Autumn Stuff

Wednesday. 8.15 a.m. Another really great day yesterday at Camphill, in the P.A.W., in the Chrysalis Theatre. Games played on the stage, one called 'Splat' (which I won't explain on here at the moment.) and other game called 'Who Stole The Cookie?" and then some voice warm-ups, then discussing characters and storylines for the World War two play project.

We sat on the stage. The front curtain was closed and the lights turned off. Then, a recording of Neville Chamberlain was heard, a recording of the 1939 speech in which war is declared on Germany after they invade Poland. It was really moving, listening in silence and hearing this speech, broadcast on BBC radio.

After tea break, Terrie came up with the idea for a game show, which was actually a furtive exercise to show call-up of troops and others for the wall. Everyone was give a slip of paper with a character on it, age, job and some other detail, and then you were called forward by the recruiting officer and had answer relevant questions to find out if you were suitable to be called up, if not for one of the services, but whether you had skills that might benefit the war effort, or whether you worked in a reserved occupation. It seemed a good idea to create possible characters for the play.

After lunch, a bit more work on story and character and at the end of the day, company work, which means drilling and marching.

Friday. 8.15 a.m. Autumn is definitely here, even though clocks change on Saturday night and Summer officially ends. I took Alfie out at around 7.20 and there was fog, although not particularly thick, and shrouding the city centre, seen from across Oldbrook Green. It's also noticeably chilly.

I bought myself a new waterproof jacket from the Regatta website.It's a men's Bosfield waterproof jacket, full price £130, and I paid £33, which has to be a bargain. I wanted a jacket that had zipped pockets and a hood, which this has. I need a jacket or coat with zipped pockets, so I can put my keys in the pockets as well as my wallet. This has all that I need, as well as being lightweight. If it's exceptionally cold, I can always layer up with a fleece underneath, which this will allow.

2.10 p.m. It's sunny but chilly. I have been out with Alfie. He was reluctant to walk far, although I can't blame him.

I haven't mentioned the fact that one of the two metal benches that are on the walk around Oldbrook Green is missing. It had a plate on it, in memory of some local councillor who was connected to the area. It had a rather nice design on the back of the seat. The one further round has been designed with soldiers, presumably of the First World War, on it in silhouette along with several poppies. I think it was probably put there for the centenary of the start of that war in 2014, although I may be wrong. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Tuesday. 5.20 a.m. Another day dawns. Oh dear, what a cliché. But I couldn't resist. As usual, I've been out with Alfie. It's been raining overnight. We walked along the path towards Oldbrook Green and all around the equipment in the fenced-off children's play area there was quite a considerable puddle.  

6.45 a.m. The kitchen was cleaned, washing-up was done, rubbish was taken out, and I'm ready to go to Camphill at around 8.20.

7.00 p.m. I drove to Camphill as usual. The traffic was a good deal quieter than usual. I'm not sure why. I couldn't have been because schools were on holiday, because they don't break up for the summer until the beginning of August. We were down to around half the usual contingent of participants, due to the fact that many were on holiday. We also had a lady come along who was volunteering her time the same way that I do, and she seemed to fit in very well. Whether she comes back is another matter. Also, a resident of Camphill came into the theatre workshop to sample the experience, so she may or may not return.

After the usual check-in and some really crazy games, one about being on a ship and having to run in the right direction, i.e. Port, Starboard, Bow and Stern (which, incidentally, I don't have a problem with, because my father had several boats and you certainly remember those parts, when you get shouted at, as he was prone to doing (Port, particularly, with the saying 'no port left - in the bottle.) A bit of good exercise, running about from one side to the other until I got caught out!

The stage was set up for some more filming. The green screen material was arranged so that, once a piece of film (actually video, technically, but never mind) had been completed, additional background material could be digitally inserted so that it would look as if the actors were on a beach in a ship or somewhere in the wild west. I got a chance, at long last, to see some of the completed footage, and, I must say, it looks amazing. There is still quite a lot of work to do, such as editing, putting in music, intertitles and probably sound effects, but generally, it all looks fantastic.

A television crew arrived at Camphill, as they are making a documentary for Channel Four about caring for people with learning disabilities and how they will be cared for as they age. During the morning, they focussed on one of the resident's houses within the Camphill campus. We continued to work on filming material for the 'Pirates' film, although I wasn't used, basically because not all the actors were available as they were on holiday.

After lunch, the television crew came into the Chrysalis Theatre. The chairs were put into a circle and some of the residents sat on the chairs. It was set up so that the young actor Reuben (not sure exactly what his surname is.) was going to ask the group questions, which had been written on cards and placed behind the camera.) as the camera and sound engineer juggled with moving around without disturbing the flow of the discussion. The group were really great, didn't show any nerves and didn't fluff their words!

It was exciting that the group will now be the focus of this documentary, but as I write this, we don't know exactly when it will be broadcast. No doubt also streamed on the Channel Four website.

Wednesday. 8.30 a.m. Yet another bright and sunny morning. Not a great deal more to say on the matter.

1.00 p.m. It is currently raining. In fact, quite a torrential downpour. Well, after all the heat we've had over the last couple of weeks, it's something of a relief.

All Is For The Best, (In The best of all possible worlds)

Monday. 4.55 a.m. Here we go! Yet another fun-packed week at Dexter House. I'm being very sarcastic, but life goes on. What else to do? I have a hospital appointment this morning at Milton Keynes University Hospital at 11.50 a.m. It's not so much the actual appointment which is the problem, it's managing to find a parking space which causes stress which is more of a problem. I'll just have to get there in plenty of time to make sure I can park the car and then walk through to the department where I have to have a kidney scan. The letter I got, which rescheduled the appointment for 16th June, tells me I have to drink at least a litre of water. Well, as I'm keeping hydrated because of the hot weather, that's not going to cause much of a problem.

12.25 p.m. I have been to the hospital for my appointment. It was scheduled for 11.50, but, because of finding a space in the multistory car park, I went earlier. Fortunately, I found a space, which relieved the stress. When it came to walking to the ultrasound department, I at first went in the wrong direction and had to be directed by a helpful man who sent me back to the reception area and I soon found the department.

I was met by a lady who asked me my name when I walked through the door. It turned out that she was going to do the scan, so I was checked in and then the usual wait. Not long after I was called into the room and had to lay on a narrow couch/bed thing and the scan began, laying on my left side, then my right. The reason for this scan was that when I first moved to my current surgery, my doctor got me to have a blood test, which showed up something related to my kidneys and possibly caused by a side effect of taking some of my heart medication, which I have been on since my first heart attack in 2006. The technician doing the scan said this 'thing' was like a birthmark or tag, and was about 5 cm across, but when she did the scan it wasn't viable. In fact, she had to have a second look and still, nothing! So hopefully that's the end of that. No more to be said on that matter, but I should get a letter from my GP surgery with details, which will have been sent from the hospital.

I took Alfie to the dog-sitting lady at about 1.50 and left him to find out how he would behave, rather, if he would settle. I then went to Monday Club at the Oaktree Centre, which is on the opposite side of Shenley Brook End, and returned when that ended at 3.30. I was pleased to find that Alfie had done well, although he did bark a small amount. So it looks as if I can leave him there, so I can go to Worcester.

Tuesday. 5.15 a.m. Thankfully, it's a good deal cooler this morning and, as a result, far easier to sleep. The digital thermometer currently reads 22ºC.

4.25 p.m. A relatively straightforward drive to Camphill this morning. I know that it will be somewhat easier when the schools are on holiday, but it couldn't be that, as schools haven't broken up yet for the summer holidays.

Most of the theatre workshop gang was in the theatre today. We got to hear some of them talk about their holidays when we did check in. It seems to take longer and longer each time, probably because there are far more members of the group, and certainly more than when I first went to Camphill in 2019. It took a good hour today. 

I was moved to another of the silent movie projects. I was with the time-travel movie, and last week, when there were so few people in the workshop because they were on holiday, we didn't rehearse that project so I had to take over the pirate project. I have to say I'm disappointed because I had been working on developing the story with the gang and would have loved to see it completed. 

Terrie had managed to construct sets for the time travel movie on the Chrysalis Theatre stage so that some of the movies could be filmed using an iPad. I can say that it's so easy with modern technology such as iPads and iPhones, and editing is relatively easy. 

Because the time travel set had a prison set, the Western video group used it to film footage for their project. It seemed to go well, and they got all the materials they needed. While all this was going on, the pirates' team rehearsed in the hall part of the theatre. Terrie had gone off to have supervision with the manager of Camphill and came back a good deal later than expected. Her supervision was supposed to last an hour but overran by about thirty minutes, so by the time she returned we had more or less finished and there wasn't time to start anything else. So, it was a day of bits and pieces, but in some respects, successful, considering some filming was done.

Wednesday. 5.30 a.m. Yet another mild morning. I slept a good deal better than I have for the past couple of weeks. The digital thermometer currently reads 24ºC. Alfie and I did a circuit of Oldbrook Green, although he was somewhat reluctant.

12.55 p.m. I knew I was due to have a glazier come and replace the glass in the window of the kitchen this morning so that an extractor fan could be fitted. The man was due between 9 and 1. He turned up at about 10.30. It was done really quickly, the old glass taken out and the new one, including the cut hole to replace it. He then went off, mumbling something, which I didn't catch. So, I am now with a beautifully cut round hole ready to receive the extractor fan. But when is it to be fitted? Presumably to be done by a different contractor. So I rang Mears, yet again about this situation (I have now lost count), to be put through to a lay, who said she'd raise an order for the fan. But my question is, when can I expect this? It seems to go around in circles, a bit like a dog chasing its tale.  I JUST WANT MY EXTRACTOR FAN. But, whilst they're at it, what about my bathroom? It's no good asking. When this confounded fan (more of a FAN-tasy than an actual fan- get it? A pun!) I can actually use my George Foreman grill, which is waiting to be used, without setting off the fire alarm.

Life's A Drama (and some things not quite so dramatic)

Tuesday. 6.45 p.m. It's been very humid today. As I write this post, the sun is out, but it's very close. 

I have been to Camphill, working in the performance art workshop in the Chrysalis Theatre. Many of the group were on holiday, so we had around half the normal quota.

A young lady came to the workshop to sample what we get up to. I'm not entirely sure if she was comfortable with some of the activities. Unfortunately, during one of the games we play, one of the guys said something entirely inappropriate and Terrie had to take him out of the theatre and deal with the situation it caused. He remained out of the group until after lunch, and later in the afternoon he apologized for his behaviour. Whether he had learnt from his actions, it was unclear. It did rather upset the dynamic of the group.

Paul, who if one of the permanent staff within the workshop, was off ill, so the whole team had to be reorganized. Fewer regular members of the group were on holiday. In fact, the group was about half what it is normally.

As Usual, we began with a check in, although very much depleted, so it went relatively quickly. A few warm-ups and drama games (during which the 'incident', as reported above, took place.)

As you may, or may not, know, we've been developing three silent movies in the theatre workshop. This has been ongoing since the production of 'Twelfth Night.' One is a 'pirate' swashbuckler, the second is a 'Western', and the third, which is the one I've been involved in, is a 'Time-travelling' epic. Because we didn't have the full complement of performers or staff to oversee the rehearsals of them all, the 'Time-Travelling' one wasn't worked on, so I got put with the 'Pirate' one. I was supposed to be the captain of the ship and at one point, later in the afternoon, we rehearsed the central sword fight between the pirates and the captain's crew. Then during all this, George, who is one of the regular gang, who doesn't live at Camphill and who his  hearing impaired but is excellent at B.S.L. (British Sign Language) taught some of the gang sign language for some of the words which are used in the script, the idea being that the film, when it is eventually shown to an audience, would be accessible to those with hearing impairment. 

Wednesday. 10.15 a.m. I was out early with Alfie at around 5.15.

It's not quite so clammy and hot this morning. The digital thermometer currently reads 25ºC.

I've been to Sainsbury's. On Friday evening at the Oaktree Centre we have another quiz session, so I've been to buy a few prizes and snacks, so I'm stocked up.

Practically Perfect!

 Tuesday. 7.17 a.m. It's a rather drab and dreary day. 'Quite cold generally', which is how Carol Kirkwood is describing today's weather, as I am watching BBC Breakfast as I write this.

4.35 p.m. I have only this minute got back from another day at Camphill, working in the performing arts workshop in the Chrysalis Theatre. Terrie, who is the leader, wasn't in charge today, because her father is ill, and she was with him. Paul was in charge. One or two of the regular team didn't come, for whatever reason. A new young lady came to work in the workshop. She is a regular support worker at Camphill. I don't know what she thought of the theatre workshop, but she seemed to fit in really well.

The morning got started with the usual 'check-in,' when every member of the team talks about what they've been up to and how they feel. This can take some time. 

Then we did several games, the famous EastEnders game, which I've mentioned in an earlier post and 'Bananas' (which I won't attempt to describe on here.) All I can say, very good to break the ice, and they can be a bit daunting if you've never done anything such as this before, but it certainly gets everyone 'warmed up.' A great deal of this is to get people's voices ready for any speaking they are likely to do, which can be good for anyone with a learning disability. When I rejoined the theatre workshop back in November, after almost two years of being away because of the various lockdowns bought in because of the coronavirus pandemic, I was a bit overwhelmed when I started to interact with the group in these games, particularly as I didn't know how they were played. I intend to get involved in as much of this sort of activity as possible, although some of the games I withdraw from.

The rest of the day was spent watching a range of silent films, a couple with Laurel and Hardy, one of which was the famous film, ''The Music Box,' where they have to deliver a piano to a house up some steps and the series of blunders they make in the process. Typical Laurel and Hardly material. Then, some films with Buster Keaton and then Harold Lloyd. 

After Lunch, we had yet another 'check in' and then we watched one of Morecambe and Wise's famous sketches, the one where they are having breakfast, and all their actions are done to the music of 'The Stripper.' Then, we did some exercises whereby we emulated Laurel and Hardy, with the scene in 'The Music Box', where they are clearing up after the disaster in the house they are delivering to, where Ollie is shifting wood from one place to another and Stan puts it back in exactly the same place, so it ends up with them not getting anywhere with the clearing up. We did it with two teams, with moving chairs and it turns out that they end up back where they started and then another with washing up, with the washed-up dishes are being endlessly recycled and washed. We then had to enact what we'd developed to watch the other team's efforts and then they watched ours.

Wednesday. 7.05 a.m. It is getting light earlier and earlier each morning and this morning, as a result of it being light out, I was out with Alfie at around 6.40 this morning. We did a circuit of Oldbrook Green, because I didn't see the point of wasting the early hour to not build up some footsteps with my FitBit. Looking at the FitBit I have on my wrist, it reads 2081 steps.

10 20 a.m. I've just been to Sainsbury's mainly to pick up a repeat prescription from Lloyd's, whose pharmacy is within the store. I now learn that this pharmacy is going to close in July. We have been ordering our medication from Lloyd's for I don't know how many years and know the staff well. They have been very supportive, particularly when Carol was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and always manage to get whatever medication we need. So it will be such a shame for this facility to close. I can move to another pharmacy, but it's so easy to park, with the car park underneath the store. There is the option to set up delivery from Lloyd's and have my meds delivered direct to my flat, but it won't be the same without the personal touch. It seems so many companies are disappearing altogether or moving their businesses online. Argos is owned by Sainsbury and its head office is in Milton Keynes, just a stone's throw from Sainsbury's. Many of their high street stores are closing, and Sainsbury's will have Argos pick-up points in their stores. No doubt all this is as a result of the infamous pandemic lockdowns as well as Brexit.  I will be able to adapt to the new way of receiving my medications, but there will be some people, of a 'certain age' who will prefer to have the human contact of going into a store to pick up their medication and might not be able to use the internet to set up their accounts to have their medication delivered directly.

2.05 p.m. I am continuing to transfer handwritten material into word processing. This particular piece of writing was written some while ago, but it seems to fit as the backstory of the new character I want to bring into the project. It may need to be slightly adapted for that use, but, as it hadn't been used or transcribed, it seemed a good idea to use it.

Back At Camphill!

Wednesday 12th January. 6.35 p.m. Yesterday I was at Camphill, the first time since late March 2020, when the first lockdown came in, and we had to hide away from each other to keep the coronavirus at bay. I did a lateral flow test early on Wednesday morning, as instructed. Fortunately, it was negative, as I thought it might be. Not something I enjoy, shoving a swab stick up each nostril and to the back of my throat. Am I the only person who wants to gag when they do this? I bet you do. Then it was take Alfie out onto the grass along Strudwick Drive and then drive to Willen.

I went straight to the office once I had parked and had to go through a further test and fill in forms before I was taken to the Chrysalis Theatre. The gang were sitting in a ring, the normal set-up for the beginning of a day. I didn't expect the reception I got as soon as I stepped through the door! The whole place erupted! Just shows how lovely they all are. Apparently they hadn't been told I was going to come back, but they knew there was going to be a surprise.

As usual, we did a check-in, which involves having to say how you felt at that moment and what you had been doing at Christmas. It took a good deal longer than I remember when I was at Camphill almost two years ago.

Terri, who has taken over from Teo, who used to lead the theatre workshop on a Tuesday, gave a rough outline of how she intended the year ahead to develop, with new drama projects. Then a time doing exercises, warm-ups of a wide variety. One game where the team was put into pairs. One member of the group did a mime and the other person had to copy it. For example, a certain sort of job, such as a plumber, fisherman or whatever.

After lunch, Terri talked about a Royal pudding. It sounded weird at first, but it was connected to the Queen's Jubilee this year, her Platinum, which marks her 70 years on the throne. Buckingham Palace has unveiled a competition for people to create a pudding for Her Majesty. From this the guys did a piece which was based on the television show 'The Great British Bake Off.' They had to make a pudding or cake (not real by the way. Everything imaginary and mimed.) Following the format of G.B.B.O. the team had to 'make' their pudding or cake and, as some of us went round, in the style of the presenters from the show as well as the judges, in this case Paul Hollywood and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, they could describe in fairly minute detail the pudding or cake they were 'making.' At the end of the mock 'two hours' they had to present their concoction to the judges and then the judges went away to decide on 'Star Baker' and eventually an over-all winner.

A really great day and I'm so glad to be back at Camphill, although wearing a face covering does make life somewhat more difficult, especially talking as it does muffle your voice, and it's often difficult to judge a person's facial expression and to sometimes hear what they are saying. The sooner the Government realises that they don't really have much of an effect on restricting the virus, the better, infact, removing all the restrictions, the world would be a far better place.

Disappointments and Frustrations

Sunday. 5.55 p.m. Yesterday the men's breakfast group met at the  Harvester  Fountain inn in Loughton. It's just off Watling Street and just along the road from where Carol and I lived when we were first married, in Crownhill. 

Just a matter of interest. It intrigues me that Loughton is pronounced as it sounds (Low-ton) while Woughton-On-The-Green, the next village going out of Milton Keynes (both being villages now swallowed up by the new town of Milton Keynes), is pronounced Woof-ton. Just makes things difficult for anyone new to the area. Probably one of the quirks of the English language. Try explaining that to an American, or any other foreign visitor!

Thursday. 7.25 p.m. I haven't been keeping up with things in these blog posts. On Thursday I drove to Camphill with the hope of meeting the drama workshop guys and the new drama team. I went to the office and was told that I could do my Disclosure online. But then when I got home I had an email from Camphill to say that there had been another change of plan. Due to the disruption of the pantomime which is being performed in the Chrysalis Theatre over the Christmas period, I would not be able to meet the team, so I will have to arrange another day to visit and do a taster day (which is what I did originally when I first went to Camphill as a volunteer in around April 2019.) After that, I can do the disclosure and hopefully get back to working in the drama workshop.

I had an email on Wednesday morning saying that I had been 'put forward' for walk-on work at Pinewood Studios on a Disney production. No name or anything much. I needed to upload several photos to the Pop website, the casting site. I got Barbara to take these shots on my iPhone and then managed to upload them successfully. I would have to go to Pinewood on Friday for a costume fitting and the filming day would be on Monday. As usual, a wait to get a response, and then today I got another email telling me I had been released (i.e.; not selected.) Ho Hum! It was what I expected, but one always hopes one will eventually get selected. Just one day on something or other would be great. Such is life!

Saturday. 11.35 p.m. I have been interested in something called 'Portal,' which has been created by Facebook. It's a technology that allows you to video chat with people, your family, friends, and others by using a screen with a camera attached. OK, you can do all this on your PC or laptop and I have used Zoom during the various lockdowns we've had during the past eighteen months or more, especially for church meetings and bits of market research I have done.  It is connected to Facebook live video. Except I wouldn't want to have another gadget as I already have enough gadgets. I had imagined it would be great to be able to video chat through my television set if I was able to have a camera attached to my set so that I could use Zoom or other similar video conferencing software on my MacBook and that connected somehow to my television set.  The only problem with Zoom on a laptop is that staring at a small screen and then the tiny postage stamp-sized images of the other people in the meeting can be quite a strain. So, what amazement was it to find that Facebook had released such a piece of technology and called Portal TV? Zoom will work on it and as it's on a large television screen it would be far more comfortable to use looking at a larger image. Not only that, but you can video call family and friends using this technology. Then I found that this gadget was going to be available at half price for Black Friday. (Why does Black Friday last for several weeks? Not just one particular Friday? And could someone explain why it's Black? No, please, don't. I don't want to get into such a discussion on here. . . ) I could buy one at this low price via BT. Which is what I did. Paid for, and it would be delivered by Mailforce, part of Royal Mail. Simple. Or so I imagined. It wasn't the ordering that was difficult. Just the delivering. The thing was ordered on Wednesday, and it was scheduled to be delivered on Friday, between around 12.30-1.30 p.m. Which I learned via email and text message.

I waited in expectation of the delivery of the parcel. At around 12.30 I got a buzz on the intercom from the front door of Dexter House to say the aforementioned parcel had been delivered but to the wrong address.     Not my flat number, but the house opposite. This is constantly being a problem. The gentleman from the house opposite had a card with my address on it, and it said I could collect my parcel after 24 hours! Looking at the card it had my correct address, so why didn't the delivery driver merely turn round and see that Dexter House was opposite? Well, it was merely a matter of reading the address correctly. No real excuse. So, I was annoyed that I would have to wait a full 24 hours before I could collect the parcel.

The next day I drove into the Centre MK to meet up with my friend Nick who came to Milton Keynes on a bus from Northampton. I intended to park in the Secklow car park next to The Point and normally have no issues using the RingGo app on my phone. But for some reason, it would not work because you have to put in more identity before you pay. So it was fortunate I had sufficient coins in my jacket pocket to put in one of the ticket machines. Yet another of life's frustrations. When technology works, it's fine, but when it doesn't or is changed for whatever reason, it can be annoying.

Having met up with Nick I then drove to the mail delivery office in Brinklow. I have had to collect several parcels from here, so I was hoping that I could pick up the parcel and then return to my flat to set up the Portal TV on my television set. But no. Having taken the card which was left when the drive was going to deliver the parcel to the wrong house, I then learnt that I would need to collect the parcel fro the Parcelforce unit in Tongwell. So I got back in the car and drove across Milton Keynes to Tongwell, to just opposite Willen village. But, lo and behold! I was told by the rather disinterested girl on the reception desk that my parcel was at the Post Office in the centre of Milton Keynes! This was beginning to get somewhat repetitive. Why on earth wasn't I given this information in the first place?  I could easily have collected it when I was with Nick earlier in the day. Another car journey into the centre. But where to park? I had no change on me, thanks to having to use the payment machine in the Secklow car park when the RingGo app didn't work as it should, so I drove around aimlessly hoping there might be a free spot to park whilst I went into the Post Office to collect the parcel. No luck! Then I found myself driving into the newly-opened multi-storey car park next to John Lewis. There was no alternative but to drive in and park. I first had to negotiate the barrier, having to put my debit card into the machine. I later found that I should have taken a ticket from the machine and once I'd collected the parcel I then realized I had to put this ticket (which I didn't have.) in one of the payment machines to then pay with my card. Oh, what an adventure the entire afternoon had been. But I did manage to get out eventually, managing to get a ticket from the exit and then putting it into another machine to lift the barrier, so I could get out!

On arriving back at Dexter House I then found that some kind person had parked their car across the entrance to my parking space, which was so nice of them, but later in the evening, I went down to move my car onto my space once the car had driven away. Just a wonderful end to a long, and difficult afternoon.

Calmer Weather and Camphill Days

I'm now taking Alfie out for his early morning walk a good deal earlier now that it's light by 7.30. I had to wake him up, which is unusual because it's usually the other way round. I was surprised that there was some ice on the car's rear window when we walked past and it was good that the howling wind had gone and no rain! The puddle along the path which we walk along towards Oldbrook Green was gone and I am glad we don't have to walk through it. By the time we'd crossed Oldbrook Boulevard and went to the doggy bin I saw the 'Mystery Lady' walking along the road near The Cricketers public house. She was hardly dressed appropriately for such a cold morning, although I don't see her stop any vehicles.

I went to Camphill as usual. We did a rehearsal of 'Stranger Danger' and I stood in for one of the regulars who doesn't always appear in the morning. I got into trouble from one of the ladies. I'm not sure exactly what I was supposed to have done wrong, but anyway, we didn't rehearse for long because after last week, when we had the visitors and things were disordered as a result of not knowing they were coming, this week we watched more of 'Oliver!' and then began to work on the improvisation that Teo had suggested. We still have to more of the films to watch, which I expect we will get round to next week.

(Thursday) Another calm day on the weather front. I'm going to Camphill this morning, helping with a teacher's conference which is being run in the Chrysalis Theatre. I'm not leaving home until after 9 o'clock in an attempt to avoid the aggressive driving I have to endure as I drive there and the volume of traffic should hopefully be very much reduced.

I left for Camphill a good deal later than usual and the traffic wasn't as hectic as it is if I go earlier. Cross the roundabouts at Marlborough Street, Childs Way and Portway, before I eventually reached Camphill was a good deal easier than on other occasions.

Three tables had been set up in the foyer of the Chrysalis Theatre, with coffee and tea and cups as well as biscuits and other snacks ready for the conference delegates. A couple of the residents who are part of the Tuesday drama workshop were already in attendance behind one of the two bars, organising coffee and tea, but Matthew, who has latched on to me since I started volunteering with the group, wasn't around and I soon learned that he was in hospital. He is diabetic and he doesn't take control of his blood sugar levels, which often get dangerously high. So, because he wasn't there, I had to help serve tea and coffee and make sure that there were adequate supplies when they ran low. The delegates arrived around 9.45 and we started to serve them their tea and coffee. The first session the delegates had was at 10.30 and two of the residents did the introduction to The Chrysalis Theatre, which we had done several weeks ago as a practice and it reminds those who use the Chrysalis things such as fire safety and where the toilets are. This gave us time to get the cups washed and they were stacked in the washing machine behind one of the bars and then taken out when finished and repositioned on the tables ready for when the delegates came out (which was around 12.15.) I had been wondering what they were going to eat for lunch and discovered that they were having pizza, but I imagined that they would order from Domino or Pizza Hut and have them delivered, but I soon discovered that they were being made in the Camphill bakery and that we would have to go and collect them with two trolleys. We went over to the bakery with the trolleys and, walking into the bakery kitchen, there was a delicious aroma, of pizzas and on several metal serving platters were the pizza slices, which were placed on the trolleys and then taken over to the Chrysalis. Unfortunately they had to be put on tables which had been set up on the stage, behind the screen which had been lowered for the conference, being used for the computer projector. We had to sneak into the theatre with the trolley and put the pizza on the tables, but we weren't actually supposed to go in with the conference still in progress, but there was no other way to get in and set the platters up. It has only just occurred to me that the Chrysalis doesn't have dock doors which would allow scenery to be taken in or out and very little space to store scenery as you would normally have in a theatre, something I have used and seen in the theatres I've worked in. This would normally been how we could have got backstage without disturbing the conference.

A lot of the pizzas didn't get eaten. There were several platters which came back to the foyer and it meant that we could eat some of them! The remainder were taken to the various homes within the Camphill community. I just don't think the teachers who came to the conference were all that keen on pizza, but Camphill and in particular, the Chrysalis, doesn't have a professional kitchen to prepare food, with the main consideration being storage of food in refrigerators to keep food at the correct temperature.

The conference came to a close at 2.30. We were wondering if the delegates would come out and spend time in the foyer chatting and want coffee and tea, so we were ready, but nobody wanted a drink although some gathered in the foyer area but gradually dispersed. One the theatre was clear we began clearing up, folding the tables, folding the table cloths and generally tidying and I was finished by 3.30.

Signs Of Spring?

We have had some really cold weather lately, but nothing really freezing, no snow or anything even close to the winter weather we had at this time of year from only a couple of years ago. The car has had ice on it's windows, early in the morning, but nothing to get too concerned about. It must be relatively mild for the time of year because there is blossom on some trees around Oldbrook. I imagine it's almond, but I can't be sure. (I've done a Google search and have learnt that's it's cherry blossom.) There are bulbs coming up in the communal garden at Dexter House and I've seen snowdrops out on the opposite side of Oldbrook Green which I've seen when I've taken Alfie out. There are buds on trees, meaning that those trees are about produce leaves. But, no doubt if there is a sudden, sharp frost, all these will be killed off.

(Saturday) Another rather dull and over-cast day. I've been to Sainsbury's to buy food to top up the freezer. It's best to go early, because you can get in and out easily.

(Tuesday) I've ordered the shelf unit for the kitchen on Amazon. It will take the microwave and other items which don't currently have a home. I haven't been able to use the microwave because where it currently sits there is no spare power point because the fridge/freezer uses the one where it sits at the moment. The new unit will stand on the opposite kitchen wall where there is a power point.

The Frog statue near the 

Grand Union Canal near Camphill

I went to Camphill as usual. We had two young girls come in from Denmark and watch the rehearsal during the morning.  I'm not sure what they made of the rehearsal, but they made some really positive comments. One of the co-workers, who comes from Brazil, was leaving, which was rather sad as she's really thrown herself into everything she does. So many people come from various places around the world, Japan, Brazil and Denmark, making Camphill a truly international organisation. We did a line run and I stood in for one of the guys who never seems to come during the morning. We then did a proper run and because there was more training after lunch, we went for a walk. We did this the other week and I didn't realise that the Grand Union Canal was so close. We walked down one side and got to what is termed The Frog Bridge. I've never walked along this part of the canal and the Frog (which is actually a wooden sculpture of probably a frog or a toad) was sitting on a bench. We all gathered around and photos were taken. I took one on my iPhone. We walked along the opposite side of the canal and then back into the Camphill campus.

Because there was training for the residents after lunch in the Chrysalis Theatre and therefore no further drama workshop, I went home. When I got back home I took Alfie out for a walk around Oldbrook Green. As it was bright sunshine it seemed a reasonable excuse and he doesn't need much encouraging to go for a walk.

(Wednesday) I was informed that the shelf unit for the kitchen would arrive sometime today, but when exactly I was not told, but possibly before 8p.m. It eventually came mid-afternoon. A fairly large parcel. Well, what else was I expecting? I have been spending the evening endeavouring to assemble the thing. Not too difficult, but the worst part is the bolts which hold the thing together and the fact that you have to use an Allan Key to tighten each bolt. The problem is that you can't turn the L-shaped 'Key' in the top of each bolt (or are they screws?) in a complete circuit, which means you have to keep removing it and putting it back in so as to tighten each screw, which takes a lot of time and patience. It would be better to have something like a proper screwdriver which would mean you could keep the device in the screw without keeping on removing it. A lot of patience is required and kneeling on the floor isn't comfortable, to say the least. I have almost completed the assembly, but will complete the job tomorrow morning. I think it would have been an easier job if I'd had someone to help, for example, to hold each shelf in place when I am attempting to tighten the screws, putting the screw in the hole in the top of each shelf and then aligning the other end with the hole in the metal frame. Not an easy task.

Busy At Camphill

I went to the first drama workshop session at Camphill of 2020 yesterday, Tuesday. I left the flat at around 8.20, as I know that the traffic can be quite heavy and it can take longer to drive there during the rush hour. I got there at around 8.35 and parked the car and then walked through the campus towards the Chrysalis Theatre. It turned out that most of the drama group wouldn't be coming to the session due to either illness or they were away on holiday, including a couple of the co-workers. The morning session begins at 9 a.m. We always start off with a group session and have to go round the entire group with a chance for each resident (as well as co-workers and volunteers) to tell the group how they are feeling and in some cases, what they've been doing.

With so few residents and co-workers, there was no point rehearsing 'Stranger Danger.' We were set to do some other tasks, such as sorting out the props, making lists of what was in each of the boxes as well as dismantling the Christmas tree, which had taken up residence at the side of the stage. It was an artificial tree and it was made up of several sections which clipped together, but it took some while to find out how it was put together. We took off the decorations, using a set of steps and then had to uncoil the lights.

Several people came to either deliver or select and take away costumes from the wardrobe department. I was detailed to help the two people who came to find a costume for one of them to wear for a fun-raising day. He was trying to dress as Willy Wonka from the Roald Dahl book, 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.' He was looking for a brightly-coloured jacket and a top hat and I think they found what they were looking for after some effort looking along the rails.

Some of the guys did a word rehearsal of 'Stranger Danger,' but it was only part of the play, because so many were unavailable. This was when I was downstairs in the wardrobe department with the couple choosing costumes.

After lunch we started cleaning around the back-stage area. The Christmas tree was still being disconnected and the lights being removed as we finished at 4 o'clock. Hopefully next week we will have a full compliment of residents and co-workers.

Busy At Camphill

I haven't written a blog post for about a week. There wasn't a great deal to write about, but now, thinking about it, I can tell you what we've been up to at Camphill.

Last week there was a bit of a panic at Camphill, due to the fact that they were to have an inspection (I think it must have been C.Q.C. (Care Quality Commission) who do annual inspections and give a few days notice (I actually think it's rather pointless in that case, because if it was a secret and they just tuned up they would get a more accurate picture.) We had to do something, a piece of learning (for want of a better description.) taking it from the beginning and through to completion and then show evidence for that 'piece.' In this case it was to start by writing an introduction to read to the audience over a microphone and then do just that. We sat around a table to start thinking of what should be said and once it was decided and completed, each resident in the drama workshop had to speak it through the microphone which was set up on the stage. Paul, who is Teo's assistant in the drama workshop, did the first announcement, and the others had to follow, doing it in their own style. Even the Co-Workers had to do this, including myself. I have to say it's not as easy as it might sound, particularly as it's odd having your voice coming back at you through the 'live' speakers in the theatre auditorium. I'm glad I had a chance to try this. As I say, it's odd to hear your voice coming back through loudspeakers. I've recorded my voice onto tape and then heard it back afterwards, but it's unusual to speak on an 'open' microphone and hear your voice come back at you, but it was a good experience and worth doing. Then they had to write a report on each individual resident as evidence of the task being completed.

Not all the co-workers were available last week. A couple of the drama regulars were away or ill. One, who has attached himself to me somewhat, is diabetic and his sugar-levels were too high and didn't come to the drama workshop. I had to read in his lines but he did appear with a co-worker during yesterday's session.

We couldn't use the stage in the Chrysalis Theatre because it was set up for the Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy production of 'Blackadder's Christmas Carol.' It was therefore important that we didn't disturb the props for this show which were set up around the back-stage area. We had to bring out chairs which are stored either side of the stage. I know, from my own experience of prop-setting, that you don't want anyone to disturb your setting, particularly if actors need to find a specific prop and it's moved to a different position.

This week we had to complete forms which would be used to show how each individual resident who participates in the drama workshop was developing. I had the task of using a MacBook and using the software and inputting details of the various residents. My main concern was that I wasn't going to save each individual resident's details, but one of the co-workers was able to show me where on the programme I could save the work. It was quite a long process and took more or less all day. Then there were a couple of residents who usually join us on a Tuesday where weren't there or at least came in later in the day. Fortunately I have the I.T. skills required to do this work and am so pleased I did something called a C.L.A.I.T. course(Computer Literacy and Information Technology) as well as learning the basics of computing when I did my abortive degree course, one at Luton and then DeMontfort University (both now merged into what is now The University of Bedfordshire. You couldn't hand in work that wasn't word processed in whatever system.

All this material would no doubt be inspected by the C.Q.C. inspectors because they would need to see such things as care plans and these documents would be included as being such material.

After lunch on Tuesday we did three run-throughs of 'Stranger Danger,' but missing out scenes where the actors weren't available. It seems to go really well. It has now been decided that there won't be  performance for Phoenix Rising on the last day the workshop meets before the Christmas break on 17th December, because not all the actors have been available to rehearse, along with some co-workers being on holiday or off ill. Then we sat in a circle and played the game 'fortunately/unfortuntely,' and ended on the game whereby you tell of two real things and one unreal (fictional/non-fiction.) which we've played before. By this time it was around 3.45 so each resident and volunteer or co-worker had to talk about that they were going to do for Christmas. Place tidied up and returned items to their places and by then it was time to go home!

Tuesday at Camphill

I went to Camphill as usual on Tuesday. I leave to drive there a good deal earlier in an attempt to avoid the traffic, which can get really busy at around 8.30a.m. Regardless of this, it can still be extremely busy. Crossing the roundabout where Chaffron Way crosses Marlborough Street as well as Brickhill Street crossing Childs Way and finally Portway, can be really hairy. It's a matter of just being a good deal more aggressive and go for it when the road is clear, but it's not pleasant and a build-up of traffic which can tail back a long way. The journey should take no more than 10 minutes, but at that early hour it can take a good 45 minutes.

Lot of people missing today. Co-workers as well as residents. I had to read in for those who were missing, although it was only a line rehearsal. Then we were sorting out costumes for the actors. We had to go under the stage and into the costume store and bring up rails of the costumes, some of which had carrier bags attached which had hand props and bits and pieces which made up the various costumes. But when we got to the door of the costume store the keys would not unlock the door so we spent a great deal of time trying various keys but still the door would not unlock. It took at least 20 minutes before we were able to find the correct key and then take the rail of costumes up into the theatre.

We have now been told that the final drama workshop session before the Christmas break will be on 17th December. A group who use the Chrysalis Theatre,  Phoenix Rising, will be coming to see what will be, in essence, a dress rehearsal of 'Stranger Danger.'

I've been asked if I would like to work on a Monday with the singing workshop. It would be good to have an additional day's volunteer work. When I went to the Willen Hospice coffee morning in John Lewis I sat with the group that are newly bereaved and separate from the larger group I usually sit with. I spoke to one of the volunteer ladies and we were talking and I mentioned my interest in Shakespeare and she said, had I ever considered being a volunteer at the Shakespeare Globe, the reconstructed theatre on the Southbank of the Thames? I had never even thought of it. She was a volunteer there and said I might be good at that sort of thing. You have to go for an interview and it's not about your knowledge of Shakespeare that would want, more your ability to engage with the public, being a  friendly face that the audience members would see when they visited. I'm not sure I want to go all the way into London (you get your train fare reimbursed, apparently.) And it's likely to be a long day and coming home at night would put me off, crossing London on the Underground and the fact it's noisy, dirty, and generally unpleasant so it might not appeal to me in that respect, even though I would love to be involved.

Good Day At Camphill

On Tuesday (I forgot to mention it. Slapped wrists!) I went to Camphill as usual. It was a brilliant warm and sunny day. Teo was on holiday, I think they said somewhere in the Far East. Possibly somewhere around Indonesia, but I'm not sure exactly. He couldn't resist sending a text to Paul, his assistant, just to find out how we were getting on. I'm not certain of the time difference, but it must have been quite difficult to work out when to send the text message to make sure it arrived in Britain when we were working in the Chrysalis Theatre. We couldn't use the theatre because there was a rehearsal in there so we had to use the downstairs area, including The Crypt. We did a run of 'Stranger Danger,' setting it up in The Crypt, but not with all the furniture which is involved and as a result the performance the guys was different to when staged in the theatre, but the whole idea was that it could be performed in any space, not necessarily a theatre. I recall similar happening when I used to perform my schools shows as well as marionette cabaret. I could get bookings for the marrionette cabaret in some really cramped and varied venues, one such being in a barn on a farm with straw on the floor and with one, naked, light bulb for illumination and sometimes performed without any adults present and being kicked through the material of the fit-up when I did the schools show at a private party because the adults left us to get on with the performance when they went off to another room in the house to sit and drink wine.

We went for a walk to the Peace Pagoda carpark. Not just as an excuse to go out in the sun, but it was still rather pleasant. The idea was to glean information for a video which was to be made, which would be used to show visitors how to get to the Chrysalis and, most important of all, to prevent them crossing the road outside Camphill. Absolutely no need when there are bridges and under-passes and you use the Redway. This done, we came back to start clearing out the costume department for a good clean, sorting costumes into different colours in The Crypt and hats in another room (the Art Room, I believe it's called.) I can say, by the time we'd finished, mid-afternoon, I definitely don't want to see another hat, of whatever size, shape or colour. Then, once the stockroom was vacuumed, it was all pushed back and it was a great relief when the job was completed.

One of the young girls, who is a university student and has been working as a Co-Worker at Camphill for around 3 months and who has been part of the drama workshop was leaving. She has really worked extremely hard with the drama guys, throwing herself completely into whatever she has been asked to do and has really given so much to the drama workshop. She has definitely left a mark on the place and is really loved by the residents she works will and will be greatly missed. Two of the other Co-Workers made a card. The Japanese girl and the Brazilian girl (I'm not going to give their names for protection reasons. I never give names on here whenever I think there might be a risk.) The card looked as if it had come from a shop, but it was made and even had a sort of bit that sprung out when it was opened and we all signed it.

We sat outside in the sunshine for our lunch and later did a rehearsal with everyone sitting and it seemed to have a very different feel to it, probably because the guys had to concentrate harder on their lines than when indoors, because it was more difficult to be heard outside.

Next week we will be back in the Chrysalis and things will more or less return to normal. But, without a certain young lady it will not be quite the same.

Changeable Weather

From being excessively hot, to rain and then humid, it's a really blustery day. I had intended washing

the bedding and stripped the bed and put on new duvet cover, bottom sheet and pillow cases and put the whole lot in the washing machine, with the idea of putting it all out on the washing line to dry, but it looked vaguely as if we were in for a downpour so, change of plan, the sheet has been folded and put over the bannister rail and the duvet is drying over one of the clothes racks. Not ideal, but it's the only way to dry clothes when it's so undecided. Alfie thinks it's some sort of game when I'm attempting to put the duvet on. He can't understand what I'm up to.

On Saturday I went to the writing group which meets in Starbucks in the shopping centre. I got there and found it really busy, with a long queue at the corner. I ordered a cold drink and a cheese and hame toastier and then sat near the entrance, having absolutely no idea who was going to turn up. Nobody I could see looked in the least bit as if they could be writers. How would I know, without going round asking? Would they be carrying notepads? Manuscripts in folders? Until someone came up to me and asked me, and a young lady who appears to be the leader of the group, and we went to one of the tables outside in the mall as it was far easier to talk, because it was so noisy within the actual Starbucks store.

(Monday) I went to the Willen coffee morning at John Lewis and sat with a different group with whom I haven't chatted before. I have been given a telephone number of a bereavement counselling service which I've not come across before, so when I got home I rang and left a message and later I got a call-back from their secretary. They have a drop in run by volunteers, but then I got a call back from Willen Hospice, and told them that I had got two nurses coming from the new N.H.S. service, which I've already mentioned in an earlier post on here, so I will wait until after they've visited me on Wednesday afternoon before setting up any further counselling. The woman at the Milton Keynes Bereavement Counselling Service said they couldn't help because they have such a long waiting list of people but that I could go in to the drop-in if I was feeling I needed to chat. I will wait and see what happens after the Wednesday visit.

I ordered printer ink cartridges on Amazon. Mid morning I got a knock on the door and flew downstairs to answer was it was quite aggressive. I was expecting it to be another of those door-to-door salespeople trying to flog energy, gas and electricity, but as I got there, the door was opened and a parcel was thrust in without waiting for me to answer. This is not the way for Amazon drivers/deliverers to complete a delivery. I opened the door to confront this young man and said he should put the parcel in the meter cupboard and definitely not just open the door! He was apologetic, but still, not acceptable because Alfie could have got out and I know what he's like if he gets out. He could get run over. In this instance, fortunately I was able to get to the door before he got out, although he did bark.

(Tuesday) Camphill as usual. The traffic going is again calmer than usual. I can't believe most of it would normally be school traffic, parents taking their offspring to drop off at the school gates. Is that correct? Anyway, it's not as busy as it would be during a school day. None of those impatient idiots tailgating me all the way. What is it with some people?

We did a line-run of 'Stranger Danger.' Apparently the residents had a training day with the Police yesterday and they were shown the video of 'Stranger Danger,' and they were impressed by it. The training was on safety, keeping safe on-line and more or less the same as the material provided in 'Stranger Danger.'

Teo wanted to rehearse 'Stranger Danger' as if it was a proper performance. Up until now it has been rehearsed in 'bits,' the separate scenes not linked together. It was something like a technical rehearsal, as I remember when I worked in rep, where the whole play is taken apart, once the set is constructed and the lighting and sound cues 'topped and tailed,' where the play is run, but then stage management is allowed to try out scene changes and the sound and lighting cues put in. It also gives the actors a chance to get used to the set, using props, making entrances and so on. This is something like what we did today, with the actors sitting on stools around the stage (but in this instance it was set up in the theatre in the space where the seating would have been (the Chrysalis Theatre has seating which can be folded back into the back wall of the auditorium in a very ingenious arrangement, and when needed, drawn out on a motorised mechanism. Quite amazing to see it in operation for the first time.) It meant that new movements of the actors could be tried out and how and when pieces of furniture such as tables and chairs could be set and 'struck,' which is where support staff come in handy, me being one of them.

(Wednesday) The weather has changed yet again. I did a load of washing (boring and mundane, I know) and was considering whether to put it out on the washing line. I'm glad I didn't and it's now on both drink racks.

I've now got two bits of writing posted on the WhatsApp creative writing group and I've had a few comments. So, it seems worth all the effort has at last paid off and after waiting to find a creative writing group the results look good. I'm reading other member's work and they look good too. It's certainly a boost to my morale to have this to work at.

Another Fine Day

Thankfully the weather is cooler. As much as I like it sunny and warm, it's not advisable to be out in it when you have a heart condition as I have. After the incident at Camphill when I mistook a bout of reflux or heart burn as either an actual, full-on heart attack (correct terminology is myocardial infarction) or angina. I was relieved that it was cooler as I drove to Camphill yesterday (Tuesday.) No the full compliment of residents at the 'check-in,'where everyone has to give a brief description of how they were feeling at the beginning of the day (as I volunteer I don't get off the hook, but I've got used to it. From my first day when I was only there for a few hours, to get the feel of the drama workshop and had the residents firing questions at me to see where I would fit in.) which was somewhat nerve wracking, to several months later when I am feeling as if they are all my friends and chat to me freely and we have such a lovely relationship. They are truly a lovely lot and I am so pleased to have found something  so amazing to be part of. 

Teo, the leader of the drama workshop and coordinator/manager of the Chrysalis Theatre, was busy elsewhere in the building, busy with a young man who had come in to view the theatre from The Scouting organisation because he was involved in a Gang Show which was going to be staged in the Chrysalis Theatre. We hardly saw him all day because he was also involved with reorganising the rooms beneath the stage, a larger room called 'The Crypt', which is where we've worked on a couple of occasions, as well as the dressing rooms, and another room which used to be a prop room and which is being converted into a sort of tea and coffee bar for organisations who hire the under-stage rooms for various events and courses so they don't have to come upstairs to use the facilities in the theatre foyer when the theatre is being used by other organisations.

We sat in a circle and did a line-run, with some of the absent actors parts being read by either myself or some of the 'co-workers,' as the support staff are called at Camphill. The two girls who have beeb working with us, (one from Brazil and the other from Japan, both have remarkable English-speaking skills, incidentally, and get on well with the drama guys.) and then we were broken up into groups to work with the actors to get them to really push themselves to improve their performances. When we went back into the circle, the drama guys had to take a line from their roles in 'Stranger Danger,' and really give it their all, taking one of us support staff as a sort of audience and really giving a full-blown performance which was intended to get them to give their best. It really worked and it gave an idea of their potential as performers.

We sent some time brainstorming ideas for 'Treasure Island,' which will be the next production. This time we were trying to find out how the production will end and lots of ideas were thrown into the ring. It was really amazing what the guys came up with. I had plenty myself, but I don't really want to over-do it as it should be there ideas that get used. I have no real excuse in this area because I've done a lot of research on story theory, particularly from one academic, called Joseph Campbell, who created the Hero With A Thousand Faces and was used as the blueprint for such movies as the original 'Star Wars' created by George Lucas and has since been used by other film-makers and almost a standard text.

Towards the end of the day Teo put a slideshow on the computer and it was shown on the large screen in the Chrysalis, to show those of us who had more recently come to work or volunteer at Camphill. Over nine years it appears that they've produced quite a wide range of plays, from a production based loosely (and it would appear very loosely.) on Sherlock Holmes, a sort of pantomime version of Robin Hood and other assorted shows, many which not only starred the residents (many of them in the current drama workshop.) but also many volunteers and what they call 'Co-Workers.' One of them being Luke, who seems to be a sort of 'jack of all trades,' from gardener, mower of the lawns at Camphill, to supporter of the residents in various capacities as well as having quite a good go at acting and, so it would appear, being the leading light in many of the productions. The sets and the costumes looked quite remarkable, and quite a few would appear to have been stored in the wardrobe department under the stage, whilst the set for the Sherlock Holmes production appeared (from what I could see from the photographs on the slideshow.) included a revolving stage which would have been used to do many of the scene changes, with one set on one side and then, when it was turned round, would reveal a different set.

When we'd finished watching the slideshow we went downstairs to the area beneath the stage to see what work had been done. We were amazed by how much stuff had been shifted and a lot of it was in The Crypt and the former prop room was being converted into a kitchen area for those who hire these rooms, although there was obviously quite a lot of work to be done with the installation of a sink and kitchen cupboards as space for making tea and coffee.

It's Too Darn Hot!

(Monday) Nothing much to report today. I went to the Willen coffee morning in the restaurant at John Lewis. I was the first to arrive and thought that I would be on my own, but people began to arrive around 10.10 and quite a few people were away, presumably on holiday. I obviously couldn't go last week because of going to Worcester to see my new grandson, Arthur.

Tuesday. It was a hot and clammy night, but I did manage to sleep. It's supposed to be hotter than ever tonight, but I can always read and have plenty to keep me occupied.

So, by lunchtime we should hear which of the two Conservative contenders in the leadership contest wins and becomes Britain's next Prime Minister. It would appear that if Boris Johnson wins there will be a wave of resignations. I'm not convinced that whoever takes over will manage to get  deal with the EU so Britain leaves on 31st October. It all seems just jostling for position, just attempting to further their political careers. As most of them when to fee-paying schools, they don't have the least idea how the ordinary folk live and survive. It's down to the 'man on the Clapham omnibus,' who probably couldn't care less about whether we're in or out of the EU.

4.30 p.m. I've just come in from a day at Camphill. It has been one of the hottest day so far this year it's over 35 C, but as that doesn't mean a great deal to me as I'm still in Fahrenheit. And to cap it all Boris Johnson has won the Conservative leadership election and will become Prime Minister in the next few days.

The traffic going to Camphill this morning was easier than usual. I imagine that it's because schools are now on holiday. None of that awful aggression I've had to endure going along Chaffron Way and Brickhill Street, although the traffic was quite heavy at the roundabouts at Childs Way and Portway.

Quite a few of the drama guys were either on holiday or had appointments elsewhere so it was a bit thin on the ground. Paul, who is Teo's assistant (not sure he is actually, but never mind.) managed to get a check-in from those who had turned up (actully quite late, probably because it was so hot.) This is how each session starts off, which each resident telling us all how they're feeling and even as a support or permanent member staff you have to give a brief account of yourself. I was quite overwhelmed by how everyone greeted me after what happened to me last week and it shows how much they care for each other and members of staff. Such a lovely place to work at and I'm touched when they showed so much concern, but I explained what had happened and that it wasn't heart-related and trying to explain how the pain I experienced in my chest was difficult to differentiate between an angina attack, a bout of heart-burn or indigestion (which it was) and a full-blown heart attack, so that should it happen again I'm able to explain to a first-aider or paramedic what is going on.

With those in the drama workshop group available we did a line-run of Three Little Pigs: Stranger Danger, with the lines of those not present read by the two workplace students who are working with us, one from Japan and the other from Brazil. It's fantastic that Camphill is such a multi-cultural place and also that people are prepared to come to Milton Keynes to work there (as well as other Camphill communities within the United Kingdom.) Later, we watched the video of Stranger Danger, more for the benefit of the two students, and then the intention was to get them to ask the actors who appeared in it what it was like working on the video, the different styles of performance required between making a video and performing a 'live' play. The idea being that Paul was making notes on the iPad and the residents comments would be useful when their reviews were due and could be incorporated into any written documents. We were having a great discussion with the guys about how the play was created, where the inspiration came from, where it was going to be performed 'live' and Teo had the idea to get the two girls to teach some of the actors to speak in their respective languages, either Portuguese or Japanese, by getting them to choose their favourite line and then to have it translated into whichever language and then to repeat it word by word. It was surprisingly successful and it showed an amazing level of potential from each of then actors and to me proves what a level of concentration they have and how difficult it must be for some of them to be able to stand up and speak as well as remember their lines when they have so many difficulties of their own.

The Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill is used by many different groups, not just residents at Camphill. Some of them help backstage and also appear in shows produced by various drama groups. It is also hired out for other groups for conferences and meetings. Later in the week there is to be a conference of local teachers which will focus on educating Primary School children about healthy eating. As a result of this, there was a fair amount of work to be done, organising equipment and unwrapping some of it, which is what we did for some of the time on Tuesday. Some of the teachers involved in organising this event came to speak to Teo and were there to arrange how things were to be set up and we helped with some of the work later in the afternoon.But the heat didn't help.

Wednesday. It was a hot and clammy night and as usual, even with the windows open, not easy for me to sleep. Alfie doesn't like it as hot as this and finds it difficult to settle down and kept wandering up and down stairs. I haven't been out except to Sainsbury's for some salad bits for my evening meal and some more fruit as I'm attempting to eat as much as I can.

A Slight Glitch

I went to Camphill as usual on Tuesday. Teo, the drama leader (if that's his title, I'm not sure.) so Paul was in charge. We started off in a circle of chairs to do check-in which is done at the beginning of each session. A good way to find out any problems with the residents. There weren't. A couple of new faces from the support staff who I haven't met before. Then we did a line rehearsal, making sure that the actors put in as much effort as possible and standing up to deliver their lines. Then we split up into two groups to do work on various sections of the play. Some of the residents were away, mostly on holiday, so some of us support staff read in for them. Then we showed each other what we'd achieved during these sessions. Extracting as much comedy out of the piece as possible and some of the residents concerned that when Teo comes back next week he won't appreciate what we've done.

Then, in the final ten minutes before the lunch break at 12 o'clock we were doing more wolf and piggy movements, getting as much as possible out of this.

Then we broke for lunch. I have been taking a pack-up for lunch for the past few weeks. I have used the café on a couple of occasions, and, although it is very good, it's vegetarian. I don't have a problem with that, but I find their menu a bit limited. Not a very wide selection of food that I would want. I really don't want a full-scale meal, just a roll or sandwich. I did have a toasty on a couple of occasions but as I say, the menu is a bit limited, which is the reason I take a pack-up, usually a sandwich, which I make the evening before, an apple, banana or other piece of fruit, yoghurt, a packet of crisps and sometimes an oaty, churchy, biscuity thingy. I forget the name, crazy I know, but when the name of these items comes back to my memory, then I'll put it on here.

As I sat and ate, I suddenly got a really bad pain in my chest. I didn't immediately think much about it and went on eating and drinking. A cold fruit drink in one of those cardboard cartons with a straw stuck to the side which you have to carefully peel off and then stick in the hole in the top and which then means, if you're not careful, the juice squirts out. This discomfort didn't go away. Then I began to think 'is this an angina attack?' which means I use my G.T.N. spray (glyceryl trinitrate) which I always carry around in one of my pockets, either in my Regatta jacket or my trousers pocket, for such an eventuality as this. Three sprays under my tongue and then wait with your mouth closed for around five minutes, usually sitting down until the spray takes effect. On this occasion it didn't. The pain didn't go away. I had moved from the foyer area into the hall, the main body of the Chrysalis Theatre. I sat on a chair. It was at this point I began to panic slightly. I'll be perfectly honest and say that it's incredibly difficult to differentiate between an angina attack, a bout of heart-burn or 'reflux' and an actual heart attack. I can't explain the differences, but they are definitely similar. With an angina attack you know if you exert yourself a quick burst of G.T.N. spray it is going to go off after around five minutes; with heart burn it generally goes off after a while, the discomfort usually goes if you use a medication such as Zantac or even peppermint capsule. With a heart attack you get a pain which centres in your chest and spreads out to your arms and probably your legs, you sweat and your heart rate increases. I had neither the angina sensation or the angina sensation, because I had used the G.T.N. spray and it hadn't worked. Also, with the G.T.N. spray you get a sort of head rush (not unpleasant) and it's no use using it again as it's use won't have such a profound effect. When the discomfort hadn't subsided I asked someone to call an ambulance as I was in by now a bit of a panic.

The ambulance arrived within about 15 minutes. I wasn't timing it, but it soon arrived. The paramedics ran through the whole situation, from the moment the discomfort in my chest began through to how painful it was, as they always do, on a scale from 1 to 10. It started at about 8 and by the time they took me off in the ambulance it was around 4. They went through my medications and did a finger-prick blood test. Much as Carol would have done when she had to test her blood sugar because she was diabetic. I don't like it, but it was over quickly. I suppose it shows basic things in a test that can then be relayed to the awaiting doctors at A and E. By the time I got to A and E it had virtually disappeared, which reassured me that it wasn't actually heart-related, but they still took me to check me out. They did an E.C.G. as I sat in the theatre and gave me an aspirin tablet to start sucking and then to swallow. It didn't taste as unpleasant as they can sometimes taste, a sort of mint flavour. Certainly not the horrible taste of G.T.N. spray. I had to take my lunch box with me in the ambulance, all packed up and leave my car in the carpark at Camphill. I was concerned about loosing the car keys which were actually safely zipped into one of the pockets in my Regatta jacket.

I was surprised how quickly we got to Milton Keynes hospital. When you're in the back of the ambulance you can't see out, see exactly where you're going, which was the case after my second heart attack in September last year. You're obviously aware that you're moving, but you can't see any scenery as you are speeding along the road. At the A and E entrance I was transferred onto a wheelchair and taken ito the unit and the paramedics handed over the information about my incident. One of them had been writing up  notes on a sort of touch screen tablet computer, so I imagine that links into the computer system at the hospital and no doubt they could see my notes from past hospital visits rather than use a paper system, because I was soon issued with the obligatory wrist label with my name on it along with a bar code which the nurses use to identify me before doing any observations which include temperature, blood pressure and so on. The paramedics asked me if I was allergic to anything (which I'm not, fortunately.) and a list of the medications which I'm on, which I'm able to reel off without any problems. Also, I mentioned the stunts I had fitted in the John Radcliffe in Oxford and other details of my two heart attacks.

Once my information was handed over to the A and E staff I was put in one of the cubicles and lay on one of the trolleys, making sure my belongings, my jacket and lunchbox, were somewhere near by. I had my mobile phone and was able at a later time to text Garry, my neighbour, and ask if he could go into my house and feed and water Alfie and make sure he could get out. I later got a text back from Shelley to say she would do this as Garry was at work. So, at least I knew that Alfie would be fine. Garry and Shelley have a key which they've had for quite a while just in case of an incident that I'm now describing.

More 'obs' done. I was left for a while in the cubicle. A lot of staff scurrying about. Not particularly busy. I would imagine it would be busier in the evenings and more than likely at the weekend. A nurse comes in and says she's come to take blood. Not what I like to hear, particularly as I have an aversion to needles (if you've read any of my previous blog posts you will know why.) She manages to find a vein in my right arm. I keep my eyes tightly shut and the slight sting as the needle goes in is slight, but at least she has taken sufficient blood for it to be tested. It's supposed to show up if you have had a heart attack by a substance which is in your blood called triplin. Then I was carted off on the trolley and parked around the corner near the X ray department. I wasn't sure whether it was just to move me out of the way because they wanted my cubicle or whether I was going to have an X Ray. Someone was wheeled out and I assumed I was in the queue and then I was wheeled in and had to sit up, with this board put behind my back and an X ray was done. Over and done and wheeled out. Back to the cubicle and before I knew it, a doctor was closing the curtain around me (not that it would have made a lot of difference because you can still hear conversations with other parents, but I suppose it's to give a certain amount of privacy. I was informed that nothing showed up  in either the blood test or the X ray that suggested I'd had had a heart attack or anything heart-related. He asked me about my previous heart attacks and the sequence of events that had led up to the incident at Camphill, what medications I was on and so on. Fortunately I can remember fairly accurately what meds I am on and the list is on my iPhone. After that I was allowed to walk to a waiting area. Nowhere to lay down, just a couple of chairs that would allow you to lay down, but not particularly comfortable. I suppose if they had discovered something more serious, then I would have been able to remain on the trolley in the cubicle, but because it wasn't serious, I was expected to sit in the waiting area. I then was told that, because of my history of heart attacks, they would need to keep me in the unit for a further 6 hours and then do another blood test, just to make sure that there was nothing more serious going on.

I had my iPhone with me. I fortunately had the Netflix app installed and I was able to watch an episode of Upstart Crow, the sitcom based loosely (and I mean loosely) on the life of William Shakespeare, and that followed by what must have been the first episode of 'Porridge,' which I have seen several times before, but which stands the test of time brilliantly. Unfortunately I didn't manage to see to the end because the battery of the iPhone died and this meant I was left stranded with nothing to read and absolutely nothing to watch. A mother and daughter came in and sat opposite, paying a game on a tablet or mobile phone, and I attempted without success to snooze, but the chair I was sitting in, although it tipped back so I could lie down, was very uncomfortable and not really designed to allow me to sleep or snooze. Boredom crept in by now. By 7p.m. I would be able to give a further blood test, by time ticked by. I think it was time for the shift hand-over. I could see staff coming and going. There was a door which kept banging shut every time someone entered or left the A and E unit. If I needed the toilet I had to go through this door and the only way back in was to press the button to release the door (going out) and wait until and member of staff went through, using a swipe card to release the door. I asked a nurse when I was likely to have the blood test, being told it was necessary, six hours after the first (it certainly seemed longer.) Then a nurse came in to do take blood but couldn't find a vein in my arm. I have narrow arteries. This has always been a problem. She made an attempt at taking blood, but had to give up and got another nurse to attempt and after a while she managed to get a vein and took the necessary amount to be sent for testing. At last! I could see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. The final hour ticked by, and at around 7.45 a doctor came in and asked me to join him in a near-by office. He told me the results hadn't shown any signs of anything in the least heart-related and the pain I had experienced was most likely caused by heart-burn or acid reflux. A relief and it was really as I expected, but they had to follow the correct procedure in case it had been a heart related pain. Which meant I could leave, although I had to walk the relatively short distance home along the Redway, which takes about 10-15 minutes.

I went to Shelley and Garry's house to tell them the good news and Shelley said she had been next door to let Alfie out and took him for a walk, which I expect he would have loved. I cooked a plate of chips because I wasn't in a fit state to cook anything else at that precise moment. Oven chips and Heinz tomato ketchup was just the thing I needed after my several hours in the Accident and Emergency department. I was annoyed in some ways, because I was never offered anything to drink or eat, even a cup of tea would have been nice. I didn't have any money on me, so I couldn't have bought even a Mars bar out of the vending machine in the main waiting area of the A and E department. When I was taken to the John Radcliffe back in September after my second heart attack I was at least given a sandwich and a cup of tea. I appreciate that the staff are busy, but it would have been nice to have been at least asked. Just glad it all had a positive end. I think Alfie was more than pleased to see me when I walked in the front door of the house.

The following morning I rang for a taxi and drove to Camphill to collect the car, being surprised that it cost £6 for the privilege. 

All Sorts

I'm really overwhelmed that two people I know, who are doing the Church Course on Thursday evenings have offered to drive me all the way to Worcester to see my new Grandson, Arthur. It's arranged with my daughter Chloe, and I'm going next Monday. Really looking forward to going.

The medication I had last Tuesday when I went to see the doctor, has now run out, so I've had to make another doctor's appointment this morning. Fortunately it didn't take that long to get through on the phone, but I'm now sitting here waiting for a doctor to ring and arrange the appointment.

Later. I was actually quite surprised by how quickly I got a doctor's call. I didn't have to go into the surgery to have a face-to-face appointment. The prescription for Diazepam was sent electronically to Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's, so I made a trip there as I had a few items I needed for my pack-up lunch which I will take with me to Campbell tomorrow.

I had texted Chloe about me coming to visit to see grandson Arthur. Chloe has soon responded and I'm going next Monday and will be there around midday. I'm not likely to see George or Eddie because they will be at playgroup. I will be able to take Eddie's birthday present which I had all wrapped up ready but was unable to take because I couldn't go two weeks ago.

Wednesday. I went to Camphill yesterday. I left to drive there a good deal earlier than I would otherwise and I'm glad I did. The pinch-points at the roundabouts along Brickhill Street, where there is usually heavy traffic heading into the centre of Milton Keynes are difficult to cross and made more so when you have a driver close behind you who has no patience and would happily see you crash into one of the vehicles negotiating these two roundabouts, on Childs Way and Portway. One miscalculation and you'd get run into, which is something I don't intend to do, but it is quite stressful and not good when you have a heart condition as I have. I sometimes think that if they were to just install traffic lights at these points, the other one being on the Saxon Street/Standing Way roundabout, then it would make life easier and safer, probably just at those times such as early morning and evening. But I imagine to just suggest it would not go down with a lot of drivers, probably those who love to tail-gate other drivers and drive excessively fast. The driving speed around the Grid Roads of Milton Keynes needs to be lowered to around 50 M.P.H.

We spent the morning being split up into groups to continue with Stranger Danger. I was working with one of the students who work with us as support, attempting to get two of the residents to really push things further to find the comedy in the piece, going over it several times, with me reading the lines of one of the residents who wasn't with us. We were working in what they call The Crypt, and not in the main theatre, because they were setting up the lighting for a show that was being put on in the Chrysalis (the name of the theatre at Camphill.) Once we'd spent around 30 minutes on this rehearsal we then went back to the Crypt to show to the others what we'd done and it was remarkable how, with a bit of effort, we could get laughs where possibly there hadn't been before. After lunch there was a training session for the residents on food safety and handling. Probably I've done this several times before, and we spent quite a lot of time shifting chairs and tables, the result of which really made me very tired. Possibly that and the effect of the new medication I'm on. They then had a community assembly after the trining session, but I didn't stay because I was feeling totally washed out. A pity, but perhaps on another occasion I will stay to see what this entails.

This morning I couldn't get the Freeview box to respond. I kept getting a 'No Signal' message. I couldn't see how to resolve it until I thought that perhaps it needed re-tuning. This usually happens at night. So, I managed to do this and now it's working perfectly. As a result of not having the Freeview box working I couldn't see BBC Breakfast, but, honestly to goodness, with the constant news about Brexit, I think I am better off not watching.

Later in the day I managed to upgrade the Freeview box. Often, when you start it up you get a message that says, 'upgrade now,' because there's new channels which are added. So you press the 'OK' button on the remote control and the thing does it's thing and then another message says 're-ordering channels,' and that's what it does. Not such a problem, but it does it so regularly that you have to let it 'do it's thing.'

Great Day at Camphill

Another great day at Camphill on Tuesday. For some reason the traffic driving there early was heavier than usual. I have an idea that there are roadworks somewhere around Milton Keynes which has disrupted things and traffic being rerouted elsewhere which would account for more than usual traffic, particularly going along Chaffron Way. Some motorists just don't have any patience. If you knew there were going to be roadworks or whatever, why didn't some of them just set off earlier?

Things were a little different this Tuesday. There was a visit from a group of students from a school in Luton who were coming to look around the Camphill site and they came to watch the video of 'Three Little Pigs: Stranger Danger.' A few weeks ago Teo got the group to come up with a list of questions that the students might ask and how they were to respond. A good idea. We had no idea how many students or what age they were and we were told they would arrive around 10.30 so we had the tea-break a good deal earlier than usual. A line-run was done, with everyone sitting in a circle and then the students came in and the video was shown on the big screen. It was great to get a really positive reaction, a lot of laughs. Some of it is quite amusing, I must say. The students were a good deal older than I was expecting. For some reason I thought they would be primary school age, but were the other end of the school age-range. More like 14-15 or even older. They interacted very well with the Camphill residents and the residents seemed to enjoy having them there.

I had lunch in the cafe. I have started using it since I've been working a full day at Camphill. It has a lovely calming atmosphere. Some of the residents of the community work as waiters. I never realised that it  was vegetarian. I had a really nice cheese toastie which has a lovely salad with it and I couldn't resist having a slice of Victoria sponge to follow and it was interesting to compare it with what I've made at home. Three-layer, which I've never attempted before. The walls of the café are covered with artworks of all sorts, mostly watercolours, so it's pleasant to view them when I come in to eat. It's always busy, which must say something if it's that popular.

After lunch the team as split up into two groups. One to work on the story ideas for 'Treasure Island' and the rest to help to sort out cables for lighting and sound, because the Chrysalis Theatre is used by a variety of companies for their productions and they use the equipment and the cables needed to be labelled in the various lengths. Then later, when we were about to leave for home, we heard what the story developers had come up to. It was quite a surprise at how imaginative and inventive it was, the material they had come up with.