Here We Go Again

Friday. 10.25 p.m. I've just come back from the Oaktree Centre. We had a quiz evening. It's just great to be able to have this type of event after the confounded lockdowns restricted everything. There were around eight teams and my team won! After the first round we were at the bottom, so it was great that we managed to win. We won a bucket (!) with smaller items, such as single-serving bottles of wine and chocolates. I got a bottle of wine. There was also the famous (or probably, more likely, infamous) 'Roll-A-Coin' game. Prizes are laid out at one end of the room, things such as bottles of wine, chocolates, candles and other things, and you stand some distance from the items and you rolled a pound coin at the items. If your coin hit an item, you win it!  As the whole idea of the evening was to raise money for the building of phase two of the completion of the Oaktree Centre, it was very successful. Anyway, I managed to win a bottle of wine.

Another 10,000 steps were done according to FitBit. I looked at it as I came through the door, and it rolled over to 10,000 at that precise moment.

Saturday. 6.45 a.m. I was up, dressed and out with Alfie at 5.20 a.m. It is, as I write this, overcast, but dry and relatively mild. We did a circuit of Oldbrook Green, and then I drove to Oakgrove to take some cash out of the cash machine outside the Metro Bank next door to Waitrose. I am going to the men's breakfast at the Fountain in Loughton and we will have breakfast there, which means I don't have to cook. Good fellowship and excellent time together. We last met a few months ago, and I must have mentioned it in these blog posts.

12.25 p.m. I've been to the men's breakfast at The Fountain in Loughton. We've met there before. People arrived just as I drew into the car park, and then we went inside the pub. We had the same set-up as last time, several tables pushed together in the same part of the restaurant area. Around 15 people and some people came in late. I ordered a cooked breakfast, and it was great to fellowship with others from SCF.

From there I drove to Sainsbury's to get a few items and then home. I think Alfie was somewhat bemused that he hadn't been able to come with me.

In Sainsbury's, I used one of the self-service tills. Why do I always have a problem with these things? Whatever you do, however careful you scan each item and put it in the correct place, the thing will inevitably stop functioning and a horrible electronic voice will scream at you so everyone in the vicinity hears that you've messed up yet again! Can they just cut that voice? So, a staff member comes to help and you feel such an idiot that feel you're incapable of doing the most simple of tasks.

Sunday. 6.10 a.m. I was out around 5.20 this morning. Good gracious! Whatever next? Lounging around in bed? Not me. I then had a real surprise. As we started walking towards Oldbrook Green I saw a fox standing on the surrounding path a hundred yards ahead of us. It stood and stared at us for about twenty seconds and then turned and went into the bushes that fill the area between the Dexter House garden and the next unit, SIA (Spine Injury Association.) Something of a shock and a real surprise. We did a circuit of Oldbrook Green, which Alfie wasn't keen on and tried to take us home, but I refused. Well, he can just snuggle back into bed or lie on the sofa. But I insisted. Then, on arriving back in the flat, I was washing up in the kitchen and I saw the fox in the garden below my window. It even lay on the grass and seemed to be having a great time.

A Tropical Heatwave

Wednesday. 6.55 a.m. Bright and sunny again. Apparently, the weather is going to get hotter as the week progresses.

Students at Magdalen College in Oxford have voted to have portraits of H.M. Queen from various facilities removed within their college because they are considered colonial and racist. Do those students not realize that their college was probably established on the proceeds of slavery? We're back on 'cancel culture', which is attempting to remove all mention of colonial or slavery within society, whether it's statues of those who had a connection in some way or other, the first removal of a statue of some historic figure was Edward Colston in the city of Bristol.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber has said that he is quite prepared to go to prison if he can't reopen his West End theatres from 21st June, and to do so without social distancing being in place if the government doesn't restore further restrictions. He says he has scientific proof that the coronavirus isn't spread within a theatre setting. Mind you, I wouldn't fancy going to a theatre and being in the audience if I need to wear a mask. There is no evidence that they make a great deal of difference to being either infectious or spreading it to other people. You would have to wear a clean face mask and also one which is of a certain standard to be of any use to you. It is unlikely that people have clean masks and use them when there of this standard. As it is, when I wear one for any length of time, breathing in my hot breath can be really unpleasant and cause me to cough and it steams up my glasses. I reckon some people only wear them because they give them a sort of feeling of safety, even though it might be misguided. It seems odd that you can fly off on holiday in an aeroplane and be crammed in with other passengers (presumably full social distancing etc etc.), yet you can't go and sit in a well ventilated theatre and enjoy seeing a live performance (this includes other forms of performance, such as ballet, opera, rock music etc etc.) It does seem contradictory to my way of thinking and it doesn't show much sympathy for the performing arts by this government who just don't take it seriously, considering how much they earn for the economy. It's not just the actors and performers who have been put out of work due to lockdown, it's the ancillary jobs that have been effected, such as the wardrobe staff, hire companies who provide costumes and props, scenic builders, make-up, lighting and not forgetting stage management and front of house The there's the whole host of businesses which rely on people going to the theatre who go to restaurants, pubs and bars, or spend money in shops and tourist sites.  The same could be said of our thriving television and film production which is going on at the moment, and only just coming out of lockdown throughout the country. We seem to be very good when it comes to attracting big blockbuster films into Britain and using our facilities, such as Pinewood, Shepperton and Elstree Studios and all the ancillary jobs that go with the making of films, special effects, set building, lighting etc etc. So, if they are  restricted too heavily by lockdown, then that area of the economy is effected, not just financially, but their personnel are effected by mental as well as physical health problems.

Thursday. 4.45 a.m. I'm up out of bed. Alfie is in his bed near the window. I'm not sure if he's asleep, but he's happy curled up there. I have all the windows open in the flat. I have the kitchen door wedged open and with the windows open there is a through draught and as a result the kitchen is cooler by quite a considerable amount of degrees, so much so that I can go in there without it being like a sauna. I will leave the windows open as long as this heatwave goes on. I also have the tower fan on in the lounge.

Yesterday I did another market research session on Zoom for an agency I am signed up for, a focus group discussing ideas for a new television commercial. I won't mention any more as I have to be careful what I discuss away from the focus group. It's interesting being able to influence how something like a commercial before it goes into production. In the middle of all this my MacBook decided to turn itself off. For no good reason I can think of, and this has never happened before. It may have been to upgrade itself, although this usually happens after I have had a warning. I could not get it to start up immediately, so I had to transfer the Zoom session onto my iPad. I don't want to loose out on this sort of work as it pays well enough and the earnings are going into my savings account. I have decided to close the Metro account and transfer to one with the Nationwide, as my main bank is there. In fact, I have been with them for over 20 years. It means I can transfer money between accounts. The interest is virtually non-existent , but the money is really only there to separate it from the main current account. I managed to set up  this new account via the internet and I will go into the Metro and close that account and move the remaining cash in that account to the Nationwide savings account.

Some Like It Hot

This blog post's title refers to one of my all-time favourite films, the 1959 comedy starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and the fabulous Marilyn Monroe, 'Some Like It Hot.' (Actually referring to jazz and not the weather.) The Curtis and Lemmon are out of work instrumentalists, Joe and Jerry,  in 1920's Chicago who accidentally witness the Valentine's Day massacre and have to dress up as women in an attempt to outwit the mob. Joe becomes Josephine and Jerry becomes Daphne,. They join an all-girl band and go on tour with them and on the train, they have to travel on to one of their gigs in Florida,  where they meet Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, played by Monroe in one of her most iconic roles. If you want a film that will make you laugh, then this beats a lot of modern comedy. It is in monochrome, so don't be disappointed in that, but it really doesn't matter, as it's fast-paced, funny, and downright crazy.

I was out with Alfie at 5.45 a.m. as we were ready, not bothered in the slightest that it was that early. As I write this (9.00a.m.) It's sunny and warm and likely to get warmer as the week progresses, according to the weather forecast on BBC Breakfast earlier.

I've been making fruit scones! They are currently baking in the oven and have about 3 minutes before they come out of the oven (should be saltanaley rather than currently. Sorry about the pun, but I just couldn't resist.) I have been using the equipment I have purchased on Amazon and in Dunelm, the digital scales, mixing bowl, rolling pin, and so on. It all seemed to go well, and as ever, using Delia Smith's recipe.

2 Minutes later. I have removed the scones from the oven. I'm a bit disappointed that they have come out no bigger than when they went in. Just a bit tiddly. I did follow Delia's recipe quite carefully and she said to use a 5 cm cutter, which I did. I was expecting them to rise a bit more than they did and come out somewhat larger. Oh well, as only the first time I've made them in quite a while, not really bad. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I have a saving account with Metro bank. The only way I can access it is either by visiting a branch or through their app or website. I had been attempting to reset the password but with no success. You are allowed a few attempts and then, if you attempt too many times, I think it's probably six, you are prevented from attempting further, probably to prevent scammers or hackers to pinch your cash. As a last resort, I decided to visit their branch down Chaffron Way, next to Waitrose. I also had a pile of 5p pieces which had been collected in a glass jar which had been steadily increasing to such a point I decided it needed cashing in at the bank. It was around £10 so I could deposit it in the Metro account, but then I wasn't certain if they would accept 5ps. I suppose it would take some time to count, but I had already done that.

It turned out that the bank has a machine which will count your change. All you do is tip your coinage into the hopper and after a while, once all the coins have worked through the machine, it gives you the total and then you put in your bank account number and date of birth and it gets deposited in your account. Ingenious, and certainly did the trick. 

I then had help from a member of the bank staff to reset my online account, and required me to come up with a new password and security number, and hey presto! It worked! Problem solved and it means I can keep an eye on the balance and it makes life simpler if you use the online facility rather than having to go into a bank branch.

Waitrose Café, Service Slipping

I should have had a pension payment in my bank account this weekend. I have a fairly good idea when it should be paid, working backwards from the last payment by going on-line to my Nationwide account and it should be paid every four weeks. But I had checked on Friday and nothing and then Saturday, so I had to have a final look this morning, fairly early, before I took Alfie out for his walk. But, again, nothing. This has caused some stress, as you can imagine, what with bills to pay and the added stress of clearing out this house so I can move to the flat. Fortunately I have managed to save sufficient money in a savings account with Metro, which was intended for he purpose of buying a Yorkshire Terrier puppy which would eventually replace Alfie, not that I see him popping his clogs for a couple of years, hopefully. Also, I needed to have sufficient funds in my other account which is with NatWest and I knew I would have to cover that with a transfer from the Metro bank, but the account is only operational by taking your cash into a branch and having them transfer money from one to another in branch. Annoying that I have to do this, but there is no alternative and thinking about it, the rent payment will be the last to the landlord of this house before I vacate the property.

After church I came home to pick up the bank details necessary to do the transfer as describe above and then to drive to Oakgrove, a relatively short drive down Chaffron Way where there was a branch of the Metro Bank, fortunately open on a Sunday (one of the advantage of being with this bank is they open when the customer needs them and not necessarily to fit round their staff, which is how any business should be run. It's surprising how busy it gets there, what with cars coming into the carpark, which is down quite a steep incline and you have to be careful as you get to the bottom of the slope as there are barriers in the way which I imagine are there for just this purpose. Also, the Metro Bank was ram-raided some months ago and they've put bollards in front of the unit which I imagine are to prevent, or at least deter, further ram-raiding. Whether they would stop this sort of criminal activity is doubtful, because if criminals are determined enough they will just smash the wall of a building and then use whatever it takes to remove the A.T.M. (hole in the wall machine.) with a fork-lift truck or whatever. Anyway, once parked I walked to the bank and the business was done. They recognise me apparently because as soon as you give your details, there is a digital photograph of me on their computer screen to prove my identity. All done and dusted and then a walk along the pavement to Waitrose and a snack in their café. I ordered a hot chocolate with marshmallows, cream and sprinkles for a change from the standard latte as well as a cheese and ham toastie and something rather tasty called a 'Yum-Yum. Is this confection named after a character in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, 'The Mikado'? I have no idea, but it's worth a try speculating.

I seem to have stood in he queue for some time before a member of staff took my order. It wasn't that busy and when I eventually got my drink and Yum Yum I had handed over the cold ham and cheese toastie to the girl behind the counter for it to be heated, and then took my tray, together with the number 12 which was put on a stand, which would be placed on my table so when the toastie was ready the member of staff who bought it out would find me. I sat at the far end of the café and waited for the toastie to arrive. I drank what was a really lovely hot chocolate (with all the trimmings) and waited  . . . and waited . . . and waited, what seemed forever. It must have been 20 minutes later . . . that I went to the counter to tell the girl on the till that I hadn't yet received my toastie and said, under my breath, but someone must have heard me, that I would knock three stars off my Trip Advisor review when I wrote it (actually not done as I write this.) I returned to my table and waited . . . and waited. The toastie eventually arrived, by which time I had more or less lost interest in eating it, although I did eat it and then the rather delicious toastie. Then a member of staff arrived, and asked me if I would like a drink? I said, 'provided I didn't have to pay,' and I got a bottled apple juice, which I drank and it was tasty. I think this was offered as a sort of apology for the length of time I had waited. Waitrose, if they're going to have the café open on a Sunday, should sort the issue of staff, because there are obviously not enough to cover for the amount of customers they have on a Sunday. It can't be too difficult to recruit staff, or is it? Are some people just not going to lower themselves to do catering work, and on a Sunday? But that's not an excuse. They needed at least two more staff members behind the counter, one on the till, probably one making hot drinks and another, taking orders from customers further back in the queue if it's busy. That's how they seem to run the ship if you go to other similar eating establishments, such as Starbucks or Costa, so why not here at Waitrose? They have a good reputation and the food and drink is good, if a bit pricey, but that's what you expect in a John Lewis or Waitrose store. This business has quite a good reputation for service and quality, but this won't do it a lot of good. They will loose customers because as soon as such things a service slips people go elsewhere and it takes a long time to build that reputation back up again.

Sunny and Bright!

(Friday) A really pleasant bright and sunny morning! Let's just hope it stays that way for the next few days.

I had the washing machine on early and as I write it's out on the line. It shouldn't take long to dry. Not a job I'm exactly over-excited about, but it needs doing. So hopefully it should be dry around lunchtime.

I went into the shopping centre. I wanted to put some cash in my savings account at the Metro bank. Then I went to Marks and Spencer and had a salted caramel latte and cheese and ham toastie. It wasn't busy presumably because it wasn't lunchtime. I had a look in the men's clothing section. No end of short-sleeved shirts on display. Why is it when I was looking earlier I couldn't find anything decent and then, there're all over M and S? One in particular would be suitable for the Treasure Island production at Campbell, with what could be pirate ships on and octopi which would be very appropriate, unless the storyline is altered, as it's likely to be. But I've got two suitable short sleeved shirts already, so I don't need any more at the moment.

I've shifted some of the clothing from the cupboard where the clothing rail collapsed yesterday because Garry is coming round this evening with a more suitable clothing rail to replace the collapsed one. So I should be able to put all my clothes back where it all belongs. My suit which I wore at our wedding, which I haven't worn since that day, which I think needs dry cleaning, probably have a good press so that it can be worn again and a jacket which Carol brought me in Next. It's black and padded but makes me look like a security guard in a night club, what they call a 'bouncer' if that's the correct term. Need dark glasses and an ear-piece on one of those curly cords in one of my ears and a sort of fixed, unsmiling face. But that's not my character, just that clothing can suggest a character. Whether it's a stereotype I don't know, but whenever they have such characters on television, usually a soap sigh as EastEnders, and there's a scene which involves a nightclub and the script demands a bouncer or security-type character, the wardrobe department usually dresses such a character in a short, usually black, or at least, dark colour, and that character is a sort of 'heavy,' hard-faced individual, who never cracks a smile, wears dark glasses, which adds a sort of hint of danger to the part.

I must make mention of the birth of my third grandchild, Arthur Albert Wilson, born on Monday morning at 10.39a.m. at Worcester Hospital, weight 8.13 l.b., mother and child doing well. I haven't mentioned this event until now because Chloe didn't want it announced until more family had been informed. It's easy enough nowadays to plaster such news all over social media, but it doesn't make up for a more personal approach, face-to-face or even via telephone. I was supposed to go to Worcester today because yesterday (Saturday) was the second grandchild, Eddie's second birthday. I was scheduled to share driving, but it hasn't happened. I can't drive all the way to Worcester and then come back later, because that would make at least a 5-6 hour round trip. Not  good idea when I have several health issues, just sitting in the car for that length of time isn't a good idea. I have birthday presents all wrapped up and ready for Eddie and hopefully he can have them when Chloe and Steve come up to visit Louisa and her family who live in Stony Stratford.

As a result of not going to Worcester I went to Shenley Christian Fellowship. I'd forgotten that there was going to be a baptism during the second service. The band was on top form and the worship exhilarating to say the least. Pastor Ross preaching on baptism, which was very appropriate. I stayed for the second service, sitting in the back. There were more people visiting than usual, most probably family and friends of Luke, the young man who was being baptised. He's very tall, and they kept making mention of the fact and because of his height it was difficult to baptise him in the baptistry so he didn't hit his head! He gave a great testimony and the singing was really good. From SCF I drove down Chaffron Way and had a snack in Waitrose's café, although I wouldn't have the gluten-free bread which was what my sandwich was made of, because I didn't fancy the texture. You only find these things out after you've bought this sort of bread, but the cappuccino was excellent.

It's been a rather strange day on the weather front. It started out overcast and I was hoping it would be sunny so I could wear my new shorts and the rather nice short-sleeved shirt I got in M and S the other week, but I'll have to save it all for another day. Not sure, though, that the world is yet ready for the sight of my bare legs!

It's 'Ot!

Goodness gracious! It's a really hot day! I may actually get a chance to wear my new shorts which I bought in Marks and Spencers the other week! So, knees and other areas below will be on display, hopefully not too pale.

I had made a chocolate fudge cake last week and took it to the Mens' Breakfast on Saturday morning with the intention that we ate some of it, if not, all. I was looking forward to trying it out. After the disaster of the one I had made a few weeks earlier, I decided to follow one of Delia Smith's recipes and made the two sections and then made the chocolate fudge to cover the cake as well as the filling. It didn't get touched by any of the men and landed up being put in the fridge in the café area, basically to keep it chilled and out of harms way. I was then hoping (note: hoping!) to get a slice when I returned for Sunday service. It didn't appear and then I was told that it had been eaten by the women who came to the Ladies' get together which follows on after the Mens' Breakfast. To say I was shocked would be untrue! I was expecting some of the men to have a go at tasting, but not to expect the ladies to EAT ALL OF IT! Shocked, to say the least, and disappointed that I didn't get to sample it, although it was made to share and I never make cakes to sit and eat on my own. So from the fact that it was eaten entirely I am pleased as that was made for eating and not staring at! I shall have to make more, and not just cakes.

Anyway, regardless of that, I went to the Willen Hospice coffee morning in John Lewis's store in Milton Keynes. I haven't been for the past couple of weeks, last week was May Bank Holiday and what with one thing and another, just didn't manage to make it. A lovely lot of people, who've been through the similar experience as me with a loved one dying of cancer and being a patient at such an amazing place as Willen. During the morning some ladies from Willen presented the lady who is the liason officer for John Lewis who is responsible for having the coffee morning at Lewis's and she was presented with a certificate and a huge bouquet of flowers to thank her for her work.

I've been into the Nationwide Building Society's branch in the main shopping centre to check that my bank account is safe after the 'business' I had to endure regarding the scam last Friday. It would appear that it is safe, thank goodness. I then went to the NatWest to check my account there, and it is also fine. I did all this just to reassure myself that all is as it should be. The main reason for going to the Nationwide, which is the account I use most, was because they have frozen my debit card and will be issuing me with a new one. I now pay for parking using the RingGo app on my iPhone, but this morning, when I want to use it, my payment was declined so I had to walk into the shopping centre, take out some cash from an A.T.M. machine and go into the Metro bank to get change, £1 coins, which I used to pay for my parking ticket. I am assured that the new debit card will be sent to me by the end of the week.

I  then went into Marks and Spencer because I needed something to eat as it was fast approaching lunch time. I found a cheese and salad baguette near the entrance and a pack of Welsh cakes, which I have to admit I haven't eaten for goodness knows how many years. I then went to pay at a checkout and stood in line at one which was being operated by a young lady who clearly had a learning disability. I think she might have been moderately down syndrome, but seemed very capable. I'm so pleased that companies such as Marks and Spencer give these people a chance to prove themselves. She was busily chatting to customers as they were going through with their shopping. I only had a few items and handed over a £10 note, but she unfortunately keyed in her till for a £20 note and had to get assistance from a supervisor. It wasn't really a problem, and it just needed a bit of patience but she managed the situation very well.

More Confusion Over Surgery

(Saturday) I took Alfie out at around 7.45 this morning. It was quite overcast and there was a damp feeling in the air. It was definitely attempting to rain, but not quite making it. As we got to the grassy area where I let him off his lead, I opened my mobile to text Carol and she'd sent me a text to say she had been told late last night that she was going for surgery in the morning and she couldn't eat anything, 'nil by mouth,' as they say. I was a bit confused, as you can imagine, because yesterday we were told that there was no abscess and that surgery wasn't required to drain it. So, what has changed since? I got home and rang the ward to be told that they were waiting to hear from the surgery team what the situation was. At that time there was no idea of when or even if the operation was going ahead and they now have my mobile number to call me when they have news. There is no point me going in to the ward if Carol isn't there and I've now spoken to her and even she's as confused about the turn of events. So I'll wait until the ward calls me before venturing in, probably at lunch time.

Later. Been texting Carol. It's now gone 11 o'clock and we're no clearer as to whether she's going to theatre or not. Just seems a really confusing time. I want to go to Waitrose but I can't really leave the house until I know exactly what's going on.

Later still. Carol texted me again and the surgery isn't happening. Why are we in this situation? It's the same as yesterday. I decided to drive to Waitrose as planned. I bought some ready individual meals (or individual ready meals. Which is it? I don't know. Which sounds better?) It was raining quite hard as I drove into their carpark. Coming down the slope into the carpark near Metro Bank, you have to be careful how you negotiate the rather difficult turn at the bottom as they've put a sort of yellow sign in the way and if you weren't careful you'd hit it. I think all this is intended to put of anyone who has thoughts of ram-raiding the Metro Bank, which has happened in the past. I don't suppose anyone thought that they have made things easy for those of a criminal mind, because at night nobody would see what was going on near the bank branch or even any of the retail outlets near Waitrose because you can't see anything from Chaffron Way, which is fairly high up on a sort of embankment, unless you happened to live in one of the flats or the houses which are adjacent to the Waitrose carpark.

After I purchased my bits and pieces and stowed them in the car, I returned to avail myself of the café within Waitrose. You used to get your drink free if you ordered food, but apparently no longer. It took the woman in the queue in front of me a long time to decide what she wanted to eat and drink. Why is it some people are so indecisive? I took a  cheese and ham toastie off the display to have heated and also selected a rather nice-looking cake from the display as well as ordered a latte. It seemed to take a long time for my toast to appear, toasted. How long should it take? How long is a piece of string? I drank most of my latte and the cherry slice sat on it's plate, enticingly. But I wasn't eating it until I'd eaten the toasty. The waitress who delivered food to customer's tables came and went, delivering food to several seated customers. But not mine. How much longer was it going to take? It did arrive eventually and it was worth waiting for and so was the cherry slice.