Return of Winter?

Saturday. 10.15 a.m. It might be bright and sunny, but there's a chill wind blowing. As the old proverb goes, 'it's an ill wind that blows no good,' which is true in relation to Boris Johnson. We're now into February and I just wonder whether we will escape a freezing and snow-covered rest of winter. It seems possible that we might, but let's see how things turn out.

3.15 p.m. I've been for a walk at the Ouzel Valley Park, which is just down Chaffron Way from where I live in Oldbrook. I let Alfie off his lead in one of the meadows, checking beforehand that there was no livestock, as there is often either sheep or cattle in these places. I know he wouldn't annoy them, but cattle can be quite territorial when dogs are near. It was extremely windy, which is still is as I write this. I clocked up a little over 8,000 steps, as recorded on my new Fitbit Versa 2, so when I got back to Dexter House I wanted to get to my daily target of 10,000, so I took Alfie around Oldbrook Green and I managed to get to the target. 

Sunday. 3.40 a.m. I woke to hear wind howling outside. I went to the loo and shaved. Just no possibility of getting back to sleep now with that wind making that noise.

Last night I watched Billy Elliot: The Musical on Broadway HD. All I can say is, 'wow'! Not disappointed in the slightest. It's truly amazing. I always wanted to go and see it when it was either on in the West End or the tour when it came to the Milton Keynes Theatre (has anyone never come up with a decent name for the local theatre here in Milton Keynes? The recently opened theatre in Aylesbury is called 'The Waterside Theatre,' does at least have some sort of originality, but ours? Lacking some sort of originality, I must say. I would warn you that the show has quite a lot of expletives in it, which, in context, do make it more realistic, but can become somewhat contentious, especially if you were to take young children to see it, although it's not really suitable for children below, say, the age of around 12-13. I'm not sure, but I think the original film had a rating of around 13.

9.25 a.m. It has been raining. I have been keeping a watch-out to see if it had stopped, but just in case I decided to get Alfie rigged out in his Regatta rain jacket, and I put my bright yellow raincoat on. We went out and Alfie wasn't sure of the weather, although at that time it had stopped raining.

4.45 p.m. I went to church. There seem to be more people there than ever. It almost always happens that when the service starts there are quite a few seats available and then people arrive. Just the way it is. I usually get to church about half an hour before the start time, but it seems strange to me that people don't get themselves sorted out so they have to arrive late, just after things start.

On the way home I went into Morrisons to buy something for lunch because the service finished later than usual and then there was coffee. It seems as busy as ever. Once I'd had my sandwich and drink when I got home I took Alfie out around Oldbrook Green. It was exceptionally windy so I didn't intend spending any more than necessary out. As I write this, I can hear the wind whistling around the building outside.

Opening Things Up

(Saturday) So, some businesses are opening up again as some of the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed. Thank goodness. Pubs particularly. I won't be going.

It's hot and humid, clammy. I have the tower fan on, so all the effort to get it has been worthwhile. I went to get a few things from Sainsbury's mid-morning. A few people queuing once I had parked the car and I was in the actual store within ten minutes and got what I needed because I had a list and was out within about 45 minutes.

Alfie needed a walk and instead of Oldbrook Green, whose charms are beginning to wear more than a bit thin, I decided that the Ouzel Valley Park was worth a visit as it's only a couple of minutes drive down Chaffron Way. Dark clouds brooding as we ambled through a couple of the fields and because I couldn't see any grazing livestock I let Alfie off his lead. A great amount of smelly sheep droppings which I had to steer Alfie from as he wanted to eat it. A rather unpleasant doggy habit which I'm eager to discourage. A very distinctive smell, which I know from the sheep at Malting Farm. We went through a couple of kissing gates but I decided at second thoughts to not walk quite as far as I had originally intended so we made our way back to the car and Alfie was put back in his cage in the back of the car and returned home.

(Sunday) I've taken Alfie out twice already, just before 7a.m and then around 9.15. Then I shot off to Tesco in Oldbrook Boulevard to buy a Sunday Times and a few bars of chocolate. I was shocked to see an advert on the from of the paper for flats in Television Centre, the somewhat iconic BBC studios which have been sold to a property developer and partially converted into high-end flats and offices with a couple of the studios bought up to date and then being hired by what is called BBC Studioworks and then re-hired to ITV for their daytime shows such as Good Morning Britain and Loose Women. Crazy state of affairs.

Later. Been for another wander with Alfie around Oldbrook Green. Quite busy, with people walking dogs, others playing football and some doing what look like acrobatics or at least gymnastics, standing on their hands (!). The children's playground was busy, but people not observing social distancing. So, no doubt be can expect another 'spike' in coronavirus infections.

Monday morning. I've heard from Chloe that the work on building the extension to the house will start tomorrow, Tuesday. Hopefully it will be completed by Christmas. So, I hope when it's all done I can actually go and stay with them for a while. Things really moving forward. Also, I hear that the creative writing group I'm part of will be meeting in Waterstone's coffee shop on Saturday afternoon. Something else to focus on.

1.45p.m. I've been out with Alfie around Oldbrook Green. There's a lady who has two dogs, I think sheep dogs but not sure, who are very good because she throws a ball for them, using a gadget which seems to fling the ball a long way and they retrieve it and work as a team. Very focussed and well behaved. On the other hand there is a man who has a rottweiler (I am fairly certain that's what it is. He lets the dog off it's lead but it wanders around, with him walking ahead and then he never seems to be able to get the dog to come back although it seems to follow him eventually. I have to say I'm not too keen to have this dog near Alfie because it's a big dog which might or might not harm Alfie. Not proof of course that it does but you never know. I think it's irresponsible to let a dog off and let it roam around like that as you never know what it might get up to, even getting run over by a car or attacking other dogs or even children.