A Glimmer of Light

Yesterday (Sunday 7th March) would have been Carol's 57th birthday. Just doesn't seem possible that she's been gone for over two years. I posted some photographs of her on Facebook. Have plenty and it was difficult selection  to choose those that were the best. 

So, what does the new week bring?

Well, to be honest, probably much the same as last week and the week before and back to around the beginning of all these confounded lockdowns. But there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

(Monday) I've written a considerable amount more and by now I ought to transcribe it into word processing. More editing, but that's to be expected.

The workmen are busily doing whatever it is they're doing around Dexter House. As I write this, at 1.35p.m., there is a very loud sound immediately outside my front door, of what I suspect is an electric drill, a hole being made for whatever purpose I have really no idea. I just wish someone would warn me well in advance, as it is extremely loud and might mean I can't get out until it's finished. Alfie really doesn't like it and he's staring at the door. Any sudden sharp noises he starts barking, so you can imagine what he's like at the moment. I just hope it stops soon.

Later. I've been out with Alfie. I waited until the drilling stopped and then stuck my head out of the door and all the noise was to install new emergency lighting. I think they will be a good deal more effective than the old ones. I just hope that is all the noise for today. I should have spoken (or written) so soon, as there is more drilling going on elsewhere. Oh well! Just have to ignore it.

(Tuesday) The new emergency lights are far more effective than the old ones. It's like daylight and because those outside my front door are on all night (and day, it would seem.) the light comes through my front door and it's almost like having daylight streaming in. Almost pure white light contrasted with the rather yellowy light of the old lights and similar to the light from the reading lamp I bought on Amazon. I think they must be LCD (light emitting diode) lights but not entirely sure.

(Wednesday) I've been out with Alfie as usual and it was cold and wet! Quite a strong wind blowing.

I've just realised that the new ceiling lights along the corridor as I go out are operated by motion sensors! I wasn't sure, but I'm certain. I couldn't understand what the strange clicking was as I walked along the corridor, and now realise that was what it was and the whole array of ceiling lights come on as I passed under them. I suppose it's a good way to save electricity so they don't have to be on all the time and especially when there's nobody around.

I had to wait in this morning because there was an electrician coming from Mears, the company which does the maintenance around Dexter House. Apparently someone was supposed to come a few weeks ago, but unfortunately I forgot, so the appointment was rearranged for today. I wasn't sure what time they would arrive, and someone rang me yesterday to ask me if I'd had covid or had interacted with someone infected by the virus, but I said I hadn't. The window I was given when he would arrive was from 8-12pm, so I couldn't go out. Fortunately he arrived at around 10.30 and what he was going was putting in new fire and carbon monoxide alarms. They can be tested from a remote gadget and as it is I can reach them as I'm tall enough to touch them to test them. One in the entrance, another in the kitchen and another in the sitting room. Poor Alfie had to be shut in the bedroom as it was safer for all concerned and it meant he could sleep on the bed and it would explain why I din't hear a single peep out of him the whole time. So, at least that's done and dusted.

Today he weather has changed considerably. From being really mild and spring-like, today it is a good deal colder, wet and windy. I took Alfie out when I'd been to Sainsbury's (a good deal later than I would normally, due to the fact the electrician came to sort out the fire alarms. Incidentally, why wasn't one put in the bedroom? Or the bathroom if it comes to that?) Once I'd come home and put the shopping away (four bags, and considerably more than I usually buy, but I have several week's worth of food, so I shouldn't have to go shopping for quite a while.) I had a short rest and then took Alfie out, but he didn't want to go far because it was raining, although not particularly heavily.