1,800th Blog Post!

 Friday. 7.00 a.m. Today, this blog reaches the momentous milestone of 1,800 posts! It never occurred to me, back when I wrote the first post back on 27th September 2009 at 4 p.m., that  I would still be reporting on the goings-on around Milton Keynes, and in particular, in my life, so many years later. I manage to report on some of the absurdities of life, some plain crazy, some downright outrageous and some just plain monotonous, some laughable and some downright sad, particularly the passing of my lovely wife, Carol. Fourteen years! How many other blogs can you mention have survived that long?

11.00 a.m. I've just been out with Alfie. It looks very much as if it's going to rain, so we weren't out very long. A lot of dark clouds and I think I felt a drop of rain.

4.25 a.m. I bought a gimbal for my iPhone, which was supposed to be used for video and the idea would be to enable you to take video. The gimbal would keep the phone steady, and you should be able to do a series of camera moves with it. The thing works through an app and connects to your phone using Bluetooth, but, after more than a week, I hadn't been able to get the thing to work, so I have sent it back to Amazon. Returning items to Amazon used to be relatively easy. You could print off a return label from the Amazon website and just take it to a Post Office for it to be posted. But now you have to use Evri (the new name for Hermes.) You have to take the parcel to a specific shop locally. I took it to Tesco's in Oldbrook Boulevard, but it turned out that they weren't a 'sending' only a 'receiving' store. I had to take it to a One Stop store in Bradwell Common Boulevard, which is just along the road from my Doctor's surgery. I had to scan a QR code at a machine within this store, which I had printer off from the email I got from Amazon, and this allowed a label to be printed which I attached to the parcel which I then handed over to the assistant on the till, and she gave me a receipt.

Saturday. 6.00 a.m. Yesterday afternoon we had a tea party, given by members of M.K.C.C. (Milton Keynes Christian Centre) and organized by two friends from Shenley Christian Centre, who also go to M.K.C.C., which, incidentally, is just along Strudwick Drive from Dexter House. There were plenty of sandwiches and cakes as well as tea, and we had a quiz, which I won! I got a box of Maltesers as a prize!

I was out really early this morning, at 5.20. Alfie and I did our, by now, regular circuit of Oldbrook Green. 

7.40 a.m. Excitement! I have cleaned out my fridge. It was getting to the point where it really did need a clean. Taking everything it contained out and onto the kitchen counters and then all the shelves and the tray in which I keep fruit and vegetables, wash in the sink with soapy water, dry and then replace, throwing out anything which is past its 'best before' date, and then returning to the fridge. The sort of job which you tend to put off until it becomes necessary. So I can safely say, 'job done'! The freezer section could do with defrosting, but that isn't the easiest job, as you need to have somewhere to put the frozen food, such as another freezer until the freezer is defrosted and working again.

10.30 a.m. It's surprisingly warm and sunny today. As it's a Bank Holiday weekend (well, technically Monday is a Bank Holiday.) So, will it remain so warm? I say this because it is almost traditional to have bad weather on a Bank Holiday. So, let's wait and see. Then, next Saturday, we have the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla. Quite historic in some respects, as we're certainly not likely to get another within my lifetime (that is, of course, unless Charles turns up his toes within only a few years, which I hope doesn't happen. 

11.10 a.m. I went to Sainsbury's to buy one or two items. It wasn't busy, just after 9.00 a.m. I presume most people don't go shopping early at the weekend, which might explain things. I then came home and took Alfie out around Oldbrook Green. Not only that, but I didn't put my jacket on, so that's a first this year! I will next be getting my shorts out, as it's rapidly approaching knee-showing-off time around here. I remember last year, particularly during that extremely hot period when temperatures reached record levels, I lived in my shorts.

Chilly Weather

Wednesday. 6.15 a.m. Alfie and I were out at around 5.40 this morning. We did another circuit of Oldbrook Green. It is actually quite chilly out.

10.00 a.m. I had home contents covered with Sainsbury's bank. I've been with them for two years. I had a reasonably good deal, and as a sort of incentive, I got double Nectar points when I shopped in Sainsbury's supermarket. But I got an email, informing me that my policy was ending and that the Nectar incentive was ending, which was a pity. So, I decided to find an alternative policy, so I went on the Compare The Market website and went for an Admiral Contents policy. Actually a bit cheaper. It is now set up and the deposit has been paid and the Sainsbury's bank policy has been cancelled. It just goes to show how easy it is to arrange such things as insurance and why so many of these businesses no longer have bricks and mortar establishments on the high street.

4.10 p.m. I have now cut and pasted a further writing section into my writing 'project. It now has a word count of 40,000, which is quite impressive, even if I say so myself. It needs a great deal more work doing on it, editing and rewriting before it is anywhere complete.

I am currently reading 'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo. It is the basis for the musical (as if you didn't already know that.) I have seen the original West End production as well as the touring production, which came to Milton Keynes in 2019 and visited again last year. I have also seen the film adaptation as well as the more recent nonmusical  BBC adaptation of the novel, with a script by Andrew Davies. Not only that, but I had already read a version, but this is a Penguin Classics edition and uses a brand-new translation. I am interested in how the story is told, and how the various elements of plot and character and linked, which is what I am endeavouring to achieve with my writing. Some of the plots in the stage musical were difficult to comprehend, and it wasn't until I read the novel that I realized that some characters are related. With the print version of the novel, there are notes which help to clear up some of the background to how it was written and explain a lot of the details, which makes reading it more worthwhile.

Thursday. 6.30 a.m. It was light enough for me to take Alfie out at 5.45 this morning. I think it was a surprise to him when I went into the bedroom and picked him up to go out. He is usually barking noisily when I get ready to go out. If I so much as touch his lead, he starts barking.

Friday. 6.55 a.m. Last night there was a members' meeting at the Oaktree Centre. It was mainly about changes to the governance of S.C.F. (Shenley Christian Fellowship.) A chance to discuss any changes, which won't be implemented until the whole situation has been discussed and ideas put forward. This ended at 9.30 and then I went home and ate apple and blackberry pie, which I hadn't eaten with my evening meal.  I think it was gone at midnight when I eventually went to bed, and that it probably the reason I didn't wake up until 5.40 or thereabouts. I took a  very sleepy Alfie out, much to his amazement.

Baking Cakes (and the Art of Avoiding Life's Little Frustrations)

Monday. 6.30 a.m. It's Monday, and at 2 o'clock this afternoon there'll be the second Monday Club at the Oaktree Centre. Last week was well attended, not by Shenley Christian Fellowship members, but by several community members who are regular attendees. Plenty of cake and tea. Yesterday, after church, I was asked if I could make cakes for today's session. I have been checking ingredients in my cupboards and setting things up, as I will have to go out and stock up on some ingredients. I will go to Lidl later this morning. I have also printed out a recipe for Victoria sponge cake from Delia Smith's website.

11.00 a.m. I went to Lidl at just after 9 o'clock and stocked up on ingredients as I mentioned above. I really have to organize my kitchen, as there is a definite shortage of space. I had set a lot of it up around 6 o'clock, even before I'd taken Alfie out, but I wasn't going to do the circuit of Oldbrook Green because yesterday I walked at least, 11500 steps and was quite exhausted, but I am attempting to do far more steps. Anyway, as I write, the Victoria Sponge is finished, with raspberry jam as a filling and a sprinkling of icing sugar on top and it's in it's tin, ready to take to the Monday Club just before 2 o'clock. 

Tuesday. 3.05 a.m. Oh, dear! Alfie isn't very well. I thought he needed to go out, so I hurriedly got dressed and we were out on the grass (this was around 10 o'clock last night.) But he didn't do anything, just walking along the grass. We went back indoors and he did a mess. He seems to have the runs. Cleared it up. Not nice. But he'd done another, which I have just cleared up. I have had to change my duvet, due to another accident. I don't know what caused this mishap. I have decided to stay at home and not go to Camphill and sent an email. I feel disappointed, but I really can't leave him on his own all day in the flat.

2.30 p.m. As I have already reported, in above, Alfie hasn't been very well, which meant I didn't go to Camphill this morning, unfortunately. I thought it wasn't such a good idea to leave him on his own. I had a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher to spend, which had been earned from doing online surveys for a company called Maximiles. I wanted to spend it and decided to drive into the Central Shopping Centre. I got to my usual car park in Secklow Gate. I had hoped to pay using the RingoGo app on my iPhone, which I have used on quite a few occasions. It means you don't have to fiddle about with change and use the ticket machines and, if you need extra time to park you don't need to return to your car and can use the app to add your time and pay. But the app wouldn't open and for some unaccountable reason wanted the password to continue. This was somewhat exasperating, so I paid with a £1 coin I had in my pocket for such an eventuality. Having parked and paid I went into the shopping centre, first going to Boots to buy liquid Feroglobin which I have been taking for several months as a supplement. It has 14 minerals and nutrients in it. It's quite difficult to find it on the shelves, and had to ask an assistant to show me where it was. Having paid, I came out into the walkway and went to Nationwide to take out some money from my account and I walked towards NatWest to pay the cash into my account there. This NatWest branch has been there in all the time I have lived in Milton Keynes, but I discovered, much to my disappointment, that it had closed. It was then that I realized that there was a new branch at the other end of the shopping centre, opposite John Lewis and near Middleton Hall.

I crossed over the road from what had been NatWest and re-entered the shopping centre and went into Marks and Spencer, going up on the escalator to the menswear department and bought a set of shortie pyjamas and long pyjama bottoms. Easy and straightforward.

 If you know the shopping centre, you will know it must be a good half mile or so. On arrival outside, I found a machine which would allow me to pay through a slot, provided I used my debit card and my P.I.N. I couldn't get the machine to work, so I went inside the branch. I asked a member of staff whether I could pay the cash into my account via a teller. Yes, upstairs, I was told, although there was a queue. When I arrived upstairs there was indeed a queue, but the cashier/teller wasn't in place. Goodness knows, what was going on? Was it a tea break or something? The queue wasn't moving. I wanted to make a simple payment, that was all. It was at this point I thought to myself 'I'm turning into Victor Meldrew, the character in the sitcom 'One Foot In The Grave', who is constantly being frustrated by life's little upsets and is known for his line 'I don't believe it!'

There were several more ATMs nearby which could be used to pay in cash. I had to ask a bank staff member to help me operate the machine. You can use your card and your P.I.N. and then insert your banknotes through a slot. I then discovered that you can put them in a bundle and don't have to insert the notes individually.

After all the frustrations of A.T.M's and other things, it was time for a break, so I went into Costa on Middleton Hall. The other week I had a really great hot chocolate which had cream and bits of Kit Kat sprinkled on top. But, unfortunately, when I asked at the counter for another, I was told it was a special edition and they no longer sold them. So, I settled for a hot chocolate and cream. Well, why not? The after experiences of the day I think I deserved it.

So, that was my shopping trip! Nothing much else to report here. 

Fun and Frolics at Dexter House (But Probably Not)

 Thursday. 3.00 p.m. I can't believe I have got this far into the day, but written nothing on this blog. I must be slipping. Never mind.

I've been to the Oaktree Centre and got there just before 9 o'clock. Another delightful motorist insisted on tailgating me as I turned left out of Strudwick Drive and onto Chaffron Way. You just can't move out of the way quickly enough for some people. The Acorns playgroup now has two sessions on a Thursday and everything was already set up when I arrived. The gridlocked traffic early on most days of the week is really heavy and it would be virtually impossible to get there any quicker.

I took out Alfie after I'd had some lunch and I was surprised to find that Strudwick Drive, from the Dexter Avenue Roundabout, had been coned off and on Oldbrook Boulevard there was a large truck with its rear section tipped up, and I could see workmen in day-glow uniforms shovelling what looked like tarmac onto the road surface, so I assumed they were repairing potholes. It really is about time such work was done around Milton Keynes. Much of the grid work network has resurfaced (I believe it is continuing as I write this.) but many of the roads within the various grids that make up the city need attention.

Friday. 6.25 a.m. Alfie was asleep when I wanted to take him out at around 5.45. I picked him up as usual and carried him out through the door onto Strudwick Drive. We walked around Oldbrook Green and were back in the flat just as it turned 6 o'clock.

10.25 a.m. I have just heard, from a lady who is covering Dexter House since our S.H.0. (Sheltered Housing Officer), Barbara left, and someone has been appointed for the position. She is currently working for the N.H.S., but it will take around six weeks before she can start, because of having to have D.B.S. checks done and work out her notice.

Sunday. 6.35 a.m. Where did Saturday go? I can't believe I didn't report any of my activities. As I write this, I've been out with Alfie. We did our, by now, an obligatory circuit of Oldbrook Green. It is relatively mild and quite pleasant.

It's St George's Day, and it's supposed to be William Shakespeare's birthday. Happy birthday, William. He would have been 459 years old. Quite a few candles on his birthday cake.

Yesterday I went to Homesense at Kingston. I was looking for a mirror for the bathroom, as the one I have isn't very big. It's okay for shaving, well, more or less. They didn't have what I was looking for, although they had a selection of larger mirrors. I also searched for another duvet cover. King-size. A really great selection, and it took some time to decide on the one I eventually bought. I got two others from Homesense and which I alternate whenever I was my bedding, which is why I thought a third would be a good idea. I needed to get a bottom sheet, flat and also for a king-size bed, but they didn't have any. I don't like fitted sheets, as they never stay fitted, so I will probably go back and have another search.

From Homesense I went to Tesco and bought something for my evening meal and then drove home.

Later, when I was out with Alfie, walking around Oldbrook Green, I saw what I thought at first was a hot air balloon, but then I heard an engine and it was what I think is what is called a microlite. It had a sort of parachute above it and I presume someone sitting in a sort of sling underneath. At first, I thought it was going to land in Oldbrook Green, but it veered off towards the centre of Milton Keynes. I don't know whether it landed within the city. I just wonder how far something like that would travel on a full tank of fuel.

We have just got back from a further stroll around Oldbrook Green and Alfie made friends with two very lively labradoodles (if that is the correct spelling.) The lady who had them on leads then let them off. Alfie, as usual, always wants to be friends and at one point got wound up in their leads!

4.15 p.m.  When I got back from church, I had lunch and then I took Alfie out again. I am determined to do the 10,000 steps and then went out again and did around three circuits, which meant I exceeded the 10,000 steps. Oldbrook Green was heaving, with children playing in the skate park and the playground and older children kicking footballs and throwing some at the netball net. Lots of people walking dogs. One particular dog, which I think might be a shitsu, like Poppy (our old dog). When we approached, it started barking at Alfie. I think the dog is called Mable. Alfie didn't take a blind bit of notice and I'm proud of him. That dog has not been trained the same way as Alfie. Obviously not socialized.

Camphill Drama (and other Quite Interesting Matters, but Some Just Boring)

 Wednesday. 7.05 a.m. Another great day was spent in the theatre workshop at Camphill yesterday. As you will have read in my earlier post (that is, if you are a regular reader of these posts.) you will know that I didn't go to Camphill last week, because the Chrysalis Theatre was being used by an outside group who were there rehearsing their own production, so the Camphill group went for a day out to Stony Stratford. I didn't join them. Anyway, this week was definitely a busy day, picking up from the week before when we'd started to work on developing three stories which will be the basis for our silent movies. One is to be a swashbuckling adventure, the second a western and the third (which I am working on.) a time-travelling story.

The day started with the usual check-in. It usually takes about 20 minutes, but, as there are far more in the group from when I first went to Camphill around three years ago (I can't believe it's that long.), it does tend to take a good deal longer.

There were workmen doing something elsewhere in the building, and they were making drilling and hammering noises which interrupted the activities of the theatre workshop over the course of the day.

Each group has been workshopping ideas for their stories. They each began to rehearse their stories and, as they progressed, added ideas having given each other feedback, and this helped develop each story. Terrie wanted us to come up with written 'boards' which would be incorporated into the finished films, which would be used to explain, in writing, certain aspects of the plot. This, bearing in mind that each film will be silent and have no dialogue. (Technically known as 'title cards' or 'intertitles.' They would be edited into the completed film, helping to guide the audience with various aspects of the story, characters, scenes, details and so on.)

After lunch, during the check-in, the noises from the workmen were distracting everyone. I have to admit, it was quite difficult concentrating with all that banging, drilling and extraneous sounds more or less taking over. As a result, Terrie decided that we would all go out onto the grass outside the theatre and do some voice warm-ups. I have heard actors doing this, before performances, when I worked in stage management. Then we played a game which is similar to the old playground game of tig, which I remember from my school days. Everyone spreads out around the area and one person starts. When someone is being chased, they have to avoid being touched by the chaser, and then they stand behind someone else in the group. This goes on, and each chaser has to catch the person in front of anyone who is in the circle. Quite exhausting, but great fun. We played a game similar to this at school, called 'Off-Ground Tig.' The idea was that, if you stood off the ground, on, for example, a step or other items, a box, dustbin etc., you couldn't be caught. Also, apparently, known as 'British Bulldog.' The Bulldog was the one doing the catching.

We then went back into the theatre to continue running bits of our stories and at the end of the session, in fact, after the tea break, we showed our efforts to the other two groups and then they showed theirs. The whole day was excellent and next week we should be able to complete each story and in a couple of weeks, if things go well, which will depend on where the locations for the filming will be, the movies will be videoed/filmed.

11.45 a.m. I know it's not exactly exciting, but I have been doing some domestic things this morning, such as changing my bedding. Putting a duvet cover on is not my favourite occupation. It just isn't that easy and would be made easier if I had someone to help, which I don't. All the bedding is ready to put in the wash later. I have also steam cleaned the bathroom floor, not made easy because whoever had this flat before I arrived, had no idea how to lay tiles. Just a very poor job, none of them seem to have been arranged properly and many are lifting and some have part of them overlapping others, which makes cleaning the floor harder. But it's done to a certain degree and is much cleaner. I'm glad it is now done.

All Things, Bright and Beautiful

 Monday. 7.45 a.m. I was awake early and it was getting light, so I took out Alfie, who was more or less asleep when I went to get him. We did a circuit of Oldbrook Green and found it was relatively mild. I'm not entirely sure whether it had rained in the night. There was a red sky in the east (presume it's the east. Yes, it must be. Where the sun rises.) They always say 'red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning, so perhaps we're in for bad weather. Do shepherds know things about the weather that most people don't know? Why shepherds, in particular? How about fishermen? Farmers? Anyway, those who spend much of their time outside, in all conditions and weathers?

1.10 p.m. As I write this, the fire alarms within Dexter House are going off. It's been like this for around 45 minutes. It's got to the stage where the noise, which is so loud, actually hurts my ears. It's giving me a splitting headache. The whole alarm system is faulty and if there was a genuine fire situation, I don't think anyone would take any notice. I just hope it stops soon. I have been in the bedroom with the door closed, which cuts the noise to some extent, but not completely. Alfie can't stand it and I imagine it is unpleasant for dogs, who hear at a higher frequency than humans. He is currently on the sofa and his ears are pointing backwards, which suggests he is finding it uncomfortable.

Tuesday. 6.25 a.m. I went to the first over-60's afternoon meet-up at The Oaktree Centre yesterday afternoon, called, very appropriately, The Monday Club. There had been something similar before the pandemic, but it had to be postponed, for obvious reasons.  Plenty of tea and cakes for everyone! The lady who made most of them did a great job. A chance to have a chat with people and quite a few new faces. Such a good idea and a chance to get out of my flat, which can become very isolating.

When I returned home after the Monday Club, fortunately, the fire alarm had finished making its unpleasant din. Just as well, as it really hurts my ears and gives me a headache.

I've been out with Alfie, although he was fast asleep on my bed at the point I was ready to take him out.

As we approached the intersection on the path with the Redway which crosses Strudwick Drive earlier, an individual came shooting past on an electric scooter. If I had been a couple of steps further forward, he would have crashed into me. No effort to slow down and check if anyone is approaching. He just shot off over the road and went to the bus stop next to The Cricketers public house.

4.35 p.m. I have just got home from Camphill, working in the performance arts workshop in the Chrysalis Theatre. On my way out of Oldbrook along Strudwick Drive and onto Chaffron Way, I came up behind a couple of cars, waiting to turn. One car was ahead of me, as another car had moved onto Chaffron Way. The driver was attempting to turn right, which was going to be fairly time con suming, because the traffic was fairly heavy. She (the driver) was blocking my view and she began to inch forward. It was a very narrow escape she has, because if she'd moved onto the carriageway, she would have had a rather unpleasant accident. The junctions seem to be responsible for many such accidents. It would be far easier for the driver to turn left, go to the next roundabout and then double back onto Chaffron Way. Easier and a good deal safer.

Time and Tide

 Friday. 6.15 a.m. I can't believe Alfie and I were out well before 6 o'clock this morning. The weather seems very settled as I write this.

Saturday. 6.40 a.m. What's going on? Is that all I wrote for yesterday? I usually write far more.

Alfie and I were out at 6 o'clock, and it's been raining overnight. Quite chilly.

3.20 p.m. I have been to meet up with my friend Nick, who I knew from my time living in Bedford (hi Nick, if you're reading this.) He lives in Northampton and comes to Milton Keynes on the bus. I was due to meet him at midday. I drove in and parked in Secklow Gate car park, where I normally park, which is next door to the somewhat dilapidated Point. It's not always easy to find space later on a Saturday. I then walked in and through the shopping centre. It was surprisingly busy. We met outside Starbucks. I ordered an ice-cold cold drink made with oats. Surprisingly good. Also, a cheese and ham toastie. From Starbucks, we walked to John Lewis and went up to the electrical department. We spent time browsing the television sets, some with huge screen sizes, some over 60 inches and costing in the region of £4,000. That size would be far too big for my flat, in fact, such a size screen would probably not fit in. The quality of the picture on these sets is amazing. We looked at Samsung mobiles and then Apple products.

From John Lewis we went to browse in T.K. Maax and then we walked through the shopping centre and eventually went into Costa opposite M and S. I had a rather tasty chocolate drink which was made with bits of Kit Kat and cream on top. Then, into Marks and Spencer's to look at clothes in the menswear department. Nick doesn't like escalators, which take you to the various levels of the store, so went up via the lift. A few quite decent items I may come back and purchase, as I have a voucher coming from doing some online surveys. This should come in the post in the next few days. Then Nick came to the car park as I was leaving and we said our goodbyes and I drove off.

12.45 p.m. If you know me and if you read these blog posts, you will know I am a lover of theatre, I have worked in professional stage management, amongst other things. I have a subscription to National Theatre At Home, which is a streaming service which streams 'live' recordings of plays. I have seen several shows at the South Bank home of the National Theatre and it's probably the leading subsidised theatre company in this country. Amongst the plays I've seen was the 1980's production of Guys and Dolls as well as On The Razzle, which was a play written by Tom Stoppard and based on the play which eventually became the Thornton Wilder play 'The Matchmaker' which then formed the basis for the musical 'Hello Dolly.' (I did 'The Book' for  a production of 'The Matchmaker' when I was D.S.M. at Ipswich Theatre in the mid-1970's. ) But I digress. . .

There are quite a few fantastic shows to stream on NT At Home. 'Treasure Island', a reimagining of the Restoration comedy, 'The Rivals', retitled 'Jack Absolute Flies Again' and set the play in the Second World War. Last night I watched 'All About Eve', which is based on the 1950's film which starred Bette Davis and Anne Baxter. This stage version isn't actually a National Theatre production. It was produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions. I haven't seen the film, but I know about it. I believe it was made into a musical called 'Applause.' This stage version uses 'live' video, so you can see two scenes simultaneously and could see the camera operators. I don't know whether this added anything to the action or whether it was just a gimmick. Just because you can do something, doesn't necessarily mean you have to use it. Like, in films, where they use C.G.I. It doesn't always add anything. In fact, if used too often, it just becomes a distraction. You shouldn't actually be able to notice any special effects.

5.50 p.m. I have now managed to complete the piece of writing which will connect two sections of my writing project, which means I can introduce a new character.

Great Expectations, TV Adaptation (and other matters.)

 Tuesday. 10.50 a.m. I haven't been to Camphill today. As I mentioned in another post on here, the usual theatre workshop is not on, but the group have gone to Stony Stratford. I was going, but the idea of having to walk about all day and possibly nowhere to sit down, I thought I would avoid it and had emailed to say so. With my underlying health issues, perhaps it was a wise choice. It looks as if there will be rain later, so goodness knows how they will manage.

I am doing some baking this morning. I have a recipe for caramel brownies, which came from Sainsbury's. I had it filed for quite a while and had been meaning to give it a go. My kitchen at Dexter House is minuscule, so it's quite a juggling act to make space. The thing is finished and is now baking. It should take around 35 minutes and I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

3.15 p.m. The brownies are out of the oven. They are far better than I had expected. Soft and soggy in the centre and slightly crisp on top. There is a layer of caramel inside, sort of marbled on the top. This is from Carnation and came in a tin. I will have to make more.

9.20 p.m. The wind continues to blow, and I can hear it rampaging around outside.

Wednesday. 6.55 a.m. Alfie and I have been out, as usual. He was fast asleep at the point I wanted to go out, and we found it quite pleasant on the weather front.  The wind has dropped, and as I write this, it's sunny. We did a circuit of Oldbrook Green. Some of the daffodils are finished. I don't think some of the flowers are actually daffodils. I think they may be narcissi, but I can't be sure. I will have to do a Google search.

Thursday. 6.30 a.m. A bright but chilly morning. Streaks of red across the sky as I took out Alfie onto the grass along Strudwick Drive at around 6 o'clock.

I'm currently watching the new BBC adaptation of 'Great Expectations.' I know the novel well and have read it several times. I have read a handful of other Dickens novels. I'm not sure what to make of this version. It's been scripted by Stephen Knight, scriptwriter of 'Peaky Blinders.' He has taken quite a few liberties with what is essentially one of the mainstays of British literature. It is quite violent in places, and the strong language means that it is not what I would call 'family-friendly.' In the past, the BBC 'classic serials' were shown on television at Sunday teatime. We get more backstory about Magwitch, who is the convict who meets Pip on the Kent marches at the beginning of the novel and around which most of the plot revolves. He is the (spoiler alert.) secret benefactor who allows Pip to become a 'gentleman.' Olivia Colman is cast as the jilted spinster, Miss Haversham. We discover her at one point smoking opium, which is presumably how her family made their money. 

There is 'colour-blind' casting. For example, Miss Haversham's protégée (for want of a better term to describe her.) Estella, is played by an actress 'of colour' and so is Mr Jaggers. The only problem I have with Mr Jaggers being 'of colour' is that, historically, he wouldn't be in that position, that of a lawyer, at the time 'Great Expectations is set. It begins around 1812, but the main action is set in 1839. The novel is narrated by Pip, looking back to his time as a child, living in the Kent marshes. We don't seem to get that element in this production. Pip, in this version, seems very miserable, but the 'happy-go-lucky' child he is written as in the original novel. He is several years older than in the original, around 13-14 here, but around 8-9 in the novel. He also has more of a relationship with Joe Gargery, the blacksmith, who is married to his sister, who is always referred to as 'Mrs Joe.' I'm not sure whether we ever hear her Christian name mentioned. 

If I have a fault with this adaptation, it is that the pace is really slow. There really is no need for it to drag so. As a viewer, I want things to move along faster. It just seems they have to drag it along at this sort of pace merely to show more mud, dirt, and degradation, just to try and explain the conditions of life in Victorian England. It just slows the whole production down and doesn't serve any other purpose. I think this would put off a lot of viewers. As for the swearing, that really is unnecessary. I realize that people would have used such language at that time, but it really adds nothing to the whole.

Then, why has the BBC decided that we need yet another version of 'Great Expectations'? There was a production done in 2011 and, of course, there is the film adaptation which has John Mills as Pip. Why not find a lesser Dickens novel to adapt, such as 'Hard Times', which surely deserves a new adaptation. If not Dickens, then why not other novels, written by, for example, H.G. Wells, ('Kipps', 'History of Mr Polly' etc etc.) 

As for this current version of 'Great Expectations', I will have to watch the remaining episodes and comment once it is complete. It is certainly not the usual somewhat sentimental rendering of the novel we usually come to expect from a Dickens novel. This shows mid-19th Century England in all its grotesqueness, the underclass, the grime and unpleasantness. In that respect, it's more realistic, because, as I've said, usually that period which Dickens writes, is glossed over. Which it shouldn't be and is what he intended to portray. 

Easter Bank Holiday Monday

Saturday. 4.20 p.m. We had another men's breakfast this morning, this time in the restaurant at Dobbie's garden centre in Fenny Stratford. When I had taken Alfie out at around 6 o'clock, there was a mist hanging over Oldbrook Green, but it was still quite bright, but not sunny (well, the sun had barely risen by then. The moon was again shining brightly, more allusions to coins, medals and silver discs as a description seem more than  appropriate.) But when I went out at around 8.35 to drive to Fenny, I found that a thin fog had descended over Milton Keynes.

Some of the men's breakfast members (for want of a better word.) began to arrive. Dobbie's didn't open until 9 o'clock, but when a staff member came and opened the front door, we went inside and made our way to the restaurant. The entire place has been modernized, given a good deal more than a mere lick of paint. In the restaurant, the self-service element has been removed. It used to be one of those restaurants where you took a tray and moved along a counter where you could choose what you wanted to eat and a member of staff served you and then, when you had everything you wanted to eat, you went to a till to pay. You now go to your table and staff come to you, and they take your order, which is written on an iPad this is how your order is made up, and then it's bought to your table.

Monday. 6.40 a.m. It has been raining overnight. There were definitely signs of it when I went out with Alfie. Well, it is a Bank Holiday Monday, and it's surely traditional for rain on a Bank Holiday.

10.15 a.m. It's overcast and drizzling. By which I mean it's a rather paltry, thin sort of rain. Not the sort of weather you would want to go out in, in the traditional British, Bank Holiday visit, to a zoo, stately home or wherever, so it's just a stay-at-home sort of day. Alfie, I'm sure, would love to go out, but as it's a bit wet out, I don't think he'd enjoy it. We will wait and see how the weather develops and then perhaps go out.

I have been to get a few items from Sainsbury's. Fairy washing-up liquid is the main item, but also a few snacks. It wasn't excessively busy. Well, I don't think most people go grocery shopping on Bank Holiday Monday.

Going down on the travellator (moving people carrier? I don't know what you call it. It's what you stand on to get from the car park level below Sainsbury's store.) there is a really annoying recorded voice, which keeps on telling you to 'stand still and hold onto the rail' and, as you approach the top or bottom to 'get ready to push your trolley off the travellator.' It's so repetitive and annoying, done with a female voice. I was thinking, don't people think for themselves? Do we really need to be told the obvious, like this? (I have discussed this sort of thing elsewhere within these blog posts.) It's a bit like 'nanny knows best.' Okay, I know it's to warn you, but surely, any intelligent person can SEE the spot where you either get on the thing, or off (unless, of course, you are short-sighted or 'visually impaired (politically correct usage for 'blind.' The female voice is not only annoying, bossy and over-repetitive. Why not less hectoring? It could have Anne Robinson's voice, she of, 'The Weakest Link.' As you step off, or on, it could say 'You are the weakest link, goodbye!' or a Margaret Thatcher voice, in her rampaging headmistress-style voice. That would be enough to get customers moving. I was wondering if a female voice has the same effect on people compared to that of a male voice. 

2.00 p.m. The rain has ceased, and the sun has been shining, although it hasn't been very warm. As I write this, I can hear the wind roaring around the building.

Easter Week

Thursday. 6.55 a.m. I have a barber's appointment booked this morning at 11.50. It's so easy to book via Central Barber's website, and it means that I go straight to their shop and don't have to wait.

4.10 p.m. I have been to the main shopping centre and had my hair cut at Central Barbers. The young lady who cut my hair had never cut it before. It was done extremely quickly, and then I was back out in the shopping centre. I walked to Marks and Spencer, which is at the opposite end of the shopping centre to Central Barbers. I am somewhat surprised by the new offerings in the men's department. Some really bright colours make a change from the usual bland colours used for most men's clothing, usually greys, browns and anything in between.

There are quite a few new shops taking over spaces of other companies which have either closed down or moved. 

There was a very loud thunderclap later this afternoon, and as I write this, it's pouring rain.

Good Friday. 7.25 a.m. Went out well before 6 o'clock this morning. There was a huge moon hanging in a lightning sky, almost like a vast silver coin.  I would have liked to have taken a photograph of it, but things were changing so fast, it would have been virtually impossible to get back home for either my Canon digital camera or iPhone and if I'd had Alfie with me, it would have been even more difficult to get a photograph. Pity. Alfie and I walked around Oldbrook Green. 

9.10 a.m. We've been for a second circuit around Oldbrook Green. We came across the tiny Yorkie which we see out with her master on several occasions. She's about half Alfie's size. I think she would be called a 'Teacup' Yorkshire Terrier. About the size that Alfie was when we first had him home.

12.25 p.m. I was scheduled to help set up the chairs at church this morning and arrived before 9.30, but it had already been done. Oh well!An amazing Good Friday service this morning. We are a multicultural fellowship, with many different nationalities. A Chinese couple read the Bible, in Mandarin. The English translation was projected on the screen and someone read the English version. The same with another section, read in Jamaican patois. Absolutely amazing! (I shouldn't keep saying that, but it was.)

I got home and then took Alfie out again because the weather was so warm and pleasant.

Reading History

 Monday. 10.00 a.m. I've already been out with Alfie twice this morning. I thought because it was so mild and pleasant, that he deserved another outing.

I think I must have mentioned on here that I have been reading a set of books which cover the history of Britain, from approximately 1870 up until the first years of the 21st century. They aren't actually a set, in that they are all written by the same historian/author, although several are written by the same author. I am now on the final book in this sequence, called 'All In It Together', by Alwyn Turner. This covers 9/11 (the attack on the World Trade Centre.) The so-called 'Millennium Bug', and Tony Blair's first New Labour government, which came to power in the General Election of 1997. 

I have done a search on this blog (it's not difficult, as it has a search engine, no doubt for this very purpose.) to find out when I started reading the set of books. It would appear it was around July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when we were cooped up like battery chickens. It seems amazing that it has taken almost three years to get through some 15 books.

Tuesday. 4.50 p.m. I've been to Camphill, working as a volunteer in the theatre workshop. The, by now, customary check-in to start the day. Next week we won't be able to use the theatre, because there is another group coming in to rehearse. Terrie has arranged for the entire group to go to Stony Stratford and she will be doing a story walk, explaining not just the history of the town but also telling stories in general. We can go to local cafés and coffee shops, most notably the local branch of Costa (which seems the most popular place to 'hang out' with some residents). I will drive there myself, as there won't be space in the transport that will be going from Camphill. I will have to do some research regarding parking as I'm not too sure what's available.

We then did some movement exercises, linked to the development of characters for the silent movies we are working on. Terrie got us to mime musical instruments and then conducted the entire group as an orchestra. A very interesting exercise.

We were put into three groups, each one for the silent movies that were being devised. This was a brainstorming, throwing ideas out and coming up with developments for one of the stories, which was to be a spoof science fiction, time-travelling 'epic.'

Later in the afternoon, each group had to present their ideas to the rest of the group and it was interesting to discover what they had come up with. As I said, my group was doing the science fiction, time-travel story whilst the two other groups were doing a western and a swashbuckling/romance.

The roads were relatively peaceful, compared with other weeks. None of the aggressive driving. No doubt it's down to the fact that schools are on Easter holiday for two weeks.

Wednesday. 7.20 a.m. It's a good deal milder than it was yesterday.

There was an amazing red sky when I went out with Alfie just before 6 o'clock this morning. I only wish I had thought to take my camera or at least, my iPhone, as it was worth a couple of photographs. I had thought to return to the flat to collect one or the other, but by the time I'd got back, it would have changed.

I have been to Aldi to do a shop. I  am attempting to not go to Sainsbury's, basically because Aldi is so much cheaper and there is no drop in the quality of the things I buy.  

Another Day Older!

Friday. 7.15 a.m. I've been out with Alfie. He was fast asleep when I went to pick him up off my bed. It had been raining overnight, and there was a slight rain falling.

2.50 p.m. Today is the last day Barbara, the SHO (Sheltered Housing Officer) at Dexter House. I knew she was leaving, but I wasn't entirely sure it would be today. I went to Sainsbury's just after 9 o'clock this morning, intending to buy one or two items and a leaving card. I knew that other tenants had got her cards, so I didn't want to not give her a card.

I have now written the last piece of the jigsaw in my writing project, which links two sections together and therefore allows me to bring in a new character. I have his backstory, which will also be assimilated into the text. It has taken quite a while to find a way of completing this section, a sort of bridge from one part to the next. It is now transferred into word processing.

Saturday. 7.15 a.m. It's dry and mild as I write this.

Today is April Fools' Day. So, where are the foolish newspaper articles? The crazy pranks? They should read as if they are real, but then it turns out they are nothing of the sort.  Have we lost our sense of humour? Think how the BBC, in an infamous edition of 'Panorama', did a spoof filmed report about how spaghetti was grown with a voice-over by Richard Dembleby. This was in 1957, when spaghetti wasn't as popular as it is today, so people wouldn't have been aware that it was only made of flour and water. Watching BBC Breakfast this morning, just too po-faced to do anything that might raise a smile. Probably too scared of the 'woke' brigade, which might object. Get over yourself. Where on earth is your sense of humour?

Sunday. 6.55 a.m. Mild, a bit chilly this morning.

12.50 p.m.We had another Café Church at The Oaktree Centre this morning, (home of Shenley Christian Fellowship). As usual, there is no worship, no service, but plenty of coffee, tea and pastries. Live music is played, and it's a time for fellowship and to invite those who don't normally go to church. The only problem is noise. The sound of the music was great, but the amplification system had to be turned down considerably. Also, because the café area is relatively small, with a fairly low ceiling, when it's filled with people, all talking at once and fairly loud, it gets so noisy you can hardly hear yourself think. It gives me a headache. 

I spoke to two friends, Margaret and John. They had been to an early service at M.K.C.C. (Milton Keynes Christian Centre.) It would appear that they have returned to having three services on a Sunday morning. I asked them if they were involved in the afternoon tea which is advertised at Dexter House on Friday 28th April. They are. It will be like the Christmas tea party they host (with other members of M.K.C.C.) with tea, sandwiches and cake and a quiz. I asked them if they knew that Barbara was leaving (our S.H.O. at Dexter House. They said that they had. Apparently, Barbara had said that she would stay on, but only if she could work here part-time, which sounded reasonable to me, and to Margaret and John. But the Council told her, no. They weren't interested. It was a full-time job, and that was that. A pity they are so inflexible, because Barbara was good at her job, and certainly far better than the previous woman who was here when I first moved in. It would have meant that another person could have had a part-time job and she/he could have learnt the ropes from Barbara. A real pity, as she fitted in so well here.

4.00 p.m. I walked Alfie around Oldbrook Green as soon as I got in from church. Stuffing my face with cookies and pastries, which were on offer at church, I felt I was in no need of lunch, which I usually have when I get in from church. There are no end of bluebells flowering around the Green and, something that made me smile, in the puddle which gathers on the grass on the opposite side to The Cricketers, which always seems to happen after a shower of rain, a pair of ducks sitting on the puddle! A duck and a drake. Sad to think that this is the only bit of water they can swim on, when there are plenty of lakes around Milton Keynes, along with the Grand Union Canal only a mile or so away. I think they are Mallard ducks. The male has a grey/brown body with a green head, and the female is brown. There are many to be seen on the canal, so I can't think why they decide to sit on this miserable puddle in the middle of a bit of grass.