Any cheerful news today? (Nothing negative please! 🙂) (Part 2)

Small Talk
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I was going to ask a question in the appropriate thread about a mystery banking event, but think I have worked it out for myself now so perhaps it is due for this one.

On the 12th of every month I pay my Lloyds Bank credit card bill, before it arrives because once it didn’t and I was penalised. This is only small change, just Kindle books paid from my Yorks Bank account.

While I was on the YB site I made a note of the total to compare with my own records. For once they did not compare, but the amount was huge, to me anyway, and fortunately in my favour. I had heard of accounts being hacked and money stolen but not of money being hacked in, and this is a 4 figure sum. I was still shocked, what if criminals are hiding money away from prying eyes in a hacked account to be retrieved later? :astonished:

I immediately fired off a secure question to the bank asking for an explanation. As soon as I had done so I looked again at the reference number on the transfer, it seemed familiar but I couldn’t place it at first, then I had a thought, and rushed to open the DEATH list. The list that details all that has to be done and who is to do it in the event that I don’t wake up one morning. Scrolled down the page and then onto the second one. There it was, my National Insurance number. :astonished:

After Fran died, using this list I immediately informed, amongst others, the Dept. of Work and Pensions in Newcastle. Some time later they demanded a copy of my marriage certificate, signed by a notaire, cost me 30 euros and I was a bit ticked off that, although they acknowledged receipt, I have heard nothing more since.

So mystery solved, but is it? No message no explanation and I can’t match the amount to Fran’s monthly pension, it comes to the equivalent of 3.9 months. It is 10 months since she died, so not a catchup of that, perhaps a one off lump sum. No idea. Perhaps someone else has? (@Shiba ? :wink:)

Nevermind, cheerful enough to have 4 extra figures at my disposal. :joy:
Sooner be without the reason for it though. :grinning:

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Yes, I got a lump sum for Bereavement payment from the DSS after I had rung and told them about OH dying and they offered me this payment as a UK citizen and former NI contributor by OH. That would explain the NI ref you have on the bank account although I don’t use UK accounts so everything comes direct to CA and is listed what it is on the statement online.

483

Down to the cemetery with a small flask of something special to sit in sunshine and tell Fran maybe?

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Maybe this ? It has to be claimed so if you haven’t then it won’t be, and I would claim it. You still have time to do so. All the details are in the article.

Edit: Ignore that. It’s only claimable if you’re under state pension age.

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I have always found cemeteries interesting… fascinated since childhood … but never connected them with my far-flung family. Mostly my family have been buried wherever they dropped … who knows where.

Here in France, I know almost every tombstone in my local cemetery “personally” :wink: that is, I know the relatives who aren’t dead :rofl: and I know the “stories” of those few tombs which no longer have any family alive.
It seems only polite to murmur a “hello” as we pass, but I’ve not yet had any reply… :rofl:

I love this idea of the family grave/tomb/ashes in one cemetery and that the deceased are brought from all over France to slumber on with their ancestors/relatives.

People visit throughout the year (some weekly/daily), to reminisce and “chat” with their loved ones.

and, of course, Toussaint… when everyone comes from far and near to tidy/wash the tombs and chat with all comers… a truly wonderful time.

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I’m down there every day that there is no overnight rain, to water the flowers and I do stop and chat about what has happened and what the weather is like. Not as daft as it sounds as I talk to my self all, the time anyway. I don’t see many down there and some of the flowers are drooping, it almost seems as if they put all their efforts into the frantic days leading up to all the chrysanths.

If a pot on one of the others has blown over I put it right as I pass with a word or 2 to the ones I have known in life. I have been here long enough to know quite a lot of them.

@Shiba Seems like it is a one off then, rather than an ongoing one that I was led to believe by some. A bit strange though that there should have been no warning or explanation, it really had me worried for a short time.

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Don’t you get something with your state pension from the UK regarding your widower’s benefit/payment? Mine is actually printed on my CA statement here when the pension comes direct that widow’s benefit is included with pension.

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The weather is amazing today, like summer. From where I’m sitting I can see the spider webs on the fence behind our house sparkling as they blow in the breeze, and in front of them the apple tree branches have new shoots in green with a pink and white tip.

Just finished eating the ciabatta I made earlier, all crunchy outside, super soft inside. I cut the grass this morning and the rest of the day is ours - wonder what pleasure awaits this afternoon?

Edit.
The answer is, I’ve been requested to take pictures of a local maze - I won’t call it a photo shoot, but it seems I have work to do after all. :smile:

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489

No, nothing at all, I have just checked and my OAP has remained the same every month since before Fran died, so I assume that this large lump sum is the end of it. But perhaps if they get in touch they will deign to let me know.

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Hmm. Not quite as good in the south of 86.

The weather is amazing today, like winter. From where I’m sitting I can see about 15m through the driving rain that started in the early hours. The birds have taken to paddling rather than flying and the denuded framework of the Mirabelle tree is a marvel, with all of the blossoms blown off by the wind that accompanied last night’s frost. I suspect any new green shoots will have retreated…

491

I have at last swept all of Jules’ accumulated fur from the floors of 2 rooms, it looks so much better but I have not tackled the myriad bloodspots left by Galys’, perhaps continuing, chaleur. That has to happen when I can shut them outside for a while for it to dry, which is not today with the change in the weather. I missed my chance yesterday. I have been given permission to have her spayed, or at least tested to see if this ageing dog’s heart can stand an operation. Already now I am backtracking in my head not wanting to risk her life despite the hard time she, inadvertantly, gave me on our recent trip.

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We stayed in a gite near to the château, years ago now. It had American owners, a huge fridge/freezer etc. Pool, and wood beetles in the furniture !

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Have you ever watched Chateau DIY on one of the UK channels? Much more interesting than that staged place in sun rubbish and the results of someof the chateaux are amazing.

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Yes and how I laugh at some whilst admiring the others.

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My cheerful news is, as so often, to do with food :wink:

Just called in to check on a neighbour and been presented with a large dish of “gratin dauphinois”… still warm… and smells wonderful.
Seems she is incapable of cooking medium quantities of anything… and I’m certainly not complaining. OH is thrilled too.

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Our grandson is staying with us for a few days.
He will go back to Munich by train, his first solo journey.

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Galys’ chaleur appears to be over and yesterday I swept and mopped and the whole place is like a new pin this morning, and no little red spots either. Fingers crossed. Now to get her checked up to see if she can stand an op at her age, but I am not sure I want to risk her either way.

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You could just get a pack of nappies. And a lot cheaper than the op.

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I was wondering if there was something like that but thought perhaps not as it wouldn’t stay on. Also I doubt it would deter the attractive scent she displays and part of my worry is the way that even my long castrated Jules’ is affected by it.

But I will have a look and see what is said about them. :grinning:

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Just checked my favourite online store and for 20 odd euros free delivery on Wednesday I can get a pack of 20 disposables which seem to be what she needs.
Only trouble is I can’t measure her alone because she keeps sitting down. :rofl: It’s all very well being a modest lady but not very useful in this instance. However it doesn’t seem to be urgent because I think she has finished for this season so I will wait 'till I can catch her unawares or get someone else to hold her before ordering. Then I’ll sacrifice one to see if it stays on her and then keep the other 19, plus a further order, ready for the next time around September time. :grinning: