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suzyscottdotcom ([personal profile] suzyscottdotcom) wrote2008-11-26 05:39 pm

At least it's over... or is it?

So, it turned into a bit of a bad week. I had to be up north for issues related to the flat – remember, since the locks were (illegally) changed before my last visit, I’m the only one with a key to get in. At a short notice booking, the price of a train to London, and then a coach north (or even bus to Cambridge, coach to MK, and coach to Dundee) was about the same as a “Not London” open return by train – especially with a Railcard (as I’ve been off work with health reasons, I now qualify for a DPRC, which – unlike the previous Network card – is not restricted to the South East, and does not have a 10am time limit, or a minimum fare, on weekdays).

For when I get to the flat, another issue is that I have an obsolete prepaid card meter (it takes small one-inch wide magnetic cards, shaped a little like Edmondson tickets), so I planned the journey that I could get some cards, having checked with the company that I could still buy the cards for the meter from the shop, “until January”. So, on Thursday 20th November, Caroline drops me at Royston station just after 0900. FCC train to Cambridge, Cross-Country train to Peterborough. Doing fine so far. Then, find out that the train I was reserved on (1030 London Kings Cross to Aberdeen, between Peterborough and Dundee) was late, overhead line problems earlier around Stevenage (and some trains had been replaced by coaches – I could see a Whippet Setra, and an anonymous white looking Plaxton thing from across the station). Other trains were running to time, but this train has to be a diesel powered one, because the line north of Edinburgh is not electrified. We were due off Peterborough at 1102, and the 1159 Leeds was eventually cancelled, and we got the path. In the meantime, the next Edinburgh/Glasgow train had gone up, leaving my train rather empty in my carriage, so plenty of room to spread out.

Now, we get to Dundee, a little late. Me, a case, the laptop bag, jute carrier bag with Heffalump and Puppet Pusskins, and my handbag, up to the electric shop in Whitehall Street – got in just before they closed at 1700 (thanks to the late arrival). After handing over the cash, the person behind the bandit glass realises this is a token meter card, and points out that all their tokens were taken back, two weeks ago – and I’d need to get it swapped over. Sod doing that in the dark, so I called my mother, camp there for the night (after stopping to pick up the paper copies of the TD/NX Dundee timetable changes from the travel shop in Commercial Street) – but I cannot arrive until about 1900. So, hang around the bus station (watching commuters and leisure travellers for a bit), before munching an early-ish dinner, and getting a rather nice cab driver off the rank, for the journey to my mother’s.

Friday 21st November was my little sister’s 21st birthday, and I’d already sent her a present of a personalised Playboy glass, small bottle of Cava, and a pack of champagne truffles – which she seemed to enjoy, and my mother didn’t complain about the alcohol (there was already several cases of Vodka based pre-mixed drinks in the kitchen, now that was a surprise!) So, cab back to my flat, and there is emergency credit in the meter still to use (I thought that would have already gone), so that done me with light, for the moment, left the case at home to go out. Had to call the electricity company. 10 minutes in the queue, and then double-tapped. Another 10 minutes, and I got through. I need to change the meter… except, they’ve still got the account holder down as a Mr A. G., despite me sending my deed poll to them in 2004! Aah! So, to cut a long story short, I agree to fax them the deed poll (thankfully I had it scanned on my laptop), save it onto a SD card (now you know why all the spare cards are in the bottom of my handbag!), and take it to MBE for printing and faxing. After even longer on the phone, arrange a change of meter for Monday morning, with the request that I called back if the meter went off over the weekend.

After lunch, and stopping for some pictures of the new National Express Dundee liveried Volvo/Wright Gemini decker 7001, went via the bus station for some new clothes in Matalan, and a few items of snacks. Walked along Bell Street, and passed a commercial printer that I used to know quite well, having a paper sale – lots of really good quality papers (some of which were unavailable now) at silly prices. So, went home with the rest, and came back for some good bargains, spending just over a tenner, but with a massive saving. Paper has changed with the growth in laser and inkjet printers at home, previously offices bought paper for copying and typing, home people bought writing paper, and then the printers bought the specialist stuff like coated papers. I picked out some really nice stuff in the selection, and he said “You remind me of someone…” Yes, he recognised me (even though he’d not seen me for many years since transition)! (He’s printed quite a few bus timetables in his time, and more besides. His previous place is around the corner from my flat in Dundee). So, after three carries back (and I managed it, funnily enough!), that was it - aside from the plug on the heater being duff, and forecast for snow the next day, so back out to Argos for a cheap fan heater for the meantime. You can see a somewhat random selection of Friday pictures here.

Some work needed done inside the flat (well, perhaps that goes without saying), so that occupied me for the rest of that evening, and the next morning, Saturday 22nd November. I went out briefly mid-afternoon, and I could see that there was water leaking into the ground floor entry area of the flats. It was one degree outside, very cold, and I was rather chesty (just an hour away in St Cyrus, it was minus one, and bridge work was called off, followed by closure of a stretch of the A92, and then the warning not to use the Marykirk-St Cyrus road, as that was very dangerous too!) Walked about 10-15 minutes via the Wellgate, a distance of about one mile, and I felt very, very, very short of breath. The inhaler was not helping, but I wasn’t wheezing. Back home, pick up my pills, out to the bus stop in Marketgait for a 15/17 up to Ninewells Hospital. I did manage to splutter out “One Thirty Five” but this is where having only a few fares (and £1.35 being the maximum city fare) kind of helped. So, off at the stop opposite my former docs (one before Ninewells), down the hill, manage to make my way into A&E. Very brief explanation, gave my name, she pulls up my records on computer (this happened once before). Before I’d finished giving Caroline’s contact as my next of kin, she’d already paged for medical assistance to come around, and I was walked through in just a few seconds – this was reassuring, and most appreciated! After several examinations, an X-ray or two (the guy cut one side of me off the first time round), and two different meds via the nebuliser, they sent me home after five and a bit hours, with some prednisolone. Managed to get home under my own steam, despite being chesty. Now, I was wondering how long I’d feel better, and I did splutter a bit through the evening, and sleeping took longer than usual – but I made it.

Sunday 23rd November, and I’m feeling not so bad now... but, it’s snowing out! Went out wrapped in a sleeved T-shirt, pink roll neck jumper, multi-coloured six-colour Rainbow scarf, and long purple coat. No danger of me catching anything else… except, now, I was coughing up gunk, which I wasn’t before!!! It’s a “tropical” six degrees out there, but this is how the car park looked! The city centre was being partially closed off to allow the Christmas Lights switch-on in Dundee City Square, and you can see all the pictures from Sunday (the daytime half) here. When I got back, I snapped the light downstairs… still dripping water, but knowing not where from. Since the snow, the light appeared to be “bulging”, and was dripping HOT water. Hmm.

So, picture the scene. Dinner time, and I was in the mood for a bite to eat, and I fancied a Sarbeni (flat Turkish style pizza, rolled up) from a local take-away that specialises in such things (Marmaris, if I’ve spelt it out correctly). I stop at the nearby newsagent, to try and get some heartburn pills (the oral steroids do this), and then I go for my order. While waiting, I spot a pile of A7 size Underground style spoof tube maps for a Dundee pub, and grab a few for a giggle. I took a few pictures around Dundee City Centre, with the Christmas lights switched on – view from the Nethergate towards High Street Interchange, Boots Corner area, City Square and looking up the Murraygate. I’m walking around the Murraygate, and notice my former branch of HBOS has now turned into a Ladbrokes betting shop – there’s an irony there for you! I had another nosey around happenings at the bus station, before making back towards Albert Square and Meadowside. OK, so a fire engine, with full sirens and lights, then comes along Euclid Crescent, passing the High School, and up Panmure Street and Meadowside. That’s odd… why did they come this way? It’s not suitable for any through purpose, would have been better staying on North Marketgait.

I walk around to Constitution Road, and just pause briefly before going back in the flat, noticing how little of the snow was left (and how little heat it took to clear it). Then, the same fire truck comes up the road, and of course, it’s a dead end. Yep, people in Flat 5 had called them in, because of the dripping water from the light – here is another picture of it. Fire Brigade, Police, Electricity and a Joiner all turn up (one after the other) and start working. Firstly, the leaking light blew up, about 20 minutes after the FB turned up. Despite breaking down the doors to vacant flats 1 and 2, as well as conducting a full walk-around of the pub site (seeing bits I’d not seen before, albeit accompanying a female police officer and a joiner), it took several hours (and several “dead end” leads!) before, well over two hours into it (and a lot of hacked plaster, wood, etc. later) that the problem was found to be a leaking rainwater pipe, that had seeped through two layers of plywood (false ceiling) and a building floor layer. For months, or years. And it all had to go wrong, big time, this weekend. Popped in briefly to see the ladies at 5, before preparing the final touches for getting away the next day. Got to bed after midnight for the first time in months – 0010 in fact! – once everyone was called back, and the situations explained. You can see all the Sunday evening pictures here.

Monday 24th November was spent initially preparing further for the electrician coming up, but he declined on the lack of access. Now they’ve been to my flat before, so they know the score… but by that point, sorry, it was an irrelevancy. I wonder if the scene outside would have been partly to blame? Well, here’s things in daylight… minus a false ceiling or two, what’s left of the entry area ceiing panels, and the ground floor entrance area. After all this, out and doing the remaining tasks in the city centre, including breakfast, and giving one of the keys to the landlord (as well as debriefing in full about the previous night’s events!) I get a few remaining items before heading home, preparing for the 1440 Aberdeen to London Kings Cross train, which would take me from Dundee at 1602, as far as Stevenage. You can see the rest of the Monday pictures here.

So anyway, I was going to walk down the station, but C says to call a cab. I did, allowing a good 45 minutes before the train was due to depart. With 30 minutes to go, I called back… and the taxi company say that the driver had gone to Dundee College instead of my flat in the same road, other sides. Aah! There are no flats above the college though, and she vowed to get him back. The time was spent talking with the joiners, and they were in good spirits, and appeared to be happy enough with the work done. 20 minutes to go, phone a competitor, and he turns up, not even getting out the cab to assist me with the large case-on-wheels, or any of the other baggage. We get to near Riverside Roundabout, and a young female or two crosses over our path, and the cab driver makes a sexist comment about the length of her skirt in that cold weather. I point out that it was very cold when I’d came up, that’s why I never had showed any leg this time (jeans and rainbow belt, unusual for me). That kept him quiet, until we got to the station. “Right Sir…” and once again, no offer of assistance made. Right, now he’s pissed me off. Four pounds in exact coinage only, nothing more, slapped down on the coin table. As I get out of the cab, I leave the passenger side door ever so slightly ajar, meaning he’d need to get off his fat arse and close it himself! Maybe not the most monumental of protests, but the irony is, this article appeared in the following day’s Courier… and with service like that, my heart bleeds for them. Not.

So, I made it to the station, with time to spare, and can relax. The train actually left Arbroath two minutes early, so we had plenty of time to get everything in the luggage racks, before we pulled out, bang on 1602. As we left, I could think about getting back to the one I’d missed for the last few days, and making mental thoughts to remind myself that notice (to the landlord) is in, and I won’t have to have these trips for much longer. It wasn’t the travel I objected to, it’s the stressful situations that have occurred on several recent incidents! It was a recently refurbished carriage, and to answer the question from [livejournal.com profile] landsraad , the seats are rather high backed (which I liked), and it was very bright inside (again, I liked, as it was dark!) We crossed over the Tay, through Fife, and remained quite quiet, even with the commuter pick-ups at Edinburgh. There had been reports of problems between Edinburgh and Newcastle with southbound journeys not being able to go to full speed, but we weren’t too bad, until the outskirts of Dunbar, where we had to wait for a platform, losing a few minutes. Did well to get it back, but were a few down by Peterborough. (I didn’t plan to go via Cambridge, as the connection to the XC train is missed by a few minutes – even if we’d been on time – and is a zero minute connection on Saturdays. Not a chance!)

So, on the outskirts of Stevenage, Caroline calls me, to check (just as I’m at the door, ready to leave the train) that all is well, and times for pick-up. I had nine minutes to make it from Platform 2, up a flight of stairs (with no lift at that time of night), along the passage, and down the stairs to Platform 4, and that was down to just a couple of minutes. Almost made it… got to three-quarters of the way down, and I hear the phone ring. Caroline’s had a puncture (after being out for the evening visiting friends in Cambridge), and could I hold on… which later turned into “Come into Cambridge”. Next train was 30 minutes away, but my back-up was to take the Moorgate-Letchworth Garden City 313 class train up two stops, and then get the Kings Lynn limited stop (stopping at LGC, Royston only, then all stops from Cambridge) from there. After five minutes waiting at LGC, onto the next train, which arrived at Cambridge around 2310 hours. I was exhausted nine hours ago (waking around 0700), so this appeared to be a bit much. Shortly after I arrived, Caroline got going (rather than having someone else pick me up) and came to pick me up about 20 minutes later. I was knackered, there was no easy way to say it, but finally, nearly there! So, that was that, and an even later bedtime than the previous night!

My own doctor wasn’t going to be in on Tuesday 25th November, so that was a day of catch-up. Today, Wednesday 26th November, did my hair and showered, ready to go out for an 1140 doc appointment. The cold has really gone to my chest, and more steroids, just for a few weeks (albeit these ones are sugar-coated this time) and some antibiotics. Only thing was, took a little while to get all my pills, so Caroline ended up feeling bad when we got back to her place this lunchtime, and took a hypoglycaemic attack. Despite protestations of feeling better later, she still looked bad, so I’ve had her back to bed for the afternoon.

Things WILL get better.


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