Today, December 17th is a rather poignant day. It was the birthday of my younger brother who died many years ago. Each year since then I have called my sister-in-law on the day to see how she is doing.
She lives in a lovely part of the country – Settle – where she has a flat on the camping site where first they had a mobile holiday home. He became site handyman/caretaker and she worked on reception. They arrived there via Liverpool and Skelmersdale.
Thoughts arise of the days long ago; we were brought up as Catholics and I loved the theatre, the music, the traditions and especially the latin mass. I am lapsed but I have no problem with those who hold to whatever beliefs were installed as youngsters or those who reject any and all religious ways. None of us knows what, if anything, lies beyond our time on earth.
At the age of seven I took my first holy communion. I cannot remember anything of the ceremony but the best bits were afterwards. We were allocated to ‘sponsors’ and a local family took me. That day I had my first real egg – and my first ride in a car. I was then taken for a canoe ride on the water which separates the island on which Portsmouth is built from the mainland. All very new and exciting.
Many years later I, and the local private doctor, were, for a time, the whole of the choir for Sunday mass. I have never forgotten the words of the motet we sang quite often:
‘Go forth into the world in peace
Be of good courage
Hold fast that which is good
Render to no one evil for evil
Strengthen the fainthearted
Support the weak
Help the afflicted
Honour all people
Love and serve the Lord
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit
And the blessing of God almighty
The father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
Be among you and remain with you forever
Amen’
Not a bad set of principles to live by.
Approaching the end of my battle with OVO Energy over charges. My beef was that the total of invoices received, less the amounts paid, did not match the total they were claiming.
Here are extracts from their email:
‘The reason for the different billing is due to the meter reading being updated.
When we change a reading our system will automatically update any readings that it feels is out of line with your usage. (my emphasis)
(THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THEY MAY IGNORE ACTUAL METER READINGS AND SUBSTITUTE THEIR OWN NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!)
‘This happens when open meter readings are updated or when we receive up to date meter readings that are not from a smart meter as may have over-estimated the readings for the bills.
When this happens it will cause a catch up bill but spread over all bills and you will receive updated bills when the next bill is sent.
This is what has happened with your bill, I do feel that this was not explained to you before and this should have been.
I can confirm that the last lot of bills I have attached to the last email for you are correct due to this and that is why the first bills you received and the newest ones are different due to the meter readings being updated.’
I TOLD THEM THIS WAS A LOAD OF BOLLOCKS AND IF THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CALCULATIONS THEY COULD TAKE ME TO COURT.
Response was an offer of a derisory credit amount which I will accept to be rid of them. I will find another supplier soonest. Would like to pay them off now but Reeves the Thieves has stolen my WFA so I cannot drop them immediately.
Received a lovely red envelope from the TV licensing goons containing a letter saying I am on Ze List and someone would be calling. Dated 4th, arrived 15th but no one has appeared yet. If they do turn up I will take great delight in telling them to fuck off and that the BBC would have to pay me to watch their shite!
The Dear Leader thinks he has pulled off a masterstroke by cancelling local elections next May. We shall see but the kickback I have read so far appears to unite The Country in loathing for the jumped-up robot.
Good wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all you lovely Puffins.
© Gillygangle 2024
