Reading and Viewing- Part 2

Then there's Doctor Who. There's always Doctor Who. I have written about this venerable BBC Television show in an earlier blog post, or at least, the current run. I'm not really sure about it. I have no problems with The Doctor being a woman. Why not? At first I was not sure, because the part has always been played by a man. But if the character is alien, and can regenerate every few years, there's really no problem as regarding gender. The problem I have is with the half-hearted stories and scripts.  But what I do object is having so much political correct nonsense shoe-horned into the stories. Whether it be racial politics or environmental issues, why does it have to become a sort of lecture? It was always intended to have a certain amount of educational value from the very beginning, to teach children about various historical events, if it's about the Romans or other eras of history, but in the early days it was secondary to the stories in the different time periods the Tardis delivered it's passengers.

Why so many assistants? Three is superfluous and their backstories are so vague. Just don't see the point of so many. There were multiple assistants in Peter Davison's era. It seemed unnecessary then and it's the same now. The Tardis just seems over-crowded somehow and it's just unnecessary.

I have watched the final, fourth, season of 'The Man In The High Castle,'  on Amazon Prime Video. The first 3 seasons were good and I got hooked. But the fourth doesn't have the same appeal somehow. It petered out towards the end and it wrapped up far to quickly, almost as if the makers knew that it was coming to an end with no continuation so they had to tie things up in the last couple of episodes. But we still didn't get a proper explanation as to how the films were infiltrating the real truth and the time-shifting/multiple world element wasn't explained properly, but it was still worth watching.

'The Last Tango In Halifax\ has returned this week on BBC1 and this time given a Sunday evening slot in the schedules. This is the 5th season of the Sally Wainwright created series. Rock-solid characterisation and pitch-perfect acting from the ensemble cast, lead by Derek Jacobi and Sheila Reid, who re-connect via social media after 50 years apart and then marry. I just love this series. It's real, sad and funny all at the same time. I think it's what they call 'Bitter/Sweet.' By which I mean that it has elements of happiness, comedy, elation but the next it has feelings of sadness, regret, all tied up in one happy bundle. It's what good drama should be, not just plain, laugh-out-loud funny, but poignant and sad underneath the humour. Shakespeare does it in some of his comedy, particularly 'Twelfth Night,' which has all these elements. I means you recognise these elements and it makes it work perfectly. 'Last Tango' may not have particularly strong storylines, but it has a definite, 'can't-wait-until-the-next-episode' appeal, but you can't help loving the characters, along with all their foibles and flaws, which we can definitely recognise. I can really recommend it. 

Unexpected at Camphill

I've mentioned in an earlier post that Teo, who oversees the Drama Workshop at Camphill was going on holiday for three weeks and that he had set up and alternative project for us to work on, run by Paul, who is his assistant. Three films, which were selected by the residents, 'Oliver!', 'The Sound of Music', and 'Monty Python: and Now For Something Completely Different,' and how the residents had to devise improvisations based on these films. Unfortunately there had been complete breakdown in communication, because no sooner had we done the regular check-in (whereby each resident, co-worker or volunteer is allowed to say how they were feeling before the day began.) than we got a message to say that we were to have visitors from a school with their pupils coming to try out the drama workshop. It put the whole group into a bit of a panic because it meant finding something to occupy both the regulars and the students from this school, the Walnut School. We were supposed to rehearse 'Stranger Danger,' but with some of the cast missing, it wouldn't be worthwhile, although did set up things and when the group from Walnut School eventually arrived we did a truncated version of he play, with one central scene missing and later showed them the video of the play. I was surprised how different the show is since they made the video over a year ago (well before I went to work as a volunteer at Camphill.) The whole play is far better since it's been converted into a 'live' show and the actors put far more effort into thins and it somehow has more depth. It was interesting to see how the pupils who visited reacted to both the play and the video and feedback was worth listening to.

After tea we were involved in the parachute games. I had no idea what this was, until a large multi-coloured material shape was bought into the hall. It had handles sown onto it and we all had to hold this large 'parachute' shape up off he ground and by pulling it taut keep it off the floor. The first game was called 'Sharks.' The idea being that someone started off by running under the parachute and keeping their hand up to represent the shark's dorsal fin and when they reached the other side they touched another person and they had to take over and move to another person holding up the parachute. All the while everyone else holding onto the parachute had to keep it moving as it if was the sea. Then, a game where a load of coloured balls was thrown onto the taut parachute and when it was shaken, the balls are bounced off and we had to count how many were picked up. Another game was with two large balls, about the size of footballs, were placed on the taut parachute and it was timed to see how long it took to get the balls off the parachute, this was also done with all the coloured balls. Quite exhausting, but a lot of fun and a good way to get everyone involved and also good exercise!

After lunch we watched the beginning of Oliver!, which was projected on to the large cinema-sized screen in the Chrysalis Theatre. I haven't seen the film in a long time. I was taken to see the original London production of Oliver! when I was at school, in the early 1960's and I saw the film of Oliver! when I went to London for an interview at RADA to go on a stage management course in around 1968 (I didn't get selected.) I can't believe the film had an overture, which lasts a good 10 minutes! I don't recall the film ever having an overture, unless when I originally saw it I walked into the cinema after the overture. Also, the long list of credits shown before the film, which lasts around 5 minutes. Modern films never have credits BEFORE the film starts. I don't think modern audiences would tolerate such a thing. I do recall  film of 'My Fair Lady' having an intermission. From watching this, it will be interesting to see what sort of improvisation we come up with. Next week we will watch some more of Oliver! But we have two more films to watch, so if we watch around 30 minutes of each film each week it will take some time to view all of each film.

At around 3.20 we stopped watching the film because it was Pancake Day! We went outside onto the area infant of the offices at Camphill because pancake races were arranged. A course was cleared along the road which lead out of the campus. One of the guys from the drama workshop, Matthew, held the tape at the end of the course. The starting line was outside the offices. There were several heats (I didn't join in. I don't think I was 100% fit at that time of day.) Then the winner of each heat went on to the next heat until a winner was awarded a certificate as well as 2nd and 3rd. It was a good event. I rather like the community spirit of Camphill. Everyone is appreciated. No-one is left out, regardless of their disability. The staff are brilliant. The residents support one another. It's a totally great place to work. People come from all over the world to work in the various Camphill communities, not just in Milton Keynes. It really is great to be part of it all!

Close Call

Yesterday morning (Monday) I received a text message informing me that I had won a £500 Argos voucher. I was immediately interested and somewhat excited, as you would be if you had got such a text. Well, who wouldn't be? I'm considering buying an iPad and £500 would more than cover the cost of such an item. Then, once I'd clicked through I came to a page where they were asking for my bank details and I immediately stopped. The colour, design and layout of the site looked very convincing, looking very like the genuine Argos website. It was at this point that I became unsure and decided to visit the actual Argos website and see if there was a telephone number to ring in order to find out if this text was genuine. I find a telephone number, having searched the website and then rang and explained to the man on the end of the line about the text message and was informed that it wasn't likely to be from Argos and hence, a scam and that it would be best to delete it. Which is what I immediately did. It just goes to show how easy it can be to fall for these scams and, as a result, cause a great deal of distress, particularly if the scammers get hold of your bank details. But, it occurred to me, if I had won a prize, of however much it might be, why would they need my bank details? So, if you read this post, and you get a similar text message or email, please be wary, it may well be a scam. 

Reading and Viewing- Part 1

So what have I been reading and watching recently? On the book front I recently completed reading 'High Minds,' by Simon Heffer. It was a hefty read, some 700-800 pages, taking things from around 1840 to around 1880. I have since ordered the next volume which is called 'The Age of Decadence' which takes things up until the start of the First World War, which I have already received from Amazon and then the third book, which is already available in hardback but comes out in paperback in around May-June and called 'Staring At God,' which covers the First World War. If these books are as well researched and written as the first volume, then they should make excellent reading. I can recommend the first one, but since I haven't started the next one, I can't as yet comment.

I next read 'The Old Vic: The Story of a Great Theatre- From Ken to Olivier to Spacey' by Terry Coleman. Right up my street, being something of a theatre fanatic and having worked in professional theatre myself. Carol and I went to see a production staged by Propellor Theatre, in a performance of 'The Taming of The Shrew at the Old Vic, when she was a teacher at Stantonbury School and we were hooked on this all-male company and following this production, managed to see them several times more, at Milton Keynes Theatre and the Oxford Playhouse. Really great theatre and rip-roaring productions.

Having read all that history (and there was a lot I learnt as a result.) I decided I needed some fiction to read next, so I turned to my good old stand-by, Sherlock Holmes, as i'm gradually working my way through the entire canon and I have now reached 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes,' which begins with 'The Empty House.' Since reading that I decided to read one of Anthony Horowitz's take on Sherlock Holmes, so I have bought the first one in the series, which have apparently been approved by the Conan-Doyle estate, called 'The House of Silk.' I wasn't sure I would like this novel, and have been pleasantly surprised by how good it is. Horowitz has managed to write in the style of Conan-Doyle, the voice of Doctor Watson is very well done and completely convincing, but done in a modern manner. We get a fair amount of backstory for Watson and the typical Holmesian 'tropes' are in place; the arrival of the gentleman who wants Holmes to investigate the crime (I won't give to much of the plot away on here.) An easy read, which is what I wanted and I will have to read more of this series.

I've finished the third series of 'The Crown' on Netflix and as a result I've closed my subscription. I've enjoyed the show, but I don't think this last season was as good as the first two. Olivia Colman as Her Maj is good, but the episodes haven't been as enticing and engrossing as earlier episodes. Out of the 10, several were duds, nothing wrong with the writing, but a couple just didn't gell somehow. I can't explain, but I realise out of ten it must be difficult to maintain a particularly high standard and were there just to make up the numbers. I still think it would be better to have some sort of connection between each episode, a story arc which links them. There's nothing to keep you wanting to carry on watching. I know there was no intention to be a 'cliff-hanger' at the end of the episodes, but it's what keeps you wanting to continue watching. I can understand why they're ending the show with the 5th season as it would become to close for comfort when it gets nearer to the present and some difficult events in the royal story would have to be covered, I imagine the death of Princess Diana would be difficult to handle as well as several royal relationships and particularly what the Queen referred to 1992 as her 'Annus Horribilis.' It still has amazing detail, the period is beautifully portrayed, the costumes, makeup and sets are brilliant and it deserves all the awards. I may resubscribe to Netflix in time for the fourth season, but there is nothing else on Netflix which makes me want to continue with it.

Supermarket Broom Hunt and Blustery Weather

(Friday)The wind and cold continues. I just hope it doesn't come back stronger than ever. They have said on the weather forecast on BBC Breakfast this morning that we can expect more extreme weather, so it's a matter of 'batten down the hatches' once more. More like, tie down your wheeley bins, as they have a habit of moving when the wind is strong!

I went to Morrison's this morning. I'm looking for a broom so I can sweep the floor of the flat. How difficult is it to find a suitable broom for this job in Milton Keynes? You would think it would be relatively easy to find such a broom. I looked in Sainsbury's the other day, but no luck. You can buy a brush on a sort of long handle with a pan to collect what you've swept up, but I don't want one because I already have a dustpan and brush. I thought, if I go on line and have a look at Morrison's website I can check this out and I also want some superglue to fix on the handle of the trolley I bought on Amazon, which arrived yesterday morning, along with two books I'd ordered. The thing was easy enough to put together, except the bar which is for pushing it around has the screw holes in the wrong place and it wouldn't fit together, so I thought that superglueing it would be sufficient. I also looked for this on the Morrison's website, and there it was. Which is why I went to their branch near Milton Keynes station.

I got to Morrison's, parked the car, went up on the travelator (which, up to the point I arrived at the foot off wasn't operating, until a man came along and took away the barrier and the thing began to move. It amuses me that it moves slowly up until the point you step on it and then it moves a good deal faster.) When I arrived on the shop floor and approached the trolley park, I discovered that you now had to insert a £1 coin in order to use a trolley. Previously they didn't need a coin. I went back to the car and put the bags back in the back of the car and returned to the store and had a look for the broom and superglue and then changed my mind and decided to go to the cashpoint outside the store to take out a £10 note and then went back inside to get it changed into coins at the kiosk and began my walk around the store. Enough food to keep me going for at least two or three weeks. I found the basic brush for a broom, but there was no handle! As for the superglue, no sign, which was annoying, since I had come into Morrison's with the intention of finding and buying these items. What on earth is the use of the brush without the handle? It's not a broom until it has said handle.

I next thought was, find a member of staff and ask about the broom-handle. Surely a staff member would be able to tell me where I could get the handle to attach to the aforementioned brush? I saw a lady stacking shelves, but she moved further away when I spoke. Perhaps she didn't hear me, but I eventually caught up with her and asked about the handle. The lady said that she had wanted to buy a broom herself and found there was no matching handle and had mentioned this to the store manager and told me I would be better off going to the nearby Range store, which was a bit off, considering she was telling me to go elsewhere to buy a broom. So, on leaving Morrison's, I went directly to The Range, which is almost immediately across the road from Morrison's, in Winter Hill. I was somewhat surprised to see a large sign up on the outside of the building which houses The Range, emblazoned with the name Iceland and then, on entering the store, finding that to one end there is indeed an Iceland, taking up a considerable amount of space. I found a broom! Eurika! And after walking the length of the store, a tube of superglue, and with these finds firmly grasped in my hand, I went to pay at the till. I made the passing comment to the lady on the till about the near impossibility of finding a broom. I said that perhaps there was a convention of witches who had bought them all up, which got a laugh, and she said she knew a few witches, not, I'm sure, real, but I said I had worked with one or two, not giving names, but, again, it got a laugh, so at least it made someone smile and made their day.  So, mission complete, I returned home and then took Alfie out for a further walk. It has become fairly blustery, even more than it was earlier and we walked around Oldbrook Green and then returned home.

Another Camphill Tuesday

Another day at Camphill. It was a relatively straightforward drive there, which made a change, Because I can generally expect aggression from other drivers, but I imagine that the run was more or less stress-free because it's half term this week. No parents dropping off their beloved offspring at Oakgrove School, which is on the roundabout at the intersection of Chaffron Way and Brickhlll Street, and any other Tuesday I could expect to be held up by hoards of inconsiderate parents, pulled over in a dangerous fashion, as they drop of their children, and usually there's a long line of cars waiting to get onto the roundabout and then similar line of cars at the various roundabouts along Brickhill Street.

We didn't immediately do anything concerning the drama workshop in the morning, because there was staff training, which was done in the Chrysalis Theatre. It was on fire safety, something which I have already done, as part of my training when I worked for a care agency in Bedford, called Care On  call, and, of memory serves, when I originally worked for the N.H.S., and done as part of my induction when I eventually worked at Vincent House, although, originally, I worked through what was called the Care Bank, and then worked in several of the N.H.S. learning disabilities throughout Bedfordshire.

It was decided that the drama workshop group, including myself, could attend the training session and we could sit in the balcony of the theatre. Only problem with this, regardless of the fact that the seats were a good deal more comfortable than those used by the Camphill staff in the main body of the theatre, sitting below us, was that it was difficult to hear clearly what the gentleman who gave the talk was saying. If he'd used a microphone of some sort it would have been considerably better, but never mind. I don't think the people who give these sorts of talks ever beed to use microphones. It was good to know something about fire extinguishers. It's as well to know which one to use on what sort of fire, for example, if it was paper, wood, gas or electrical. If you were to use water on an electrical fire you could be killed, due to shock, and that there are different extinguishers, water, foam etc. Also, that the horn on a foam extinguisher can cause frost bite because the horn and the pipe leading to it gets extremely cold. Not something you would realise otherwise. When I did my initial induction back in the late 1990s before working as a support worker for the N.H.S. Learning Disability service around Bedfordshire, I learnt this at the fire safety course, and we saw several fire extinguishers being used and you soon realise that they don't last long when discharged, you only get around 2 minutes, so you can't afford to waste time otherwise you will waste the contents on not actually extinguishing a fire. Also, virtually the first thing we were told was to not use wedges (or anything else) to keep doors open. So, what happens? The first shift I did, I can't remember where exactly, but they HAD WEDGES TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN, because so many of the residents in this particular home used wheelchairs and it would have been extremely difficult to not have doors wedged open.

Well, at least I will get a certificate to prove that I had done the course. It would be awful if there was a fire (and I certainly hope there will never be.) and I didn't know how to deal with it.

Once the course was over, (and it ran from 10.00-11.30, which meant we didn't get a tea-break!) we set up to do a run-through of 'Stranger Danger,' and we had the entire complement of actors, so I didn't stand in for anyone missing, although I did do some prompting. We were realeased for lunch 8 MINUTES early, to make up for not having a tea break earlier and when we returned we did more rehearsal and then Teo decided that, by around 3, we wouldn't do any more rehearsals.

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Tao is going to be going away for a couple of weeks (I think it's three weeks, going skiing, but I'm not sure where. Last time he went, apparently he had an accident and had to be air-lifted home. He broke a leg, and the residents made it clear to him that he mustn't do it again!!) we had to choose three films which could be used as the basis for improvisations, when each of our actors (including Co-Workers and volunteers) had to nominate a favourite film, which they had copies of on DVD. After a sort of television talent show voting system, where we had to vote on what each had nominated, and the results scores gradually whittled down the list to just three films, which turned out to be 1- 'The Sound of Music; 2- 'Oliver!' and 3: Monty Python: And now For Something Completely Different.' So, next week we will be watching selections of each of these films (obviously there won't be enough to watch them in their entirety.) Then we will be put into groups and each group will create an improvisation based loosely on the film each group chooses. I can't wait to see what comes out of this. It was the same way we began developing the 'Treasure Island' project. The group watched a video of the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel, but it was just the jumping-off point to develop the play, which won't be a direct adaptation, but themes, characters and plots are the basis for a totally original piece of theatre.

Storm Dennis The Menace

No sooner had we go over 'Storm Ciara, than we have 'Storm Dennis' coming boisterously in from the west. I can hear something outside as I sit and write this, the beginnings of what most likely will be strong winds and, having just watched BBC Breakfast, we're likely to get a month's rain in a single day.

(Sunday) The same as above. I'm writing this at 3.15a.m. Just sounds as if the wind is as as strong as ever and doesn't sound as if it will ease up soon. I'm just wondering if church will be on tomorrow as it's dangerous, possibly taking roof tiles and goodness only knows what else with it. I'm reluctant to go out with Alfie in the morning, although he will obviously need to go out at some point.

8.10. As I write this, the storm has more or less passed. I don't know about the rest of the country, but Milton Keynes seems to have escaped unscathed. I took Alfie out at 7a.m. and it was raining and he didn't appreciate the rain. He did his business and I went to the bin near Oldbrook Green, but the pavement all the way along Strudwick Drive was flooded and my feet got wet. I had put on my chinos from yesterday's excursion, and they were wet, as I had forgotten to dry them, and my Regatta jacket was also still wet. But we managed to get back to the flat and Alfie now looks like a drowned rat and ran around in circles in an attempt to get dry, poor little thing!

2.15 p.m. It's a good deal calmer on the weather front. Alfie kept on barking and it was obvious that he needed to go out when I got back from church at about 11.45. But as soon as he got outside he soon realised that he didn't like the rain and as soon as he completed what he had to do more or less made it clear that he wasn't having any of the unpleasantness of he wet and turned tail and trotted back to the flat and the warm, and who can blame him?

Monday morning. I've been out twice with Alfie, the first was around 7a.m. (I'm glad it's getting lighter as the days pass.) It was cold, but there was a fair amount of wind, but not as strong as it's been over the past few days. Then, after I'd been to Sainsbury's, I took him out again. This time it was sunny, but still windy and it was quite chilly. We actually walked around Oldbrook Green and I noticed a few branches which had been blown down, one, along the side nearest the children's playground, a fairly large branch blown down and split away from the main body of the tree and looking quite dangerous. A litter of odd bits of twig all around the green.

Doctor's Surgery Visit

As mentioned in an earlier blog post on here, I have transferred doctor's surgeries from Ashfield Medical Centre to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. My first doctor's appointment lead to me having to have blood taken for a blood test, to check my various functions and in particular my cholesterol levels. So the appointment for the blood to be taken was today, at 9.50. I was concerned that I would be late and, knowing the level of traffic in Milton Keynes and the aggression of some drivers, I left at 8.40, giving me plenty of time to gently drive along Witan Gate and directly into Bradwell Common, location of the surgery. There are several sets of traffic lights along Witan Gate and each set seems to take a long time to change. Why is this? There isn't a need for them to take so long, the flow of traffic is relatively light, so why does it take this length of time? When I eventually got inside the surgery, I thought to myself 'I'm far too early! I'll have to sit and wait for over half an hour! How boring!' But to me, in some ways, these opportunities aren't in the least bit boring, because they're an ideal opportunity to observe people, which can lead to story and character ideas.

So, I signed in on the computer screen (it seems most surgeries have these self-service screens) and then sat and waited. It was at this point that I needed a toilet. I was dying for a pee (I'll be honest. Well, we all have to, so there!) I scanned around the reception area and the waiting area and the old toilet I could see was thorugh a door which required a Radar key, which are usually held by those with some sort of disability. We got some for Carol's use, and one used to be on my key-ring, but I took it off because it was too large and got caught in things, and the chance of me needing one was unlikely- until now. I then saw a door a little further into the building and headed for it, only to find a notice attached to the door saying, 'Out of order. If you need a toilet, ask for the Radar key and use the disabled toilet.' (Incidentally, I have no idea why it's called a Radar key, although it is probably going to have some sort of meaning based on disability.) So, I didn't feel inclined to go to the receptionist and ask for he aforementioned key. Who wants to be seen or heard to do so and then be seen opening the door to the disabled toilet? Well, it's not exactly discreet and private.

I was surprised when my name came up on the digital display. It was 8.55 and I wasn't scheduled to have my appointment until 9.20, but I wasn't complaining. It seems getting to the surgery early was worthwhile. I had to explain to the nurse that I would need to lie down to give blood, which wasn't unreasonable. Which is what I did and she managed to extract the required amount without too much trouble. I was told it was to be a fasting blood test, meaning I wasn't supposed to eat for 12 hours before hand which was exactly what I had done. I still don't know why you mustn't eat for this particular blood test. I was told that the results of the test would be ready by Monday afternoon and if I went on-line I could see the results and if necessary, I would have to have another doctor's appointment. I am most concerned about my cholesterol levels, which have been low (around 5, whatever that number indicates, I have no idea.) As I have been eating plenty of fruit and veg recently there should be no problem, or at least I hope not. Measured in Mol or something, but not entirely sure what that means, per Mg or something.

I was still in need of a toilet. I thought that I could wait until I got home. It wasn't far. I had wanted to shop in Aldi, which was directly opposite the doctor's surgery, but I knew there was no toilet inside the store. So I aimed to go to Sainsbury's and avail myself of the conveniences there. I could also do a small shop, for something for lunch and Alfie's mixer was running low. Which is exactly what I did, but the traffic lights along Witan Gate were being particularly aggravating and preventing me from reaching the necessary facilities within Sainsbury's, around three sets of lights away. As I've already mentioned, why DO these particular traffic lights take so long to change?

I parked in the underground carpark beneath Sainsbury's. It's relatively easy to park at that hour of the day, fortunately. I grabbed a 'bag-for-life' out of the boot of the car and rushed into the store, availing myself of the plumbing arrangements (don't be to detailed on this aspect of my visit!) and then wandered around the store in search of, first, a bag of mixer for Alfie and then something for lunch, a loaf of bread (entitled 'artisan,' which really means handmade and looks somewhat rustic with a crunchy crust.) and then some paté to spread on it. With few items to pay for, there was no point queuing to use a human-operated checkout, so I plumped for the self-service tills. But some items in my basket would not scan, so assistance was required. I think the thing wouldn't scan because the barcode was printed on shiny paper. I am put off these self-service tills because they rarely work as you would expect, some just refusing to scan correctly and then  you get a stroppy voice telling the whole world that you've made some sort of mistake. I wish they'd just turn the voice off.

A Change In The Weather

It's sunny out, but it's chilly. Probably cold enough for there to be snow. I hope not, but I'm sure we will be able to manage. I took Alfie out at around 4.30, but it was so cold I don't think he appreciated it, but he needed to do his business and then we went home.

As I say, the weather is very changeable at present, from howling wind, to frost and fog, to sunny and so cold we could expect snow. But, let's be perfectly honest and just say, it's what you expect from the British climate and we're barely into February. I think in previous years we've had snow by now.

(Wednesday) I was determined to get my hair cut this morning. It's getting really untidy an I can't stand it when it gets long. I begin to look like a mad professor. Think the Christopher Lloyd character in 'Back To The Future.' I also wanted to go to Sainsbury's and had made a really detailed shopping list. My pension had gone into my account so I could afford to top up the freezer. I have joined something called CLASP (I think I may have mentioned this on here somewhere, as a result of visiting the history festival which was held in Campbell Park during the summer.) It stands for Community Landscape Archaeology survey Project.). On their Facebook page, I discovered that there was to be a conference near Peterborough on the technology used by archaeologists, which means they don't necessarily have to dig to discover what is beneath the ground, like the radar system called LIDAR and tomography (as seen on such television shows as Time Team.) So, I thought that it would be something that would interest me and as a result I have paid for a ticket which means I can now go at the end of March. I thought it was as well as get it booked before there was no more tickets and I would loose out.

So I drove in to the centre of Milton Keynes, and, having parked in my usual place, the carpark near The Point, I walked into the shopping centre and arrived at Essential Barbers. I was relieved to have my hair cut and walked back through the shopping centre. It was relatively early, around 9.50, so not many shops were open. That's the disadvantage of deciding to get there so early.

I bought a new notebook in W.H.Smith and the latest edition of the magazine Current Archaeology and then walked back to the car and home.

(Thursday) I was woken in the night by the sound of rain rattling on the bedroom window. It sounded ominously as if the weather was going to break in. I took Alfie out just after 7a.m., and discovered that the path along Strudwick Drive, which leads to Oldbrook Green, was flooded, making it virtually impassable.

Later. I've been back into the shopping centre. I had meant to go to the Nationwide branch because I intended to cancel a payment after I got my hair cut yesterday morning. I went to the branch yesterday as I walked through on my way to Essential Barbers, but it wasn't open. They are open at 9.30. I forgot to return, so this morning I went back in and then was told that the payment was made as a point-of-sale payment or something and I'd need to ring the company involved. It's so complicated. Anyway, it wasn't a Direct Debit.  I have since managed to ring the company concerned and the payment has been stopped.

I have a Costa loyalty card. It's the same idea as a Nectar or Tesco Clubcard, you get points every time you buy food or drink in one of their stores. They kept emailing me to say I could have a free coffee and gain extra points if I went into one of their stores. Which I did this morning, the branch which is near the Middleton Hall. I could do some observations and make notes in my newly-acquired notebook which I bought in W.H.Smith yesterday. Just noticed that many of the people I watched were in couples and, as a result, made notes. I had two fairly full notebooks, which I had kept when I lived in Golden Drive, but seem to have vanished into thin air since I moved to the flat, which annoys me because so much of what is in them could have been used to create written material, which was the main object of keeping them. Not stuff that will ever be restored to me, but I have a feeling that they might have been in one of the ten boxes which were taken by Willen Hospice, only days after I moved in October because I didn't have space for even half of what I had when I moved in. I didn't have an alternative and the CDs, DVDs and books they contained aren't missed and  the fact is, generally, once you've read a book, the chinches are you don't usually read again and most were paperbacks. The notebooks were valuable and I should have been a little more careful that they weren't mislaid, unfortunately, but considering everything I have been through over the last few years and in particular, the stress of attempting to find alternative accommodation, the notebooks were the last things on my mind.

Later. I'm still intrigued by the 'mystery building' which has appeared on the opposite side of Oldbrook Green to the Cricketers public house. I walked past earlier this afternoon and it now has a roof, fully tiled, and matching those on the existing building it's next to. I still have absolutely no idea what it's use will be. Probably just boring storage space for mowers and other equipment. Hey hoo!

Howling Wind

I'm sitting here in the lounge writing this with a howling gale rampaging outside. Well, I hope it's outside. As usual, at this unearthly hour (4.10a.m) I have woken up and gone to the loo. I lay awake for a while,  not just the sound of the wind, but a door (I presume it's a door) rattling somewhere. It probably needs shutting properly, but it annoys me intensely. If it's in a downstairs flat, why can't someone just shut it, so that it stops it's relentless banging and rattling? Of course, that's too obvious. I won't go on about it, but it keeps me awake. I decide to make myself a cup of tea. I sometimes do the washing up from the previous evening's meal, but I did it last evening and the kitchen is spotless, the sink cleaned as well as the work surfaces. I make the cup of tea and then go through to the lounge and put on the television. The BBC news channel has a piece on a team of scientists going to either the Artic or Antarctic and doing research on a major glacier and drilling a hole through around a couple of miles of ice (I think it's a couple of miles, but it may be less.) The BBC sent their science correspondent (I forget his name.) to cover the story. They have to use hot water to help drill a hole in the ice and eventually they send a sort of robotic submarine down, fitted with a camera, to take video of the underside of the ice, and to see how much it's melting, something never before seen by human eyes and the ice has taken millennia to develop.

The gale is called Ciara. Is it male or female? I won't get into the gender argument, but whatever it is, it sounds very bad tempered. It's a she. I've done a Google search.

It's some time later (5.56, as I look at my digital watch.) The wind continues to howl, but I can't hear the door downstairs rattling. Perhaps someone had had the sense to close it, but I doubt it. I don't think the wind has dropped. What sort of damage has it caused? I will find out when I take Alfie out at around 7.15.

Watching BBC Breakfast this morning, could someone explain why the BBC insists on sending reporters to places being hit by storms, and then standing in really dangerous places, such as near the sea shore, where there are crashing waves, which are very likely to swamp them, or, in other times, standing up to their knees in flood water, or at the side of a motorway, where there is snow and ice, again, putting their lives at risk? It's not just the reporters who are endangered, but there must be cameramen, sound operators and production staff, unseen by the viewer and off-camera, who make up a unit to bring these live pictures to the viewer. What on earth do these reports add to the situation? Nothing much, and if the BBC wants to cut costs, why not just report within a warm and comfortable studio and have photographs and video to back up the report? It's a similar report if they are doing something about the Royal Family, why do they need to have a reporter outside Buckingham Palace? Again, it doesn't really add a thing to the reporting of a particular story.

I've been out and the wind is still strong. As we walked along Strudwick Drive, I saw a police car draw up near the carpark entrance to The Cricketers public house. A cab was parked nearby. I have no idea why it was here, possibly just checking things out and nothing to do with a criminal act of any sort, but I just wondered what it was about. You rarely see a policeman or even a police car around the estate, so it just makes me wonder.

I went to church this morning, and when I got home I thought that Alfie would want to go out. Well, being cooped up for so long (actually not that long) there would be a definite necessity. He makes such a noise whenever I prepare to take him out, especially when I put his lead on. We got outside and I realised it was raining, although only slightly. We got round the corner from Dexter House and into Strudwick Drive, allowing him the opportunity to have a wee on the grass, but, instead of walking off towards Oldbrook Green, he took me in the opposite direction and back to the flat. He just does not like getting wet and couldn't wait to get back to the warmth of he sofa and, as I write this (at 12.40) he is tucked up on his blanket and fast asleep!

Later. 7.00p.m. The wind has dropped, but not entirely. I took out Alfie for a final walk at around 4.30, but he wasn't keen to stay out too long because even then it was windy, but he was quite keen to get back to the warmth of the flat and as I write this now he's sleep once again on the sofa.

Monday Morning. 6.50 a.m. Well, thankfully the wind has dropped. As I write this, I haven't been out with Alfie, but I'm due to take him out at around 7.10 a.m. Watching BBC Breakfast, which is on as I write this, they're showing the amount of damage caused by the wind and there's a Yellow weather-warning, meaning that there's more bad weather on the way. I expect there's likely to be more destruction when I go outside.

Later. I have now come back from taking Alfie out for his early-morning walk. Definitely a good deal calmer. Apparently there was around 6 weeks of rain falling across the country. The BBC are again having reporters standing next to flooded rivers and streams. They were in Hebden Bridge, somewhere Carol and I probably drove through when we went on holiday in Yorkshire. It's the second time this community has been flooded, even with flood protection put in place.

There was a large moon when we went out. It looked like a huge penny in the sky and then it got engulfed by a cloud and it looked somewhat artificial, a bit like C.G.I. in a film. It seemed to disappear really rapidly.

Mystery Building

I've been watching with interest the building work that is currently going on the opposite side of Oldbrook Green to The Cricketers public house. There are three constructions on Oldbrook Green, all built to a similar style. I think one might have been a public convenience, but it is closed off with fencing around it, another a sort of strange brick construction with a brick roof and this supported by posts and the third, at the furthest side to Oldbrook Boulevard and on the patch which leads to the city centre, what could have been used for storage but has certainly seen better days and built to a similar design to the other two. Workmen have been working on site to the right of this construction, starting off with the foundations (well, how else do you start a building?) and gradually building a wall and as I write this, the brick-work is more or less complete and it now has the trusses in place for the roof. It would appear that they are renovating the main building, with the gable-ends being replaced and repainted. But I'm intrigued with what the new build is going to be. It isn't particularly large and the height matches the rest of the original building. I thought at first it might be used as a cafe, tea kiosk or similar, but I can see no windows or even doors in it as it rises. No sign at all of what is going to be. The workmen appear to be restoring the rest of the site, with a low wall being built of brick to one side. I will just have to wait patiently to see what it turns out to be. Probably it will boringly just turn out to be somewhere for them to store equipment, such as lawn mowers, wheelbarrows and whatever else is needed to tend the grass on Oldbrook Green.

Walking past the 'mystery building' later on Thursday, I noticed that there were metal gates now installed to the side of the area where the mystery building is being constructed. They have sharp-pointed tops to the metal bars, so it begs the question; what needs to be protected by metal gates and why the sharp spikes along the top? It makes me wonder if it's going to be a storage area for valuable items, because who wants to climb a gate and get cut by spikes? Just an idea. It looks as if they're making a sort of yard area which would explain the wall that they are building.

Oldbrook Green, the actual grassy area that is, is really soggy. At the furthest side, opposite The Cricketers, it tends to flood when there is heavy rain. Part-way along the path the actual path gets flooded and when I'm out with Alfie I have to negotiate this flood and Alfie doesn't really like getting his little paws wet. Walking on the grass is somewhat like walking on marshy ground, or at least sponge. There is a dip in the grass which tends to fill with water when it rains and it's been like a water feature, or at least, a pond. Over the past few days there have been ducks on there, an almost perfect place for them to have a paddle.

I took Alfie out at around 10.30 and as we walked along Strudwick Drive, along the fence that encloses the community garden belonging to Dexter House, Alfie stopped as he often does and came face-to-face with a black cat which was inside the garden and just inside the metal gate. Alfie began to bark at the cat excitedly and even tried to get through the gap in the gate, but, fortunately, he was too broad to squeeze through. The cat made the typical 'don't-come-near-me-or-I'll-scratch-your-eyes -out' noises, which didn't really bother Alfie and the cat just stared at him. It was definitely a question, 'who's going to blink first?' sort-of situation, but I decided to move on, so I pulled gently on Alfie's lead and we continued our walk along the pavement. I think it's the closest that Alfie has been to a pussycat!

Even more blossom coming out on the trees around Oldbrook Green, this time it's white. I presume it's hawthorn or May. But isn't it too early for blossom? We're barely into February.

The mystery woman who keeps stopping cars along Oldbrook Boulevard has been seen again, standing on a traffic island near The Cricketers pub. It was frosty and bitterly cold at just before 7.30 yesterday morning. I have mentioned this on Nextdoor, the social media site I recently discovered and then subscribed to. It would appear that quite a few other people have come across her, but it would appear that nothing has been done to try and find out first, what her name is, and second, where she lives. The police have been informed of her activities, on several occasions and I have spoken to someone at Milton Keynes social services department, but until we know her name and where she lives it's impossible to deal with this issue. It is more a safety matter that concerns me, because she is putting herself at risk by standing in the road and the fact that she keeps asking for money will eventually cause further problems.

I have now been told where this lady lives, but I'm not going to divulge this information on here, but it should make things easier as we begin to find out who this lady is so we can deal with this issue.

(Friday morning) I've been out with Alfie, around 7.10. It was frosty and foggy, but it was great to be out so early.

I've been sent some dog food from one of the market survey companies. Great, because it means I don't have to buy any dog food and as the current food for Alfie is about to run out and I was going to have to buy some more, probably from Lidl or Sainsbury's.

Fibre Broadband Installation

When I lived in Eaglestone, for several weeks I had to endure the roads and paths around the estate being dug up for the installation of fibre broadband. But it seems the whole process is going to be repeated, now that I've moved to Oldbrook. As I write this on Monday morning, the merry sound of drilling is going on outside the flat. I took out Alfie about an hour and a half ago and as I came out of the front door I almost got strangled by a length of wire or is it cable, which was stretched across the door. I don't quite understand how this new cabling works. I have conventional broadband which comes into my flat via a telephone line. I'm intrigued to know, is this new fibre network separate from the telephone system? It can't surely be separate, because so much will use what is actually an older type of connection, more likely wire of some sort. The fibre system must join it for part of it's journey.It's continuing. The drill is very close. I wonder if it's going to come through the front wall of Dexter House and straight into my flat. I assumed that this business was finished. I'm not sure whether the rest of the estate has been completed or whether it's just this block.

12.20. The fire alarm has just gone off. I'm never always sure whether it's a test or whether it's because there's a fire somewhere in the block. If you've followed these blog posts, you will recall that there were an early-morning fire emergency and we had a fire engine call. It wasn't a serious matter, I think someone burnt their toast and set off the alarm. The only problem when the fire alarm is tested is that it makes me jump and it sets off Alfie barking. It was a test, fortunately.

(Wednesday) It's getting lighter, earlier and earlier each morning. I have been going out with Alfie around 7.30a.m., but now it's light enough to go out by around 7.15, which suits me.

Yesterday I was at Camphill, as usual, in the drama workshop. I was there early, by at least 8.35, and some of the residents came into the foyer, where we usually have our breaks. Some were in the theatre, so we began to get the chairs out for the usual session which starts the day, each resident as well as co-workers and volunteers tell how they are feeling and what they expect from the day ahead. As some of the residents weren't coming to the morning session, Tao said that we would be rehearsing 'Stranger Danger during the morning and then in the afternoon probably doing some work on 'Treasure Island.' As it turned out those residents who hadn't appeared during the morning didn't turn up so we did rehearsal during the morning and then after lunch continued with where we'd finished at lunch and completed the scene after lunch and then we did something new. Because Teo is going to be away on holiday for 3 weeks in later February we needed to have something to work on, so it was suggested that everyone nominate a film they liked and had on DVD which could be viewed and then used as the basis for improvisation. So everyone told what their film was and then, once the entire group had finished, we had to vote for which film, and after the votes were counted, a gradual whittling-down process began, rather like the method used on television for such shows as 'Strictly Come Dancing,' which eventually got the choice down to two films, which ended up being 'Oliver!' and 'The Sound of Music.' It will be interesting to see what improvisations can be created from each of these films.

(Thursday) It's cold and frosty this morning. The first real frost of the year. The car has a layer of ice on it, although it doesn't bother me because I'm not going out in it today.

The broadband installation was completed a few days ago. I think they were just wiring this property and leaving the points in case people decided to sign up to the service. As I already have broadband via the telephone line to my flat, I won't be signing up as I'm satisfied by my provider, which, incidentally, is Sky.