Applying for a new passport

The nearest place I could apply for a new passport was Birmingham, so that’s where I booked an appointment. They were only available in the morning, and Birmingham is still quite far away, so by 7:15 I was in the train. I had plenty of time and space to get some work done. And in Wolverhampton I found out I had been travelling with a man from the food co-op, and his dog. That was a nice surprise!

View from the train 

View in the train

I got to the venue, which is an Indian visa centre, without problems. And there was quite a queue! It was a cold day to loiter outside, but there was little choice. And I was let in at the time I had my appointment.

Being inside was warmer, but not more reassuring. I ended up in a queue for a desk where you could get a number. The queue was long! But after a while a desk lady called out of there was anyone for a Dutch document. Me! And she gave me my number, and told me to sit down in the waiting room dedicated for people wanting Dutch documents. 

It wasn’t a long wait. And the man who dealt with my request was friendly. He processed my request, and in not much time I was done. Great! 

In a few weeks’ time I’ll have to do it all again, to pick up the new one. I don’t want to be without passport altogether! But in spite of the unpromising start, it went smoothly. One more trip and I’m sorted again for ten years!