Wheels Came Off The Bus

Saturday. 7.30 a.m. So, the wheels did actually come off the bus with Boris Johnson's resignation. The big question I have is, did he jump, or was he pushed? I think he was totally deluded if he thought he could remain as Prime Minister, considering what has been going on regarding 'so-called' 'Partygate' and the goings-on regarding Chris Pincher (I won't go into details on THAT.) 

This morning I have now moved the unit which had my microwave on it into the lounge. A bit of effort was required to do this, rather like a big game of Tetris. One thing moves, another thing goes into the space created, and then another bit of furniture is moved in. It has taken a considerable amount of thought and effort to achieve this. A bit like when I worked in stage management, working out how scene changes would be achieved, and often in a very short space of time. The problem is, now there's more furniture than the room can really take. It's going to be a bit of a squeeze, which is something of an exaggeration, but I will have to cope until the work in the kitchen is completed. 

12.50 p.m. I now have china and other kitchen items stored in the unit, which I moved from the kitchen (it was opposite the oven. I was hoping I might have got a new unit in that space, and, as there are what must have been screw holes in the wall above, I assume at one time there was a wall unit, but unfortunately I won't get this, as they are only replacing 'old for new.' Shame, but it's just as well I have this unit, which came from Amazon. 

I went into the main Milton Keynes shopping centre around 9.30. I just needed a break from the flat and all the shifting of stuff. I had intended to buy a magazine I have had on occasion, called 'Current Archaeology.' But W.H.Smith, from where I have managed to buy it before, have seen fit to rearrange their magazine section and the magazine doesn't appear to be there. Just very annoying. I think it might be worthwhile having a subscription and, as a result, having each monthly edition delivered, the same way I have two other magazines, 'BBC History Magazine' and 'History Today'.

The mention of those two magazines makes me think about how they are delivered, by the Royal Mail. But there is a slight problem. Well, not actually a problem. You may recall all the flats within Dexter House had their front doors replaced. But the letter box in each of these doors has a flap inside, a sort of curved metal buffer if you like (I can't think of a better way to describe it.) It may be fine if ordinary letters are inserted through the letter box, but with this metal contraption, anything larger, for example, a magazine, will get mangled. Not such a clever device. Meant, one supposes, to prevent smoke from getting into the flat should there be a fire. But nobody tested these things to find out how they would prevent larger items from being put through the letter box. 

Sunday. 5.30 a.m. Another warm and still morning. 

12.35 p.m. I didn't go to church this morning, but watched the service online, via Facebook. 

Currently, the temperature, according to my digital thermometer, is 82ºF. Just quietly roasting, but does it matter? Seems not. I have attempted to get this reduced, but no one will listen. Crazy.

5.00 p.m. Alfie has been for a second visit to the family who is, hopefully, going to look after him when I go to visit Worcester. He seems to be settling down and enjoying being with them. We will have one more session and then let's see what happens next.

Monday. 6.45 a.m. So, this is it! All the waiting, all the frustration, the screaming, the shouting, the stamping of little feet. What am I referring to? Why, of course, the runners and riders in the race to select the replacement for Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party after the resignation of Boris Johnson. It makes me laugh when you see the two-faced behaviour of these MPs, one minute, all smiles and patting each other on the back, and, no sooner as any of them come forward as candidates, they're stabbing each other in the back (metaphorically, of course!) Rather like something out of a Shakespeare drama, such as 'Julius Caesar.' More like the television series (which I worked on, the BBC version, that is.) 'House of Cards.'

The last of the things have been moved out of the kitchen, and here I am, ready for the workmen to arrive to refurbish my kitchen. It's a bit of a squeeze in my lounge, with more than enough extra bits of furniture, but if it means I get a new, improved kitchen, then I don't mind.

8.25 a.m. Two workmen have come to start breaking up the units in the kitchen. I am going to have a temporary sink so at least I can wash up and make a cup of tea. Temporary that is, until the brand, spanking new sink unit is installed. (Intend to post each step of the journey from old to new kitchen on here. I am photographing it as well.)

Much of A Muchness

Monday. 4.50 a.m. Well, here I am, sitting in my armchair, merrily writing this blog post, but not with any real idea what I'm going to write, but I'm sure if I keep tapping away on the keyboard something will suddenly come to me. The big issue of the week is, you've guessed it, when am I going to manage to get diesel, so I can fuel the car? In that respect, nothing much has changed.

Wednesday. 6.50 a.m. It's dark and dreary. I don't exactly like this time of year, and even more so when the clocks change. Alfie is whittling to go out, but I will wait around ten minutes before we venture forth.

Thursday. 12.35 p.m. There's a great deal of banging and scraping in the next flat to mine. I have a feeling they are upgrading it. There's going to be a lot of renovation of the entire block. There are words written on the walls along the corridor, 'Pebble', 'Romney Wool' etc. These words (no, not one of the residents going bonkers due to lockdown and scrawling graffiti, though at times I feel like doing that.) refer to the carious paint colours which will eventually be gracing the corridor. Even the brown door-frames and window frames are to be given a lick of paint! Good gracious! Whatever next? The scooter sheds are in place, looking similar to bin cupboards or even those portable toilets you see at open-air events such as music festivals. They have rather cleverly designed roofs which slope backwards to prevent snow remaining on them or to make sure rain runs off. So, am I likely to get a revamp in my flat? I have someone to check out my bathroom. Will I be getting a full-length bath? A shower unit? A power shower? A bath with gold taps, diamond encrusted surround? Mosaics on the floor? A sauna? Or is that asking too much? Perhaps a hot tub in the garden? An Olympic-size swimming pool with all mod-cons? Don't hold your breath! One can dream I suppose.

Friday. 10.05 a.m. Yesterday evening we had the first session of The Prayer Course at the Oaktree Centre. I was leading the men's group after we had watched the video that goes with the course. Run in a similar fashion to the Alpha Course, which I have been involved in several times over the years, both as a participant and helper. It was my first experience of leading, and I was pleased how well it went, quite difficult utilizing all the questions within the twenty-minute time slot. My friends Margaret and Mike came to give me a lift in their car as mine is still without fuel, but still sitting on the drive. The fuel can is due to arrive from Amazon, so hopefully the fuel situation will be resolved when I have diesel in the fuel tank. Only time will tell.

The fuel can turned out around lunchtime. I have to say I was somewhat surprised as I was expecting it to turn up on Monday, probably late. It seems a good deal smaller than I was expecting, but it should be sufficiently large enough to manage enough diesel to at least partially fill my car's fuel tank. But I find the closure and the spout, which has to be fitted separately, relatively difficult to closer and attach, but I'm sure with some effort I can deal with these things.

I have a couple of books ordered from Postscript, a catalogue and on-line discount book company. Their latest catalogue came with my November issue of BBC History Magazine, so I had to browse and found two books, one about Stonehenge and the other about Hadrian's Wall, at greatly reduced prices, so it was too tempting, so did the order on their website, and they should arrive, delivered my Hermes. I knew, as soon as I saw the catalogue/leaflet/brochure, that I would find something of interest in it, as I have done before. Parcel expected to arrive sometime tomorrow.

I waited in all day for someone to come a check-out my bathroom to have a refit. They were supposed to come between 8am and 2 pm, but not a single thing, not a dicky bird, not an email, text message or telephone call to explain why they didn't arrive, not an apology or anything. So what happened? Maddening enough to have to wait in on the off-chance someone turns up and particularly when you're not sure exactly when they will arrive, but not turning up at all is infuriating. Not a good way to run a business. No doubt I will get a grovelling apology later in the week, but I somehow doubt it.

Saturday. 8.45 a.m. I didn't wake until around 7.15, so Alfie didn't get his usual outing until gone 7.30. Somewhat surprising to find it foggy as we walked down Strudwick Drive.

Because the car is virtually empty of fuel and not really advisable to drive, I made the decision to walk to Sainsbury's, which is no more than a twenty-minute walk away across Oldbrook Green and through some residential streets. I had a prescription to collect from Lloyd's pharmacy, so it was an excuse to pick up a few essential items, notably some more easy peelers, which I have eaten virtually every day since the pandemic began in March 2020. I've also bought a smart light bulb which is colour-changing. It is operated via an app on my iPad, and it was relatively easy to set up. Great also to be able to dim the bulb and have it at a purer white than the old bulb I had in the fitment which was giving off more of a dim oil lamp sort of glow or possibly candlelight strength, not really very good for reading by.

When I went out mid-morning with Alfie, and as we walked along the path beside Strudwick Drive, I could hear a sound which I thought was a bird. Then I stopped by the tree that hangs over the fence of the community garden at Dexter House and saw a squirrel running up and down the branches. It was that making the sounds. I wasn't even aware that squirrels made a noise, and not that sort of noise. Probably calling to its mate, or at least other squirrels. Most likely a warning sound made to alert other squirrels.

The Postscript books arrived mid-morning. I was surprised how quickly they came, considering the problems there have been with working under lockdown conditions for more than eighteen months

Stir Crazy

(Tuesday)This confinement is not easy. Just being stuck in my flat with just Alfie for company is having a somewhat deleterious effect on me. Mentally and physically. We are being told by the government that we can have one exercise session per day (which is all very well, but one small Yorkshire Terrier needs a good deal more than one walk per day.) I am reading a good deal more than I have done in some time, not just my book '"The Age of Decadence" by Simon Heffer, but articles from BBC History Magazine as well as History Today. Watching television has become somewhat predictable. Daytime television has become one endless session about buying and selling houses, mostly people who insist on moving to the countryside because they have more money than sense, and why would you want a house which is far too big for a couple, and probably have extra bedrooms for friends and family to stay so they can be entertained in the surroundings of a large house. Antiques are fine, but it's just becoming boring, experts driving around the British countryside and buying antiques which they find and attempting to sell them for a profit.

The government has bought in stricter controls to attempt to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Over the last weekend a lot of people have not heeded the social distancing. People crowding onto Underground trains in London as well as at beauty spots. If they are young people, in the 18-30 age group, the chances are they don't watch broadcast television and probably not read newspapers (at least in print-form at any rate.) and are not interested in politics and wouldn't watch the daily press conferences. In general, the British don't like being told what to do. Unlike communist countries where the population is spied on and their citizens controlled by The State. Bureaucracy gone crazy. Just look at the EU and then you have a good reason for the Brexit vote. Many European countries, such as Greece and France, were invaded by the Nazis during the Second World War, so you can see how they would just roll over and be subjugated by the EU. A load of 'you can't do-this-and-that.' Control gone made, so that explains why it has such a hold over people's lives. Rant over.

(Wednesday) The sun is shining. It's a lovely spring morning. No wind and no rain. But we have to remain in our homes. I've taken Alfie out for his second walk of the day. It's eerily quiet. Rather like a bank holiday. Very little traffic around. But the silence is strange, to say the least. People seem to be making an effort to be socially distant. At Dexter House we can't use the lounge or kitchen. It doesn't bother me because I don't utilise them much anyway.

(Thursday) The weather has changed. That's what makes the United Kingdom what it is; the fact that the weather is so changeable. It has turned quite cold and there was a light frost on the cars as I walked Alfie along Dexter Avenue before 6a.m. this morning. It is sunny and bright, but as I say, it has turned chilly.

If anything, this current situation has got we writing again. I have pages of notes as well as part-written bits and pieces of stories, which are part of a far longer piece. I have started off on an entirely different tack with my current piece of writing, sparked on my a BBC documentary presented by Lucy Worsley about Jane Austen. I've always loved Lucy's programmes and she has a wealth of knowledge. I won't divulge too much of what I'm creating, but I can't think of a better way to spark off an idea than from Austen.

Later. I spent some more time writing. As a consequence, Alfie didn't get an earlier afternoon walk, but I took him out at around 4.15. I noticed that some of Oldbrook Green has been mown. They had done the end nearest The Cricketers public house, but the opposite side had only been mown along the edge. Such is my life at the moment that I have to mention such mundane matters as mowing. Unfortunately, whoever does the mowing, they have to run their vehicles over the grass and leave horrible tyre marks. It would be nice if this doesn't happen.

There's been a crazy woman (I'm not sure if she lives at Dexter House or not, or whether she's a friend of one of the residents. I doubt it, because visitors aren't supposed to come here at present.) who has been outside in the garden, sitting on a deckchair and who has been wearing what looks like a thick coat with a fur collar. She must be a bit loopy, because it has been really warm today. I saw here when I was standing at the kitchen sink doing some washing-up. She must have seen me because she waved. Another woman was with her and I get the distinct impression they have been drinking, what is probably wine, as I saw them with glasses in their hands and one of them produced a bottle and poured whatever the contents were into one of the glasses. The things you see from your kitchen window when you are doing the washing up!

Friday morning. I was surprised by how cold it is out this morning, when I took Alfie out for his walk. It was well before 6 o'clock. Am I crazy, or what? No, definitely not. If it's light, we'll go out, regardless, even though he makes a great deal of noise as soon as he catches on I'm in the process of getting ready to go out.

A Mixed Bag

(Saturday) This year is the 50th Wedding Anniversary (Golden) of Mike and Margaret Jobling, two of the loveliest people I know, and members of Shenley Christian Fellowship, both of whom have supported me throughout the ordeal of watching Carol suffer and eventually die from bowel cancer. On Saturday there was a tea party at the Oaktree Centre and I was invited. I have to say it was quite difficult for me in respect that Carol and myself only had 11 years together, ended so tragically as I have mentioned. Someone had gone to a great deal of time and effort to set up tables in the main hall, all with food set out beautifully on each, sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream, cakes of all descriptions and the whole decorated with golden decorations. A really lovely afternoon.

(Monday)I needed to get the car to Bleak Hall Motors for 8.30. I got there earlier and they were open. Thinking about it now, I wasn't sure they said they were open at 8.00 or 8.30. It didn't matter because it was soon signed in and they seemed to get it in the workshop and up on a lift and they had to order spare parts. It cost far more than I anticipated, but the work was needed as it was for one of the brakes. I was told last year when it was MoT'd that the brakes on one of the wheels (don't ask me which one, because I have no idea.) so, if it's gone a whole year without any problems, then it hasn't really cost much when I work it out. It has, unfortunately, got to go back before November to have a timing belt done. (No, I don't know what it does. But according to the poster in the garage waiting area it can be damaged because of the Captur being diesel and the test can damage it. Again, don't ask me how or why, because my knowledge of the engine in cars in very limited. I only drive a car, and I'm certainly not a motor mechanic. Fortunately the drive to Bleak Hall at that time in the morning was fairly straightforward. It can be extremely busy long Standing Way at that early hour although the traffic going in the opposite direction was heavy and was building up from the Watling Street direction.

The car was having brakes fixed, so I just had to sit and wait in the waiting area. Around 2 hours. I'm not the best person when it comes to waiting, I'll be perfectly honest. A television on, as you often get in waiting areas, wherever you are, but they were bleating on about Brexit, and if I hear any more about it I'm likely to scream. I'm glad they've closed down parliament for 5 weeks so at least it's not going to be on television every time I turn on the news. I had my iPhone with me and listened to a podcast about the Anglo Saxons, which was really interesting, some Cambridge University academic. The podcast which goes with BBC History Magazine which I subscribe to, so the time wasn't entirely wasted. And somewhat related to the book I'm currently reading about the Norman Conquest which is excellent.

Tuesday. Camphill as usual. Teo was interviewed by a man who turned up minutes after I arrived. I thought it was for radio, but it was soon revealed that it was a podcast. I don't know where it's going to be available, but as I listen to the occasional podcast, I would be interested to hear, but don't know when it will be available. While he was engaged on that, the rest of the guys did a run of 'Stranger Danger' and then Teo appeared. He's going to be away on holiday for several weeks and has left instructions for us. After tea break three of us were working away from the rehearsal, sitting at a table in the foyer area. We are working on ideas for a new theatre piece, not sure what form it's going to be, but Teo gave us a folder with pieces of poetry and scripts to read to see if any sparked any ideas. At this point I'm not sure of this at all and don't really have any concepts for anything. We'll have to wait and see, but it's better than just watching the rehearsal and not being involved.

Because there was training for the residents at Camphill, followed by a community assembly, there was no further drama workshop, but Teo took us down to the costume store, because when he is on holiday we will be sorting out and cleaning this room. Then I went home because there was nothing for me to stay for after lunch. I drove home and had lunch and, because it was so warm and sunny, I decided to take Alfie for a walk, but made a determined effort I wanted to go a different route, walking along the Redway past the Academy and then towards the Four Bridges roundabout and crossed over Chaffron Way and then Saxon Street and kept walking down towards the Grand Union Canal and walked along the towpath and back to Peartree Bridge and then back onto the Redway towards Eaglestone and home. All told, yesterday, we walked around 5 miles, which was with all the walking, first thing, during the day and after yesterday's afternoon walk.

It's becoming quite autumnal. It's a good deal chillier early when I take Alfie out for his walk and there are signs of fallen leaves, although, looking out of the lounge window at the moment (8.35 a.m.) there are still leaves on the trees at the end of the garden and seen over the fence.

Annoying Packaging

Some packaging that products come in is incredibly difficult to open. Carol has Lucozade Sport drinks which come in plastic bottles that have a cap that would break your finger nails if you try to open them. I found the only way to get into them is to use the space in the angle of a door and hold the bottle at an angle and slowly shut the door until it catches on the bottle cap and use the door as a sort of pincher. It works perfectly, but why make these bottles like this. Unfortunately these bottles are made of plastic. Can they be recycled? I doubt it. While I'm on the subject of plastic, what are manufacturers going to use to replace it? Will someone invent biodegradable plastic which can be composted or breaks down in the earth? Without any harmful residues?

I've mentioned the difficulty of opening those bottles that liquid soap comes in. You're supposed to twist the spout and press down or something, but I can never get it to open.

We have several magazine subscriptions. I have BBC History Magazine. They come through the post, wrapped in plastic (again, plastic.) They are notoriously difficult to open. There's no 'pull tab.' You can always tear the wrapping, but then there is the possibility of damaging the magazine within. The only way to open is to cut with a knife or use a pair of scissors. Of course your don't want the magazine to be either damaged or to come out of the packaging, but why not make it with a tab to pull?

Cheese comes in plastic. That is, the presliced variety. Some comes in a nifty packet which you can re-close with a sort of plastic zip, but to gain access you have to cut along the top edge, not always easy, especially with a knife. Scissors are best and then to re-seal you press together the two edges of the 'zip.' It does work and keeps the cheese within fresh.

Why do those plastic packs of butter and margarine have that horrible bit of paper directly inside the lid? What is it's purpose? I generally discard it as soon as I open a fresh pack. It really serves no real purpose.

I cannot think of any further instances of annoying packaging, but I'm almost certain that there are more, so no doubt I will mention them in future blog posts.

Sorted!

Carol has recently bought a mandolin on Amazon. It arrived only a day or two ago. A really large package for something relatively small. Did they need to send it in such a large box and with so much packing inside? There was only one problem, and that was tuning the thing. She also wanted a book of music to play, even something relatively basic was all that was required. We went on line to try and find a local bricks-and-mortar music shop. We eventually found a music shop in the Xcape in Milton Keynes and drove there during yesterday morning. It's called Musickavern. It was great to find the shop open. A wide selection of musical instruments, such as pianos, guitars, drum kits and- mandolins! Also, a good selection of printed music as well as accessories connected with all areas of musical production. I'm not sure whether it was the owner of the shop who helped Carol find the right book and tuner, but whoever it was made a lot of effort to help and was extremely friendly

The business of the BBC History Magazine binder has now been resolved. I had an email from the call centre during the course of yesterday to inform me that the payment had gone through successfully and that I would receive my binder in the post in a couple of day's time. So that is- sorted! Thank goodness, as it's taken quite a lot of time and effort. I'll now wait until the binder arrives in the post, or however it's sent. Once I've seen it, how easy it is to put the magazines in it, I will buy more so that I can bind all my BBC Magazines, as they are currently in magazine racks in the shelves.

Frosty and Sunny

I went outside early this morning to put the rubbish out. It was reasonably mild, but there was ice on the car's windscreen. As the day progressed we had a certain amount of sun, but not a great deal. 

I've mentioned the trouble I've had attempting to order a binder for my collection of BBC History Magazines. I went on-line to order the said binder, and I was expecting the thing to turn up within about 2-3 weeks. I rang their call centre and I was told that they couldn't see a payment having gone through on their system. I have seen that the payment must have gone through as it shows up on my bank statement. I went into the local branch of Nationwide on Monday and was given a phone number to ring for their Visa Disputes department. I spent at least an hour yesterday attempting to get through, but just got a recorded message telling me that 'all our agents are busy.' In the end I gave up, but this morning I gave it another go and after about ten minutes I got through and then passed on to someone who was going to deal with the problem. They gave me what was called an 'acquirer number' and was told that, if I rang the call centre I gave them this number and it should help rectify the situation. This I did, and the operator then said they would need proof of the payment. I photographed the on-line statement showing the payment and emailed it to the operator I spoke to. I'm hoping that this should resolve the problem and I await the delivery of the aforementioned binder. What a lot of effort and fuss caused by all this, but never mind. It just goes to show that not all I.T. is what it's cracked up to be.

Bright, Sunny but Chilly

We have snow on the ground, but the sun is out and it's quite a pleasant morning. Let's hope the snow thaws and things begin to warm up a bit.

I've been out to the Milton Keynes main shopping centre. I parked near The Point (although, in all honesty, it's in an appealing state. Can nobody do something to it, restore it, or just demolish it? It seems a waste of a building, which could surely be used for something. Considering it's a sort of iconic structure, which almost represents Milton Keynes, you'd think something could be done with it.) It may be bright and sunny, but there was a chill wind blowing as I walked from the car into Midsummer Place. I had a browse in Waterstone's. They always have tables with books on, almost directly inside the door as you enter. Almost always have offers, such as 'buy one, get one half price.' Very tempting, but in the end I didn't pick up anything and buy it. I think that's the idea; once you've touched a product, you sort of 'own it,' so you then buy it. I went upstairs to the history centre and there are quite a few books that I will buy in the future, whether from Waterstone's or Amazon, I don't know. As we have Amazon Prime, we get free postage and packing, so it's generally cheaper to buy from them. I know it seems unfair on some 'bricks-and-mortar' bookshops, but if they're going to survive they'll have to make it more attractive to shop there as well as lowering their prices. I must say the Waterstone's in Midsummer Place has been upgraded quite successfully. They have a new coffee shop on the ground floor, whereas they used to have a branch of Costa coffee on the upper floor. Now there seems more shelf space and they also did away with Paperchase (much to Carol's dismay as she's a fan of that companies stationary items.) The new owners of Waterstone's have obviously realised that the stores needed a well-needed facelift to meet 21st shopper's requirements.

I was in real need of refreshment. I had considered the coffee shop in Waterstone's but having looked at the food on offer I gave it a miss. I walked through the main shopping centre. I walked the full length of the mall and then down the opposite walk-way. I had a glimpse in The Works (always good for a bargain book or two.) but nothing appealed. I went into Nationwide Building Society, because I had attempted to order a binder for my set of BBC History Magazines, but for some odd reason the order has not gone through, although the £7 has registered on my statement. When I rang to query this they did not have it shown on their system. I will have to ring and order the binder again and in Nationwide I was given a number to ring to get a refund of the £7. I don't understand what has happened and why things haven't gone as they should have.

Having walked back towards Midsummer Place, I decided to go into Marks and Spencer to have a break in their café. Not too much of a queue, which was preventing me going to several other outlets, such as Cafe Nero, opposite John Lewis. I had a decent latte, ham and cheese sandwich and a piece of Bakewell tart, and then went to have a browse in the men's clothing department and then back down to the main shopping mall. Just as I was walking past the second Waterstone's store I was aware of a male security guard chasing someone along the mall. I couldn't see who he was following, but as I got to about Starbuck's I saw a group of other security personnel. They approached this woman who was carrying a back-pack. She seemed more than a little reluctant to comply with their demands. I wasn't sure where she had been apprehended (no doubt shop-lifting). I wasn't going to hang about to find out, and didn't know whether she was searched to find out what she had lifted. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to ascertain whether she had paid for whatever it was, proof of purchase being required, such as a receipt, or C.C.T.V. footage of her lifting whatever it was. But she appeared to be in something of a bad temper with the security personnel, shouting and making a scene. I still don't know what the outcome of this incident was and wasn't over-keen to find out. I always think in such circumstances it's probably best to not get too involved as it can only lead to problems. But it was quite eventful when it lasted.

I returned to the car and drove first to Sainsbury's for some shopping and then home.

I have a fitness tracker. Not a Fitbit. It measures the number of footsteps taken as well as heart rate, as well as other measurements. Carol got one off Amazon and I decided to get one myself. Having walked the full length of the shopping centre, down one side and back along the other, I did over 3000 steps. My heart rate comes out at around 60-70 beats a minute. It links up to my iPhone with an app so you can see your progress or otherwise.

It looks as if the snow has gone completely, although, saying that, there were a few stray patches I saw along the side of the road driving back to Eaglestone.

Snow . . . Gone!

The snow is gone. Well, it had no chance, seeing how it's a good deal warmer this afternoon. The sun is out and it's almost spring-like. Apparently we are now officially into spring. 

Carol gave Alfie a bath. He was getting a bit smelly. We're still not entirely certain what has caused it, no doubt he's been rolling in something disgusting in the garden. He still has those nasty bits under his eyes which he just will not let us pull off. His coat is still in need of a good grooming, but what with one thing and another, we haven't managed to fit an appointment in with his usual groomer's. The mess on his face seems to be irritating as he keeps on rubbing himself on the sofa cushions and other places. If you attempt to deal with this he just growls at you.

We went to Sainsbury's this morning. We got a call from Lloyd's pharmacy yesterday evening to inform us that the patches that Carol needs have arrived, having been held up because of the snow. We've used up our Nectar points and bought a new toaster. It should be better than the old one and is able to cook four slices of bread in one go. A good deal more rugged than the old one. 

We have been informed that there is to be a series of marathons running past our house on Sunday 11th March. I saw the yellow sign up near the entrance to Eaglstone the other day and the organisers have seen fit to put a letter through our letterbox which also gives details. I'm not that bothered by this event, but I still can't see why it can't be rerouted along the Redway, which is only yards from Golden Drive. I remember when I made a comment about this on Facebook last year I got some rather scathing reactions from one particular individual. I think I'm entitled to have an opinion, even if it wasn't in agreement to his. Never mind. Some people are just so easy to wind up. For whatever reason, it just annoys me that we have to be inconvenienced by this event, meaning we won't be able to get in or out with the car whilst this is on. Never mind, I'm sure we'll be able to manage somehow.

I ordered a binder for my collection of BBC History Magazine at the beginning of February. I have been a subscriber for about four or five years and have kept all the copies. Most are in magazine racks, but I want to get the official binders so that each volume, which is 13 copies, kept together so they are easier to store and read. I went on-line to the publisher's website, Immediate Media, and ordered one binder through the website. I imagined that the binder would arrive in the post a few days later. But it's at least two weeks since I ordered, paying with my Debit card. This morning it still hadn't arrived, so I rang the helpline. Not a great deal of help. I was told that the order hadn't gone through, but checking my bank statement the cash has gone of of the account. On enquiring further, they weren't entirely sure whether the binder I wanted was out of stock. I have to say I'm not very impressed. If this particular binder was out of stock, they should have let me know at the time I ordered and paid, show this information on their website or at least email or write to me to let me know. The woman I spoke to said the binder might be sent in a couple of week's time. Why be so vague? Either they have it or they don't. Surely they would know where the particular product was in their system. I'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

Current Reading

I'm interested in history. I think there's something really fascinating in learning about what happened in the past, how things perhaps several hundred years ago have an impact on things today. I've read several books on 20th century history, first the Andrew Marr 2-book The Making of Modern Britain. The first goes from the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 up until the end of World War 2 and he second from 1945 up until the present day. I have Peter Ackroyd's first four books of his four-part series on the History of England.  The first is called 'Foundation, 'the second, 'Tudors', the third 'Civil War', and the fourth 'Revolution.' I'm not sure exactly when the final two books will be published or how far the series is likely to go. All these are worth reading. I've just finished reading 'Hope and Glory' by Peter Clarke, a history of the 20th century. I had wanted to read up as much as possible about the history of this period, so as to get a better understanding of why we're where we are now, with such things as Brexit, the E.U. and so on. I probably know more about the Tudor period, in particular anything to do with William Shakespeare, rather than this century.

My interest in history has always been there, but as we are members of both the National Trust and English Heritage you can't be ignorant of all the properties we visit which have connections to some aspect of history. One of our favourite places is Kenilworth Castle. It is a place just brimming over with history, particularly when connected to Queen Elizabeth 1. I read BBC History Magazine and recently started a subscription to History Today, which has had a revamp and is now in a far more compact format.

I've got a copy of  'The H.G. Wells Complete Short Stories.' I had watched a Sky Arts series called 'The Nightmare World of H.G. Wells,' which took a handful of his short stories and adapted them, rather in the style of 'Tales of The Unexpected' or 'The Outer Limits,' which are fantasy or science fiction-based shows. They did four of the stories as 2016 was the 150th anniversary of his birth. They adapted 'The Purple Pileus, 'The Moth', 'The Late Mr Elvisham,' and 'The Devotee of Art,' I've read the most famous story in the collection, which is a good deal longer than the average short story (I think it would be termed a novella) 'The Time Machine' and have read several of his novels, such as 'The Invisible Man' and 'War of The Worlds' but don't know the other stories so well. Today I read 'The Strange Orchid.' All these are exceptionally creepy and strange and not to be read when it's dark. I think 'The Strange Orchid' must have been the inspiration for 'Little Shop of Horrors.' 'The Time Machine', which I'm currently re-reading, is so good because it's convincing. The opening sequence, where 'The Time-Traveller' (who is never given his real name) is explaining his theories of time-travel, is done in such a way you can't not get drawn in, in a similar way to those of his friends who he's talking to. Then I have to ask, who is telling the story? As it's a first-person narrative, are we supposed to believe that it's actually H.G.Wells himself? It's no clear whether it is, but one is lead to suppose that it must be, probably because he wrote the story.

We have a bookcase which is bulging with books. Infact, we probably have more books than most people would usually have. A good deal of them need sorting and taking to a charity shop as they aren't likely to be read again. 

The Wonders of Tech (or perhaps not)

I had to go to Sainsbury's this morning. I didn't have to purchase too much so I wasn't in the store very long. When it came to pay and use a check-out I usually prefer to use a manned check out (sorry to sound sexist. They are usually operated by women, but a few male operators are employed in this store) One such human-operated check-out and there were long queues to use any of the checkouts. I had no choice but to use one of the self-service checkout. There are plenty of these, those which are more like a traditional check-out with a conveyor belt so if you have a lot of items to scan, then it's a relatively easy process to load the belt and then scan as the items move along towards the scanner and pack it all the other end. I walked towards the area where the other self-service checkout were. These are the more familiar form of self-service check-out, which are probably intended for those shoppers with only a few items to scan and pack. I had bought two 'bags for life' which you are now expected to use rather than rely on plastic bags which are used once and then disposed of and if you use them you are charged 5p for each one. I organised myself so as to scan each item from right-to-left so as to pack each item and place it in the bag in the bagging area. The first bag was a reusable one we'd bought in Waitrose and was presumably to heavy for the system as it told me 'unknown item in bagging area' and the digital screen asked me to get assistance. So a staff-member came and scanned his I.D. card to get the machine to clear and allow me to continue scanning my shopping. Several more items kept setting off an 'unrecognised item' message and stopping the scanning process once or twice more. I had to use the second bag and this didn't faze the machinery, thankfully, but it seemed to take a good deal longer to go through this process than was reasonable. It makes me wonder whether it's really saving time and effort to use one of these self-service check-outs when there are so many glitches and it requires a staff member to oversee their use. Just employ enough people to operate the traditional check-outs rather expecting shoppers to rely on these self-service check-outs.

From self-service check-outs on telephone sales and marketing. I have had a subscription to BBC History Magazine for a couple of years now. In February we had a slight financial hiccough when a lot of our subscriptions to the various magazines we subscribe to (and probably a few other direct debits which are related to such things as insurance, council tax, etc etc.) came out at around the same time and therefore depleted our bank account considerably. As a result I went into our bank and cancelled many of these subscriptions. You have to go to your bank to cancel a direct debit, no good going through the company to whom payment is made. Anyway, after some consideration, I have decided to reinstate the subscription to BBC History Magazine as it's so good and if you have a subscription you get your magazine delivered via the post and quite some time before it's on the news-stands. Also, you pay quite  bit less than the cover-price, so all in all it's well worth it.

I rang the customer line which is printed in the magazine. They currently have an offer of 5 copies for £5 and then so much a year for your subscription. I got through relatively quickly to speak to an agent and I was going to quote my subscription membership number as I wanted to know how many magazines were left on my current subscription. Logical really, as there was no point in setting up a fresh subscription if there was the possibility of them over-lapping and I might end up receiving two copies of the same magazine. But when I tried to do this I was told that the system was being up-graded and therefore I wouldn't be able to do this. A crazy situation for a business to get into, up-grading their computer system which meant they couldn't access your details. A good way to surely loose a customer. I shall attempt to ring at a later date when, hopefully, their computer system has completed being up-graded and I can complete my transaction. it just goes to show how we have become controlled by these bits of technology and when they don't work properly how much inconvenience they cause.

Blog post number 640: Busy Monday Morning

This post is number 640. In the half-hour or so since Carol went off to work I've managed to 1) Finish cutting the grass 2) Hoovered the lounge 3) Put on a load of washing 4) Tidied some of the clutter off the bookshelf in the lounge 5) Cleaned the bathroom windowsill, sink and toilet. So it's time to sit down for a while and write this blog, go through emails and start on some serious writing. Just composing this is part of my writing.  I am preparing to rearrange the bookshelf as I have a pile of at least a year's worth of BBC History Magazine to file in the new racks we bought in IKEA on Saturday afternoon so I will have to take out some books and move the whole set of racks to the left of the shelf so that the magazines follow in chronological order from left to right, which makes more sense to what it is at present.

A little while later. 11.58 a.m.  I put out the washing from the washing machine. There is quite a breeze so it won't take long to dry, although it looks a bit overcast so it may rain. I have now managed to rearrange the bookshelf. It makes a good deal more sense and I should be able to find the magazines I want to read much easier. I pulled out the sofa as it is in the way of the second bookshelf and was surprised by the amount of rubbish that was behind it. I have removed some books which makes space for some of the least read books on the opposite bookshelf  and old  disposed with a load of old magazines which can go with the rubbish when the bin men come on Wednesday. Quite a successful morning's work. 

Macbook Decides to Open

Having had problems with this Macbook, which I use to compose these blog posts on, the confounded thing has now decided to open quite happily when I plugged it in to keep it charged up. I will still take it in for the free half-hour session at the Apple store on Tuesday morning just to have it checked out for a virus or whatever, but it is really quite annoying after all the problems I have had. Oh well, I just hope it remains in a working state.

We went to IKEA in Bletchley yesterday afternoon, Saturday, and bought two bedside cabinets as well as some magazine racks which I will use to file editions of BBC History Magazine. We came home and proceeded to construct the first of the cabinets and made up the second one this morning and both are in place either side of our bed. Carol gave Poppy a bath and haircut this morning which she desperately needed as her coat had become very shaggy and it was a wonder she could see out as her eyes were quite hidden under a fringe of hair. I mowed around half of the grass at the rear of the house (I can hardly call it a 'lawn' as it is such an uneven piece of ground.) and will attempt to finish the job off over the next week. I think the rain we've had over the past few days has meant the grass has grown quite considerably which lead to me getting out the mower.

Hot Weather Threatened

We are being told that today may be the hottest day of the summer so far. Infact we are being warned to stay indoors. Carol suffers from asthma and I have to be careful with my heart condition not to get too over-heated. The pollen count is high and it's been very hot and stuffy over-night making sleeping difficult. We have got an electric fan on in our bedroom which makes quite a noise and also having the windows open means that there are extraneous sounds coming in which sets the dogs off barking. It seems you simply can't win with the weather in this country. It's either far too cold, with snow and ice, fog, rain etc. or at the other extreme it's so hot you can barely breathe. There is never a mid-way, happy medium. Carol has two more days at the Academy and then she's off for around six weeks for the summer holidays. We've just re-joined English Heritage so hopefully we can go on some interesting visits to castles, country houses and other intriguing places throughout England. We were members a few years ago and joined when we visited Stonehenge and also went to the History Festival run by English Heritage which is staged every year at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire. We also went to Kenilworth Castle which is one of our favourite places and hope to go to Wrest Park which is currently being restored to it's former glory. All are free to enter if you are a member of English Heritage. I have a subscription to BBC History Magazine and we got a discount for being a subscriber so we thought we'd make use of the discount and join. We are going to London sometime over the holiday and plan to go to London Zoo. We have got a 'buy one get one free' offer of entry for the zoo when we buy our rail ticket and have already printed off the voucher from the National Rail website.

Cold, wet, overcast and miserable

We're in that sort of interregnum of the Christmas/New Year's holiday period, where everything is downright boring. The weather is playing silly games; one minute it is bright sunshine and then it goes really dull, and the wind gets up. There's not a lot to do. I am writing this to fill in time. I gave Carol a bird-feeding station, which is set up in the garden. It comes with a central section, made of metal, with a point on one end, which you stick in the ground. Fortunately the grass in the back garden is relatively soft. I'm not going to call it a 'lawn' because it's hardly that. It slopes down towards the house and gets very muddy when it rains. Anyway, the bird-feeding station. From the central section you hang metal arms which take two feeding 'plates' one, which is clear plastic, is intended for water, and the other is made of metal, almost like a sieve, for food. The rather attractive top-mounted arrays take special bird-feeding 'cages' filled with fat balls. We set it up too close to the house at first, but have now moved it further back from the house. I think several birds have visited, but we haven't had too many. I will keep you informed as things develop, so keep reading these posts . . .

As for television . . . this years it's been downright pathetic. Apart from 'Doctor Who' and 'Great Expectations' there's been nothing really worth tuning in for. The 'Doctor Who' Christmas special has become part of the Christmas televison furniture for the past few years, at least, since the show was resurrected in 2005. It was a reasonably good episode, not stuffed full of 'special guests' and at least you were kept guessing with 'what would happen next.'  You would honestly think with all the extra channels with 'multi-channel' digital television that there'd be something worth watching. We only have Freeview, but even then we don't watch too much television. I got a year's subscription to BBC History Magazine, which I've been reading for the past few years. The first copy has just arrived. As part of the subscription I got the new Peter Ackroyd book 'The History of England: Foundation', which is the first part of a six-volume history of England, so I'll have that to read in the next month or two.