Time and Time Again

 Monday. 6.35 a.m. What about the title of this blog post? Attempting to put something across to someone and having to repeat it over and over again. Perhaps that person not understanding something and having to keep on repeating it. It is the title of a play by Alan Ayckbourn. I did the book for it when I was D.S.M. at Ipswich in the 1970s. The lead actor, Chris Godwin, created the part when the play was premiered in Scarborough. Alan Ayckbourn came to see our production and said that he thought it was far better than the West End production, which must have said something, considering the limitations of the stage at the Arts Theatre. (They actually dropped 'Arts' when I was there in 1973.) There was space off-stage on the prompt side, but the opposite side was extremely limited, and you had to get off the stage through a sliding door and to get from one side of the stage to the other, you had to go through that door and outside and round through an alleyway and then came back through the stage door to arrive prompt side. This could be problematic when ladies wore long dresses, particularly when we did a production of 'Great Expectations' and it was winter, with snow on the ground, and they come to pick up snow on the bottom of their dresses if they forget to lift them enough to not get covered.

11.40 a.m. I have been out attempting to make a video, walking along the towpath beside the Grand Union Canal at Peartree Bridge. Unfortunately, the Hohem gimbal began to play up. I did a test video along the path towards Oldbrook Green yesterday morning (and mentioned in yesterday's post.) All seemed to go well, apart from the microphone not working because it wasn't set up correctly. That was resolved this morning, but then the gimbal kept locking and spinning around (it was supposed to be set for POV (Point Of View.) and then kept spinning around. It eventually resolved itself and I managed to walk between two of the bridges over the canal and at one point saw a heron and got really close to this amazing bird, until it flew away, unfortunately not on video. It just moved too quickly for me to catch it on video. I walked back to Peartree Bridge and then into Jeeves Close, which is where I had parked my car.

I have now got my car booked in for its MOT on Wednesday, at Anglo Motors, which is in Mount Farm, on a road near the football stadium. I didn't go with Bleakhall Motors, because someone at church told me they had a bad experience with them, (which I have never had.), but I thought I would try them.

4.30 p.m. I've been to Monday Club at the Oaktree Centre. There weren't as many there as there have been in the past couple of weeks. Perhaps the weather has put people off. 

I  came home and took Alfie out, and we walked around Oldbrook Green. In fact, we did two circuits and a bit more, so I hit the 10,000 steps. 

I got back inside the flat because it started raining. The weather has changed considerably, which might or might not be such a good thing. (The flat temperature, according to the digital thermometer, is 23ºC. Just as I was removing Alfie's lead, I heard my phone ring and it was Mears. The lady I was speaking to me said they wanted to know when they could come to fit the extractor fan, and it's booked for Wednesday morning at around 9.30. After all the effort, it looks like it's about to actually happen!

Tuesday. 5.05 a.m. I awoke in the night. I think it was around 1-2 o'clock. It's the usual thing of having to go to the loo. No good pretending these things happen, particularly as you get older. I could hear what at first might have been an aeroplane, the engine sound did make me think that. But it didn't go away, at speed. It droned on, seemingly circulating Milton Keynes. Then it occurred to me- it could have been an airship. I know the sound, having lived in Cardington Village and close to the airship sheds just across the fields from where I lived at Malting Farm. You can hardly miss these two vast sheds, as they stand out in the landscape and can be seen for miles around. It was from here in 1930 that the ill-fated R101 took off for its flight to India, but, basically, because it was overloaded, it crashed in flames on a hillside near Beauvais, France, killing all the passengers and crew. The remains of some of those people are buried in a special area of the Cardington graveyard.

Anyway, I could still hear the sound of whatever it was, but I was more or less convinced it was an airship. I had to go and see, but, looking out of my bedroom window I could only see lights, and it was certainly, well, to me anyway, most likely to have been an airship. You can usually tell, because they float, rather than fly like a conventional aircraft. Then I was thinking, what was it doing over Milton Keynes, at night, in the dark? It possibly is on a test flight, because Cardington (and more precisely, Shortstown, the village which was built up around the airship hangers), is only around 15–20 miles from Milton Keynes, as the proverbial crow flies. It might have been flown at night to keep it hidden by the dark. I don't know, but it made me think it might have been that. One of the two airship sheds is used for filming, and quite a few well-known Hollywood blockbusters have been made there, including sections of the Star Wars and Batman movies.

7.45p.m. Another Tuesday at Camphill, in the performance art workshop in the Chrysalis Theatre. The day was a mishmash. The filming for the silent movie which I had originally been with, about time travel, had been completed, apart from a tiny scene which will be shot next week. We were supposed to go off to a location in Milton Keynes to film scenes for the pirates' film, but in the afternoon the weather changed, and it started to rain slightly, so it didn't seem such a good idea to go out. Instead, it was decided to use green screen to eventually mix in backgrounds and the green material was set up to allow filming in front of it.

Ying Tong Diddle I Po!

 Thursday. 1.20 p.m. A bright and sunny day. I went to the Oaktree Centre and discovered that a theatre company is putting on a show, 'Songs From The Shows' or a similar title. After the Bible study, we set up chairs in the main hall for the show this evening.

6.15 p.m. Oh, what fun! I was eating my evening meal, as I normally do at this time of day, with the game show 'Pointless' on television, when the merry sound of the fire alarm started up. My immediate reaction was to close the door from the lounge into the hall and then put some loud music on my television set, playing through the soundbar. Fortunately, it didn't last for very long, because I heard a fire engine arriving and then there was silence! I think someone had burnt their toast or forget to remove something from their oven. I think if there was a charge for this, then there might be fewer of these incidents.

Friday. 5.00 a.m. Up out of bed and taking Alfie out as usual. It's a bit windy and overcast. I just hope the wind settles, and the sun comes out. Well, as the song says, 'The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow.' 

12.05 p.m. I've been out with the Hohem gimbal, walking along the Grand Union Canal near Peartree Bridge. It was such a fine morning, with the sun out and a slight breeze, it seemed the perfect opportunity to have a go at some filming (actually videoing, but I'm being pedantic.). I was disappointed that there were no ducks, but I did see a heron. I must get the focus sorted out, as it was a bit off. Not a problem. I was also hoping to see some narrow boats, but none of them either. Perhaps I should start the walk next time nearer to where the Red Way comes out of Eaglestone, near the dinosaur sculpture and the patch goes towards Woughton-On-The-Green. I have already viewed the results on my iPad. I'm getting the hang of using the gimbal. It seems a good idea to attempt to keep the horizon in approximately the same position in each shot.

Saturday, 5.30 a.m. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned. He says he was forced out, over the so-called 'Partygate' investigation. Well, all I can say, in all honesty, he had to go. Biggest liar of the century. Couldn't tell the truth if it came out and bit him. If you can't trust your leader, then, who on earth can you trust? It's the same with former U.S. President, Donald Trump. He lied just to get where he wanted to and then left office, taking important and highly secret and dangerous documents with him, which were found in his home in Florida. Just because he has money, he thinks he can pay off people and get away with it.

There is a health warning out today, suggesting that there will be a heatwave across Britain, with the possibility of temperatures reaching somewhere in the region of 30ºC. Those with a health problem, such I     have with my heart, are warned to keep out of the sun and remain indoors. I think sun hats and shorts should be worn outdoors. So, it's likely to be warm and humid.

10.15 a.m. I've been to Sainsbury's to buy a few items. Not a 'big shop.' It's relatively quiet early on a Saturday, so it's obviously the best time to go.

It's getting warm. I got home and then took Alfie out. I don't think he appreciates the warm weather. He doesn't appreciate cold, either. I think he's a bit like me regarding weather, we both like it mid-way, I suppose you might say 'temperate.' The digital thermometer currently reads 24º. I have windows open to create a through draught. 

This And That

It's not quite a hot as it's been lately. The sun is out as I write this (at 9a.m. on Thursday 20th August.) We have had rain, but there really is no real sign of it outside, except a small muddy puddle in the children's playground as I took Alfie out for his walk this morning. I went out for the second walk around 8.15 as I'm going out for a walk with my friend Mike from Church at 9.45. 

A few days ago I saw a workman on the grass as I crossed over from Strudwick Drive, the area that fringes Oldbrook Boulevard. He was spraying the grass, painting lines, in a sort of arc. It wasn't at first clear what this was for. Possibly a pipeline going in, electric cable, more internet cabling? Not entirely sure at the time, but yesterday, when we walked across, it was all too clear what it was for. More workmen, erecting a low fence, presumably to prevent travellers getting on to Oldbrook Green, although it doesn't look particularly robust and wouldn't take much effort to remove if someone wanted to, although it that was to happen, do doubt they would be done for 'criminal damage'. We'll have to wait and see how far this fence is going to go. They will have to leave a gap somewhere to allow pedestrians to gain access, such as myself and Alfie.

(Friday) Yesterday I went for another walk with my friend Mike from Church. I drive over to his flat in Downhead Park and then we walk to the cafe with is in a precinct near Willen. This morning, as we were walking along the Redway (well, I presume it's Redway.) we came upon a man laying on the grass near Pennyland Basin, which I had never heard of. It's what I would call a marina, joined on to the Grand Union Canal. At first we weren't even sure if the man, who would have been in his 30's, was dead or alive, but we eventually made out that he was breathing, but only very lightly. He was wearing trainers and track suit bottoms but with no shirt and, because it was fairly warm, was sweating copiously. We attempted to rouse him, but we couldn't. I began to wonder if he was having an epileptic seizure, or at last, had had one and this was the end result, because generally, if someone has a seizure it leaves them very tired and they usually sleep. I would have put him into a recovery position, having done a first aid course, but, because of the coronavirus pandemic it was not advisable. So it was then that we decided, having attempted a few times more to rouse hi, to dial 999. I got through to the ambulance service and because I wasn't sure exactly where we were, found it difficult to tell the operator where we were, but by saying Pennyland Basin, the paramedics were able to find us. Mike went up to Dantseed Way, the nearest grid road, to let the ambulance driver know where we were.

The paramedics soon turned up and took over the car of the young man. They managed to rouse him and when they said he ought to be check over at A and E he was reluctant to go, but it seemed obvious that he needed the care they could give him there and it was at this point that we left.

I had to go to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre for a blood test at 9a.m. I had been told, due to the pandemic, that I needed to arrive 5 minutes before the appointment so I drove there and was there a good 15 minutes ahead of the appointment. I parked the car, finding that there were plenty of spaces, and just sat and waited in the car until around 8.55 and then went towards the entrance of the surgery, expecting to be able to walk in but found the door locked and a  notice telling me I needed to use the intercom on the side of the door to get in. The phlebotomist made a good job of taking my blood. I didn't feel and thing and 10 minutes later, when I had time to sit and wait, I left the surgery and drove back to the flat.

At around 4 o'clock I got a text message from the doctor to tell me that the test was 'satisfactory' and that 'no further action is required,' although my vitamin D level was slightly low and he recommends me taking a vitamin D supplement. Not a problem as I can buy some when I'm next in Sainsbury's.

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.

Bradwell Abbey Medieval Fayre

I forgot to mention that on Sunday I went to the Medieval Fayre which was held at Bradwell Abbey. I had only discovered that it was on through Facebook on Saturday and wasn't sure what it was likely to cost to enter and sent a message through the Facebook page to be told it was free. Aldo, who is a science teacher and worked with Carol at Milton Keynes Academy, is involved with reinations of battles and it would seem, medieval one's at that, and is a member of something called Chanz des Reis (translated as 'Song of The Kings.') and was involved with some of the reinactions at the Milton Keynes History Festival a few months ago. So, I decided to go along as it didn't start until 11a.m. and after church I drove straight to Bradwell Abbey. I had heard about it, but wasn't entirely sure where it was, so I used Google Maps and soon found it. I was surprised that it was more or less hidden within a business park and when I got to the place, was surprised that there were so many cars parked along the road and a great many people walking towards the entrance. I suppose being free made a difference. Making a charge can put people off I suppose, and it was a fine and sunny day, which also made a vast difference. I was more than surprised how much was going on and the first person I met as I walked in wanted to know how I'd heard about the event (as described above) and mentioned various voluntary activities going on at Bradwell Abbey. I have lived in Milton Keynes for over 12 years and knew about this place but had never visited. When you see photographs of the place, you only see a small gothic style building (which is part of the now none existent Abbey (actually a Priory) but I never realised there is far more to it than that, a whole range of other buildings, including a barn and what must be more recent buildings, in one of the barns is a medieval interpretation building and a charity which is based there, called InterAction, which used to be near here, just a short walk down the Redway to the Grand Union Canal, and housed in a large house which, when we walked past the other day, has been vacated and has 'keep out 'signs all over the fence. No doubt it was to expensive to keep maintained and this might explain whey they move out to Bradwell Abbey.

Walking in to the event, a sort of courtyard in the centre of buildings and open spaces, grass meadows and the small, stone-built building, which is what I refer to in the above paragraph, a mansion (I assume) with rather attractive garden which is enclosed by a wall, and, further round, open grassed space, and he remains of what looks to me like a medieval fishpond (I may be wrong, or I might be right!) In one of the grass meadows, a sort of area area, roped off, with people watching what looks vaguely like some sort of medieval battle, with men in period costume, some with a variety of weapons, and a man with a long beard, attached to a portable public address system, giving a running commentary of the action, looking to me like it might be from about the period of the Battle of Hastings or at least, the Norman Conquest. Very coincidentally, I'm reading a book on the subject. Apparently, I later heard from Aldo (via Facebook) that he was in amongst this throng of men, although I would never have recognised him, as part of Chanz Des Reis. His children we also there, apparently also dressed in medieval garb. I took some photographs of this reinaction and uploaded some of them onto Facebook, which is how he eventually contacted me. I was looking out for him during the afternoon, but didn't see him. Hardly surprising, because of the beards and other period costume they were wearing. At the end of their session, they all marched off, with banners and so on, which I also photographed and put on my Facebook profile.

Having watching the enactors, I walked round to the rest of the fayre. A range of stands displaying different aspects of the medieval period, from weaponry, making to using, usually in battle, hand-to-hand and otherwise, swords, shields and other weapons I've never come across. There was a display of chainmail and what must have been an accurate recreation of a chainmail shirt and I was surprised how heavy it was. The item of clothing handing on a pole to show it on display and later two medieval costumed men carried it off around the fair, and, because I am currently reading a book about the Norman Conquests, I had seen images taken from the Bayeux Tapestry and was taken particularly by one image which showed soldiers loading armour and other weapons onto ships and carrying chainmail in exactly the same fashion.

I had an ice cream from a stall. One of those jobs which is ice cream extruded into a wafer cone and then has chocolate sauce poured into it. The only problem was that the ice cream was almost defrosted when I received it and it made it difficult to eat, as you could expect, on a fairly hot day, and it was in the process of melting all over my hand and I had to devour it fairly rapidly before the whole lot ended up on the ground and, as I walked around the fair, some of it landing up on some of the items on display. A pity really, because otherwise I rather enjoyed it. But, being honest, who doesn't enjoy an ice cream when it's warm? Not the ice cream, of course (silly man! Who ever heard of warm ice cream?)

I was keen to learn more about Bradwell Abbey and learnt that the last remaining chapel (built to be dedicated to Saint Mary.) was used more recently as a cow shed and has been restored. The rest of the Abbey I presume was demolished at the time of the Dissolution of The Monestaries under that evil king, Henry VIII. There was a model of what it was supposed to have looked like in the barn and this chapel was only a very tiny part of the whole.

One of the most interesting displays was of falconry, a subject that interests me. There was a display of a few different species in a cage and then a full display of falconry, but the one bird that really caught my attention was a vulture, not a bird normally associated with falconry. Most people cower when they hear the word 'vulture' because of the association they have with dead animals and the application of all these associations when used in films, usually Westerns. Usually hot deserts, blazing sun, probably someone tied up by the baddies and then a few shots of vultures circling overhead as the baddies ride off, leaving the innocent victims tied up and unable to defend themselves. But vultures are carrion, they don't attack live animals (or humans, for that matter) and live off the dead carcases of animals which are left to rot. In that respect they are a recycling species and can apparently eat animals which have died of such diseases as anthrax and therefore keep the vicinity clear of diseases that would otherwise wipe out populations of humans and other animals.

One more demonstration, of archery, and that was all I wanted to see. A really excellent event and I trust and hope that they have more. There seem to be a lot more of these type of events all around the country and considering how history was taught when I was at school and the deadly dull 'A' Level History course I was doing when I then went off to Cheltenham in 1969, it makes a change to have what I would call 'hands-on' history, whereby you can actually get a taste of what life would have been like in a certain period of history, with enactors creating battles and showing how wars were won and fought. So saying, I left and went back to my car and home.

Walking The Dog (and Sundry Matters)

(Saturday) A really lovely warm day today. As a result of hearing the weather forecast I decided to take off the bedding, duvet cover, sheet and pillow slips, and have them in the washing machine early this morning. Bedding changed and sorted and took Alfie out for his routine walk around Eaglestone Park. We met a large labrador also being walked and as usual Alfie wanted to be friends but I wasn't sure whether the other dog was that interested. Poor Alfie! We did the longer route back through the estate going towards Marlborough Street and came back along the Redway. I had a package to collect from Marks and Spencer, a short sleeved Henley top which was on their website and with 20% discount because I have a Sparks card (the Marks and Spencer loyalty card.) it seemed to good an opportunity to add to my wardrobe, particularly with the warm weather. I went into town after 9 o'clock and parked where I normally do near the Point.

I walked through to Marks and Spencer's. Hardly anybody about. Well, as it's a Saturday, a lot of people who would be shopping in this shopping centre aren't even out of bed yet. I go up on the escalator to the first floor, to the department where you pick up your 'Click and Collect' orders. It's a simple system, go on-line to order and pay and then wait a few days to get an email and then go in and pick your order up, beautifully packaged and even on a hanger. It means you don't have to wade through racks in the store or spend ages trying to find that particular item in your size. I then had a look at sort sleeve shirts. Marks have a good range, in lovely colours and fabrics and found what I wanted, but it wasn't in my size, so I had to ask a member of staff if they had it in stock. She looked on a computer screen and said they could order it for me. I wanted an XL size, and a regular fit, not what they call 'slim fit.' I don't like clothes that are too tight and I usually take a size L, but find if I have XL then there's a bit more room, if you know what I mean. I have lost a fair amount of weight, but putting some of it back on. I lost no end of weight when Carol was diagnosed and going through that awful time before she died. I had to put several more holes in the belt on my trousers. I don't wear jeans, I never have done since I was around 17-18. I much prefer Chinos as they fit better and don't go all baggy in the backside. Generally more comfortable. Anyway, the lady on the till said that the shirt I wanted would be available to pick up, on Monday. So, when I go to the Willen coffee morning in John Lewis, I can go and pick it up then.

So, order collected, I walked back through the shopping centre and returned to the car. By this time it was beginning to get busy. I'm glad I came in when I did. From there I drove to Sainsbury's to do some shopping and mainly to collect a repeat prescription from the Lloyd's in-store pharmacy.

I have a mystery. When I got home I checked to see if the washing was dry. It was. I'm so glad I had it out on the line so early. I want to know is this: why is it whenever you wash a duvet cover and you put it in the machine the right way round, when you come to remove it, how come it's inside out? There's no reason why it should. And why do you nearly always find, when you peg out socks, in particular, you always get one sock that doesn't have a mate, a matching one? It then either gets left inside the machine, so you have to spin the drum with your hand to see what is left, or it might just not even make the wash, and remain in the laundry basket, or you find you left it on the bedroom floor. The laundry elves must have something to do with it . . . .

It was bright and sunny as the day progressed. After lunch I took Alfie out for a second walk. He was more than happy to oblige and must have thought all his birthdays had come at once. We walked down the Redway towards the Grand Union Canal and walked along one side and then came back over the other, crossing over the canal at one of the bridges and then came back round and walked back along the Redway and home. I was quite exhausted when I got back, but never mind, it was worth it, just to have Alfie happy and for me to get some good exercise.

I forgot to mention. On Thursday, about half an hour before I left the house to drive to the theatre to see 'Les Miz,' I got a telephone call on my mobile. It was from Universal Extras, an agency which I have started applying to work for on their website. I have already uploaded two photos, one of which has been approved and the second, one of the full-length shots that John did for me the other week, was awaiting approval. It wasn't that which the call was about. Apparently they need proof of my right to work in the United Kingdom. A bit of a shock, because I have never been asked this by anyone before because I was born and have only ever lived in the UK, and, secondly, I don't have a passport. I was told I could use my birth certificate, a copy of which I don't currently have. Once these documents have been seen, uploaded or whatever, then I can be offered work by them. So, on Friday I went to the Bedford County Council website and applied on-line, as most things seem to be done these days. I at first thought I could have to drive to Bedford and apply 'over-the-counter,' but, no, it's just a question of filling in an on-line form and paying using my debit card and hopefully the certificate copy will be posted to me and should arrive in a couple of days.

Alfie Has A Haircut

I've had Alfie booked in to have a grooming session at Pets At Home in Bletchley today for about two weeks. I don't know how he knew we were going out, because I had put the cage in the back of the car earlier in the day. I had to do this without him seeing me lifting this thing out of the house, otherwise he would have started making a lot of noise, as he does before we go out in the morning.

We arrived in good time at the retail park where Pets At Home has a branch. As soon as I parked the car, Alfie was off, barking madly. When the car is moving, he's quiet, except for a couple of yaps. With the parcel shelf in place, it must be safe and cozy. Not pitch black, but safe. He was like that when I took him to Worcester at Christmas. Wed didn't stop on the way, although we should have done. I managed to park right outside Pets At Home, and in such a position that the car faced forward so driving out wouldn't be a problem. Then I got out of the car and opened the hatch at the back. Alfie rattled the cage to be let out. Now I know where the expression 'who rattled your cage?' comes from. I think, if he could, he would have opened the gate on the cage and would have been out. I had to make sure I was holding tightly to the lead, which I always manage to have outside so I can grab hold of it before I open the gate and he bounds out.

Alfie barked all the way through the store and into the Groom Room, which is at the rear of the store. He got quite a reception from other customers and store staff. Well, a small, barking and very lively little Yorkshire terrier, who was very eager was likely to get such a reaction.

I left Alfie in the capable hands of the staff in the Groom Room and drove home. I was told that he would be ready for collection by 3.45. There was no point in me waiting around the retail park where Pets At Home is situated. It's no more than a 10-minute drive home, although it was really busy on the traffic front. Probably because it's the Easter holiday. The roundabout on Standing Way can be really difficult to cross because of the volume of traffic. Certainly not my favourite place to cross.

About 15 minutes after I arrived home I got a telephone call from The Groom Room. I was told that, unfortunately, Alfie had an infestation of the little persons, in other words, fleas. I was horrified. I was totally unaware of them. He has been scratching a lot recently, but it never occurred to me that it might be cause by fleas! I was told that they would have to use a anti-flea shampoo and that Alfie would need a flea treatment. I had already used a treatment but it obviously not effective enough. I would need to buy an over-the-counter treatment which I could buy at Pets At Home and also use a strong, spray, treatment in the house, because there was a likelihood that the house was infected with fleas, although I have seen none. It would take some while to spray around each room, from top to bottom, and have to use a facemark, as the treatment is quite toxic. Alfie wouldn't be able to stay in the house. So, on going back later I was given the two treatments and I went home to wash Alfie's two blankets which he often sleeps on which are on the sofa. I began the first course of the anti-flea treatment which I put on Alfie's back. There are two more to give him which I should use every month.

 This morning I put Alfie in the cage in the back of the car and ,putting on the face mask I was given at The Groom Room, I began spraying round all the rooms in the house. Then, we went out of the house in the car. We went to Campbell Park and walked along the tow path along the side of the Grand Union Canal. So, in the midst of all this, Alfie had a treat, a second long walk which he wasn't expecting. We had to stay out of the house for at least an hour, which, hopefully, went to work killing off any fleas that might be lurking in the house.

Saturday Musical Evening (and other things)

(Saturday)I was going to get ready to go to the musical evening at around 6.30 on Saturday evening. I went into my bedroom and for some unaccountable reason, I thought the wardrobe was going to collapse. There has been a problem with one of the doors on the front of this IKEA unit. One of the hinges has broken and it hangs on just one. It wouldn't take much to repair this, but, on going to our local IKEA to get a replacement hinge, I was informed that they don't use that type of hinge any more. Just typical that they don't stock such things as hinges or other items that don't get used on more modern pieces of furniture they sell. Anyway, it doesn't make a lot of sense probably now, but it occurred to me that the wardrobe was leaning forward. I don't know why I got that impression, but it looked like that and there was no way I was going to allow it to collapse. I think it gave this impression because of the door which doesn't close properly. Well, it didn't collapse, fortunately, and I was able to get dressed and then drive to Shenley to go to the Oaktree Centre for the musical evening, remembering to take the two Victoria sponges with me. I put them on the floor, in the footwell on the passenger-side in the front because I wasn't going to have the cakes ruined if I put them on the back seat and then shooting forward if I had to brake suddenly.

My two Victoria sponges were given pride of place on the counter at church and had clear plastic covers put over them. I did actually manage to eat a slice, and, although I say it myself, they turned out really well, light and fluffy. What would Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry or Prue Leith, judges on 'Great Britsh Bake-Off' have to say? I'll have to try other cake recipes. The very last slice was eaten on Sunday morning during the break between the two services. Made me very pleased to think that both cakes were consumed and not a piece left, so it must have been enjoyed, which is the best reason of all to make cakes!

As regards the musical evening. I'm just amazed at the talent on show, playing a wide range of different styles of music. Very enjoyable. There is going to be another of these evenings in a few month's time.

(Monday)I've been into the Milton Keynes Council offices this morning, because I had an appointment with the Homeless Prevention officer. It turns out I'm not actually homeless because I have a house to live in, but I'm not going to be able to remain in this house because of the cost of rent. They won't pay me the full amount of rent as housing benefit and I've now learnt that I'm not going to have the Death In Service payment because Carol came out of the system, no doubt at the time we lost the house in Crownhill and had to pay the debt off because of what Sam did to our bank account (I'm not going into any more detail than that, but I have described it all in an earlier blog post.) I rang Teachers' Pensions this morning to be told this. So I now know what my financial situation is and as a result will have to look for accommodation myself, having been given a list of agencies who might be able to help. I need a one-bedroom house or bungalow, with a bit of enclosed garden for Alfie. I really no longer need a three-bedroom property, so it makes a lot of sense.

I got back from the city centre and had something to eat. I had been into Greggs and bought a ploughman's lunch roll, some egg custard tarts and a small bottle of fresh orange juice. Very crafty, Greggs, because you queue up right next to all the enticing food items, so you can't avoid jam doughnuts or sausage rolls. Or other very fattening food which you shouldn't really eat if you're diabetic or have a health problem. They never put how much fat or sugar they contain or the number of calories, but generally Greggs are good, fairly cheap and good value and they've managed to put their stores in places where they know the public will go to buy their lunch or whatever.

Having eaten my lunch, sitting down in front of the television and watching the BBC lunchtime news, but wishing I hadn't bothered, because it was more about Brexit, which is about as enticing as having your eyes piked with a sharp stick. Boring and negative. I think I'll attempt to avoid any more television news until this thing has been resolved or MP's can get their act together and vote so the ting can move on and we can at least leave the EU, for good or ill.

It was such a warm and sunny afternoon I couldn't possibly spend the rest of the day indoors, so I decided to take Alfie out for a second walk. I think it was something of a surprise, as I very rarely take him out a second time. It causes such a stir and I see the other side of Alfie as soon as I make moves to take him out. Trying to clip his lead to the harness he wears causes him to turn into a sort of Tasmanian Devil, barking and jumping around. Anyhow, we did get outside and walked down the medway towards the Grand Union Canal, going under  the bridge at Marlborough Street, then walking along the tow path that runs besides the canal and back over the canal at the next bridge. 

Overcast Saturday Walking

I went out for a walk with Alfie at around 8.20 this morning. Carol was asleep up until then and if I'd taken him earlier he would have woken her up with his barking and noise. As we came out of the walk-way down to the park where I usually let him off his lead I could see the lady who has a disabled chair with her alsatian moving along one of the paths in the distance. I didn't immediately let Alfie off as I wasn't sure the alsatian might attack Alfie or at least bark at him or even go for him by picking him up in it's mouth. I'm not going to risk his safety so we walked in the opposite direction around the path, along past the houses and on towards the Redway which crosses Eaglestone Park and then up towards the shops and we came across the lady with the two small chihuahuas. One named Poppy, whom we have met on several occasions. Poppy, the black one which carries around a yellow rubber ball in her mouth, wasn't keen to relinquish the ball or to play with Alfie. The lady (who's name I don't know.) told me that her dog didn't want to play because she is obsessed by the ball although Alfie just runs around in circles and just wants to be friendly. He doesn't meet many other dogs so it's good for him to socialise like this. The lady told me that the woman in her disabled chair with the alsatian doesn't control her dog. She says it's a wonder the alsatian doesn't pull her chair over as it's quite big and I said I didn't want it near Alfie as I didn't trust it to not attack Alfie. She said the woman doesn't control her dog as she ought to.

It's currently much more overcast this morning which means it is so much cooler. Nevertheless,  I insist on continuing to wear my shorts as it is so much more pleasant.

Carol's into crafting and wanted some ink pads so we drove to The Range as they have a good range of crafting materials. We also wanted a rake to help to clear up the grass on the lawn at the front of the house. The grass trimmer does a good job but you are left with lots of cut grass which then needs collecting up. We found what we needed in the gardening section of the store. When we got to the till to pay we saw crisps and drinks which we added to what Carol had already picked up as we intended going for a walk with Alfie at the Ouzel Valley Park which we'd visited yesterday.

Once we got back home we organised ourselves so that we could go out with Alfie to the Ouzel Valley Park. We didn't put the cage in the back of the car, instead Carol drove and I held Alfie on my knee. It saved time and effort, but even so he made a lot of fuss and noise. It's not far to drive and we parked in the carpark at the park. We also took the food and drink items we'd purchased in The Range. We started off with Alfie on his lead, but once we went through the gate into the meadow we let him off. There was no livestock in the field and if there had been, Alfie would have ignored anything such as sheep or cattle. He doesn't run far and always comes back when you call him. We walked on and went through another gate and then walked besides the river, The Ouzel, where Alfie was quite happy to trot along beside us, occasionally running ahead of us.

If we'd had Poppy with us she would have been tempted to jump in the river and swim, but Alfie isn't interested, but on one or two occasions I was concerned that he might get too close and fall in. He did one end up in water when we went to walk along the banks of the Grand Union Canal and Alfie jumped over a low wall and found himself in the canal and had to be extricated by myself. I think he got something of a shock when he got wet and has never tried that game again, and who can blame him. Looking back it was quite funny, but at the time it was concerning that he might drown. He looked thoroughly miserable as a result.

We walked on, under one of the concrete bridges which carries Chaffron Way over the river and onward towards Woolstone, where we walked past the remains of the Medieval fishponds. There is a map on an information board which describes the landscape and the significance of the fishponds. We went through several kissing gates and eventually came to a wooden bridge and crossed over to the opposite side of the river and walked back towards the car. We met several people with dogs, at one point a couple with two West Highland Terriers. Poppy was a schitsu/Westie cross. She is greatly missed since she died. Both these little dogs barked when they encountered Alfie, butwe kept him tightly under control on his lead. He just wants to be friendly, but these dogs were determined to be somewhat aggressive towards him. We walked on and actually found we'd walked too far along the patch once we'd crossed another wooden bridge and had to walk back, eventually walking back across the open meadow which lead us back to the carpark and our car.

We sat at one of the conveniently placed picnic tables and ate our pasties and crisps. Alfie ate most of Carol's. I'm not surprised he was so hungry, because of how far we'd walked. He can be a picky little dog when you feed him scraps. He quite often turns his nose up if you offer him left-overs when you're having a meal, but on this occasion he ate it as fast as he could.

It was becoming quite windy and it took us all our time to keep the crisp packets from blowing away and the put the remains in a litter bin and drove home.

Alfie's Problem and Carol's Medication Review

I've been giving Alfie the two lots of medication I was given by the vet on Monday. He has antibiotics, which come in the form of a tablet which has to be halved and then crushed and then mixed in with his food. Also, a small phial of what is a pain killer and has to be drawn up in to a sort of needless hypodermic gadget and also mixed in with his food. But we have to keep his face clean. Attempting to wipe the built-up gunge from underneath both of his eyes is difficult because he resists at every attempt to wipe it off with a wet bath flannel. He's already scratched my hand with his claws and growls really loudly. For a small dog he's very strong but I don't know if he'd actually bite me. The two places under each eye are very red and raw, but I think it is beginning to clear up. At least the antibiotics should prevent any real infection.

Carol has to have a review of her medication. The doctor at Ashfield Medical Centre has to do this, otherwise she can't have any more repeated prescribed medication. We attempted to ring the surgery this morning but couldn't get through. So we had no choice but to drive there. At 8.40 the roundabout at Standing Way was clogged up with traffic. Drivers shouldn't have gone into the roundabout if their exit wasn't clear. I don't exactly enjoy driving through this roundabout at the best of times and I wasn't going to risk entering the roundabout when large H.G.V. vehicles were thundering through. When we got over the roundabout the entrance into the road where Ashfield M.C. is wasn't clear but a nice driver had no choice but to let us in.

We went inside the surgery and then got to the reception desk. There were very few other people in the waiting area so there was no waiting. Even now Carol has to go home and wait for a call from the doctor to then be allowed to have a face-to-face appointment to discuss her medication review. So we had to drive home and battle our way through the traffic through the horrible roundabout at Standing Way.

The doctor rang back an hour or two later. There's no need to make an actual appointment, but the particular medication that had to be reviewed is a sleeping tablet and they will only do a prescription for no more than seven days at a time, but this time he'll do it for 14 days and suggests she might take them every alternate night. We're not exactly over-joyed about the fact he said he thought it was for a different patient. Rather worrying. Doesn't exactly give you much confidence. I realise they have a great many patients on their books, but he could have at least looked at Carol's medical notes which would have been on the computerised system. Not even sure that our doctor was totally aware that Carol is on chemotherapy or what sort of treatment she's on.

As it's been such a sunny and warm day (so far) we decided to take a picnic and go down to the Grand Union Canal. We went to Tesco in Oldbrook to get sandwiches, crisps and drink and then drove to the Peartree Bridge pub to park and then walked along the canal towpath. We took our cameras with us and when we got to the picnic table where we've been before with the dogs (we didn't take Alfie on this occasion) we sat and ate our sandwiches. Along the canal were a couple of young men, fishing. We stopped to see what they'd caught. What they had caught they'd apparently put back in the canal. Lots of ducks and a couple of geese swimming gracefully along and we wanted to take a series of photographs to record our walk. Which we both did. Several canal boats drifting past. The trees coming out in leaf. Spring has been late in coming this year, after such a cold and quite horrible winter.

Television Documentary About Milton Keynes's 50th Anniversary

2017 is the 50th Birthday of Milton Keynes. I moved here in 2007 when I married Carol, having previously lived in Bedford, around 20 miles to the east. BBC television has shown a documentary about the town (I can never decide whether it's a town or a city, and it seems, do other people. Which is it? You decide.) It was built as an over-spill for London. Half-way between London and Birmingham and between the A5 to the west and the M1 to the east. The Grand Union Canal cuts through the town and is around half a mile from our home in Eaglestone, walking down the Redway. To some extent, according to this documentary which was co-producted by the Open University, which is based in MK, the town was built as a sort of social experiment. All manner of different architects were employed to have a virtual freehand in the design of the various 'villages' which were conceived within each of the 'girds' which make up the town.

The documentary was told from the point of view of one man, Richard Macer, who lived and grew up in the town, left to go to university and came back to visit the place again. His parents continued to live in the town, in Great Linford. He went to school at Stantonbury Campus, where Carol was a teacher before transferring to her current school, Milton Keynes Academy.

Milton Keynes has been the subject of quite a few jokes over the years, not least because of the number of roundabouts, and in particular the so-called 'Concrete Cows' which have become the unofficial symbol for the town. Also, described as 'dull', 'soulless' as well as uninspiring. Having lived here for a little over ten years I can say I have not found it to be any such thing. Infact, it's got plenty going for it. I particularly like the fact that there's so much open space here. As you'd drive along the grid roads you almost forget the fact that you are driving through a town at all, as the design of the place means all houses and most other buildings, can't be seen from the road, that there are plenty of trees to screen the grids which contain the 'village' like communities within them as well as cleverly landscaped sections, banked up with the plants and trees on them as well as having all housing beyond a fairly wide margin of each road, giving a pleasant feel to the place, unlike many other modern towns which have houses almost on the roadside. The town has been highly successful in creating employment. The rate of growth is amazing. The amount of homes being built is startling and Milton Keynes is expanding at a great rate. We drove across the town a few days ago and went past Crownhill, the area we originally lived when we were married in 2007. The fields along the side of Watling Street as you drive towards Stony Stratford and Wolverton have been developed and now it's all houses. On the approach-road from the M1, coming in from Bedford, there is a large amount of construction going on. Since I've been living here, a vast John Lewis warehouse complex has been built along that stretch of road, as well as for their partner company, Waitrose. The road system has been vastly improved, partially duelled along that piece of road, where there is a roundabout with an impressive steel statue of Greg Rutherford, the Olympic Gold-Medallist Long Jump winner at the 2012 London Olympic Games who lives within the Milton Keynes area. There is further building going on at the newly-improved roundabout which used to be a point where there were long traffic queues before it was widened and with new traffic lights and then going towards Newport Pagnall there is even more development of not just houses but more warehouses, no doubt going to be distribution centres for more companies. Infact, Milton Keynes has a higher rate of employment than more areas of the United Kingdom.

Dog-Walking, Lawn-Mowing and other Trivial Pursuits

Well, it's now a good deal cooler. We have had some rain, although hardly storm conditions. Certainly enough to lay the dust and freshen the atmosphere. The dogs have had three walks this week. One along the Redway and back along the Grand Union Canal and a couple of rounds of Eaglestone Park. Alfie is like one of those clockwork toys which you wind up and then let it go and it runs until the clockwork runs out. We let each dog off their leads once we reach the open area of grass and Alfie runs off madly, but soon comes back when you call. He likes to know that we're not too far away. Poppy, on the other hand, just potters along. She's really showing her age. But come across another dog and she has to run up to it and make friends. Alfie charges in, no questions asked, and the other dog is taken by surprise. We attempt to get them back on their leads, but it can be a difficulty. Try to get Poppy to respond and she does the opposite. Stubborn little minx that she is. 

I have managed to get the grass cut. Done last Friday. Just as well I did it when it was dry because I certainly wouldn't be able to cut it when it was wet. It would clog up the mower. 

I mentioned that our Hoover packed up a few weeks ago. It has now been replaced by a Vax model. Actually far more efficient in comparison to the Hoover. But now the washing machine has gone into decline. I think I've mentioned this on this blog before. It just will not spin. So we are looking at replacing it. We've been to Curry's to look at a replacement. It is actually owned by our landlord, but considering how long it's likely to take for him to replace the said washing machine, it is easier for us to do this ourselves. You may recall, if you've been following this blog, what happened when he replaced the last machine a couple of years ago and how his so called 'friend' came to install it and over-looked the fact that you had to remove the transit bolts which hold the drum inside the machine and how the machine behaved when it was turned on, pulling out the plumbing from the wall and fracturing the piping and so causing a leak which took some time to be repaired. So much for using unreliable workmen who have absolutely no idea what they're doing. We had to get this damage repaired ourselves at our own expense. Hopefully, we can buy the new washing machine next week and have it installed and the old machine removed .

Sunny Summer Sunday

A bright and fairly dry Sunday. I say 'dry' because it makes a change to actually get a summer's day without rain. Carol has broken up from Milton Keynes Academy. We decide fairly early today to take the dogs for a walk. I had suggested taking them to Rushmere, a place we've been with them on quite a few occasions. But we have the problem of Alfie, who, as soon as he realizes we are going out for a walk, even if we don't actually mention the word 'walk', begins to change considerably, barking and running around the house. If you so much as go near the dog's leads, which hang on a hook in the kitchen, he will be more than ever excited and may even try to bite the lead you pick up for him. If we had gone to Rushmere it would mean I would have to put the cage in the back of the car and that is upstairs in the spare bedroom, so he would have to be kept away from being able to see me go out with it. So we abandon that idea so Carol suggests taking them along the Redway towards the Grand Union Canal, about a mile or so's walk. The process of putting both dogs on their leads goes relatively painlessly, even though Alfie makes a considerable amount of noise. Once out onto the Redway behind our house we let the dogs off their leads and they can enjoy their freedom. Poppy ambles along while Alfie runs ahead. We get down to the road near the canal, going under the Marlborough  Street underpass, noting the interesting comments some clever graffiti artist has written along the walls. We have to put the dogs back on their leads briefly. Walking up the incline which leads to the bridge over the canal we have to step aside as a group of cyclists ride past, giving us barely time to get out of the way. I'm not impressed by their behaviour. I think they might at least been a bit more considerate and if we hadn't stepped aside the dogs would have got run over or at least there might have been a nasty accident. We walk on and come out on Woughton Green and see a running approaching. It seems that the place is over-run with people either running or cycling. We then take the path off the road across the green to the left and walk towards the canal. We bought a bag of bread with us and Carol puts the contents on the top of a drain cover and we sit at a picnic table. A large group of geese had gathered in the grassy space under the trees and walk off and swim away along the canal. We sit and watch as a crow comes down and takes a piece of the bread we put down. Several other crows appear and eat the bread. We have sat for ten minutes or so and then walk on along the towpath beside the canal and back to the bridge over the canal and then back along the Redway and home. Both dogs are exhausted by their walk and as it so happens, so are we.

After we have some lunch Carol decides she'd like some icecream as by now it has become quite sunny. It appears that the next few days are going to become quite sunny. A mini heatwave or that was what we were told on the Breakfast weather forecast. We decide to drive to Willen Lake. We had forgotten that for the next ten days or so Milton Keynes will be hosting the annual I.F. (Milton Keynes International Festival of Arts.) and we discover that the carpark at Willen Lake is extremely busy because there is a sort of festival village set up with a wide range of artistic exhibitions to look at. The place is teeming with people wandering about. We walk along the lakeside and find a gym which has a swimming pool attached. As we are currently looking for a new gym with a swimming pool to join since we ended our membership of D.W. Fitness, we enquire. We may or may not join. We find a cafe to buy ice creams and when we finish eating them we return to the car and drive home. As we come out of the carpark Carol mentions Nuffield Health, who has a site at Kent's Hill and I am reminded that I think that was a place I used to take one of the people I used to look after when I was a carer. Indeed it is, and it seems a very suitable place to join and use for swimming. We might join after we've done more research into other facilities around Milton Keynes.

A Walk Beside The Grand Union

We were without the car. We were told not to drive it, after our adventure on the M1 on Saturday. It hasn't gone anywhere. It was left on our drive when we were bought back home by the rescue truck on Saturday evening. It will have to remain inoperative until we can find a mechanic who can let us know the extent of the fault and how much it is going to cost. Regrettable, considering that it's a little over a week ago since the confounded thing had to have the clutch repaired when we visited Daniel in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

As a result of all of this we were determined to not let it upset our time together, with Carol on summer holiday. We wanted to have some sort of walk and hd taken both dogs for walks to the shop in Galloways in Coffee Hall as well as the local shop in Eaglestone. We decided on walking into the centre of Milton Keynes and take the route along the towpath that runs alongside the Grand Union Canal, which is only a short walk along the Redway which runs behind our home.

The weather was overcast, but at least it was dry when we set out. We took the minimum of items with us, but had intended visiting Marks and Spencers in the shopping centre as we needed to get fruit. Without the car it was going to be difficult to do our usual weekly shop, as with the amount we generally buy it fills the boot of the car, so we had ordered using Sainsbury's on-line, and booked the delivery for Tuesday morning. 

It's a fairly steady walk along the canal path and we didn't meet many people, except for a couple of people walking their dogs. We couldn't have taken our dogs with us because we ow;don't have been able to take them into the shopping centre. We had been surprised by how many dogs there were at Calke Abbey last Saturday. We were even more surprised, as well as shocked, when we saw two dogs which had been left by some visitors to this National Trust property's car park, because we know it is unwise to leave your dog in your car as it can be fatal to a dog if left in a hot car interior, although it was particularly hot last Saturday.

We arrived in the city centre and walked into the shopping centre through John Lewis. We had coffee and chocolate croissants in a new-by Cafe Nero branch and then visited a new store which had opened next door called Tiger, which, it turns out, is a Danish company. They sell a very reasonably-priced range of products such as stationary, toys, artists materials, games and food. We purchased some things and then walked towards Marks and Spencers which is at the opposite end of the shopping centre. We went into Superdrug and then Marks and Spencer. By now time was moving on so we decided to have something to eat in M and S, really tasty roast meat in burger buns. Actually some of the best we've tasted. We managed to go into the Marks and Spencer food hall and buy food for tonight's dinner.

We had spent a couple of hours in the shopping centre and then caught the number 5 bus back home from just outside the shopping centre. It had begun to rain, but not very heavy thankfully. 

Walking Our Dogs and Visit to Ascott

It has been a pleasant week on the weather-front for the past week or so. As a result we took the two dogs for a walk towards Woughton-On-The-Green along the Redway. Well, I say 'walk' because once we have got them on their leads and we walk out of the house and round onto the Redway we let them off, more like a mad, frantic run or dash. Alfie wasn't as bad as he can be to get kitted out in this harness and lead, but as soon as there's any mention of walk, leads or anything connected with us going out with them, he becomes very excited and barks loudly and can get very boisterous. Poppy, on the other hand, gets excited but doesn't make any sort of noise but wags her tail. We get to the bridge over the Grand Union Canal and they trot over and we walk around the green once in the village, a haven or quiet and peace and it seems incredible that we are only a mile or two from the centre of busy, bustling Milton Keynes. We see no cars and walk around the green and through the orchard and back towards the canal, going along the tow-path and back to the Redway and home. Alfie runs back and forth as we walk along, running ahead, sniffing every blade of grass, tree, etc etc. He must run around three, or four or more, times the distance we walk. He's not very good on the lead, more intererested in being off the lead, hareing around, but Poppy is content to just potter long in her own sweet way.

 Early this morning we were deciding on visiting a National Trust property but couldn't decide which one. Wimple Hall and Home Farm,  Anglesey Abbey, Waddesdon Manor, Claydon and Stowe Landscape Garden are all with a reasonable distance from Milton Keynes, and all visited by us at some time over the last few years. But there is one place that we haven't yet visited and within only a 20-minute drive and that is Ascott. It's on the road between Leighton Buzzard and Aylesbury and which we've passed on various journeys towards Aylesbury and High Wycombe but which we've not visited basically because it's not opened mid-week and then only for about five hours, so it's quite difficult to visit because of these opening hours. So we decide on going yesterday and seemed ideal as it is so close and would make a good outing to make the most of the sunny weather. We leave around 3.45 so we have left it quite late to make our visit, but once we get to Ascott and get parked, it is indeed a short journey, made considerably shorter due to the new, or newish stretch of by-pass between Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzrard. The new car is a dream as it is quite sporty and once you put your foot down on the accelerator you can just coast along any decent piece of open road.

We are really surprised by the number of people in the carpark at Ascott and the number of cars. No doubt the fine weather has brought people out. Also, we never thought this place was going to be so large. There is quite a walk along a really wooded stretch of drive towards the main house and the gardens and see that had we come a week or so earlier we would have seen a mass of daffodils in the wooded area, but unfortunately they are gone over and looking decidedly dead, which is a real shame because they would have been quite spectacular.

We began our visit by exploring the gardens. We weren't expecting it to be quite so large, nor to have such a variety of schemes of design. A great deal of clipped hedges, topiary in particular. One quite amazing feature spelled out words and in the centre a kind of globe, the significance of which wasn't quite clear, but I will have to do some research on-line to discover more. We walked around for a while and then went into the house. Only around five rooms were open to the public, but each is full of antique furniture and pottery as well as paintings on the walls, some by well known artists such as George Stubbs and J.M.W. Turner as well as bronze sculptures, many of horses and one which I was sure was by Rodin. We didn't have time to see all of this amazing property and there are areas of the garden which we couldn't possibly get to see in the couple of hours we were there and we decided as we drove out of the carpark to return home that we must come back for another visit. As it's only a 15-20 minute drive it's not going to take long to get there and as National Trust members we don't have to pay to get in.

Carol's New Bike

We were up good and early this morning. The car needed petrol and was virtually empty when we went to the Shell petrol station along Grafton Street. Put in around £30-worth of petrol and we decided to go shopping at Morrison's so we went via Standing Way. We got to their supermarket at Westcroft but they weren't open as it was 7.15 and didn't actually open until 8 a.m. so we went to Sainsbury's in Witan Gate. They're open 24 hours so we did our shop there. Good to get there so early as it was virtually empty of other shoppers but it got busier as we went round the store. We also had breakfast in their cafe. We got home and unloaded the shopping. Carol had emptied the freezer so we had an empty freezer with no ice in it so what went in there was easier than normal. 

I told you I'd bought a bicycle from Argos recently. Carol has been looking for one for herself and we've been to a few places to have a look, including Bike King in Stoney Stratford and another shop at Shenley near the new branch of Sainsbury's. Bug nothing she liked or was suitable. We went to Toys R Us and bought one there, having tried out several different models until she selected one she really liked. We got it home and put it together. Having assembled mine a few weeks ago it wasn't that difficult including the front brake assembly. We then decided to cycle down the Redway towards Woughton-On-The-Green and across the Grand Union Canal at Peartree Bridge and round the green and through the orchard, having a rest on some benches and then back towards the canal and going to the Peartree Bridge pub for ice cold Cokes and then back home along the Redway. 

Good Friday Sunshine

It is cold, but at least the sun came out! Poppy had a bath. The excitement is intense. And a haircut. So now she can see where she's going. Her fringe had got so bad she could barely see out. Then we decided to take the dogs for a walk. Alfie goes mad as soon as you show him the lead and it takes some time to get both dogs on their leads and out of the house, but as soon as we get onto the Redway we let them off. We walk along the Redway towards Woughton village and then along the path next to the Grand Union Canal. There was ice on the canal, which I've never seen before. I don't think it was very thick, but it seemed odd to see it all so still and silent. Alfie stops to wee against every tree and lamp post he can see and what's with this growling and kicking up the dust with his back legs-business? I think it's just the sheer joy of being out in the open air, and not shut up in the house as they have been for most of the winter. Both dogs pick up bits of twig on their coats and drag them along behind them. Alfie has to stop and pick it out with his mouth, while I have to stand on the twig that Poppy has to get it removed from her coat. I remember when Alfie was a puppy and we took him to Stockgrove Country Park. It was autumn, and as he walked along he got bits of twig and leaf in his coat and he kept stopping to remove it. He didn't seem to like it and got quite cross with the additional vegetation he was carrying!

There is still some snow laying on the ground, but most of it has fortunately melted, but there is still a definite chill in the air. Just hope that the weather begins to improve so that we can get out  a bit more while Carol is on holiday from the Academy

Undecided

The weather, as usual, is being very undecided. It was bright sunshine here yesterday morning, then, mid-afternoon, it rained briefly, but then the sun came out later. We haven't fortunately had the torrential rain other parts of the country have had, but no doubt the local rivers are overflowing. I'm not sure about the Grand Union Canal, which is not far from here. What happens with canals? Do they open sluices as they do with rivers, to let out the excess water? I never know how they keep canals topped up with water. How are they fed with water? What happens in a drought? The technology intrigues me, locks and so on.

As a result of the weather, you never know exactly what to wear, because it's quite chilly first thing in the morning, then, as the day progresses, it seems to get warmer so if you put on a thicker jacket, you get too hot. It's certainly very autumnal. It's now getting darker earlier and it's getting light in the morning a lot later. Also, the leaves on the trees are beginning to change colour, and if past years are to go by, they'll be quite vivid when they do change colour.

A Surprise For Alfie

 Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. As money is somewhat tight at present, we have decided to wait until next week to celebrate properly, and as it's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Weekend next week, as well as being Half Term, it makes sense to do things in style then.

It has been exceptionally warm today. After the past month or so of rain and overcast weather, it certainly has made a change to have some sunshine. Carol did her usual tutoring and came back at around 10.15. We went to Aldi in Bradwell to do some shopping, and  were surprised to find the place heaving with people. It took some time to find a parking space in the car-park, and once inside the store we discovered that it wasn't very well stocked, even though the staff were busy shelf-stacking. The aisles were blocked by folk-lift trolleys and boxes of stock and then when we got to the check-out we had to queue for quite a long time. Quite unsual, as we can generally get in and out of the store in a fairly short time. 

We would have gone out but the heat was too much. 

Around 5 o'clock we decided to take the dogs to one of the lakes for a walk. They haven't been out for some time, due to the weather. As soon as Carol picked up the leads, Alfie turned into the growling, yapping little character he suddenly becomes, catching hold of the lead and making so much noise. Rather like Jeckyll and Hyde, in fact, he turns from a calm little dog into a sort of monster. Carol had put his cage into the back of the car before-hand.

On arriving at the carpark at Loughton Valley Park, we let the dogs out of the car. Alfie making a lot of noise, Poppy, as usual, was quiet. Just pleased to be out for a walk. We couldn't walk towards the lakes, (known at the Teardrop Lakes, due to their shape.) as there were swans about so we decided to walk in the opposite direction along the Redway.  Poppy pottered back to us, without any fuss, but Alfie, however, had different ideas. He  should have ran across a small bridge over a stream, and I called him to come back, but he didn't run over the bridge, and went straight into the stream, which was around a foot deep. He managed to pull himself out of the water, dripping wet, amidst our loud laughter. I have to admit it was extremely amusing and I only wish we'd had a video camera to record the incident! This is the second time he's had a surprise dunking. The other one was when we walked along the Grand Union Canal and he jumped a low wall and we had to fish him out! That time I did worry that he wouldn't be able to get out of the canal, as it was deep and there was nowhere for him to clamber out on the bank.

We walked along beside the  National Bowl, where rock and pop concerts are put on, turned round in the gateway and then walked back to the car and home. Poppy decided she's have a swim and went in the lake on the way back to the car.

Walking The Dogs

Another fine and sunny day, and certainly not to be spent cooped up indoors, so we decided to take the dogs for a walk. We walked along the Redway behind the house towards the Grand Union Canal and Woughton village. I say walked, yes, but both dogs ran, Alfie yapping noisily the moment we left the house. It's a real effort to put his lead on, Poppy not quite so difficult. Whenever we meet someone walking along, generally minding their own business, Alfie has to run up to them and ingratiate himself. Poppy is no better. Alfie runs ahead of us (we let them off their leads as soon as we got on the Redway.) and keeps running back towards us. He doesn't run far, just within sight and ear-shot. A t the bridge over the canal we walk along the tow-path. If she gets her way, Poppy will jump in water. She seems to love it, regardless of the cold, although to do it's been unseasonably warm. Alfie is not so keen. He's learnt from bitter experience that the water is not very nice, particularly after the incident which took place a short way along this tow-path, and recalled in an earlier post. He was running along, minding his own business, and decided to jump a low wall, and splash! Into the canal! He had to be fished out, and then ran around for some time looking like a downed rat until he dried out.  Poppy, meanwhile, was eyeing up the canal and it looked as if she was about to jump in for a swim. I think she avoids going in where there is nowhere for her to scramble in and out, and this was the case along the canal-bank. But, as we were walking through a wooded area she decided to go into an extremely muddy, and smelly, ditch! She came out of it with her lower body caked in the smelliest, blackest and thickest mud imaginable! I think she'd saved this up so as to cause as much annoyance as possible. All we could do was keep well away from her, as she was really smelly.Anyway, we walked back towards Woughton-On-The-Green , a site of archeological interest as it was where the medieval village stood, and round through an orchard-area and then, eventually, back towards the canal, the Redway and home. I think we well and truly wore out both dogs as they slept the rest of the afternoon. Poppy was not allowed into the lounge as she was still caked in mud and we were determined that she wasn't going to leave a trail of muddy paw-prints over the carpet or on the sofa, so she was relegated to the kitchen for several hours. But she made her presence known with a lot of howls, barks and really odd baby-like sounds. Sort of 'woe is me, I'm being hard-done-by! Nobody loves me, nobody cares' sort of carry-on. She can be a real prima-donna if she wants to.