25th November, 2025: Saint Catherine Of Alexandria.
It’s officially official: I now have a new CPAP machine, a new Continuous Positive Air Pressure Machine.
But, lord, I had to jump through hoops to get it!
I actually got up early, to get to Basildon Hospital, where I was supposed to take the old one.
For what — when I made the appointment — was put to me as a check-up on the machine: an MOT, if you will.
So, once I’d posted yesterday’s Teaser, got myself showered and dressed, I headed out for the nearest bus-stop: as — from what I’d understood — the #9 to Basildon was due to arrive at 9·10am.
Headed out at 8·40am.
Turns out I got to the stop way too early.
As the bus was due to leave at 9·25.
So … ?
As the stop’s near Brentwood station, I thought “I’ll take the train: the website said it’ll be quicker than, and there’ll be toilets, if needed.”
Oh, boy!
So you know?
The Brentwood to Basildon train trip means travelling from Brentwood Station to Romford, changing at Romford Station to get to Upminster, then taking the train from Upminster Station to Basildon.
Then getting a bus from Basildon Station to the hospital!
Needless to say, the relevant platforms are on the other side of each station.
And the toilets at Romford — which I needed both ways! — are on a third.
I missed the first train to Upminster as a result of that.
And had to wait for the next one.
The net result?
Was that I got Basildon Hospital around 11·00 … and got to the clinic about fifteen minutes later.
Those fifteen minutes?
Included a brief stop at the hospital’s Cashier’s Office.
Where, in theory, I could claim the fares back.
Except I couldn’t … as I had no proof I’m on benefits!
Once I was at what’s now called the Sleep and Ventilation clinic?
There was a wait: of about two hours.
You possibly wouldn’t believe how slowly those went: nor how uncomfortable waiting room chairs are!
But … ?
Once that wait was done?
The old machine was traded in for the new one in double quick time: and instructions for maintaining the kit — washing the mask and hoses, use of the humidifying chamber, what have you — I headed home.
Which took a while!
I got home at around the 3·45 mark: and had just enough cash to buy a snack, and feel just a touch … disgruntled.
Partly at the length of time the wait took me at the hospital: although the receptionist, nurse and machine-issuing doctor, were great.
But mostly because of the time the trip took: and the cost.
The cost of the train ticket was far more than I was expecting … but was something I was expecting to be able to claim back from the hospital.
Basildon’s been running a scheme that lets benefit claimants claim a refund for many years.
But it wasn’t until I spoke to the cashier that I realised I needed proof I was on benefits to claim it.
Not realising this?
Or, at least, completely forgetting I’d been told this, the last time I went to Basildon Hospital, under my own steam?
Meant I didn’t have any.
What made me feel even sillier … ?
Was when the cashier asked me if I could access my online benefits journal* … on my phone …
Which, of course, I didn’t: as I usually do so on my desktop.
The screen’s bigger.
I’m …
Well …
Let’s just say that yesterday was a learning experience.
A time consuming, expensive, learning experience … !
Let’s move on.
Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.
Let’s see how everyone does with today’s Saintly questions, shall we?
Q1) 25th November is the feast day of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Which firework is named after her: the Catherine Wheel, the Roman Candle or the Sparkler?Q2) One of Catherine’s symbols is a what: breaking wheel, candle or hearth?Q3) Alexandria — the city Catherine is a saint of — is in which North African country … ?Q4) The Episcopal Church commemorates Saint Catherine on the 24th November. The Episcopal Church is an Anglican Church, where: the USA, Mexico or French Guiana?Q5) Finally … ? Catherine is a patron saint of the State of Santa Catarina. That state is in which South American country?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 24th November is World Conjoined Twins Day. According to whom: the United Nations, Arab League or European Union?A1) The United Nations, or UN.Q2) Freddie Mercury died on 24th November, 1991. A day after he’d announced he was suffering with what: leukaemia, HIV/AIDS or liver cancer?Q3) Georges Clemenceau died on 24th November, 1929. He’d been Prime Minister of which European country?A3) France.Q4) 24th November is the feast day of Saint Chrysogonus (cry SOG on us): patron saint of the city of Zadar. Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited city, where: Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia or Hungary?A4) Croatia.Q5) Finally … ? That Was the Week That Was was first broadcast: on 24th November, 1962. The show was hosted by whom: David Frost, Michael Parkinson or Terry Jones?
Here’s a thought …
“Catherine of Alexandria, also spelled Katherine, was, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the emperor Maxentius.”From the Wikipedia entry on the saint.
Some Catherine themed plainchant …
And am AI generated picture of Catherine being menaced by a Cyberman …
The next ten question set is on 5th December: it’s about The Great Smog!
Comments will be published, and today’s questions answered, in tomorrow’s Teaser.
The author avoids AI, when writing these questions.
Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.
Decisions about scores are final.
Thank you for coming: have a good day.
* Everyone receiving Universal Credit, the most common form of welfare payment in the UK, has to keep an online journal of what they’re doing on the Universal Credit section of the ·GOV site. You can access it from desktops, laptops, smart phones and tablets: a multiple of ways, in other words.
As an extra thought … ? The cashier told me that I’ve got three months to go back to the hospital, to claim the money back. Which would cost more money! Or I could fill in a form, and claim by post. Which would be a good idea … if I hadn’t already got rid of the tickets … … …
† Hello, Mum!
‡ I seem to recall him interview a very corrupt President, Debbi …
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