WELL LOVED SOCKS, CONTACTLESS CARDS AND KITCHEN FOIL SECURITY.

Contactless  credit and debit cards are going to be the the thing to have, whether you want them or not.  Some banks who say they value their customers, have decided that they will ensure their customers have the contactless cards, there will not be any choice.  Either you are a carrying bank card holder, or, I guess, you do not belong. That's real customer service, of a perverse kind.

Just for interest, I went into one bank, where the staff from the manager down did not know what I was talking about when I asked about their policy regarding contactless cards, they had never heard of them.  Yet, the bank had sent out a major mailing to all their customers about their changeover plans to these cards, just two days before!  

There are banks who appreciate that some of their customers,  rather a lot of them, do not want  the alternative debit or credit cards, they would like to stay with what they know, imperfect though the system may be. Customers are currently more comfortable using their 'old card technology,' a bit like a pair of old reliable pilling socks. They may pill, but they do not fall apart.  These banks are giving their customers a choice to opt out of receiving contactless cards.

People who are holding off changing their arrangements are being cautious. There have been 'accidents'.  Funds have been swiped from accounts, where the purchaser has not consciously used the new style card.  Scanners have picked up the details from cards resting out of sight in wallets or handbags.  Newcastle University has been researching the security of the contactless system.  There are ways and means with unsophisticated equipment to scan for these cards -even from across the street .

Personally, I do not find it comforting to know that only five transactions of up to £20 sterling can be lifted from an account before a block is put in place; that's £100 which can disappear.  It is not clear whether that policy applies to both debit and credit cards.  I do  not find it reassuring to hear that the banks will take the risk and refund any losses.  I just do not want to go there.

If you're with a bank that insists you use their contactless cards and you do not want to change banks, there is a way to try and block accidental or malicious scanning.  If you have not got any kitchen foil, then go get some. I would advise you get a good quality foil which will stand up to at least one day of use.  With the foil, line the outer wall of the wallet in which you keep cards; a similar process is advised for purses (if that’s what you use). Otherwise fit a foil membrane into the section of your bag where cards may be placed. 

It would be a good idea to regularly check the home-made foil membrane for splits and renew
it as necessary, to maintain your security against opportunistic scanners and scanning.

A FLOWERY SUMMER SALAD

This is one of my kitchen garden salads.

Up close....

Shop salad food flavours go nowhere near competing with the glorious taste of the freshly picked leaves herbs and flowers from my kitchen garden.

 MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR

The safest place for me to be on Saturday 3rd October 2009, was at home.  A storm was raging outside - euphemistically described as a 'severe gale' by the Meteorological Office -  and it was whipping up into even greater fury.

It was just the right time to sort out the kitchen drawers in which I keep my preparation and cooking equipment; scoops, spatulas of many varieties, brushes,  a garlic press or two, serving tongs,  paring and peeling knives and more besides.   I rolled up my sleeves to sort out the gadgetry from the toys.

There were metal BBQ  skewers,  there were wooden ones galore, more than we'd ever use in a lifetime.  By the looks of things, they appeared to have procreated their numbers!  The metal ones were removed to other suitable places and the wooden varieties were pared down to sensible numbers.  The collection of wooden chopsticks were also reduced.  Just how many pairs of those does one small household need!

Being firm with myself, I then surveyed the tools. There was no point in keeping anything that had not been used or was past its best.  The tools I don't use that are preferred by hubby or sprog, when sprog's home, had to stay.  By now the 'disposables' were moving out very smoothly and the no longer wanted 'usables' were packed up for my favourite charity shop.

Last, but not least, the drawer liners came out so they and the drawers could be cleaned........"So that was the safe place I put the wire guard".  A favourite knife could now be brought back into use.  But- what else did I find, two alternative knives that were meant to fill the breach, (the heir and one to spare principle). 

Oh dear, my favoured wee knife was back on sale in the last eighteen months so I bought one, then I recently purchased another to replace one of the cheaper varieties that had started to deteriorate.  Now, with those extra knives that I discovered, which had been hidden by all the unnecessary stuff I had just cleared, I have rather more than I bargained for.