A Little Bit Of Rain

 Thursday. 6.45 p.m. We have a storm heading towards Britain, called Storm Goretti. I have no idea where the name came from, but it sounds like a sort of spaghetti or ice cream brand or even a biscuit.

Sunday. 7.35 a.m. The cough is almost gone, but now I'm suffering with what you might loosely call 'brain fog.'

10.05 a.m. I was scheduled to set up Communion for this morning's service. I had the bread, bought from Sainsbury's yesterday and cut up ready. Because I don't feel too well, I decided to take the bread to church and find someone to take over, which I did. It is under control, and I'm back in the flat. I think, if this 'thing' hasn't finished by Tuesday, I will have to make a doctor's appointment. Antibiotics may help deal with it.

It's a relatively mild morning. No frost, ice or snow. The digital thermometer currently reads 20ºc.

Thursday. 8.35 a.m. I got my hair cut yesterday, at the usual place, ROK, in Unity Place.(Incidentally, I have no idea why it's called ROK.) It seemed appropriate to start 2026 with a haircut. It did need doing.

I have been sorting out Alfie's bits and pieces, his bed, feeding bowls and little coats. I am giving it all away to anyone who wants it, and it seems crazy to just leave it in the flat when someone else's dog might make good use of it all.

Currently, the digital thermometer reads 21ºc.

Friday. 8.35 a.m. The digital thermometer currently reads 20ºc.

I took all of Alfie's remaining bits and pieces to church, and someone has them who has dogs. There was no point in hanging on to it all.

Saturday. 10.45 a.m. My new reading glasses (or, I suppose I should say 'newish.') have come apart. One of the arms is the part that goes over one of your ears. I had intended to go into Boots Opticians in the central shopping centre, but when I got out to get in my car I found it was raining heavily. I didn't want to park and then walk into the centre and then get wet, so I changed my plans by going to put fuel in the car at the ESSO station in Child's Way and went to Sainsbury's because I didn't have anything for this evening's meal. At least there is an underground carpark, so I wasn't going to get wet.

We Three Kings

 Tuesday. 7.50 a.m. It's dark and gloomy at the moment. The sun hasn't risen. I'm about to prepare for my journey to Worcester tomorrow morning. I trust the weather will be fine, because driving on the M40 can be made more difficult if it rains and then there is spray, thrown up by other vehicles, particularly HGVs.

The digital thermometer currently reads 22ºc.

10.50 a.m. I've been to get the tyres checked at the ESSO service station in Grafton Street. I'm sure this was a Shell service station, and I've used it before. It is one job I dislike, because the hose which you pull out of the machine is so awkward, as it keeps on wanting to rewind itself into the machine. It needs some sort of braking system, so once you've pulled it out, it won't rewind. You get a short time once you've put your money in the machine, but it now accepts larger denominations of coins, and I happened to have a £1 coin on me, so I used that. It would be easier if there was a second person to help, as the operator, who checks the tyres, has to first unscrew the cap on each tyre and then put the end of the hose on the valve on the tyre and then manage to read the pressure on the machine, which is difficult, because, when you do the rear tyres, you can't always read the metre on the machine. Carol used to help me do this. Well, at least it'd be done before I drive to Worcester tomorrow morning.

Friday. Boxing Day. 1.45 p.m. I have just got back from my trip to Worcester.

I got partway home and then realised I had forgotten the box with all my medications in it. I really didn't want to go without the heart stuff. I'm not willing to find out. I let Chloe know and hopefully she can post it to me, but I needed at least a week's worth until the box turned up. Through the NHS 111 website, I was able to get passed on to Boots pharmacy in Milton Keynes, and then I got a call from them so I could give my details and the list of meds. Then I drove in a collec the parcel of meds. All very efficient and problem solved quickly, thank goodness. I just blame myself for forgetting the box.

Still Going Strong

 Saturday. 10.25 a.m. Another hot and sweaty morning. I found it difficult to sleep last night. I took a Piriton tablet to hopefully relieve the itching, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Around 5.30 a,m. I had a shower, which seemed to have a good effect, but as I write this, I am back to the itching again. No sort of relief. 

I've been cleaning the flat. The floors look a good deal cleaner. Emptied all the bins, not a job I enjoy, but it had to be done.

9.45 p.m. It is as hot as ever. The digital thermometer currently reads 31ºc. I have had another shower, in an attempt to alleviate the itching. I think it did have some effect, but as I write this, the itching has come back with a vengeance.

Sunday. 3.35 p.m. I wasn't scheduled to do refreshments this morning at church. In fact, I am no longer on the rota. I was rung yesterday to see if I could cover, as, whoever was on the rota wasn't available. I said yes and turned up at the OTC at around 9.45. I had to fuel the car, so drove to the Esso station in Child's Way, before driving on to Shenley.

Monday. 10.15 a.m. It's warm again, and it's apparently going to get warmer. Wimbledon begins, although I'm not interested. Carol was and used to complain that she missed so much of it because of being at work. There is the merry hum of a lawnmower outside. Someone cutting the grass in the garden at Dexter House. When Carol and I lived in the house in Eaglestone, the landlord and his wife would visit once a year for an inspection. All he would ask was, 'Have you cut the grass?' Well, surely, if he looked out of the window, he could see whether it was cut or not, but never bothered to ask if any maintenance jobs needed doing, such as the plumbing, electrical things, leaks, drains. It never seemed to occur. When his son took over the management of the house, he could be quite rude, particularly after Carol died. Quite aggressive and only interested in the rent being paid. Again, nothing about maintaining the house or concern for my welfare. Considering we looked after the house and kept it in good order, absolutely no thanks. He was just plain rude.

The garden at that house was really uneven. I think it had been left that way after it was built. That made cutting the grass far more difficult. I used to do it, but it was extremely hard work, and, considering I had two heart attacks, it really took it out of me.

12.25 p.m. My digital thermometer currently reads 28ºc. No sign of it cooling down.

Tuesday. 6.35 a.m. It doesn't seem to be quite as hot today, but this is early, so let's wait and see. The digital thermometer currently reads 29ºc.

3.45 p.m. I have done a considerable amount of rewriting. I haven't got to the end of this sequence, but when it's complete it might need trimming somewhat, then it has to be word-processed.

Wednesday. 9.35 a.m. It's a good deal cooler today. It's a bit overcast. My digital thermometer currently reads 27ºc.

I've just been to Lidl. It's great to get in and out so quickly.

Things Can Only Get Better?

 Friday. 10.50 a.m. It's another bright and sunny morning, but there is still quite a gusty wind.

Saturday. 12.20 p.m. It's quite windy today. I can hear it whistling around outside Dexter House as I write this. The sun is out, and it's reasonably mild, but little else.

Not a lot to report on here. Just another regular sort of day. I went to Aldi to do a shop. I was there around 9.15, and I was in and out of the store within about thirty minutes. A good deal quicker than if I'd gone to Sainsbury's. I think it's because it's a smaller store, with fewer choices, so you don't stand in the aisle attempting to decide which product to buy. The tills are faster, because they've designed their packaging so the bar codes are easier to find and scan, and you pack straight into your trolley and then pack your bags on a shelf. But I can manage to pack straight into my bags. In the process, I think I save around a third, compared to the price of a full shop in, say, Tesco, Morrisons or Sainsbury's. Certainly no loss of quality.

I have now managed to write around 24 pages of new material, which is now transferred from handwritten to word processing. That is somewhere in the region of 6,400 words. It's nowhere near complete, and I am still working on it so that it can be assimilated into what I have already written.

Sunday. 6.15 a.m. The clocks have moved forward one hour. This is the time I usually take Alfie out. I have a feeling that it has rained in the night because I think I can hear the rain outside (just as well it's not inside.) I have checked my bank account by going online. The balance is fine, which means I can go and put fuel in the car before I go to church.

7.15 a.m. Having now been out with Alfie, we discovered a light rain as we came out onto Strudwick Drive and the path awash. It was like walking in a river. Alfie would rather go back indoors, but after I'd picked up after him and went to the bin across Oldbrook Boulevard, we walked home.

1.15 p.m. I have been to church, but on the way, I went to the Esso filling station in Child's Way to fill the car with diesel. I went via Marlborough Street, and no sooner had I turned into Childs Way on the roundabout, that the alarm went off in the car, to warn me that the fuel level was low. I have had the car for around five years and never, in all that time, has that alarm gone off. I knew the fuel level was low because I have been keeping an eye on the fuel gauge.

Having left the Oaktree Centre after church, I had just got on Chaffron Way to return home, when a car came right up behind me, insisting that I get out of the way. I was going around 45-50, which seems a reasonable speed to be doing. The driver would not reduce his speed and remain tailgating me until I got to the roundabout on Fulmer Street, so I decided to peel off to the left. These incidents seem to be getting worse. It seems totally out of order. People don't seem to have any respect for other drivers and just want you to get out of their way, or else. I find it totally unnerving to have a car behind me, almost touching the bumper of my car.

5.45 p.m. Watching the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on BBC1 (which has just finished, with Cambridge winning both  the men's and women's races.) I'm intrigued by the commentators. Why do they all have such oversized microphones (this is the same with all sports commentators, especially motorsports.)? Is it some sort of 'we're big and important, so we have to stand out by holding such oversized microphones? Technically, they surely don't need to hold a microphone, and not each has one. They could easily have small mics that clip onto their clothing. I think it might be so they have something to hold. They're props. If they didn't have them to hold, they wouldn't know what to do with their hands. Then, why do each of the commentators have them? With four people, it must be difficult for the sound operators to keep the sound balance.

Repeat of Leadership Race

Friday 8.00 a.m. I didn't wake up until 7.25, so, as you can see, it's barely thirty minutes later I'm writing this. I suppose it's good in some ways, but I had to get my washing in as usual, although it went in somewhat earlier because I have someone telephoning me at 9.30, and I will have to have the dried washing back in the flat before that. It has been a bit of a marathon and attempting to get my head straight, as you can imagine (or, perhaps you can't!). What I mean is, when you've woken up, your head is often swimming. Attempting to think properly, having woken up. Well, it was a bit of an effort, but I made it.

Boris Johnson has apparently put himself forward as returning as Prime Minister. Please, don't go there. We really can't have that idiot back in 10 Downing Street. He was thrown out by his own MPs over the 'so-called' 'Partygate' scandal and an enquiry regarding the fact that he possibly lied to Parliament.  It hardly seems possible that we've had three Prime Ministers within three years!

12.20 p.m. I have been to Sainsbury's, initially to go to Lloyd's pharmacy within the store to pick up a repeat prescription and to buy one or two items. I have been eating easy peelers, and small, juicy oranges, from the time when the first covid-19 lockdown was announced in March 2020 and haven't stopped eating at least three per day. I think the vitamin C which they contain has helped boost my immune system and prevent catching the infamous virus. I have more recently started taking a liquid supplement called Vitabiotics Feroglobin, which has iron, ginseng and other ingredients in it, basically to help counteract tiredness. It tastes quite pleasant, with an orange flavour, and it's easy to swallow. Also, at the recommendation of my doctor, I take vitamin D tablets.

Before going to Sainsbury's, I went to the ESSO fuel station in Childs Way to top up the car with diesel. As I'm driving to Aylesbury tomorrow morning, I thought it might be advisable to put more fuel in the car, even though the fuel level was reasonably healthy. I also get Nectar points there, so that was an incentive. But then, in an attempt to get to Sainsbury's, I had to contend with some of the grid roads being shut off for road resurfacing and by the time I got to the traffic lights near the store, there was a long queue of cars and they took a great deal of time to change. I may have mentioned this before in these posts, but some of the traffic lights seem to take an inordinately long time to change.

Rishi Fights Back!?

6.30 a.m. Tuesday. I seem to be waking up later and later each morning, most likely because as we get to the end of August, it gets lighter later and later. 

10.05 a.m. I decided to go to the Esso station in Childs Way to put diesel in my car, so it's ready for the trip to Worcester on Friday. I waited till the traffic was clearer after nine and then I discovered that they were resurfacing the road and there were cones at the entrance to the fuel station, but the actual entrance was clear further on. It was something of a shock to realize how little I managed to put in the car, due to increased fuel costs. The gauge on the pump seemed to rack up the amount very quickly, but if I was driving to Worcester, it was no good leaving Milton Keynes with a fuel tank half empty. But it's now done and one less job to deal with on Friday.

I have managed to find someone to, hopefully, look after Alfie over this weekend. The lady is the sister of my neighbour in Dexter House and lives in Loughton. I took Alfie to her bungalow this afternoon she has a small dog and Alfie seemed happy there, so I am optimistic that I can leave him there so I can drive off on Friday morning.

Wednesday. 10.30 a.m. I was a little shocked and surprised when I got a parcel delivered yesterday containing the replacement FitBit. I spent some time attempting to get it to sync with the app on both my iPad and iPhone. It's all about getting Bluetooth on both devices to communicate with FitBit. This morning, after a further attempt, I did actually get it connected, and, as I write this, the thing is working successfully. There are more apps to set up, but they can wait as they aren't that important at present.

Thursday. 6.15 a.m. What's that wet stuff which is falling from the sky this morning? Could it be . . . . rain? It was certainly a shock to find that it was raining when I took Alfie out at around 5.45. I don't think Alfie was over-impressed by it, as he dislikes getting wet, but we definitely needed it, because everything is so dry and parched. I don't expect it will take longer for the grass to revive, but it will mean we have sustained downpours.

Rishi Sunak, one of the two prospective candidates in the Conservative Party leadership election, (the result of which will be announced at the beginning of September.), has said that he does not think the scientists, who were responsible for the information which the government was given regarding the covid pandemic which lead to two years of lockdown, should have been allowed to have so much power over such matters. He attempted to air his views that such lockdowns were likely to cause financial problems, alongside damaging children's education when schools were closed. He was not allowed to have an opposing viewpoint and was shouted down whenever he attempted to mention the matter at various cabinet meetings. It would appear that this policy, of closing down the economy and putting companies' employees on furlough, is what is partly responsible for the rise in inflation, rising fuel prices and businesses struggling, along with millions of households. Not only that, but by 'protecting the NHS' so it wasn't overwhelmed by people with what I will refer to as 'Wuflu', it put off people going to their doctors to check out symptoms of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. My view is, those scientists who were, in effect, controlling the government, weren't democratically elected, so why were they given so much control over matters? 

Now some firms are finding it difficult to persuade their staff to return to work, even with the successful delivery of several doses of the vaccine. The government used 'nudge' tactics to get the public to conform to the various regulations which were bought in to control the virus. Psychological use of fear in particular, with such terms as 'don't kill your granny' and other fear-filled propaganda. You can't expect one minute to have your population gripped with fear,  stay in what was more or less 'house arrest' and then, once things are considerably safer(which I don't in any way believe was 'unsafe' in the first place.) to suddenly revert to a new normal and immediately return to their workplace. If Sunak had his doubts about the lockdown consequences, why on earth didn't he do something about it, for example, go to the media? No, on second thoughts, if he had, it would have fallen on deaf ears, because most, if not, all the media, BBC, ITV and most of our press, were in favour of more tight lockdown restrictions. So, when people start complaining about the rise in inflation, they should stop and think, if we hadn't had two years of lockdowns, we might not be in this situation.

Another Week In Happyville

Sunday. 9.05 a.m. Alfie and I were out before 5.30 this morning. Well, I was awake (which I suppose makes it easier to do things. Sarcasm is a good term for this.) and I don't see the point of ever just lounging around indoors, especially when it's daylight outside and the birds are singing sweetly, except for those monotonous tones of pigeons. What a dreary sound they make. Why can't they come up with more interesting songs? Well, pigeons are perhaps the most boring of birds in my opinion. Never have and will never stay in bed longer than necessary. Having had a bowl of cereal, Jordan's granola with raspberries, really tasty, I then thought I would go and get the car filled up with diesel. So, drove to the ESS0 filling station on Child's way and put in £30-worth and, on returning to my vehicle having paid, found, on turning on the car, that the fuel gauge hadn't moved much. It just goes to show how much they cost of diesel has increased, because before, when I had filled up with £30 it would more or less reach the top of the dial. Well, at least it's done and will probably need topping up again before I head off to Worcester at the end of the month.

Why is Saturday television so awful? All we get is football and more football. Fine if you're a fan, which I'm definitely not. Obsession is all I can say, with the schedulers piling it on relentlessly. Then, those programmes which I might want are shifted to a good deal later. Even BBC 2 has become a dumping ground of this sort of stuff, and then we get ancient repeats of Flog It, which is well past its sell-by date.ITV has just gone downhill into the land gone dumb with endless game shows. I have to admit, though, to quite enjoying The Chase, but probably only because of Bradley Walsh and the fact he can't avoid corpsing whenever a somewhat suggestive question comes up. But does ITV have to keep on promoting Britbox? I know they have part ownership of this streaming service, but it becomes irritating to have it advertised at virtually every commercial break. As it is, there are far too many commercials, which just become tedious. I watch most of my television via catch up. As you may, or perhaps not, know, I love anything to do with history, and there's a fair amount of very good history documentaries on Channel 5 and there are a lot presented by Tony Robinson and one which covers various periods of British history, such as The Tudors, The Georgians and The Second World War and The 1950s, but done from the perspective of the ordinary people in those periods, which makes a change from the politicians and monarchs.

I was out early on Monday morning, and as I was preparing to go out, I saw a fox in the communal garden. I had to look twice, and then, when I was in the kitchen, washing up, I saw a second fox. They must come in from the Strudwick Drive side, through the fence, and it might explain why Alfie sniffs around near the gate, as he must pick up their scent. Astounding to see these animals in the garden just goes to show that, if you get up early enough, you will have this sort of sight.

Wednesday. 7.05 a.m. Another mild morning. I was out with Alfie well before 5.30. No sign of foxes. Or any other wildlife for that matter, although we do occasionally see squirrels. often dashing across the road or scrambling about in the trees that line Strudwick Drive.

I have been having trouble with Amazon. I suppose I should rephrase that; not actually Amazon itself, but those who are supposed to deliver the items I purchase from Amazon. I may have mentioned that a few weeks ago I ordered the DVD of the new, Stephen Spielberg-directed version of 'West Side Story.' It was supposed to arrive on a certain day (I can't really remember now, but it doesn't matter.) and I found, through the Amazon website, that it had been delivered. But it hadn't. I contacted Amazon and they eventually sent out a replacement. It made me wonder, what on earth had happened to the original package? If the delivery driver had got the package and then said it had been delivered, what did that person do with it? Was it delivered to another address? I occasionally get my mail and online deliveries to another house in Dexter Avenue (I'm not going to give it here for obvious, privacy, reasons.) which is becoming somewhat irritating. The delivery drivers don't seem to read the address on these pieces of mail or online parcels. Surely not too difficult, you would imagine. But it is probably difficult for some but not the percentage of delivery drivers.

I then decided I wanted to show my support for Ukraine and their struggles in that country since the Russians invaded and started the war there. I wanted to buy a Ukrainian flag, so I had a look on Amazon and found what I wanted. The idea was that the flag could be hung out of my flat window. I also found a sticker to put in the back window of my car and ordered that at the same time. The flag was scheduled to arrive on Sunday afternoon, and then I saw an email from Amazon informing me that the parcel with the flag in it had been delivered and that it had been handed over to the resident. Well, I never received it nor did I sign it off as delivered, and, after a search of the front of this building, I saw absolutely no sign of any parcel. I contacted Amazon a couple of times and yesterday (Tuesday) I decided I would require a refund and Amazon told me they would have an enquiry as to what had happened to the delivery. I have now ordered another flag which should, hopefully, be delivered on Friday.

How Time Flies!

 Monday 7.40 a.m. The weeks fly by. Goodness! It's Monday again. Tempus Fugit, as the Romans would say. 

Still and mild as Alfie and I went out at around 7 this morning.

Yesterday, Mike and Margaret collected me to take me to church. I took the fuel can with me and then afterwards we went to Morrisons and I managed to fill the can sufficiently to then decant into my car when I got back to Dexter House. I trust when I go out later this morning, I can top the tank up enough to resolve the fuel issue. I am trusting that the ESSO fuel station on Child's Way will have sufficient fuel, or if not the Shell station in Grafton Street.

12.40 p.m. I have now been able to fuel the car sufficiently with diesel at the ESSO filling station in Childs Way. I think it must be the first time in many months that I have had a completely full tank. Furthermore, I just hope I don't have to go through another similar situation, and I trust I have learnt to keep the car fully fuelled in case of a similar emergency.

Tuesday. 8.45 a.m. Another seemingly mild and undistinguishable sort of autumn's day. I'm going to get my booster covid vaccine later this afternoon. I had one booked, but then, because of the issue of fuelling the car, I had to cancel it.

1.45 p.m. I have just got back from Milton Keynes centre. I was scheduled to have my covid-19 booster vaccination at 11.45. I made the mistake of thinking it was at the Council offices next door to the NatWest branch, but when I asked at the front desk I was told that the Saxon Court was opposite the former Debenhams store (now Next Home and Beauty.) This didn't exactly help my stress levels, because I am rarely later for anything, probably always the first person at anything, theatre performances, doctors appointments or anything else. So it was a good twenty-minute trek back through the shopping centre and inside the building, where I had to sign in, using my registration number from the text message I had received, having booked online yesterday. First I had to wait with dozens of other people in what I would refer to as a holding area, and then we were herded through to the main vaccine area where, again, we had to sit and wait. People coming and going and some going through to the 'Observation Area' once they'd had their vaccine, as you have to wait fifteen minutes, just in case you have any sort of reaction to the vaccine.

Having spent fifteen minutes in the observation area, no reactions such as my hair turning green or developing boils all over my face, so I left and walked into the shopping centre, deciding to buy something to eat from Boots. I am more than a bit surprised that they no longer have manned tills (am I allowed to say that? Personed?? If so, it sounds crazy.) Using the self-service till, I then found I couldn't use my Advantage card to put points on. I don't know why. Just awkward. I also bought some paracetamol in Boots as the nurse said that, if I felt as if I had 'flu, to take it if necessary

So, I returned to my car and drove home, to eat my sandwich and watch the midday news on BBC 1.

Wednesday. 10.40 a.m. I can report that I began to feel exhausted and that the point in my upper arm, where the vaccine was injected, began to hurt somewhat. Nothing serious, but it was uncomfortable to lay on in bed at night. As I write this, the discomfort has more or less worn off. Nothing unpleasant to report.

Thursday. 12.25 p.m. It was foggy when I took Alfie out for his usual walk at around 7.20 this morning. But it had dispersed when we went out at 9.30. It's quite mild, but the heating in this flat is so overpowering I have got all the windows on and even the electric fan. I have ordered a smart room thermometer from Amazon, which should arrive tomorrow. I need to keep a record of exactly how warm it gets. It's crazy to have to keep the windows open to let out the heat! Just sweat pouring down my face. It seems such a total waste of energy. I have mentioned it to Barbara, but it seems nobody is interested, which is annoying and totally idiotic.

There have been a couple of thefts within Dexter House, so someone has put together a petition so that the tenants in this unit can get the Council to install C.C.T.V. to keep a watch on those who enter and leave the premises. I have signed the petition.

No Fuel . . . Not Even For Ready Money

Monday. 8.40 a.m. I've taken Alfie out at around 7 this morning. It's getting colder as the days go by. I am wearing my blue Regatta jacket. I don't know what's happened to Alfie, it's not raining, but he does his wee on the grass and heads straight back indoors. It's not raining or excessively cold, so this isn't his normal behaviour. He's currently curled up on my bed as I write this. He will be due out shortly for another walk. I hope he doesn't repeat the 'shooting-back-indoors' act, as he needs a decent bit of exercise.

Regarding fuel for my car; I think I will wait a few more days, as the level of the fuel in the car's tank is low enough as it is, and driving around looking for diesel when it's at a critical level just means there is a real risk of it running out entirely. This whole situation is just causing a certain amount of stress.

I had heard that they was fuel at the ESSO station, so I drove round to Childs Way. Unfortunately, there was no diesel, which didn't help my stress levels. I then drove on to the Shell station in Grafton Street and the same there. By this time the light had come on which tells me the fuel level is low, so there's no sense in driving aimlessly around hunting for fuel when there's the danger of running out completely. I just need to  be absolutely sure I'm going to get fuel before I set off which is so difficult at the moment. I just hope this situation gets resolved soon as it is really annoying and stressful.

Thursday.  8.45 a.m. Alfie as taken completely by surprise at around 7 this morning. I was all ready to take him out, had his lead in my hand, suited and booted, as the saying goes, but he was curled up asleep on the sofa. Somewhat wet and windy as we got out onto the grass along Strudwick Drive. It doesn't look as if it's going to clear up and very overcast and murky. Oh well, we are into October now, so it's to be expected.

Saturday. 11.20 a.m. I have abandoned the idea of actually managing to find a petrol station locally which had a supply of diesel, so I could fill up my car. As a result I had to cancel my booster covid vaccine jab which I had booked for yesterday morning. There is no point in aimlessly wandering around Milton Keynes with a virtually empty tank of fuel and risking entirely running out of fuel. It would cause so many unnecessary problems, as you can imagine. I have done an online Sainsbury's shop, which is scheduled to arrive around 8-9 pm tonight. That was easy enough to do as I have so many items which I buy saved in the 'favourites' section, which makes ordering so much quicker and easier. All done in around 20 minutes or so. I have also ordered a fuel can from Amazon, with the intention of using it to be filled up later in the week and the contents put in the car, so at least I can actually drive to a petrol station when fuel stocks are back to some sort of normal after all the panic buying. I just need someone to drive me to such a petrol station to complete this operation. Watch this space for further news of this operation. Hopefully completed within the next week or so.

3.50 p.m. Any idea that I was going to take Alfie out late this afternoon was swept away when I peered out of the window and saw that it was raining. So, I decided to watch the Benedict Cumberbatch 'Hamlet' which is available on Amazon at the moment. I have watched the first half and have paused at the interval and will continue later or probably tomorrow afternoon. It is another 'Hamlet' to add to my ever-growing collection or at least, productions I have seen. The first, although I didn't watch it, but worked as A.S.M., when I was working at Liverpool Playhouse in 1971 (goodness, is it really 50 years ago? That's an amazing thought.) The production which was the first play I worked on when I arrived there that February, or might it have been late January, I really can't remember. I was entailed with operating the counterbalance fly system, which was worked from stage-level. Nobody had thought to train me in the operation of the system. During the technical rehearsal, when all the technical aspects of a play are first rehearsed and worked out, I had to bring in a curtain during a scene change in a blackout. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure when to stop the curtain and when the lights came up, the aforementioned curtain was laying in a crumpled heap on the stage. You can imagine how embarrassing it was, but I suppose, looking back, that's a good way to learn how to do something. The rope which operated the counterweight system went down into the basement of the theatre, below the stage, but the pulleys were in a kind of gulley which filled with water and as a result the ropes shrunk considerably because of being wet and this made the rope lines very taut, although it wasn't that which made the curtain lay crumpled on the stage floor.

Other versions include the National Theatre production with Rory Kinnear and Patrick Malahyde in it which I saw at the Milton Keynes Theatre with Carol before Christmas a few years ago, the Kenneth Branagh film which utilizes the uncut text and runs around four hours, and a version which I saw at the Derngate Centre in Northampton, again, in uncut text, directed by Peter Hall. It ran for around four hours, and it was two hours before there was an interval. Stephen Dellane and Donald Sinden in the duel roles of Polonius and Gravedigger. It was a matinee put on especially for schools, and you can imagine the reaction when, at one point, the mad Hamlet runs across the stage stark naked! The school girls in the audience shrieked and the whole auditorium erupted  into convulsions of laughter and surprise, which I suppose they would have be expected to behave.and this held up the action for several minutes. Gina Bellman was Ophelia and I have a connection with this actor in that she was in 'Blackeyes,' a Dennis Potter television drama series in which I was a stand-in/double for another of the actors, Nigel Planer.

As I've mentioned, I ordered groceries from Sainsbury's website. My delivery was scheduled between 8 and 9 p.m., but I got a telephone call from Sainsbury's to inform me that, due to a problem with the vehicle, the delivery would be around an hour later than scheduled. I imagine that it might possibly due to the fuel shortage due to panic buying. The delivery came around 9.30 p.m.  Not actually a problem, but it meant staying awake to receive the order. There were a lot of substitutes for items I had ordered, but that is no doubt due to the shortage of H.G.V. drivers. But that wasn't much of a problem.

A Little Wet and Windy

 Monday. 7.45 a.m. Another week begins. It's relatively bright and sunny outside, but when I took Alfie out around an hour ago it was quite chilly. I think perhaps it's time to put my shorts away for the winter months. A pity, as I've got used to wearing them. I may have to find some cargoes made of similar material. They're Weird Fish brand shorts with plenty of pockets, which are useful, particularly when walking Alfie, as I can put treats in one pocket, keys in another, and doggy bags in another. 

Wednesday. 4.20 p.m. I've had two letters in the post. One from Milton Keynes Council about having my bathroom refitted. Is it possible? Might I have a proper full-sized bath that I can actually lay down in and have a decent soak? Most people are at least 5-6 tall, and most, if not all normal people would expect to be able to lie full length in it when they have a bath.)Anyway, having contacted the number on the letter, I have someone coming to survey the aforementioned bathroom to see what can or cannot be done. I will report on here after I have had the visit. I hold my breath in anticipation (metaphorically that is.) The other letter was from Lloyd's Pharmacy offering me a flu jab. Booked through their website and it's going to be on 28th October at their branch in Sainsbury's.

Thursday. I've made a batch of scones to take to the quiz night on Friday evening. They aren't bad. Taste good, texture good and I'm sure Marry Berry would be pleased with the result, but to me, they don't look very good. I will have another try tomorrow and hope the second batch turns out better.

Saturday. 8.10 a.m. I've been somewhat lax this week, in the fact that I haven't been writing blog posts for the past couple of days. Very lazy, but, I'll be honest not a great deal to report. 

I've made another batch of scones, and this time I've used my food processor and they've come out looking considerably better than yesterday's batch. The food processor certainly speeds the process considerably. 

I went into Sainsbury's and had intended to purchase ink cartridges for my Canon printer/scanner. I hunter along the shelves in the stationary section of the store and could see none, so I asked a member of staff and was told that they had been removed from the store because they are stolen by people who then sell them online, no doubt on sites such as eBay. Crazy that things have come to this. I have since managed to order them from Viking, the online stationers. They should arrive, hopefully, in the next couple of days.

We had a quiz night at the Oaktree Centre this evening. Raising funds for the second phase of the building.  A good evening was had by all and it was great to be around people once more and not virtually.

Sunday. This afternoon I went out with the intention of topping up the car with diesel because it is running low. There is no ulterior motive other than my usual topping it up. I'm not driving a great deal at the moment, but the fuel gauge is showing there's not much in the tank. I drove around to the ESSO station on Childs Way to discover a huge queue of vehicles stretching from the roundabout on Marlborough Street. I wasn't going to join the queue and I could say a similar queue on the opposite carriageway at the BP station. I then drove to the Shell station on Grafton Street and, seeing there was no queue I drove in, but most of the pumps were blocked off, signaling they had no fuel. So, I drove away and have decided perhaps I will wait until later in the week to have another go at getting a tank full.

Tuesday. 10.30 a.m. Alfie had a bit of an accident last night, requiring a complete change of bedding and floor-mopping. He spent the night in the lounge as I didn't want a repetition of things. He was quiet until the early hours of the morning and then began barking. I had to do a further clear-up, but as I write this he seems fine. I'll have to monitor things and see what transpires. He seems to be his usual perky self and we've just got back from another walk around the park. It's bright and sunny this morning.

I have been attempting to fuel the car. I know it's not urgent as the car can go for quite a long period before it needs fuel. The gauge is looking low, so it will need diesel sometime soon. I went around Marlborough Street and to the Esso station along Child's Way, but they had nothing, and then to the BP station on the opposite carriageway, but, again, nothing. I'll have to leave it until the end of the week and give it another attempt. Then I drove on to Sainsbury's. A great many empty spaces on the shelves but I managed to get the few items I needed.

Summer and Sunshine

Wednesday. 7.50 a.m.  I realized that I had no milk for breakfast yesterday evening but I didn't go out to buy some, so this morning I had to go out because I can't start my day without my cup of tea or cereal. My car was running low on fuel, so I decided that I could get that done and buy milk from the ESSO station on Childs Way. I went out before 7 o'clock. Easy enough to drive there as the roads are more or less clear, another positive of lockdown. Usually Marlborough Street would be nose-to-tail at that time until around 9 o'clock, but it was a straightforward journey there and back. I can't really go anywhere else, such as shopping in Sainsbury's, which I must do later in the day, because I'm awaiting the arrival of my new iPhone 12 which is due sometime today. I should get a text message from the DPD driver who will deliver the phone and will let me know approximately what time it will be delivered.

Later.  11.15 a.m I was about to go out to Sainsbury's when I checked my emails and found one from DPD, who will deliver the iPhone and it informed me that it would be delivered between 2.10 and 3.10. So at least I know not to go out during that time slot.

Later. The iPhone arrived at around 2.40 p.m. I soon had it set up and working. Removing the SIM card from the old iPhone wasn't that easy because there wasn't the little key that opens the tiny tray on the side of the phone, which you normally get when you buy your iPhone, so I had to improvise with a darning needle. But putting the SIM into the new iPhone wasn't as difficult as it could have been. Because of having iCloud my apps were automatically transferred to the new phone and I got it connected to my broadband router and things were virtually complete.

Thursday. 11.00 a.m. I've managed to clear old data from the old iPhone, including apps and I had it packed up in the Jiffy Bag which came with the new phone and it has been taken to the post office in Coffee Hall and handed over. I should get a credit on my account and it means I don't have it laying around the flat unused and at least it will be refurbished and get a new life elsewhere. It was in really good condition when I removed it from its case, although I did wipe it with a wet wipe before putting it in the packaging.

Alfie was in his element when we went out at 10.15. I saw the lady who has Toto, the little shitzu, in the middle of Oldbrook Green. I let Alfie off his lead and it was like one of those romantic films where the lovers see one another from afar and run to each other in slow-motion, with soft focus, the music swells and it's 'happily ever after', and such cliches they use in rom-com. It wasn't just Toto and Alfie, we were joined by several other dogs and they had a good run around, including a few treats, which Alfie really appreciated.

Easing Lockdown

So, the lockdown is being slowly eased. We can apparently meet six people in open spaces, such as parks and gardens. Horray! As it is, we can't remain in lockdown forever, otherwise the country is going to become bankrupt. It will be great to be able to go shopping for what they term 'Unessential items,' for example, clothes, which, as far as I understand aren't unessential unless you want to go around stark naked, which might not be such a good idea, although with the weather so warm it wouldn't be such a bad idea but just don't try it!

I am taking Alfie out through the side entrance which goes out directly into Strudwick Drive. He's a bit shocked I think to find himself outside on the grass area next to the road, but at least it's quicker than going through the front entrance and walking round along Dexter Avenue.

Some delightful soul has seen fit to break glass and all the pieces are on the pavement as I walk Alfie towards Oldbrook Green earlier this morning. Fortunately I was able to move some of the larger and positively lethal pieces onto the side so that Alfie and anyone on a bicycle doesn't run over them. If they got in his paws he could be horribly cut and it wouldn't be pleasant for him. I saw hi-vis clad council workers in the distance as we approached the crossing onto the green and at first thought they were streaming the grass, but it appeared that they were picking up rubbish. The amount has got worse since the lockdown began. As we got to the furthest side of the green I saw that one of the workmen had put black bags into a shopping trolley. I saw a Morrisons and Lidl trolley left abandoned a few days ago and it seems rather odd because if they were taken from either supermarket then whoever used them must have walked quite a distance to unload their groceries and then take them to abandon them in the middle of Oldbrook. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

(Saturday) They continue to drone on relentlessly about the pandemic on BBC Breakfast. The issue of Dominic Cummings is still being raked over by all the media, probably because they can't talk about much else as there isn't much else TO talk about. The BBC becomes more and more biased against the government as the days go on.

(Wednesday) I can't believe I haven't written anything since Saturday. It is becoming rather repetitive, hence the lack of anything fresh to say on here.

I've been to fill the car up with fuel, going to the ESSO station on Childs Way. I decided to go there because of getting Nectar points. Virtually no traffic on the roads and then I went to Waitrose to buy some fruit as I eat at least several pieces a day. There was a short queue and it was in and out relatively quickly. Actually improved when the place is virtually empty of customers and this means no queueing at the tills and it's easy to move around the store.

(Friday) Nothing much to report, except that it's quite blustery out this morning when I took Alfie out at just turned 7 o'clock, which was a bit of a surprise.

I was due to have a hospital appointment today at 1.20 at the X-Ray department. It was to be a scan rather than an actual X-ray. I was all prepared to go and I knew from the letter I received from the hospital offering me the appointment that I wasn't to eat anything after 6 hours before the time. But I have cancelled the appointment, mainly because of a fear of catching the wretched virus. I have managed to get this far without anything, so I'm not going to get infected. I know it wouldn't be the staff's fault and that they would have sufficient Personal Protective Equipment, but I will have to get the doctor to refer me again for another appointment in probably two month's time when the risk is likely to be very much reduced.

I can spend ages hunting for ideas for stories, or at least, where a story I'm working on should go next. But I would never have believed that I would dream ideas. This has happened twice recently, but I won't give away what the dreams were about and where those story ideas are being used. I think it's best to write down these dreams and even if I don't use them immediately then I never know when they might be used in the future. I'll wait and see if and when I have dreamt another story idea.