Walking On Sunshine

 Monday. 11.50 a.m. So, here we are in another month, September. Supposedly the meteorological start of autumn, it's sunny as I write this, but it has been quite gusty, and it rained on Saturday.

Well, returning to my outing to the Buckinghamshire Agricultural Show, I drove towards Aylesbury and out on the road I knew towards Wing. I drove through Bierton but came to a grinding halt. I thought, not surprisingly, that it was due to an accident or maybe roadworks. I have driven this route on many occasions, and it has usually been a fairly straightforward piece of road. Now, for some strange reason, there was what's called 'traffic-calming' in place. This comprised a series of what I can only describe as half barriers in the road (I have since learned that these are called chicanes), which meant, the traffic from each direction had to wait until vehicles from the opposite direction had priority, and then, when that had cleared, you could drive forward. Which meant, if there was a large amount of traffic, then you had to wait longer, and because of these barriers, which were at around 200–300 yards, the tailback would get longer and longer. All I can say is, it's more annoying and is poorly thought out and designed. It must be infuriating if you had to go through this stretch of road regularly, or if you had to use it several times during the day.

Oh, dear. I spoke too soon. There's just been a clap of thunder. 

The rainstorm didn't last. It was over in a matter of minutes.

Tuesday. 9.50 a.m. it's sort of mild and sunny. Not really sure whether it's anything much.

The digital thermometer reads 25ºc.

I have been out in the garden and experimented with the bulb planter. It's easy enough to use, but then you have to put the earth back in the hole. I think I need a trowel for that job.

4.45 p.m. I have ordered a trowel from Amazon. It should be delivered tomorrow. I think there are plenty of places in the garden here at Dexter House for more bulbs to be planted, but I would like a certain amount to go around The Oaktree Centre.

Another Day Older!

Saturday. 7.30 a.m. Well, it's my birthday today! I'm not going to be in the flat all day. I'm going to Aylesbury, to an archaeology conference on the finds which have been made during the building of the HS2 rail line (High-Speed 2.) It should be fascinating. I just have to find the place where it's being held, as I don't know Aylesbury all that well. I shall put the postcode in my satnav and trust it will get me there.

Sunday. 1.50 p.m. An almighty rainstorm this morning, about the time I was due to leave in my car to get to church to set up chairs for the service at 10.30. I got somewhat soaked as I walked to the car, on a few yards, but the downpour left me wet, so I had to dry my glasses on a tissue before driving off.

I should have mentioned it yesterday. That is my trip to Aylesbury, to attend the archaeology conference which was held at The Gatehouse, which is part of Aylesbury Vale District Council. The actual conference was in what is called The Oculus. This is a stunning circular space which has wooden baffles on the walls to help deaden the sound. At first, when I walked in, I thought they were either some form of seating, folded up or even shelving of some sort. But it was obvious that they weren't for that use. The seats are obviously moveable and can be arranged in any sort of configuration, but yesterday they were facing the stage, such as it is (not in what I'd call a theatrical stage at any rate.) Although, saying that, I think it could well be used for theatre, and in particular, theatre-in-the-round, if the seating was reconfigured. 

It was actually easy enough finding The Oculus. I had a look at Google Maps, so I had a good idea of where it was. Also, my SatNav came in handy. I have to admit, once I had found the place where the conference was, I had to go round the block once and then went into the car park which was right next to The Gatehouse. Mind you, I made sure you didn't have to pay and asked whether the gate would be locked. It wasn't, but, knowing my luck, there was the possibility of being locked in or fined for not having the appropriate ticket attached to my car.

The archaeologists who have been employed to do the work on the various sites along the path of the HS2 rail line have now completed their work, they have all dispersed and, by now, are probably working on other projects, so this was the final chance to learn what had been found. We heard about farms and some really fine houses which have now been demolished as well as a church at Stoke Mandeville (St Mary's) which, after examination, showed that there had been activity there going back to the Iron Age, through the Roman period and up until the time the church was constructed and then demolished. There were a few other sites mentioned, one at Southam, which I drove through only the other month when I came home from Kenilworth Castle as well as another site fairly close to where we were at the conference, Fleet Marston, which is on the A41, the road we used to drive along on our way to Waddesdon Manor.

Monday. 9.50 p.m. I have been having problems with opening the door which leads out of Dexter House onto the path on Strudwick Drive. There has been a problem with it on another occasion. You have to push on the catch and it won't release the door. So, because our S.H.O., Barbara, isn't here today, I have rung Mears to inform them of the problem. As this would be an exit if there was a fire, it must work.

Yesterday evening we had an almighty thunderstorm and torrential rain. I heard the crash of thunder but wasn't sure whether it was actually thunder. There were noises of fireworks being let off also, so I did wonder if it was that, but no doubt the rain put those idiots off. Why do people think it's acceptable to let off fireworks like that? In a public space. It's not even November yet. Apart from anything else, it's a waste of money. There is a sign on Oldbrook Green that says, the use of fireworks on the green is not permitted, but, like dog fouling, what's the point of all these notices and by-laws, if they aren't policed?

I'm glad that Boris Johnson has withdrawn from the election (or whatever the process to elect a new Conservative leader and Prime Minister is called). I can't imagine how he thought he could just walk back into Number 10 as if nothing had happened, but now the field is clear for Rishi Sunak to take the pole position and get the keys to Number 10. No doubt there will be some sort of announcement regarding all this around 2 p.m.

2.15 p.m. It has just been announced that Rishi Sunak has been announced as Conservative leader and, hence, Prime Minister. Boris thingy withdrew and the only other remaining candidate, Penny Mordaunt' withdrew from the election just before 2 o'clock.

Sunny Summer?

(Thursday, last week)Today has been sunny and bright. Nothing particular has happened. I have been transferring more of my handwritten writing to my MacBook.

I should mention that I had the planned visit from the two ladies from what is called  the Integrated Community Support Team. They came after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It would appear that they got my details through Ashfield Medical Centre. They can give me support with bereavement counselling, and this afternoon (Thursday) I got a telephone call from a lady at Mind and I have my first appointment at Ashfield next Wednesday at 2 o'clock and it's going to be on-going for 6 weeks.  The new service (as mentioned in an earlier blog post.) can give me support in different areas, such as supporting me with my health issues, considering I have a heart condition first and foremost and it was suggested (because as we spoke the telephone rang and it was Doctor Haye telling me that my diazepam prescription would be sent electronically to Lloyd's in Sainsburys.) and that perhaps my medication should be reviewed by the doctor before it is repeated when this new batch runs out. This is basically because Diazepam can be addictive as well as not being as effective after a while, so it may need changing to another type of medication which does a similar job. Also, I can be allocated a link worker who could help me with benefits as well as possibly finding me somewhere else to live, possibly smaller, such as a bungalow, within Milton Keynes and which would allow me to have Alfie with me, so it would need to have a bit of garden. Also, I could be given help to clear out belongings from this house which would allow me to move out. This, at present, is only a possibility and not a certainly, but this Integrated Community Support Team links the various agencies together, for example, the bereavement counselling from Mind, the doctor's surgery, housing benefit, cardiology at Milton Keynes hospital and other related agencies. It has also been suggested, at my recommendation, that I have a referral to start a  cardiology rehab regime which would take place somewhere in Bletchley. I have to say all this is giving me less stress and it's great to at last get the support and help I need to get me through a somewhat difficult, emotional and very stressful period.

(Friday) It's anything but sunny and bright today. In fact, it's wet and miserable. In other words, an almost typical summer's day in England.

(Monday) On Saturday I went to see a performance of 'The Addams Family Musical,' performed at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. I saw it advertised in the theatre's brochure when I was having lunch at the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill the other week and it sounded as if it would be worth seeing as I had known there was a musical based on The Addams Family and that it had run on Broadway for a while and that it had toured in this country for a while. It was staged by something I had never heard of, Stage Experience, which puts on professional-standard productions of well known shows, and cast with young people up to the age of 25. I had no idea where I was going to park the car when I got there because I don't know Aylesbury, except to drive through. We have driven through on several occasions, usually if we're going to West Wycombe Park, a National Trust property, or the time when Carol had to go to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for an appointment. It seems it's similar to Bedford in that if you want to get anywhere in that direction you have to go through the centre as there is no by-pass. The route through is the only way to get to High Wycombe, for example. I over-estimated how long it would take me to drive to Aylesbury. It's only around 14 miles from Milton Keynes. My main concern was, I had no idea where to park, although I had briefly looked on Google Maps so I had a vague idea where to park. I used to work for a care agency based in Aylesbury and had to go there a few times for training so I knew roughly where the multi-storey car park was I used to park in, but it would appear to now be only short-stay. I drove a round for a while and then found a multi-storey carpark which was long-stay. It turned out to be one of the most depressing places to park I've ever had the misfortune to have to park in. When I drove down the ramp I wasn't actually sure it was a carpark, really run down and hadn't been upgraded ever, it would appear. Not somewhere you would choose to enter in the dead of night, but at least it was somewhere to leave the car. I paid using a machine, but it didn't give change. Really mean. These council-run establishments must make a vast amount of profit if they don't dole out change, which is mean if you ask me (but please don't!)

I walked over to the Waterside Theatre.  Outside, sitting on a wall, is a stature of Ronnie Barker. He has a stature there because Aylesbury used to have a repertory theatre ('Rep') in the days when most large towns across the country had a theatre, where you could expect to have a season of plays running at one, two week's at a time, similar to what I was involved in during the early 1970's, but working in stage management. The theatre which he appeared at is no longer in existence, or if it is, probably converted into something else. The old rep in Colchester was a converted hall and now a building society branch and Bromley rep, believe it or not, was a converted swimming pool. Anyway, Ronnie Barker's statue is at ground level, as I say, sitting on a wall, so at least you can see it as if it's the actual Ronnie and not perched on a pedestal and out of the eyeline of most people. He joined the rep company in 1948 and the first play he was in was called 'Quality Street,' by J.M. Barrie and playing the part of Lieutenant Spicer.

I haven't been inside before. It is very modern and has a large foyer with a bar and café and because I was so early I had to sit and wait. The space soon filled up with other members of the public. As the show was due to start at 2 o'clock, and the doors hadn't opened to allow the audience in, we had to wait a good while and then, at about 1.45 we went in to find our seats. Mine was V13, some way back in the stalls and immediately behind the area where the sound and lighting was controlled.

It was a good performance and the cast really threw themselves into the performance. Before the curtain went up an announcement was made that the show had been rehearsed in 8 days, which, considering the amount of effort that has to be put into a show, more so a musical than a straight play, with not just dialogue but songs and dances needing choreography, it was a really good show. My only criticism would be that, although the songs were good, the actual story and plot was extremely weak. Pity a little more effort had been put into creating a more original plot, but I suppose if you are going to put on an existing show, and you have to accept the book and lyrics that goes with that show, you have no choice but to 'go with the flow.' I can see quite a few of the cast going off to stage school and probably making a career out of acting, so the show would be good experience and certainly a stepping stone to other things and if you'd had a leading part in such a show, something good to put on your C.V.

All About Weather

It's bright and sunny this morning, but there's a cooling breeze. So, I begin my blog posts most days with a mention of the weather. I think most people, when they meet others, will almost always mention the weather. We do tend to spend a great deal of our time in this country discussing the weather. It does have an effect on our lives to a large extent. It gives the British their character. Stoical, long-suffering, uncomplaining. Is this true? A lot of British people moan constantly about the weather, as well as other things, such as politics, those in authority, but they make a living out of moaning, and do nothing much to try to change things. Admittedly you can't change the weather, you just have to 'grin and bear it,' whether it's too hot or too cold. We do have a habit of moaning on and on that it's far too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, as we seemed to do during the recent heatwave. I have to admit it did get far too hot for me, but you can just keep out of the sun, or, when it's cold, put on more layers of clothes. If it's bright and sunny it does give you an up-lift to your mood, but if it's cold, due to snow and frost, or wet, due to rain, it can tend to make you miserable. I don't like it when the clocks move back in October, long dark days when it begins to get dark at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. That long haul as we build up to Christmas, getting colder and even more dark doesn't help.

My father was a farmer and weather with important to him. There was a barometer on the wall in the corridor downstairs and he almost always consulted it at some stage of the day and he insisted on watching the television weather to find out how things would turn out, particularly during the corn harvest. If it rained it could effect the moisture content which was vital as to whether a particular batch of wheat, barley or oats was to be harvested. We didn't go on our annual holiday to Frinton-On-Sea until the first fortnight in September. I suppose school realised that most of the pupils were farmer's children and my father wouldn't go away until either the harvest was complete or unless the weather was fine and he could come with us to Frinton. It seems amazing looking back to think we must have missed two weeks of school, but that's what we did.

We've been out this morning. Carol had seen an advertisement in a magazine for a shop in Leighton Buzzard. They sell crafting materials. I'm not sure whether they have a website, but most likely they do. We drove there, via the A5 and then off towards Aylesbury along the by-pass. Some of the route is being resurfaced, the opposite lane. We got to Leighton Buzzard and parked in a Morrison's carpark but had no real idea where the shop was, but it's in a side-street off Lake Street, which means nothing to either of us. We visited the town a few years ago, but, frankly, the place has nothing much to recommend it. I think that time we parked near the theatre, but that's about all I remember. It's somewhat depressing, just looks rundown. Very bleak. Is it just me or is this how most towns look these days? Lots of boarded-up properties. No end of charity shops, pubs, banks and building societies. We eventually discovered the shop, which is down a rather seedy alleyway, which you wouldn't want to venture into at night. The shop is small and rather depressing and even more rundown than all the others. We have a browse and then return to Morrison's. Unfortunately you could buy everything they sold in that shop in large barn-like retail outlets such as Hobbycraft or on-line. We went into Morrison's and bought sandwiches, crisps and drinks to have for lunch. We were undecided where we should stop to eat our picnic, not really having an idea about the immediate vicinity. We drove away from the town towards Dunstable and the A5 because the alternative route back along the by-pass would be closed off due to the resurfacing. It seems incredible that such a recently opened stretch of road should require resurfacing. It is remarkably poorly constructed, no doubt as a way to cut costs when it was originally built only a few years ago. We reach the A5 at the roundabout we know well because we come this way when we visit Whipsnade, and go left and then meet a traffic jam. It creeps along at no more than walking pace. It goes on towards Hockliffe. No sign at all as to what caused the traffic hold-up. I imagined it might have been further roadworks, resurfacing perhaps, but absolutely nothing. Not even a road traffic accident. The jam just disappears and we move on at a higher speed. We decide to come off the A5 where the road meets a roundabout, to the left going off towards Stockgrove Park, which we visit on occasion with the dogs. But we go off right towards Woburn. There must be somewhere to stop nearby to have our improvised picnic. We drive through the deer park, doing the loop we usually do and come back through the park. We eventually find a rather pleasant bypass in the wooded area going back towards the A5. We sit in the car and eat our picnic and then return home via the A5 towards Milton Keynes.

Friday, later. The weather has changed considerably. The day started off sunny bit windy, but as I write this (at 6.55) it's been raining and we had a clap or two of thunder. It went quite dark as we were about to have our evening meal and I shut the curtains to keep the weather out.

Inlaw's Outing To Waddesdon Manor

As I've mentioned in earlier blog posts. Carol's parents have been staying locally at a hotel in Newport Pagnall. As the weather has been kind to us, we wanted to treat them to a pleasant day out so we went to collect them from the hotel at around 10 o'clock this morning and then drove out of the area via the A5 towards Buckingham. We wanted to keep it a secret so they had absolutely no idea where we were heading. Under different circumstances, such as going on our own, we wouldn't have driven via Buckingham, but would have gone the usual route through Aylesbury which is probably the most direct route if we'd gone from Eaglestone.

We eventually arrived at Waddesdon Manor and were directed to the carpark and were immediately surprised by how many cars were already parked. No doubt the warmer weather had bought people out, families with children in particular, as the Easter holiday was still in full swing. We had to queue up at the booking hall as we had to pay for Carol's mum and dad to enter, even though, as National Trust members we got in free. We then walked through to the bus which took us up to the Manor. Around a five-minute ride. Previous to the new car-park, you would have had to park near to the Manor in a rather haphazard arrangement of parking on roads in somewhat make-shift carparks. With our entry ticket we had booked a house tour, which was timed to begin at around 12.45, so we had quite a wait until we could go inside the Manor. We went into the main restaurant to have coffee and hot chocolate. We have never used this restaurant before, but the hot chocolate was really good. The weather being sunny, but cold, hot chocolate was a real necessity. Also, it was quite gusty when we came outside and walked around the side of the Manor and onto the terraced area. This is where the fountain is, but this was empty of water and all the statues on the fountain were covered in protective material, as were all the statues around the gardens and grounds, making them look really strange and somewhat creepy.

We sat and ate our food which we'd bought with us, at a conveniently-placed table on the terrace. It was still quite gusty and it took a lot of effort to not let some of the paper the food was wrapped in from being whisked away by the wind. We saw several red kites flying overhead and I managed to photograph some of them, but I don't reckon my efforts were particularly technically brilliant, but it was worth the effort.

We walked round to the gift shop and spent some time browsing. A lot of items we'd like to buy. They seem to have upped their game as regards the quality of what they sell. At one time the items on sale in the National Trust shops weren't up to much, but now they've made a real effort at better quality and things that you'd actually want to own.

By the time we'd finished in the shop it was about time to walk round to the front of the Manor and begin the house tour. Even though we've seen inside Waddeson Manor several times over the years, we've been amazed by the items on display, from furniture to priceless pieces of porcelain to the amazing collection of clocks. The whole place is awesome. You cannot fail to be left feeling amazed  at the variety of items that the house contains. If you've never visited Waddeson before, then do make an effort. If you have an interest, however vague, in art or antiques, then it's the perfect place to visit. Be amazed by the chandeliers, a wide variety of art from all periods, and some furniture which will take you breath away by it's artistry.

Having viewed the interior of the Manor, we left and then walked down towards the stables where we met the bus which was to return us to the carpark and the car, ready for our journey home to first Newport Pagnall and then to Milton Keynes and home.

Carol Discharged From Hospital

Yesterday (Friday), Carol was finally discharged from Milton Keynes Hospital. We had known that there was not much point in her remaining on Ward 20 any longer, because they had managed to control the pain she has been experiencing; she had recovered sufficiently from the operation to remove the blockage in her bowel; she had managed to master the stoma which she now has since the operation and she was generally feeling stronger to make the transition from hospital to home. She had  a doctors' visit during the morning (as part of the usual round the doctors make of all the patients in their care.) but, unfortunately, they arrive earlier than normal so I was unable to be there with Carol. (This is usually around 8.30 a.m.) Unfortunately Thursday's journey to and from Oxford didn't exactly help Carol's health problems. As I've described in fairly fine detail of that day, with the uncomfortable conditions experienced by both of us on that minibus (and, no doubt, the other patients who were transported.) Carol seems to have suffered considerably.

A range of different health-professionals visited Carol in the side-room, such as the stoma nurse, various doctors as well as the lady in charge of the ward (not sure what her title is, but probably equivalent to a matron in days gone by.) and checking throughout the day to make sure that her discharge was going to go ahead without excessive pain and discomfort. I recall when I was last in hospital, having had an angina attack which wouldn't stop, how long it took before I was discharged. Something like five hours, because it needed a doctor to sign off the paperwork required. In Carol's case they not only had to get a doctor to sign the paperwork, but she had a very extensive collection of medication to be prescribed and then bought from the hospital pharmacy. it was very difficult to just wait in the room, Carol trying to find a position on the bed to be comfortable or moving to sitting on the edge of the bed or on the armchair in the room. Also, whenever she got comfortable, virtually asleep, there would be a great deal of noise elsewhere on the ward, patients being moved around in beds, and the constant sound of alarms going off and people talking loudly. The worst of all, the constant sound of mobile phone ring-tones.

We knew it was likely to be around 4 p.m. before Carol and I could actually leave the ward. I took a couple of carrier bags full of belongings to the car in the multi-storey carpark, in an attempt to make life easier when the actual time came. A long walk through the corridors back to the front entrance and out to the carpark. Then, when all was done, a nurse came to go through the final bit of paperwork as well as going through the bag full of medication (all I can say it's just as well we don't have to pay for any of these medications. The bill would be quite large, a real strain on our finances.) Just when it was time to leave, the nurse in charge had rung for a porter to come with a wheelchair for Carol, but after several attempts to get through on the telephone, the porters department didn't respond. After several more attempts a porter arrived on the ward and Carol was ensconced in the wheelchair and some of the many bags of belongings were hung on very convenient hooks on the wheelchair and I carried a couple more and we began to leave the ward finally.

We think now that the porters might have been busy elsewhere because we had heard through various media that there had been an air crash near Waddesdon Manor (one of the many National Trust properties we visit, and is a few miles from Aylesbury.) and they might have been involved with those that were injured. As it now appears, two people died unfortunately, but no more people were injured and required hospitalisation. No doubt if they did, they'd have gone to Stoke Mandeville Hospital near Aylesbury. But anyway, we arrived at the hospital entrance and the porter left us, because, basically the final few yards to the carpark wouldn't be suitable for a wheelchair, and if Carol was pushed the surface of the path was too rough and would have made the pain she was in worse. So I helped her that short distance to the car as well as caring the bags of belongings.

We arrived back home at around 5.15. Carol went into the house first, to surprise Alfie, whom I had left in the kitchen when I'd left the house earlier in the day. To say he was excited to see Carol again, for the first time in nearly three weeks. Barking, running around the house, jumping up and wanting to lick her face and generally showing a lot of affection. What a lovely return home for Carol!

Sunny May Bank Holiday Outing To Waterperry Gardens

What's this? A Bank Holiday Monday and the sun's out? Goodness! It generally rains, so there's no point going out. But this time it was sunny and bright and we just HAD to get out. Last summer was the wettest on record, we had the really coldest and miserablest winter  on record with endless snow, ice, frost and cold and then, to cap it all, spring was also cold, damp, miserable and over all really horrible.  Being stuck indoors doesn't suit us. Signs of spring are showing all over the place. We're told that it's around 4-5 weeks later than usual. Daffodils are making their final show and bulbs such as crocuses are more or less over. So, we decided that we would go out somewhere for the day so chose Waterperry Gardens. Somewhere we haven't been to before and not too far to drive. It's between Aylesbury and Bicester, so it wouldn't take much more than an hour to drive there. We drove out out Milton Keynes on Standing Way, first of all stopping for petrol at the BP filling station on the way, and out through Buckingham, the route we take when we visit Stowe Landscape Gardens, which is just outside Buckingham.  We went through Bicester and past the outlet village, Bicester Village and also Bicester Avenue, which we visited a few weeks ago. It wasn't difficult to find Waterperry Gardens.

On arrival the place seemed totally deserted, which was strange for a Bank Holiday. There's lots to see there, a museums, gallery and quite pleasant gardens to wander around, and an extensive garden centre selling the usual range of gardening paraphenalia, plants and so on, and all set in the grounds of a large mansion, which, incidentally, wasn't open. Also, a rather pleasant tearoom where we had something to eat and drink. It seems most places we visit have a cafe or tearoom where you end up, which suits us. Overall, very peaceful, pleasant and calming. By the time we eventually got back to the car the place was really busy, the carpark virtually full. I imagine that most people don't go out until a good deal later on a Bank Holiday, whereas we always want to make the most of the day and get wherever we decide to go as soon as places open.

Training In Aylesbury

I had a training day in Aylesbury yesterday. I had to get to the Phoenix office at 10. No problems there, as I now know exactly where the car park is and where the office is in relationship to the car park. Just as I arrived at the Phoenix office it began to snow, although it didn't settle, fortunately. The car park cost £8. Just thought you'd be interested to know the full cost of parking in Aylesbury from about 9.30 a.m. until about 2.45 p.m.

We were doing a course on First Aid. This included the C.P.R. part which caused so much amusement when I worked for Guardian Homecare (see earlier blog if you haven't read it.) Nothing particularly exciting to write here, except to say that it is now the THIRD time I've done this in the last year. There will come a time when I'll be able to lead a course on this subject myself very soon.

The course covered quite a few subjects, including what happens if someone has a heart attack. I obviously have first-hand experience of this, so I could hardly sit and say nothing. I gave a short description of what happened to me (see my earlier post.) and the trainer asked me if I had my red spray with me. I said I had no need for it, but she said, what would happen if I needed it? I think, perhaps from now on I will have it with me at all times, just in case.

I now have to have a FULL birth certificate in order to work for Phoenix. It seems that I won't be able to work until they have this form of identification, so I'm going to drive to Bedford and go to the Registry Office there to get one. I have another two days of training, and once I have the Birth Certificate then I can officially work. It now depends on the C.R.B. check coming back, which may take around 4-6 weeks.

I got home and had a look at my emails. I have had an email from Casting Collective to be in a new Disney film about to be made in London somewhere. I won't hear whether I've actually been selected for a day or two.

Trip to Aylesbury

I answered an advertisement in the Milton Keynes Citizen for work for a care agency a week or two ago. They sent me an information pack, application form and so on. Well, in truth the application form and so on never turned up. How long does it take a letter to get from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes? A couple of days? I rang back, and got an apology and a promise that they'd send out another application. A few days later this application form turned up. I rang to make an appointment and then  drive to Aylesbury for the appointment, which was yesterday at 10 a.m. I managed to park in a multi-storey car park (I don't know Aylesbury very well. I have driven through several times and Carol and I have been to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for appointments, but as regards the parking arrangements, I'm not familiar.)

The address I was given was in the Market Square, but the actual office building wasn't actually IN the market square, which was somewhat crazy. The building wasn't market in any way, no notice saying 'Phoenix Healthcare' so that I could pick it out. I was wandering around the streets and I had to go into a solicitors office eventually and ask. A lady there pointed the right building out to me, so I was somewhat relieved to find the right door, although I had to look down a long line of doorbells and find the right one. It was one of those security systems where you press a button and a voice speaks through a grille and then they let you in. A post lady was about to enter the building so she came in with me. The office was supposed to be on the third floor, and we had to spend ages wandering about trying to find the right office and the right floor, and even looking for the stairs to get there! If Phoenix had only put up some sort of sign to say where they were, there wouldn't have been all the problems in finding them!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had to do yet anothert C.R.B. form (Criminal Records Bureau) which cost £35, although they tell me I will get half of the cost back once I start working.  I'm somewhat annoyed that you have to keep on forking out £35 for a C.R.B. check. I realise that the whole idea of a C.R.B. is to prevent those with criminal intent from working with vulnerable people, but to have to have one for EACH company or agency you work for is really too much. It is rather like an M.O.T. in that it's only good for the actual time they look to see whether a person has a criminal record. I have also applied for another company and they want £47 for the C.R.B. So is part of that for 'administration costs' or are they merely making a quick profit out of this? If that's the case, it's totally wrong and someone should put a stop to it immediately. There is so much paperwork that you have to provide to just prove your identity. I have a birth certificate, but I have to have a full one, as the one I have doesn't give enough information, so it looks as if I'll have to find around £10 to get one. I'm going back on Thursday to start doing induction, as, again, you can't work until you've done the basic training. The C.R.B. check will take around 4-6 weeks, so I may as well get the induction out of the way first.

The roads are getting really bad. They are full of pot-holes. I noticed this on my drive over to Ayslesbury yesterday. This must be due to the recent ice and snow we've had. You have to take your life into your own hands, as you drive around Milton Keynes. You have to dodge the potholes, and in so doing run the risk of running into other vehicles on the road. It is really about time the local authority around here got it's act together and started repairing the roads, certainly before there is a serious accident.