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.