British Waterways

This morning my stress levels reached arterial popping point. 

We have overcome the shock of being informed that our bungalow needs a new roof. We are resigned to it. Happy... But. 

Our builders had all the materials delivered last week, to avoid expected materials price rises in April. Happy... But..

We had the bill yesterday, just over £4k...Happy.  But.

I used the automated telephone service to transfer the money from the bank to the builder. Easy peasy, Happy. But... 

Two days later the builder is querying why I haven't paid the bill?

Mmm... Let's phone the bank.. 

Stress levels then kick in. The bank in their wisdom, and without telling me, blocked the payment and locked my account. 

Further more, they told me in no uncertain terms their "algorithm" has flagged the payment as fraud and I was treated to a forty minute grilling by a fraud specialist, doubting the legitimacy of the payment and the integrity of the builder. Who is a long term friend and associate and whom I would trust with my life. Have done actually, four years ago. 

Sorry blip world but I shouted,  very loud. And my tirade made it clear that when this shambles was cleared up I was going to the highest man/woman/ non binary / arse hole to complain. And claim compensation. And change my bank to one that employs people not robots.

Long story short, it got sorted, payment cleared, account unlocked. Builder paid.

Happy. 

My wife said she had never seen me so angry. Short memory obviously.


To destress we went for a fabulous walk in Mortimer Forest near Ludlow. It was the perfect medicine. Every one happy, except my blood pressure. Don't tell the doctor.

The blip is a flooded lane leading to the lovely old church at Stanton Lacy. Low level fields all around are underwater. I guess Ironbridge, Bridgnorth, and Bewdley are in for a rough night if river levels on the Severn continue to rise...

Sweet dreams blip world, I will be counting eviscerated bankers  sheep tonight.