Driving Ms. Casey crazy
Today I tried to get a provisional driver's license. It's only slightly less fun than the visa process. I filled out the two-page form (including questions covering 30 health issues) and then went in to Belfast to meet with a former high school classmate. He signed my form, with his name, address, profession, and driver's license number, and ticked the box saying he has known me for at least two years (try 37 years). He signed the back of one of the photos of myself I need to submit.
I went to the Ministry of Transport with my passport, form, photos, and a letter from my bank addressed to me at my Crawfordsburn address. David added me to his account so I could get this confirmation that I live here and have an account here.
I'll give credit to the guy at MOT. He was very apologetic. I cannot get a license because my bank letter simply told me to come pick up my debit card. It did not show three months of transactions in the account, as required, and it wasn't stamped and dated by the bank (you know, the bank that sent it). In addition, I will have to surrender my passport for three weeks when I apply for the license. Since I leave Wednesday for the U.S., that won't work.
Part of me is relieved. Once I get the provisional license, the clock starts ticking to take the written test and then the driving test, which is notoriously difficult. It is not uncommon to take it many, many times before passing. I must get all this done by March 20 for us to avoid paying a second year's high car insurance premium.
To reward myself for a tedious morning, I went shopping. One of the places I went was a new auction house, which has a buy it now feature. Check out this 1930 Maurice Adams console, which sold for more than 3,000 pounds in London (more than $5,000). You can get it for half that here. The price goes down 20% every month until month three, when it goes on the auction block with no reserve. Let me know if you want me to pick it up.
My aunt is an interior decorator based in the heart of Radnor hunt country. I told her she needed to buy this:
It's a solid oak, hand-carved, life-sized replica of a race horse. It is gorgeous. I kept stroking it, hoping no one was watching. Hmmm, what other totally useless things did I like. There was this:
What did I find for myself? A pair of wellington boots and a pair of brass lamps. Total: 46 pounds. I'm going back Sept. 1 to see if they're there for 20% less.
8/27