This And That

It's not quite a hot as it's been lately. The sun is out as I write this (at 9a.m. on Thursday 20th August.) We have had rain, but there really is no real sign of it outside, except a small muddy puddle in the children's playground as I took Alfie out for his walk this morning. I went out for the second walk around 8.15 as I'm going out for a walk with my friend Mike from Church at 9.45. 

A few days ago I saw a workman on the grass as I crossed over from Strudwick Drive, the area that fringes Oldbrook Boulevard. He was spraying the grass, painting lines, in a sort of arc. It wasn't at first clear what this was for. Possibly a pipeline going in, electric cable, more internet cabling? Not entirely sure at the time, but yesterday, when we walked across, it was all too clear what it was for. More workmen, erecting a low fence, presumably to prevent travellers getting on to Oldbrook Green, although it doesn't look particularly robust and wouldn't take much effort to remove if someone wanted to, although it that was to happen, do doubt they would be done for 'criminal damage'. We'll have to wait and see how far this fence is going to go. They will have to leave a gap somewhere to allow pedestrians to gain access, such as myself and Alfie.

(Friday) Yesterday I went for another walk with my friend Mike from Church. I drive over to his flat in Downhead Park and then we walk to the cafe with is in a precinct near Willen. This morning, as we were walking along the Redway (well, I presume it's Redway.) we came upon a man laying on the grass near Pennyland Basin, which I had never heard of. It's what I would call a marina, joined on to the Grand Union Canal. At first we weren't even sure if the man, who would have been in his 30's, was dead or alive, but we eventually made out that he was breathing, but only very lightly. He was wearing trainers and track suit bottoms but with no shirt and, because it was fairly warm, was sweating copiously. We attempted to rouse him, but we couldn't. I began to wonder if he was having an epileptic seizure, or at last, had had one and this was the end result, because generally, if someone has a seizure it leaves them very tired and they usually sleep. I would have put him into a recovery position, having done a first aid course, but, because of the coronavirus pandemic it was not advisable. So it was then that we decided, having attempted a few times more to rouse hi, to dial 999. I got through to the ambulance service and because I wasn't sure exactly where we were, found it difficult to tell the operator where we were, but by saying Pennyland Basin, the paramedics were able to find us. Mike went up to Dantseed Way, the nearest grid road, to let the ambulance driver know where we were.

The paramedics soon turned up and took over the car of the young man. They managed to rouse him and when they said he ought to be check over at A and E he was reluctant to go, but it seemed obvious that he needed the care they could give him there and it was at this point that we left.

I had to go to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre for a blood test at 9a.m. I had been told, due to the pandemic, that I needed to arrive 5 minutes before the appointment so I drove there and was there a good 15 minutes ahead of the appointment. I parked the car, finding that there were plenty of spaces, and just sat and waited in the car until around 8.55 and then went towards the entrance of the surgery, expecting to be able to walk in but found the door locked and a  notice telling me I needed to use the intercom on the side of the door to get in. The phlebotomist made a good job of taking my blood. I didn't feel and thing and 10 minutes later, when I had time to sit and wait, I left the surgery and drove back to the flat.

At around 4 o'clock I got a text message from the doctor to tell me that the test was 'satisfactory' and that 'no further action is required,' although my vitamin D level was slightly low and he recommends me taking a vitamin D supplement. Not a problem as I can buy some when I'm next in Sainsbury's.

It's A Scorcher!

It's been warm for the past few days. Supposedly at one point one of the days there were reports of one of them being the hottest on record. I don't mind it being sunny and bright but when it gets too hot then I don't like it. In fact, it's dangerous particularly if you have a heart condition which I have. It's just best to remain indoors and drink plenty, which I have been. Alfie can't manage heat, so we make a good pair. At night he can never find anywhere to lay to keep cool. I keep the windows open and the electric fan on.

(Tuesday) I had to really think which day of the week it was! The lockdown has blurred every day into one and because of this it's difficult to even think which day it is. I should be at Camphill, in the drama workshop, but I haven't been there since late March. I have absolutely no idea when I will be allowed back.

The heat has made life really difficult, as you might imagine. The kitchen has been overrun with flies, a sort of plague you might even say. I couldn't stand being in there and I have no idea why there are so many, so I had to get a fly killer stray from Barbara, S.H.O, of Dexter House and after a few blasts it worked, than goodness.

I have bought an Alexa Dot smart speaker. I already had Alexa on my Fire Tablet and Fire TV Stick, but I made the jump to purchasing one of these artificial intelligence gadgets. I was amazed at how easy it was to set up. It joined my wifi without any problems and once I'd downloaded the Alexa app onto my iPhone and iPad it was relatively easy to integrate it into my system. When it was first set up, Alexa's voice had an American accent, but once I had my address and Postcode in the system, her voice changed to an English accent!

(Wednesday) As warm as ever. We're supposed to get rain today. I do hope so as it's getting really uncomfortable.

(Thursday) It did rain. I think I might have been asleep. Even so, it was over very quickly.

Today is over-cast. After several nights when it's been difficult to sleep, it makes a change that it's a good deal cooler. As I write, it's raining. I have a feeling it thundered earlier but not entirely sure. I have the window open and Alfie is laying on the sofa near me. Asleep and awake. He doesn't like warm weather.

(Friday) It's another overcast day. Quite damp and dreary as we walked towards Oldbrook Green. Alfie came back somewhat damp. Not really raining, but nevertheless, damp due to the mist/fog.

(Monday) Still not a great deal to write about. It's a good deal cooler and we had an almighty rain storm at around 3 o'clock. It was stair-rods, so I couldn't take Alfie out as usual, but the storm soon passed and we went out for our by now routine jaunt around Oldbrook Green.

Travellers Return to Oldbrook Green

(Monday) I took Alfie out around 6 o'clock this morning, and as we approached the crossing onto Oldbrook Green, I was shocked to see a group of travellers caravans on the furthest side, along with tethered ponies. It's not that we should mind what people do, it's the fact that they think it's perfectly fine to come along and set up camp on a piece of grass which isn't suitable to take caravans. I expect they will eventually be moved on by Milton Keynes Council. I will keep posting on this matter as things develop.

(Wednesday) The travellers have gone. Thank goodness. They have left a good lot of rhubarb fertiliser behind, so someone can go and collect it. But if they were under the impression that Oldbrook Green was common land I think they were very much mistaken.

(Thursday) Council workers were out mowing Oldbrook Green when I went out this morning with Alfie. We had to avoid being mown down and they went straight over the horse manure which was left by the travellers (not them personally, but the ponies or horses!) I just wonder where they went to.

(Friday) It's supposed to be a record heatwave today. As I write this it's sunny and bright, I have the windows open and the electric fan is on full blast.

When we approached Oldbrook Green this morning, just after 6 o'clock, I saw a mist hanging over the grass. It looked really odd, to say the least.

(Sunday) we had a socially distanced service at S.C.F. this morning, on the grass at the rear of the Oaktree Centre. We had to wear face coverings, had to use hand sanitiser as well as give our telephone numbers just in case anyone later showed signs of having the virus. It was odd not being able to sing, which was crazy as well as the fact that you couldn't see people's faces properly, but if this is how things are going to be, then it's better than nothing I suppose.

I went out as usual with Alfie as soon as I got back from church. We did our usual walk down Strudwick Drive and then onto Oldbrook Green. As we were walking across the grass, a motor scooter/bike came hurtling around the grass, totally heedless of those walking around or exercising or playing various forms of sport, including young families. I very nearly got run into, but they continued to encircle the grass. Neither youths, the one driving the scooter or the one riding pillion on the back, wore helmets and the whole didn't look safe or particularly road-worthy. I doubt very much whether they had adequate insurance or even  a road fund licence for this vehicle, if that's a good way to describe it, but, as with the latest electric scooters which people ride around the various paths and pavements and even on the public highway, a definite accident waiting to happen.

Restrictions On, Then Off and Then . .

Some of the pandemic lockdown restrictions have been lifted. We can now visit 'non-essential' shops, get our hair cut and a certain number of attractions, gardens and so on, have re-opened (I think these include National Trust properties, zoos, etc etc.) But if you visit a shop you need to wear a face covering (supposed to cover your nose and mouth.)

I went into the Milton Keynes main shopping centre to meet my friend Nick who lives in Northampton. Unfortunately not everyone is obeying the social distancing regulations nor is everyone wearing a face mask. I took mine, one of the handful I purchased in Lidl a few weeks ago. I don't particularly like having to wear one as it makes my face hot and my glasses steam up. You can't see people's faces clearly and it would be easy for someone, if they were inclined, to do something criminal, say, rob a bank or be objectionable to staff in a shop, and nobody would be able to recognise them, for example, on C.C.T.V. cameras.

Church is having a picnic on Sunday near Furzton Lakes. I have been attempting to find some sort of folding chair to take with me and went on the internet to have a look. I had hoped that Argos might have had some in stock. I looked at there website and sure enough they had quite a range but when I attempted to buy I kept being told that the Milton Keynes store had none in stock. I had an idea that Tesco would have these types of chairs. Whatever I buy needs to be folding, so that it will fit into the back of the car and then be stored in the flat in a corner.

(Friday) The Renault Captur was due for it's MoT in August. I rang Bleakhall Motors on Wednesday to book it in for this annual test and got an appointment for 4.45 yesterday afternoon. I drove there and the test went ahead. I waited in the waiting area and it was completed by 5.30. Thank goodness it passed without any further expense being necessary but they said that it would need the diesel emissions looking at before next year's test. I imagine it has something to do with the exhaust filter or something so I may ring them and ask what it entails. So, that's another year of driving. The tyres may need air in them, but considering that it hasn't been far in the last five or so months since lockdown, it's no surprise as there can't be much wear on the car in that time.

(Saturday) It seems there is an increase in infections of the coronavirus in some areas of the north of England, so some of the lockdown restrictions have been reintroduced. Some people are unhappy about this, but if we're to return to any semblance of normality then this has to be done. Five months of lockdown and a gradual reduction in infections nationwide. People must just adhere to the regulations and not become lazy, particularly with social distancing.