It may still be winter- officially- but there is a definite spring-like feeling in the air. The sun is out, the birdies are singing their little hearts out and there are even snowdrops coming out all over the place. I'm not sure of crocuses, but they can't be far off blooming. I saw daffodils on sale in Sainsbury's (which reminds me. Next time I'm in there I'll have to buy some as they were Carol's favourite flowers and I'd buy some for her when I could and put them in a vase. Can't think where the vase is, but I'm sure I can find one somewhere.) Next thing you'll see will be Easter eggs.
(Thursday) Another day. There's a surprise. Schools not going back until the beginning of March. It must be difficult home schooling. Getting children to concentrate. Glad it's not me.
I keep getting telephone calls. I had a landline phone and a mobile. When I answer, there's invariably a bit of a pause. A voice, sounding Indian or at least Asian. They can never pronounce my name, Murdoch, comes over as Murdosh. I get the idea. It's a scam of some sort. They usually ask 'our technical department has detected a problem with our computer.' Sometimes they say 'Microsoft,' which isn't the operating system of my computer. Or, they say there's a problem with my internet connection, which I know full well there isn't. Or my bank account, with a bank company i'm not with. I shan't say here. Do they think I'm naive and just go ahead and give them my bank details? Certainly not.
It's sunny and bright when I take Alfie out. A definite feeling of spring in the air. Definitely no sign of snow or ice.
(Friday) A really mild and particularly unseasonable morning. Got out with Alfie a little after 7.30 and came in through the side door. I now have a key, which saves time, rather than coming back in through the front door. This is because next week the central area of Dexter House will be out of bounds as workmen are removing asbestos. I wouldn't have been able to take Alfie out through that area, hence the extra key to get out through the side door.
Yesterday afternoon, around 330 or so, I got a telephone call from Lloyd's Pharmacy to say they couldn't make up my latest repeat prescription. The alternative was for me to go into Sainsbury's and retrieve the printed prescription so as to get it made up elsewhere. I coupon't think where to take it without having to traipse around Milton Keynes, visiting endless pharmacies. I've never had this problem before with any of my medication, so this was something of a surprise. Probably something to do with the supplier they use, but I'm not entirely sure. I then thought I might go to Aldi which is opposite my doctor's surgery in Bradwell Common where there is a branch of Boots and then I can shop in Aldi's as they do a great selection of puddings and I can get a piece of steak for tomorrow's evening meal, a bit of a treat. So, I first went to Sainsbury's after I'd done my washing and drove to fill the car with diesel at the Esso station in Child's way and then on to Sainsbury's. I got the printed-out prescription and bought two bunches of daffodils, which is something I do (as mentioned elsewhere about the fact that Carol loved daffodils and I gt them at this time of year as a sort of memory.) Then, on to Bradwell Common. Boots didn't have the medication in stock (where have I heard this before?) but they could order it and I might be able to collect it tomorrow if I ring them to check they do have the medication. Just means a further drive tomorrow at some point or other during the day. Never mind.
When I got back from my little outing, no sooner I'd got through the door (I was preparing to take Alfie out at this particular moment in time.) the telephone rang. Hello, I thought, I can have a bit of fun here! It was another of those Asian voices, who can never pronounce 'Murdoch' properly. Also, being on my mobile, the number they are ringing from is displayed, Manchester. I immediately realise what their game is and say 'there really is nothing wrong with my computer or my broadband connection,' and say, 'I know this is a scam!" and they put the phone down sharpish. As my mother would say 'I may be green, but I'm not cabbage-looking!' or something like that as regards this type of thing.
(Later) I've had yet ANOTHER of those telephone calls. Again, I had a game with the person who rang. Do they really think people will fall for their scam? Probably some people made, but I'm not going to to fall for their game. I know that, generally, I am fairly what you'd call 'on the ball' with this sort of thing, but there are those who fall hook line and sinker for this type of thing and, unfortunately, get ripped off and some hand over their life savings to these criminals. There is even one sick person 'out there' sending either emails or making telephone calls attempting to get people to hand over money for the latest coronavirus vaccine, which as we all know (or at least, we should know) these vaccines are free. But people do fall for the scams.
