started to lose, eventually losing in a tie break.  I was not happy but said nothing. At the end of the set Yvette asked me if I was angry with her, using the expression 'tu me fais la tete?'  I sa...

What is normal?

The UK seems to be operating on the basis that there is no virus.  Masks are rarely seen, little is being reported in the papers,  it is not the main topic of conversation in the street and social distancing doesn't exist.  I did see a testing table set up in Chesham high street but it was for one day only and they didn't seem to be doing much business. I went to Brighton on Sunday with my son and sister.  The old 'Lanes' have been reduced to a few jewellery shops and lots of cafes and the town was packed.  Openly gay people walk hand in hand through the streets in great numbers while others stroll around in gold lurex dresses. As we were heading back to the station the police arrived and blocked the road for an approaching cycle rally.   Living in France I have seen many cycle races go past but not quite like this one.  Here were 200 totally naked cyclists pedalling by while people cheered them on enthusiastically.  Some of them had put on s...

No-one here when I need them

My visitors have departed and I am once again packing my bags and heading off.  But wait a minute, my son would like me to bring a bookcase with me, solid wood and heavy.  Will it even go in the car and if I do manage to carry it out to the car and lift it single handedly into the car will there be room for my suitcase?  It is a work in progress.  I managed to get it to the car, a neighbour waved bonjour,  and drove off in his car.  Did he not notice me struggling with a bookcase 4ft by 3ft?  I always meant to be one of those helpless women whom everyone rushes to help but somehow I never quite made it and frankly it is usually easier to just 'do it yourself'. A wild boar strolled past the house this morning, perhaps he could give me a hand.