British Gas - dispute

 Thursday 18th July 2024

I have finally received the decision of the ombudsman for my long running dispute with British Gas.

It seems that only hard evidence is considered and subjective information is more or less ignored. They have accepted British Gas readings as inarguably correct. My own calculation of average daily usage over the last two yeas applied to the outstanding bill showing a difference of over £900 has been ignored. Although that shows an overwhelming disproportionate usage for a dwelling similar to mine I have not been able to identify any cause, either at my end or that of BG. So, my calculations I guess have been seen as speculative because I have not produced any hard evidence.

My 8 point complaint included examples of dreadful service from BG for over a year and it would seem that has been marginally considered but only resulting in a goodwill award of £200.

To sum up my feelings see below a copy of my reply to Gimmer in a previous post"

Gimmer -It is the electricity not the gas that is in dispute. I have mow received the ombudsman's decision and it is less than satisfactory only giving me a goodwill payment of £200.00. I can still have the "independent" meter test which I will have to pay for, but it will satisfy my mind that the possibility of malfunction there can be eliminated*, and if it exists, not allowed to continue ad infinitum. I can't emphasise enough how much this has taken out of me. There are avenues for appeal but I have mo motivation whatsoever to continue with this health sapping saga. My overall motivation is to make this into history. I now intend to accept the decision and move on. Financially, the funds have been saved along the way so that is not a worry.

As I said in a previous comment :

"I am beginning to understand why some of the postmasters ended up unnecessarily pleading guilty."

There comes a point where one just runs out of steam.

*Of course, if there is a malfunction BG will have to make amends.

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On a brighter note, Chocolate Guiness Cake was "on" at Café Ambio today.

 Sorry Mick and Gayle that you missed it on your visit.

Old Town, north of Kirkby Lonsdale

 Monday 15th July 2024

I had a doctor's appointment st 11:35, would you believe, so by the time I had negotiated miles of heart stopping narrow lanes with no passing places, it was 1:35 pm before I got started on this little walk.

At Crooklands filling station I had stopped to buy a sandwich and drink. On the counter was a display of "Joe's home made dough cakes - £1.95" They looked appealing and chocolatey - nothing ventured nothing gained.

It was 24 degrees when I set off but I wasn't complaining, so far. Undulating large sheep pastures formed the landscape. Long grass, cropped grass, and reeds all featured in rotation. They were  accompanied by three foot high thistles in bloom with attractive purple flowers. Each year seems to favour some particular flora and this time I think it's the turn of the thistles.

After breathless ascent of several mini hills, and me drenched in sweat I came to tarmac. I was searching as always for somewhere to sit and have my snack but to no avail. The long straight road disappeared in its perspective to a vanishing point in the distance. Eventually I found a grassy bank where I could sit in the knowledge that I would be able to stand up again fairly easily when the time came. The cheese and pickle sandwich was fine. Then came Joe's dough cake. It had the consistency of thick wallpaper past, and was flavoured with only a hint of chocolate all belying its attractive appearance. My mouth was coated thickly with this concoction and its adhesiveness to human flesh made it difficult to swallow. I am not prone to leaving litter but the remainder went with an involuntary bung into the long grass on the other side of the road, leaving me to clean the residue stuck to my fingers.

The tarmac continued and being quiet with extended views made for enjoyable walking. At Tosca farm I was back on footpaths, After the second gate the path turned right and then over a substantial ladder stile. I followed the wall side right to the corner having deduced that was correct from the OS 1:25 map, but I did have some doubt because the path on the map was more or less on top of the wall. The climb took me to the corner of the field. That  was the toughest climb on this walk. There was mo escape in the corner. I had to return until a gate gave access to the other side of the wall and then climb the twin of that steepest ascent. 

Once over the top of that climb my route descended to Terry Bank Tarn. That feature had attracted me to plotting this route in the first place. Although I must have been close to it before it is hidden from the road. Just the place to rest for a few moments and enjoy this freshwater lake before gaining the road and the final section back to Old Town.

Just leaving the road at the start

Typical of the scenery throughout

This year's winner of "Best Bloom"

Broken bridge spanning the stream.  I had to clamber along it with one foot in the groove and the other on the outer ledge - 'twas quite uncomfortable

A better version by the old oak tree

Just hit the tarmac. Looking back whence I came

It was all enjoyable. here Normally such a sight can be a bit daunting

The ladder stile which contributed to me being on the wrong side of the wall further up 

Terry Bank Tarn. Time to rest and assess the walk so far, and to contemplate the remaining section. All was peace and quiet. It had been good walking, but tough in the heat

Barbon Fell and perhaps Middleton Fell in background - entrance to the Yorkshire Dales

Start on road - furthest north

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Just a little sample of granddaughter's current efforts. I like the imagination here and the confident style, and little details like the on/off switch on the wall.

Katie's Art

Whitbarrow north

 Saturday 13th July 2024

Much has happened over the last ten days or so.

After waiting over three years my son W at last had his bariatric operation on Tuesday, 9th July. That involved some drama before, during, and after the operation. Not least that the private hospital used by NHS is in Cheadle, and on the day of the op. we had to be there for 7:00am. That is around a two hour drive taking into account the nightmare traffic congestion around Preston and even more so around Manchester. I have done that journey twice now.

After the op. W. was moved to Manchester Infirmary for some after op needs and on Friday I had another dreadful trip with bad traffic holdups culminating in the section through Manchester centre with  horror complex traffic light junctions, multi lane switching and aggressive drivers, whilst trying to heed the sat-nav's instructions. Even when I arrived at the vast Manchester hospital it took me about fifteen minutes to track W. down. To cap all this, as I was setting off from home I had a call from the ombudsman regarding my British Gas complaint and pulled over to hear not so good news. Having set off at about midday to include a shop at Aldi,  and then fighting the traffic on the way home, it was 7:00pm when I eventually landed. 

I am still being monitored by the Respiratory department at Lancaster for my breathlessness and have two appointments pending. 

So, Saturday (yesterday) time for a walk.

I have walked all over Whitbarrow, a large limestone plateau only twenty minutes drive from home. There is a path on the map skirting the northern rump that I haven't walked before. The whole circuit was less than three miles. From the start a rocky sunken path eventually lead out onto the limestone parkland-like flanks of Whitbarrow. A friendly springer came to greet me followed by its owner. I had my own springer, and then my daughter's and have great affection for them, reminding me of watching the RNLI Saving Lives t Sea the other night:

Springer taken 4 miles down coast, rescued. Got in boat. Just wanted to jump out and chase some more seagulls.

The green cropped grass of this limestone country with the white grey rock protruding everywhere makes an environment that always gives me cheer. The faint path climbed all the way for a kilometre. I was pleasantly surprised to go all the way at a steady plod with only the occasional brief rest - at last a noticeable slight improvement, I hope it was not just a one-off.  Although the British Gas thing is not satisfactory I can see this will be finalised within the next few days. That combined with Son at last having  had his op, after the years of waiting has lifted some of the pressure I have been under for far too long. Perhaps that partial release has reflected itself in my walking ability?

As I type this in the peace and tranquility at home I feel more relaxed than for many a month.

The track lead over the northern shoulder of Whitbarrow and then descended steeply through thick coppice woods clutching from one tree trunk to another to prevent a fall. Not what I had planned for, and a good illustration of not always getting the full picture from the OS map. At the bottom, the skirting path proved to be bounded by a wall on the left, and on the right, the encroaching coppice wood and more than head high bracken,. That persisted for another half kilometre of jungle bashing until  a proper track lead back to the car.

Just a quick snap of my Hydrangea before I set off

A friendly spaniel as I started to ascend the Whitbarrow parkland

Looking back down the long ascent that I managed more or less without stops

Whitbarrow cure-all  scenery,

Distant Lakeland hills. Better to be here than there in my opinion

The skirting path.Tthere was a good half kilometre of this. Not what I'd planned for. I always say that I can make a walk to the bottom of my garden into an epic