Unlocking Lockdown

 (Wednesday) We have workmen currently in Dexter House. They have been taking out asbestos, as I must have mentioned before elsewhere in these blog posts. They've worked their way round three sections, along the corridors and finally they are working on the area around the SHO's office and front doors. Parts of the ceiling have been replastered and the walls painted. But today someone is using a drill, or at least,  noisy machine that is causing me to have a headache. It's not the most pleasant of noises, but I suppose they have to do it as part of the work, but I shall be more than pleased when it's finished.

Later. It's surprisingly sunny and warm today. Just been out with Alfie (10.10a.m.) The buds are bursting, the daffodills and crocuses are pushing their way up through the earth (by the way, is the plural of crocuses crocui? Also, the plural of stadium is stadia or is it an ae ending? Sports commentators on television never get it right, but probably didn't do Latin at school. Do schools even teach Latin? They should.) Banging and noise currently going on. I reckon it's in the adjacent flat, but  not entirely sure, but I hear loud footsteps going up and down the stairs and there's large bot-sized footprints on the stair carpet, so it must be. Getting a bit like Sherlock Holmes. The mystery continues.

Letting my imagination run away. Not a bit thing really.

(Thursday) I'm somewhat dumbfounded by the fact that the furniture item I ordered from Amazon on 3rd February was not delivered as expected yesterday. I can't see why it's taking so long, but I just have to be a bit more patient and wait a bit longer. No real explanation on the Amazon website, although it's being delivered by UPS and nothing on their website either.

Dafodills opening up all over Oldbrook, along the side of the roads and around Oldbrook Green. Definite signs of spring.

I have attempted to telephone UPS and the company who sold the piece of furniture through Amazon but absolutely no response and still no sign of the thing or any explanation as to why it wasn't delivered yesterday or any other details. 

(Friday) Been out with Alfie well before 7 o'clock this morning. There had been a frost overnight as there was evidence of it on the grass. A huge moon seen over the centre of Milton Keynes, looking really dramatic. It would have made a brilliant subject for a photograph, but, having attempted this before, it more than likely wouldn't be in such a good position over the buildings if I returned later.

(Saturday) Well, things not any different to the rest of the week really, so I'll have to wait and see if there's anything else to write about.

Frosty this morning, which was a bit of a surprise. The moon again a large silver penny (!) and quite surprising. 

A Roadmap Out Of Lockdown?

 (Monday) 7.30a.m. So Boris Johnson is to unveil a 'roadmap' out of lockdown later to day. Another of the infamous press conferences from Downing Street at around 7p.m. I just hope it's a road that has no hold-ups, with men in the road putting down cones and then you have to drive off the Motorway onto narrow country roads and then stuck behind a slowly-moving farm implement like an enormous combine harvester and then you go off down a narrow country lane and end up in a very muddy farmyard. Sorry for the mixed metaphors, but I just couldn't resist. I just hope that Boris has the roadmap the right way up and he has some sort of sense of direction so we don't end up in a cul de sac or even stuck under a bridge like a double decker bus whose driver doesn't have any idea of the route he's taking. Any more puns based on 'roadmap' write on a postcard or email to me.

I opened the curtains and looked out. Quite dry on the weather-front. There's a white van parked immediately outside and it has 'Bathroom tiling' emboldened along one side. It's obviously had a former life as it has 'Motorway Maintenance' on the rear with red and yellow stripes, the sort of vehicle you see going up and down the M1 or any other Motorway. Or is it (my stupid sense of the ridiculous.) an individual who is a motorway maintenance operative who does bathroom tiling on the side? Just hope he doesn't get the two jobs middled up and start tarmacing some dear old ladies bathroom or then tiling the hard shoulder of the M25 by accident. . . 

Later. I was supposed to have an electrician or someone come to do a safety check of the power points or something this afternoon. It was booked some while ago and I forgot about it but then it was rearranged for this afternoon, but I got a telephone call to say the workman was ill or something so it's had to be rearranged yet again. March 10th in the morning. I shall have to make sure I'm in when they come.

Later still. 'A one-way road to freedom' is how Boris Johnson has described the infamous 'roadmap' out of lockdown. I hope it is 'one way' and that there will be no u-turns. To mis-quote Margaret Thatcher, 'the gentleman's not for turning!' It's going to be cautious, but we must get out of this deadly ambush of our freedoms.

Could this possibly be aforementioned 'roadmap'? Bumpy road ahead, with one or two diversions for roadworks methinks, perhaps?

Later. I took Alfie out at around 2p.m. We went out through the door directly into Strudwick Drive and as I opened the door the wind made the door make a weird vibrating sound. I must say, the wind is quite strong at the moment, but to have a door making odd noises is really amusing and somewhat strange, but at the moment it's probably good to have something odd to take my minds off the relentless boredom of lockdown.

Back to reality, if that's possible. Now completed 26 pages of writing. Contemplating whether to transcribe it into word processing or not, the thought of it not a good idea as it's not my favourite job. I enjoy the actual writing (which, by the way, I do in pencil as it means it's easier to change as I go.

Wednesday 24th February. It's mild but windy this morning. Alfie curled up in his bed. He seems to like it as it's his own space.

I ordered a side unit on Amazon. It is small enough to go in the space currently take up by a red IKEA coffee table which I bought to the flat from the house in Eaglestone. It has drawers and shelving in it and should be an idea replacement. It was ordered on 3rd February and is supposed to arrive today, but I still can't understand why it's taking so long to be delivered. Generally if you order things from Amazon they take around a day to be delivered (I have Amazon Prime so you usually get preferential treatment regarding delivery and post and packaging. Also, you don't always know where an item comes from when you order. Goodness knows where this piece of furniture has come from and why on earth it's taking three weeks or more to arrive here.

All In A Day's Work

(Wednesday) It doesn't feel like Wednesday. If that's the case, what makes it FEEL like Wednesday? There is no definable feeling, but I think it's due to being in lockdown, where each day seems like the last one and the next and so on. Each day, even at the weekend, just blends into the last one like a sort of piece of film, going round and round in the projector. I suppose, a bit like the film 'Groundhog Day.'

(Thursday) We're now being told that lockdown can only be lifted when infection rates and deaths decline. I suppose that's obvious. But being infantilised doesn't help matters. Being treated as if you had half a brain does in my opinion.

(Friday) I went to Sainsbury's after I'd done washing. Not my most favourite occupation, but it has to be done. Infection rates from the coronavirus are falling, which is a really good bit of news for once. Anything positive at the moment is a good thing, meaning that we are another step closer to life returning to anything like normal.

It's windy but very mild today. I've written over 20 pages, which equates to around 8,000 words. Produced over several weeks, but at least I've written something. Going better than expected. It will obviously need editing and sections rewritten, but that's to be expected. Then I will transcribe it onto word processing, which takes quite a long time and patience.

(Saturday) Just not a great deal to report at the moment. i'm sure I will be able to think of something soon. As I write this (11.20a.m.) the sun is out, but also a fairly strong wind. Surprisingly mild for the time of year.

(Sunday) Out with Alfie before 7 o'clock this morning. It's really mild although a slight rain.

Moonflower which has bloomed for the first time in the  Cambridge University Botanic Garden which has caused great excitement. The gentleman on BBC Breakfast this morning described the scent when it first came out was like 'gardenias or honeysuckle, but now smells like public toilets,' which is a bit of a shock and I can't imagine anything else being described in that way!

Later. It's funny that Alfie goes bonkers if he sees a cat in the garden when I lived in Eaglestone, but if one is seen more or less close up, he doesn't seem to bother. I imagine it's to do with territory. We went out at around 9.15 and I saw a squirrel on the opposite side of Strudwick Drive. It hopped into the road and scuttled across and then over the path, but Alfie took not a blind bit of notice. A bit wet and it looked to me as it it was going to pour with rain, so I said to Alfie 'Home?' and he was quite happy to turn round and make for home. Not so sure whether it was going to rain or not, but I didn't want to risk getting a soaking.

Completed around 24 pages of writing. That done over the past month or so, but not bad considering.

Any Day Soon?

 (Tuesday) Seems like we'll be out of lockdown any day soon. Watch this space!

Not so cold this morning, but rather wet underfoot as I took Alfie out at 7.15. 

10.50a.m. I've been to Aldi to get milk and other items. Just resisting going to Sainsbury's as it's so much cheaper. You have to remember to take a £1 coin to be able to use a trolley. It wasn't too busy. I go as far as saying it wasn't busy at all. I find having someone outside begging somewhat intimidating. I'm afraid I didn't have any change. A lady who was coming out of the store warned me of his presence. I don't know what to make of this 'begging' as he looked well enough dressed and quite well spoken (sorry if that makes a difference.) But there must be an underlying reason why someone does this. Milton Keynes has plenty of jobs at the moment, so there's no excuse, even more mundane jobs such as working in a warehouse or working on a production line (I've done it myself, so I do have an idea what's entailed.) Or if he needs food, there is a food bank he can use, even if it for a short while. I'm not criticising or judging, but he may even have a mental health problem which means he can't work, or is homeless. In that case the Council can help. But does he know about these services? I think it's the intimidation that gets to me. Someone sitting or standing outside a supermarket or, as in the case when I lived in Bedford, at a narrow place, an alleyway I had to go through to get to the Post Office, making you feel guilty, which is unfair, as you walk past.

I came back home with my shopping which I unloaded and put away. I took Alfie out, as he was doing his staring act. Which tells me that he really needs to go out. The merry sound of chainsaws coming from a distant, somewhere near Oldbrook Boulevard. It's Council workmen hacking bits off trees. Perhaps hacking is the wrong word as I don't think they exactly hack, more like 'trim.' But it's a distinctive sound.

'Cautious but irreversable' is how Boris Johnson has described any 'roadmap' out of lockdown. I think he's just been bounced into making some sort of route we take to get back to some sort of normal by the 60 plus Backbenchers who more or less demand something is done to get the county to some sort of normality. 'Lockdown 4' is a no-go, thank goodness. Please, Boris, just get us out of this! I realise we have to be careful so that there are few infections and deaths, but being in lockdown is like stagnation. Turn into very ripe cheese at this rate, or wine with an extremely high alcohol content.

I read this morning that those in the 80-plus age group are showing that they have antibodies to defeat the coronavirus, as a result of having the vaccine. This shown by giving them blood tests, so this is great news and shows that we are at last on track to end lockdown. Who would have believed this would be possible a year ago? Amazing that there are several effective vaccines which we didn't have at the beginning of this pandemic. Even news this morning on BBC Breakfast, that venues, such as concert halls and theatres could reopen if there was the use of rapid testing before audiences could be allowed, as well as all performers, musicians, actors and other staff. As theatres have been closed for almost a year, it would be great to have them open and performances to be restarted. A devastating blow to the theatre industry to have to close theatre doors and have so many being dark. It will take a long time to recover from this awful crisis.

1.55p.m. I've done a good deal more writing. I'm doing it a little bit at a time, which is a good way to go with this. A couple of lines at a time, even less sometimes. Better I reckon than struggling and in between it give me time to think what I will write next. Around fourteen pages at the last count, which is really amazing considering. I realise it will need to to be edited heavily, but that's better than not having enough written and it's a bit like when you're making a film or television programme, better to have plenty to play with in the edit, meaning you have more choices with how you want the piece to go. Once it's done I shall put it away for a while and come back to it. Reading it immediately will not help. Time is good to allow you to take a different view on what you've created.

The electronic Oxford Dictionary I have and which proves to be extremely useful when I'm writing showed on the digital screen which I used when I'm writing, told me that the battery was about to fail, so I had to put a new one in and fortunately I had some spare AAA batteries available, so things were not held up. Easy enough to replace. I've had that gadget several years and it's the first time I've had to replace the battery. I remember going into W.H.Smith's in the main shopping centre with Carol to buy it. I think it might have been a birthday present, but it saves a lot of time, rather than using a paper dictionary.

(Wednesday) Quite wet when we went out at 7.10a.m. I wasn't sure whether it was raining, having looked out of the kitchen window, and it was, which Alfie didn't like, so we soon went back inside in the dry. We'll have to go out a little later. Never mind, it's only water after all. But, saying that, it's surprisingly mild.

Later. It was sunny when we went out at 10.20, which made a change from what it was earlier. Workmen cutting hedges and generally tidying up around  Oldbrook Green. I suppose it's important to keep on top of that sort of work otherwise hedges particularly get overgrown and then impossible to manage.

Never-Ending Covid and Interminable Lockdown?

Now learnt that we're going to have to put up with covid-19 . . . forever!  As delivered by Matt Hancock, Minister of Health. Or is it Minister For Health? That the vaccine's effectiveness wears off and we're going to have fresh vaccines to keep it at bay annually, the same way we have flu jabs every year. Oh no, just doom and gloom. It's fine if you have a family or a partner, but what about those of us who are single (not by choice, I can inform you by the way.) and have to spend most of our day shut up like a battery chicken and don't see anyone all day to have a respectable conversation with. I don't believe half of what we're told by either the government scientists or those who should know better. A year stuck in limbo is just not on. We need to get out of this lockdown situation fairly rapidly. Every time we seem to be heading out of this limbo, something happens to prevent lockdown being lifted, for example, the scientists suddenly discover a 'new variant,' which they say is more virulent than the original virus. So, stricter regulations are bought in, or they decide that children can catch it, or that another group can catch it, or it spreads more rapidly etc etc. It's almost as if they don't want it to end. Why is it people are just believing all this? Why does nobody question the reliability of the data that is thrown up? Are we to be caught in this trap forever? Is there no way out of it? If not, it seems like it to me. It's the same scare tactics that were used during the Brexit referendum campaign, saying that, if we leave the EU (which we have, fortunately.) that it's equal to the end of civilisation as we know it. Well, it isn't. It's got to the point that we have to cower in our bunkers and baton down the hatches and just put up with pubs, theatres, gyms and so on being closed down. Just not life any more. Just like some awful dystopian novel. More like Noddy In Toyland than 1984 or Brave New World.

Boris Johnson is supposed to be giving some indication tomorrow at another of the delightfully enlivening press conferences about how lockdown is to be lifted, if only partially. I learn that we will be able to meet a friend on a park bench for a coffee. Wow! So exciting! And then you'll be able to play a game of tennis. Woopee! The most ridiculous bit of news I heard recently was that pubs could reopen, but couldn't sell alcohol. Well, what is the point of that? A pub that can't sell a pint of best bitter or lager any other alcoholic drink isn't worth visiting then, is it? Who's going to bother? It wouldn't be a pub, but a cafe, if they can provide food.  There are some backbench MPs who want it lifted completely. It's obviously not going to happen in one go, but in bits and pieces. Some are saying that the effects of the lockdown on people's mental health is far worse that the effects of covid-19. I can well believe it. PLEASE can we get out of this situation before we all turn into blocks of stone, or get eradicated by some alien space creatures who sneek  up on us when we're not looking. I think a lot of people are just so apathetic that they wouldn't notice. I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care. I used to be conceited but now I'm absolutely perfect. Not! Just had to put that in.

When the scientists give the figures, that is, for those who have been infected by the virus as well as those who have succumbed to the virus and then died, can you please give us a comparison with figures in a normal year of those who die of virus such as from flu? Then, break it down into ages. Presumably there is more likelihood of older people, say, in their 80s and older, would be going to die anyway (I don't wish to be cruel here, but it needs to be said.) They just bandy these figures around without any real context. Not a good way to present scientific evidence surely. Nobody dares question any of this data, which they should.

I think it's the fear-factor, the 'doom and gloom' or all this that annoys me most. The way the government have infantilised the public. We're being treated like little children. We know there's a risk with this confounded virus, but can't people be allowed to make their own minds up over what they do and live their lives? There's a risk in many areas of our lives, from merely crossing the road, getting in a car or aeroplane or in some cases, merely breathing. They've managed to take away our freedoms without much complaint or scrutiny and it's that which get's my goat the most.

Wild and Windy Weather

 (Friday) I haven't yet though of a punchy title for this blog post, but I'm sure something will hit me suddenly.

There are further signs that spring is on the way with the first shoots in the grass along Strudwick Way and along the edge of the path round Oldbrook Green. Daffodils! Further round, snowdrops in full flower. Probably we'll see crocuses soon, pushing their way through the grass. 

I've been out with Alfie. There's a strong, cold wind blowing, enough to freeze your face off.

I get annoyed that some people, those with dogs, but a very small minority it has to be said, don't pick up after their dogs. I always try to and have poo bags in my pocket for such an eventuality. I'd love to know when those dog owners who don't do the decent thing, walk their dogs. I presume under the cover of darkness, when there's nobody around. It's just selfish and not acceptable, particularly when there's children around. I did see a black poo bag, beautifully tied up, left on the path when I walked around this morning. Please at least have the decency to put it in the bin as you walk past. There's three bins strategically placed around Oldbrook green and at least another three litter bins, so you have no excuse. Also, litter being dropped unnecessarily and somebody put litter actually ON the bin and not IN it and also litter NEXT TO a bin. Why not, since you were so close to a bin, actually put that rubbish IN said bin? I don't think the Council (or whoever is responsible for Oldbrook Green, either Campbell Park Parish Council or The Parks Trust.) had a thought when they stopped putting bags in the appropriate place provided for such bags. A so-called cost-cutting exercise which has somewhat back fired. The same sort of thing is happening regarding having to book to take rubbish to the tidy-tips which are dotted around Milton Keynes. There is now a problem with fly-tipping as a result. The excuse for this will be that it's because of the pandemic, but that's not really a good response if you have to send people out to clear up fly-tipped rubbish and then go after the culprits. If those responsible for throwing rubbish on the ground and not putting it in a bin (probably the same with those who insist on not picking up after their dogs.) it makes me wonder what their homes are like. Piled hight with rubbish and, dare I say, dog poo? Oh really, that is going too far! And you'd probably be totally right.

(Saturday) 12.07a.m. Sitting here in my lounge, having got up because I can't get back to sleep. Went to the loo and writing this. Alfie is stretched out on the sofa, fast asleep. I may do the washing up in the kitchen (so, where else is it likely to be? Never mind.) I can hear a howling wind outside. I reckon from how cold it was yesterday, that there'll be further snow. There were a few bits of snow left from the last lot we had and as they say, if there's snow left, there's bound to be more to join it, so who knows?

7.40a.m. I'm sitting here, with Breakfast on BBC1, and I've already been out with Alfie. Earlier than ever, around 7.10. It's chilly, but not as chilly as yesterday. Had my gloves with me so my hands didn't turn blue. 

9.40a.m. I had intended taking Alfie out a good deal later. But Alfie had other ideas. I was determined to have a bit of a rest, even a lie-in. If you read this blog on a regular basis you will have realised that I get up fairly early. Whether it's a habit, I don't know. When Carol was working at Milton Keynes Academy and it was a work day, we'd get up fairly early and have a cup of tea at around 5.45a.m and sit in bed and watch BBC Breakfast on the television we had in the bedroom and then she'd get dressed and I'd take her to the Academy for around 7.15. She didn't need to be there so early, but Carol, being a dedicated teacher, was always there early, usually preparing lesson plans and generally getting ready for her teaching day. As a farmer's son I am used to getting up early. I don't have a problem with early mornings. This helped considerably when I used to do walk-on work and had to get to locations, sometimes a good hour or two's drive from Bedford, which would mean, with a call time around 6a.m, I'd need to leave around 4a.m. or earlier.  Usually arriving on location and having breakfast (one of the best parts of that work is the food!) Getting a really decent breakfast, a full English, and then going to wardrobe for costume and probably some sort of make-up, usually having hair cut or something done. If it was period, usually a very short haircut and sometime moustaches applied. They could be more concerned about loosing such items which could come adrift and require re gluing. I could go on and on about this subject, but I won't. Anyway, digressing as I was, Alfie wasn't going to leave me for one moment, even when I was laying on my bed. Then I was working on the MacBook, but he was staring me, sitting on the sofa, not going to go away, lie down or go into the bedroom. He insisted on poking me with his paw. I attempted to ignore him, but he wouldn't stop. When I shut my eyes, I could sense him shuffling around. This is really getting worse. I think it's due to the fact that I'm at home so much, due to the lockdown. He jumped off the bed and then barked at me. I tried to ignore him, but it's difficult when he gives you direct eye contact. It's like living with a hyperactive toddler. So, I gave in and decided the only way to resolve the situation was to actually TAKE HIM OUT! So, I got togged up, and we made out way out through the side door into Strudwick Drive. Bitterly cold, but we walked around Oldbrook Green, with Alfie insisting he had to stop to cock his leg at virtually every tree and lamppost on the way. 

We get back inside the warmth of the flat. The wind is blowing and I can hear it as I write this. Although the sun is out, it's not particularly strong. Well, what do I expect, seeing how it's early February. I return to some of my writing, which has been held in suspension for a couple of weeks, but slowly isn't bad as I think it's worth spending time thinking about it rather than rushing ahead. Quite a few pages produced and although it's over-written to some extent, that's no bad thing as it means I have plenty to work with when it comes to editing, which it will need, as any piece of writing requires. Its' going slowly, but I don't mind. Alfie is now in his bed, fast asleep. He got what he wanted and I now can concentrate on writing, thank goodness.

I've been watching 'Sky Landscape Artist of 2021,' which is recorded on my Panasonic Freeview box. They were at Chartwell this time, in Kent, and former home of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. I really love this show, but can do without the awful adverts which come on every 10 minutes or so. The repetition is annoying. I realise these programmes are reliant on advertising for their funding, but to have advertising which is just shown over and over is not good. Anyway, it could be avoided I suppose if I fast forward through them, but I haven't got the hang of doing this on the Freeview box. Never mind, time to learn I think.

So, I ended up with a rather lack-lustre title for this post. As I write this it's 7a.m on Sunday and I can hear the wind blowing with a certain amount of strength, so when I take Alfie out we're likely to get blown off our feet. At least I am. Because he's small, Alfie not so likely, but who knows?

February Fun?

Is February generally a fun month? I can't say one way or the other. I think it's made worse at the moment because of the pandemic and being incarcerated in my flat. I have to say I feel a bit like a battery chicken, cooped up in one of those small cages, with little room to move (not true to some extent, but not being able to get out and about as before the first lockdown, definitely.) Days getting longer and lighter earlier, definitely makes things better. Do you not get a feeling of irony with my blog post title? Yes, definitely. But we do need something to relieve the boredom and have a good laugh. 

Pancake day, Shrove Tuesday, is on it's way!  Anything to cheer things up. Pancakes just happen to be one of my favourite dishes. I like to think I'm good at making them, and the preparation of the batter is the most important part of creating them. Using plain flour which is airiated by being put through a sieve which is held hight over the bowl and also with melted butter added along with a couple of eggs, which, when milk is added together with a pinch of salt and then beaten together until the whole becomes fairly runny, but not too runny for it to run out of the pan you cook in. It should just run off the spoon, but not too much (if that makes sense.) The next is to cover and let it stand for a few hours before making. This allows all the ingredients to settle and as a result the batter will thicken, so before you make the pancakes, add a little more milk to make the mixture more runny.

(Wednesday) Out early with Alfie and at gone 9 o'clock I went to Homebase, as I was searching for a bradawl. Before you ask, it's a handled device for making holes in a wooden surface. I wanted one so I can make holes in the construction of the coffee table so that the screws can better screw in tighter. If that makes sense. I had a good look in the tools section but I could see nothing suitable, so I left and went over the road to The Range and fortunately I found one, shown me by a member of staff. A really confusing display and it's not very clear what is what so you can find things easily. The same could be said of the Homebase display.  I can't believe such a simple item would be so difficult to find. But I got it!

I then went to Sainsbury's. I can't believe how long I was in there. I don't know what it was this morning, but it seemed to take forever to get round. I always take a well researched list so I don't forget anything and that generally makes things easier because I don't want to be in there longer than necessary, but perhaps my visits to Homebase and The Range have something to do with it.

(Thursday) Been out earlier than usual. Alfie fast asleep in his bed. It was frosty and crunchy underfoot as we walked along the grass beside the path. Good thing we weren't out too long as my hands go blue if they get cold and it can be really uncomfortable. I should remember to wear my gloves. 

I needed to get a fresh supply of vitamin D tablets. I was told by my doctor that I ought to take vitamin D after I had the results of my last blood test, so I bought some in Sainsbury's, but when I was in there yesterday I couldn't find any. Every other permutation of vitamins, minerals etc etc but not vitamin D. This morning I drove over to Bletchley to visit Boots and managed to get a pack in there. 180, one a day, which is what I was already taking. So, that problem solved. I had hoped to visit T.K. Maax, which is further along the parade from Boots, but I found it boarded up, due to covid restrictions, but Greggs was open. So, what's so difference, if Boots and Greggs can be open, why not T.K. Maax? Just wanted a browse through the men's department, but definitely not going to happen for a while at least.

Later. Been out at around 2.15 this afternoon and there's been a definite drop in the temperature. Really cold and I couldn't wait to get back inside as my hands were turning blue. Also not good to be in the cold with a heart condition.

(Friday) I woke at around 1.30 and couldn't get back to sleep. Had a shave and then sorted the rubbish into black bag and tied it up, ready to take out to the dustbins and put new bag on the kitchen bin. Did some washing up and the kitchen now looks neat and tidy.  Sorted washing into washing basket, ready to take to the laundry room just before 8a.m.Did my Bible reading (one year with Nicky Gumble through the You Version app on my iPad.) Alfie is fast asleep in his bed, although he had been in bed with me up until the time I got out of bed. It is now 3.00a.m and sitting here in the lounge writing this. What's the day going to be like, on the weather-front? Seems calm at the moment, but I think the wind was blowing a gale in the night.

A good deal later. Out with his nibs at 7.15. Not as cold as yesterday, but still chilly. Got washing on and now back in the flat. There was an amazing red sky over Milton Keynes. I would have done a photograph but it's virtually impossible to get a good vantage point around Oldbrook without getting buildings in the way. I would need to get up a lot higher to get a good shot, unfortunately.

It's 7.55a.m. Just not a lot to say at the moment, but watch this space.

Snowed . . . Under?

Hardly snowed under. Whether that's a good thing or a bad I don't know. Well, I think we were expecting to be totally snowed under by now, but as I write this, the snow has virtually disappeared, although, by tomorrow morning it might be a different matter.

(Tuesday) The snow has more or less gone. But it doesn't mean we're not likely to have more as the day progresses.

I have taken the car out for a run around Milton Keynes. I am concerned that it might not start or that it might not run properly because it has been sitting in it's parking space for months on end. It did need a charge from Bleakhall Motors several months ago which you may recall me mentioning in an earlier post if your are a regular reader of this blog. The roads are very quiet and it was strange driving about and not having to stop at roundabouts which are generally the points where you need to stop and let traffic past, which would have been the case had I been going to Camphill, which I went past this morning, as it's a Tuesday. Still difficult to believe it's almost a year since I was last there. I remember on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) standing and watching the residents having a pancake race, and then the other day, watching the video which was made of that event on Vimeo. I'm in the background watching. Just hope it won't be much longer before I am able to return.

I've been out with Alfie once more. He's been doing his staring at me act and I was certain he wanted to go out. We didn't go far and came back as it was so cold. He did his business and I said 'home' to him and he was more than eager to get home. We saw a dog in a bright hi-vis jacket on the far side of Oldbrook Green and it came round to where we crossed over Oldbrook Boulevard. Alfie saw the dog, I think a shizu, with a face similar to Poppy's. Rather a pretty face, but when Alfie approached, as he almost always does when he sees another dog, just to be friendly, it growled horribly at him. He doesn't growl like that at all, or at least, not often. So we withdrew and returned home.

The workmen are still working on the repairs to the ceiling in Dexter House. The asbestos has been removed in the ceiling and new emergency lighting is being installed. A painter has been painting the walls and other surfaces along the section of corridor where my flat is and it's beginning to look a lot better. I don't think there's a lot left to do.

(Wednesday) Well, as I write this it's 5.03a.m. Why am I not asleep? Why not? Making a shopping list as I am going to Sainsbury's later. Alfie is fast asleep in his bed. It is in the space between the television unit and my desk. I think it's his safe space. Although he likes to be with me, he also likes his own space and is happy there at times.

The Rain It Raineth Every Day!

I start off with a Shakesperean quote! And why not? I think The Bard got it right. It's from one of Feste's songs from one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, 'Twelfth Night.' The quote is now a bit out of date because as I write this. . . . it's bright and sunny!

(Saturday) Well, typical British weather! Today it's foggy when I took Alfie out around 7.15 this morning. No sign of it dispersing. And to cap it all, on BBC Breakfast they're saying there's snow coming in over the next couple of days and an Amber Warning.  Being referred to as 'The Beast From The East.' Seems the trend nowadays, to give storms a name of some sort. So, we're likely to be skating all over the place and snowed under-literally! Just shows how quickly our weather can change from day to day.

10.20a.m. As I write this, the sun is out! Not very strong, but it's dispersing the fog. 

Alfie happy to go out and walk around Oldbrook Green. Stopping every couple of yards to have a good sniff, which to him is happiness. One contented little dog.

The trees and bushes around Oldbrook Green and along the edge of Evans Gate, the road which runs alongside the Green and going up towards Sainsbury's in Witan Gate, has been trimmed by council workmen. They have been using a chipping machine to dispose of the branches of the trees and the chipping are distributed over the ground. Also, the other day they were using a powered cutter on a pole to cut off over-hanging branches on some of the trees alongside the path Alfie and I walk along. It all looks neat and tidy.

(Sunday) Well, after all the expectation of snow, no sign of the white stuff when we went out at 7.30a.m. Apparently Kent is under snow, so there's a chance we'll soon be under six feet of the stuff. But there's a chill wind blowing, so that may bring it in later. Watch this space! The 'Beat From The East' is also called Storm Darcey. I'm not sure whether it's male or female. Is it named after the character from Pride and Prejudice or even Darcey Bussell, the former ballet dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge? 

(Monday) A fall of snow in the night, but only what I'd term a smattering. We went out as usual, around 7.15, as it's getting lighter earlier and earlier, thank goodness, and there was some snow, but not what you'd call a heavy snow or even much of a covering. But, for all that, it's chilly!

12.25p.m. It's still snowing, but it's a rather thin and pathetic sort of snow. Not the big and bold sort with huge fluffy flakes. Just doesn't cut the mustard and hardly worth getting excited about.

There's a large puddle in the middle of the grass on the opposite side of Oldbrook Green to Oldbrook Green. It seems to appear every winter and was frozen the other day and there have been ducks on it and the other day a large retriever dog was splashing about in it. Typical of this sort of dog, no doubt a Spaniel of some sort. My brother used to have a Springer Spaniel and she loved water. Not sure that the owner was bothered with his dog having a paddle, but I don't think he would have been too pleased with a soaking wet dog and having to get it dried when he got home and the mess the dog would have caused, soaking furniture etc etc. Also, there is a puddle in the middle of the path, near the bench where we've sat on several occasions. The grass on either side is soaking as is most of the grass and it's like walking on wet carpet. There are wheel marks where someone has driven a fairly large vehicle over the grass. No doubt a Council worker, but it has really churned things up and as far as I am concerned, it was irresponsible to damage the grass and mess up the environment. They could surely driven the vehicle around the Green without churning up the ground.

(Tuesday) Out with Alfie at 7.15 this morning. I got ready to go out, all togged out as usual, walked through to the lounge. No sign of Alfie anywhere. Under other circumstances he would have been barking and jumping on the sofa ready to be taken out, but I find him sleeping in his bed! Then he sees me and starts his barking and excitement. So we go out and find that most of the snow has gone, although it's still chilly. I think we're bound to get more snow. Just seen Carol Kirkwood on BBC Breakfast, giving the weather forecast and saying it's likely to get worse.

More of . . . The Same!

The more of the same old same old. What more can I say at the moment? So what has changed? Ab-so-lutely nothing! More sitting around reading or watching television. Though I'm glad that I have Sky Arts on my Freeview box as they're currently  running Sky Arts Landscape Artist of 2021. I wasn't sure whether it's a repeat of a past series, but it's new. It makes me wonder how they could film it with social distancing in force. The first episode came from West Wycombe Park, a National Trust property which Carol and I visited a few years ago. It seems to be a favourite location for quite a few television dramas such as Downton Abbey, The Crown, Austenland, Cranford, the more recent film version of The Importance of Being Ernest which starred Dame Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell and many more. I have recognised it in many period dramas over the year. In fact, I would say it's becoming somewhat over-used.

(Friday) 7.55a.m.  I've just got back from taking Alfie out and as we walked down Strudwick Drive I could see someone standing on the grass with what I assumed was a blanket wrapped around themselves. Then, as I gradually walked along I could see an ambulance parked on the road. There was no indication what was going on. I've had to call an ambulance enough times to know what was likely to be going on inside. Then, further along the pavement with Alfie, the door of the ambulance slid open and a youth came out, also swathed in a blanket. The paramedics were obviously coming to end of examining the youth and then slid the door shut and both the youth and the woman walked off in the direction of Milton Keynes centre, going through Oldbrook Green. I still had no idea what was going on and probably best not to know. 

Some delightful soul has seen fit to abandon a supermarket trolley at the intersection of Oldbrook Boulevard and Strudwick Drive. It was marked with 'Morrison's' on it's handle, which made me think, someone had pushed it a long way from Morrisons, which is a couple of miles away. If they'd bought it thus far, why not return it? Also, another electric scooter, abandoned nearby. As we walk past, Alfie cocks his leg against it! Good for you, young man, that's a good way to mark the thing, cluttering up the place as it does.

Washing done. Everything back on hangers and in drawers. Thank goodness that's finished for a week. Washing-up also done and kitchen tidy. Domestic duties done.

Later. I've been out again with Alfie. There were Council workmen, dressed in day-glo clothing, litter-picking. Why do people insist on dropping so much litter? More particularly discarded face masks. No intention of even doing the thing and putting them in the many and various bins located around Oldbrook Green. Just not nice and something of a health hazard.

It's a bright and almost spring-like day. Not a lot else to report.

2.05p.m. How quickly the weather changes! As I write this, it's pouring with rain and I'm wondering whether Alfie is going to appreciate getting soaked. I doubt he will enjoy it, so I will have to wait until the rain goes off.

Later. The rain doesn't go off. I take the plunge and gear up to take his nibs out. It's raining hard. No sooner does he get out than Alfie turns tail and takes me home. Probably just as well as it's teaming down. No sign off it easing off. Better to be inside in the dry. Alfie had on his Regatta coat and I had on my bright yellow Regatta rain coat. I'm so glad I purchased it when I did!

February Fun

 I have to have a blog post title that's alliterative.  It adds to the fun, if my blog can ever be fun. I expect there's someone out there in cyber space who finds it funny. 

It's almost a year since the pandemic began. How much longer is it likely to continue? Scientists are saying that the Oxford vaccine prevents the virus being spread to other people. I just hope this is right, because it would mean we can get back to some sort of normal.

Alfie was staring at me. I was doing some work on my MacBook. It was quite obvious what he was trying to tell me: take me out, so I just gave in and we went out, through the side door into Strudwick Drive. We can't go out through the main entrance today because workmen are removing asbestos in the area around the office and main entrance. I have a key to get back in, although it can be somewhat difficult. I think the door needs a spray of WD-40 or light oil. So we walk along the pavement towards Oldbrook Green. We meet one of our regulars, man with the odd-faced dog, which makes me think of the dog that chases Tom and Jerry in the cartoons. It's got sticky-out teeth and looks a bit gormless. Not sure what breed it is, but it always looks at me as if expecting to get a treat, but I have none on me. Alfie barks and tries to make friends, but this dog just stares at him, making absolutely no sound. Alfie is miles ahead in the intelligence stakes in my opinion. This dog is SO ugly, poor thing, it can't help it I suppose.

We walk on around Oldbrook Green and then get to the point where we have to cross over Oldbrook Boulevard on our way back to Dexter House, and I see a low loader with a van going past. It has on the back a van with 'Hotpoint repairs' written on it, and it makes me think, how ironic, the Hotpoint repair van . . . now needs repairing! Just my sense of humour. You have an appointment to have your washing machine repaired and then the man who comes out to visit to do the work can't get the van started for whatever reason and it needs repairing.

I attempt to reenter Dexter House with the key, but the lick is being difficult, but after some effort I manage to get it to open the door, but as soon as I enter my ears are assaulted by the fire alarm. It's not clear whether it's a test or for real. No smoke or fumes comes out of any of the flats. I go into my flat, but the sound of the alarm is far too loud and Alfie barks. He really doesn't like loud noises, and neither do I. I come out and stand in the corridor and eventually the alarm stops. Something of nothing it would seem.

I go out with Alfie around 2.15 this afternoon and have just got outside onto the pavement when I hear a voice behind me and this individual comes right up behind me on one of those electric scooters which are seen all around Milton Keynes. It makes me virtually jump out of my skin as you can never hear them coming. I'm not sure they're such a good idea as they're left all around the place when they've been finished with and the fact that you can't hear them coming might be dangerous for those whose eyesore is bad or even their hearing. They shouldn't be ridden on the road because they're an accident waiting to happen.

The business of Alfie has been resolved. I should have known, of course. He's hungry! How stupid of me to not realise? No sooner had I put his food out in his bowl, he gobbled it down really fast. Now he's stopped staring at me. You would have thought I would have cottoned on a bit sooner. But he doesn't usually have his food until a lot later.

(Thursday) A mild but foggy morning when I took Alfie out for his walk at 7.20.

Chris Witty, the scientist who guides the government on the pandemic, has now stated that the worst of the pandemic has reached its peak. But such things as social distancing and all the other regulations may need to remain for the foreseeable future. 

Another Fun-Filled Week!

Do you sense a certain amount of irony in the title I chose for this blog post? Well, probably. As I put finger to keypad, or keyboard or whatever you want to call it, it's Sunday morning, 9.37. I went out with Alfie as usual. Quite nippy, and I assume there had been a sharp frost in the night. Walking along the pavement leading to Oldbrook Green, there is the usual patch of water. I can't think where it comes from. I reckon it's a leak from somewhere or other. Further down I nearly slipped over as there's a layer of ice, but you have to watch where you put your feet and I really don't fancy falling over. I will have to be more careful.

I  have being doing some more writing! Horray! I have just been lazy recently and really, honestly, I have had no excuse to NOT get on with any of it. Having a story arc or at least a set of notes which I follow, it's relatively easy. Just needed the inspiration to merely GET ON WITH IT! I'm a little surprised how things develop, once I get going. It needs heavy editing, but at least I'm working on it. It's not until I actually get writing that I find it often goes off in an entirely new direction and even new characters turn up and they can take things off in another direction. A bit like when you are on a car journey and you suddenly have to take a different route, probably because you might get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle and turn off the main road because it's probably quicker and as a result you discover something you wouldn't otherwise have come across, taking you into unexplored territory.

Another project of mine is to record stuff to upload onto Soundcloud. I'm using Garageband, the sound and music suite on my MacBook. I'll be honest and just say that I haven't really looked at this bit of kit and the MacBook is well over five years old. I can do most things on my laptop, but never really considered using this. I think digital recording is yet another area that's new to me. I have worked with reel-to-reel tape in the past and, as part of my job when I worked in stage management, I had to put together sound tapes for the plays I worked on and used reel-to-reel tape recorders (this was some 45 years ago, so digital wasn't around then. Recording wot digital is an entirely different ball game, no physical tape and it's far more sophisticated. The recently purchased microphone is now coming into its own. I is semi-professional and of fairly good quality and gives as good a result as I could have hoped.

(Monday)  A new month begins. It's the 1st of February.  The roll-out of the covid vaccine continues. Let's hope that it means that things can get back to some sort of normal, if that's possible. I really hope so. 

It's a mild morning. Thank goodness there's no ice to slip on as we walk along the pavement towards Oldbrook Green. But there is a fog, which hangs over the centre of Milton Keynes which you can see from Oldbrook Green. 

(Tuesday) Bedford Hospital is in the news because Sir Tom Moore, the amazing gentleman who did all that walking in the garden of his home for his 100th birthday and raised something like £30 million for NHS charities, has been admitted to hospital with coronavirus. This is where I was in May 2006 when I had my first heart attack. 

A mild morning.

(Wednesday) Sad to learn that Sir Tom has died of coronavirus. Make me a little bit cross that he had to die from the virus. Something wrong with the care he must have been given. But he has left an amazing legacy. A truly lovely man.