Fourteenth Time Lucky

I am awaiting my new passport. When and if I get it, and there are no snags, I will be fourteenth time lucky.

I am the female equivalent of Clark Kent, AKA Superman. I am mild-mannered and a bit of a klutz. But that’s as far as it goes; the leaping tall buildings at a single bound and running faster than a speeding bullet is a bit beyond me. Also, you will be relieved to know, I wear my knickers on the inside of my trousers.

However, that all changes when I am faced with Technology. One failed encounter and I am cross. Two, and I’m furious. Three has me foaming at the mouth and filled with homicidal intentions but sometimes I have to take myself in hand. One such occasion was my passport, which was due to run out this January.

In June I set about renewing it, bearing in mind the Government’s admonition to renew any passports six months before they run out. I went on the web, found the site and was greeted by the message that they are very busy, come back later.

So I did – in July. We’re busy, go away was the essence of the message.

I left August alone, and returned in September. Go away, we’re busy.

They were still busy in October, so I tried again at the beginning of December, when they were still too busy to give me ether time. By now I felt it was getting uncomfortably close to expiry date, so acting on recommendation I passed the problem on to Claire at Total Entertainment.

I took all the things I considered necessary: the passport, my NIE, Residencia, and just in case, my Padron. I had not for one moment considered that they would want my bank access code, and I’m still not happy about that. I went home, got it, and went back.

Claire somehow managed to knock some sense into them, and I watched her put my old passport in an envelope and stick it down ready to send.

When I got home there was a message waiting for me – we need your old passport. It’s on the way, you fools!
Minutes later the message came up – disregard the previous message. That I’m quite happy to do!
Between Christmas and the New Year I got the message; Send your old passport.
Hard on the heels of that came; We’ve received your passport, but you must sign the new one. OK, send it and I’ll sign it.
Next message; Here’s how to sign you new passport. First I have to have it, you morons!
Next message; When you receive your new passport you must sign it. Duh!
Next message - hopefully the last one. We’ll return your old passport to you under separate cover. Well, that’s nice!

I presume in the fullness of time I’ll get the new one?

*As I write Claire has phoned – my passport is ready! Thanks Claire, you’ve done all the heavy lifting on this one!