So today saw enough miles walked so far this month to cross into Scotland from England - and, depending which algorithm choices I make, I am roughly at mythical Gretna Green.

Part of today's steps were completed taking someone to a railway station to collect tickets to go to an asylum hearing... if your first language is English, and if you know how ticket machines work, and if you have a chip and pin card, then collecting the tickets is easy; lack any of these and it's nigh on impossible.  Today we had to use one of my cards to collect the tickets for tomorrow's journey.  I will be accompanying the person to ensure they find their way to the stated address - there as an assumption that they will have a smart phone to find the way from a post code.  Again, not tricky if you speak English, and can work out when to change trains on the way, but otherwise decidedly challenging.

I don't think the people in the offices in London try to make it difficult, indeed the letter is really helpful, it's just that most of us have never had to negotiate public transport in an unfamiliar country, and with a very precise deadline to meet.  "Race Across the World" this is not.

Anyway, I am off to listen to the make-believe piper playing make-believe music, and to enjoy some rest before tomorrow.

If praying be your thing, then please pray for a just and fair hearing, compassionate officials, and (despite this being bad theology) a hassle free journey.  

(Photo from the interweb)