Another Week Of Lockdown

(Tuesday) They're saying that the first peak of the coronavirus pandemic has probably been reached. It's still not possible to ease the lockdown restrictions, which means that shops selling 'non-essential' items are going to still be closed. It seems odd that D.I.Y. centres, such as B and;Q and Homebase can reopen, as long as they have social distancing measures in place, but garden centres cannot. This doesn't make any sort of sense and if things are relaxed it looks as if a lot of plants will be destroyed once they reach the point where they can't be sold. In that case a lot of growers are going to go out of business, as will many retail outlets, particularly those that sell clothing. Debenhams have already gone into administration, and a lot of overseas suppliers have been told they won't be paid for orders which had already been taken. Things look in a precarious stage at the moment.

Boris Johnson is back in Downing Street, having been in hospital recovering from coronavirus infection. I think it will inform how things now develop, having experienced firsthand how the NHS is coping. We should now get some idea how the lockdown will be lifted, probably gradually, allowing for more businesses to re-open, provided they use social distancing.

The weather has done a u turn. From being bright and sunny, it’s become wet and cold, which I noticed when I peered out of the window in the kitchen this morning. Alfie was as keen as ever to get out, but as soon as we got outside and were walking along Dexter Avenue, he wasn’t so keen as he got a bit wet. We got to the grass along Strudwick Drive, spent some time sniffing the grass, did a wee, and immediately headed home as fast as his little feet could carry him! No time to hang about and  consider ‘other matters.’ He couldn’t wait to get back into the flat, and I can hardly blame him.

I'm not watching much television news at present because it seems all they can discuss is the pandemic and to be honest it's becoming somewhat tiring having it thrust down your throat every time you turn on the television. I watch perhaps a few minutes at the beginning, to get the headlines, but there's no other sort of news, so I have either switched to another channel, such as BBC2 in the evening, where they have moved Pointless at this time, or I watch something on BBC iPlayer and on Tuesday I watched the first episode of a new series presented by Mary Beard about Rome, called 'Meet The Romans,' in which she discovers the 'real' Romans, the ordinary people who lived at street level. It's a revelation, and she doesn't mince her words, some of it down and dirty. What annoys me is that I didn't know that this series was on until I was trawling through the E.P.G. (Electronic Programme Guide) on my Freeview box. It hasn't been trailed on the other channels and I would have missed it otherwise. Thank goodness for the BBC iPlayer.

I've been to Sainsbury's again this morning, arriving at the carpark at around 8.15, to discover the queue further round the carpark than the last time I was there. Even so it didn't seem to take as long to get into the store. I had made a detailed list on Monday, which made the job easier and quicker as I had worked out well in advance what I needed. No point dithering around trying to think and being stuck in the store longer than usual. I was in and out of the store within around 40 minutes and used a self-service till to pay. I'm actually getting quite good at operating these self-service tills and it's probably best to use them and use my debit card with either contactless or 'chip and pin' to pay.

Another series I have only just discovered, about the Renaissance, and presented by Waldemar Januszak and called 'The Renaissance Unchained' in which he challenges the traditional views of art's most important epoch. Another brilliant documentary series which the BBC seems to insist on burying and not bothering to trail and I only discovered it when I accidentally came across it on the E.P.G. There are three more episodes and thank goodness for the ability to either record or view on iPlayer through my Freeview box. All the junk television such as Holby and EastEnders as well as reality shows get all the attention but the better stuff, the intelligent stuff, gets forgotten. They are not adhering to John Reith's three founding principles of the BBC, to inform, to entertain and to educate, probably in some form, but not entirely. I think it's because everything is ghettoised on different channels, because at one time, when there were fewer channels, BBC1, BBC 2 and ITV, you had a more mixed schedule and you were more likely to come across something such as a programme on the arts or history, by accident. Now it's just become very boring, and every day is identical, the same programmes on at the same time every day. I remember a time. probably when I was at school in the 1960s, when you would, for example, have a classic play on Sunday evening, when the BBC did 'Play of The Month,' and you could see a play by, for example, Shaw, Ibsen, Chekov or Shakespeare, or when they did 'Play For Today,' written by playwrights such as Alan Bleasedale or John Mortimer and directors of the calibre of Stephen Frears, Mike Leigh or John Slesinger. I don't think the BBC or ITV ever do what they term the 'single play' in a similar vein, except the BBC afternoon drama 'strand' called 'Moving On.' Everything has to be part of a series, probably because they don't imagine an audience being able to cope with material that ties up within the running-time and only managing to deal with on-going plots in a run of episodes.

(Wednesday) It's rather wet and dull today. But, saying that, it is mild. Alfie isn't keen to be out as he really doesn't appreciate getting wet, even if slightly. I only have to say to him 'Alfie, home,' and he immediately changes course and heads back to the flat. I got a belt for my shorts when I was in Sainsbury's yesterday, with the idea that I could start wearing those shorts, but as the weather has now changed, there is no likelihood of me wearing them for the foreseeable future. In some ways it's good that the weather has gone like this as it means people aren't tempted to go out and start gathering but remain in isolation and keep the social distancing going.

The news is that Boris Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, has given birth to a baby boy. In the midst of all the awful news regarding the pandemic, it's good to have something positive, but it must be a rather traumatic experience, when you think of the possibility of contracting the coronavirus.

We have had a church meeting using Zoom. It's a strange experience. We have had a sort of coffee morning and a communion service using Zoom and Pastor Ross does a devotional each morning at 10 o'clock on Facebook. I can watching through an app called Facebook Video on my Fire Stick on television which means at least that it's on a bigger screen and not just peering at the MacBook screen or iPad, or, if it comes to that, my iPhone, but in that case it would be far too small.

Bright and Sunny

I've done a great deal of writing in the last couple of weeks. Some of it rewriting and editing material which I have handwritten in a couple of notebooks. I'm transcribing it onto my MacBook and using the newly-acquired iPad. Dictation is speeding things up, but I have to keep checking as it has a tendency to come up with some hilarious alternatives to some words.

The idiot building the shed in the garden along the street is banging and sawing like crazy. I think it's a substitute for something, working off his frustration with the hammer and saw, but it's annoying me. I think some people don't realise that their D.I.Y. activities can be so irritating and annoying, they are so focussed, sort of O.C.D., that they don't realise it has an effect on those who are close by. Probably due to having to endure lockdown.

I've taken Alfie out but I am beginning to get somewhat bored with Oldbrook Green. Alfie loves to stop and sniff virtually every tree and lamppost, as most dogs  do, but I'm concerned when he picks things up in his mouth, and on several occasions he's picked up what I suspect are chicken bones, thrown aside by people who buy fried chicken. But they can be lethal to a dog as the sharp bits can get stuck in their throats or further inside their system and could kill them. I have had to extricate several bits from his mouth when he's picked them up and it upsets me that they could have devastating effects on my best pal.  I don't think people realise the danger of their actions in this regard and I have to be vigilant in removing these bones when Alfie picks them up.

Yesterday morning it was misty as I stood and washed up at the kitchen sink. I can see quite a distance from that standpoint. It's not so clear now because the trees are in more or less full leaf. You can see the Milton Keynes shopping centre and Debenham's building, but the mist was obscuring most of the distant buildings, which includes Sainsbury's. I know that it's that because it has an orange block of colour which stands out quite clearly.

This morning (Saturday) as I write this, it's again quite over-cast, but it's mild. Not exactly as the title of this post states, but at least it's mild.

I've been watching the BBC sitcom 'My Family.' First two episodes of the first series, which are on BBC iPlayer. I had seen later episodes, but not from the beginning. I can't believe there was so many series and episodes. It's not actually a brilliant series, but Zoe Wanamaker and Robert Lindsey are great actors. Any other actors in those parts wouldn't have made it as good, as Ben and Susan Harpur. It's actually being rerun, on Fridays, on BBC1. I image the BBC is running short of new material to show, because so many shows are furloughed due to the pandemic lockdown. It seems amazing to think that this series began 20 years ago and ran for an amazing 11 series. Some really hilarious lines and good storylines which other sitcoms can't compete with. There is one thing that bothers me, and that the actors who play the children seem far too old, or at least seem too old, for the ages they're supposed to be playing, and why is Nick still living at home with his parents? How old is he supposed to be? Surely in his twenties. The daughter seems far older than 16. Just not realistic, but does it really matter.

I have also watched the first episode on 'The A Word,' which, again, is on iPlayer with entire seasons available, so it's possible to binge watch. A drama series which I haven't seen before and interested me because it features a child who has autism and that was the specialism I dealt with when I worked in care with people with learning disabilities, so I have a fair amount of experience of the subject. It's great to have a drama series which isn't about cops and robbers, car-chases and men in lycra and is believable and the characters interact well and is well written and acted.

(Sunday) The iPad has decided to go into dull mode. What I mean is, I want to use it early this morning and I can barely read the screen. I can't reset it so it's bright enough to read. I think it's supposed to do this to allow you to read it at night without eyestrain, but actually it's making it worse so I can't read it and it's creating more eye strain. I'm going through the various settings to allow me to re-set it to counteract this, but, as I write this, that is not possible.

(Later) I managed to sort out the iPad. It was obvious really. I just restarted it and it came back on in the bright mode. I can't think why it wouldn't work with the brightness setting because I hadn't set it to be in dark mode. The problem was that I couldn't see what was going on and it was more or less impossible to read anything on it. Never mind, it's now fixed.

I've carried on with more transcribing of hand-written material, but I have now found quite a lot of my stuff on Google Drive, which I had forgotten about. I think it's like iCloud, meaning it will work across different computers and saves having to store on discs or other media.

The lovely D.I.Y. I have mentioned earlier has continued, but at 3.45 this afternoon, there is no sound, fortunately.

I took out Alfie and I saw people playing some sort of ball game. Oh dear, they're not supposed to be doing that. Either they are ignoring the legal requirement to not be gathering in such places as Oldbrook Green, or else they have not seen the sign (a permanent one, no doubt erected by the Council, either Milton Keynes or the  Campbell Park Parish Council cil, which clearly states that 'no ball games, barbecues etc.' in a very curt and rather puritan sort of fashion, as most of them do.) The notices which are put up around the park, on the outdoor gym equipment, are written in the typical officialese sort of language, but it wouldn't hurt to put 'Please' and 'Thank you on them,' but I don't expect the bureaucrats who write these sorts of notices to do such a thing.

Pandemic Continues

Well, I'm awake at 2.10a.m. It's Wednesday morning, 22nd April. Each day, during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown is merging one day into another. Each day is becoming very much the same as the last and then the next. I couldn't sleep, so I got up to make myself a cup of tea. I turn on the television and, would you believe, someone attempting to sell me a Rug Doctor and telling me it can get rid of all that deep-down dirt, even bacteria. What about viruses? I doubt it. Live television is just boring. There's no excuse moaning about daytime television, constant programmes about antiques, people attempting to sell their house, because they've got more money than sense, so they decide to move to darkest Somerset, Dorset or Yorkshire. Selling their 2-bed semi in Maidenhead, because the kids have flown the nest and they've discovered the house is worth silly money. Then, they eventually move to the country and then discover that the nearest Tesco is a forty-minute drive from their new home, the mobile signal is weak and there's no broadband and that their family doesn't want to visit them, necessitating the new house having too many bedrooms with en suite bathrooms for them to stay in and they don't like being woken at 4a.m by the sound of bleating sheep or cockerels crowing, nor the fact that, if they do decide to drive to Tesco or the nearest town to buy a wooly jumper when it gets cold, they have to get stuck behind a tractor and trailer, crawling along at 5 miles per hour and there's now way they can overtake because the roads are narrow and there's nowhere you can safely overtake.

What I'm saying is, you don't have to put up with all this daytime stuff, just there to fill up space in the schedule. Come on, you've got catch-up television, BBC iPlayer, which has a rich variety of back-catalogue material to whet your appetite, not just more recent stuff, on their from the previous day, but some of it going back several years. (Oher catch-up services are available, such as ITV Hub, as well as streaming services such as Netflix and the newest service, Britbox. Then there's Amazon Prime video.) I scrolled through what was available on BBC iPlayer. There's stuff from the last few days and months, but it seems the BBC has realised that it has a great back catalogue of material which it can upload to iPlayer because people are relying on television for entertainment because of having to stay at home due to the lockdown. Channel 4 has box sets of their own stuff and, as something of a fan of Time Team, there's virtually every episode of that to watch. I have seen two of the first episodes of the original series and I'm shocked that Tony Robinson looks so young! Not surprising as it started in the early 1990's. I watched 'Scarborough,' the new BBC1 sitcom set in the Yorkshire seaside town. Having visited Scarborough on a couple of occasions and done a month in a summer season at the Spa Theatre, I know it reasonably well. This sitcom has a certain reality about it, probably because it's shot on location and it has characters what you can relate to and a good mix of ages, not all young and they have cast older actors such as Stephanie Cole who is probably best know for shows such as Tenko, Waiting For God, Doc Martin and Open All Hours. There isn't the usual studio audience cackling away in the background which there seems no real point in having and wouldn't really work in a show like this. I think she would be described as a character actor, as she can take on a wide range of parts and not get tied to a 'type.' It has a sharp script and the author, Darren Little,obviously has a keen ear for dialogue.

So, it's now 5.15.m., and I'm somewhat bored and still can't sleep, hence sitting and writing this. It's getting light outside and I've done the washing-up and the kitchen is sparkling clean. I'm finding things to keep myself occupied and I've even done the one job I detest above all others, changed the bedding. Putting a duvet cover on is one of the worst jobs but at least it's done and it can go in the wash later this afternoon.

(Thursday) I'm awake earlier than yesterday. It's 4.45, although I was awake far earlier. I've been reading my book, 'The Age of Decadence' by Simon Heffer, covering the period 1880 to 1914. A thick book of some 750 or possibly more pages and written in amazing detail. I have washed up in the kitchen and even had a shave and I have just learnt from the BBC website that social restrictions are likely to go on for the rest of the year. If that's the case, we're just going to have to get used to it, although I'm not sure how church is going to cope and how many people are going to cope if that's how things are likely to remain.

I've done the washing up as well as some other housework. I mentioned yesterday that I'd changed the duvet and bedding. The excitement is too much (irony here) and it's washed and back in the airing cupboard.

I watched the Globe Theatre production of 'Romeo and Juliet,' which is one of the free-to-view theatre productions being streamed via YouTube. I enjoyed it, plenty of good sword fights (I noticed, the fights were arranged by Malcolm Ranson, who was an A.S.M. or at least on the stage management team when I was an A.S.M. at Greenwich Theatre in the early 1970's.) This production had plenty of energy, good chemistry between the actors playing Romeo and Juliet and I loved the use of live music and the singing to underline some of the action. They really brought out the comedy some of which is actually quite raunchy, particularly the way The Nurse is treated. She is usually played by a much older actor  but in this production she is a good deal younger than usual.

I have been watching another episode of one of my favourite, and I think probably the best sitcoms, 'Outside Edge.' I have mentioned it somewhere on here in the past. It was made during the 1990s, by the now defunct ITV company, Central, and is based on the stage play of the same name. It revolves around a village cricket team, although not entirely about cricket (thank goodness, as I can't stand it. Memories of school enough to put me off entirely, unfortunately.) It has Brenda Blethyn and Robert Daws as one couple and Timothy Spall and  Josie Lawrence as two sets of married couples (there are others, but these two are the central characters.) I just think it's brilliant, and not your classic 'sitcom' in the sense that it's not set in a house, no sofas and no cackling studio audience and it's filmed on location which gives it a more realistic feel. I don't know how many episodes there where, but the one I saw earlier would seem to be one I haven't seen before, where the Timothy Spall and Josie Lawrence characters are set to re-take their wedding vows and it's all arranged, everyone is in church ready, and they can't make it to the church because they're in the loft of the lady who lives next door, attempting to find her cat which has decided to get itself stuck. As usual in a sitcom, there are complications and misunderstandings, but it ends up sorting itself out as any decent and respectable comedy should. The recent comedy I mentioned in an earlier blog post, 'Scarborough' is similar in that it doesn't have a studio audience and it's filmed on location. Brenda Blethyn is in an ITV sitcom, set, again, in a seaside town (why so many sitcoms set in seaside towns?) called 'Kate and Koji' and set in a café, although, having watched the first two episodes, I can't say I'm that impressed. It tries to hard and it's not particularly funny or well written. One-set, not particularly interesting group of characters and the storylines aren't that brilliant either.

I ordered some clip files and permanent marker pens from Staples. They don't have a bricks-and-mortar presence any more and the Milton Keynes branch closed some while ago. I went on line to order these items and was expecting them to be delivered in a week or two because of the pandemic and was a little surprised to see the delivery van draw up outside when I looked out of the window. I always ensure that I get the address correct when I order, but the driver thought the address was for another house in Dexter Avenue, so I went down to the front door and got the parcel.

Later. I've just been out with Alfie. As we were walking along Strudwick Drive on our way to Oldbrook Green, Alfie was surprised to see a cat in the garden of Dexter House, through the metal gate which is used by the mowers when they come to cut the grass. The cat was only a few feet inside the garden and laying in the sun, as cats seem to do, and Alfie pulled on his lead and refused to move, and began barking, but the cat steadfastly refused to budge an inch. I had to insist on Alfie moving away, but it took quite an effort of get him away from the gate.

Arriving at the other side of Oldbrook Boulevard, I noticed a group of youths playing football, or at least, some ball game, on the area of tarmac which is partially enclosed by fencing, and to me they didn't appear to be obeying the social distancing regulations.

Friday. I'm watching the National Theatre 'Twelfth Night' which is being streamed free on YouTube. A very clever staging, using the revolve and Tamsin Greig is absolutely amazing as Malvolia. A really stunning performance. Too good to miss. I know the play from doing it for 'O' Level and to degree level. When I first got to know Carol (we met on line.) and she was teaching at Stantonbury. she had to teach Twelfth Night and had no idea how to plan lessons, so I helped because of my knowledge of the play. I have seen quite a few productions over the years (if you know me I have a bit of an obsession about Shakespeare, from the historical as well as the literary angle.). But this one is a real knock-out.

Yet Another Day

Well, it's getting somewhat boring. Just being in the flat because of lockdown. Trumpy has said that the rules can be relaxed in America. Has he been let out of his playpen? Does he listen to advice? Well, I don't think he listens to anyone. Let's forget the crazy man. . . and people are protesting about lockdown in various parts of the good ol' U.S of A. They seem to think (most likely Trumpety's supporters) that they don't need to 'self-isolate' because it, no doubt, contravenes something in the American constitution. They probably don't think they'll contract the covid 19 virus which is causing all the havoc across the world. Just stay at home and prevent the spread of the virus.

I don't think some people are adhering to the social distancing regulations. I've just got back from taking Alfie out for what should be the last walk around Oldbrook Green and there are several groups of people sitting on the grass and the benches in the area near the children's playground. I have a feeling they might not have English as their first language or might even speak English. If that is the case, how would they know about the government rules?

(Monday) It's surprisingly bright and sunny this morning. The fact that it is so sunny makes it far easier to put up with this confounded lockdown, although, for some people it might be more of a problem because when its sunny they have to be outside, when they shouldn't (if that makes sense, which it probably doesn't.)

I have another Futurelearn course to keep me busy, starting today, called 'Lives In The Factories and Mills' which is being run by Strathclyde University. As many of my paternal ancestors came from Scotland, this is more than just a little bit interesting to me, having an interest in history. I may have mentioned Futurelearn before, but these courses are free and I've done several before and are always worth doing. I have done a couple on Shakespeare and one (which I loved so much I have done it again.) about Hadrian's Wall. I can recommend these course and it doesn't take much effort to sign up to and will at least keep you occupied during this current lockdown situation.

(Tuesday) Each day seems much the same as any other. I think it's because there's no focus on the things I normally do, such as going to church on Sunday and then on a Tuesday going to work with the drama workshop guys at Camphill. I really miss these focus points of my week. I just hope this 'thing' isn't going to go on for much longer. Turning on the television news, all we get is pandemic, pandemic. It's getting somewhat monotonous. There must be other news to cover. Not just repetition, but negative.There's a lot of blame being thrown about, why the N.H.S. isn't getting the P.P.E. (personal protection equipment) it should.

I went to Sainsbury's because I discovered, when I was sorting out my medication, that I had run out of soluble aspirin, so I went to Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's to buy some more and to get a few other items. The queue wasn't as long as last time and it seemed to move a lot quicker so I was in the store with my shopping list. I always make sure I have a list, written in advance of going, which makes it easier and quicker when I'm in the store. I'm using their self-service checkouts because it means there is less risk of any sort of contact as social distancing is easier. I notice that they have turned off alternate machines which means there is a wider space between them which allows for social distancing and after each customer has finished they clean them with spray, presumably alcohol-based, which they do with the trolleys when customers have finished with them.

(Wednesday) I mentioned I have bought an iPad. I had been looking at them on line and have also been into the Apple store in Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes (this well before the current situation with lockdown because of the corvid 19 outbreak (I don't understand this virus. It's called covid 19 as well as coronavirus. I need to find out what they mean by both.) to had a look at the various models and found out about iPencil and then that you can do graphics on your iPad if you have the right app/software, and, also being something of a fan of David Hockney, I learnt fairly recently that he does a lot of his artwork using an iPad. I then did some research and found that an app called Procreate works on an iPad (the one that Hockney uses is called something like Painter but when I looked on the Apple App Store it wasn't available. With further research on line I learnt about Procreate and was then surprised by how much it cost, £9.99, which seemed good value, so I have now downloaded it and have it installed and I'm learning how to use it by watching videos on YouTube. 

Cooler Weather

The British weather isn't very predictable, even though we get reasonably accurate weather forecasts on television. As I write this on Saturday 18th April, it's 5.30a.m. I'm awake because I can't sleep properly and I can hear what I assume is rain, so I peer out of the window and, yes, it is raining, although not heavily. Alfie will need to go out as normal. Yesterday he spent most of the day staring at me, regardless of the fact that I had taken him out at more or less the same time as we usually go out. I have to say that Oldbrook Green is beginning to be somewhat boring, just walking around it is not the most inspiring piece of grass in the country. I see that the metal construction (how to describe, a sort of bus shelter, with seats inside. I think, intended as a place for the local youth to sit. I wish I'd had somewhere similar when I was their age. The enclosed space. I think you call it a skateboarding park) with skateboarding equipment inside is meant similarly. It is enclosed by a fence and gates, but one gate is missing.) The Council has had notices fixed up telling people that their use is banned, but they could at least put 'please' and 'thank you' on them, but I don't think the type of bureaucracy who writes and prints these notices uses these words, but it would present a far more friendly attitude which might help in these times of lockdown due to the pandemic.) As I was saying, the metal shelter has tape all over it, with the intention of preventing anyone using it, but I see as I last walked past that it has been torn down. It just looks a bit unpleasant and unnecessary. It's the sort of blue and white tape that the police use when there's been an 'incident' usually of a criminal nature.

(Saturday) I have been out with Alfie and it's a bit of a shock to my system to discover that it's quite chilly outside. We weren't out that long and came back and I turned on my television to find that Bill Gates was being interviewed (presumably via Skype or FaceTime) by Charlie Stayt on BBC Breakfast. This man is amazing. He should be President of the U.S.A. instead of the raving idiot that is Donald Trump. He's pouring millions into healthcare, and will hopefully be responsible for funding research and the eventual production of a vaccine to combat the coronavirus, Covid-19. Putting his personal fortune into so many good causes. I can't see Trump doing anything anywhere similar. He has stopped financial support for the W.H.O. (World Health Organisation) what is his problem? A total maniac. Narcissistic idiot. He thinks it’s fine to end the lockdown in the U.SA. He knows nothing about the science of the virus that’s causing all this. Bill Gates is supposed to have predicted this pandemic a few years ago, but nobody took any notice and we weren't prepared. I don't think Trump could predict to the end of his stupid nose.

Later. I've been to Sainsbury's. I didn't really want to, but I had to collect a repeat prescription from the ins-store Lloyd's pharmacy. I had ordered on line yesterday morning and was amazed when I got a text to say that it was ready to collect. That must be some sort of record, because it usually takes a couple of days. I imagine that my new doctor's surgery was keeping up with repeat prescriptions. No doubt because they won't be any patients visiting the surgery for appointments. I can't imagine Ashfield Medical Centre working so hard.

A queue to get into Sainsbury's when I got there, around 8.15, and certainly not as far back into the lower carpark as it was a week or so back. People are being very cautious, as I imagine they would be, and the store is far easier to navigate compared to pre pandemic.

It is raining fairly hard now and Alfie will have to wait until it stops or at least isn't so torrential before I take him out. His treat tin is well and truly stocked up because I bought some more in Sainsbury's and he knows perfectly well that they are in the . So, he got a couple and he's now laying contentedly on the sofa near me.

(Monday) It's bright and sunny this morning, which makes life under lockdown considerably easier. I'm signed up to do another Futurelearn course, this time from Strathclyde University about the lives of those who worked in 19th Century Mills and Factories. This is something that interest me because most history is told from the viewpoint of the upper classes, the aristocracy, monarchy and politicians. It's great to get the voices of those who worked, were generally downtrodden and in a lot of cases, ignored.

I've continued with some of my writing. Not necessarily new material, but stuff which has been on my MacBook for some time. I've unearthed the handwritten stuff in the notebooks I have and transferring much of that to the iPad, using the dictation. Mind you, as I have already said. I have to keep an eye of what it writes as so much of it is incorrect and some of the things it comes up with are hilarious, as I've said. I continue with that and see how far I can get, but I think i'll give it a rest for the day as I've been on it more or less continuously for most of the morning. Alfie has been staring at me and I gave in at last and have just been to take him out. I have heard that the little Westie, belonging to a lady who lives in another flat in Dexter House, has died. I did wonder if there was something wrong with this dog, as he seemed to have strange breathing difficulties. I have been given the dog food which he had left over (not actually sure if it was a he or she.) but it is sad nevertheless. Fortunately it's the same food which Alfie already has.

(Tuesday) It's 6.15a.m. I haven't taken Alfie out yet, but he's laying on the sofa next to me and he keeps looking at me to see if I'm going to take him out. It seems quite a bright and sunny morning, so it should be pleasant out. I have done my medication and have found I have run out of dispersible aspirin. It's quite difficult to keep up with the medications which run out at different times. At one time I could order everything in one block and it was easy to keep up with repeats but somehow or other everything runs out at different times, making it difficult to keep it going. This is made more difficult at the moment with the lockdown caused by the virus thingy. I will just have to go to Sainsbury's and get some over the counter. They sell aspirin dispersible in small pots, which I prefer to those horrible blister packs. I suppose I can see why they are preferred by pharmacies as they are easier to store and probably more hygienic. Never mind, I can go and get some more fruit and a few more other items which should last for a week or two. Only problem is I have to write a list so I don't spend more time in Sainsbury's than is absolutely necessary and can just go in and me out relatively quickly. The only problem is you have to queue up which can add around 45 minutes to the shopping trip.

Just Another Day

The lockdown continues. It looks as if it's likely to continue, at least until they have the infection under control, but as I write this on Wednesday, it doesn't seem likely. The three weeks of lockdown expires tomorrow (Thursday), so by the time I have finished writing this post, we might hear something to the contrary, but it seems unlikely. At what point does the number of people who have contracted the coronavirus peak, and the  daily number of deaths begin to fall?

It is sunny as I write. It's actually quite bright as I write this at 1.07p.m. on Wednesday April 15th. I have done more work on my writing project, but somehow I have made a bit of a mess of the pasting of a new sequence and now I can't print out the entire document, which runs to over 30 pages. I had begun to print it off, but part way through the ink showed signs of fading and it was clear it was actually running out, so I will just have to abandon that idea until I can order new ink cartridges, probably on line as I can't get to a shop because of social distancing and anyway it can wait as it's not all that important.

I've continued to transcribe more of my written material onto my computers. I have been using the dictation mode on the iPad which I have mentioned in an earlier post on here. It is definitely a good deal quicker than using the keyboard, but there are some problems, as some words don't come up as they should, at times with quite comical results. I wanted to write a line which said 'he had pustules all over his face,' but the iPad wrote 'pastles,' which definitely changes the meaning of the sentence. Another, referring to chickens roosting in trees, misunderstood (if a computer system can misunderstand.) and wrote 'roasted.' It's the idea of having chickens roasting in the trees which made it hilarious. Never mind. I can easily go through the piece of writing and correct it, one of the major advantages of word processing.

(Friday) Alfie has been whittling all day to go for a walk. I think he's probably as fed up with being stuck in the flat because of lockdown as much as I am. We were out by 6.45 this morning and then about 9.15. I was determined to watch the National Theatre's production of 'Treasure Island' which is currently being streamed free on YouTube, following the production of 'One Man Two Guvnors.' It was good up to a point, they managed to avoid the usual clichés that usually go with anything related, such as a corny 'yo-ho-ho' accent and the Robert Newton voice, sort of 'aye! Jim Lad!' etc etc. Jim was a girl (from Jemima. I did wonder about how they would deal with that.) No problem with that. But the best part of the show was the set, which fills the Olivier Theatre stage (which is vast) and utilises the amazing drum revolves (a bit difficult to describe here, but it allows for very quick scene changes, not only revolving, but the centre can disappear down five stories and allow scene changes to be done. Quite spectacular and it gets a round of applause, allowing us to see a sort of cut-throughs section of the Hispaniola, the sailing ship which takes the crew along with Jim, Squire Tralawney and Doctor Livesey (also played by a woman) to Treasure Island. But the show doesn't come off entirely convincingly. Long John Silver isn't scary or villainous enough. And there isn't much of a feeling of conflict after the pirates mutiny on the way to the island. The pirates are given plenty to do and are differentiated nicely but the ending is a bit vague. When the treasure is eventually discovered, it just fizzles out and doesn't have a very conclusive ending but it's a good entertaining piece, but would be quite scary for some children, as it was intended as a children's play, done as a Christmas production in a similar way 'War Horse' was in a few years ago.

Positives Of Lockdown

This pandemic we're currently experiencing, because of the coronavirus pandemic may be extremely difficult for some, having to be isolated from friends and family and other people, but for me it means I can get on with some of my writing. I have done more in recent days than I think I would do in a month or more. I have written several A4 pages in pencil and I'm gradually transferring it onto my MacBook. But now, with the iPad, it's possible to dictate what I've written and not touch the keyboard. It has taken a while for it to accept my voice and come up with the correct word, for example, character names. It is going a good deal faster than if I had used the manual keyboard and because of having iCloud, all the documents can be edited on all devices, which includes my iPhone, an advantage of having all Apple gadgets. Being a writer is, generally, a somewhat lonely occupation. It can't fail to be. You need to be on your own, so that you can concentrate on your writing. I expect there are other creative occupations that require you to be alone, for example, poets, painters and musical composers (of different disciplines, either orchestral, popular or theatrical). If you have other people sapping your concentration then it would be virtually impossible to do any work.

A positive to all this, well, at least one, is that we're given the chance of seeing much theatre, free, on-line. So much has been broadcast 'live' in cinemas, the National Theatre has done this through 'National Theatre Live' but with the current pandemic, and theatres being closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many of these productions are being streamed on-line through YouTube. I watched 'One Man Two Guvnors,' which jump-started James Corden's acting career. Really brilliant production and really laugh-out-loud stuff. Other productions are to follow, with 'Jane Eyre' and their version of 'Treasure Island' to follow. That looks to me (from seeing clips on YouTube) as if it's going to be worth seeing because it utilises the more or less unique drum revolve in the stage of the Olivier Theatre (too complicated to explain what it is on here.) and the set and general staging looks amazing. This should be worth seeing for me because we're working on a version of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel at Camphill, as part of the drama workshop (currently closed because of the pandemic.) I'm researching pantomime as part of something I'm writing, so it has been useful to find a lot of stuff on YouTube, entire productions of recent pantomimes, performed all around Britain, and a good way to see how different productions vary, the style of acting, performance generally as well as stagings and design, costume and so on. Some very good but some just not up to much. If you were to visit these productions you would need to travel miles around the country, as well as the cost of tickets, so to be able to watch completely free is a real bonus, but, obviously, a recording can't entirely replace the 'live' aspect of a pantomime, which relies very heavily on the audience participation. Live theatre, whether a straight play or an audience-driven pantomime, does need the live aspect otherwise it might just as well just be a film or a video, which can't be the same at all.

When I worked in stage management many moons ago (well, the 1970's) I worked on a number of pantomimes. Really hard work, doing probably 3 performances in a day, usually 10.30, 2.30 and 7.30, extremely exhausting, hauling scenery about, and just generally keeping the thing going, with very little time for a break between performance, probably having to get the actors sandwiches or other food between shows and then, having to re-set the set and props in time for the next performance. I'm not actually a fan of pantomime, because I find most are corny, cliched and just downright awful. I think I prefer something a bit less predictable and I don't really go in for the audience participation stuff. You know, 'it's behind you! Oh yes it is, oh no it isn't,' and all that. But that is part of the pantomime tradition and I suppose it's what audiences expect. I prefer a proper musical. Then they have to cast with television soap stars or 'celebrities' which are cast merely to attract the public who would never otherwise set foot in a theatre. A pity, when there is such a wealth of good theatre out there. Generally a child's first experience of any form of theatre.

(Tuesday) I'm really missing my Tuesdays at Camphill with the drama workshop guys. I know things will get back to some sort of normal once this pandemic is either under control or completely done with, but my time there was a definite focus for my week.

It's been cold when we've been out first thing in the morning. I had started wearing my shorts as it has been relatively warm up until two days ago, but I have gone back to wearing my fleece when I go out with Alfie.

I ordered some meds I have on repeat prescription, by going on line on Sunday when I realised I was running very low. In fact, I ran out that evening so it was vital to have a supply because I'm not going without when I really need them and I'm not keen to find out what happens if I stop taking them for a long period. So, I was rather surprised to get a text message yesterday to say the meds were ready to collect. This morning I somewhat reluctantly went to Sainsbury's to pick them up. I learnt from Friday's foray into Sainsbury when I got there before 7 o'clock, which is when the store is supposed to open, but due to the lockdown, they are allowing N.H.S. staff and other front-line staff to have priority. So I went at a little bit after 8 o'clock and the queue was moving relatively quickly so I got into the store, picked up the repeat prescription and then got some essential items of food and made a quick get-away, even managing to use one of their self-service tills without to much effort.

More Social Distancing

I needed to go on line early this morning to check my bank account. For some reason, best know to myself, I was under the impression that my pension would be in the account this Wednesday, but I was more than surprised and pleased to see it was already there, having gone in last Wednesday. I am also pleased with myself that I manage to have a balance from the previous month, which is really a result of very careful management of my finances. So, as a result of all this I hurriedly put together a shopping list, which is part of my financial management. I try to never to shopping unless I have sat down and written a list, which is to help prevent me buying unnecessary items. I then took Alfie out for his usual stroll long Strudwick Drive to Oldbrook Green and when we got back to the flat I got ready to leave to drive to Sainsbury's, because I know they open at 7a.m. 

I had absolutely no difficulty in finding a parking space that that early hour. There was one lady waiting for the store to open and we stood at the required 2 metre distance. I was expectantly waiting for the door to be opened, but the time went by. A good 30 minutes elapsed and the staff opened the doors, but we still weren't allowed in. It's one person at a time, no other person with you in the store, and only a few allowed in at a time, in an attempt to keep contact between people to the barest minimum. The people started going through, and I was thinking, wit a minute, I've been waiting 40 minutes or more, and then it turned out that they were N.H.S. employees and they were given preferential treatment because of the pandemic. I know it was a bit of a pain having to wait, but I think considering the current situation, they should be given preference. I eventually go into the store and began to follow my list. It means I don't just grab stuff and throw it into my trolley, although I wish Sainsbury would make some effort to make sure their trolley run properly. The one I was using had something wrong with one of the wheels and it was difficult to push. as it wanted to steer at an angle. This seems to be a problem with a lot of supermarket trolleys. I was pleased I was able to buy liquid hand soap, so I bought two. I haven't been able to buy this sort of item for weeks, due to the panic buying which has left almost all supermarkets having shelves totally empty. Why toilet rolls? Who needs that many? I wouldn't have space for more than a few packets.

I have bought myself an iPad. I have been looking at them and was surprised by how many different versions there are. Mine is a silver, 128gb. model. I purchased it through Very, and will pay for it in installments. It is a very early birthday present to myself. I wasn't expecting it to arrive until at least next Wednesday, so it was a complete surprise when, having spent near enough 2 hours at Sainsbury's, and, arriving home and unpacking all my shopping and putting it away tidily, and then, taking Alfie for a walk which he really needed, I got a knock at my front door, to be confronted by the postman, who had the parcel in his hand. He put it down on the doorstep and I didn't have to sign anything, due, no doubt to the social distancing we have to employ because of he coronavirus pandemic. It was easy enough to set the iPad up. I have an iCloud account which meant most of my apps which are already on my iPhone as well as photographs and other documents, soon appeared on the iPad. It wasn't difficult to get my wifi to connect and the thing was soon up-and-running. I have ordered a case for it on Amazon, which should arrive in a day or two. I always try to keep my gadgets protected by putting them in cases, because it doesn't take much for them to get damaged if they get accidentally dropped or just scratched.

I went with Alfie a lot later for a walk. I can't avoid Alfie staring at me and virtually pleading with me to take him out. Well, I can't blame him because he doesn't particularly like being cooped up indoors for too long. This mostly because of the pandemic and having to avoid social interaction and keep separated from other people. We did the by now routine walk along Strudwick Drive and one the way here was the sound of a vehicle approaching along Oldbrook Boulevard, and I could see it, a largish pick-up truck. It hurtled along the road and came round the roundabout and into Strudwick Drive, going at speed that it could have easily turned over and caused an accident and it sped along the road and didn't seem to slow down. As I say, there could have been a rather nasty accident as it could have come off the road and even collided with myself and Alfie.

It's hot in the flat. The weather is fine, meaning I have opened the windows in the flat. The kitchen is hot, for some reason there are hot pipes running under the sink. The whole of Dexter House is heated by a system which doesn't take into account individual preferences of those who live in the flats, which to me is crazy. Why does it need to be this warm all the time? I have turned down the heating in my flat, using the thermostat, but to have the kitchen so over-heated is not only a waste of energy, but isn't environmentally a good thing for the planet. We're constantly being told to either not waste resources, such as fuel, but to help prevent global warming, but the fact that I have to open the windows to let out the heat is crazy. I can't leave milk out for long periods, such as over-night, because it will go off. This has happened before.

Because the windows are open, it has another effect; insects come in, such as bees, although I don't wind that, but then you get the constant noise of traffic outside and there's been someone somewhere who is using a hammer and hitting something (probably, if it goes on long enough, it won't just be the wood or nail that will get hit . . .) then sawing. What is going on? I soon discover, because when I eventually go out with Alfie I see someone outside one of the ground floor flats, which has it's own rather pleasant bit of garden, that they're building what looks to me like a lean-to greenhouse. Partially constructed as I go past, but presumably it just needs finishing off and then to have glass put into the windows. I hope it's not going to take too long because the constant sawing and hammering is beginning to become something of a nuisance.

(Sunday) No church, but not in the traditional sense. I watched on-line, a church in Manchester, apparently. There are a lot of churches streaming their services through either Facebook and YouTube. I found that a service was going to be streamed from Audacious Church in Manchester. It was also on Facebook.

Alfie and I have only just got back from another walk. I think he was getting as much cabin fever as I was. Walking along Dexter Avenue, past the front of Dexter House, I noticed that what I assumed was going to be a greenhouse looks more likely to be a garden shed, because it has one relatively small window and just doesn't now look as if it could be a greenhouse somehow. There's been more sawing, which put paid to my further attempts to do some writing. Carpentry (if you can actually call it that.) has a habit of causing a certain amount of disturbance and I can't really concentrate with that sort of noise going on. I think those who have to do it (and, yes, it's usually a Bank Holiday, but probably made more annoying and stressful due to the lockdown and people being somewhat restricted.) are somewhat self-centred and don't seem to realise it causes annoyances to others.

I have done some more writing this afternoon. I wouldn't say I produced a vast amount, but it's quality I'm after rather than quantity. Having now set up the iPad I am able to write using that and I have even found I can dictate without having to use the keyboard and, because of having iCloud, files from the MacBook automatically appear 'as if by magic,' on the iPad. What might take perhaps half an hour takes around 10 minutes, although you have to check for punctuation and spelling, because the software can't differentiate between certain words, particularly those that sound similar, such as write and wright, or reed and read, but that isn't a problem. Anyway, I'm thinking to myself, if I've got the technology I might as well make the best use of it, certainly if it removes what to me is the most time-consuming aspect of writing, transferring what I have written with a pencil on paper into word processing.

As I write this, at 9.45 on Easter Sunday, the wind has got up and cooled things down considerably, thankfully, meaning I have to close some of the windows, otherwise the wind comes in and blows things around, making some of the doors in the flat slam and bang somewhat.

Naughty Alfie!

Alfie has been in trouble! It's because he barks too much. I got a note thorough the door of the flat, from Barbara, who is the  S.H.O. (Sheltered Housing Officer) of Dexter House. Apparently someone (I have a fairly good idea who) says that they don't like Alfie barking. Well, he is a dog and dogs bark. It's hilarious if it weren't so pathetic. I have to take him out early in the morning. Well, all dogs need their walk, and it's important, nay, vital, for him to be able to relieve himself (do I have to go into precise detail? I don't think so.) Whenever I am preparing to take him out, I have to get my outdoor shoes on and generally arrange myself and Alfie soon picks up on this (which I think I have described in earlier blog posts. Because of the current pandemic situation, with 'social distancing,' we aren't supposed to meet one another and I imagine Barbra would have told me face-to-face. I think it's the fact that this 'person' didn't come and face me over this issue which annoys me. There is always someone why likes to stir up problems, not that it's a problem. I have to carry Alfie out (which can be difficult because he doesn't like it and wriggles somewhat.) which generally prevents his barking. There's really no more to be said about it. Dogs have doggy ways and that's the end of it! More or less.

Let me make it quite clear that Alfie is NOT naughty! He's the best little dog you could wish for and has been an amazing support to me as I coped with Carol going from her cancer diagnosis to her passing away. I don't know whether he misses her, it's difficult to know if he does or doesn't, but he's so affectionate and caring. Yes, of course he barks a lot, but only really when he gets excited. So, if it upsets someone, that's not my problem but theirs and, anyway, his barking doesn't last long and it's only because he gets excited.

(Thursday) It's getting very boring. But life goes on. It is 6.28a.m. as I write this. I am up, having had a shave (my day can't begin until this is done.) and sitting here in the lounge with Alfie staring at me on the sofa as he wants to go out, but I am reluctant to do so as he makes a noise as soon as I start to get ready to go out, so it will be a further half an hour or so.

(Later) I went onto Facebook to watch Ross doing the daily devotional, but I couldn't see the complete devotional because the screen went blank after barely 10 minutes, I think because of the internet connection. I imagine the internet is being stretched to it's limits and far beyond because of the current coronavirus situation and people being on lockdown and being at home and therefore (presumably) using the internet more than normal. As a result I gave up and took Alfie out for a walk around Oldbrook Green and when I got back I managed to sign in to Facebook and watch the recorded devotional. Just a bit frustrating but at least I managed to finish it completely. I just hope the same thing doesn't happen tonight with the Zoom communion we have planned.

Later Still. It would appear that the lockdown is going to continue. Under legislation, the government has to review the restrictions on such things as social distancing every 3 weeks and that time runs out next Thursday.

(Friday) Good Friday, in fact, but it really doesn't seem like Easter. It always seems to creep up on us virtually unannounced. It's not like Christmas, which has been hijacked by all and sundry and been over-commercialised. I think, because of the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic, things seem as if they're on hold.

I haven't been using my Canon detail SLR camera for somewhere, in fact, since Carol passed away. We used to take our cameras everywhere with us whenever we went visiting National Trust, English Heritage or Historic Houses Association properties and my computer has thousands of photographs on it, so many that many are stored on the cloud. I have been out and taken photographs using the telephoto lens in an attempt to get shots of the little robin which seems to follow me around and always sits and sings it's little heart out in the tree which over-hangs the path which Alfie and I walk along as we make our way to Oldbrook Green several times a day. I can't take the camera with me when I have Alfie as it's virtually impossible to get him to stand still and, holding and focussing a camera with a dog in tow is difficult, so I have to take him back to the flat first and collect the camera and return, with the hope that birdie hasn't flown away. The results are somewhat disappointing, but, at least I try. I had an idea for a photographic essay. Well, I think that's the term I mean, I would take photographs with my digital camera, in and around Oldbrook Green, on the subject of 'Spring.' I would take shots of buds, blossom, leaves, daffodils and then upload them onto Facebook. Which I did, not entirely successfully, as I couldn't set the camera so that I could get sharp close-ups of the items I chose, but eventually I got the settings correct and then, when I got back to the flat, I took out the card from the camera and put it into the MacBook, but for some strange reason the shots on the card would not upload.

1450th Blog Post. Unpresidented Times!

Another milestone reached. This is the 1450th blog post. I'm not sure how many words I've written, but it must be quite a few.

I was running low on milk. I'm fully stocked with everything else. My fridge/freezer is fully stocked, so I do't need to buy anything for a while. I'm not sure whether I can order from Sainsbury on-line (other supermarkets on-line shopping are available.) I took Alfie out for his morning trot (not really a walk as he doesn't walk.) and no sooner had I got back to the flat, I went back out and went to Tesco Express in Oldbrook Boulevard. I wasn't sure whether they would be open, or whether there would be a queue outside, but, fortunately there wasn't. 

Having a keen interest in history, I have signed up with Milton Keynes Heritage Association, which I discovered when I visited the History Festival which was held last year in Campbell Park. I get regular emails from them and the last one had details of Milton Keynes Living Archive, which I discovered  is based at Milton Keynes Museum. In the email they mentioned that they would be interested if people were keeping diaries or journals about the coronavirus pandemic and in particular, the lockdown. I think what I am recording in this blog might be quite useful in years to come as a historic document. Well, there is enough of it! Just think of Samuel Pepys, who wrote a diary, and which is a good record of what life was like in the 17th century and covers the Great Fire of London and several periods when plague swept the nation.

Later. It's as warm as ever. The sort of weather that would get you out in your shorts and T-shirt and drive to the seaside. Probably Southwold or Frinton-On-Sea. I had to take Alfie out for his final walk around Oldbrook Green, although, I'll be perfectly honest, the sight of it is beginning to wear a bit thin. It's a bit boring now. There are signs on some of the play equipment around the Green, on the children's playground which has a fence around it and the skateboarding park. As I walked around, barely 10 minutes ago, I saw some youths quietly throwing a ball into a basket on the tarmaced area which has a netball basket on one side and a goal on the other. It seems quite harmless to me, but a four-wheel drive vehicle drove up on the grass and told the youths that they weren't supposed to be playing there, which was contrary to the anti-pandemic regulations bought in to help control the spread of  the coronavirus. I thought he was being somewhat heavy-handed and then drove off. I don't think it's such a good idea to drive a large vehicle across the grass as it ruins the surface. I am somewhat shocked by the high-handed and rather pompous attitude of the council man (I think from Campbell Park Parish Council, which controls this area of Milton Keynes. They have fixed notices to some of the equipment, but they could at least put 'please' and 'thank you' on them. I am naughty and I expect I could get a tongue-lashing from the fact I saw one of these notices on the ground as I walked past the other day, and, heaven forfend, put it in a . . . bin! I plead guilty, your honour. I know, I know. Unpresidented times and all that, but what do you expect???

The Sainsbury Shuffle

I have attempted to avoid going out to shop too many times, but there comes a point where I simply need some basic items, such as milk, bread and potatoes. I did some washing this morning and had things back, dried and put away by around 9.30, so it seemed a good idea to go to Sainsbury's as early as possible. On arrival at the underground carpark, I found a space on the upper level and had to join the queue that had formed around the outer edge of the carpark. I had thought the end was part-way back from where I had parked the car, but I was wrong. I had to walk down the slope to the lower level and was shocked to see the end was a good way further back, where I stood with everyone else, with the recommended 2-metre (six feet) gap between myself and people in front of and behind me. The queue shuffled along, hence the term 'Sainsbury Shuffle' which I have used as this post's title. It makes me wonder what a docile nation we are in Great Britain. We seem to put up with a great deal, including queuing. But today people don't seem to have the patience. If the coronavirus pandemic is to be bought under control, people need to obey the social distancing advice in order to prevent the virus spreading. I think it's asking a great deal of people if the government expects everyone to just sit at home and do very little, even though the weather is fine. It is, as I write this. The sun is out and there's no wind. Let's just hope and pray that this situation improves or, better still, comes to an end.

My FitBit has been playing up. I can't get it to function, even though it appears to have a charge. My only real complaint about it is that it only keeps a full charged battery for a week. Why can't it be for longer? You never know exactly if it has started charging when you put it on the charging device. There are three metal pins (Brass? I'm not sure.) which are supposed to align with pins (prongs?) on the actual device. If it was a Apple device it would make a very decisive sound, which my MacBook does as it starts up, but the FitBit only makes a sort of shiver or vibrate which should denote it is charging, but the screen makes no sign of life. I haven't therefore been able to wear it when I take Alfie out for the past couple of days (more like, a week or so.) I emailed FitBit and got a response and have had the thing charging connected to the MacBook. It is now showing 99% charge, so something must be happening, so it would appear that all is well, or so I hope.

Later. The FitBit is back at full charge and is on my wrist and working as it should.

The sun is shining and we're stuck indoors. We're not supposed to go out. What? Indoors on a bright sunny day? That's awful. It may be to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus, but how long does the government honestly think the average person is going to endure this lockdown? Let's be perfectly honest, not long I would imagine.

Alfie can't seem to understand why we're cooped up indoors. I am sitting and watching a programme about Waitrose and he sits on the sofa next to me, staring. It's actually quite intimidating (how can a small Yorkshire Terrier be intimidating, you may ask? Well, when that dog stares and whenever you move, he follows.) In the end, once the programme was over, I just gave in and put him on his lead and took him out.

(Sunday) It's bright and sunny and we're still locked inside. We mustn't go out . . . But I hear the police, who have been given powers under new legislation which has recently been bought in by the government, to make sure people don't gather in groups, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But I am hearing reports that the police have been somewhat heavy-handed over this.

We're now being told that the government may even prevent us going out to exercise. My goodness, we're slowly but surely becoming a police state! So, how on earth will this be policed? Doesn't bare thinking about. . .

(Monday) I've found it difficult to know what day of the week is is, as they are beginning to blur into one another. Having my Tuesday as a sort of focus of my week, and now that it's gone (but I quite intend continuing there as soon as things get back to normal, whatever 'normal' is now.) that focus has disappeared.

I have been out with Alfie, at around 7.15, and I found it quite over-cast and it would appear that it must have been raining, if only slightly, over night.

Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital, as he has tested positive with the coronavirus. We haven't been told what he's been admitted for, but he is still in charge of the government and presumably keeping in contact with the cabinet and other politicians.

Keir Starmer has now been elected as leader of the Labour Party. An improvement on Jeremy Corbyn, who, quite frankly, wasn't Prime Minister material. He had a sort of 'couldn't-care-less' sort of attitude, well, at least that's how he came across. Untidy. His scruffy appearance didn't help. Remember what happened to Michael Foot and his donkey jacket? Well, I do and it's similar with Corbyn. Also, his crazy financial policies didn't help, particularly as he had no idea how to pay for them. Tax those who make wealth, those who set up businesses which create jobs, not a particularly good move.

I'm getting on with my writing. I seem to have found a way forward and as I write this I'm doing some research and have done quite a few pages which I'm writing in pencil, as I usually do and it will eventually get transcribed into word processing.

It is reasonably sunny at the moment and I will make something to eat for lunch and probably watch 'Bargain Hunt' as I eat. I hope it's a new episode rather than a repeat, but I suspect they will have suspended production because of the pandemic.

Later still. We may be in what is being called 'unprecedented times,' which is becoming something of a cliche and, frankly, rather an annoying term to describe the lockdown, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but we may be able to watch free presentations of theatre productions as a result. Most have been recorded with the intention of them then being broadcast in cinemas, although some have been 'live' broadcast. As all theatres are closed due to the pandemic, this is a good chance to see many of these theatre productions, and this evening I am watching a production of 'Hamlet,' which is a recording made at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.

Lockdown: The Sequel

Well, what else could I call yet another blog post, when there's not a great deal going on? I've been out for the second walk with Alfie. I was expecting to see that little robin in the tree again as I walked along Strudwick Drive, but he wasn't there this morning. We crossed over Oldbrook Boulevard onto the green and I decided to walk across the grass instead of making the circular route we usually take. I came across several strange circular grass shapes in the grass, which has been partially cut recently. I'm intrigued to know what they are for or what they represent. Alien spaceship landing sites? For some sort of sporting action, such as American sports, such as baseball? Probably not, bt does it matter. Then I spotted something in the grass. A £2 coin! So it was worth walking over the grass after all! That can go into my change pot I have on my bookshelf.

I have been watching a really interesting series on BBC 2 called 'Portillo's State Secrets," which goes into detail on a handful of British historical events and uncovers secrets which have been kept hidden until now. Michael Portillo, a minister in Margaret Thatcher's government, seems to have made quite a successful career as a television presenter, most famously the one about Britain's railway system, called "Great British Railway Journeys," and using the Victorian traveller's guide "Bradshaw's" to see how things have changed in the intervening years. He has a certain engaging style. He's a natural television presenter, but I do wonder at times about his sense (or I should probably say, lack of in some respects)fashion, because his gaudy array of jackets, which can be only viewed when wearing sunglasses, seem a little outlandish, to say the least. This series has been buried on BBC2, and I had no idea it was on until I saw it in the E.P.G. (Electronic Programme Guide)  of Freeview, a few weeks ago when looking for something to watch. I think this is a repeat, but, as I say it has been hidden away without any sort of trailers or announcements that it was on. Typical, come to think of it. Such drivel as Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders, or Holby, or Casualty get trailed to death, but anything worthy such as this programme get ignored. What is the sense of that? Come on BBC, do come to your senses. You make excellent programmes, or, at least, commission them. Live up to your Public Service Remit, and give such programmes more publicity.

(Thursday) We had our first Zoom coffee morning this morning. It was 'lead' if that's the word, by Ross and around 17 other SCF regulars joined. It has taken me some time to get the Zoom software to work successfully and I wasn't sure whether it was going to work. I have it on this computer, my MacBook Air as well as my iPhone. I couldn't get my image to appear on the MacBook, although other people could hear me, but I tried my iPhone and it work successfully on that, but it's difficult to use the iPhone, but you have to hold it up in front of your face so that the camera will photograph me. The MacBook has a built-in web camera, and because, when you fold up the screen it means the camera is at the right position to allow your face to be viewed, although you have to set the thing up so that the image it captures is sufficiently at the right angle to get your image central, without it looking strange because it's an odd angle. Also, make sure your background isn't distracting, best done against a plain wall if at all possible.

I managed to watch the National Theatre production of 'One Man, Two Guv'nors,' which was streamed on YouTube yesterday evening. I had wanted to see this when it was originally staged, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Exactly the right sort of thing needed at the moment. As I've said earlier in this post, there is just far too much mention of the coronavirus pandemic on television, BBC in particular. This came at exactly the right time. Good old-fashioned knock-about comedy, based loosely on Carlo Goldoni's play 'The Servant of Two Masters,' craftily re-written to appeal to a modern audience. It was the play that kick started James Corden's acting career.

The Excitement of . . . Toilet Rolls!

(Sunday) We had church on-line through Facebook again this morning, basically because SCF is following government guidelines regarding not having church services to attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It's proving to be a very intimate form of doing church. On Thursday there's to be a coffee morning using Zoom, which should be interesting. 

Once I'd watched the service, which was lead by Ross and his wife Joy, I drove to Sainsbury's as there was a certain amount of shopping I needed. I have cut down on trips to the shops during the current lockdown, but there are some items you can't do without, such as milk. Sainsbury and other supermarkets are open from 11a.m. until 5p.m. on a Sunday. I got to their carpark by around 11.30 to find the underground carpark more or less deserted. Well, let's just say there was more than enough parking spaces. Then I had to join a queue to get onto the travelator which leads up into the store, standing the regulation 2 metres apart from customers in front and behind. A rather strange situation, but I suppose it has to be like that. People at least behaving better than they have compared to recently. Moving about the store with my trolley, it was odd, with people avoiding each other and keeping their distance from one another. I decided to see whether there were toilet rolls in the relevant aisle, and, lo and behold! There were sufficient, so I took a nine-roll pack. I can't believe I could get excited about seeing them on the supermarket shelves. But still no sign of liquid hand soap, which I have attempted to buy for the past couple of shopping trips.

I've been watching the 1960's film version of 'Far From The Madding Crowd,' which starred Julie Christie, Terrance Stamp and Peter Finch. I remember going to see this film when it came out in around 1967-8. It was a period of some good films and going to the cinema virtually every week for around three months. The Dorset scenery is one of the big attractions and it looks stunning. There has been a television adaptation of the novel and a newer film, but neither could be as good as this version. The DVD is a double disc version, with the second disc having 'making of' material and other extras.

(Monday) The BBC are rather over-doing the reporting on the coronavirus pandemic. I realise they need to keep the public informed about the situation, but there is almost blanket coverage and it is rather wearing. There must surely be other news they can cover. It's becoming like news of Brexit, which had about the same amount of coverage. My way to deal with it is to simply switch off the news.

Later. I had a text yesterday informing me my second repeat prescription was ready for collection. I have now been back in to Sainsbury's. I parked in the underground carpark and had to queue for around 15 minutes. The queue, with the required 2-metre gap between people, moved exceedingly slowly. I got into the store, which was surprisingly quiet. It might just have been because of the time of day, or else because people are gradually coming to terms with social isolation and the restrictions that the government has introduced to attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. I took a hand basket rather than a trolley because I didn't need much and went round the store to get what I wanted and then went to the Lloyd's pharmacy. They have set up an arrangement to prevent people getting to near and again you have to keep your distance. I was told by the pharmacist that my order wasn't ready so I went back round the store and returned to the pharmacy around 10 minutes later. I was told that one of the meds on my list of repeat prescribed medication, Tecaragor, had to be reviewed and it was supposed to have been reviewed in February. I was aware of this fact. The pharmacist said that she would ring my doctor's surgery to find out what was to happen regarding this particular medication and she would ring me at home once I got back from Sainsbury's. Around 45 minutes later, once I was home, she rang to say that I should cease taking the Tecaragor and replace it with aspirin. As I have been taking dispersable aspirin since I had my first heart attack in 2006 this was unlikely to make any difference. I have to say that my doctor at Ashfield should have done something about this, and I'm only glad I have transferred to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. I have had no contact with the cardiology department at Milton Keynes Hospital for some considerable time, although I await a hospital appointment as a result of the recent blood test, but no doubt this will be on hold since the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown.

(Tuesday) I should have been going to Camphill, under normal circumstances. What are normal? At the moment, life is anything but. I have to say I miss my Tuesdays with the drama workshop guys. I texted Teo to say I wouldn't be going until further notice, and he responded by saying that Camphill was in lockdown, so I wouldn't have been able to go anyway. I will just have to wait until things improve. No doubt all the residents are restricted to their houses.

(Weds) I'm loosing all sense of time since the lockdown. I think it's probably because all days are merging into one and every one has become the same as the previous one. Just being stuck in my flat alone with Alfie (although he is really good company, but becomes quite demanding at times, because he knows exactly where his treats are. He gets quite excited and noisy when it's time to go out for his walk.) and daytime television can become somewhat tedious. Alright, I don't spend much time watching. There is more than enough to watch if you have on-demand such as iPlayer or Amazon prime, or even YouTube. A great deal of interesting stuff on here. I watched the first lecture in a series from Yale University about The Tudors. I think I leaned new stuff which I never knew from school or university. There's around 20-30 of these videos, so that should keep me busy. I thought, for some reason, that today was Thursday! Sad, but true. I read a great deal, as I've mentioned in earlier posts, not just history, but also really good material in the two magazines I have on subscription, BBC History Magazine and History Today.