You know you get in some fan or sports magazine the interview with a famous person and the question comes up who is the person you would most like to meet. You get answers like Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Paris Hilton(who she?), Nelson Mandela, Martina Navratilova and Wayne Gretzky. Yes well if I was ever asked who I would most like to meet it would be the thieving so and sos who removed two wheels(front near side and rear off side) from our car.
The neighbour spotted it as we hadn't been out the house even though it was 10.00AM. We were both shocked. I think Ev wondered what else could go wrong. Andrea came down to lend her support and I took to the phone. Ev has done wonders but I felt this was one time when I could make myself useful. First call was to the Police. I gave them full details and they gave me a crime number. I then said what happens now. I had expected them to send somebody to have a look. Oh no was their reply we trust you on this. I must admit I was a little shocked and took a while to get my breath. Looking back at this stage you would think she was trusting me not to make a fraudulent claim. It's probably just as well because had I thought that at the time I would probably have lost it. As it was I called back and said that as a taxpayer I had a right to ask for a visit. I added that if this was refused I would take the matter further. I was told they would refer this to the scene of crimes office who would deal with it.
The next stop was the Insurance Company and I have to say I got a better deal out of them. The person handling the call seemed sympathetic. For a start she couldn't believe the Police wouldn't come. The first thing she did was to offer to fill in the claim form over the phone. She said it would take 15 minutes but in reality it was nearer 45 minutes. Because it was theft the excess on the policy would "only" be £100 instead of £250. They offered to ring up a garage on the Island to take the vehicle away and provide us with a courtesy car. This latter point we weren't too fussed about as we have another car anyway. There remained the absence of the Police. We agreed that we would wait for the Police to come and then I would ring the garage.
Whilst on the phone to the Insurance Company a message was left by the crime scene people for me to ring them. This I did and was told that someone would call and test for finger prints within 2 hours. Half an hour later I got a call from Newport Police Station on the Island who said someone would be out to see us tomorrow at 3.00PM if that was convenient. By this time I was getting confused. The scene of crime person would still call. The person coming tomorrow would take statements. The caller then assured me auto crime on the Island was a priority though it may not be in the rest of the Hampshire Force. I suggested they might like to sort their communications out.
Eventually the scene of crime officer appeared clearly nettled at having to call. She told us twice she had a house burglary to go to. Well I am sorry madam but I pay my Council Tax. She dusted for prints and then told us the varmints had worn gloves. Thanks for not a lot. I then rang the garage who came within the hour to move the car. This whole incident began with a call to the Police at 10.10 and we had to wait until 1330 for the scene of crime person to appear. The whole thing was very distressing. Heaven knows how long we shall have to wait for it back. We may need the courtesy car yet. As for the Police I can feel a letter to the local press coming on. Ev spent some time working in the garden as a distraction. She deserves better than this.
I should have known it was going to be a pig of a day when trying to renew my Football Club membership. On line wouldn't work and using the phone I got 10 minutes of your call is important to us. They never answered yet.
After all that my health since you asked, well I weighed myself and found I had put on three pounds in the last week. The meals I ate today didn't cause me any pains at all. I also had a good walk today which did tire me a little bit but otherwise all seemed okay. I am trying to manage without the anti sickness tablets. So far this seems to be working. So it isn't all bad news but this is the second time we have had trouble in the street. Last time it was just vandalism this time we were the victims of a professional group who clearly were stealing to order and yes this sort of thing does go on here on the Garden Isle(Isle of Wight). It's a sobering thought.
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