Twickers
Trip Start
Mar 29, 2006
1
15
232
Trip End
Feb 28, 2007
Richmond (London),
United Kingdom
Thursday, April 13, 2006
We went into Twickenham town, essentially to find out something about Anne's pension entitlements. Having worked in the UK for some ten years in her youth we had been advised that she was entitled to a small amount of the British age pension. We parked behind the Civic centre, paid the usual exorbitant parking fee and asked the very helpful person inside the centre where we might find some answers to our questions. She directed us to the Job Centre a couple of blocks away. I had expected the 'employment exchange' to be a dingy, dirty, full of down and outs kind of place...but no. We were confronted with two very cheerful ladies standing just inside the door who asked us our business and then spent a lot of time trying to find the right information about where to go. In the meantime a man in uniform came striding over to me across the freshly carpeted floor and asked if there was anything he could do to help me
Thames at Teddington
. Upon my reply that I was, "wiv her" he insisted I take a seat in one of the comfortable chairs that were scattered about the foyer. I declined but I was impressed. I don't get this sort of attention in a bank. It all looked like the reception area in a high rise executive suite...totally unexpected. He next turned his attention to a newcomer at the door who was early for an appointment and insisted he take a seat and a cup of tea while he waited. All around were carpeted floors, new timber desks, computer monitors and smart young things behind non-confrontational counters. Anne was directed to the Richmond council 'out surgery' at East Sheen...a part of the Department for work and pensions. Now, whilst this was all very modern and customer focused we had not yet received an answer to a simple question...was Anne entitled to an English pension! We still haven't.We walked around the shops looking for shoes but no luck again. We took the opportunity to walk down to the river and look upon Eel Pie Island which actually has a footbridge across from the town side leading to a few homes and houseboats. It was a lot warmer this day so it was a pleasant walk along the river back to the car. From there we went to Teddington to find the library. Another park and another coin or two. Anne brought half the library back with her. She is getting through a book a day at the moment. Reckons she is on holiday and when on holiday she reads...when does she not I might argue. I did find a Neal Stephenson book but I don't know if I will find time to read it .
FRIDAY, 14th April...Hot cross bun day
Easter Friday and it rained for most of the morning. We went into Richmond and were astounded to find that all the shops were open. We thought it was understood that Xmas Day and Easter were taboo as far as shopping goes but not here. Back to the flat, enjoyed some hot cross buns in the afternoon and spent most of my time on this and our hosts laptop which if I have not already mentioned was an Apple. Sent emails to friends and searched net for those elusive airfares to Rome.
