Diary summary week ending 7th July 2024

[River Tyne Lass]

I find it hard to keep apace at times Viktoria, but I have just looked at a previous post of yours re this maps situation. (Post 11 this thread)

Good for you speaking out !  I must say, what a pair of rude, ingrates that couple seem.   What a return for your kindness and generosity!  They should be ashamed for giving you this worry and having to practically beg for their safe return! I hope you do get  these maps back. 

PS: You are great for meal ideas, you know.  Too bad I don't have any smoked haddock in myself.😏

[louisa maud]

Well done Viktoria  for being  bold, i agree with what RTL    has said.

Just got back after 3hrs 25 mins in Minor injuries to have my gash looked at, took off and stripped down to the  stery strips, looks good, put a much smaller plaster on and told in  4/5 days to soak them off in the bath, BLISS, finding it difficult to shower even though I covered it with cling film.

Thunder today and it absolutely  poured with rain this afternoon.

I don't know where Viktoria gets her energy from.

LM

[River Tyne Lass]

Viktoria, just to add further - you will likely have a better take on this couple than I do and I do hope they are not as bad as they sound to my ears.
I have to say though, I think they sound very fishy and concerning.  That sounds like very important stuff you have kindly let them borrow.
If I was in your position I would be looking at pre-emptive actions now.  I would be looking at doing the following:
Let your pastor/vicar know what is going on.
Seek advice from the police.  Let them know that you are concerned that you may be being taken advantage of by a couple at Church who may be seeking to commit theft by witholding.
If anything happened to you Viktoria, I would hate to think of this dodgy sounding couple potentially claiming to your family that you were 'friends' and that you had 'gifted' them this stuff.
Or if they tried a "maps, what maps?" response.
 Also I would try to secretly record any future intereactions/excuses you have with and from them about your property.
This might sound extreme but I don't like the sound of what I have read one bit.  I think they have brought such recourses on themselves.  I think what they are doing is nothing short of disgraceful and I can't help but feel angered about it on your behalf.  In fact to me this looks like elder abuse the way he inviegled himself in your home and perhaps took advantage of a momentary lapse of judgement, and took away from you your precious, and important items.  And now the disrespect they are showing as you have been trying for weeks to get them to to do the decent thing and return what is rightfully yours!
They should be the ones who should be feeling embarrassed, Viktoria.  You shouldn't have to go through this distress.  I hope you will feel up to standing up for yourself and alert the Police and your Pastor/Vicar asap about what they are putting you through.  They are doing wrong; please don't protect them by saying nothing.

LM, I am so pleased to hear your wound is healing well.

[River Tyne Lass]

Viktoria, I have said a lot and I am going to risk saying a little bit more.
You are an elderly lady with a heart condition.  Could that couple be exploiting/ taking advantage of this?
There are many types of recognised abuse. One category is material abuse and this includes misappropriation of property or possessions.
You have tried being nice and reasonable for two months and they have shown disrespect and have still not complied in giving back your property.  I think if they had been halfway decent, one of them would have forfeited the service yesterday to return home in the car to get your possessions that they had allegedly 'forgotton'  rather than have you worry for another whole week about this.
Please get an advocate on your side rather than shoulder this alone.  Perhaps speak to AgeUK about it today. 
They have a free and confidential helpline if you can't get to one of their centres.  I am not sure if I would be allowed to post the number, but you will find this online.  I am sure they will be able to help provide sound advice and support.

[Gillg]

Viktoria
RTL's words rang a bell with me.  My elderly aunt was left a widow in her 80s and a couple appeared on the scene who seemed to want to take over her late husband's role and "help" her with her finances., claiming that he had asked them to do this  I didn't know them at all and had not heard her talk about them, so was surprised at how close they claimed to be.  When she went into a care home my sister-in-law and I put her valuables into the roof space of her bungalow for safety and I put the most valuable into a safe box at the bank.  (She was quite well off.)  When she died I phoned round her friends, this couple included,  to inform them and within an hour or two they had phoned her solicitor to inquire how much money she had left them! (£10,000!) The solicitor was pretty disgusted, especially as they phoned him at his home in the evening.  She had also left some items in their keeping, which they held on to.  I bet Auntie wasn't the only vulnerable person they targeted, though our family members did our best to minimise their influence.

Such people appear to have no conscience.  Well done, Viktoria, for pursuing this matter, but you shouldn't have to deal with it on your own and I still think you should talk to someone about the matter, as the couple in question may try similar tactics on someone else.  I hope they are aware that you are not living on your own.  Does your son know about this?

[River Tyne Lass]

Gillg, I am truly sorry to hear how your Aunt seems to have been preyed upon by what sounds like very unscrupulous people!  I can imagine this memory must still be painful for you to think about.  That is terrible that they still got £10k and some of her possessions! This is truly appalling!

I agree that the couple Viktoria is dealing with may prey on someone else.  They may even have done this type of thing before. 
As I say Viktoria, hold your head high, don't feel or give any sign of embarrassment before them.  Remember it is they who should feel embarrassed about this.   
Tell your Pastor (I think they need to know if elder abuse & material abuse is suspected within the congregation) and AgeUk, at the very least. I am hoping if the couple have to deal with a third party they might experience a sudden wake up call.
Personally, I wouldn't let them in again. They have shown how untrustworthy they are.  Keep safe Viktoria, we care about you.

[Viktoria]

It seems paltry really ,some old maps and books , but full of info ,you can plot exactly the place and size of Peterloo, the streets people fled along when chased by the Yeomanry ,houses my grand parents lived in ( they moved a lot) the dreadful back to back houses and you can plot the Cholera outbreaks .
Boring to many but not  me, as I have said presents from struggling students so doubly precious.
What puzzled me was the young man said “ Oh as soon as I got in the car I remembered I had forgotten them!”.
Well why not go back into  the house for them ? A two minute job.
I was firm but not angry ,well I was but he wouldn’t know that ,but now a definite return day has been mentioned ,ie next Sunday to which he agreed, I now have a bit more clout,they sort of monopolise our Rector so I will have to intrude when they are speaking to him and say - “ Don’t ever lend these two anything ,it takes months to get them back”.
I am a joker, when questions are asked in the Sermon like a week or so ago-
I respond “ And where is Corinth.” —— a pause—- so I answer “Greece “, so I am on laughing terms with the Rector who has not yet realised everyone would like minute ior two of his time ,like the ladies who make tea and coffee for the social hour after the service.Wash up and leave the kitchen immaculate .
I have mentioned it ,but no names, to one person because she could see I was very cross, she was very surprised that someone could do that.
Now the young woman of the couple turns her back on me and avoids eye contact,she is not as interested in the maps and books etc as he is,but she came to the house with him from Church, and I bought them lunch from Morrisson’s as she said they would have to get something to eat and I made coffee at home as at that stage I had no idea they would want to borrow them .
I had misgivings but if only I had said ‘ No ,sorry but too precious “
All the sandwiches were not eaten and she said “ We can have those for lunch tomorrow!”———
Ah well,  we will see next Sunday ,my son said he would speak to them but I would not like that to be done in church ( he  does not attend but would come in after the service ,but I would not like that in Church)
Hopefully they are returned as promised ,throughout I have been civil and non confrontational and patient( on the surface)
So let’s see.I could say jokingly “ We don’t want to involve The Police do we!”
Then look at them over the top of my glasses!
I did ask if they had lent them to other people ,but he said no.
I am amazed they are not embarrassed - I am ,having to continually ask !

Change of subject - Roobarb mentioned too much sport on all channels , oh how I agree, poor old people who are not interested and for whom TV is their main recreation..
I am really fed up with it .

Hope those with health issues are feeling better ,well as they can be given long term conditions ,.
No dates as yet for visiting Flash Harry ,Kyra, Grand children and partners Oh!- and my daughter and hubby .
Grandson wants to go to Sutton Hoo , not sure how much is left there still ,,,perhaps replicas as much went to The British Museum .

Hope all are as well as can be expected and in good spirits .
Many thanks fir your support , I always turn in on myself and question if I am being unreasonable , but I don’t think so this time.
Cheerio .Viktoria.

[River Tyne Lass]

Words almost fail me Viktoria!  I am appalled!
Your account screams at me that these two are users but I fear that you don't grasp how serious and worrying this appears.
They take your possessions, they take your food (they don't even think of leaving the left over food for you for tomorrow - how selfish!) and he tells you he remembered when he got in the car.  How dare he try to take you for a fool like this by spouting such stupidity!   They are very brazen and disrespectful.

Those items are not paltry by any means. 
I am quite certain a jokey manner will be wasted on these two.  What you need to do is whistleblow at least to your Pastor & AgeUK.  If it were me Sunday, would be off the cards.  I wouldn't let them get away with it a minute longer.  I implore you to tell on them TODAY!  Your silence is protecting them. 

I have tried so very hard but I can see I am failing.   Oh Viktoria .. you are letting them walk over you and get away with this!  You deserve much better.

[louisa maud]

Viktoria,  do you know a 6ft plus rugby player  you can take to church with you,

LM