Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Monday, November 13/2017

To the Barbican library for the first time in ages, maybe years. It's so peaceful and civilised, helpful people going about their work with an almost monastic quiet and efficiency. And the VPNs work here, as they have unhappily ceased to do in most public venues. 

So take advantage of the opportunity to check in for the flight to Cyprus Saturday week and download boarding passes. Only five allowed per device, which seems reasonable. When we boarded in Fredericton they were unhappy about two boarding passes on one device, citing Transport Canada. Intended to check this as it seemed unreasonable. What about the passenger accompanied by small children or an elderly blind parent? My baby has dropped his smart phone and my mother can't see hers? 

Make copies of phone bills for UK bank in the continuing interest of proving J's identity and residence, although they say not to use online billing. It is an exact copy, though a downloaded one. They also say full first name, and Bell has used Joe instead of Joseph. On reflection, the only other utility bill we receive is from Sioux Hydro, which does the same. Do I detect an urban bias here? J has lived in the same community for 65 years and doesn't have what HSBC considers proof of residence. Electric bill addressed to Joe, water pumped from lake by us. Heat is wood, delivered in 16 foot lengths without a written bill. It's a different world, although there may be similar arrangements in small communities in the Scottish islands. Driving licence does have full name and address, but they seem only to want it if it's EU. Wonder if Brexit will broaden or narrow the requirements. 

Stop in Kilburn on the way home (which it isn't) to pick up a few things at Aldi. And pass Roses, which, surprisingly on a Monday, is featuring lamb kleftiko. So, unexpected supper stop. Only a couple of tables empty this time, and kleftiko falling succulent lay off the bone as always.