Post number 1550- Another Week of Groundhog Day!

Monday. 7.20a.m. It's bright and sunny but somewhat muted. The sun hasn't had enough time to warm things fully but we'll wait and see how the weather changes as it surely will.

Later. 2.45 p.m. I've been out with Alfie. It's still sunny but there's still a chill in the air.

Tuesday. 6.40 a.m. Another mild and sunny morning, but not chilly.

I'm busily writing. I have now found a way to link some of the elements together but I'm not going to reveal anything about it on here. It's just going so well that I wouldn't want to ruin it. It's a bit like when you do a jigsaw and you have one piece missing at the end and then- suddenly- you find it, on the floor, behind the sofa, under your mug of coffee,  or the cat's sitting on it, the dog is chewing it or whatever. You snap it into place and the whole picture is complete.

I've just completed reading a biography of Roald Dahl, called 'Storyteller,' by Donald Sturrock. A thick volume and it had to be, as he had a full and interesting life. I get the impression that he could be quite difficult and unpredictable, which comes over in his writing, particularly his short stories, which were the basis for the Anglia Television series 'Tales of the Unexpected.' He must have been difficult to live with.

Wednesday.7.10 a.m. It's still chilly. Apparently, according to BBC Breakfast, April 2021 is supposed to be the frostiest since 1960. Difficult to believe.

1.40 p.m. I took Alfie out as I'm taking him to get his hair trimmed later. It was closing over so I thought it was a good idea to get out quickly and I was right. Alfie spends so much time deciding where to have a wee and taking in in circles in the process. Almost gets me tied in knots as he goes round in circles. There were a few tell-tale drops of rain but Alfie insisted on going into the wooded area that borders Oldbrook Green. I said to him 'shall we go home?' and he turned tail and we headed back to the flat.

I took Alfie to The Groom Room at Pets At Home in Bletchley. As soon as he sees me picking up his lead he starts barking and doesn't really stop until he's put into the cage in the back of the car. He does stop barking once we start moving but then starts up again as soon as I draw into the parking space outside Pets At Home. 

I have an hour to kill before I have to collect Alfie, so I wander around some of the shops along the parade from Pets At Home. There seemed no point in driving home and then back to collect Alfie.  Costa is open, but not to sit in. I think you can order via their app, and I think it's similar to Greggs which is next door. I go into T.K.Maax to have a browse. It amuses me about 'keeping safe,' referring to social distancing due to covid-19. What about if a bus runs you over or an anvil hits you as you walk along the path outside? Me just being crazy, but this sort of thing does make me think of this sort of 'safety.'

I've managed to transcribe several pages of writing onto word processing, using the speech-to-text function on my iPad. Quite a useful bit of technology and definitely saves time.

Thursday. 8.40 a.m. It's another bright and sunny morning. But, again, quite chilly first thing. 

Friday. 6.55 a.m. I've just taken Alfie out, as normal. He did his wee on the grass immediately outside where we come out of the door, but he insisted on taking me back inside to the front door. We normally walk along the path towards Oldbrook Green, but it wasn't interesting. When he doesn't want to do something, he won't change his mind and it's quite difficult to get him to do the opposite. For a small dog, he's surprisingly strong and more or less locks his legs.

Regarding the weather: it's mild and sunny, but there's still a chill in the air.

Incidentally, this post is number 1550. Another landmark for this blog!

Telly Watching- Part 1

At the moment we seem to be having a lot of similar television programmes which feature making-over or repairing items of furniture, toys, clocks, bicycles and so on. It started a few years ago with 'Money For Nothing,' where a restorer/maker/designer goes to a tidy-tip and rescues items of furniture and other things before they end up in the skip and are crushed. They then take the item to specialist designer/restorers who transform them item and then the presenter sells the item for a profit and the money they make is given to the person who was about to throw it in the skip at the tidy-tip. What makes this programme so good is that we see how an old piece of furniture which was past its best can be transformed and the journey it goes on to become something stunning and the money it can make when sold. The reaction when the presenter turns up with the money which has been made after the work has been done on their piece of furniture is a treat. I'm really surprised myself because some items are sold at ridiculous prices.

I suppose there have been many other 'make-over' shows on television over the years, 'Changing Rooms' and 'Ground Force,' and more recently 'Garden Rescue', but they don't have the 'repurpose' element in them, although 'Garden Rescue' does sometimes use recycled items, such as railway sleepers and other items in their make-overs, but not to the extent this rash of shows have.

Then there's 'The Repair Shop.' This is intriguing. People bring items into the shop to be repaired, usually, items that have some sort of connection to a friend, a family member, probably who has died. These items are in a really sorry state, in desperate need of care and attention. For example, a valuable piece of porcelain, a vase or bowl, but some have no real intrinsic value, probably the property of a grandparent or friend, which has a sentimental story to tell, such as a rather tatty teddy bear which survived a house fire or a clock which someone inherited but accidentally got knocked off a shelf and has been left in a drawer because no one can repair it, is the basic format of this show. A series of craftspeople, each with their own set of special skills, manage to restore and revive these pieces. It is a good show, but the sentimental side is beginning to get a bit tiresome. It seems the producers are trying their best to wring every tear out of the people whose items are being repaired. This usually at the end when the 'big reveal' is made and they see their beloved heirloom in its newly-repaired state. There is so much sentiment and gushing that a person can take, surely. Or perhaps not. It's all about nostalgia, and as someone once said, 'nostalgia isn't what it used to be.' (I may have got the quote wrong, but you get a rough idea of what I mean. But, on the other hand, it's great to have a programme where people are actually NICE to one another. Probably accounts for the series success, particularly during the lockdown where people are crying out for something soothing and pleasant to watch. Remember such programmes as 'The Weakest Link,' presided over by the 'Queen of Mean' herself, Anne Robinson, who could make some quite nasty remarks and 'you are the weakest. Goodbye!' was her mantra? Or Craig Revill-Horwood, one of the judges on 'Strictly Come Dancing', who could make some quite nasty quips about the contestants? Done in the mode of a pantomime villain. Just to get a reaction in some respects, and to get people talking on social media and thus increase the viewing figures.

This 'nostalgia' theme is carried through in the fact that the show is filmed in an ancient barn in the  Weald and Downland Living Museum near Chichester. Then it's been styled with objects that give a suggestion of nostalgia, metal advertising signs, bric-a-brac, dried flowers, carriage lamps from a bygone era, and so on. Playing on a rather fake past, in some respects, seen through a haze of soft focus, horses grazing, gaslight, drifting fog, and so forth. Not really genuine really, because living in, say, the 19th century, might have been fine for the upper classes, but pretty terrible for the lower orders, especially those working in the factories and cotton mills in the north of England.

The last of this type of programme is 'Saved and Remade,'  which is Broadcast on BBC2. Members of the public bring in items that have become redundant or have no real purpose anymore or hold some sort of emotional connection (much the same sort of thing which holds 'The Repair Shop' together.) It might be a wedding dress, an ancient sewing machine, or a transistor radio. Specialist craftsmen and women then have to 'repurpose' these items into a useful piece that can still retain something of its original use which can be a functional item in the person's home.

It's good that the BBC is showing programmes to at least attempt to recycle things that would otherwise be sent to landfill, but I think that there is a limit to the same sort of programme. Perhaps these shows are being made at the moment where it's difficult to produce other types of the show under government covid-19 restrictions.  They seem to think that if one type of show is popular, such as cookery or antiques, that if they make more of the same, then the public will lap them up.

Welcome Sun!

Monday. 10.00a.m.The confounded pigeons are making the same ridiculous noise outside my window, which is wide open to cool the place down. Can't pigeons learn a different song? Just so boring. The simple fact of the matter is that they have to be the most boring birds around. Not exactly the most intelligent of birds, granted, just wandering around with that stupid head movement. If I was to go around like that I'd get a really bad headache. It made me laugh as I stood at my kitchen sink doing washing-up (yes, unbelievably, I do that occasionally.) watching a group of pigeons perched in the trees which are in the community garden at Dexter House. It was quite breezy, and the branches of the trees were swaying too and fro, but the silly birds wouldn't move. No sense at all.  I would laugh if they fell out of the trees! They don't have the sense to perch somewhere more secure. No wonder they get eaten by predatory birds such as hawks. Just make a lovely meal for some bird and it would rid us of the stupid noise. There are red kites that circle around this area, so perhaps they are likely to sup on a dense pigeon or two.

Wednesday. It's a bit colder this morning. Not frosty, but considerably cooler than the past few days. I have decided to give my knees an airing and put on my shorts. I didn't realize how cold it was until we got outside. 

Thursday. 8.10 a.m. I was surprised again by how cold it was this morning. The sun is out and that stupid pigeon is again making its stupid noise.

I did a Sainsbury's online shop on Monday and the delivery was yesterday at around 12.30. Unfortunately, I ordered skimmed milk instead of semi-skimmed. I don't know why I ordered it as, quite frankly, it's not nice. Just thin and watery. Never mind. I had to drive to the Tesco Express in Oldbrook Boulevard to get some semi-skimmed. I found that there was ice on the car's windscreen which had to be thawed off before I could drive away. A few sprays of de-icer and a few flicks of the wipers and it was gone.

Later. I have taken Alfie to have his face trimmed at The Groom Room. I can just say he can now see where he's going and I'm sure he's a good deal happier. The proper groom has now, fortunately, been scheduled to 28th April thank goodness, which means he can now be trimmed fully, have his claws trimmed, and generally have a full grooming session. It really was too long to wait until July which was when he was originally booked.

Friday. 7a.m. It's bright and sunny as I write this, but even so, it is chilly out, as I discovered just now when I took Alfie out for his usual walk. Not a great deal more I can say at the moment. What's changed? Not a lot. Lockdown is a bit like being in that film, 'Groundhog Day,' where you get trapped in the same day, which just repeats endlessly. You seem not to be able to get out of it. I think we're in some mad experiment, to see how long we can put up with isolation. We are being observed by an alien species, who sit inside their mothership, several thousand miles into deep space. They view us in the same fashion we watch ants in a colony.  Those aliens are preparing to invade, and we won't notice, because we're so obsessed with our mobile phones, we just don't seem to notice what's going on. I think there's a sci-fi novel in there somewhere  . . .

The Sun Has Got His Hat On!

Saturday. Too right. The sun has definitely got his hat on and he's coming out to play. It's really warm and sunny. This afternoon is the funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh. Only thirty people were allowed in the chapel at Windsor Castle but some 800 troops in the parade within the castle. The Queen will sit, alone and masked. Poor woman! That shouldn't be allowed, even with social distancing. (Thinks: 'social distancing' is an oxymoron. Never thought about it before. A contradiction in terms.)

I've just been to Waitrose for a few items, including eggs. They are double-yolkers. But, just tell me, how can they be certain that they have double yolks? Surely double yolks in chicken's eggs are rarer than, dare I say it, hen's teeth. You wouldn't know an egg contains a double yolk until you crack it. It's a bit like saying, which comes first, the chicken or egg. Are they guaranteed? If I take it back when I find that one doesn't have a double yolk, can I get a refund? Do they have an X-Ray machine to check? I remember, years ago, going to the egg-packing station which was in Bedford, somewhere in Horne Lane, probably where a carpark now takes up the land (probably not, as I have an idea it's been redeveloped, with flats there, but couldn't be sure.) Anyway, as the eggs went along the production line (packing line would probably be more correct. No chickens were harmed in the course of this entire procedure.) and at one point they were held against a light which showed if they were bad (well, I imagine that was what it was for.) So, perhaps that is how they would be checked for double yolks. All this sounds very like the Ardman Animation film 'Chicken Run.' If you've not seen it, you must, it's brilliant, and has to be one of my all-time favourite films. Clever, funny and so original.

I've started a new drama series on Amazon called 'Leonardo.' I have had something of an obsession with Leonardo Da Vinchi, so this seemed a good show to at least have a look at. The part of Leonardo is played by Aiden Turner, who played Ross Poldark in the rebooted BBC1 series. I seem to remember him in another series based on the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, 'Desperate Romantics,' in which he played another painter, Dante Gabriel Rosetti. I can't say it's particularly dynamic but they seem to have got the period right and it makes a change to have something that isn't about people being horrible to each other, jumping in and out of bed, car chases, or shooting up drugs or killing one another.

Sunday. 6.55a.m. I woke up at around 2a.m. This is normal for me. I had a shave and did my Bible reading on YouVersion, ' 2021:A Year Through The Bible With Nicky Gumble', and as usual, Alfie followed me from room to room. A time to then check emails and then back to bed. Alfie kept on prodding me as he thinks I will just jump up and take him out. If anything, he keeps me motivated. 

It's another bright and sunny morning, although not particularly warm, as I discovered when I took Alfie out as normal.

Later. I got back from Church to be greeted by Alfie, excited as he is usually when I come home. He was a real sight, hair everywhere. He had been rolling about on the sofa and it really made me laugh. Eventually, he settled down, but it made me think that his haircut is more than ever important. Just a pity it won't be until July.

Later still. Alfie needed to go out in a hurry, so we did just that. Oldbrook Green is heaving with life. People everywhere, sitting on the grass, playing football, some children in the skateboard park, others in the playground. Then, add to that the litter, which is everywhere. With enough bins, why can't people put their rubbish in the bins which are there for that purpose? Likewise, dog mess. Just not nice. I could go on, but I won't.

Monday. 7.50a.m. Yet another bright and sunny morning. 

Alfie had a bit of what I can only describe as a 'situation' this morning. As a result, he was somewhat smelly. To say he was embarrassed by it would be untrue. If he has an unfortunate accident (!) he gives me such a look that can only be described as contrite. The only answer to the situation was to put him in the bath. He doesn't enjoy it, but he was going to have to put up with it. I had to organise thing beforehand, run the bath and make sure the water wasn't too hot and I had enough towels and the plastic jug nearby to use to rinse him. He shivered a lot, which showed he wasn't enjoying things. I took him out of the bath and, he shook himself, which is what all dogs do when wet. I managed to towel dry him sufficiently to allow him into the lounge but the bedroom door shut tight as I really didn't want him in there. As I write this he is sitting in his favourite place on the back of the sofa, looking somewhat disheveled but I can't take him out until he is dry.

The Spring Has Sprung!

Tuesday. It's relatively warm and sunny this morning. Let's hope it stays that way.

Wednesday. Well, not a lot happened yesterday as you can see from the above.

Although I have watched 'Kinky Boots', the musical, on Broadway HD, a Netflix-style streaming service which has recordings of Broadway and West End musicals and plays on its service. It's a real spirit-lifting show, based on a real story and set in Northampton, which is no more than a twenty-minute drive from Milton Keynes. I have also watched the 1982 RSC production of 'Nicholas Nickleby,' as mentioned in an earlier post on here, as well as 'Private Lives,' and a one-woman show by Elaine Strich. Plenty more I want to watch and should keep me endlessly happy when there's not much else to watch, which is the case with traditional television at the moment.

It's surprisingly mild and dry this morning.

I had a telephone call from The Groom Room, in response to the message I left yesterday regarding a haircut for Alfie. The only appointment I could get was for July 9th, although I'm taking him to have his face trimmed next Thursday week as he can't really see where he's going. Then there's the build-up of mess under his eyes which he won't let me deal with.

Later. I have been into the MK Centre to get my hair cut at Central Barbers, and I have to say I feel a good deal better about it. Around six months since my last trip to the barbers. Enough hair cut off to stuff a cushion or more likely two cushions!

Thursday. Another bright and sunny morning. Also, not a great deal to report on here. Now there's a surprise.

I have to do a bowel cancer test every two years. It was time for it again, which I did (no need to explain the details.) I have had a response and it's a negative, so I'm all clear in that area. I only wish that Carol could have had a similar test. I have to have one done as I'm over 60, but because of her age, she didn't fall into the age group to be tested. I think it's about time age shouldn't come into it and everyone a good deal younger has to be tested, perhaps for all types of cancer.

I had my eyes tested this afternoon. There seems not to be anything wrong with my eyes and I get a new pair of glasses on the NHS, and the new glasses will be ready and bought for me at Dexter House in around two weeks.

Friday. 5.45a.m. It's still dark and I'm here sitting in my armchair writing this blog post and waiting to take Alfie out.

I had a plotline written some while ago, probably well before Carol's cancer diagnosis. I haven't worked on the writing project in some time and have only fairly recently picked it up again. Some points didn't make any sort of logical sense but now I have managed to find a way to tie things together, which I will not disclose here. All of which means that I can now continue with writing. All will be revealed, hopefully, in the fullness of time!

Let Out of Prison On Good Behaviour!?

(Saturday)As regards the lockdown and the covid-19 pandemic, are we heading in the right direction? Is the infamous 'roadmap' out of lockdown which Boris Johnson keeps on mentioning, still on track, or are we likely to have a diversion? I know, I've used these metaphors before and they are becoming increasingly annoying. Like the word unprecedented, which gets used so much in describing the pandemic, it just doesn't really mean anything anymore. Its use is just very lazy use of English. Journalists and reporters as well as politicians, please buy a thesaurus (no, that's not a type of dinosaur, by the way. If you don't know what one is or what the word means, just look it up on Google (other search engines are available.)

This afternoon I turned on the television and watched Prince Charles giving a really quite touching tribute to his father, from Highgrove, for The Duke of Edinburgh. It must have been quite difficult for him, but a really brilliant piece which was so obviously not scripted. Calling 'papa' was used affectionately. It just makes it so clear that it's one more step for him to him coming King. Also, amazing how much affection there is obviously for The Duke of Edinburgh from the public.

(Monday) So, today some of the lockdown restrictions will be lifted. Non-essential retail can reopen. Okay, I get it that some shops are not actually essential, but I think getting a haircut and getting your dog groomed is quite essential. I plan to go over to Bletchley this morning and attempt to get Alfie fixed up with a groom as he is looking somewhat scruffy, poor little dog!

I have managed to at last get a doctor's appointment, although it is going to be a telephone call. There was quite obviously nothing malignant shown when they did the scan the other week, otherwise,, I would have had an urgent call to see me at the surgery. I must ask, when the doctor calls on 10th May, morning, about the cough I have which comes out of nowhere. I'm absolutely certain it's connected to one of my meds, most likely the artarvorstatin, which dries out my throat, but when it starts it's almost impossible to stop. I have sweets to suck, or I have a drink. I had Robitussin which has now finished.

I then drove over to the retail park at Bletchley to book Alfie a groom. I got inside the store and then was told that the young man who was dealing with this large Alsation dog couldn't stop to help (no doubt they aren't allowed to have more staff in such a small space.)So I will have to ring later to make the required booking. Annoying, but one has to just live with the situation.

I had intended to visit T.K.Maax, which is further along the parade of units. I was surprised to find a queue formed outside, around a couple of dozen ahead of me. A sign in the window telling customers that only 333 people allowed in at one time. How did they come up with this number? I didn't wait, as it was taking a long time for the queue to move. I went into Boots and bought Robbitussin and then just went home.

Had a knock on my door as I sat having my lunch. A man from the N.H.S., asking me if I wanted to have my eyes tested. As it so happens I do need to get them tested, so I said yes. An ophthalmic optician coming on Thursday, so that's one less thing to deal with. I will then have to get the glasses made up which shouldn't be much of a problem.

Death of Duke of Edinburgh

(Friday)The whole television schedule today has been stripped across all channels, BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, with coverage on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. None of the usual progrmmes appear to be on. They have completely stopped regular shows. I think it's out of respect, but more likely protocol in such an occasion. Not surprising really, considering the important role he has played in the life of this country, as consort to HM Queen. Newsreaders and reporters are wearing black mourning. Men in black suits with black ties. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, appeared outside 10 Downing Street, to give an address in response to the Duke's death. Also, condolences from other political leaders of all major United Kingdom parties. I'm glad that the Royal Family have said that they don't want the public to buy flowers, to leave outside Windsor Castle, but instead to donate money to charity in remembrance of the Duke of Edinburgh. This seems a good idea,  considering the amount of flowers which were laid outside after the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Just think what could have been done with the money which was spent on them.

Great Expectations?

(Wednesday) 10.55a.m. I gave this post the title 'Great Expectations?' not realising that it would be more than appropriate. Let me elucidate if I may. I get my pension every 4 weeks, on a Wednesday. I checked on line that the money was in my account and had my shopping list written, ready to go to Sainsbury's as I usually do. On going down to the car and attempting to start it, no life. Even a second and then third attempt- nothing, not a jot, sausage or whatever. I'm not exactly pleased, but blame myself for not taking it out for a run to keep the battery charged. So, quick thinking, I decided to transfer to order on the Sainsbury's website. I imagine that my account would be active, but it turned out it wasn't. So I had to set it up which took some time and then spent around an hour ordering, using the shopping list to help. I had to book a delivery slot and then discovered that I wouldn't be able to get a slot until tomorrow (Thursday- between 9-10p.m. Well, that's not a problem. It just means I will be a little short of some items until it arrives. I have since taken Alfie out and discovered that most of the snow has gone, although it's very cold, so we didn't hang around for long. It now means, having given the car another try to start it, I might have to ring Bleakhall Motors to get the car to start. Not that I really want to, but there really is nothing for it, unfortunately.

(Thursday) It's surprisingly mild this morning. Not sunny at the moment. 

I rang Bleakhall Motors and they weren't sure if they could come out to get the car started. They said they'd probably ring back later. Not being sure one way or the other I wanted to get an idea if anyone else could get it started, so I went on line and found several local mechanics who could come out. I took Alfie out mid-morning and when I got back I thought I would email the first mechanic to find out if they come come out to fix the car, but as I was writing the email I got a phone call from Bleak Hall Motors to say they were sending someone out to sort the car out. I went down to wait by the car and within 5 minutes a red car arrived and the mechanic had the car started really quickly, suggesting to me that there wasn't anything serious with the battery, for example. I went off to drive around Milton Keynes to get the battery charged fully. I will now have to keep on taking it out for drives to continue to keep the battery charged. It's no good having it standing on the drive and going nowhere. I just need to keep it in good working order and not let me down with a flat battery which would allow the car to start.

Later. The delivery window was between 8 and 9p.m. I was hoping that the delivery from Sainsbury's was going to be around 9p.m. But my thoughts on that fact were to be somewhat surprised when I had an idea the van was arriving outside. I peered out of the window, and sure enough, the Sainsbury van was parked below my window. I looked at my watch and it was 7.30, so I went down to meet the driver who was unloading several of the delivery crates onto a trolley and was pushing it towards the entrance to Dexter House. I said 'for Dexter House?' and he said 'yes.' Well, the delivery could have been for any of the other flats or the houses along Dexter Avenue.

The driver bought the crates into my flat and helped unload them onto the various work surfaces in the kitchen and then was on his way. I must say, it was a very efficient service and somewhat easier than going into the store, although at the moment it's about my only other excuse to go out into the world, apart from Sunday morning at church.

(Friday)10.40a.m. Another mild day. I've been for another circuit of Milton Keynes to make sure it's still running properly and the battery charged. Nothing untoward and came back home.

I had a text message from Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre asking me to make a telephone appointment to speak to my doctor as the results have come back regarding last week's scan at the hospital. Trying to get through would be a miracle. How long do they expect you to hang on? Interminable. The recorded voice that comes through after a few seconds tells you that it's possible to make an appointment on line. I went to a great deal of trouble to download the app to my iPad and order my repeat prescriptions through that and there's no problem, but for some unaccountable reason the surgery has disabled the facility whereby you can make an appointment. Begs the question WHY? Would make life easier and simpler, and then I ask why say on the telephone messaging thingy that you can make appointment on-line? Makes me think the right hand doesn't seem to know what the left hand is doing.

12.40p.m. I was settling down to have my mid-morning snack. The television was on and the programme was about paramedics. Interesting to see how they work. Having had several visits from paramedics and how vital they were in helping me when I have had heart attacks and also supporting Carol similarly. Then the screen went blank and a notice came up to inform viewers that a statement had been given to say that HRH Duke of Edinburgh had died this morning. Considering his age, 99, it was really no surprise. The poor woman newsreader who gave the news was finding it quite difficult to keep her emotions under control and actually get the words out.

Another Week

(Tuesday) 6.00a.m. I really had to stop and think which day of the week this is. Probably because each day seems to merge into the next. Get up, dress, eat, read, walk dog, eat, sleep, get up, dress, eat, watch television, read, eat, going shopping, drive car, come home, walk dog, eat, sleep. . . Tuesday, under normal circumstances, I would be going to Camphill, to work in the theatre workshop. It's well over a year since I was last there. I do miss it. Perhaps things will be allowed to return to some sort of 'normal' soon, once everyone has been given the vaccine. Perhaps Boris's 'road map' out of the confounded lockdowns will allow this. Who knows?

It seems very still outside. I can't hear howling wind. I shall find out what it's like when I take Alfie out. He is in one of his favourite places, laying on the back of the sofa. I can't think of many small dogs who get to sleep and lay on a sofa, totally to themselves. I get the armchair. I know it's comfortable, but still . . . He really needs a trim. I'm hoping I can book him in to have a haircut sometime in the next couple of weeks. 

Later. The grass is being cut on Oldbrook Green. I wasn't entirely sure where it was going when I walked across this area with Alfie. It was going round and round and then across, and I wasn't entirely sure where it was going next, so I was keen to avoid it at all costs.

I have noticed bunches of flowers, candles and photographs set up around the bench at the furthest side of Oldbrook Green. It's like a shrine. I hadn't taken much notice until fairly recently. I think it was because of the death of someone, called Lewis. I now know his full name, lewis Wenman, who was fatally stabbed. He was only 17. There seems to be a lot of fatal stabbings, not just in Milton Keynes, but from the television news, other towns and cities across the country. It seems really senseless and dangerous. I don't intend mentioning this anymore, but since that bench has now been repaired with a plaque in memory of this young man, and, with searching on the internet to discover who he was, I am content to leave it at that. I have to say that buying flowers and then leaving them at a 'shrine' like this is a real waste of money in my opinion. It was the same after the death of Diana in 1997, when people placed flowers outside Kensington Palace. There were so many, which took up so much space. I have no idea how many bunches there worth, but the total value must have been quite high. If all that money had been given to charity it would surely been more useful for whatever course, probably something that Diana supported. But there again, that's my opinion.

I was somewhat shocked when I went into the kitchen to remove my food which was cooking in the oven, to see a quite heavy snow storm through the window. I don't think it lasted long, but if it had it would have caused quite a blanket over the garden and Oldbrook and the rest of Milton Keynes.

7.00p.m. The snow did last. Enough of a fall to cover the garden and it looks like a scene from a Christmas card! But at the same time, the sun is out! Weird weather. Can it make it's mind up, please?

(Wednesday) Alfie was somewhat surprised to discover the snow when we ventured forth this morning at around 6.30. 

Changeable Weather

(Easter Sunday) There's a definitely change in the weather this morning. It might be relatively bright and sunny, but Alfie and I were somewhat surprised that there was a light frost as we came out of the door into Strudwick Drive at around 7.30 this morning. I would appear, according to the weather forecast on BBC Breakfast, that it's going to be even colder tomorrow.

I've been to church this morning at the Oaktree Centre, home of Shenley Christian Fellowship! First the first time in I don't know how many months, we are allowed to have socially distanced meetings. A very full (socially distanced, I must add here) house.

Later. Turned the television on at around 4.15pm. to discover the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on. It's not on the River Thames, but this year it's taking place on the River Ouse near Ely. I suppose, with the pandemic in full swing, they had to make sure that no crowds gather along the banks (spoil sports!) but I really think this is going too far! Mind you, definitely put Ely and the River Ouse on the map. A long river, which runs through Newport Pagnall, Bedford, St Neots and out towards The Wash at King's Lynn.

(Monday) 7.35a.m. I've been out with Alfie. Really early, around 6.15a.m. It's bright and windy and quite cold. Not a lot more to comment on at the moment.

Later. I've been out again with Alfie. He's been doing his 'sitting on the sofa, staring' act and, as I was attempting to read (by the way 'Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl,' by Donald Sturrock if you want to know.) I just couldn't concentrate, even after I'd given him several treats. As I have said in the above, the weather is a good deal colder this morning, but I was surprised to see flurries of snow when I was in the kitchen washing up and looking out of the window. We walked as far as Oldbrook Green, but as it was so cold we came back to the warmth of the flat.

5.00p.m. Another of those wonderful Downing Street press conferences. (Do you sense a certain irony in that sentence?) Boris Johnson has just stated that  shops, pubs, hairdressers and other retail outlets are to be allowed to reopen on Monday. Great, wonderful, brilliant etc etc etc. About time to. I can't wait to go into a shop again, and I bet lots of other people will be thinking the same. I really think the BBC should release these Downing Street press conferences on DVD so that, when all this is over (and, please, let's hope that isn't much longer.) we can sit and watch it all when we want something to send us to sleep. 

Hospital and (possible) Film Work!

(Thursday) I had an appointment in the scanning department at Milton Keynes University Hospital at 1.30p.m. I had a letter around a month ago informing me of the appointment, and then yesterday someone rang me to find out whether I was attending. I knew I was due a second appointment, as I had one back in around September and was told that I should have a second scan in early 2021. My first consideration was the ability to park. I left in plenty of time and fortunately there was more than enough space to park, probably due to the fact that, due to the pandemic, there are limitations on numbers of visitors. Then I had the long walk along the infamous corridor, with memories of visiting Carol. I got to the scanning department (somewhere Carol had to visit to have several M.R.I. scans.) and I had to report to the receptionist. Everything where there is some sort of contact with staff you come across grass screens and when I was asked my name the lady on the reception desk could barely hear me, due to having a face covering on and having the glass screen. Anything to make life easier of course. Every other seat had a huge 'X' on it, to make sure people didn't forget about social distancing. It made me think of when they marked houses with similar marks during the Middle Ages, where a house where someone with the Black Death had either got the plague or else had died. The receptionist suggested I leave and come back later (trust me to arrive to early, but what with parking the car and then having to walk to the scanning department I was only making sure I was on time.) But, as I could see one vacant seat, I decided to sit there and wait for my name to be called. The actual scan took no more than five minutes, so I was out of the department and walking back to the car a good deal quicker than I expected.

(Good Friday- Morning) Yet another bright and mild morning.

4.30p.m. I have had several 'bites,' if that's the right word, to do television/film walk-on work, but none have actually yielded any real work, unfortunately. There was no point mentioning unless they came off anything. You get 'put forward' for things, but then the agency just responds later with 'sorry, you weren't selected.' So I have hopes that a text I got this afternoon might turn the tide. It's for a television series being shot in this area, between Pinewood Studios, Aylesbury and Oxford, so not too far to drive (if it comes off.) But if I get selected I will have to go for a costume fitting and have a haircut (it's supposed to be set during World War 2, so it's likely to be extremely short cut to fit the period.) I also have to have two covid-19 tests , (for which I get paid, incidentally.) and the filming is done with all social distancing protocols in place. Just have to wait what happens next. I really hope it does, because I really enjoy being on a set, the excitement and comradary you find with being with like-minded people and then seeing how it all comes together. And on top of that, the food you get, which is usually excellent. You can say that it's something of a bonus, having a meal which you don't have to pay for!

Spring Has Sprung!!

Life during the last year, caused by lockdown to prevent the spread of the covid-19 virus, has been turned totally upside down. Just sitting in a small room, with only a little dog for company and rarely seeing another soul, except on Zoom or FaceTime, isn't my idea of how to spend your time. I'm used to be outside doing things, such as going to Camphill on a Tuesday, or even at church, generally going places. As a child my mother would never allow us to stay in doors during the day when we were on school holiday. The idea of daytime television would be totally frowned upon. In fact, I don't think we turned the television on until around 5 o'clock when children's television started. (Mind you, I don't think in the 1960's children's  television probably sorted somewhat earlier. 

(Tuesday) A mild and sunny morning here in Milton Keynes. Not much else to report at the moment (7.45a.m.)

Later. 9.55a.m. I've just got back from Sainsbury's. I had to collect meds from the in-store Lloyd's and I had a shopping list prepared so to kill two birds with one stone (sounds cruel, but never mind.) I thought I might as well get the things until I get paid next week. It's a good deal easier when there aren't lots of other shoppers in the store. It's still bright and sunny and reasonably warm. It's the sun which is encouraging the trees to burst forth with leaves and the flowers to bloom. So, you might say that spring has sprung at last

So warm I'm considering opening the windows and wearing my shorts! My goodness, what ever next?

 6.00p.m. Just heard on BBC News that it's been the warmest March day since 1968. People going mad in a Nottingham park. Crowds of people not paying attention to social distancing. Well, having been locked up for months on end you can hardly blame people for this sort of behaviour.

One of my all-time favourite film directors, Alfred Hitchcock, is reputed to have said 'Drama is life with the boring bits removed', or words to that effect. That's what is probably this blog is probably NOT, because I tend to write more or less everything which happens to me during the course of the day, mundane and interesting. It's really intended to be a sort of observation of human life, such as it is at the moment, and probably more so since all these lockdowns caused by the covid-19 pandemic. People are fascinating and I continue to be intrigued by those I observe. A good basis for my writing. 

I'm shocked to find that, on taking Alfie out for his mid-morning trot around Oldbrook Green, how much litter there is today. Yesterday, probably because some of the restrictions have been eased, was more like a Bank Holiday. A more carefree atmosphere, but people are being somewhat lax in their litter-dropping habits. The same can be said about the amount of dog fouling (sorry to mention it, but I must.) Not nice when there's children playing on the grass. And amongst all the plastic water bottles, coke cans, sweet wrappers and so on, I have to report that a large amount of discarded face-coverings seems to be getting worse. Surely it isn't to difficult to put them in a bin or even in your pocket until you can dispose of it in your rubbish when you get home, but apparently not it would seem,

Really warm and sunny. I actually went out WITHOUT MY JACKET this morning! I'm sitting here at 11.20a.m., busily writing this with the window open and the electric fan on next to me. It has got incredibly stuffy in this flat. The fact that the kitchen is boiling hot because you can't turn the heating down (which I think I have mentioned before on here.) doesn't exactly help. Have it warm when the temperature drops below freezing, when there's a hard frost or show outside (which we had for a couple of days during the winter months.) but is totally unnecessary to have it so warm. It means I can't leave some food items out, such as milk, because it will go off, or bread, and it goes stale faster. There should be some sort of control to turn the heating down, as you would have with central heating.

I mentioned the Zoom market research I did on Monday morning. I've already been paid, and it's in my bank account. I wasn't expecting it to be my my account so quickly, probably a week or two, but not days after the work was finished. I'm now having problems attempting to get into the on-line account to keep an eye on the balance. The number of passwords and 'security codes, etc is really annoying. I realise it's to keep things secure, but it is driving me crazy. Then it tells me 'account frozen' because I've made too many attempts. But I will get into it soon. My Nationwide account is so much easier to get into, with a card reader, into which you put your PIN number and then it gives a series of numbers which you put into the site and then you can see your statement. Easier than for the Metro account.

Been out and walking round Oldbrook Green. Groups of people sitting on the grass. The litter is worse than ever. 

(Thursday) A mild morning. I woke up and then went back to sleep and then didn't wake up until around 7.30a.m. It's not like me to sleep so late. I took Alfie out and we came back inside as we usually do. I took him out again at 10.00a.m. but we didn't go far as there was the possibility of rain. I felt a few drops and the sky was clouding over so we went back to the flat.