h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've been having a day. Started this morning. Yesterday morning I woke at 2.22 am. last night I went to bed saying I didn't want to wake again at 2.22 am. This morning, I woke, looked at the alarm clock and found it was - yes - 2.22am. It then flicked over quickly to 2.23am.

*You can't afford the luxury of a negative thought* The mind doesn't think in negatives, does it?

Was awake really early and so meditated early. Decided I had time to put the sleeping bag back where it belonged - in the loft and opened the loft hatch and then - bang - the loft ladder flew down and hit me in the face. I had just time to turn my head so it hit me on the side of the face rather than the front. It really hurt.

I put my hand to my head to give it some reiki and phoned for back up. I also took some arnica.

When I got home, I found a letter from One.Tel saying they had declined my application to them, saying they weren't going to tell me why. I've never been turned down for anything before. I think it's either a mistake or they have relied on incorrect information. I was blazingly angry. Not that I want an account now - anyone who treats their customers as they treated me - ignoring my letter, phone calls and e-mails doesn't deserve me as a customer. But it implies that I'm not credit worthy and I'm not having that!

They have really messed me around and I still can't dial out properly. I''m going to write to their regulatory authority and have the whole sorry business investigated.

I'm so annoyed that I've not yet prepared my things for the France trip, which is on now I have my new passport. We're off tomorrow, back late Saturday.

Hi, Zarquon. That sounds terrible, that accident with the loft ladder. Not a pleasant way to end a meditation. HOpe you're OK and have a great trip to France.

What a weird week!

Bye,

Chai

Yes, it was a bit of a shock! And I was feeling very virtuous about putting the sleeping bag away.

I'm looking forward to the day trip to France. Little was so diappointed last time. Keep your fingers crossed for decent weather!

Enjoy France!

Thanks - I'm looking forward to it. Passports - check, a few Euros - check, train times - check!

Interesting coincidence

More often than not , when I wake during the night it is 2.22 am -- with now and then a 3.33 or a 4.44 just to vary the set-up, but mostly 2.22

The wife does the 2.22 P M wake up when she has a snooze after lunch .

Possibly more than you needed to know , but .......

Have you got your E 111 form? This covers you for hospitilisation in France should an accident occur. You can get one from your local health board.

No, I haven't. Forgot about it and I now don't think that there's enough time to get one.

It's such a long time since I went abroad, you see. Of course, I think I had an E111 form when I went last time. I wonder if I can find it. Presumably it doesn't have a sell-by date?

Thanks, Gnomon.

They do unfortunately have a sell-by date. The health authority normally stamps a date on them so they only last for about a year. My local hospital will give them to anybody who comes to the door, so if you are passing a hospital you may be able to pick up one.

About 7 years ago I had to use mine in France. My daughter who was five at the time fell and seriously banged her head. A doctor recommended an overnight stay in a hospital. French hospitals are amazing! THere was one nurse for every two patients. On leaving we were presented with a bill for £500, but on production of the E-111 they let us out without paying anything. Later they sent us a bill for £100 which is not covered by the E-111 and the travel insurance paid this.

Oh, I'll just have to hope for the best then. We're in France for only 8 1/2 hours, so hopefully nothing dreadful will happen to us.

Jai Shree Ganesh, Jai Shree Ganesh, Jai Shree Ganesh.

Or if you don't fancy a Hindu blessing,

May the blessings of Saint Christopher guide your footsteps.

Have a great time,

Chai

Thank you, Chai!

I much prefer the Hindu blessing, thanks!

I'm beginning to perk up. I've felt a bit low all day.

Sorry to hear you had such a nasty shock! ! Keep taking the arnica - wonderful stuff. (Did you know you can buy very cheap arnica and lavender cream in French pharmacies? Worth stocking up on!)
Have a lovely trip. Take care.

In the end we had a lovely day in Le Havre, despite the weather forecast. We had a Club Class room, which was really good - really spacious - with a double bed, dressing gowns, a TV and a good view. Had a really good night's sleep (although it was very short). The day in Le Havre was lovely - nice and sunny and it was a suprisingly nice place with beach huts and a funicular and a great view at the top.



Little was somewhat lively on the way back, negotiating with the staff for extra ice in his drinks, free food etc. Thank goodness for the Dolphin Club. He came back with bendy balloons and colouring sheets and stuff.

Welcome back, Zarquon. Jai Shree Ganesh.

Thank you, Chai - your Hindu blessing obviously worked. We had a marvellour day - one of those in the continuous present, where I felt I had not a care in the world and where the sun shone not too hot, not too cold - and we had a very relaxing time.

Little had a backpack, which he coped very well with. People were helpful - changed 20c for 2x10c for instance in a hairdressers to allow us to use the funicular. Thanks!