Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

EssexHebridean

Disappointing when you realise too late that a meal of that type hasn't quite cooked through as much as needed - but good that you can put a plan in place for rescuing the remainder at least. 

That really is disappointing service from Octopus isn't it - you might remember we were fairly unimpressed with them when it came to our original plan for the solar - not least because as it turned out their lack of doing a physical survey would have meant that either the installers would have found on their arrival that the roof wasn't good enough for it, OR the panels would have been fitted to a roof that was going to need imminent replacement. I definitely wouldn't go back to them as and when we revisit the idea and the impression I get is that they're taking their eye off the ball with these various subsidiary companies and will probably regret it later. 

themadvix

Mr MV has literally just quoted their 'award-winning customer service' line from their endless radio ads at me! Having received yet another 'I'm receiving a high number of emails, I'll get back to you' auto-responses, she's got until the end of the day to get a substantive response to us or we'll be escalating. To the top- and it will be interesting to see what response we get then...

Interestingly, due to poor performance from this subsidiary, it has very recently just been taken back under the main 🐙 company, so I suspect they are very aware that standards are not good enough and things will be improving asap (I know this from both the installers and auditor - change at the top never goes down well with those at the bottom of course).

On the cats: Apparently despite the prescription being valid for a year, prescriptions are only valid for 6 months in law... so I'm just about to head down to the vets and see about getting another one issued. I don't want to be that client so I will just be asking why it had a year's date on it, not complaining (again). I have a vague recollection that I had a plan that may have involved using one cat's script twice in the first half of the year and the other's in the second half, so it may be that I would have needed another one anyway (while the scripts say 'repeat ONCE' on them, there's no actual way of telling if they have been that I can see?) - so I can't get too shirty.

beanielou

Poor Ginger Cat. Mr M says he’s sorry. 

beanielou

Mr M is sad for his fellow ginger.  

themadvix

Mr M is so gorgeous Beanie ❤️ and Ginger Cat appreciates the thought, but will ease his misery by just having a bit more of a nap....

themadvix

Well I've been to the vets and ordered a prescription (for a year's supply of flea treatment for B&W Cat). The receptionist asked if it was cheaper with a prescription to get it online. I was quite surprised she didn't realise how much cheaper it was - her colleague certainly knew - even with her staff discount it was cheaper for her to get it online! It's now ready, so debating if I fancy another walk to collect it today - it would be a job done...

I also popped to the allotment and secured the netting hoops over my onions/shallots, planted the last of the garlic and netted it carefully and pulled up the remaining leeks. Quite a productive little session, especially as I discovered the metal pegs I have will go through the enviromesh without damaging the netting. Also picked some perennial kale to go with sausage and mash tomorrow night.

Arrived back to discover that despite a 3.30-4.30 slot, the new basin had been delivered while I was out (at 2.30pm). Opened damaged basin box to discovered that while content was undamaged, it was only the pedestal... not the basin itself. Mr MV and I most confused - have double-checked order and it seems to suggest he has ordered the basin itself too... and there's no indication that it was parcel 1 of 2... 🤷‍♀️ Will see if anything else turns up later today?

Baileys_Babe

I hope your basin mystery sorts itself without any intervention from you or Mr MTV

beanielou

What a beautiful ginger cat

themadvix

Thanks Beanie - just like the lovely Mr M 😻

 Looks like we’re missing parcel 1/2 on further inspection… Mr MV has sent an email 🙄.

I did go and collect the prescription (which had gone up another £1 🙄). And have cleaned, trimmed and chopped the leeks ready for freezing.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Have had confirmation this morning that the insurance claims for Ginger Cat have gone through - unfortunately as there are two claims for two different things, it will mean two excesses to pay 🙄 However, at least they have gone in and we can expect some of the money back at some point soon.

In less good news (frankly infuriating news), we have been fobbed off by Octopus, who have claimed that aesthetics aren't their problem and totally glossed over the fact that it was the lack of communication and planning beforehand and the fact that we now have a functionally unusable cupboard that have caused us to complain. Needless to say, we will be taking this much further and I will be complaining about our contact too. At the moment though I am in the 'makes my blood boil' phase and need to not think about it.

In slightly better news, the independent electrician who fitted our second battery has offered to walk Mr MV through how to reset the battery that isn't working on a video call. Lovely man! It doesn't excuse the lack of customer service from the manufacturer, but we might actually get a working battery soon.

No idea if Mr MV has heard from Plumbworld about our mysteriously missing basin - he's just gone out to be a witness at a grievance meeting for a work colleague. I'll ask later

Today is my 'Cambridge day' - I've had one meeting (other one is cancelled as Cambridge boss/friend is off) and I am getting reporty-stuff done. As it's gorgeous sunshine though (albeit rather chilly), I think I might head down to the allotment shortly - or just for a walk in the woods. And I really must sow some broad beans (undercover)!

MS things:
* 50 free Nectar points (Christmas present apparently)

* Cancelled the Viovet order and will order from PDO - despite the cashback, PDO was £6 cheaper!

* Leeks are slowly being open frozen and popped into silicon freezer bags
* Dinner tonight will be Glamorgan sausages, mash (last of the hg potatoes), carrots and kale (hg)

Gratitudes:
* The cloakroom floor is fully tiled - grouting tonight and we can move the cats back in once that's dried - and not a moment too soon (our hall is large, but not large enough for a large litter tray not to take up quite a bit of space)

* The sun is shining!
* Lovely lady at the vets was really helpful with the insurance claim

Have a good afternoon all!