(Sunday)It was a bit wet when I took out Alfie this morning. Not drenching, but wet enough. We didn't do the entire circuit of Eaglestone Park, but nevertheless, we managed to get out by 6.30. I do't think Alfie could wait a minute longer. He came back looking really wet and bedraggled, and it took him a while to dry off. As I write this, there is a howling wind outside. It seems to have got up by the time I got to Shenley Christian Fellowship a good deal earlier than usual, because I am now on what's called the Genesis Team, and we're there to set up for the day's services. Not actually a great deal to do. I shan't be on the rota for another month or so, but one Sunday in perhaps 4 or 6 won't make great deal of difference to me. Anyway, the wind was so strong that it blew over the sign which is put up outside the building, just before the service begins and also the poster which was pinned to it was blown across the carpark.
(Monday) I had intended having at least an extra hour in bed this morning. I hadn't seen the necessity to be up and dressed so early, but it didn't work out that way. Alfie didn't appreciate the fact that he wasn't going to get his early-morning walk around Eaglestone Park. I straightened out the duvet and refused to move, but it didn't prevent Alfie coming and prodding me with a paw to remind me of my obligations to him. Still, I did have around another 20 minutes of shut-eye. I knew it was quite sunny outside with the sun streaming in at the bedroom window. Alfie shuffled about in the bed. He sometimes gets in under the duvet and pushes himself up against me, which he did this time, but he just couldn't settle. He knew it was past the time we usually go out. So, with a deep sigh, I slid out of the bed and sorted out my clothes and got dressed and went downstairs. The minute Alfie realised I was about to take him out, he started barking and making his usual din. I popped my medication out of their packets and took it all, put on my shoes and we went out. Trying to attach his lead to the D rings on his harness is difficult because he wriggles about but I managed it and we got through the front door. Although it was sunny and bright, there was a keen wind blowing, almost wintery. Yesterday I saw a few flurries of snow, which was something of a surprise.
For the last couple of days there's been a car parked more or less opposite our driveway. Not really a driveway, just the bay where I park my car. I hadn't really paid it much attention. It was a grey/silver Peugeot 208 I think. I'm not very good at types of cars, their numbers etc. It was parked in an annoying place, because when I wanted to reverse into the road it was in such a position I had to manoeuvre in such a way so as to avoid hitting it. Together with the fact that a white van was parked on the footpath opposite and blocking my sight to the left when I came out with the car. Anyway, this silver car had been in exactly the same position for some considerable time. I assumed it belonged to someone living nearby, probably in one of the bungalows opposite my house. Then, the other morning, when I was standing at the sink doing some washing up, my eye was caught by the sight of a low-loading breakdown truck that was parked behind this silver car, with the slope down and the driver attaching cables to the car and about to winch the car onto the back of the low loader. So, it would appear from what I saw, that this silver car had probably broken down somewhere or other, probably on Saxon Street, and had been left where it was parked until a breakdown company could come and remove it. Not entirely sure why it was there, but this might be the explanation.
Later. I had a letter from NatWest about the car loan this morning. Because it was taken out in Carol's name it will be written off since she passed away. I'm quite overwhelmed by this, because I had been concerned about paying for the loan because I'd never be able to afford the repayments. The letter this morning was under the terms of the Consumer Credit Act of 1974. Something do with arrears on the account. I rang and spoke to someone and apparently I do not owe this sum of money, in the region of a little over £500. I have been told that this letter is just a formality which they have to send out. The loan will be written off officially after nine months have passed since Carol's death. All this is a weight off my mind. I was concerned that I would have to give the car back and then be without it. I suppose I could survive without a car, but it would have made life difficult if it had been surrendered.
Once I'd dealt with the bank (incidentally, all this is done via a phone call. I couldn't deal with it in the NatWest branch in Milton Keynes which I use most often, although the account is actual held in the High Street Bedford branch where it was originally set up.) I went into Milton Keynes centre because I was going to the Willen Hospice support group which meets in John Lewis every Monday morning at 10 a.m. Because I got parked and was too early to go to the John Lewis café where the group meets, I decided to walk to Milton Keynes Theatre, because I was intent on booking myself a ticket to see 'Les Miserables' which is due to vast Milton Keynes in a couple of months time. I walked all the way there and discovered that the box office didn't open until 12 midday. Which was annoying, but nevertheless, I decided that I would return later when it was open.
I went to John Lewis and had a rather tasty caramel latte and a blueberry muffin and met up with the rest of the Willen Hospice group. I suppose I was there for an hour and a half, but I had forgotten that my carpark ticket would run out at 11.30, so I had to leave before I got a fine, because I've seen the parking wardens checking cars for either expired tickets or none at all. Fortunately no such parking wardens around when I got back to the car and put a further £1 on the car so I could walk back to the theatre to attempt to get my Les Miz ticket.
I walked the length of the shopping centre again and arrived at the theatre. A lot of building going on. Some workmen putting up a new signpost, and work going on ready for the art gallery to reopen, which is next to the theatre, which has been given a revamp. Apparently it's going to be reopened on the 16th March, which I saw on a poster when I was walking through the shopping centre. Anyway, a group of people waiting outside the theatre, about to buy tickets like me, it turned out. The doors were opened and I had to stand in line at the box office and managed to get my ticket for 'Les Miserables' on 30th May, for the matinee at 2.30 p.m. I saw the original West End production at the Palace Theatre, loved it then, and have also seen the film version. So, having paid for my ticket, I left the theatre a happy man and walked back into the shopping centre.
By now I was feeling somewhat hungry. I walked past Costa near Middleton Hall, but there was too much of a queue, so I walked on and saw that there was no long queue in Caffe Nero. I ordered a Passion Fruit and Mango Booster, a cold drink, because I just didn't fancy a hot drink because I'd had a latte when I was in the John Lewis cafe earlier. Also, a smoked salmon and cheese sandwich. All rather pleasant. I must say I'm a little more positive of this particular branch of Caffe Nero, because the last time I was in here I had to say the girl on the till was not in a very good mood and didn't impress with her style of customer service. I like the fact they play jazz over their sound system, a good deal better than the usual awful noise you have to contend with in some places. I was also impressed with the couple who had two babies in a double buggy, presumably the babies were twins. They sat at the next table to me, and the amount of equipment they had for the children would have needed a large vehicle to carry it about. Both babies seemed in fine form, giggling and gurgling and wiggling about in the buggy. Must have been real effort for the parents and presumably the babies grandfather who was with them.
I am currently looking for some new shoes. I had been into Sports Direct, where my Adidas trainers were purchased, but nothing I have seen appeal. I walked past the Clark's shoe shop window in the shopping centre and have seen some of their new styles of shoe and they do look the sort of thing I'm after, although they are quite expensive. Having taken the cost of them into account, and the fact that I have bought Clark's shoes in the past, they are a good brand and last well, being well constructed and comfortable, so may go back to try on a pair before making a decision.
(Monday) I had intended having at least an extra hour in bed this morning. I hadn't seen the necessity to be up and dressed so early, but it didn't work out that way. Alfie didn't appreciate the fact that he wasn't going to get his early-morning walk around Eaglestone Park. I straightened out the duvet and refused to move, but it didn't prevent Alfie coming and prodding me with a paw to remind me of my obligations to him. Still, I did have around another 20 minutes of shut-eye. I knew it was quite sunny outside with the sun streaming in at the bedroom window. Alfie shuffled about in the bed. He sometimes gets in under the duvet and pushes himself up against me, which he did this time, but he just couldn't settle. He knew it was past the time we usually go out. So, with a deep sigh, I slid out of the bed and sorted out my clothes and got dressed and went downstairs. The minute Alfie realised I was about to take him out, he started barking and making his usual din. I popped my medication out of their packets and took it all, put on my shoes and we went out. Trying to attach his lead to the D rings on his harness is difficult because he wriggles about but I managed it and we got through the front door. Although it was sunny and bright, there was a keen wind blowing, almost wintery. Yesterday I saw a few flurries of snow, which was something of a surprise.
For the last couple of days there's been a car parked more or less opposite our driveway. Not really a driveway, just the bay where I park my car. I hadn't really paid it much attention. It was a grey/silver Peugeot 208 I think. I'm not very good at types of cars, their numbers etc. It was parked in an annoying place, because when I wanted to reverse into the road it was in such a position I had to manoeuvre in such a way so as to avoid hitting it. Together with the fact that a white van was parked on the footpath opposite and blocking my sight to the left when I came out with the car. Anyway, this silver car had been in exactly the same position for some considerable time. I assumed it belonged to someone living nearby, probably in one of the bungalows opposite my house. Then, the other morning, when I was standing at the sink doing some washing up, my eye was caught by the sight of a low-loading breakdown truck that was parked behind this silver car, with the slope down and the driver attaching cables to the car and about to winch the car onto the back of the low loader. So, it would appear from what I saw, that this silver car had probably broken down somewhere or other, probably on Saxon Street, and had been left where it was parked until a breakdown company could come and remove it. Not entirely sure why it was there, but this might be the explanation.
Later. I had a letter from NatWest about the car loan this morning. Because it was taken out in Carol's name it will be written off since she passed away. I'm quite overwhelmed by this, because I had been concerned about paying for the loan because I'd never be able to afford the repayments. The letter this morning was under the terms of the Consumer Credit Act of 1974. Something do with arrears on the account. I rang and spoke to someone and apparently I do not owe this sum of money, in the region of a little over £500. I have been told that this letter is just a formality which they have to send out. The loan will be written off officially after nine months have passed since Carol's death. All this is a weight off my mind. I was concerned that I would have to give the car back and then be without it. I suppose I could survive without a car, but it would have made life difficult if it had been surrendered.
Once I'd dealt with the bank (incidentally, all this is done via a phone call. I couldn't deal with it in the NatWest branch in Milton Keynes which I use most often, although the account is actual held in the High Street Bedford branch where it was originally set up.) I went into Milton Keynes centre because I was going to the Willen Hospice support group which meets in John Lewis every Monday morning at 10 a.m. Because I got parked and was too early to go to the John Lewis café where the group meets, I decided to walk to Milton Keynes Theatre, because I was intent on booking myself a ticket to see 'Les Miserables' which is due to vast Milton Keynes in a couple of months time. I walked all the way there and discovered that the box office didn't open until 12 midday. Which was annoying, but nevertheless, I decided that I would return later when it was open.
I went to John Lewis and had a rather tasty caramel latte and a blueberry muffin and met up with the rest of the Willen Hospice group. I suppose I was there for an hour and a half, but I had forgotten that my carpark ticket would run out at 11.30, so I had to leave before I got a fine, because I've seen the parking wardens checking cars for either expired tickets or none at all. Fortunately no such parking wardens around when I got back to the car and put a further £1 on the car so I could walk back to the theatre to attempt to get my Les Miz ticket.
I walked the length of the shopping centre again and arrived at the theatre. A lot of building going on. Some workmen putting up a new signpost, and work going on ready for the art gallery to reopen, which is next to the theatre, which has been given a revamp. Apparently it's going to be reopened on the 16th March, which I saw on a poster when I was walking through the shopping centre. Anyway, a group of people waiting outside the theatre, about to buy tickets like me, it turned out. The doors were opened and I had to stand in line at the box office and managed to get my ticket for 'Les Miserables' on 30th May, for the matinee at 2.30 p.m. I saw the original West End production at the Palace Theatre, loved it then, and have also seen the film version. So, having paid for my ticket, I left the theatre a happy man and walked back into the shopping centre.
By now I was feeling somewhat hungry. I walked past Costa near Middleton Hall, but there was too much of a queue, so I walked on and saw that there was no long queue in Caffe Nero. I ordered a Passion Fruit and Mango Booster, a cold drink, because I just didn't fancy a hot drink because I'd had a latte when I was in the John Lewis cafe earlier. Also, a smoked salmon and cheese sandwich. All rather pleasant. I must say I'm a little more positive of this particular branch of Caffe Nero, because the last time I was in here I had to say the girl on the till was not in a very good mood and didn't impress with her style of customer service. I like the fact they play jazz over their sound system, a good deal better than the usual awful noise you have to contend with in some places. I was also impressed with the couple who had two babies in a double buggy, presumably the babies were twins. They sat at the next table to me, and the amount of equipment they had for the children would have needed a large vehicle to carry it about. Both babies seemed in fine form, giggling and gurgling and wiggling about in the buggy. Must have been real effort for the parents and presumably the babies grandfather who was with them.
I am currently looking for some new shoes. I had been into Sports Direct, where my Adidas trainers were purchased, but nothing I have seen appeal. I walked past the Clark's shoe shop window in the shopping centre and have seen some of their new styles of shoe and they do look the sort of thing I'm after, although they are quite expensive. Having taken the cost of them into account, and the fact that I have bought Clark's shoes in the past, they are a good brand and last well, being well constructed and comfortable, so may go back to try on a pair before making a decision.
No comments:
Post a Comment