It was grey outside when I awoke after a very decent sleep. In fact, it was not long before it started to rain, and rain heavily it did. Puddles all over the roads etc.
I had the usual stress of getting T up in time – he has day care, but we needed to pick Lena up first to get her to her English lessons in Wallingford. Then I drop T off, then I walk H, then I pick up Lena at 11.30. Then Lena wanted to do some shopping so that was next on the list. That is roughly what happened except it all took a very long time. It was after 13.00 when I finally dropped off Lena at the Illis.
Firstly – the dog walk. I noticed that rain had not fallen in Wallingford because the track to Castle Meadows was dusty and dry. It was not like that upon my return. Upon my return, the craters were full of water and I had to skip around lesser puddles.
H and I took the long route round the Meadows. There were no steers in sight so I assumed they were in another field. That was a bit of a wrong assumption. They were just hiding under a spreading chestnut tree. Maybe they had received the same notification of rain that I had received. And were taking early shelter.
Anyway the rain did arrive and it was very very heavy. I was very ill-equipped for wet weather. Truer to say I was not equipped at all. To begin with, I sheltered under another spreading tree – even so, I just got soaked. I was chatting to another ill-equipped dog walker. A walker of two dogs – one from Spain and one from France.
In the end, I had to leave the inefficient rain protection in order to meet Lena on time. Except she was not on time, but about 15 minutes late.
I was not cutting an elegant figure in my soaking wet clothes as I hung around Waitrose car park.
We were then off to Lidl. Not as classy as Waitrose, but much cheaper. I am always quite surprised at the cash till when I leave Lidl . Surprised in a good way. Waitrose total surprises me too and not in a good way. The problem with Lidl is you can never be sure what stock they will be offering . However, their fruit and veg are very good quality and value.
By now, the sun was shining and it was quite warm. Lena emerged from the shop, after a while, weighed down under the carrier bags I had provided for her. How she managed to acquire 4 heavy bags of shopping without a trolley leaves me wondering.
I dropped her home. Today, my 5 hours of respite had dwindled to one hour.
It did not stop there for Lena. She had to go all the way to the Job Centre in Reading with paperwork to prove Timur’s existence.
Ali is very unhappy with the constant inefficient bureaucracy. Their first financial assessment stated Lena was a single person with no dependents. This was stated, despite the fact Timur was standing beside her at the time they saw her.
‘Why do you need more evidence, when you have seen the child? ‘ Alex asked. No sensible response. ‘Can I bring his paperwork ?’ She asked. Negative response. It had to be Lena.
‘It will only take a couple of minutes,’ responded the job centre person.
Sharp and deep intake of breath from Alex, as she explained that it would not take two minutes, but at least 3 hours, because they had to travel to and from Reading, park up, walk to the appointment; all the time whilst she had to work and Lena had no transport in times of train strikes.
Idiots.
Lena is doing her best to work with cleaning jobs for Ali’s friends. But promised income support is taking a while. Her English is steadily improving … she is doing everything expected of her.
I collapsed in a heap at home. But it was soon time to go and meet T.
I see no pecs, just droopy boobs on a middle aged man, which could do with a bra for support. Nothing there to be proud of. Apparently, Pootin and these pecs, caused some clothing challenge for those ’suits’ attending the G7. I dread to think what my namesake made of it all. Being the only woman and all that.
Update:
A conversation with Ali in the evening revealed that the powers that be ( aka government bureaucracy) had reviewed Lena’ s first financial assessment and had concluded they had got it all wrong.
Ali’s dressing down had not fallen on deaf ears. They acknowledged the existence if Timur and that they did already have his paperwork. This has made a difference of about £500 to Lena. And the money owed will arrive on Wednesday. So they say. Lena was informed by email just before they left for Reading. So they did not go!
They were having a little celebration yesterday, at Lena’s expense – involving prosecco I believe.
They also received their 3 year visas very quickly after our trip the other week.
I really take my hat off to my daughter, because without her persistence and legal acumen, negotiating Lena’s rights and what is available for refugees would have been very difficult. It has taken up a lot if time. She stands no nonsense. And cuts through the crap with precision.
Thought for the Day
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