Pages

Subscribe: Subscribe to me on YouTube

Saturday, January 05, 2013

I've always known that at some point Amelie and Toby would start fighting over toys, but I didn't expect it to be at the age of five months...


It's surprising, because they usually look so happy together...


Aside from the obvious joy they're experiencing by wearing those hats, and the fact that Toby's inherited his father's double chin and now looks like he's been inflated with a bicycle pump, the important things to note about that photo are the dark circles of illness under Amelie's eyes. It's possible she's applied them herself with the princess make-up set she got for Christmas, but either way, the good news is that she's now on the mend.

At least she should be. Whilst I was living the high life at the top of Burgess Hill on Thursday, Lisa took Amelie back to the doctor, and this time saw a different GP. It's not the first time we've seen her, but the previous occasions have all been as part of the Brighton Goes Gospel choir. This was the first time she hasn't burst into song.

And the good news is that when she's not swaying rhythmically and clapping her hands, she doles out some sound medical advice. She admitted that Amelie's non-specific illness shouldn't have lasted this long, so despite the fact that most doctors these days refuse to give out antibiotics until you're drowning in your own pus, she prescribed Amelie a five-day course of Amoxicillin. She's been having a dose of her own medicine three times a day ever since, and despite claiming that it tastes like funny bananas, she seems to be benefitting from it.

On the subject of improving situations, I had a lengthy discussion with two leading insurance experts yesterday. One has decades of experience gained during a high flying career with one of London's top insurers, and the other has suffered a lot of disasters. But they've both survived to tell the tale, and now work in the same office as me. So having taken some detailed advice from both sides of the fence, I was finally convinced (somewhat reluctantly) to make a claim on our home contents insurance.

I initially felt disinclined to do so, mainly because I couldn't face any further hassle, but also because I felt that most of our possessions were worth very little. It was pointed out to me, however, that even if the second-hand value might be low, I should be reimbursed with whatever it would cost to replace them. And a number of items were actually quite pricey when new.

So with a slight sense of reluctance, I retrieved our three sacks of waterlogged belongings from the rubbish area downstairs, and agreed to make a call to the insurance company. It was a call which lasted almost an hour. And it doesn't end there. We've only verbally documented about half the stuff, so we need to phone back with the rest, and provide proof of how much it's worth. We also need to take photos of some of it. It's a lengthy process which is already making my heart sink, as is the sight of our flood-damaged stuff cluttering up the entire hallway. We can barely move for water-stained bric-a-brac. It's like we're holding a car boot sale after a downpour. But if we get some cash for our stuff, I suppose it will all be worth it.

7 comments:

Phil's Mum said...

Well done!  A lot of hassle but, yes, it should be worth it in the end.

Poirot said...

Good decision - lets hope you triumph (remember you have form with unethical parking so this should be a breeze. Glad to see Toby is announcing he is made in Britain!

Melee said...

Shouldn't the claim be on the insurance of the lady upstairs?

Phil's Mum said...

That sounds risky - I think she'd keep the money!

Phil said...

It was supposed to commemorate the fact that he was born during the Olympics, but in reality he just looks like a BNP member.

Phil said...

As I understand it, our insurance company will make some kind of claim against hers. They asked us for her name and address, and said they'll be writing to her.

A Passer-By said...

If your insurance money was enough, you could buy two more ipads - one for Toby and (here's a novel idea!) one for yourself!   Or else you'll have to enter more competitions that have an ipad as 1st prize!