Category Archives: London

The Blue Envelope

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To my surprise I received the infamous and dreaded blue envelope from the Netherlands this morning. I looked down from the top of the stairs and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what was lying there on the doormat: a blue envelope?

Funnily surprising how instantly recognisable it is because it’s so typical Dutch… It’s been three years since I sent off the last one to Heerlen… I still don’t believe what happened, because they informed me about a three zero amount that I’ve just received from them over 2006.

They already have been extremely generous when I sent off that last letter and now two years later, on top of that, I receive another third of what I got previously. I never had a bad relationship with them -unlike some Dutch- but this is the best blue envelope I’ve ever received!

It pays for a long-standing trip in the near future…

© Zesty Gal, Bless me for keeping good records *hehe*

Bad Practice

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Noticeable Oddities of the Day:

I have a blocked Eustachian tube for months already causing a cracking sound and earache on and off. I’ve tried to relieve the symptoms with steam inhalation which was ok for a while but not very effective. I need it to be clear since I’ll be on a plane to Amsterdam soon and I really don’t want a perforated eardrum again, that would be the third time.

I’ve been trying to make an appointment with any GP of the surgery I’m registered with since my own seems to be retired in the meantime *so I was told* I had to call the snobby receptionist each day to see if there was an available spot. One can only book an appointment a week ahead, which basically means that I won’t be able to see a doctor before I’ll leave.

It’s an annoying system but I guess that’s the price you pay for free health services. I got so fed up with this that I called the hospital yesterday evening and explained the situation to them. The receptionist told me that a doctor would call me back within the hour. An hour and a half later I was on my way home -after I’d seen the doctor at the hospital- with my medication.

It doesn’t make sense to me that a hospital covers for a practice because the practice is so busy that they can’t cope… but I’m not complaining, I praise this hospital for their excellent service given to me in the past and on this particular day: to me it’s the best in London. The doctor even told me I could see him again this Saturday if I had to… Now… isn’t that nice?

© Zesty Gal, Sweets for my Sweet, sugar for my Honey (never had them in this bright Magenta colour…)