(no subject)

[turps]

Houghton Feast ended on Saturday, and sadly it ended up on a sad note.

At 9:30 that night, in the main shopping street, an 18-year-old boy was stabbed, and I've just read he's died of his injuries. He was chased from the fair by a group of teens aged 14 to 17, and just, why bring knives to an event like the Feast? It makes no sense.

In completely different news, I've been asked back onto the mail survey again, so will be back posting and receiving letters and parcels again from the 29th. I knew my six months off was coming to an end so it wasn't that much of a surprise, but I did wonder about rejoining as I still have lots of stamps left after my last stint. But, it's always a good excuse to get out for a decent walk, especially in winter when it's cold and sometimes it's hard to want to leave the warm house.

I was just reminded I haven't mentioned Milo's new trick. He's been going up and downstairs happily. I put one of the cat beds on the landing as he was hanging out there, but two nights ago he used the steps at the foot of our bed, hopped over me and settled down next to my pillow like he's never been away.

I do wonder when his fur will start growing back, though. He's got tufts everywhere, but the majority is still really short.

Comments

[shadowhive]

Oh no, how awful. I don’t get why people would take knives anyway, especially ones so young

Awww Milo🖤 that’s so cute

[turps]

You're right, people shouldn't take out knives full stop. That poor boy, went out and never came home. It's heartbreaking.

I got such a shock the first time Milo got on the bed. But now he's mastered it he's never off there at night.

[spikedluv]

That is awful.

I'm not sure if you've already explained it at some point, but what's a mail survey?

Yay for Milo's new trick!

[turps]

It's terrible. I keep thinking of his family and how devastated they'll be.

I think we may have friended each other after I was rested from the mail survey. Basically, it's tracking letters and parcels for the Royal Mail. I need to send about three letters a week from postboxes in my postcode area. They go on specific dates either morning or afternoon, and each letter contains a microchip.

I send the letters to other people doing the survey, who note down the chip number and when the letter arrives, and I also get letters sent to me from others, and I'll note those chip numbers and arrival time. So in that way, the Royal Mail can track how long the post is taking to arrive.

I also need to send about one parcel a month, which is recorded exactly the same as the letters, but needs to be sent via a post office. Though, as I was going off on my rest period they were starting to let people put the parcels in special parcel post boxes, which will be much easier.

I get paid in stamps and occasional gift cards so it works out okay. Though I often think it would be better to have the six-month slot over summer and not winter.

And that is the mail survey in all its boring detail *g*

[spikedluv]

Thank you for that info! I recall you mentioning previously that you were doing a mail survey, but I had no idea what it was.

I heard something on the radio this morning that reminded me of you and Re.F.Use. A Repair Cafe, in which you bring something that's broken (but you don't want to toss) and someone there will fix it. I thought that was a neat idea. While looking for the local link, it appears that it's international, but I'm just hearing about it now.

[turlough]

That's terrible! Such a sad way to end the Feast.

I read your detailed description of what the mail survey entails and it sounds like a very worthwhile thing to take part in. Have fun sending and recieving mail!

That's such happy news of Milo! To have him back in bed must feel wonderful. I'm sure his fur will grow back in time. He's probably concentrated all his energy on getting back his mobility so there's been nothing left for such minor details :-)

[turps]

It is terrible. I feel for that boy's family so much. For him to go out and just never come back.

It's interesting to see how long mail actually takes. The last time I'd often note down arrival times and get emails asking if I'd written the right data because letters that should have taken a day would have taken weeks. No doubt due to the lack of staff to both sort and deliver.

It does feel good to have Milo back in bed, though between him and Murphy I end up squashed in the middle.

[dine]

what a senseless tragic end to the Feast - just, why?

go Milo! he's determined you don't forget he's the boss of the bed :)

[turps]

Just why is what I think too. There was no need for anyone to carry knives. There was no need for violence at all.

Milo is so the boss of the bed. He's upstairs now and I suspect if I go up he'll be lying like the king he is on our bed.

[frausorge]

Oh no, how awful about the boy's death! Wishing whatever peace and comfort are possible for those mourning him.

I am glad though to hear that Milo is making good use of the steps and moving around freely. He looks so serene in your icon!

[turps]

It's such a horrible needless death. He must have been so scared chased like that.

Milo thinks he's great now, hopping around everywhere again. He even jumped on the couch without the steps the other night. But, it's much easier for him with them.

[sperrywink]

What a sad way to end the feast. Sounds scary with him being chased before being killed.

Have fun with the mail survey. Look on the bright side of doing it in winter- You are guaranteed to get out even in the cold.

Go Milo!

[turps]

It is scary. They've got the kids in custody, and that's what they are, kids. Not one of them is officially an adult yet. It's impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to be out roaming the streets with knives.

Yeah, I'm taking that as a positive that it's an excuse to get out walking even in the cold. I won't be saying that when I'm doing it and it's freezing though *g*

Milo is upstairs now. No doubt all cuddled up on the bed, lazy thing that he is.