Travelling On

Karmacat

Wow!  I'm very lucky that they did it on the say-so of a phone call, without **any** security questions.  They phoned me, but that doesn't stop our banks going through a million security questions.  This particular bank in France also went paperless during the pandemic - they asked me, and I was willing but they did toot on about charging for paper copies if the French tax authorities wanted to audit.  So I said no, but in the pandemic they did it anyway.  I'm glad, in all honesty.

Anyway.  My kitchen table is now clean, and I'm starting to stash things for the weekend away - can't do it upstairs as usual because I don't trust my knee when I'm carrying a case downstairs.  The other things on yesterday's to-do list that didn't get done was to set up a "lightbox" - ie tape some reflective material behind my seedlings, to give them extra light.  Plus downloading statements, and backing up part of the laptop.  

So, the rest:
- put my fuel usage figures into my provider's website.
- make sure I've got all the information I need for Kent.
- put my porridge mix together (oats, linseed, pumpkin, ashwagandha, turmeric, raisins), I'm not taking all of it separately 🤣
- bit of cleaning.  Ahem, it's been left.  I'll say no more 🤐

themadvix

It always makes me super wary when banks ring you and then they start asking security questions. I understand why, but do they not appreciate that we're all told not to answer them when someone rings us?! (I've only had this happen a couple of times when they've put a stop on a transfer in case of fraud).

When are you off?

Karmacat

themadvix said:

It always makes me super wary when banks ring you and then they start asking security questions. I understand why, but do they not appreciate that we're all told not to answer them when someone rings us?! (I've only had this happen a couple of times when they've put a stop on a transfer in case of fraud).
It's mad, isn't it! And one bank I have use a random mobile number that you have to send yes or no to within 30 minutes of making a big request, otherwise they won't do what you want.  I complained, the first time it happened, and nowadays they actually send a normal text alert saying you'll soon get a message from a random number.  Very peculiar.

When are you off?

Friday!  I can't wait!  Can you tell? The schedule is humongous 🤣  and because its comparatively close we're doing stuff on the way too, eg the only church in the world with all its windows designed by Marc Chagall Capel United Church : Chagall Windows (tudeley.org)

themadvix

Wow, that's cool -  I'll make a note of that, would be good to visit if down that way.

I don't blame you for being excited - I would be too! Could do with a break, but this weekend we are celebrating MIL's 70th. For which I said I'd do some decorations.... which I'm now regretting slightly! 

Karmacat

Oof, I hope that's enjoyable too.  Though, doing the decorations ... that's quite a volunteer, you're very good to offer that.

I'm very distracted at the moment - I've been watching Celebrity Hunted on catchup 🤣 which I'm sure Marc Chagall wouldn't have watched 🤣 I can't go into the hall because I've laid some Raid down there, and I don't really want to go into the back garden because the poor lonely dog next door will hear me and think someone's coming to see him, and set up another round of barking.  The only thing I have easy access to, is something really boring like cleaning the bathroom 🙄  It has to be done, I suppose.  Well, of course it does!  Excuse me, I'm rabbiting in avoidance of it.

Karmacat

I hadn't updated my declarations to my utility company for about 7 weeks ... bother!  It means the information is less specific, of course, and these days, the more specific the better.  Anyway, by chance, the DD is due to come out today, and once it does, I'll be in credit again ... by £3 😂 so I'm more or less a month behind, which isn't bad for April, after a winter in which there were two snowstorms round here.  I packed on quite a few layers, but still needed the heat on.  It's what money's for, and the subsidy went directly into my bank account, of course.

Karmacat

I hit the ground running on return from Airbnb break - it went well, though the house was dirtier than we're used to.  My mattress was new, and normal firmness, as opposed to the bricks that Airbnb people usually buy 😁  

Several places we went to - notably Chatham Dockyard and Brogdale National Fruit Collection - charge high-ish admission but make the tickets valid for a year.  I have a problem with Chatham - I put the ticket through the washing machine, and of course its completely disintegrated 🙄 I'll contact them today.

Lovely holiday: Marc Chagall was an immediate highlight, Ightham Mote was a star, and the ropemaking exhibition at Chatham was fantastic 😄 and I may have bought some hemp rope to play with  

Also went to a big Pavers shop at a garden centre on the way home, didn't even check the prices, and I'm now the proud owner of a pair of walking shoes, and some proper summer sandals.  Ahem, £95 all in.  The food was tuppence ha'penny though, ie all brought from home, apart from two cups of tea  and petrol the grand total of £14 between my sister and me - apparently her car hardly deigns to sip petrol at all 🤣

My sister's cast-off Hotter shoes that are too narrow for her were absolutely brilliant for me, so my feet are going to be in fine shape for the year, though what I've decided I really, really need to spend money on are walking sandals with a closed front - the openness will help with the arthritis, but the closedness will still protect tootsies.  There's no point never spending money and suffering in silence.  I feel very positive about this now  

Cheery_Daff

Sounds like a great attitude to have - absolutely no point having uncomfortable feet if you can do something about it!

rtandon27

Aww - so great to hear the shoe shopping is done!! - also amazed with your petrol non-spendiness!

Watty1

Glad you saw the Chagall windows. They are stunning I think.   Used to live near Ightam Mote so a fav spot for me!