Things To Do

Well, I have now got a flat sorted out, at last somewhere to move to from this house. I don't mind telling you that it's been a long hard journey and I only wish that someone had told me earlier that I could move to sheltered housing. It's almost as if wires got crossed somewhere. What I mean is, having claimed Housing Benefit at the Council offices, what with Carol dying and me being over the age of 60, someone would have noticed that I was living in a 3-bedroom house and that the Council wasn't paying the entirety of the rent. Well, there it is, just need to find a company to do the removals for me and get the small bedroom emptied of it's contents, sorting out what is worth keeping and what needs taking to the tidy-tip and I'm all done and to be honest, I'll be glad when it's over and done with.

I needed to take the tenancy agreement into the council offices, so that my Housing Benefit could be transferred to the flat in Dexter House along with Council Tax. I had been given this when I went in to collect the keys to the flat on Wednesday. I drove into the centre of Milton Keynes early and was in the Civic offices at just past 9 o'clock.

I had the tenancy agreement with me, because I was expecting this to be needed for the transfer of benefits be completed. I had to get help as I usually do, to use the touch-screen check-in system at the reception area. The young man who helped me wasn't a lot of help because it appeared he didn't know what I was there for. I was given a numbered ticket from the machine and then sat down to wait for the number to appear on the digital screens. After about 20 minutes it came up, and I walked to the desk with the relevant number, but it turned out that I was in the wrong place and was told  that I would need to fill in an on-line application. I could do it there in the office or go home and do it on my own laptop.

I couldn't remember my National Insurance number, so I couldn't complete the on-line application so I had to go home and set it up on my MacBook and THEN had to have the rent account number for the flat in Dexter House. I rang and couldn't speak to the warden lady, so left a message on the voice mail and then she rang about 10 minutes later, gave me the number which meant I could complete the change of address form. The first time I got it wrong and went to 'Change of Circumstances,' but then realised it should have been 'change of address.'

I'm still stuck with all the stuff in the small bedroom. I have been on line and have managed AT LAST to find someone who can actually deal with this situation. They are licensed to deal with material which can be taken to the tip and I rang this morning and they are coming this evening (Friday) to have a look and give me a price. I only hope they can do the job and I have been told that they could clear the room this evening, which will be a huge weight off my mind as this situation has been going on for months now. I have known that I would need to empty the room but how and when was an unknown quantity until I had somewhere to move to, but now I have somewhere to actually move to, the matter of the small bedroom looms large.

I went out yesterday afternoon with Alfie. It was attempting to rain, but only just, but this didn't put me off. I wore my blue Peter Storm jacket, which has a hood. Alfie seems impervious to a little bit of rain. As we walked around Eaglestone Park (well, I walked. Alfie runs.) the skies opened and it just pelted down. We just trudged on and got home before we got to soaked. Alfie shaking himself at regular intervals and once we were indoors, I used a towel to attempt to dry him. As a result of the soaking, Alfie's coat became more than ever curly, looking for all the world as if it had been permed.

The man with the van arrived at around 7.30. He had one look at the bedroom and all the stuff in there and sent a photo to his partner on his mobile. I had at first said I was prepared to pay £60 for the job, but he told me that he wouldn't be able to take everything for that amount and then said it would cost £160. I was reluctant to pay that amount, but if it meant that everything was cleared, the I would pay that amount and as a result I agreed and he started the job, taking everything out to his van which was parked in the space where I usually parked at the front of the house, having moved the car further along the road. He uncovered bits and pieces that I hadn't seen for  long time, and lots of Daniel's computer game discs, as well as a rather nice camera bag I hadn't known was buried in there. But most of it will be dumped, which he can do because he has the relevant licence. I discovered that he lived in Cardington village, where I lived and grew up in and he knew Malting Farm. He managed to finish the job at around 9 o'clock, and all I can say is that I'm relieved that its done, apart from the removal of the single bed which he said he could come back for either today (Saturday) or Monday.

Wild and Wet

(Tuesday)Alfie insisted on going out earlier than usual. It was dark and we could hardly see, but still, it really didn't matter to him. He got to bark as loud as ever and I let him off his lead at the bottom of the path and he had a god run. But there were a few drips of wet and it was close to raining so I didn't intend walking the entire circuit of Eaglestone Park. It was just as well that we didn't, because it soon began to rain in ernest and we got back to the house in time and as I write this at 7.45 it's continuing.

Usually when I drive down Chaffron Way to Camphill on a Tuesday, the traffic is reasonably busy. It can be a bit hairy crossing the roundabout on Marlborough Street and then on down Chaffron it's plain sailing. Generally there is traffic queuing up in the other direction, but the heavy rain caused quite difficult driving, with the water remaining on the road surface and making the possibility of aqua-plaining a possibility, so some cars were driving extra slow (in complete contrast to a dry day, when a lot of drivers speed and you get lot of 'tailgating,' as I've mentioned in previous blog posts. It took  good 15 minutes to reach the exit into the Waitrose carpark and a good 20 further minutes to drive along Brickhill Street and actually arrive in the Camphill carpark. I then had to walk to the Chrysalis, not particularly far, but in the process I got thoroughly wet, my trousers mostly, because I wore my Peter Storm jacket with the hood on, something I haven't worn in probably the past 12 months. The rain didn't ease off until mid-morning, and eventually the sun came out and it because quite sunny by lunchtime.

Teo, the leader of the theatre workshop at Camphill, is still on holiday, so his deputy, Paul was in charge for the day. We did a run-through of 'Stranger Danger' up until teatime and then, when we went back we did something completely different, improvisation. We all sat in a circle (which seems the default.) and the idea was to tell the rest of the gang three things about yourself, two which were fake and one that was true, and then the other way round, two which are true and one fake. We all went off and had to come up with these fake/true things, myself going with one of the guys, Matthew, to the library (more of an office than a library.) and it was quite difficult to get him to say something which wasn't going to be too much of a give-away, because the others would know which was true and which fake.

After lunch we were on a totally different improvisation game. Some were supposed to be in a car. That was it. No more information. My group were supposed to be in a lift. The idea being that the lift started at the bottom of the building and when the doors first open one person gets in and gradually it stops at each floor as it goes up and more people get on at each floor. We managed to develop our own characters but somehow we couldn't get a story to develop, which was a pity. It's no good having a character, but they need to have a reason why they were getting in the lift, where were they going? What was the reason for getting in the lift and so on.

The we did another game (if that's the right word) where we had a partner, and we stood either side of the hall (auditorium of the Chrysalis Theatre) and had to speak without shouting, across at your partner, and make sure they could hear during a conversation. Another worthwhile bit of improvisation.

Then we did a second improvisation which was supposed to be set on a bus, so we had chairs set out in the form of a bus with the seats in rows with an aisle in the middle. We came up with characters on the bus, mine being someone going for a hospital appointment and being stressed that the bus was going to get to Oxford on time. Someone became the driver and someone else the conductor (do they have conductors on busses these days? My experience of going on a bus is that they don't, because you pay the driver when you board the bus, but that's a minor quibble.) As the conductor walked along the bus he asked to see passengers tickets and everyone made an excuse as to why they didn't have one. One of the group improvised being a spy, and when the conductor came to ask for his ticket, he got out all his secret weapons, hidden in a briefcase or bag, and just showed him as not being very good at being a SECRET spy! A good afternoon's work and everyone agreed it was worth doing the improvisations.

(Wednesday) I've tried to put off going out with Alfie as late as possible, because it's far too dark to see clearly, but you try explaining to a very lively Yorkshire Terrier! When I did eventually get dressed and prepared to go out with him, I discovered it was raining, not that hard, but enough to get somewhat damp. So I took young fellow-me-lad down to the bottom of the path where I usually let him off and came back home almost immediately.

Waitrose Café, Service Slipping

I should have had a pension payment in my bank account this weekend. I have a fairly good idea when it should be paid, working backwards from the last payment by going on-line to my Nationwide account and it should be paid every four weeks. But I had checked on Friday and nothing and then Saturday, so I had to have a final look this morning, fairly early, before I took Alfie out for his walk. But, again, nothing. This has caused some stress, as you can imagine, what with bills to pay and the added stress of clearing out this house so I can move to the flat. Fortunately I have managed to save sufficient money in a savings account with Metro, which was intended for he purpose of buying a Yorkshire Terrier puppy which would eventually replace Alfie, not that I see him popping his clogs for a couple of years, hopefully. Also, I needed to have sufficient funds in my other account which is with NatWest and I knew I would have to cover that with a transfer from the Metro bank, but the account is only operational by taking your cash into a branch and having them transfer money from one to another in branch. Annoying that I have to do this, but there is no alternative and thinking about it, the rent payment will be the last to the landlord of this house before I vacate the property.

After church I came home to pick up the bank details necessary to do the transfer as describe above and then to drive to Oakgrove, a relatively short drive down Chaffron Way where there was a branch of the Metro Bank, fortunately open on a Sunday (one of the advantage of being with this bank is they open when the customer needs them and not necessarily to fit round their staff, which is how any business should be run. It's surprising how busy it gets there, what with cars coming into the carpark, which is down quite a steep incline and you have to be careful as you get to the bottom of the slope as there are barriers in the way which I imagine are there for just this purpose. Also, the Metro Bank was ram-raided some months ago and they've put bollards in front of the unit which I imagine are to prevent, or at least deter, further ram-raiding. Whether they would stop this sort of criminal activity is doubtful, because if criminals are determined enough they will just smash the wall of a building and then use whatever it takes to remove the A.T.M. (hole in the wall machine.) with a fork-lift truck or whatever. Anyway, once parked I walked to the bank and the business was done. They recognise me apparently because as soon as you give your details, there is a digital photograph of me on their computer screen to prove my identity. All done and dusted and then a walk along the pavement to Waitrose and a snack in their café. I ordered a hot chocolate with marshmallows, cream and sprinkles for a change from the standard latte as well as a cheese and ham toastie and something rather tasty called a 'Yum-Yum. Is this confection named after a character in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, 'The Mikado'? I have no idea, but it's worth a try speculating.

I seem to have stood in he queue for some time before a member of staff took my order. It wasn't that busy and when I eventually got my drink and Yum Yum I had handed over the cold ham and cheese toastie to the girl behind the counter for it to be heated, and then took my tray, together with the number 12 which was put on a stand, which would be placed on my table so when the toastie was ready the member of staff who bought it out would find me. I sat at the far end of the café and waited for the toastie to arrive. I drank what was a really lovely hot chocolate (with all the trimmings) and waited  . . . and waited . . . and waited, what seemed forever. It must have been 20 minutes later . . . that I went to the counter to tell the girl on the till that I hadn't yet received my toastie and said, under my breath, but someone must have heard me, that I would knock three stars off my Trip Advisor review when I wrote it (actually not done as I write this.) I returned to my table and waited . . . and waited. The toastie eventually arrived, by which time I had more or less lost interest in eating it, although I did eat it and then the rather delicious toastie. Then a member of staff arrived, and asked me if I would like a drink? I said, 'provided I didn't have to pay,' and I got a bottled apple juice, which I drank and it was tasty. I think this was offered as a sort of apology for the length of time I had waited. Waitrose, if they're going to have the café open on a Sunday, should sort the issue of staff, because there are obviously not enough to cover for the amount of customers they have on a Sunday. It can't be too difficult to recruit staff, or is it? Are some people just not going to lower themselves to do catering work, and on a Sunday? But that's not an excuse. They needed at least two more staff members behind the counter, one on the till, probably one making hot drinks and another, taking orders from customers further back in the queue if it's busy. That's how they seem to run the ship if you go to other similar eating establishments, such as Starbucks or Costa, so why not here at Waitrose? They have a good reputation and the food and drink is good, if a bit pricey, but that's what you expect in a John Lewis or Waitrose store. This business has quite a good reputation for service and quality, but this won't do it a lot of good. They will loose customers because as soon as such things a service slips people go elsewhere and it takes a long time to build that reputation back up again.

Fenced In!

I thought the work to install fibre broadband which has been going on around Milton Keynes for the past few weeks had finished in this area, but was surprised this morning when one of he workmen knocked on my front door to say that I ought to move my car because they were going to start work along the front of the house. They put in the orange fence and then began to dig up the paving blocks and had a small digger in to take out the sand and then the mauve plastic pipe went in. It would appear that the telephone line has been suspended meanwhile so that the work can continue, but it is somewhat inconvenient.

It would appear the landline telephone won't work. I think the workmen have cut this off because of the installation of fibre broadband. Phil and Robert Shepherd were coming this morning, I'm sure it was after 10 o'clock, but it's now midday and still no sign of them. If they did come, they'd find it difficult to get to the house. Currently a workmen is knocking the paving blocks back ito the trench they dug, so I trust the work will be completed soon.

Shelly, my neighbour, has come in and suggested how I should pack and how to sort out what to keep and what to take and later, her husband, Garry, came to give me some tough black bags, far better than the one's you use in a bin, some tape and some flat-pack boxes which I have started to construct and have already started clearing the books on the book unit.

The sound of a machine for cutting the blocks outside can be here. Not a nice noise. They are gradually replacing the blocks.

Philip Shepherd rang. He said that they had packed up the lawnmower and other equipment in one car and set off and the car had a problem and they had to return and packed it all in Robert's car and got as far as Eaglestone and saw the workmen and the fact that my drive was inaccessible so they didn't go any further and returned home. He apologised and said he'd ring in the week and fix another time to cut the grass.

I have written a letter on the MacBook, which is initially handing in  my notice on this house and I have made a list of the problems which have never been resolved so at least it's in wiring. I have now been to the post office in the Eaglestone store and posted the letter off. I had to drive around the estate to get there, only one way, because it's virtually impossible to get through with the workmen putting in the fibre cable.

Garry tells me that Joe and Jas are definitely going to take over the tenancy on this house and it's clear they intend doing a lot of refurbishment before taking over. The landlord accepts this, and they are meeting again on Tuesday.

I  feel that things are moving steadily forward and can see that it will be better all round for me (as well as Alfie, of course.), not having to pay so much rent and being in a new environment which is smaller but more appropriate for a single man. It's just going to take time to get everything sorted and packed.

John from church was supposed to come after 2 o'clock with his trailer to help clear out the small bedroom. He hadn't arrived by 2.45 so I rang on my mobile and he said that he though we were doing the work next week. He said he'd come on Thursday and if necessary we can carry on on Saturday afternoon (very likely as there is so much. Shelly came round and helped me start to organise how to clear the house, because to be honest, I feel like a rabbit in the headlights because I don't really know where to start. Then, later, Garry came round to give me some flat cardboard boxes and tape to put them together, as well as some really tough black bags, far better and stronger than the average black bin bags. I had made up some of the boxes and I have already started clearing some of the book unit in the lounge, putting books I want to keep in one and another box for books which will go to a charity shop.

The workmen has now left. You would never know that they'd dug up the road, put the fibre cable in and refill it, they've done a good job clearing up after themselves. I have to say I'm impressed. I just hope the road can now be free to vehicles and I can get out tomorrow to get to church.

Good Day At Camphill

On Tuesday (I forgot to mention it. Slapped wrists!) I went to Camphill as usual. It was a brilliant warm and sunny day. Teo was on holiday, I think they said somewhere in the Far East. Possibly somewhere around Indonesia, but I'm not sure exactly. He couldn't resist sending a text to Paul, his assistant, just to find out how we were getting on. I'm not certain of the time difference, but it must have been quite difficult to work out when to send the text message to make sure it arrived in Britain when we were working in the Chrysalis Theatre. We couldn't use the theatre because there was a rehearsal in there so we had to use the downstairs area, including The Crypt. We did a run of 'Stranger Danger,' setting it up in The Crypt, but not with all the furniture which is involved and as a result the performance the guys was different to when staged in the theatre, but the whole idea was that it could be performed in any space, not necessarily a theatre. I recall similar happening when I used to perform my schools shows as well as marionette cabaret. I could get bookings for the marrionette cabaret in some really cramped and varied venues, one such being in a barn on a farm with straw on the floor and with one, naked, light bulb for illumination and sometimes performed without any adults present and being kicked through the material of the fit-up when I did the schools show at a private party because the adults left us to get on with the performance when they went off to another room in the house to sit and drink wine.

We went for a walk to the Peace Pagoda carpark. Not just as an excuse to go out in the sun, but it was still rather pleasant. The idea was to glean information for a video which was to be made, which would be used to show visitors how to get to the Chrysalis and, most important of all, to prevent them crossing the road outside Camphill. Absolutely no need when there are bridges and under-passes and you use the Redway. This done, we came back to start clearing out the costume department for a good clean, sorting costumes into different colours in The Crypt and hats in another room (the Art Room, I believe it's called.) I can say, by the time we'd finished, mid-afternoon, I definitely don't want to see another hat, of whatever size, shape or colour. Then, once the stockroom was vacuumed, it was all pushed back and it was a great relief when the job was completed.

One of the young girls, who is a university student and has been working as a Co-Worker at Camphill for around 3 months and who has been part of the drama workshop was leaving. She has really worked extremely hard with the drama guys, throwing herself completely into whatever she has been asked to do and has really given so much to the drama workshop. She has definitely left a mark on the place and is really loved by the residents she works will and will be greatly missed. Two of the other Co-Workers made a card. The Japanese girl and the Brazilian girl (I'm not going to give their names for protection reasons. I never give names on here whenever I think there might be a risk.) The card looked as if it had come from a shop, but it was made and even had a sort of bit that sprung out when it was opened and we all signed it.

We sat outside in the sunshine for our lunch and later did a rehearsal with everyone sitting and it seemed to have a very different feel to it, probably because the guys had to concentrate harder on their lines than when indoors, because it was more difficult to be heard outside.

Next week we will be back in the Chrysalis and things will more or less return to normal. But, without a certain young lady it will not be quite the same.

Roadworks Ahead!

We're back to the sound of merry pneumatic drills outside and 'Road Closed' signs all around Eaglestone. I knew that there was to be some work done because I had a notification through the door by the company doing the work. They are putting in fibre cable for broadband internet. It's being done all over Milton Keynes, so at last the whole place will have faster speeds for the internet. There are bright orange plastic fences up all along the road and weird symbols sprayed on the road surface, really mysterious, and I'm not entirely sure that they are related to the roadworks. I can't see how they manage to dig such narrow trenches to put the cable in, the machine must be quite clever to make such a narrow trench. All round the estate you can see the work has left signs of tarmac when they've dug the trench and then covered it in and they seem to have left a sort of tiny cover which no doubt has a connection if you wish to connect to this service. I still don't understand how the internet works and how, if most of it uses the existing telephone cables (owned and run  by BT and if you choose another provider, BT has to be contacted so an engineer can set up your connection before you can have access to the internet.) and are the ld fashioned metal cables, how can a fibre system not use any of the existing system of cables? They must join up somewhere or other. All to technical for my liking and I still don't see how you can have television programmes and films coming down a single cable and then people sending emails, using Google, Facebook, Twitter and so on.

I had to go out in the car earlier and the road was partially blocked by the roadworks further along the road, but it was possible to get through, although some bright spark has been thoughtful in parking their car in the way. By the way, why are there so many vehicles parked on the grass along the side of Golden Drive? Do they not realise that the weight of a car will eventually break up the surface and cause real damage? Or do some people never think of these things and just park wherever they like, regardless of the consequences?

Having said all this, the workmen don't start work until 8a.m., and don't make too much noise and they have managed to allow traffic to keep flowing and haven't (as yet) blocked the road up so that I can't get in and out with the car.

Bradwell Abbey Medieval Fayre

I forgot to mention that on Sunday I went to the Medieval Fayre which was held at Bradwell Abbey. I had only discovered that it was on through Facebook on Saturday and wasn't sure what it was likely to cost to enter and sent a message through the Facebook page to be told it was free. Aldo, who is a science teacher and worked with Carol at Milton Keynes Academy, is involved with reinations of battles and it would seem, medieval one's at that, and is a member of something called Chanz des Reis (translated as 'Song of The Kings.') and was involved with some of the reinactions at the Milton Keynes History Festival a few months ago. So, I decided to go along as it didn't start until 11a.m. and after church I drove straight to Bradwell Abbey. I had heard about it, but wasn't entirely sure where it was, so I used Google Maps and soon found it. I was surprised that it was more or less hidden within a business park and when I got to the place, was surprised that there were so many cars parked along the road and a great many people walking towards the entrance. I suppose being free made a difference. Making a charge can put people off I suppose, and it was a fine and sunny day, which also made a vast difference. I was more than surprised how much was going on and the first person I met as I walked in wanted to know how I'd heard about the event (as described above) and mentioned various voluntary activities going on at Bradwell Abbey. I have lived in Milton Keynes for over 12 years and knew about this place but had never visited. When you see photographs of the place, you only see a small gothic style building (which is part of the now none existent Abbey (actually a Priory) but I never realised there is far more to it than that, a whole range of other buildings, including a barn and what must be more recent buildings, in one of the barns is a medieval interpretation building and a charity which is based there, called InterAction, which used to be near here, just a short walk down the Redway to the Grand Union Canal, and housed in a large house which, when we walked past the other day, has been vacated and has 'keep out 'signs all over the fence. No doubt it was to expensive to keep maintained and this might explain whey they move out to Bradwell Abbey.

Walking in to the event, a sort of courtyard in the centre of buildings and open spaces, grass meadows and the small, stone-built building, which is what I refer to in the above paragraph, a mansion (I assume) with rather attractive garden which is enclosed by a wall, and, further round, open grassed space, and he remains of what looks to me like a medieval fishpond (I may be wrong, or I might be right!) In one of the grass meadows, a sort of area area, roped off, with people watching what looks vaguely like some sort of medieval battle, with men in period costume, some with a variety of weapons, and a man with a long beard, attached to a portable public address system, giving a running commentary of the action, looking to me like it might be from about the period of the Battle of Hastings or at least, the Norman Conquest. Very coincidentally, I'm reading a book on the subject. Apparently, I later heard from Aldo (via Facebook) that he was in amongst this throng of men, although I would never have recognised him, as part of Chanz Des Reis. His children we also there, apparently also dressed in medieval garb. I took some photographs of this reinaction and uploaded some of them onto Facebook, which is how he eventually contacted me. I was looking out for him during the afternoon, but didn't see him. Hardly surprising, because of the beards and other period costume they were wearing. At the end of their session, they all marched off, with banners and so on, which I also photographed and put on my Facebook profile.

Having watching the enactors, I walked round to the rest of the fayre. A range of stands displaying different aspects of the medieval period, from weaponry, making to using, usually in battle, hand-to-hand and otherwise, swords, shields and other weapons I've never come across. There was a display of chainmail and what must have been an accurate recreation of a chainmail shirt and I was surprised how heavy it was. The item of clothing handing on a pole to show it on display and later two medieval costumed men carried it off around the fair, and, because I am currently reading a book about the Norman Conquests, I had seen images taken from the Bayeux Tapestry and was taken particularly by one image which showed soldiers loading armour and other weapons onto ships and carrying chainmail in exactly the same fashion.

I had an ice cream from a stall. One of those jobs which is ice cream extruded into a wafer cone and then has chocolate sauce poured into it. The only problem was that the ice cream was almost defrosted when I received it and it made it difficult to eat, as you could expect, on a fairly hot day, and it was in the process of melting all over my hand and I had to devour it fairly rapidly before the whole lot ended up on the ground and, as I walked around the fair, some of it landing up on some of the items on display. A pity really, because otherwise I rather enjoyed it. But, being honest, who doesn't enjoy an ice cream when it's warm? Not the ice cream, of course (silly man! Who ever heard of warm ice cream?)

I was keen to learn more about Bradwell Abbey and learnt that the last remaining chapel (built to be dedicated to Saint Mary.) was used more recently as a cow shed and has been restored. The rest of the Abbey I presume was demolished at the time of the Dissolution of The Monestaries under that evil king, Henry VIII. There was a model of what it was supposed to have looked like in the barn and this chapel was only a very tiny part of the whole.

One of the most interesting displays was of falconry, a subject that interests me. There was a display of a few different species in a cage and then a full display of falconry, but the one bird that really caught my attention was a vulture, not a bird normally associated with falconry. Most people cower when they hear the word 'vulture' because of the association they have with dead animals and the application of all these associations when used in films, usually Westerns. Usually hot deserts, blazing sun, probably someone tied up by the baddies and then a few shots of vultures circling overhead as the baddies ride off, leaving the innocent victims tied up and unable to defend themselves. But vultures are carrion, they don't attack live animals (or humans, for that matter) and live off the dead carcases of animals which are left to rot. In that respect they are a recycling species and can apparently eat animals which have died of such diseases as anthrax and therefore keep the vicinity clear of diseases that would otherwise wipe out populations of humans and other animals.

One more demonstration, of archery, and that was all I wanted to see. A really excellent event and I trust and hope that they have more. There seem to be a lot more of these type of events all around the country and considering how history was taught when I was at school and the deadly dull 'A' Level History course I was doing when I then went off to Cheltenham in 1969, it makes a change to have what I would call 'hands-on' history, whereby you can actually get a taste of what life would have been like in a certain period of history, with enactors creating battles and showing how wars were won and fought. So saying, I left and went back to my car and home.

Definitely Moving!

I rang the warden at Dexter House and went to have a visit on Monday morning. I was somewhat dubious, worrying unnecessary as it turned out, as it is perfect for what I need. The flat is up some steps, not actually on a floor along a corridor as I was expecting, is clean and tidy and compared to this house, in excellent condition. It has a spacious lounge, kitchen and single bedroom, with ample space for my king-sized bed (thank goodness! There is absolutely no way I'm going back to sleeping in a single bed. For a start, all my bedding is for a king sized bed. Actually, the duvet is super king sized.) There is a really pleasant community garden in the centre of the complex and it's easily accessible from the flat, so Alfie has somewhere to go for a run (but he won't be able to run in and out as he is here, but that's a minor thing.) There is a laundry room, so I don't have to bother with a washing machine and ample drying space and even an off-road car parking space, which means I don't have to leave the car parked on the road, something I was concerned about.

From viewing the flat in Dexter House, I drove to Lidl, which is a fairly short distance away along Oldbrook Boulevard, and as I was standing at the checkout, who should I see in the queue in front of me but Garry, my next-door neighbour. He said, come in and have a coffee when you get back, so, one I'd finished at the checkout and driven home, I went indoors and put the few bits of groceries away and then went next door to Garry and Shelley's. It turns out that this week Shelly is away with a group of her clients who she cares for, I think he said somewhere on the coast, the south, but I can't remember, Butlins somewhere, probably Bognor Regis. We were taking and it turns out that his son-in-law and his daughter, Jasmin, are looking for a larger home and they would very much like to move into this house when I leave, as they want a three-bedroom house and this would be perfect. Garry gave me their mobile numbers and Joe came round later, the intention being that I ring our Landlord and I tell him that I want to hand in my notice, which I did, and I was going to pass him the phone and Joe could discuss the matter of him taking over the tenancy and doing a renovation job on the house before they moved in. But Mr Singh, the landlord, said he'd rather meet him face-to-face and discuss the process of them transferring the tenancy and so on and so forth. He said he'd come back at 7.15 which he did, along with his wife. As usual, no interest at all in them doing anything to improve the house, just concerned that the rent is paid and saying that we had been good tenants. I said that it was impossible for me to continue paying the rent, and that I had a flat to move too. Mr Singh's wife looking about, as usual, and making sly comments when she saw the condition of the place, things that they were really responsible for, for example, the fact that there's a damp patch on the wall below the bathroom in the hallway, where water has seeped through when we had had a shower. Just bad grouting along the edge probably. Anyway, whenever they've come, usually once a year and for barely 10 minutes, all we usually got was 'have you cut the grass?' which I have had done and actually the 'lawn' (for want of a better name for the tatty patch of grass at the back of the house) is reasonably short at the moment and will get a final cut on Friday when Phil and his son comes back. Thankfully, at the new flat, I won't have that to bother with anymore.

Mr Singh wanted to come back yesterday evening (Tuesday) with his son, as he has an interest in the house, to discuss with Joe about him taking over the house. I went to Camphill yesterday as usual (can't believe I've been going there for near enough 6 months. I will discuss this in another blog post.) but no sign of them arriving here at 7 o'clock as arranged. I didn't really mind, because I was thoroughly worn out by the time I had finished at Camphill and went to bed around 8 o'clock when they never turned up, although it would have been nice to have been told they weren't. I rang Joe this morning when I was out with Alfie in Eaglestone Park and he said that they never came because Mr Singh's son couldn't make it and they should come on either Thursday or Friday evening. 

Moving. . .( Hopefully) . . . At Last!

I have been hoping that I might get an email form the lady from Milton Keynes council who visited two Fridays ago about me moving to sheltered housing. I have already glanced at the list of places around Milton Keynes and two stood out; one called Everglades which is within Eaglestone and Alfie and I walk past it regularly when I take him out for his early-morning walks. It seemed perfect, with what appear to be bungalows within a 'unit' and each with it's own garden, so it would be more or less what I was hoping for, so we had our own independence, more or less, but the whole idea of sheltered housing is that there are staff, probably a warden, on site, as well as community facilities, such as a lounge and other rooms where you can get involved in community activities, something which would make life a little more comfortable, particularly as I'm a single person once again since Carols' passing. 

The other place is called Dexter House, and in Oldbrook, in a road off Strudwick Drive, and a short walk from M.K.C.C. I have looked for it on Google Maps and drove around there the other Sunday after church to have a look at, not just the building, but the area in general. I often drive past if I'm going to Lidl in Oldbrook Boulevard and I quite like the idea of some of the flats within the project have their own bit of garden and that there is quite a large garden which can be used by residents.

So, fairly late in the afternoon on Friday, I got the hoped-for email, as I had sent one asking that my choice of places would be more flexible, if I was to move quicker I was going to have to accept somewhere which probably didn't have a garden and might be on a first floor. So, I opened the email to discover that a flat was being offered in Dexter House, on the first floor. I have to telephone on Monday morning to arrange a visit and have a closer inspection of what is on offer. I am really pleased that something has come up a good deal quicker than expected, basically because I don't want to stay in this house any longer than necessary, basically because I am not being paid the full amount of the rent by Housing Benefit. The good news is that, once I move, all my rent will be covered by Housing Benefit. Well, to be honest, I don't need a 3-bedroom house any longer, which this current property is, and a landlord who doesn't really care whether the place is well maintained or not (as I think I've discussed on various posts on here.) The next thing will be moving out, loading up my possessions and taking it all to the new flat, but first of all, clearing the small bedroom and disposing of things that are no longer useful or can be taken to a charity shop, such as the two bicycles which has been living in the entrance hall for the past couple of years and would not be possible to take to the new flat, because of the lack of storage space.

Alfie, at once not in full barking mode

Alfie now expects to get more than one walk each day. My fault, I suppose, but seeing that it's been sunny and warm for the past few days (is this what's called an 'Indian Summer'?) I decided to take him out in the afternoon, and this morning, after I'd been to, first, the 'Men's Breakfast' at the Oaktree Centre (there wasn't one during August.) and then on to do some shopping in Aldi at Bradwell Common, I thought it only fair on him to take him out once I'd got home and unpacked the few bits I'd bought in Aldi. He soon twigs that I'm considering a walk. I don't know what it is, but he seems to sense that I'm about to find his lead and take him out. Then. later, at around 2.30, I took him out again for a third walk, this time walking towards Milton Keynes Academy and eventually through to Coffee Hall and back over he bridge that crosses Saxon Street and then into the estate and round towards Marlborough Street and back home along the Redway. In total, a little over 12,000 steps. I'm not sure what distance that converts too, but quite a long way I should imagine.

A Mixed Bag

(Saturday) This year is the 50th Wedding Anniversary (Golden) of Mike and Margaret Jobling, two of the loveliest people I know, and members of Shenley Christian Fellowship, both of whom have supported me throughout the ordeal of watching Carol suffer and eventually die from bowel cancer. On Saturday there was a tea party at the Oaktree Centre and I was invited. I have to say it was quite difficult for me in respect that Carol and myself only had 11 years together, ended so tragically as I have mentioned. Someone had gone to a great deal of time and effort to set up tables in the main hall, all with food set out beautifully on each, sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream, cakes of all descriptions and the whole decorated with golden decorations. A really lovely afternoon.

(Monday)I needed to get the car to Bleak Hall Motors for 8.30. I got there earlier and they were open. Thinking about it now, I wasn't sure they said they were open at 8.00 or 8.30. It didn't matter because it was soon signed in and they seemed to get it in the workshop and up on a lift and they had to order spare parts. It cost far more than I anticipated, but the work was needed as it was for one of the brakes. I was told last year when it was MoT'd that the brakes on one of the wheels (don't ask me which one, because I have no idea.) so, if it's gone a whole year without any problems, then it hasn't really cost much when I work it out. It has, unfortunately, got to go back before November to have a timing belt done. (No, I don't know what it does. But according to the poster in the garage waiting area it can be damaged because of the Captur being diesel and the test can damage it. Again, don't ask me how or why, because my knowledge of the engine in cars in very limited. I only drive a car, and I'm certainly not a motor mechanic. Fortunately the drive to Bleak Hall at that time in the morning was fairly straightforward. It can be extremely busy long Standing Way at that early hour although the traffic going in the opposite direction was heavy and was building up from the Watling Street direction.

The car was having brakes fixed, so I just had to sit and wait in the waiting area. Around 2 hours. I'm not the best person when it comes to waiting, I'll be perfectly honest. A television on, as you often get in waiting areas, wherever you are, but they were bleating on about Brexit, and if I hear any more about it I'm likely to scream. I'm glad they've closed down parliament for 5 weeks so at least it's not going to be on television every time I turn on the news. I had my iPhone with me and listened to a podcast about the Anglo Saxons, which was really interesting, some Cambridge University academic. The podcast which goes with BBC History Magazine which I subscribe to, so the time wasn't entirely wasted. And somewhat related to the book I'm currently reading about the Norman Conquest which is excellent.

Tuesday. Camphill as usual. Teo was interviewed by a man who turned up minutes after I arrived. I thought it was for radio, but it was soon revealed that it was a podcast. I don't know where it's going to be available, but as I listen to the occasional podcast, I would be interested to hear, but don't know when it will be available. While he was engaged on that, the rest of the guys did a run of 'Stranger Danger' and then Teo appeared. He's going to be away on holiday for several weeks and has left instructions for us. After tea break three of us were working away from the rehearsal, sitting at a table in the foyer area. We are working on ideas for a new theatre piece, not sure what form it's going to be, but Teo gave us a folder with pieces of poetry and scripts to read to see if any sparked any ideas. At this point I'm not sure of this at all and don't really have any concepts for anything. We'll have to wait and see, but it's better than just watching the rehearsal and not being involved.

Because there was training for the residents at Camphill, followed by a community assembly, there was no further drama workshop, but Teo took us down to the costume store, because when he is on holiday we will be sorting out and cleaning this room. Then I went home because there was nothing for me to stay for after lunch. I drove home and had lunch and, because it was so warm and sunny, I decided to take Alfie for a walk, but made a determined effort I wanted to go a different route, walking along the Redway past the Academy and then towards the Four Bridges roundabout and crossed over Chaffron Way and then Saxon Street and kept walking down towards the Grand Union Canal and walked along the towpath and back to Peartree Bridge and then back onto the Redway towards Eaglestone and home. All told, yesterday, we walked around 5 miles, which was with all the walking, first thing, during the day and after yesterday's afternoon walk.

It's becoming quite autumnal. It's a good deal chillier early when I take Alfie out for his walk and there are signs of fallen leaves, although, looking out of the lounge window at the moment (8.35 a.m.) there are still leaves on the trees at the end of the garden and seen over the fence.

Technology Troubles

The Fitbit, which I've mentioned in these blog posts, has failed. It wouldn't charge. I have rung the helpline and run through some things that might have been causing it not to charge, like cleaning the contacts which take the charge on the charging station, but still nothing. I have been given a special number which I shall take with me when I go to John Lewis in Milton Keynes, which is where it came from, and they should give me a replacement or I can have a refund, which I don't want. I have to say, as this brand is supposed to be a leader in this type of technology, that I'm more than a little bit disappointed. It may do more things than the cheap model (not a Fitbit) and purchased through Amazon, lasted a good deal longer, even though the strap broke. I expect these things to last a lot longer than a week. Just have to wait and see when I return it.

I had to get to Ashfield Medical Centre for 10 o'clock because my appointment with Doctor Haye was scheduled for then. I needn't' have bothered to get there so early, because 10 o'clock came and went and I still wasn't called by 10.15 so I went to the receptionist and told her that I was still waiting. I think some people spend the 10 minutes, (which I believe is the average time your doctor's appointment is supposed to be.) spend far too long talking and don't think that there are other people waiting. I may be wrong, but I'm not one to over-spend my time with my doctor.) It was around 10.30 when my name came up on the digital screen. I have been re-prescribed diazepam, but the doctor is trying to get me off them because they can become addictive. I did manage to get through last night without taking the one I have left. He wants me to take them alternate nights, or at least, every third night, so I will take one tonight (the one which is left.) I had attempted to take the tablet a good deal later, around 10, rather than earlier, usually around 8. But I am still waking in the early hours of the morning. I have just seven in the current course so I'll have to wait and see what happens with them this time. I was out of his office within around 3 minutes, annoying as I don't get a chance to discuss anything with him. Perhaps that's because I now have the Integrated Community Team to call on if necessary. As I walked back along the corridor on my way out, I noticed they had their names on a door and there is a social worker in the team.

I could have taken the prescription to Cox and Robinson, the pharmacy a couple of doors along from the Ashfield Medical Centre, but because I was going into the centre of Milton Keynes to take the Fitbit back to John Lewis I thought I might go into Boots. Having driven in and parked near The Point, I walked into the shopping centre. In Boots there was a long queue at the pharmacy, so I didn't bother waiting and then walked through the shopping centre. I headed for Central Barbers, right next to John Lewis to get my hair cut. Jade cut my hair, the young lady who goes to Shenley Christian Centre. There was a really odd conversation going on as I was having my hair cut, begun by another of the hair stylists, about horses. I think he knew what he was talking about, but it was somewhat surreal, a bit like a Monty Python sketch, or from a play by N.F.Simpson. Really strange, but nonetheless, fascinating. I only wish I'd had a tape recorder, because it was something that would make the basis for a piece of writing.

I went into John Lewis and made my way up to the electronics department, which is one floor below the restaurant where we meet for the Willen coffee mornings on a Monday. I took the Fitbit in it's packaging. along with the code which I'd been given by the helpline when I'd rung yesterday and explained to the assistant at the counter what was wrong, the fact that it wouldn't charge. He plugged in the charging gadget and put the Fitbit into this and, lo and behold! It showed it was charging! I don't know what's wrong with it, or, indeed, whether it was actually faulty. It might have been that I hadn't put the thing in the charger gadget correctly, with the three contacts touching the contacts on the charger. Makes you wonder. It isn't entirely clear when the thing is set correctly.

Coming out of John Lewis and walking across Middleton Hall (correction: I couldn't actually walk across Middleton Hall because workmen are currently dismantling the summer attraction, which had at the heart of it a beach with sand. I saw them scooping it up the other day, and had wondered how on earth they would deal with its removal. There was a collection of those heavy-duty builder's bags scattered across the floor, so I imagine someone has the unenviable task of actually scooping it up with a shovel, into these bags, which are then loaded on to a lorry, probably taken outside the shopping centre on fork lift trucks.) I saw a display which turned out to show the proposed redevelopment of the former Food Centre. The old Sainsbury's unit has been empty for years. This is where the Age UK office is, and when I was in there several months ago, a couple of the volunteer ladies were discussing this proposed redevelopment and I was wondering where Age UK was going to transfer to once they start moving out and the demolition work begins. I had a good look at the designs, a mixture of commercial buildings with shops and offices. The multi-storey carpark is to remain and there are to be several storeys to some of the buildings, which seems to go against the original concept for Milton Keynes when it was originally proposed in the late 1960s, buildings weren't supposed to be much higher than the average tree, probably no more than three storeys. I had a chat with a lady who made notes of my suggestions, one of them being that there should be a concert hall included (not that it's likely to be built.) but that's the whole point of a consultation.

I went to Sainsbury's, because I had the diazepam prescription and I had asked at reception if the other repeat prescriptions had gone to Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's and they had apparently, so  drove there after my trip into town and I had a bight to eat in the café whilst I was there.

Having done my shopping and gone through the checkout, I had to go down to the carpark on the travelator, the moving walk-way or whatever you prefer to call it. Anyway, the moving slope which allows you to be whisked down to the carpark levels. It can be rather a bumpy ride. Something must be wrong with the mechanism, because part-way down you sort of lurch forward. This time it stopped dead, about three-quarters of the way down. I couldn't budge the trolley, try as I might to push it. What was I to do? Some kind man came and helped, but lifting the front of the trolley the remaining few yards of the, by now, stationary walk-way. The wheels of your trolley lock into grooves in the surface I imagine to keep it steady as you move down. I'm not sure whether they manage to get this moving once I'd left the carpark, but it was somewhat comical to say the least. But  not all this technology can be expected to work according to plan, the amount of work it gets, probably running for quite a few hours continuously when the store is open.

Then I drove home, unpacked the few bits I had bought and then put the Fitbit on charge. This time it seemed to charge without a problem. I have to say it's not easy to know exactly whether it's charging. With some items when on charge, such as the bluetooth speaker I have, you know it's charging because it has a red light that glows, the same with the Canon digital camera battery, the charger has a light that is red for discharged and green for charged. With the Fitbit it has no indication of whether it's actually taking the charge, but as I write this, it's on my wrist and working.

The bird feeding station is extra-busy at the moment. I have managed to keep it topped up with food, usually peanuts, but unfortunately it seems that the local squirrels seem to think it's a free-for-all for their use and the little blue tits (I imagine that's what they are, but perhaps I should do a more accurate identification.) come and around 6-8 of them are constantly feeding. I think perhaps I should get a disc which fits around the stand of the feeding station and prevents squirrels climbing up. Amazing that they can do this, but I really don't want them to.

At the end of all this, I had a problem of another sort. I have mentioned that I can no longer order my repeat prescriptions by merely ringing Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's and giving them the list of items required to be ordered, and then they contact Ashfield Medical Centre and it's all done electronically. But some bright spark, some bureaucrat within the N.H.S. has decided that this is inefficient use of their resources and that we now have to order direct from our doctor's surgery. We can take our order to the surgery and fill in the required order form and the repeat prescription will be signed off by the doctor and then sent electronically to our pharmacy (as was the case originally.) But, if you have access to the internet, you can order on-line, provided you set up an account (and this is through the surgery website.) I already had an account set up but needed to have a new password (you have a username and then put in the password when prompted.) But I have attempted to do this several times, having been given a fresh password by reception at Ashfield, but on each occasion it will come up when it doesn't work with 'unrecognised' or 'wrong password and username.' Let's be honest, it just doesn't want to work and no amount of resetting will allow it to work, adding further to the frustration. So, I beg the question, why do they have to change something which was working perfectly well??? What is the benefit of all this? Words fail me. I certainly don't trust this new set-up and wish they'd left it well alone. Not a happy bunny when I just want to make sure my meds don't run out.

Weather- Wet and Windy

(Wednesday)The blasts of autumn are upon us. I woke in the early hours of the morning and I was almost certain it was raining. I sprung from my bed (I exaggerate somewhat, I know. Poetic licence is what it's called.), drew aside the curtains and, lo, it was raining! At that early hour, around 3.30, there was no chance of taking Alfie for his routine walk around Eaglestone Park. Try as I might, I could not get to sleep, so I decided to go downstairs and switch on the television. I'm not so sure it was such a good idea. Talk of Brexit. At the moment, whenever the television news comes on, I switch over. Politicians bickering is one thing, but within their own parties, what is the sense? It would appear that the Tories lost a vote or something, a lot of MP's lost the Whip because they voted for a piece of legislation which would prevent a No Deal Brexit. The EU must be more flexible, if it ever can be, what's wrong with a bit of common sense and compromise? What's with the so-called 'Backstop,'? Something to do with the Northern Ireland border with the Republic of Ireland (which is in the EU.) So, could someone please explain how it is that a country, such as Switzerland, which isn't in the EU, manages it's borders with those country which surrounds it, which are within the EU? There must be quite a few other countries in a similar situation, I can't name many, but who aren't in the EU, but next to member states. I think this situation regarding the Northern Irish border can be resolved amicably and it's just an excuse to keep us forever shackled to the EU. I don't remember this matter being mentioned during the run-up to the referendum in 2016, so why has it come up more recently?

(Thursday) I have had to ring Ashfield Medical Centre because the diazepam are coming to the end of their course. As I only get ten in a packet, it's a question of having to get another prescription and I was told that I should have a review before I can have more. I rang at 8.10 and was more than surprised that not only were the lines open but that I got through in record time. I had to wait for a doctor to ring back and I have to see Doctor Haye at 10 tomorrow morning.  I am keen to get a skip to use to clear out the small bedroom and other bits and pieces before I can move out of this house. I am somewhat shocked to learn that it will cost at least £160, which will make a huge hole in my bank account and which I can't really afford. So, because of this I thought I'd go to Bleak Hall Motors to get the brakes on the car dealt with. I rang the other morning and was told to just bring it in, but on arrival this morning, they said there were eight other cars being dealt with. I could have waited, but it's booked in for Monday morning at 8.30. From there I drove to the Oaktree Centre because the café is now up and running. I had tea and a really scrummy bacon and sausage sandwich and, speaking to John, who runs the café, mentioned the cost of hiring a skip, and he's offered to help because he has a trailer and will come to help me on the Saturday after Willen Furniture Warehouse come to collect the various items (as mentioned in th last blog post.) So, that is another problem solved.

I started off this blog post by describing the weather as 'the blasts of autumn,' (a good expression, worthy of Shakespeare, I reckon. Thinking about it, I wonder if he had got there before me, but never mind.) But as I sit in the lounge writing this on my MacBook Air, I can see out of the window into the garden (if that space can be termed 'garden.' I think not. Just a fenced-in space with grass in, a ratty, tatty, crumbling shed and several yards of washing line stretched across the grass.) and that the sun is shining and it's really quite warm.

Went to Sainsbury's this afternoon and a large area is closed off for a re-fit. It's the area where the TU clothing is the focus, also, the household items, such as kitchen equipment. It must be difficult for stores to do a re-fit without totally disrupting things, by keeping other areas open to shoppers. All will be revealed in the fullness of time, as they say. I have to say it's somewhat annoying when you go shopping, especially if you go to the same supermarket as I do with Sainsbury's, you get used to the layout, you know exactly where items you regularly shop for are within the store and then suddenly, without any sort of warning, it's all moved around and you can't find what you want. They've done that in the pet food aisle. The cat food is where the dog food used to be. But WHY? I think it's to confuse the shopper, so you have to go and hunt for whatever it was you were looking for. Very annoying.

(Friday) I was more than ever determined not to get out of bed quite so early. There really is no need to be up and about at 6a.m., but it's convincing Alfie of this fact. I took my time, getting dressed, shaved etc etc and sorted some washing and we were out at around 7.a.m. I'm annoyed that the Fitbit has failed. (See next blog post.) so the number of my steps are not measured. Oh well, such is life! Let me finish this off and get it published.

Turn on the television to discover that Robert Mugabe has died, former President and tyrant of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia.) Makes a change from depressing news about Brexit.

World War 2 Weekend At Milton Keynes Museum

The weather is playing tricks at the moment. It started off this morning fairly chilly, so I decided on wearing my Regatta jacket, but as the day drew on the sun made an appearance and by the time I drove into the centre of Milton Keynes it was a good deal warmer. I had to get bank statements from the Nationwide and NatWest because of my application for a sheltered housing place. I had to spend most of Saturday morning searching for the tenancy agreement, which was rather a tiresome job but it came to light, fortunately.

I've never visited Milton Keynes Museum before. I went to the special event held over the weekend, the theme being World War 2, presumably because this year is the 80th anniversary of the start. A lot of stalls laid out with period merchandise as well as people in the uniforms of various military units, army, navy and R.A.F. At midday there was a fly-past, I'm not entirely sure what planes they were, but nonetheless it was quite exciting to see them and I managed to take a couple of photographs of them as I'd taken my Canon digital camera with me. In one of the sheds, the one that has agricultural machinery in it, there was a demonstration of war-time dance, presumably the jitterbug or something similar. Really good stuff. The whole place was heaving, when I arrived there was a queue to get in and when I left, there was still a queue.

I have now bought a FitBit. I had a cheap version of one of these, bought off Amazon. It was alright, up to a point, it measured the number of steps I took and connected to my iPhone via Bluetooth and it meant I had a running record of the distance I had walked through another app which came with the iPhone, but the strap broke recently. More precisely, the buckle came apart so it wouldn't join together when worn on my wrist. I did an on-line survey and was part of a forum for the Times and Sunday Times and I was paid with a £50 John Lewis voucher. I had originally intended using it to buy a food processor, but thinking about it I decided that I wasn't going to get much use out of it and that it would probably spend a lot of it's time in the cupboard, and when I went into John Lewis the other day I had a look at FitBits, and then went into the food mixer department and looked at the food processors and decided that a FitBit was more useful. I had to make up the price difference with my own cash and it was purchased. I had to upload the FitBit app on my iPhone to get the thing working as you have to upload the relevant software, but I couldn't get it to cooperate, so I rang the helpline and the lovely lady on the other end of the phone (surprised when it turned out she was in America, when she said 'Pacific Time.') and then managed to get the thing to upload the software and it was working within minutes.

On Tuesday I went to Camphill as usual. I can't believe it's six  months since I started volunteering there. The drama group are so lovely. They always ask me how I am and usually want to know how Alfie is and they know about Arthur, my third grandson. I show them photos of them both on my iPhone. Regardless of their disabilities, they always try their best in the drama workshop. It's quite moving when you come to think that some of them can't read, so Teo, the leader, has devised a method by which they can use a sign to suggest certain words and the dialogue is written in verse so it's easier to learn. We are still rehearsing the complete 'piece' which means more or less taking it to pieces and re-assembling it with the transitions between scenes. It shows them how different it is to making the video, where you stop and start, film from different angles and do re-takes to get the best take before the whole is assembled in the edit. The idea is that all the actors are sitting in a sort of arc around the stage and then enter for their particular scene. There are a couple of screens either side of the playing area which can be used for costume changes.

Teo has asked me if I'd be interested in working with several of the other volunteers to created a new drama piece. It's just that I haven't been involved with 'Stranger Danger' since it's beginnings (something like four years in the making, apparently.) and he thinks it would focus my abilities elsewhere if I get involved in creating a new piece of theatre. This will be separate from the 'Treasure Island' project, which we haven't worked on for several weeks.

As we've gone through the play, one of the volunteers has been taking notes, which will show all the new details, such as scene changes, rather like my job when I was a D.S.M. and had to note all the moves, scene changes, setting of props etc during rehearsals when I worked in stage management. Putting it directly into the spreadsheet software of the script (actually it makes so much sense, even though it would never occur to me to write a script using spreadsheet software, because you have several columns which allows for stage directions, or notes such as what goes where and who does what.) I have to say the two girls who are volunteers really throw everything they've got into the work with the drama workshop and are just so brilliant to work with.

In the afternoon, during the run-through of 'Stranger Danger' (which is really developing well. A lot more comedy is coming out and several of the volunteers and support staff are being involved, although none have speaking parts. Some help with scene changes, setting and striking props etc etc.) we had a visitor. I'm not entirely sure if I got his name right, but he was a runner-up in the ITV talent show 'The X Factor.' I can't remember his name. But he and his wife, who is American, run a business which helps with promotion for businesses such as theatre, and they say that they can help create a website for the Chrysalis Theatre and love how Camphill is run, the ethos behind it and the calm and friendly atmosphere. They were impressed by 'Stranger Danger' and the message it conveys.  Once they'd seen the rehearsal, coming in towards the end and then we ran it from 'The Top' so they saw the complete 'piece,' there was a question and answer session with the guys, and it was great for them to meet someone who they're likely to have seen in 'The X Factor' on television. Sorry I can't remember his name, but when I remember or I discover what it is, I'll post it on here.