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.