I cannot be bothered to detail the problem that has developed with my probate application, except to say that I have received an e-mail rejecting my completed form for a reason that doesn’t make sense and asking me to submit a new one. Without sending a duplicate form I replied and received a standard automated response. This will involve a further 8 weeks delay.
Today was dry, dull, and cold. After a Tesco shop this afternoon we took a drive into the lanes to the west of the forest.
Despite the ice remaining in the ruts and puddles along the verges and in the fields,
daffodils bloomed on the green at Neacroft.
Crows seemed to be playing musical chairs from oak to oak and from wire to wire, of which there were a few in evidence along
Bockhampton Lane, where we thought it must be draughty in this
dilapidated building.
The golden glow we noticed on the horizon did not live up to its promise of some sort of sunset.
This evening we dined on more of Jackie’s spicy chilli con carne and rice, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the chianti.
This probate business can be tiring, frustrating and drag on forever. My aunt in Dorset died two years ago and we have still not reached the end of it all – her will was so simple too. The system is a bit like the dilapidated building you show: full of holes, draughts and the left hand not speaking to the right. I am glad you were able to enjoy some daffodils on your way home though.
Your description of the process is spot on, Anne. And you have the different country to compound the issues. Thank you very much.
gov’t bureaucracy is probably the same all over. I was just reminded in the w/end that I still haven’t received an updated birth certificate, I must get onto that!
Delightful pictures and interesting trek despite the winter’s influence.
Thank you so much, GP. Ponies had the sense to keep out of sight.
Love seeing the daffodils. Our daffodil and tulip leaves have broken through but nowhere near ready to form a flower head. At least our icy snow continues to melt. Dinner sounds good. We are having meatloaf in honor of the late Meatloaf.
Thanks very much, Pat. What a great tribute to the man
LOL, Derrick.
I have decided not to concern myself with probate problems; I will leave that for my son to fix. The ice in the puddles was really quite abstract. It reminded me of some satellite photos of flood plains in central Australia. And everybody loves daffodils.
Thank you so much, John.
But seriously it is something we too often avoid until it’s too late and our children have to cope.
Yes
Those black and whites are especially intriguing to me! Just beautiful.
Thank you very much, Luanne
Beautiful mix of black and white and color pictures. Sorry about the probate business. Mother-in-law is dealing with it herself right now.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. I wish MIL well
It is full of problems to say the least.
What a nice afternoon to take your mind off the probate email. I’m astonished at the daff’s showing up now. Nice.
Thank you so much, Lisa
How frustrating for you, I hope you get the probate situation done sooner than 8 weeks.
There is no chance of that, John. That is how it is. Thanks a lot
I see, patience truly is a virtue…
Our thoughts are with you and your family’s frustration with the probate technicalities. Perhaps a quicker than threatened solution will come your way. We liked the silhouette images of the crows.
Thanks very much from you both, Maj and Sher
A few Hitchcockian photos there
Yes, indeed, Sheree. Thanks very much
?
I’m sorry about the probate problems. I think Anne is right with the analogy. Bureaucracy seems the same in every country. I think we’re still in the process with my mom’s.
The top black and white photos are intriguing and unusual, but it made me happy to see daffodils. I can’t imagine we’ll see them here for a couple more months.
I agree about the cumbersome bureaucracy, Merril. Thank you very much. I do like to produce unusual images 🙂
You do! ?
We could call this a glum day then!
Most certainly, Sue. Thanks a lot X
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with probate problems, Derrick. Bureaucracy, the bane of our existence. I love the header photo! It’s very artistic. Seeing a large grouping of crows reminds me of “The Birds,” which I found terrifying. *shudder*
That certainly was a classic, Liz. Thanks very much – I’m pleased you liked my own favourite.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
How exciting to see daffodils! We won’t be seeing any around here for a few more months, but I did enjoy seeing yours. I hope you get your probate issues resolved soon. Those government offices can be a nightmare at the best of times and these are definitely not the best of times for offices of any sort.
Quite so, AnneMarie. Thank you very much
Love the silhouettes of the bare trees and crows. Hope everything works out well in the end with your probate application. Very frustrating.
Yes. Fortunately no-one is desperate for their share, Rosaliene. Thanks very much. I’m pleased you like the pictures
Your photo of birds on a wire, reminded me of Leonard Cohen’s classic song ..
https://youtu.be/jfASoBu48NM
Me too – Thanks a lot, Ivor
I am very impressed by your daffodils.
So were we. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Love the pics, in love with the daffodils!
Thanks very much, Holly
A pleasure Derrick
Try not to let this whole probate thing get to you. I often wonder if these people are paid extra to annoy the loved ones that these things involve. Do you have a “free legal aid” system in the UK that can help with legal paper work? or, a solicitor who can assist with the final closure forms such as probate? We asked Dad’s solicitor who wrote up his Will. I did most of the work involved but Dad’s solicitor did that last annoying bits. I fee was less than $500 AU but that stress relief was invaluable.
WOW! We are just about to sit down to Norm’s spicy chilli con carne but without rice.
Sleep well.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. I am one step away from handing the last fiasco over to a solicitor. If my last e-mail doesn’t do the trick that is what I will do. Great minds with chilli con carne
I share your frustration with senseless, incompetent and often automated bureaucracy, which seems to be everywhere these days. Even when you deal with a human being, it is all too frequently someone with limited authority, or intellect.
Thank you very much for that solidarity, Mike
I’m sorry for the headaches with probate. Nothing seems easy when you deal with the government. The daffodils are beautiful. I hope they brightened your day.❤️
Thanks a lot, Jill. There is so much that can only be done on line, which may or may not work
Exactly. What in the world do people do who don’t have internet access or the ability to use it…sad.
The header photo looked like a satellite image of rivers. I hate that the probate application was rejected. Stupid bureaucracy. It’s a good thing there are daffodils to make us smile. 🙂
Yes. Mum would have smiled at the daffodils. Thanks very much, JoAnna
I’m so sorry to hear about the probate issues and frustrations. 🙁 Hope it all gets dealt with sooner than is expected. When my MIL died she had everything set up well before she died and it still took almost a year for everything to go through/get done/get wrapped up.
Your photos today are so artistic and amazing! 🙂
The photos of the trees in their winter finery adorned with crows are faves for me!
Maybe the crows on the wires are having a meeting concerning what to do about the crows in the trees! 😉 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. X I’m not holding my breath about probate.
Yes, please DO NOT hold your breath whilst waiting.
🙂
Your pictures of the ice were very intriguing. If you hadn’t said what it was, I wouldn’t have known.
Thanks very much, John. Even Jackie, who was there, thought I had taken a shot of the winding lanes with a drone.
The silhouetted crows on various perches indicate some intense parliament in session. One wonders what could have the topic of discussion or contention, but they have certainly yielded interesting photos.
It’s exasperating how complicated we have managed to make ordinary matters of life, even as we collect, integrate, store, analyse and process more and more data through computer systems that are a million times more fast than equipment available earlier. Reminds me of a quote: “I am not crazy; my reality is just different from yours.”
Thank you very much, Uma. I like your use of parliament. Your exasperating comment is spot on. No longer can we do anything without going on line which may or may not work.
I really like that building.
Thanks very much, Andrew. Worth another look in better light
Uma’s comment — that we can “collect, integrate, store, analyse and process more and more data through computer systems that are a million times more fast than equipment available earlier” — is both true and not true. Our internal revenue service has backlogs going back at least a couple of years, and part of the reason is that their computer system is about sixty years old. In fact, much still is written in COBOL: a programming language that’s not even taught today. Oh, whoops. Finding people who can make the system work apparently is an issue.
Of course, finding anyone who’s willing to work is an issue these days! You’re lucky to have found some of them through your renovation projects!
Legacy systems are still in use many, many places, and present a security risk as well.
Thanks very much, Linda
I am sorry that you are having ongoing problems with probate. That can take a long time here as well.
I loved all the photos from your day, especially the golden trumpets of daffodils!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I am hoping my brother, Joseph, has deciphered the problem
I am sorry about the form and your needing to redo it. My son registered for university today. The website is terrible and it was like negotiating a minefield. The frozen ice looks very pretty, as do the daffodils.
Thank you so much, Robbie. These forms are all so terrible
Seems those cheery daffodils were a needed treat, Derrick.
Yes. Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Wow! Daffodils blooming already!!? Government Red tape is a real pain! Hope you get it straight!
Thanks very much, Dwight
Love your ice photos!
Thanks a lot, Dwight
You are welcome!
Those daffodils are so gorgeous! An early sign of spring ?
It would seem so, Ribana. Thank you very much.
Perspective in imagery is a wondrous thing – those first B&W photos could be of frozen lakes, taken from on high. 🙂 … I love your eye for this sort of thing. 🙂
I’m so pleased, Widders. Thank you very much
Daffodils in January? Holy cats!
Indeed. Thanks a lot, Laurie
Fabulous black and white photos, especially the first two.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The daffodils would have made my day. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thanks a lot, Crystal