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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: louisa maud on Monday 12 May 25 17:19 BST (UK)

Title: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Monday 12 May 25 17:19 BST (UK)
Hi folks.
Hope all is well with everyone, been a beautiful day, bit to hot for me but cope able, nice breeze this evening, most welcome.

My grandson safely home but very jet lagged, give him a few days and he will be fine, I wonder given time and money  he will be away again

Viktoria  hope you have some better news  about your scooter, been  going on a long time

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Tuesday 13 May 25 01:04 BST (UK)
Thanks L.M,it will get sorted .
I did get some good news at the Heart Failure clinic today, the results of my last Echo scan are very good, a good improvement .
However the Consultant still wants to see me so that is booked in.
July some time.

A glorious day , and no long wait at Heart Failure Clinic .
No news re the letter my daughter sent to Quingo ,so a few days more and she will contact them again ,if no joy then it will go up for sale privately and I can write a scathing revue!

The puppy is being very good but Kyra needs telling frequently that it is a baby like Baby Lily and needs to sleep a lot or it won’t be strong .
She knows when it is in its cage it is because it is tired and must be left alone , Mummy said Kyra is not being a big girl and perhaps the puppy would be better at a big girl’s house- where it would soon grow strong and go for walks in a little while  >:(
Big sulks and a frowny face but she did let the puppy sleep .
A very determined little girl ,but generally quite amenable .

Well, bo- bo time ,thanks for your news and kind messages . Look after yourselves folks.
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Gillg on Tuesday 13 May 25 16:35 BST (UK)
Glad to hear that you have had good news at the hospital, Viktoria. I just hope that you will soon be able to bring your Quingo business to a satisfactory conclusion.  Have you contacted Mark Nicholls, the Managing Director?  I'm sure he would not want to hear such a sorry tale.

Today in Devon we have warm sunshine, so we have been sitting out in the garden admiring the progress of our veg patch.  There is a promise of a bumper crop of strawberries this year. Tomatoes are looking promising, new potatoes are showing their first leaves and French beans, leeks and onions are well on their way.  I'm not very keen on home grown lettuces, as they always attract the slugs and need a lot of sorting out and washing in salty water, however I see that my husband has planted some trays of mixed leaf lettuces which look interesting.

We have just had a visit from my nephew, who is getting married at last to his girlfriend in July.   He came to pick up the family wedding veil for her to wear.  I'm rather glad, as it is antique lace and I didn't want to send it through the post.  My great-aunt wore it in 1908 and my mother and her sister both wore it at their weddings, as did my niece. My cousin and I rebelled and didn't wear it and neither did my daughter.  She said it was spooky!
 
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 13 May 25 19:24 BST (UK)
Did you get the thunderstorms that were forecast over the south west yesterday Gillg?
It's been so dry here, not complaining though, the sunshine is lovely. A chill wind off the sea some days but my back garden has been lovely and warm. A bit of sea fret blowing in today but didn't come to anything.

Lettuce is the only food I grow, I like the mixed leaves too. I grow them in large pots with copper tape around the pot, it seems to work in deterring the slugs.

Viktoria, I really hope you soon get sorted out with your scooter, the company should be ashamed of themselves.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 13 May 25 19:29 BST (UK)
We've had good sunny weather here, too.
My sun tan is now darker than some of my Fillipino friends!

Slowly recovering from last week's op.
But walking is better, as is balance (after previous op!).
Walking without stick or walker now. ;D
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: radstockjeff on Tuesday 13 May 25 23:23 BST (UK)
Well done. Keep at it! atb rj
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Wednesday 14 May 25 09:36 BST (UK)
Tuesday.
Glad you are recovering K.G.
A gorgeous day, watered plants early morning and again just now.
Old willow fencing gone now, ready for son’s new tongue and groove panels, neater than the old waney lap.

Had last of yesterday’s chicken for tea.

What a racket in the dogwood bushes, I am wondering if there is a bird’s nest there .
Hope my fence moving efforts have not disturbed them .

Wednesday,
Spoke with my daughter today,her Wedding Anniversary ,she said the M.D .
of Quingo  had contacted her - he had been away and he would be in contact again re a resolution .So we will see.
Thanks folks for your kind concern.

Just lost another filling—-
That is two in a couple of days , one tooth I think may have to be taken out ,it is just a hollow shell ,so I must stop Apixoban - a very strong blood thinner - for some days prior to the extraction .

Oh I don’t know how I stand the excitement.

Another sunny morning but quite chilly ,will see how plants are and water if necessary .
Hope everyone is as well as can be expected at least, some difficult conditions
being borne courageously .
Cheerio, Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Gillg on Wednesday 14 May 25 10:43 BST (UK)
No thunderstorms in Devon yesterday, Roobarb.  Just another sunny day (and another lot of watering to do).  Today is warm and sunny and the rest of the week is forecast to be the same.  On Saturday our community choir plus another choir and a few stragglers from elsewhere will be singing on the beach at the Paddle Out, a protest organised by Surfers Against Sewage against the poor efforts by the water boards to keep our sea and river water clean. https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/paddleoutprotest/  You can see from this link how many areas will be taking part.  Our songs included "Dirty Water" and "We are the river"! Others will actually be paddling, swimming, paddle boarding and surfing, so let's hope the water is clean enough for them to do this safely.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Caw1 on Wednesday 14 May 25 13:46 BST (UK)
Glad to hear the weather in UK is still sunny but we’re worrying about all vegs,newly planted sweet peas and strawberries with so many flowers on… hard to water from Rhodes where we are currently! Good job our neighbours going to do some veg watering for us as after two weeks they could all be dried up if you keep having this weather!
Going by boat across to Turkey tomorrow for 4 days to visit Pamukkale and Ephesus then a week back in Rhodes. Weathers perfect 23/24C.

Hope your buggy situation gets sorted soon Viktoria to your satisfaction.. certainly been going on a while.
Good to hear of all your improvements KG..

All best to everyone else and enjoy the lovely weather.

Caroline
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Wednesday 14 May 25 19:11 BST (UK)
Regardless of the weather here Caroline, how lovely to be in Rhodes! Such a lovely island and a trip to Turkey in between, I'm not really jealous (much!)  ;D Hope you have a fabulous time, forget about the fruit and veg, if all else fails there's always the supermarket!

Gillg, we have Surfers against Sewage around here, although from your map it doesn't appear that they'll be taking part in the protest. It's ridiculous that they should have to take such actions in a supposedly civilised and hygienic country.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Thursday 15 May 25 10:43 BST (UK)
Well folks,not a very satisfactory offer from Quingo! I can have a PLUS which is £1OOO, cheaper than the Vitess 2.
The fact that I was sold a Vitess 2 after I had by - telephone - expressed an interest in that model.
I had a test run and it was easy, but I thought that I  was on the only one I had mentioned - I was not told I had ridden a PLUS and not a Vitess2——-
At no time before,during or after was I told I would ride was riding or had ridden a PLUS.

Sale made ,delivery a short while later .
I did not recognise it,but thought I would not have ridden a brand new scooter but the demo one.
On delivery it would not go through my gate so in to son’s garden next door ,put inside that evening as very bad weather was coming .
Stayed there until shed and new gate installed .
By now thought over three months old.
Has 0.6 of a mile on the clock.
Including the little ride out when it jammed on a kerb losing a tyre.
They ignore the fact I had not had the test run on the model they delivered .
A big financial loss and I will still have a five wheeled scooter I do not trust on kerbs!

I will seek advice and make “Rip off Britain “ threats  etc —but must get my hair done first !
I am surprised given all the above my daughter got deal just a bit better .
She could argue ( being a motorcycle dealer) knowing the dealer’s responsibilities .
We will see.
I will try to speak to the M.D myself ,the salient point is the selling to me a model—— which granted I had wanted from adverts and expected to have a test run on - but did  not get on that model but a different model much
tamer .
Oh enough of it all, I am bored with it .
Thanks for “ listening “ folks.
Well washing to hang up in the stiff cool breezy sunshine .
 Cheerio ,look after yourselves.
Thanks for “ listening “.
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Friday 16 May 25 12:13 BST (UK)
Viktoria,  what a performance you are having, you must fund someone to fight your corner, write the the managing director or someone  higher, you haven't been treated very well at all, make sure you tell them you are virtually  housebound .

I don't understand why the previous  weeks diary has to be  locked so  quickly when someone wants to reply to a message on that week,

LM.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Friday 16 May 25 14:44 BST (UK)
Just lost a long reply——Well you have been kind and patient re the scooter saga, suffice to say they have uncreased their offer and I can change to a Plus but there will still be £500 to pay despite it being £1000cheaper ,the Vitess  is £1000 dearer so I think that would  makecmy loss £1500?
So the answer is to get some training and use the extra £500 for that.

My daughter knows exactly the rules and regulations involved, motor cycles are lethal in the wrong hands etc and there is responsibility on both sides .
Ultimately Quingo have now acted as well as they can,a bit beyond really given how short a time it is before a big devaluation  comes in to effect and it is now four months since delivery , the 0.6 of a mile has no real significance it seems ,it is definitely second hand.
 I ought to have delayed delivery until we got the shed , bigger gate and ramps but was eager to get out .
Had not really been out since September and was fed up!


Thanks again folks.
Viktoria.

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Friday 16 May 25 17:01 BST (UK)
The devaluation shouldn't be your problem Viktoria, it was their error or else they thought they could just put one over on you. And it seems to me that there's a further issue in that the scooter isn't fit for purpose. As Martin Lewis the money saving expert says, consumer rights state that an item you have purchased should be:

Satisfactory quality, As Described, Fit for purpose, Last a reasonable length of time.

So the company has got the second one completely wrong. I feel so angry on your behalf,  I think you should do as you said and report them to Rip Off Britain!

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Jebber on Friday 16 May 25 17:36 BST (UK)
Roobarb seems to agree with my original suggestion to contact Rip off Britain. They will tell you of it’s worth taking things further, they have had great success with getting results from much bigger companies than Quingo when all other avenues have failed.

I hope you didn’t pay VAT  in your Quingo Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Friday 16 May 25 17:52 BST (UK)
Am I right in thinking if Viktoria  has a disabled card she won't pay tax

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Jebber on Friday 16 May 25 18:10 BST (UK)
You don need a disabled card. You simply sign a declaration after answering a few simple questions when you purchase disability items. Of course you are expected to be truthful.

I have mobility issues  after a number of  bad falls resulting in broken bones because of osteoporosis and balance problems.  I sign a declaration every time I purchase a disability aid either from a local supplier or on line and have never had a problem. With Victoria’s health problems she would be eligible.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Friday 16 May 25 18:13 BST (UK)
Apologies Jebber, I didn't realise it was your suggestion to contact Rip Off Britain. As well as all the very good reasons you have mentioned for contacting them, we might get to see Viktoria on TV.  ;D
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Jebber on Friday 16 May 25 18:24 BST (UK)
Apologies Jebber, I didn't realise it was your suggestion to contact Rip Off Britain. As well as all the very good reasons you have mentioned for contacting them, we might get to see Viktoria on TV.  ;D

 No apology needed. I just thought it was the sort of problem that would interest them.

I had thought about it  bringing Viktoria to a wider audience and perhaps ‘FAME’ :)
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Saturday 17 May 25 10:50 BST (UK)
To be fair ,the test ride was on a scooter set to the lowest speed I now know.
There are two modes, Hare 8 mph and Tortoise 4 mph .
The scooter had been set at tortoise lowest speed so very gentle.
The one delivered was at the highest speed hare, when it was delivered I had not of course seen the manual , so had no idea  about all that.

I was told when it was delivered to get on and ride it to my garden gate - well it shot forward and hit the delivery man’s legs, he was a really heavily built chap , it was such a bang.
He said to turn the speed down - well I had not yet got the manual let alone read and digested  it.
It totally overwhelmed me and was so different to the first one .
The Plus and Vitess are pretty much the same ,the Plus no bar at the front but the screens are alike ,yet not so daunting on the Plus ,otherwise hardly any difference.
It could not be got  into my garden as yet no ramps and deliverer said the gate  was too small - so next door to son’s where it stayed until shed came and wider gate access.
Son took me out on it when some nice weather
,it was still so fast ,then another run when it failed at a kerb and lost a tyre.
Repair man came and was the same person who had delivered it .
It had been left in Hare mode- double the  speed of the one I first rode .
So some negligence on our part but also the delivery man  rather  than Quingo , he ought to have set it lower before telling me to ride it.
I still  feel it was a Plus I rode ,but they are very similar and the difference is the speed they were set at, very gentle to top speed which for a  novice  was far too fast , I did not expect that speed  after such a gentle test ride,had not seen the manual until after the disastrous first run on the Vitess2 so was unaware the speed could be lowered.
I am a lot more satisfied now I know this can be much slower .as slow as the test run one , there is not much difference if the lowest speed is set .
The company have dealt well with my daughter who could  discuss on their level, she advises me to keep the one I have, not much difference , the speed can be set much lower and as I will never use it as a road vehicle I can just
concentrate on those functions I use .
The road from the town centre is a mile long quite steep gradient ,any mobility scooter needs some power to cope with that ,not all are capable of of it ,my friend has one, she is a big lady and  it sits there ,does not cope with steep kerbs, can not get her to the shops ,at the moment in loan to a friend and so she needs taxies at £5  per  journey to get anywhere,
She sadly also has a stoma,so is very restricted.

I do feel a lot better about it now , I can pay £500 more for a new Plus which is £1000 cheaper than the Vitess - so £1500 out of pocket ,or stay with what I have and spend a bit of money snd get some lessons if there is a mobility centre near me.
That would restore my confidence .
Had the one I test rode been set at the speed  of the  one delivered I really would not  have bought one, unless told and shown how low the speed could be.
So it comes down to the negligence of the delivery man, and a bit of the demonstrator who did not say the one I was riding was on the lowest speed
He said “ TURN THE SPEED DOWN!”——- well how?I had not yet been given the thick manual ,so had no idea how to do that .
I was not told on the test ride that scooter was on lowest  speed nor told to gradually increase so I could see the full range but would only really need the slowest.


So all in all, I feel much better about it all, I got what I wanted and now am digesting the manual.
There have been some shortcomings on their part ,re speed set to deliver to a complete novice and no explanation that there were two modes on the test run .
It being delivered to a novice ,who had not as yet seen the manual, set in top speed when the test run was in the lowest.
It not being adjusted before I got on it etc.
So I will let  it go after having my say by letter to their MD.

Many thanks for your kind wishes about all this ,I am looking forward now to getting out on it after hopefully getting some training!
You are a kind lot ,this must be very boring to you ,many thanks .
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Saturday 17 May 25 11:07 BST (UK)
Well Viktoria,  if you are happy with the outcome that is all that matters, hopefully you can go out with a chaperone  for the first few trips till you feel comfortable  and confident,  please take care.

LM
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Gillg on Saturday 17 May 25 11:24 BST (UK)
Well done, Viktoria!  Now you have more information and most importantly the important details you can tentatively practice short runs and gain more confidence.  We know that it's not like you to baulk at difficulties, so you'll soon be whizzing along the pavements (mind pedestrians!).  The company, especially the MD, needs to know about the poor handling of your purchase, so that they can improve their sales techniques. 

Oh, it's a bit chillier today, although the sun is coming out from behind the earlier clouds.  Not the heat of yesterday, though, and I have had to rethink my wardrobe for our community choir's performance on the beach.
 https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/paddleoutprotest/
Have  good day, everyone. :)
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Saturday 17 May 25 17:07 BST (UK)
Thanks folks.
Planted up my hanging baskets and am really pleased my Captain Sir Tom rose has really come on .
So glad he did not see how his daughter had behaved .

A glorious day and I feel ten ,no twenty years younger .

Son in law improving — has, C.O,P.D ,Uvulitis ( that little wiggly thing at the end of your palate ) and Emphysemia ,otherwise is O.K.

I am glad I am not spending more money on another scooter ,eldest son does feel access to the shed could be a lot easier if my herb plot is halved ,I think so too ,it needs taming as the mint has taken over and so now is the time to do it .
Many thanks for “ listening “ ,I think I have been fair and Quingo’s second offer was  more than they were obliged to do ,the 0.6 of a mile is irrelevant ,it is 5 months old so second hand.
If I sold it £1,700 is the maximum ,looking at adverts for second hand very low mileage models.

Right the next news will I hope be that I have been out on it and managed .Thanks for your patience ,it helps to” talk”.
Cheerio. Viktoria.


Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Saturday 17 May 25 20:11 BST (UK)
Pleased to hear it's been sorted to your satisfaction Viktoria. Good luck with your maiden voyage!  ;D

We've had a couple of chilly days here, especially yesterday when it was perishing! Such a change from last weekend. Due to warm up a bit thank goodness.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Gillg on Sunday 18 May 25 11:19 BST (UK)
No thunderstorms in Devon yesterday, Roobarb.  Just another sunny day (and another lot of watering to do).  Today is warm and sunny and the rest of the week is forecast to be the same.  On Saturday our community choir plus another choir and a few stragglers from elsewhere will be singing on the beach at the Paddle Out, a protest organised by Surfers Against Sewage against the poor efforts by the water boards to keep our sea and river water clean. https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/paddleoutprotest/  You can see from this link how many areas will be taking part.  Our songs included "Dirty Water" and "We are the river"! Others will actually be paddling, swimming, paddle boarding and surfing, so let's hope the water is clean enough for them to do this safely.

Our protest against dirty sea and river water went with a swing.  We sang our songs in three amalgamated choirs and then joined in the chorus of "The Poo Song", presented by another group.  The public joined in with gusto, and there were plenty of them, too.  There was an army of paddle boarders out in the water and some swimmers, too.  The waves weren't strong enough for surfers, though, which is probably a good job, as they would have collided with all the others in the water.  We were rather hoping to see ourselves on local TV in the evening, but the BBC went for bigger beaches.  There is currently a class action case against our water company and it will be interesting to follow it.
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Roobarb on Sunday 18 May 25 12:21 BST (UK)
Well done Gillg, I hope your efforts have a good outcome. Keep us posted!
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: BushInn1746 on Sunday 18 May 25 21:16 BST (UK)
You don need a disabled card. You simply sign a declaration after answering a few simple questions when you purchase disability items. Of course you are expected to be truthful.

 ... With Victoria’s health problems she would be eligible.

Hi Viktoria

The VAT relief form is two sides basically name and address, the nature of your disability (they only give you a few lines) sign and date.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-reliefs-for-disabled-people-eligibility-declaration-by-a-disabled-person

I hope the so and so's (sellers) don't claim it and pocket the money as extra profit.

Mark
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: BushInn1746 on Sunday 18 May 25 21:36 BST (UK)

Gillg, we have Surfers against Sewage around here, although from your map it doesn't appear that they'll be taking part in the protest. It's ridiculous that they should have to take such actions in a supposedly civilised and hygienic country.

We were promised where I lived 50 years ago that the River would be cleaned up.

Water bill is nearly £900 a year and it is an absolute disgrace, what is happening to our rivers and sea.

On the Midlands news a few months ago, the Water company, rather than improve the treatment of sewer water and the river being so bad, they were asking permission to extend the pipeline further to another cleaner river and discharge there.

It is an absolute disgrace, having an assurance that the river will become cleaner as a young teenager and 50 years later, the problem seems to be much worse!

Water companies that do this, are an absolute shambles and an utter disgrace!

Mark
Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: Viktoria on Sunday 18 May 25 23:39 BST (UK)
Essential services ought not to be in private hands .
They seek to line their own pockets it seems to me.
Some hefty salaries involved.

Another lovely day .
Flash Harry and Kyra’s mummy ‘s birthday today, 34.Grandson’s on 27th, also 34.and Flash Harry’s was 11th.9.

Puppy is growing,great big paws.
Starting to mouth a bit so perhaps second teeth coming through.

I am still trying to get down to see them , but so many appointments and fitting it in round son’s regular visits to head office is a bit difficult.
Not seen baby Lily yet .
Lots of photos and videos though.

Well  bedtime and another week has flown by ——
Look after yourselves folks .
Viktoria.

Title: Re: Diary summary week ending 18th May 2025
Post by: louisa maud on Monday 19 May 25 09:01 BST (UK)
Off to the new diary now before this one gets shut down.

LM