Messages

I was glad to get my 'foot' up over the weekend!..after a week of
varied luck and misfortune. I had a mail from a TOC telling me my advance
   tickets were non refundable, (bad news)..I sent a stinker to their CEO
  and asked my bank to authorise a 'charge back' C/o Visa. Result? a
  travel voucher for the full amount valid for 12 months. (good news) .
I attended my appointment for a flu jab but fell and injured my ankle in
   the car park! (bad news)... As the nurse rolled up my sleeve she said:
   " you might feel a bit of a prick...." I certainly do!..I replied..I get
    an ankle injury and I only came in for a Jab!! >:(   Fortunately just
    a badly bruised Achilles (good news) I just need an eye patch and a parrot ..   sorted :)

[but]

  ...In the light of ambiguities offered by WMR regarding the use of
   'discounted' Advance tickets prior to the present lockdown advice I have
   made it clear to their CEO that Gov stats have shown that an estimated
   94% of UK seniors have stuck to covid advisories but the threat of
    Financial loss/ discrimination would simply encourage seniors to travel   
    and subject not only themselves to covid risk but also rail staff and others.
    I was given precisely 1Hr 40 mins Advance warning by E mail @ 6am
     to inform me that my 'Discounted' tickets were invalid despite previously
    offered post dated travel. In response to widespread advertising
    throughout the rail industry, I chose to buy a Senior railcard @£30P/a
    to obtain discounted fares. If YOU have paid for an advance fare prior to
    2nd Dec using a visa debit card please contact me with a private
    message  as I may be able to offer advice..... windy
   
           

..it obviously pays to complain if you have a legitimate cause....
  I can now quote written confirmation received C/o WM/LNWR  Customer
  relations manager, (Dennis Taplin) ..as Follows : Whilst under normal
  circumstances Advance fares are Non refundable it has been agreed
   with the department for transport and the rail delivery group that we will
reimburse the cost of unused tickets in the form of rail travel vouchers. 
   These vouchers are valid for up to 12 months and can be used against the
   cost of your next rail journey at any staffed national rail station.These
    vouchers may not be exchanged for cash
    for more information and further details of the rules and conditions please
   vist : www.nationalrail.co.uk/coronavirus

    If WMR can follow these rules then surely other TOC should follow their
    example?.

  My mate and I spent part of our gap year in Nairobi.On one occasion we sat
    down for an outdoor snack and spent some time trying to figure out
    how to order a club sandwich in Africaan :)..Fortunately the waiter spoke
    good English and claimed that he could provide us with any sandwich filler
    of our choice. My Mate asked for an elephant foreskin on white bread!!...
    The waiter returned after 5 minutes empty handed. " Ha.Ha .." NO
    Elephant foreskins then? said my mate .  The waiter replied   "No.....
    we Just ran out of white bread.. >:(.

I'll always advocate Trainpal over Trainline, it checks for split tickets automatically, and they refunded my advance tickets straight away once the first lockdown was announced.

I had never heard of 'train pal'  Are they reliable?

[but]

  ...In the light of ambiguities offered by WMR regarding the use of
   'discounted' Advance tickets prior to the present lockdown advice I have
   made it clear to their CEO that Gov stats have shown that an estimated
   94% of UK seniors have stuck to covid advisories but the threat of
    Financial loss/ discrimination would simply encourage seniors to travel   
    and subject not only themselves to covid risk but also rail staff and others.
    I was given precisely 1Hr 40 mins Advance warning by E mail @ 6am
     to inform me that my 'Discounted' tickets were invalid despite previously
    offered post dated travel. In response to widespread advertising
    throughout the rail industry, I chose to buy a Senior railcard @£30P/a
    to obtain discounted fares. If YOU have paid for an advance fare prior to
    2nd Dec using a visa debit card please contact me with a private
    message  as I may be able to offer advice..... windy
   
     
     
   

  My Mrs was told not to feed the seagulls on Brighton beach? Apparently
  breast feeding is not a good idea as they get complaints... :).
  The beach attendant asked her to move off the beach as the tide was waiting
   to come in....fat arse git...... >:(

   Our local Chemist shop was burgled recently the Burglar took everything
   except Brylcream and condoms.    The police are looking for a catholic
   with a bald head........ :)

 My Mate bought some West Bromwich Albion wallpaper from the club shop
   recently I asked him if it was any good?..He said " it goes UP well enough
     but it doesn't STAY up ...cant think why?..  Nothing new there then :-\ 

   On my bus ride yesterday I Overheard two young girls in conversational
   'Brummy'... (quote).. "wimgorrah be nice to ashia az ersavin her d'wally
       .good to see our 'brummy' accent is not lost in 2020........ :o

   Further to my last report regarding WMR phone advice ,ie your booking may remain flexible with WM rail up to 6 months in advance...I have been informed
  that this information is/was in fact incorrect and that as advance fares are ,
  as they put it, 'heavily discounted' and therefore non refundable under all
   circumstances.. in line with other TOC's...I'm beginning to think they may be taking 'a leaf' from Trainline in the belief that if THEY (T. line) can get away
with their 'No refunds' policy then so can WMR.
   More importantly, they fail to realise that IF advance fares can NOT be
   credited OR refunded then this would simply encourage ticket holders to ignore covid advisories and travel regardless of possible risks rather than lose their money.  This arrangement is unacceptable.  Watch this space..... windy
 

   Due to covid restrictions my mate sat patiently in an adjacent Hospital room
   while his Mrs was in labour . when the Midwife entered the room to
  congratulate him on being the proud father of three boys!.... well! he said,
   Comes of having a dick like a chimney! :)  mmm..... the Mid wife replied..
   maybe you should get it swept!... the kids are all BLACK :o
     

 As I may have mentioned earlier in the year I had some fun and games trying to recover my advance bookings. Fortunately  I had  all 50 quids worth of
  advance fares repaid (eventually) thanks to West Mids rail . They asked me
  to provide a ticket image to support my claim(s) which was not possible as
   the tickets had not been collected and were still i n the system . 

  I too Had booked a cheap London trip for the 12th November (on the west mids website) although the booking involved a BNS to EUS and return
   Avanti. I have spoken to West Mids by phone and it appears that although
  the trip is clearly under lockdown restrictions I have been informed that the booking(s) are/will be valid for six months from the original date. Although I was NOT offered an immediate refund. I have found a trip for 7th December
from BMO to MYB AND return  giving me over 8 hours in London for £9.10p
   with a Senior railcard. I just hope the lockdown is not extended..

   
   

I heard the Labour leader, Keir starmer was involved in a minor traffic
accident in the city recently. Following his collision with a delivery cyclist
(who sustained damage to his Ribs *) Starmers entire political career passed
before his eyes. Probably the worst 2 minutes in Labour history. :)

  * The rest of the order was undamaged :)

  I reckon this conservative cabinet is much like a bunch of banana's..
   .... not a straight one between them   >:(

Many years ago my Mrs signed up for this organ donor scheme...when she
  later had cosmetic surgery to remove her excess labia, (fanny flaps)..
   she was surprised to get a letter from a young teenager in Barnsley
    Thanking her for his new Ears....... :o