The man in the high transit

They were collecting for the local food bank at Cobham Waitrose. Very well organised and professional. This gentleman was clearly in a supervisory role and he certainly looked the part: high up in the back of the van which was well stacked and stocked with boxes of foodstuffs. But I still baulk at the fact of us needing such things in this day and age. That’s what a decade of Tory austerity does for you.

There was an article in the paper today about a Department of Work and Pensions claimant who was described in her paperwork by DWP officer as "a lying bitch". Not sure what is more shocking, the fact that someone said it or that they were so badly trained as to think it was acceptable. She has had her denial of benefits reversed and has also been compensated for her mistreatment.

I’ve been reading a new book today about the research over the last century into the human immune system and why it sometimes turns against the organism it is suppposed to protect; and why at other times the messages don’t get through or get confused and cells get killed or damaged as a result. Feels like a metaphor for modern society where some individuals and groups are turning against the rest and reducing the health of community as a whole.

Enough grandiose metaphor. It’s a jolly bloke in a van collecting food for the less fortunate. And very nice he was too. Brightened up a day which had already been rather nice - long lazy lie-in with TSM and an hour spent sawing a settee in half. Not something you get to do very often. And shopping for Passover next week. And discovered a cafe in a lovely walled garden (although they didn’t have any vegan cakes, but you can’t have everything).

We ate leftover meatballs and played kalooki whilst listening to music tonight. Mostly Paul Simon with a bit of James Taylor. Good day.