Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-11-2025 Saint Catherine Of Alexandria.

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.

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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 … !

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th November 2025.

24th November, 2025.

Yes: you’re right.

Being up this early in the morning is ridiculous!

Many things are.

Man’s inhumanity to man.

Man’s inhumanity to woman.

The way shopping trolley’s move.

Plenty of things are thoroughly ridiculous!

But … ?

I have a hospital appointment: so that the CPAP machine, the Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine, I have can be checked.

It’s going in for an MOT, in other words.

The only downside to getting it checked … ?

Is the fact it has to be done at Basildon Hospital, between 9·45 and 12·15.

Which means a seventy minute bus trip, and getting up early to do so.

At times like this?

I wish I was having a colonoscopy.

At least the hospital organises an ambulance for you!

Heigh … ho!

~≈🚍≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2025.

23rd November, 2025.

I think we can say Jude — my nephew — has posted his latest video!

Yes, hitting the ‘Like’ button would be very welcome: as would subscribing to his channel.

And mine, if you’re that way inclined!

But I’ll tell you what!

Buying dinner was a job and a half!

We couldn’t place an order through Deliveroo: why, I don’t know!

Then we tried ordering pizza from Dominos.

And couldn’t.

It just wasn’t happening!

It was only then, that I got a message from my bank.

They thought I was being defrauded!

I had to press buttons, and phone them, to find out what was happening!

And assure them that that no: I wasn’t being scammed, my card hadn’t been cloned and I was genuinely trying to order dinner!

And any rate … when we went back to the Dominos site … my payment got declined, again!!!!!!!

I was getting annoyed, by this point: and Jude was definitely underwhelmed.

Both of us were hungry … !

This second time, though … ?

Was my fault: I hadn’t fed the card’s expiry date, properly!

Ever had the feeling you’re being got at?

~≈🍕≈~

That said, I can appreciate my bank’s actions, last night.

Part of their job is to protect their customers from fraud, and to prevent crime.

And?

It’s been a while since I’ve ordered food online: and I’d made multiple attempts to order from different, and very unfamiliar, websites.

So I can’t blame them for automatically going into ‘Protect A Punter’ mode!

But, boy, the timing was wonderful!

About the only upsides to the evening?

Jude managed to get that video uploaded.

We managed to set up — and use — fast user switching, so we could switch between accounts*.

And … ?

Pizza never tasted quite so good!

~≈🍕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd November 2025

22nd November, 2025.

It’s officially official … I’ve paid my bills … !

Well … all bar the gas bill: and that I can get done, today.

Strangely, though … ?

I’m grateful it’s rain, out: that I’m going to get wet, heading out to pay the thing.

As, going by the predictions for my area … ?

It’s going to be warmer than it was, yesterday!

~≈☔️≈~

Coins … … … 

I have coins.

Which you’d possibly guessed.

But the weird thing … ?

Is that it’s only now — some years after his coronation, and after notes and coins with the King’s face on them started circulating — that I’ve received Charles 3rd coins in my change.

Yes, I know.

That’s not exactly note-worthy.

But … ?

It struck me as mildly coincidental that I have £1·05 worth of the things.

In other words, cash equivalent to an old English coin called a guinea, worth twenty-one shillings back then … 

And £1·05, now.

The reason it struck me as significant?

Is race horses are usually auctioned in guineas*, even now.

And the King, much like his late mother, is a bit of a one for the gee gees … 

~≈🏇🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-11-2025 — World Television Day

21st November, 2025: World Television Day.

It has to be said: I’m feeling quiet … 

Which is odd for me.

Or possibly not: given recent news.

With that said … ?

Gill Veail — Trevor’s sister — has asked me to thank everyone that’s passed on their condolences, after his recent death.

Thank you: you know who you are.

~≈💐≈~

It’s officially official: I have the sun in my eyes.

Which is what happens on a sunny day, when you buy cheap blinds!

Or, at least, have cheap blinds … on a sunny day.

Either way … ?

I can’t complain too much.

Yes, it’s a cold day … but yes, it’s also payday.

Which means I can do something positive.

Like shop … !

~≈🪙≈~