The piglets have created a creep of their own under a door and into a lovely sheltered pen, their favourite game is to lie right down and roll with their legs tucked in under the door, scamper, then reappear under the door rolling over and over.
You need to go outside, I said. So with a fair amount of apprehension I opened the gate to their outside pen. 
They flew through the grass, ducking and diving and rolling while their mother ripped off the tops of the plant and ate them as fast as she could. After watching them for a while I went back inside idly, to find my passport and get the travel documents side of my trip to Canada in order – it was Three O’Clock yesterday afternoon. I booked the seat way back in February.
My passport is expired. I kept reading the expiration date again and again as though somehow the numbers would change with scrutiny but no it is two months out of date. I dropped the ball. I cannot believe I made such a massive error. With two days to go before I am to fly out. What ifs don’t help. If onlys don’t help. Panic calling the New Zealand embassies and Passport offices in Washington, Chicago and New Zealand helped a little.
The closest office that can issue a New Zealand passport is in London. New Zealand emailed me the forms for an urgent passport renewal and I have filled them out. I found a referee, and last night I drove the two hour round trip to have the most awful passport pictures in the history of awful passport pictures taken. This morning I shall drive the whole package to the nearest Fed Ex office and hope against hope that there is a way they can overnight them to London. Then I shall call the London office and ask them what their turnaround is. An urgent passport promises, with a major price tag attached, a three day turnaround. I need One. A One Day turnaround.
The best case scenario is I might be able to leave for Calgary on Friday night just making the wedding. At the worst Monday night. Of course there is Fourth of July on Thursday when the whole USA (including the couriers) shuts down which is not useful. So there is a very real chance that I will miss my eldest son’s wedding. How stupid could a mother be. Of course just to stir the soup there is only one direct flight to Calgary from Chicago and it is in the evening! My darling travel agent is already on the hunt but until I know that passport is on its way back to me we really cannot book anything.
Good morning. I often search an incident like this for the meaning. Why did this happen I wonder? So far I cannot see the hidden meaning. How could I have been so foolish, I have been travelling for decades, I do know better. Another lesson in management? A reminder to stand still and look around, saying what have I forgotton? Stop running so fast? More haste less speed? Make better lists? Eat more brain food? I don’t know. I could just weep.
At least this dreadful error does not result in the death of an animal. This is good.
Now you all have a lovely day. Once this package is the hands of the courier, (Their office does not open until 9am) the result is in the lap of the gods. Let’s hope it is a sharp uncomfortable bony lap so the process moves along swiftly.
Your truly brain challenged friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
97 responses to “Piglets set free and our trip is in jeopardy”
They are so cute! Too bad they don’t stay that size.
Good Luck, Cecilia. Miracles DO happen.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.
The piglets look fantastic running around outside.
Good luck with the passport – i can’t believe they don’t issue them in America 😉
I know, I called Washington, but it is only Sydney, London or wellington.. not too much call for NZ passports in the US I guess! c
Oh it is so terrible when these things happen! I think actually the more you travel, the more likely it is to happen – you just use up all your smooth sailing tokens. We have had tickets thrown in the garbage (back in the days of red carbon paper tickets) and passports laundered beyond recognition. I hope that the couriers are swift and that you can make it. On the other hand, those piglets made my day.
yes there are always the little fat piglets! They are up early this morning too. Hoping for another outing ! c
Brain challenged? Hardly. You’ve been in overdrive for 2 weeks, at least, and something fell through the cracks, nothing more. With a little luck you’ll be in Canada just in time to watch your soon-to-be daughter-in-law walk down the aisle — and you’ll have a great story to tell after dinner. 🙂
Miss C, surely you must be due for a miracle!
I hit like but then I’m not sure hitting like is the right thing. I don’t like the anxiety of waiting. The piglets are adorable though 🙂 xx
oh no! what a kerfluffle! i have been in the same position as you and had to fly to philly to get mine renewed. too bad you can’t just use your drivers license to get into canada the way it used to be. i’ll keep my fingers crossed that this works out for you! when all else fails, just sit and stare at those piglets! i can’t get enough of their cuteness!
Yep, I know that horrible sick feeling, I lost my passport in NZ the day before I was due to travel home. You have never seen such manic backtracking in all your life. Cops wanted to arrest me on attempted illegal immigration – seems SA citizens have a bad rep for this 😦 Luckily a kind citizen collected it and handed it in and it was returned to me and all turned out ok – but only just. Phewww, now I am really walking around with everything crossed for you – even my eyes 🙂 Laura
London – really??
I am so sorry! Praying for a quick resolution.
Good morning Celi; as to the hidden meaning in all of this some times God (the one of Israel) throws a curve ball at us to slow us down to protect us from something bad happening to us. being in a car crash , or being on a plane that drops out of the sky is no good for him; so He throws something in to slow us down. have a blessed day mike
London??? sheesh. Fingers crossed. Some how it will happen just the way it is supposed to.
I live in London. Is there anything I can do to help?
I am not sure maeve, but i shall keep you in mind, i will call london after they receive the package then we will know more.. but thank you.. c
Your farmy blog has made this such a small world..here you have a friend in London who is willing to help in any way she can. Great testament to you Celi..what a good person you are and have made such good friends around the world. Good luck with the passport. I so hope you make your son’s wedding. I would offer to help but my service for passports is very slow. …Sorry!
Please do email me if I can do anything. I mean it! By all means email me directly.
maeve you make me feel like crying with such kindness. I am calling NZ house tomorrow early to see if they can rush it through..all we can do now is hope! c
oh my! good luck! maybe we can do some more magic. i am sure everyone will try their best.