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?