Going Swimming and More Benefit Blues

I've been attempting to find a local swimming pool so that I can go swimming (well, whatever else do you do at a swimming pool?) We used to be members of DW near the stadium and then transferred to Nuffield Health at  Kent's Hill. I could have returned to Nuffield, but it would be too painful emotionally because of not having  my lovely Carol with me to go with. Also, the monthly charge has gone up considerably to around £44 which I don't intend paying, even though it meant visiting as many times as you want a month. But I don't want to pay a monthly membership but would like somewhere with a sauna and possibly a Jacuzzi which were available to members at both former clubs. A decent swimming pool without a lot of noise and no loud music or children screaming. I looked on line and decided that Bletchley Leisure Centre had such facilities, so the other morning I ventured forth. I haven't really explored Bletchley, apart from when we've gone to Swinton Insurance office that used to be in Queensway, but has since closed down and all their business is done on line.

The leisure centre is in a real maze of streets and you can park in a multi-storey carpark nearby, designed on a sort of helper-skelter principle. I'm not over-keen on this style of carpark. I don't really like parking my car on a slope for one thing and just trust the car's brakes don't fail because you're relying on them to keep the car from moving backwards or whatever. I don't really like multi-storey carparks at the best of times. Anyway, I went into the leisure centre. It's in a real dump of an area and has to be down one of the ugliest approaches to any building. I paid my entrance fee and went into the changing area. You have to put your belongings in a locker and use your own padlock, which I had bought for when we went to Nuffield and it took me some time to remember the combination to open the thing. We didn't want to have keys when we went as it would mean there was the possibility of loosing them which would have been disaster. You change in a small cubicle which has a lock and the whole place looks as if it's in need of a revamp, sort of stuck in a 1970's or 1980's time warp. Not generally too bad, but could be better. Never mind.

Once at the pool-side I realised I had timed my visit totally wrong, because, as it was the beginning of the schools summer holiday it was swarming with children. The pool is divided up into three sections, one for serious swimmers (which is where I wrongly decided to enter the pool, until I was told off in no uncertain terms by a lady who shooed me away from the other end of the pool a bit like a slightly bad tempered primary school teacher. I won't go in that area again. Then I transferred to the main area, which was crowded with children, some with adults, but also a group of teenage boys who spent all their time messing around and splashing one another and generally not considering the other pool users, getting in the way and not being considerate at all. All I wanted to do was gently swim up and down the pool, but their behaviour and the fact that they got in my way was really annoying. One lady of a more mature age race them a talking to, but it didn't seem to make any difference and they continued their anti-social behaviour.

Once I'd left the pool because of the behaviour of those youths and the fact that there was so little space with all the children, I decided to get dried and dressed and then went into the café had a cold drink and a snack and then left the leisure centre and walked back to the car in the multi-storey carpark. When I arrived at my car I found I wasn't able to reverse out because there was a car in the way because the young girl driver was having real problems getting the car to start. No worries. It happens to the best of us. A bit of patience required. Her father was attempting to give advice, she was trying to get the car to start, no success and if you do it too often you probably cause more problems, such as flooding the engine. In the end the only resolution to the situation was to push the car back into the parking space it had come out of (hence blocking my car in so I couldn't reverse out.) which I helped to push, along with another male driver who volunteered his services. Once returned to it's parking space, father and daughter walked off towards the leisure centre. I imagine, with time, the car would start. Over attempting to start it was doing no good and a long rest might mean the petrol would drain out of the carburettor and next time they tried to start it, there would be no problem. Or at least, that was my thinking. Once the car was moved, I could reverse out and go home. 

I had a letter from Milton Keynes Council this morning when I returned from my swim,  informing me that because I hadn't let them know I had been awarded Pension Credit, all of £7 per week, I would have today them back £440. When I last went into the Council Benefits office and spoke to a lady she never once asked to see the letter I had from Pension Credit. I was told that Pension Credit would i form the Council, but it is now quite obvious that this never happened. If I make a mistake (I didn't, but there's no point arguing.) I have to pay. If they make a mistake, the same happens. I just need to know that my rent is going to be paid, full stop. Earlier I had attempted to contact the D.W.P. (Department of Work and Pensions) to try and find out what was happening regarding the matter of Carol's pension from when presumably she worked in Bournemouth. The man I spoke to first told me I would need to ring another number as he hadn't got the information on his computer system, so I rang this new number, to be informed that their computer system was being up-graded which meant they couldn't get into it until later in the day or perhaps the next day. All this, meanwhile, having consequences for my housing Benefit and other financial matters.

I have now written a letter which I intend sending to the Benefits Section at Milton Keynes Council. When I visited them later in the morning, having received the letter about having to payback over-paid benefits, I was told that I might get what is called a Discretionary payment to pay some of my rent, so I have this morning filled in the form and will take it to the Council later today.

Sunshine Is Good For The Soul

It's another of those beautifully bright and sunny July days which really lifts your spirits. Having taken the Diazepam tablet last night, I had yet another really good sleep and didn't wake until gone 6 o'clock. I think Alfie is gradually adjusting to my new routine of getting up later and later and we didn't get out until a little before 7 a.m. I am a little bit concerned that there are far more cars parked along Golden Drive and even a few traffic cones. I have an idea that these cars may belong to employees of the hospital which is just behind this house. I do hope it doesn't mean we're going to get more employees parking here as it's getting a bit crowded. I have no complaint about this issue, but if it means that Eaglestone residents don't have space to park then it is a serious issue. What does annoys me is when people insist on parking across the footpath. It's difficult to actually differentiate which is road and which is path for pedestrians and it's a bit unfair that you have to walk into the road when a car is in the way. Some cars even park on the grass, which is eventually going to destroy this feature along the roadside because this area isn't designed to take the weight of a car. It would be alright in the summer, when it it is dry, but when it rains or there's snow and ice it is going to cause more problems and merely churn up the grass and create mud.

I had decided to go into the Council offices and discover whether they had heard anything from the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) with regards my Pension Credit. I wanted to get there as soon as I could after they opened at 9 o'clock. I was daring when I wore my shorts! It has been hot enough to wear them. I parked the car in the usual carpark near The Point, using the RingGo app to pay. It actually worked, but I had a pocket-full of £1 coins just in case.

I walked into the shopping centre and then out the opposite side near Costa and near Marks and Spencer and on arrival in the Civic Centre I had to first sign in using one of the touch-screen terminals. I couldn't get the one I used to work so I had to ask a member of staff and then got a ticket from the machine with number 204 on it and went to sit down and wait. I was surprised how few people there were in there. I imagine most people would arrive later or simply couldn't get out of bed. I had bought my World Wildlife Fund reusable bag with me, containing reading as well as writing material. But my number wasn't long in appearing on the digital screen and the automated voice spoke out the number. No doubt this is for those whose vision isn't very good and I walked across to the desk. I explained to the lady behind the desk why I was there, to find out if they'd had any notification from the D.W.P. about my Pension Credit claim. They hadn't. Then I asked her about having my Housing Benefit paid directly into my landlord's bank account. She tried to persuade me against this, saying it was only done in exceptional circumstances and I was adamant that I wanted this. She said that it would require a signature from my landlord and she went away to find the relevant form for me to fill in. As it is about the time when I get a visit from the landlord and his wife, once a year for a mere ten minutes, it would be then that I would get him to agree to the Housing Benefit going directly into his bank account. I also learnt that the next payment of Housing Benefit (which should be to cover the entirety of the rent.) is on 22nd July. By which time I should have heard via the D.W.P. regarding the newly-discovered pension that Carol had when she was living and working in Bournemouth (which is going to effect the amount I receive from the Council.)

A Little Bit Of This And That! (And in some cases, 'Little' being the operative word.)

(Wednesday)I've been for my appointment with the counselling lady at Macmillan at Milton Keynes Hospital. The appointment was at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It's no more than a 10-15 minute walk away, which is fortunate as if you go in the car you only have the annoyance of finding a parking space. I notice that they are well on the way to completing the new cancer care unit which is being built on what was the staff carpark. It is supposed to be opening at the end of 2019. I remember when Carol was in one of the wards at the hospital we could see workmen staring work on I think what turned out to be the multi-storey carpark for the staff, so, thinking about it now, it was obvious that they would need to build that before starting work on the cancer centre, otherwise there would be nowhere for the staff to park. The structure is covered in pink, I don't know what it is, but one hopes it won't remain pink, probably a layer for insulation before the other surface is put in position over it.

Thursday. Phil and Robert came back this morning. They've done a really amazing job. The grass now looks a little more like a lawn (but not quite.) Phil managed to get the mower on it and take off the cut grass, which I think is the main problem. The little electric mower we have, a rotary job, really struggled to even touch the long grass and we never used a collection box, so the loose grass which was cut and left only added to the problems. The front looks even better, with the flower bed dug over and the grass and weeds remove and also the grass which was springing up on he parking space is gone and looks very neat and tidy.

I went to the Oaktree Centre for another session of The Church Course. This one on the history of the church. I now know who was there to help me when I collapsed when I had my heart attack in September. Just grateful for him and others who dealt with things the way they did, had First Aid experience and managed to make sure I didn't get injured when I collapsed on the floor. The lady who dealt so amazingly that morning works in the intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital, so I know I was in good hands. Another good reason to support staff who work for the N.H.S. and the brilliant work they do.

Had a letter from Pension Credit. It was just reiterating what went into the application and no word about how much I'm likely to get. I have an appointment with AgeUK on Thursday regarding what other benefits I can claim and if they can help in any way to help me find alternative accommodation. As the landlord seems incapable of maintaining this house, then I'd much rather move to somewhere smaller and with lower rent, if that is at all possible. Just causing me further stress. The medication I was given by the doctor on Tuesday is going to run out on Sunday. So this means I will have to get a further appointment on Monday morning, along with all the stress that causes.

Friday. My friend Nick, who lived in the same house as me in Rutland Road in Bedford around 16 years ago, had texted me to say he could meet up with me in Milton Keynes today. He now lives in Northampton and came by bus as he has a free bus pass. We were going to meet at Starbucks, but which branch, as there are two in Milton Keynes, one in the main shopping centre and the other in Midsummer Place, the newer section. I got to the shopping centre and parked where I usually park and then  walked in and sat and waited outside Starbucks. We were scheduled to meet at 11a.m.

Saturday. Bright and sunny again this morning. Alfie and I were out walking around Eaglestone Park by around 6.10 and back before 6.30. No point lazing around in bed when it's such a lovely day. I say a group of squirrels playing around a tree as we walked along the path near the shop. Alfie didn't see them. I don't think he can see that well because he's so low to the ground. Funny this, because if he sees them in the garden he goes mad and barks, but out in the park, then he doesn't take any notice. Generally his eyesight is fine, particularly when it's seeing off pussycats!

I don't hang about. Why waste time in bed on a warm and sunny day, although as I write this at 8.45a.m, it's become a bit overcast and a bit dull, I've been to put credit on both the gas and electric meters, going to the local shop to do this. Then I drove to Aldi at Bradwall Common and was in and out of there in barely 20 minutes and then home to put everything away and now sitting here drawing breath. Alfie fussing to be given a treat out of the bag that sits on the bookshelf.

I went to the Oaktree Centre a little after 10 o'clock because there was a car-boot sale on. Fortunately it wasn't too hot. I had a bit of a wander round but nothing took my fancy. I was impressed by he vintage car that one of the church regulars had bought along, a Ford. It's in amazing condition. It must have taken ages to restore it to near-perfect condition. It reminds me of the cars that were used when I worked on the BBC television series 'Campion,' which starred Brian Glover and Peter Davidson. I was one of the villain's henchmen. Yes, I know, me as a baddie? Not brilliant casting, but good fun. I think I've described in fair detail how it went. A really hot day, if I remember rightly.

I got home and there was a pile of mail waiting on the doormat. One, a fairly thick manilla envelope, the sort that screams 'government department,' either H.M.S.O., or Dept of Work and Pensions (which is what it was from.) informing me that they had calculated how much Pension Credit I should get. Go on, shall I tell you? The princely sum of £7 per week. Hardly going to help pay my rent. They tell me that I'm being paid too much, including my pension and what I get from Carol's Teachers' pension. So, what shall I spend that on? A couple of packets of biscuits, teabags, washing-up liquid. I know I shouldn't complain, but the length of time it's taken to sort out and all he stress, it's hardly worth the effort to apply and just think of the cost in administration. Seems to me that it's one step forward and several back.

The meds the doctor gave me last Tuesday will run out tonight when I take the final one. So it means I will have to ring the surgery tomorrow to get a repeat or at least another similar medication. Just more annoyance and stress . . .