Debs.

I regularly pass a road sign on the A500 at Stoke, that proudly proclaims the route to its 'cultural quarter'......no offense to the town, but the thought of it makes me chuckle!

I enjoy both and at least when attending the latter, there are no few, enormous backpacks to dodge! ......which ballet is it, Tony?

.......a better day today. I received a letter from a specialist office within the Dept. of Work and Pensions; outlining their intention to reinstate and/or reissue my National Insurance number and entitlement data, by Thursday the 23rd........I plan on making the most of my officially recognised 're-existence', thereafter! Not long after returning from my walk into town and a sit down at a quiet coffee shop; watching the townsfolk go by; a florist arrived with a beautiful planted display for me, "From an R.M web friend" it modestly announces, on a card. I wish I knew whom were responsible! ......but bless you, for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I expect she`s hoping a companionable stroll `round the curtilage; might encourage you to sort out her steering pump belt........can Ben come on the walk too?

.......Aah! that explains things, its high-pressure boiler; clearly built to withstand many hundreds of pounds per 'square' inch.

I`m still amused thinking about Mike`s 'S & M' dinner........the mind boggles!!! Perhaps if it were to taste disgusting; diners so disposed, might be thrilled!

Thank you....... ......Googling.

That is clearly a red-card offence, but it may be commuted to a yellow; if you were to explain me which type of loco. it is.

Is that boiler telescopic?

Resultant of not being able to avail myself of the well regarded "Tell us once" service, I`ve had to make individual calls to the {many} bodies, agencies, incorporations and organisations, individually advising them of John`s death and often with a concomitant change in the arrangements going forward. Several have been very helpful, sensitive and responsive; others have been a polar opposite; one utility company agent just kept repeating whilst becoming increasingly stentorian: "we have to speak to the account holder......we can only speak with the named account holder".......after 10 minutes of that intransigence; I crumbled into tears; and cried out: "You can`t; he`s dead.....he`s left me alone and I`m lost!" The DWP staff are clearly trying to help me, but at the moment; I.T systems, permissions and protocols are in the way.

.....or it`s subordinate: Partial Farce.

Well, that really gets my goat!

"Tough on lime; tough on the causes of lime"

The instruction to "knit one; drop one", might then take on a whole new significance!

Crikey!.......how much!?!?! I may have a licence to kill; but I`m not 'maid' of money! .......I`d rather break out my knitting needles; between nocturnal missions.

..,,,,,a woollen one?

Indeed, the "Tell us once" service was offered to me and I tried to use it; but that`s where I ran into problems with my {evident} "non-existence". Today`s meeting with a senior DWP officer, parachuted into the local office to try and sort things out, was inconclusive. I remain 'unknown' for the time being, whilst a higher authority is being consulted........the officer today seemed to be subtly trying to ascertain if I bear an inherited or professional title {yes!}, and/or had worked with the security services, or armed forces; either here, or overseas {no!}. So for the moment, I can only assume they think I`m a retired professional assassin, living with some kind of concealed identity; in my case, that`d probably be under the "Witless Protection Programme" So, at least for for now; I`m Ninja-Deb.......but you haven`t seen me; right?

Yet another brush with officialdom today; the endless round of advising various 'bodies' of John`s death, continues with an appointment at a local Job Centre......and no, I`m not entering the job market! Evidently, I`m entitled to a bereavement allowance, but according to the DWP whom are trying to process my application; I "don`t exist!"......so today`s challenge will be to {officially} prove it! It likely seems a case of "computer says no".......but interestingly; my providing them with a N.I number, a passport, a marriage certificate and a birth certificate; aren`t considered sufficient official proof of identity. Existentially yours, Debs.

......situate, as it is; on the hippo-campus.

Oh, Andy! .......unfortunate {and in this instance; very unfunny} parallels with Mr. Stimpson of Thomas Tampion Comp., come to mind.

Surely, Jacques Tati would be more 'vous'! https://youtu.be/SzYcVGP_ris

A head in glee!

I think it comes from the days of perishing pensioners; with 'needs', fingerless gloves, one-bar electric fires and meals on wheels...... ......not the 'final salaried' equity releasers, whom are actively dodging their dotages and are busy spending their kid`s inheritances on railway models.

Yes thanks; I`m doing what I`ve been told by the medics last night; resting!......but they didn`t actually specify the log fire and the hot chocolate.

Difficult day coming tomorrow, as my dear Passepartout, embarks on his final journey........ ........and taking much of 'me', with him.