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Marcia had an 11am appointment with the Passport Office in Peterborough, to do a fast track application. This is at extra cost, but only takes a week, rather than the maybe 2 of a postal application. Since we're off to Canada and the US in three weeks, this could be important...
As on Wednesday, we left with plenty of time in hand. Unlike Wednesday, we needed it, as there were serious delays due to roadworks on the approach from Whittlesey. This cost us about 30 minutes, which only meant that we spent less time in the covered market between the car park and the Passport Office.
I was impressed by the office: though they took a corkscrew off me at the entrance, they gave it back when we left. They emphasise that you should not be too early for your appointment, and as a result there were no delays in queueing.
Marcia got seen promptly - I think there were only 2 people in the stack before us - and the chap even copied her Certificate of Naturalisation and got the copy authenticated. Otherwise it would have been returned to her in the post with her passport, probably folded. Marcia wants to get it framed, and folds wouldn't look good. All in all, plenty of attention to detail, and no more "that's the way it is and I say so" than is inherent in having rules. Top marks. It doesn't hurt that these days they're part of the Home Office, where I've been working for (aaargh!) nearly 30 years.
Since they were quick and pleasant, we had time for a stroll round central Peterborough and a pint in the Old Still. The Bull Hotel (site of Bullcon and Repetercon in the 1960s)looks a bit small for a con these days...
And so home, avoiding the roadworks this time, and spent the evening out on the patio with drinks and the barbie. Times like this are why we live where we do...
As on Wednesday, we left with plenty of time in hand. Unlike Wednesday, we needed it, as there were serious delays due to roadworks on the approach from Whittlesey. This cost us about 30 minutes, which only meant that we spent less time in the covered market between the car park and the Passport Office.
I was impressed by the office: though they took a corkscrew off me at the entrance, they gave it back when we left. They emphasise that you should not be too early for your appointment, and as a result there were no delays in queueing.
Marcia got seen promptly - I think there were only 2 people in the stack before us - and the chap even copied her Certificate of Naturalisation and got the copy authenticated. Otherwise it would have been returned to her in the post with her passport, probably folded. Marcia wants to get it framed, and folds wouldn't look good. All in all, plenty of attention to detail, and no more "that's the way it is and I say so" than is inherent in having rules. Top marks. It doesn't hurt that these days they're part of the Home Office, where I've been working for (aaargh!) nearly 30 years.
Since they were quick and pleasant, we had time for a stroll round central Peterborough and a pint in the Old Still. The Bull Hotel (site of Bullcon and Repetercon in the 1960s)looks a bit small for a con these days...
And so home, avoiding the roadworks this time, and spent the evening out on the patio with drinks and the barbie. Times like this are why we live where we do...
