Blood test and hot weather

I had yet another blood test at Grove Surgery. I had the results for the last one (it showed I had a low cholesterol level of 4.8.) No explanation as to WHY I needed a second one. A mystery, certainly. If I was going through that stress again I was going to ask to get the same doctor to do it, as it was not as stressful as it could have been before now, due to the fact he used a special thin needle. I went to book the appointment and found that the doctor who took my blood the last time was on leave, so it would be a good two, three weeks in advance, which I was prepared to wait for. So, yesterday, I went to the surgery. I decided to walk there (it's only about a 20-minute walk along the Redway, along the side of Saxon Street and then down beneath Standing Way, using the underpass and into the estate where the surgery is. I took my iPod, and plugged myself in using the earphones. I have plenty to listen to, having downloaded quite a few podcasts from iTunes. In fact, the weather being especially hot and pleasant, the walk there was quite enjoyable. 

You have to sign in at my surgery using the computerised system (I think most surgeries use this system, and if enough use them, will make the rather 'up-themselves' receptionists redundant.) The blood test was scheduled for 9.40, but I didn't actually get called into the surgery until at least 10.00, a wait of at least 20 minutes. I beg the question: why bother to have this system if it can't run to time and you waste 20 minutes just sitting at staring at a load of sick and injured people who inhabit the waiting room? Can they get a better selection of reading material to read, or even have a coffee machine or video on the audio-visual screens, which show such boring a repetative material anyway?

I enter the doctor's surgery. He doesn't seem exactly prepared for the process of blood-letting. He disappears off to find the required surgery, leaving me laying on the couch. He comes back and attempts to take blood. Success! He is able to find a vein, not in the usual place, inside the bed of my elbow, but much further down, almost on my wrist. I feel nothing, but the needle remains in my arm for quite some time. He removes the needle from the vein, places a bit of cotton wool on the place where the needle went in, and tells me to press the cotton wool with my finger, to help stop any bleeding. Meanwhile, he says he's managed to get blood down his shirt, while he tips one half of the blood he's taken into a second vial. I sit up, with my finger still pressed on the cotton wool. He is still fussing about trying to get the blood (mine!) off his shirt front. This has never happened before, not to me, not whilst a nurse or doctor is extracting blood from my arm. One expects a professional to be able to attempt this procedure without blood being spilt. Fortunately he manages to put caps on the vials to prevent any leakage.

He then has to print out labels for the vials, and this seems to cause some sort of problem, as he's not sure which way round the paper goes in the computer printer. I imagine it would need a certain amount of skill, as the label required has a tear-off strip, which must go into the printer drawer the correct way round, otherwise the label will not have the printed area in the right place (which is exactly what happens.) He screws up the mis-printed label and puts a second blank sheet in the printer drawer, but this time it comes out printed correctly. He hands me both blood vials with the labels attached, which I take to the reception desk.

I still don't understand the need to have this second blood test. I have been told nothing as to the reason, although, over the last couple of weeks I have been feeling light-headed, and think it may be something to do with blood pressure. The doctor took my blood pressure after I had the blood taken, and it shows a relatively normal result. It may be something to do with how my body is coping with the medication I am on that the second blood test was done. I won't get a result for a couple of days.

It is exceptionally hot today, very unseasonal for the final day of September.

Celebrity, What Is It, and Why

Why is there such an obsession with celebrity in this country? Why do people get so obsessed over anything on television that has the word ‘celebrity’ in it (such as “Celebrity Big Brother,” “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here,” or “Celebrity Weakest Link”?) ITV seems to think that it will immediately attract huge ratings for shows with this magic word in it. Let's be perfectly honest in that such shows are easy to produce, they don't cost that much and the public has a liking for them.

What makes a celebrity? Is it merely appearing on television that means someone becomes a celebrity, or is it something more? A mere whiff of scandal, notoriety even, can make someone ‘famous’ in the public’s eyes and they immediately get pages and pages published in the press on their goings-on. I was always under the impression that to achieve some sort of fame, such as appear on television, you had to actually DO something. Jade Goody and Katie Price are two such people, although enough has been said about Ms Goody without having to say anything further. Even in death she seems to have made her mark. Merely appearing on “Big Brother” made her a name. She didn’t appear to have any skills, or any talent to speak of, but she made a career out of being herself. How was this possible? As for Ms Price (or Jordan as the public were more used to calling her.) it must be her large assets (I’m not going to be so obvious here) are her main selling point. But how ON EARTH can she make a career of just being herself? She is like Ms Goody, she has no talent at all, so how can she ever manage to get into the press so frequently?

Was it something to do with the relationship and eventual marriage to Peter Andre which had something to do with it? And then their eventual marriage breakdown and divorce? It's the fact that both sides of the relationship has been reported in microscopic detail in the tabloids which makes them such infamous celebrities.

There was a time when you'd really need to work at being a 'celebrity' in the sense that, if you wanted to become an actor you first went to stage school, then built up your career over quite a few years, and then the big time would come when you made your entry in some television production which caught the public's attention. But now, since the rash of so-called 'reality' shows on television, such as "Big Brother" anyone can appear and then create for themselves a celebrity career. It's the 'instant' personality thing. You don't actually have to work very hard at having the fame and fortune which goes with celebrity that catches people's imagination.

We then get into the thorny area of footballers. I'm not in the least bit interested in this as a game. Who could honestly get interested in a load of grown men running around on a piece of grass kicking a leather ball around for 90 minutes? If I'm going to watch anything I suppose it might be Rugby. At least the players have to actually work hard and there is a lot of skill in that as a game. But most footballers are paid ridiculous amounts of money and then become 'celebrities.' What, falling around drunk having come of of nightclubs and having affairs with other men's wives and then being published all over the Redtop newspapers? I'm not saying that ALL footballers are like that, but you don't ofter hear about the positive things footballers do off the pitch. The 'bad boys' aren't being good role models for the teenagers who should look up to them.

Blood Testing- An Explanation

 I thought it might be a good idea to have some more details about blood tests. I discovered the following on the Fifty-Plus website. I have actually learned quite a bit from this, so for anyone else in a similar situation to me, you may also find it of use.

Having a blood test is not something any of us particularly want to have done,  it usually means that something isn’t quite right and the doctors need to find out what it is. Finding out what is wrong is all well and good but, did you understand what the doctor said to you as to why you are having, for instance your fasting blood test done?  The idea of this section is to try and explain in laymen’s terms what the doctor is looking for, however I do need to highlight:-

A)   This blood test information is for general purposes only and should not be taken in isolation. If you have a health condition which concerns you then you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

B)   The clinical ranges for what is stated as normal given here are typical figures. Different laboratories sometimes use slightly different ranges depending on how they work. Blood test results need to be interpreted by qualified healthcare professionals in combination with further investigations.

The Procedure for your Blood Test

In some surgeries or medical centers a doctor or nurse may take the blood sample, but quite often you are given an appointment to attend your local hospital to the Haematology (blood) department. This is where trained phlebotomy staff will take all the blood samples requested, this is sometimes more convenient as the blood sample can be transferred straight to the hospital laboratory .This will mean the blood analysis will be done promptly and the blood test results returned to your doctor more quickly. Blood analysis is undertaken by trained staff with the results being interpreted by your doctor with all your clinical notes to hand. Sometimes people can look at which blood sample is being taken and become anxious, often this blood test is being done to exclude conditions.

A trained phlebotomist.-(a specialised clinical support worker) will take a small blood sample usually from a vein near the inside of your elbow, if that is not possible they may take blood from the wrist. These sites are usually chosen as the veins run fairly close to the skin surface making them more easily accessible.

Occasionally people have a fear of needles or of blood or both and can feel faint at both the prospect of the blood test and the procedure itself. If you don’t want to end up on the floor let the phlebotomy staff know and they will be able to position you correctly. If you are taking any blood thinning medication ensure you have discussed this with your doctor prior to your blood being taken, otherwise you may have problems clotting and end up with a rather large bruise.

*The phlebotomy specialist will either wash their hands or use a medical hand disinfectant or wear gloves for the procedure.

* You will be asked if you have any allergies to adhesive dressings or latex, as sometimes the gloves used by the phlebotomy staff are latex.

* The arm chosen will usually be opposite the one you write with to reduce discomfort. A tourniquet will be placed around the upper part of your arm, this will be pulled fairly tight to reduce the blood flow causing the veins in your arm to swell this makes it easier to locate the vein.

* The area is wiped with an antiseptic wipe to reduce the potential germs on your skin surface (everybody has them) they will wait for this to dry; this is done to reduce the chance of introducing a skin contaminant.

* The needle will then be inserted through the skin to the vein this is like a pricking sensation it will not hurt excessively.

* If you are having a fasting blood test you may have a “cannula” or “butterfly” placed in the back of your hand and secured with adhesive tape or a dressing. It will be explained to you that as you will be having blood taken over a period of time, this method will reduce the need for repeated insertions of a needle.

* The blood will be extracted using either a syringe with a needle, or more commonly a needle attached to a plastic device where different vacuum vials-(small bottles). These can be connected allowing a small amount of blood into each vial for a variety of different blood tests, hence the different colour vials.

* The needle will be removed and a small spot plaster put on the site to reduce the chance of infection. The phlebotomist will press on the site for a couple of minutes or ask you to, to reduce the chance of a bruise.  If the site becomes inflamed, red and sore you will need to visit your doctor for advice.

* If you have been lying down for the blood test you will need to sit up slowly.

* The blood sample will be carefully labeled with your personal details and stored correctly by the phlebotomy staff.

* The blood samples will then be sent to the laboratory for blood analysis.

* The results of your blood test will be sent to your Doctor, you will then be asked to come in to discuss the results. When blood test results are explained to you it is a good idea to write down what is said or take a friend or family member with you if you don’t think you will remember what is said.  If you are expecting blood test results of a sensitive nature for instance the HIV test, counsellors will be available to you.

Blood Tests

A blood sample will be taken as part of an investigation into your condition for a variety of reasons:-

To see if there is any damage to any of the organs in your body

To see if you have an infection

To see if you have diabetes

To check your thyroid is working correctly

To measure levels of a variety of different chemicals, like enzymes electrolytes or oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood

To check your blood gas levels – imbalances can be indicators of possible respiratory (breathing) or metabolic (energy processes) problems

To check your blood group type

Genetic/DNA testing which tells you if you have inherited a condition or if there is a gene mutation which may result in a condition or syndrome which can affect your health

To check your cholesterol levels

To check that your liver is functioning properly if it not it will produce enzymes which can be detected

Blood is made up of two primary elements:

The fluid –This is called Plasma. This fluid is principally made up of water and supplies all the nutrients, proteins and hormones your body requires to remain healthy.

Cells –there are three kinds of cells that circulate constantly around your body

Red blood cells- deliver oxygen around the body – your whole body is a network of veins arteries and capillaries, which carries oxygen from your lungs around your body and exchanges it for carbon dioxide which they dispose of.

White blood cells- leukocytes –These make up part of your body’s defense system  / immune system respond to  infection

Platelets- These are the cells which form blood clots if you cut yourself

Blood Test Abbreviations

Below is a list of some of the blood tests which are most commonly taken with the abbreviations used and a very short explanation what the blood sample may be being taken for. Many of the blood tests do not require you to fast however for some specific ones you may be given instructions from your health care provider to restrict fluids, medication or diet. If you are in any doubt ask for advice as it can be very frustrating turning up for an appointment and not being able to have the blood sample taken. Many of the blood test results explained will need further consultation with your health care provider.

Albumin – This is the main protein which is in blood. low levels can indicate certain types of chronic illnesses such as liver disorders

Elecs / U&E’s – Urea and Electrolytes – This is done to assess your Electrolyte (minerals) levels There are three main electrolytes that can be measured with an electrolyte test, sodium, potassium and chloride. The test will show how well your kidneys are working

Ferritin – A protein – This is to check the levels are correct as they are important for red blood cell production, and the levels of iron stored in your body.

Normal range is:-
Male: 12-300 ng/mL –
Female: 12-150 ng/mL – nanograms per milliliter
(HCT) Haematocrit – This is a measure of thickness, viscosity, of red blood cell content called Packed Cell Volume PCV of your blood

(HbA1c) -Haemoglobin A1c – This measures the glycated haemoglobin which is where the glucose has attached it self to red blood it is often used to measure your management of your diabetes.

Normal levels are HbA1c of 6% or less

LDH – Lactate Dehydrogenase – This is an enzyme if the levels are raised this can indicate damage to cells and tissue. It is also used to monitor progress

LDL – Low density lipoprotein – Cholesterol – this is the “bad” cholesterol – it is protein which carries cholesterol to the arteries and blood vessels causing build up and blockages this can cause a heart attack or stroke

Magnesium – A deficiency in this basic element of the blood can be due to difficulties with absorption which can be due to medication, intestinal problems or heart disease. High levels may be due to kidney failure  

ALT- Alanine aminotransferase – This is an enzyme and the test is performed to check to see if you have a liver problem

Amylase – This is an enzyme and if the levels are raised this may indicate a problem possibly pancreatitis (the pancreas is important for secreting enzymes for digestion and regulating blood sugar levels with the hormone insulin)

(BNP) Beta-Natriuretic Peptide – This can be done to check fluid in your lungs and for deteriorating heart disease

(BUN) Blood Urea Nitrogen - This test is performed to assess the levels which if raised may indicate renal function impairment. If it is low it can indicate liver failure amongst other conditions

B12 and Folate – This is done to diagnose the cause of anaemia or nerve damage- Neuropathy

Calcium – Is found in bone and blood calcium is tested to monitor how much is circulating and affecting conditions of the heart, nerves and kidneys as well as bones and teeth

Card Enz –Cardiac Enzymes – This test is performed when a heart attack is suspected

Chol – Cholesterol –Lipid profile – This is to test if you have heart disease or circulatory problems this is a common test which is offered to people who have family history of high blood pressure or if you are Plus Fifty years old – high levels need to be treated otherwise you may be at risk of heart disease or a stroke. You will be told not eat anything and only drink water for 10-12 hours before having your blood sample taken.
There are different types of blood cholesterol tests, when combined they are referred to as a lipid profile.

good - (HDL) cholesterol
bad - (LDL) cholesterol
total cholesterol
triglycerides (other fatty substances)

Chloride – This is important for nerve and muscle function and distinct variations may indicate disease

Creatinine – This is a waste product and high levels can possibly indicate further tests will need to be undertaken to rule out poor kidney function

ESR Blood Test – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate – This screens for infection and monitors inflammation.
 Normal results are :-

Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr
Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr

FBC Blood Test  – Full Blood Count / Blood Count – This is done to check your general health and to screen for disorders, such as anaemia, infection, and nutrition

Normal levels are:

Haemoglobin  

adult males 13.5-17.50 g/dL
adult females 11.5-16.5 g/dL  

Red cell count  

adult males is 4.5-6.5 x 10¹²/L
adult females 3.8-5.8 x 10¹²/L

Haematocrit  

adult males is 0.40-0.50  
adult females 0.37-0.47  
MCV (Mean cell volume) range for adults is 76-100 fL
MCH (Mean cell haemoglobin) range for adults is 27-32 pg, and the normal  
MCHC (Mean cell haemoglobin concentration) range is 31-36 g/L

White cell count for adults is 4.0-10.0 x 10⁹/L

The different types of white cells in adults are:

Basophils: 0.05-0.1 x 10⁹/L

Eosinophils: 0.02-0.4 x 10⁹/L

Lymphocytes: 1.0-3.5 x 10⁹/L

Monocytes: 0.2-1.0 x 10⁹/L

Neutrophils:2.0-7.5×10⁹/L

Platelet count for adults is 150-450 x 10⁹/L

 · FSH – Follicle Stimulation Hormone – This is done to check your pituitary gland which regulates the hormones, along with the trigger for your ovaries to prepare to release an egg · GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase test - This is an enzyme which is utilized in muscle, liver and heart function if this is raised it may indicate that disease is affecting these organs You will be told to not eat for at least eight hours before the test and not drink alcohol for 24 hours before the test. Smoking can also affect the test results.
 

 · Globulin - These are proteins you will need to prepare for the test by not eating for four hours prior to the blood being taken. It is important to discuss with your doctor any medication you are taking prior to the test. The results will help with the diagnosis of immunoglobulin disorders

 · Glucose Blood Test – Fasting Blood Test – This checks the levels of plasma glucose in your blood. For an initial reading you may have to fast (stop eating) for up to 12 hours/ overnight before the bloods are taken. If you have diabetes you can monitor your own levels.
The ideal values are: 4 to 7mmol/l before meals: less than 10mmol/l 90 minutes after a meal: around 8mmol/l at bedtime

 · (HGB) – Haemoglobin – This is a protein and transports oxygen around the body and is usually performed to assess anaemia if too low or heart disease if too high

 · Hepatitis A – This is performed to see if you have the infective hepatitis A virus (Hav) which affects the liver and to monitor your recovery process
 

 · Hepatitis B – This is done to see if the vaccine against hep B has produced an immunity or to monitor the course of the liver damage

 · Hepatitis C – Is performed to assess if you have this viral disease which inflames the liver

 · Hepatitis D – Delta agent – People who have this have Hepatitis B infection already. It can make the whole situation worse for a patient if not picked up

 · INR – International Normalised Ratio – This is to test your blood clotting mechanisms for people who take anti-coagulants (blood thinning medicine) like Warfarin. The normal range is INR of 0.9 -1.1 if you are high risk the values will be different

 · Phosphorus - This is a mineral and vital for muscle and nerve functionality conditions can be affected if levels are either too high or too low

 · PT – Prothrombin time – This is performed to check how well your blood thinning(anti-coagulants) medicine is working

 · (RBC) – Red Blood Cell count – Low levels of these cells which carry oxygen around your body can indicate Anaemia
 

 · RF - Rheumatoid Factor – This is a protein which is present in the blood when rheumatoid arthritis is suspected – some people have naturally raised levels with no rheumatoid disease present therefore these results need to be in conjunction with further tests

 · Sodium – This is part of your electrolyte levels. The ratio of these levels affect the kidneys and adrenal glands if levels are high or low it can be indicative of disease

 · TIBC - Total iron binding capacity This is a blood test which is used to detect anaemia, liver function and other blood disorders
 

 · Total Bilirubin – This is the waste product of your red blood cells and  it is what gives your faeces the brown colour. If levels are raised yellowing of the skin occurs and can be an indication of liver disease.
 

Normal levels are:-

Total bilirubin-0.3-1.0mgs/dl.
Direct bilirubin-0.1-0.3mgs/dl.
Indirect bilirubin-0.2-0.7mgs/dl

 · Total Protein – This is to measure all of  the proteins in your blood. Your doctor will be primarily looking for indications of liver or kidney disorders

 · TFT – Thyroid Function Test – Thyroid Blood Test  -To test for levels of TSH – Thyroid Stimulation Hormone this indicates if the thyroid is under active or over active, this directly affects  your energy levels

 · Triglycerides – this is a form of fat. If the levels are high it puts you at an increased risk of a stroke or heart disease. To measure these levels accurately you will need to fast (not eat) for up to 12 hours before bloods are taken. These fats should not exceed 2.0 mmol/l and may be done as part of your Lipid Profile.

Diesel fumes 'raise heart attack risk'

Breathing in heavy traffic fumes can trigger a heart attack, say UK experts.

Heart attack risk is raised for about six hours post-exposure and goes down again after that, researchers found.

They say in the  British Medical Journal that pollution probably hastens rather than directly cause attacks. But repeated exposure is still bad for health, they say, substantially shortening life expectancy, and so the advice to people remains the same - avoid as far as is possible.

Prof Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which co-funded the study, said: "This large-scale study shows conclusively that your risk of having a heart attack goes up temporarily, for around six hours, after breathing in higher levels of vehicle exhaust. Unhealthy diets and smoking et cetera are much bigger heart attack risk factors, but car fumes are the cream on the cake that can tip you over.”

 Prof Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation:

"We know that pollution can have a major effect on your heart health, possibly because it can 'thicken' the blood to make it more likely to clot, putting you at higher risk of a heart attack.

"Our advice to patients remains the same - if you've been diagnosed with heart disease, try to avoid spending long periods outside in areas where there are likely to be high traffic pollution levels, such as on or near busy roads."

The research looked at the medical records of almost 80,000 heart attack patients in England and Wales, cross-referencing these details with air pollution data.

This enabled the investigators to plot hourly levels of air pollution (PM10, ozone, CO, NO2, and SO2) against onset of heart attack symptoms and see if there was any link.

Higher levels of air pollution did appear to be linked with onset of a heart attack lasting for six hours after exposure.

After this time frame, risk went back down again.

Krishnan Bhaskaran from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led the research, said the findings suggested that pollution was not a major contributing factor to heart attacks. 

Taken from BBC News website.

Blackberries and Dog-Walking

I have been picking the blackberries which we have on the bramble-bushes in our garden. There is a tangled branch along one side of the garden, which you have to negotiate when you are either pegging out clothes on the washing line or collecting laundry from the line once it is dry. These branches are really prickly and the thorns on them are lethal. Having collected all the blackberries which were in the garden, I decided to take a stroll along the Redway behind the house and pick some more. Carol thought it would be a good idea to combine my blackberry-picking excursion with taking both dogs for a walk. This sounded a good idea, but trying to get both dogs suitably equipped with their leads on (and, first of all, discovering where the leads were was a problem, but we managed to find them fairly easily.) was no easy task. The moment Alfie, particularly, realises we're going to take him for a walk, he gets so excited and begins to bark and carry on extremely noisily. Poppy, on the other hand, is not quite so vociferous, but can still get quite worked up. Nevertheless, we managed to get their leads fixed up (Carol has managed to arrange the leads so that both dogs can be walked together on a sort of 'Y' shaped arrangement.) and I was able to take a plastic box to put the picked blackberries in. We got out to the Redway, walking towards the canal, and along the path which runs around the back of the hospital. Before the path got to the main road, Marlborough Street, we crossed over the Redway and back into Eaglestone and let the dogs off their leads in the park. Surprisingly, Milton Keynes has many really attractive places to walk, and Eaglestone Park is rather a pleasant place to walk, particularly with dogs. There are a number of little bridges over running water and streams and wooded areas to walk through. Poppy just potters along enjoying the scenery, occasionally disappearing into people's front gardens for a sniff around, and at one point disappeared under a hedge and we didn't see her for quite a while. Alfie, for a little dog, has enormous amounts of energy. He can run for a long way, and is extremely well behaved, and always comes back to us when he's called. He didn't need much training to walk on a lead and almost always comes to 'heel.' He does, occasionally, get very excited and yaps rather a lot, but I think this is just because he enjoys being out and is allowed to run free. 

I did manage to pick a few blackberries, but not enough to make a blackberry-and-apple pie or maybe a crumble. I have a feeling that most of them have already been picked by other people. It doesn't really surprise me, as it's a free supply of food on most people's doorstep. In most cases, a lot of the inhabitants of Eaglestone have a ready supply of blackberries at this time of year, and have only got to go out of their front door like we have to get quite a good amount to make a really  tasty pie or crumble. I shall go out on my own again tomorrow sometime and pick a few more. Those we have got we put in the freezer and can be used during the winter months. In Morrisons the other Saturday they had blackberries on sale, which seems incredible when you think you can get them free by just going out and looking. It was something like £2 for a really small punnet. (Sorry, I don't think they use traditional punnets any more. These were in those clear plastic boxes so loved by supermarkets.)

We had to put the dogs back on their leads when we walked back through the estate. We got back to the house just in time, as a really heavy rainstorm came in with very black clouds hanging over Milton Keynes virtually as we walked in the front door. Both dogs seemed quite exhausted by their walk, and within half-an-hour of coming home were both asleep on the sofa! Poppy had several bits of twig caught in her coat which we had to pull off! Alfie seemed to avoid the twigs this time, but I remember the first time we took the dogs for a walk when Alfie was still a puppy (I think it was either Stockgrove Park or Salcey Forest, I forget which exactly.) he got really upset by the fact that he was picking up quite a collection of twigs and leaves in his coat as he walked along, and stopped every few yards and sat down to pick them out with his teeth. It really was quite amusing! I don't think he liked them for some reason best known to himself. Alfie can get very stressed about going in the car. It is virtually impossible to have him in the car so that he just sits on the back seat. He will just run all over the place and even try and sit on the lap of the driver, which can be quite dangerous. We have even attempted to have him sitting on my lap while Carol drives. The first time we tried this, we were going to one of our favourite places, Stowe Landscape Gardens near Buckingham. We were driving along the long, straight road which leads to Stowe, when Alfie was sick. We had to stop the car to clear up the mess, but after that we realised that it was going to be very difficult, if not virtually impossible, to take him out in the car, if he was going to continue with this behaviour. I'm not sure whether this is normal behaviour for Yorkshire terriers, but it would be very difficult to drive and have him creating in such a stressed-out fashion. We eventually purchased a cage from a pet shop, which was the right size for him to fit in, and would go in the back of the car. He does make a certain amount of noise, but I think he probably rather likes it and does eventually settle down and go to sleep once we are out on the road. When we stop, it's then he starts his noise. This has rather put us off taking him out with us in the car, which is such a shame, as he does enjoy his walks, but we think we're going to just persevere with him so that he gets used to car journeys.

Novel Writing

I've just completed another large section of the novel. I've transferred it all onto Word, and made a few 'tweaks' as I've gone along. I'm really surprised that it runs to a little over 5,000 words. I've read it back and I'm rather pleased with my efforts.

We took a load of rubbish to take to the tidy-tip at Coffee Hall. We never knew this facility was so close and we usually go to the one at Bradwell, so that cut out a long car journey. The one at Coffee Hall is no more than a five-minute drive away. As we began loading the stuff in the car, the sky darkened, the clouds rolled in and it began to rain heavily. Very spooky. Is someone trying to tell us something? It was a really torrential storm with wind and the lot thrown in for good measure, almost as if the special effects people on a movie were having a field day.  Ominous, or what? As I write this it is really warm and sunny.

Windy Day

As forecast, we're experience quite high winds here in Milton Keynes. It's sunny and bright, and the sun goes in occasionally when it clouds over. Is this the tail-end of the hurricane they've had in America? One begins to wonder.

I went into the Milton Keynes shopping centre. I had to go back to Boots because when I'd taken Carol's repeat prescription in for them to make up they didn't have all the required meds for the order, so I went in this morning. As usual I parked in the free spaces near Xscape (near the old, empty Sainsbury's units.) I waked back to the car and noticed a group of youths painting the uprights of the shelters you walk under on your way to and from the carpark. They had flourescent jackets on and there appeared to be a supervisor in charge. On the back of one of the jackets was plainly printed for all to see 'Community Pay-Back Scheme.' I'm wondering if these youths were not in some way involved in the recent riots and this was their sentence. Who knows, but at least, for whatever crime they had committed, this was a good way for them to give back to society.

Wild, Wet and Windy

September swept in with a vengeance. It's very windy and wet this morning, with very dark clouds covering the sky. The trees behind the house are swaying in the wind and no doubt we will have the first leaves falling to denote that Autumn has well and truly arrived.

Blood Test Result

I've just been to take a repeat prescription for Carol to the doctor's surgery in Farthing Grove. I asked at the desk if there had been a result back for my blood test last Thursday. My cholesterol level is 4.8, which pleases me, as it is supposed to be below 5.

Car Exhaust 'blows'

Early this morning we went to collect Steve, who is a teacher at the Academy, and lives in Bletchley, in a flat not far from Bletchley Park, and opposite Bletchley railway station. We did this on a regular basis when we lived in Chevalier Grove, and I recall the early-mornings driving there in the midst of some quite deep snow, with a real frost on the ground and having to de-ice the car before setting off at about 6.40 (or thereabouts) to enable Carol and Steve to get to the Academy on time and then allow me to get to my first 'call' when I used to work for Guardian. We drove back towards the Academy, but for some unaccountable reason we didn't come back along Saxon Street and went along Bletcham Way and then back towards Saxon Street by way of a somewhat convoluted route (lovely sentence, that.) and as we turned into the road that leads to the Academy, we heard a somewhat nasty sound as the car's exhaust gave way. It has been threatening to come adrift for some time now. I had my doubts that it would survive much longer, and Daniel has mentioned that something was making a strange vibrating noise. I managed to drop Carol and Steve off within the Academy campus, and then came home. I left it until gone 9 o'clock to venture out, first to the cash-point at Tesco's in Oldbrook (just to check that there was sufficient funds in the bank account.) and then to T and H off Watling Street at Bletchley (not far from Asda and the MK Dons football stadium.) We have used this car repair shop on a number of occasions, and had no cause to worry about their quality of work, or being ripped off, so it was an automatic response of mine to go there again so that they could look at the exhaust and give me a quote as to the cost etc etc.
I was somewhat amazed, and not a trifle amazed, that no sooner had I drawn up in the car park at T and H, than someone appeared and said 'we can sort out your exhaust for you' or at least, words to that effect. I'm not surprised really, considering the noise the car was making as I drove in, somewhat a cross between a very ancient tractor and a First World War bi-plane! The car was in their workshop and up on a lift before I could barely draw breath, and being offered a coffee and told to please wait in the waiting room. In a minute or two I was being asked to come and look at the exhaust by one of the mechanics, and was shocked to see how rusty the old exhaust was, and how it had come adrift from the engine and was hanging on by a thread. I was given a rough estimate of the cost, just over £400, which was something of a shock, and said that there was no way I could pay the full price at the moment. I was told that they could do most of the work, which included a new catolitic converter and rear section, so I agreed and then they told me the part would take around 20 minutes to come from the supplier so I went back into the waiting room and read some of their magazine section. The work was soon completed, a good deal faster than I imagined, and then paid the bill, and left.

Blood Test

I had a blood test booked for 9.50 a.m. at the doctor's surgery on Thursday. As those of you who read this blog regularly will know, I have been for several blood tests, but the nurse on each occasion has failed completely to find a vein and manage to take blood, but this time one of the doctors did it, a doctor who apparently works occasionally in the A and E department at Milton Keynes hospital. He used a very narrow needle, designed to take blood from babies, and managed to take sufficient blood for a blood test. I am rather keen to know my current cholesterol level. I have been taking cholesterol-busting drinks (Benecol is one such brand, but we have managed to find the same sort of product in Aldi as well as Tesco. I imagine most supermarkets have their own brands.)

Rainy Day

The weather has changed significantly. After a couple of days of really warm and sunny weather, it is now raining. It was raining when we left after the church service this morning. The bus arrived just in time to take us back to the carpark, otherwise we'd have had to walk and got soaked.

Back To Business

Hello folks! I'm posting to my blog  once again after the Summer Recess. I must say, I had really got into the swing of writing this, but, with Carol on holiday for the past month, we've been busy with one thing and another, so there wasn't a great deal of time to sit and keep this up to date. We had a few days away in Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago, visiting Carol's mum and dad who live there. We usually go down and back in the same day, but it makes for a very long and tiring day, so it was better to book a hotel in Bournemouth and stay over-night and visit her parents and then come back the next day. The hotel was on the sea-front, and preparations were going on for the Bournemouth Air Show, so we found that a lot of the streets around the seafront were closed off so we couldn't park the car, but we eventually found space in the hotel car park (very few spaces left when we got there, but we did manage to park.)

We arrived in Bournemouth on the Tuesday, the journey down seemed to take forever. We got our usual 'full English' breakfast, which was nice. (we don't very often have a fry-up, basically because it's so full of cholestrol, but  I do enjoy it, nevertheless!) After some deliberation we decided to drive to Christchurch and have something to eat. It turned out that we'd go to a cafe and have coffee, and wandered around near the river, where there was quite a crowd of people as the weather was fine. There was large number of swans and ducks and other birds gathered near the water's edge and people were feeding them bread, but they were becoming somewhat aggressive as we walked past.

The next day, having spent the night at the hotel, we got up early and walked along the seafront, taking some photographs as we walked. I may upload some of these onto this blog or my Facebook page when I have time, so look out for them!

On the way home I rather wanted to visit the  Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere. We've been past the exit on the A34 several times on the way down to Bournemouth and back, and, as we're members of the National Trust, and this place is managed by the N.T. it seemed a worthwhile visit. Also, this chapel was painted by Stanley Spencer, who is one of my favourite artists. Carol's mum and dad visit Cookham regularly, staying at a hotel owned and run by John Lewis (Carol's mum used to work for Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership.) and present and former employees are entitled to use this facility (a good company, John Lewis, treating their employees properly, although, as an employee, you are a 'partner' in the company, as they share all their profits, unlike most businesses who 'share' the profits with shareholders who don't usually work directly for the company.) What I'm attempting to get around to is that Stanley Spencer lived and worked in Cookham, and many of his paintings are set in and around that area. There is a gallery there which we have visited, and was recently renovated and re-opened, thanks to a National Lottery Grant. It was very well worth visiting. He was really a great painter, and his genius shows in this chapel. I was struck by how small the place was, and the fact that the painted walls covered virtually every single inch of space from floor to ceiling. Nothing he ever did was like anything else you are likely to see, his Biblical and particularly Christian-inspired work has an originality about it I don't think I have ever seen attempted by any other artist. I can genuinely say that it would be well worth visiting, if you are in the vacinity of Burghclere.