Into A New Year!

Monday. 1st January. 9.55 a.m. I didn't SEE the New Year exactly, but I definitely HEARD it. Fireworks were going off outside and being set off until the very early morning hours. They should last at most 10-15 minutes after midnight. I have only just got back from taking Alfie out around Oldbrook Green and there were the remains of many fireworks scattered all over the grass. There are several quite prominent notices which have been put up by Campbell Park Parish Council, who administer Oldbrook Green and the surrounding area, stating quite clearly that it is an offence to let off fireworks and that you can be fined quite heavily and even imprisoned for so doing. But some people will never obey such rules. But, saying that, there is really no point in having such rules and regulations if you don't enforce them.

4.15 p.m. If you read these blog posts regularly, and there's every chance that you might have read at least some of the 1,800-odd posts, (and believe me, some of them are very odd,!) you will have discovered that I am a creative sort of individual, writing, theatre, film, animation. I bought myself an iPad with a fair-sized capacity and downloaded an app called 'Procreate' which, with the addition of an Apple Pencil, allows me to do all sorts of art, not just drawing, but painting. But now, the company who developed 'Procreate' has introduced the world to 'Procreate Dreams' which will allow you to do 2D animation on your iPad (incidentally, these two apps will only work on an iPad. I don't think they intend rewriting the software to work on Android tablet computers.) The only problem is, that they never bring out a print manual to help you learn these software packages, so the only thing you have to guide you and discover all that these amazing apps will do is to look at videos on YouTube.

Tuesday. 1.20 p.m. It's a really overcast and dull day. Wet and not pleasant underfoot.

Wednesday. 10.40 a.m. I have been attempting to get through to my doctor's surgery. You aren't supposed to telephone to book an appointment and you are supposed to go online, having set up a username and password and make your booking from the appointments which should be shown there, but, even after all the rigmarole of password and username there were no appointments to book. The medication I'm on has to be reviewed, after three months. I at last got through to a receptionist, and she managed to book me a pharmacist's phone call tomorrow, so I will have to see what that person suggests.

The reason for all this was that the medication I was put on, Mirtzapine, was supposed to be for three months and after that time, I was to have a review, basically, to find out how I was getting on with it. The truth is, they are antidepressants and when I first took them, I felt a bit woozy, to put it mildly. When I was at Chloe's in Worcester, on Saturday afternoon, when we went out for a walk, I felt really awful. Over the next few days, things settled down, but last night I woke at around 4 a.m. and I could not get to sleep. Then, as the morning progressed, I felt more and more drowsy and it was quite pronounced and unpleasant. 

Thursday. 10.05 a.m. I have discovered an organisation called Simply Forward, which has outings and events for my particular age group. I have been sent their application form via email, but now the confounded printer refuses to function! As Victor Meldew would put it so succinctly, 'I don't believe it!'

Friday. 10.15 a.m. My Canon printer has been playing up. So, what's new? It doesn't get used much and sits on it's unit, all ready for when I need it. It's plugged in to the mains, connected via Wi-Fi to my laptop and when I require printing, it's easy enough to set it up. So, yesterday I needed an email printing, so I can join Simply Forward, the group that I discovered via AgeUK. I had the email sent which had the application form and a list of activities they do for a few months ahead. The idea was that I could print this off with my printer as well as the application form. Then, for some stupid reason, I thought it a bright idea to delete some of my emails. Well, they do mount up and it seems a good idea to do a bit of housekeeping sometimes. But I also deleted the email from Simply Forward so I had to text the lady who had sent it in the first place.

The printer would not work properly when I went to attempt to print the email. I kept getting a message on the digital display, telling me that the ink was running out. I thought at this point to buy a new cartridge. Which you will imagine to be a relatively easy process. I looked on the Argos website, which is where the printer had come from originally, but I got a message on there which said 'out of stock.' Then it occurred to me that John Lewis would be a good point of call so I looked on their website and it showed they stocked them. So, on Friday morning I went into the shopping centre and in to John Lewis, but they had none in stock! So the only alternative was Amazon, which had the right cartridges (black and colour, in the same package.) So I ordered it and I couldn't believe it arrived that evening, barely hours since I had ordered it!

Heat Breaking Stormy Weather

 Sunday. 7.25 a.m. I have just been to the Tesco Express store in Oldbrook Boulevard to buy a copy of The Sunday Times. I went to pay at one of the self-service check-outs, only to discover there was a technical issue. I scanned the barcode on the paper, but an 'error code' came up on the digital screen. Not only that, but I had to get a member of staff to come over to rectify the machine, but it still didn't work. I then tried the second machine, but exactly the same problem occurred. I had to pay at a manned checkout, using a contactless payment method. It seems that stores want you to use these self-service machines, but there is a constant number of technical problems.

Monday. 5.05 a.m. It was another case of me being wide awake, bright and mild morning, so I took my Alfie out. He was somewhat reluctant, although who can blame him? Who would much rather remain in bed, instead of getting up and going out? It's probably easier in the summer months when it's warm, but far more difficult in the winter months, when it's cold, frosty and generally miserable and dark.

Yesterday, after church, I went to Milton Keynes Museum, as they had a Victorian Weekend. I have to say it was a bit thin on the ground activity-wise. People dressed up in period costume, making it seem as if I had, at one point, walked into a Charles Dickens adaptation. I started off in the tearoom, with a ham and cheese toastie, a slice of very nice walnut sponge and a cup of tea. Some of these 'enactors' (for want of a better word.) came in, some looking like Fagin's gang, a chimney sweep and a very wealthy couple, the woman in a smart dress and hat and the gent with a moustache which had been waxed. They sat at one table, but I very much doubt that, in reality, they would have mixed in the same way during the Victorian period. Queen Victoria herself did actually appear, with her entourage, and spoke to some of 'The people.' She did a tour of the museum site, which added a sort of frisson to the whole afternoon.

Tuesday. 5.20 a.m. Up and out early with Alfie again. A really beautiful sunrise. There's so much litter. I don't see what's so difficult about putting it in a bin or taking it home. The bin, at the point where we cross over from Strudwick Drive onto Oldbrook Green, is not only spilling its contents, but it rusted and off it's base. Likewise, the bin, on the opposite side of the green, has a badly rusted lid. The Campbell Park Parish Council (I presume they are responsible, or The Parks Trust.) really need to replace them or at lest, get them repaired.

We are in desperate need of rain. The grass is beginning to look very parched and brown. There are large cracks in the ground around the area. You could almost put your hand in some of them. Hopefully we should get a shower in the next day or two.

7.05 a.m. No sooner had I mentioned the possibility of rain, than it starts! Only very light, but definitely rain. Thank goodness, it is now a good deal cooler. My digital thermometer currently reads 23ºC. 

Gridlocked!

Tuesday. 9.30 a.m. Yet another typical autumn day, sunny but chilly.

Alfie and I have been out and walked around Oldbrook Green. I'm shocked to see so much litter related to fireworks, which I could hear last night being let off. It seemed to go on for several hours and, looking at the rubbish, someone had spent a small fortune on them. No thought though, to take their rubbish away with them. The sign for Oldbrook Green (which is under the umbrella of Campbell Park Parish Council.) clearly states 'no fireworks'. I think it was more to do with Diwali rather than Guy Fawkes Night, but it's still a lot of noise and upsets animals. Alfie doesn't seem to take any notice, and then we have Halloween to contend with next Monday. I'd love to know who the people that left the rubbish expect to clear it up. There are plenty of bins around the Green, so why not place some of it there, or, at least, take it home with you.

2.35 p.m. For the last year or so (I think it may be longer, but I'm not sure exactly.) I have been having a weekly telephone call from someone who is a volunteer at Age UK. His name is David, and we have an hour's chat for around an hour. I have never met him, until today. I had thought some while ago that he should have my mobile number and possibly my email address because he rings me on my landline number. The last time he phoned last week he said that someone had suggested to him that we meet up for a coffee so I came up with some possible places to meet, one being Costa at the retail park in Bletchley (along with Pets At Home, which is where Alfie goes to have his regular haircut (sorry, but the term 'groom' has another, negative connotation these days, although not the same as dog-grooming.) It was strange meeting someone who you'd spoken to but never actually met. He said he knew what I looked like because when I emailed him, my photo came up, which I wasn't aware of. David was waiting outside Costa as I drew up in the car and then we went inside Costa. It was something of a shock to discover it virtually empty. I say this, because if you go to one of the two Costa branches in the central Milton Keynes shopping centre, at the end of the shopping centre opposite Marks and Spencer and the other, which is on Middleton Hall and near John Lewis, you will no doubt find each one busy and will have to queue. I have often glanced into each one before deciding whether to queue up and then often leave to find another place to eat and have coffee, such as Cafe Nero or Pret A Manger which are also in Middleton Hall. As I say, it was virtually empty of other customers and it didn't take long to order my latte and ham and cheese toastie.

We spent around two hours chatting and by one o'clock I thought it was time to return home. I know that the car park is likely to have around a two-hour limit on how long you can remain parked and if you're not careful you can be fined. They have cameras which record your car's registration number and from that, they can find your address, and then you get a lovely letter asking you to pay a hefty fine, which I really don't want.

It was well I came out of Costa when I did because the whole car park was clogged up with cars attempting to leave, and it took me some time to get out of my space. Not many drivers were willing to let me into the queue and the queue moved at a snail's pace towards the exit. It then took a good deal of time to get into the traffic on Bletcham Way and eventually onto the large roundabout, which was more than ever clogged up. I could not discover what had caused this chaos. Possibly either there had been an accident nearby, possibly on the A5 or M1, or it was the result of roadworks, which are currently ongoing throughout the Milton Keynes grid road system, much of it for resurfacing works.

A Touch of Light and Air

Sunday. 7.45 a.m. It's sunny and bright this morning. I don't have anything of importance to relate to here, so I'll end there until something strikes me as requiring responding in some way or other.

Monday. 7.00 a.m. So . . .  Virtually nothing happened! Now, there's a surprise. So (stop saying so.) here I am, on a relatively sunny Monday morning, having been out with Alfie a few minutes before the hour of six. Actually quite chilly. His nibs was asleep in his lovely, warm and snug bed and had to be woken up to go out. I think he's back in his bed asleep as I write this.

Tuesday. 11.15 a.m. Painting has now reached the corridor where my flat is situated. A workman painted the window frame of one of the ground floor flats going towards the SHO's office. It will be an improvement to have the paintwork around here covered in brighter paint than the brown which it all has at present. This will include the stairs leading up to the first-floor flats, including mine. I will have to be careful to not touch it before it dries when I leave and enter my flat, otherwise, I will have to find something to remove the paint. Also, make sure that Alfie doesn't get paint on himself. 

Wednesday. 6.25 a.m. So, I'm up early, taken Alfie out, done the washing up (actually did it last night. I can't stand piles of dirty pots sitting in the sink. I much prefer to do it all and have a tidy kitchen when I go in there in the morning or any time of day.

Boy, it was hot in the flat yesterday evening. My digital thermometer read 75º when I looked at around 6 p.m. yesterday. Does nobody around here ever think it might be a good idea to reduce the temperature? Before you ask, I have turned the thingy on the wall down which is supposed to control the radiators. But not doing a great deal of difference. Apart from anything else, it's a real waste and not environmentally good, but nobody will listen. I had to open the windows and have my fan on in my bedroom. 

I've been to Sainsbury's,  a good deal earlier than I normally go,  which I do weekly, as you will know if you read my blog on a regular basis. They are still moving stuff around and causing havoc. I was in the frozen food area and looking for pizza subs. They have been in the same place for I don't know how long and suddenly, they're not where I expected them to be, and I had to ask a somewhat grumpy member of staff, who didn't really appreciate my ironic sense of humour regarding this matter.

Having got back home, the flat was hotter than ever. I have opened the window and as I write this (10.00 a.m.) the digital thermometer reads 72º. 

2.55 p.m. There has been a lot of digging going on in the community garden. I can see clearly what's going on when I stand at the kitchen sink and see out of the window in front of me. It's been intriguing me for most of the day. Rather like one of those mysteries, murder television series, such as Father Brown or even the inestimable Sherlock Holmes. Seeing someone digging a hole, I do start to come up with my own ideas of what it's for. For burying a body? Or rather mundane, there's a pipe under there which needs repairing. Is it a leak? As the day goes on and I have to do more washing up, I can't help but see the thing unfold. My inquisitiveness gets the best of me. Then, a few minutes ago, I saw what the 'ole was for. A piece of sculpture. I use the term in its loosest sense. It might be a water feature. But as I watch in absolute intense bemusement, I can see no water or any plumbing which might be connected to this . . . thing. I have to admit it's hideous, whatever it is. Was it leftover in one of the garden centre's sales? Did Dobbies or Frosts donate it, or did offer a substantial discount on such an ugly garden feature? It does rather resemble a modern toilet. Now, I'm just being facetious and downright sarcastic, I know, but it really is that awful. I think it best to end this before I get into trouble. But did nobody think it was really appropriate or even have any sort of artistic integrity? Who knows. But it has given me a certain amount of amusement, wondering what on earth it represents. It doesn't represent anything. It can't do, because the look of it is so odd it can't represent anything known to man or beast. Even the sculptures of  Henry Moore, which were modernist in style and somewhat strange to the average observer, did represent SOMETHING. but this thing? Definitely not. Okay, okay, I give in. As they say, 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence' so I will refrain from mentioning this 'thing' from now on. Unless something amazing happens and it turns into . . .  I don't know, but it would be fun if it did. That quote from the great Oscar Wilde, so if it was good enough for him, it's definitely good enough for me.

4.30 p.m. The mystery is revealed! The 'thing' in the community garden is a water feature. I had a glance out of the window just now and it has water flowing out of it. But it looks more than ever like a urinal. Sorry, but it does. Just as well I can't hear it trickling, or it would have the effect of making me want to run to the loo and have a wee. The thing is, without doubt, the ugliest thing I have probably ever seen, and that's the truth. 

Thursday. 2.30 a.m. The temperature in the flat at the moment is 60º. I can't believe it got so hot the other day. 

7.20 a.m. It's bright and sunny but actually quite chilly. Considering how hot it was a couple of days ago, there's quite a drop of around 10º, so you can see why I would notice the difference. Apparently, according to the weather forecast on BBC Breakfast, it's due to get colder.

I just had to mention, my bathroom and the non-appointment with Mears (the company who are responsible for the maintenance of Dexter House.) Did I mention that I had emailed a local councillor about the lack of action from Mears regarding my bathroom being upgraded? I don't think I have, but my email was passed to a Campbell Park Parish councillor, who emailed me yesterday asking me to send a photograph of the state of my bathroom and that Mears should set up an appointment to have my bathroom accessed with the intention of discovering what I would like done to the bathroom (i.e.: gold taps, sauna, jacuzzi etc. In your dreams, but it's worth a go I suppose.) So it would appear that my efforts will be paying off if it means they can nudge Mears into doing SOMETHING. so, watch this space for developments.

Another Landmark! The 1,500th Post

So, another landmark for my blog! This is the 1,500th post. When I started this blog, back whenever (not sure exactly. I'll have to check.) I really didn't think I would be able to keep it going. I admit that some posts are mundane, but that's the whole idea of it in some way. I imagine when Samuel Pepys wrote his diary, he committed boring incidents to his journal, the everyday goings-on in his life. Not that I would consider my ramblings are in any way equal to his jottings, but who knows, someone a couple of hundred year's hence might find my blog posts of interest.

So, we're finally out of the EU! Boris got his deal approved by The Commons by a huge majority. We have two vaccines to deal with the coronavirus. Hopefully, by the spring, we might possibly be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and the possibility of getting on top of the pandemic. Boris did say around a year ago, at about the time of the General Election that he would 'Get Brexit Done,' and he has done that, but it's been four and a half years to get to this point, with a great deal of effort and confusion along the way.

(New Year's Day) Nothing exciting to report. I did see the New Year in. I had a Whiskey Mac, my ideal drink on such occasions. I imagine my Scottish heritage takes over. I just like ginger wine and a slosh of Scotch never hurt anyone. I could hear fireworks being set off somewhere. I don't think it was an 'official' firework display. No doubt kids letting them off on Oldbrook Green. I shall no doubt find much evidence when Alfie and I walk around. 

(Later) I did find evidence for fireworks being set off on Oldbrook Green when I took out Alfie later. A lot of remnants of those fireworks and it looks as if someone had burnt the cardboard cases of fireworks by a couple of the bins which are scattered around Oldbrook Green. Alif wasn't in the least bit bothered by the noise as he has been in the past. Poppy was scared stiff of the noise and really needed reassuring around Bonfire Night. But if people will insist on setting off fireworks (which, according to a couple of notices around the Green, set up by Campbell Park Parish Council, which states that no fireworks are to be set off on the Green. Not that these individuals would take any notice. Similar to those dogwalkers who insist on not picking up after their dogs. There are notices on the dog bins which say 'we are watching you,' which is totally untrue. Just a pity that those that don't obey such notices don't get fined if they refuse to clear up after their dogs. It's a pity the Council doesn't have some sort of warden patrols to check on such behavior. They could also catch those who drop litter. It's shameful how much there is around Oldbrook Green, but at the moment, what with the pandemic, they have other issues to deal with. Although, saying that, I often see Council employees in hi-vis jackets, picking up litter.

I'm constantly meeting other dog-walkers whenever I take Alfie out for his daily walks as I have mentioned in my posts on here before now. We go out at least four times during the day. He's a dog that more or less insists on going out. I think because we have dogs it creates a sort of bond and I often talk to other dog walkers. I've mentioned Toto, a shizu, and when he sees Alfie he runs towards him. But we haven't seen him or his owner for a few weeks. He's probably taken out when I'm in the flat and we don't meet at times when we're both out. Some dogs can't cope with Alfie's friendly attitude. He always wants to be friends with the dogs he meets. Some can be very friendly but then others can be quite aggressive. I think this may be because they have been over humanized and not socialized to be with other dogs. A pity. Alfie has no issues with socializing. There was a rather nasty Yorkie we came across the other week which was very aggressive when it met Alfie on the path going round Oldbrook green. I made sure we kept away as I didn't want it to bite either myself or Alfie.

A couple of weeks ago we came across a dog and its owner, walking along with the patch towards Oldbrook Green. This dog looked remarkably like Poppy, and I almost thought that Alfie agreed. Does he remember Poppy? It's difficult to know. Probably. Anyway, the lady who was this dog's owner (I forget the dog's name now.) said, walk along and let the dogs get to know each other on the Green, which we did. I let Alfie off, which isn't something I often do. I think I'm just being over-protective, basically because, having lost Carol, Alfie is my best companion and I don't want anything horrible to happen to him, such as getting run over or attacked by another dog. Alfie was having a lovely time, running around and really enjoying his freedom. She noticed my colourful socks. Something else I got from Oddballs. I also got a wooly hat. You get freebies when you spend over £30. I said there was no way I was going to wear dull clothing. Most men's clothing is grey, brown, or striped or has a check pattern, on shirts, etc, and socks were likewise dull, grey, black, striped, etc. 

I went out later in the day and as soon as we got out onto the path in Strudwick Drive I saw the same lady with her dog once again. Her little dog does look remarkably like Poppy, even down to her colour. I'm sure Alfie thinks so too. We had a chat and then walked on to Oldbrook Green and let the dogs off their leads. Alfie had a lovely time running around. He does come back to me when I call him. He follows me around, doesn't leave me for a moment. I know he won't run for it is let off his lead. He seems to know that he's going to be safe with me. He just loved being with the other dog (I don't know her name.)

Alfie had a slight problem. I don't need to describe exactly, but he needed cleaning up. I couldn't do it on my own, because he had been very difficult if you attempt to cut his coat. It needed scissors to deal with the situation. Eve (the lady's name.) suggesting going to her home to do this as she had scissors there. I don't usually go to ladies ' homes without being invited, but this situation needed dealing with. So we walked there and as she held Alfie, I used scissors to clip off the offending matter. Situation resolved! And Alfie was really none the wiser. We had a mug of tea and a chat and I returned home to Dexter House. Alfie was getting restless. I think due to his routine being changed. He was barking and it was somewhat distracting and once I'd bade farewell to Eve, Alfie took me back to the flat.   

Unacceptable

(Sunday)I can't believe that people can behave so recklessly. I'm not sure if it's because of the pandemic lockdown, but I see no end of discarded masks and rubber gloves as I walk around Oldbrook Green with Alfie. It's not just that, but some dog owners think it's unacceptable to not clear up after their dogs. This afternoon I took Alfie out, after he kept staring at me, which is usually his way of asking to be let out, and walking along the right-hand side of Oldbrook Green (that is, facing the city centre and away from The Cricketer's, I saw two piles of flytipped rubbish. I don't see why people have to behave in such a reckless manner. I think Milton Keynes Council has enough to contend with at the moment without this sort of thing and I hope they get caught and fined, because it must cost a considerable amount of Council Tax to pay for it's removal and disposal and, with the coronavirus pandemic it's putting people's lives at risk having to deal with it. Also, there is the environmental aspect to consider. It attracts rats and other vermin and that in itself is going to have a health risk.

(Monday) I took photographs of the fly-tipped rubbish with my Canon digital camera and uploaded them onto Nextdoor, the social media site. I wrote a brief description of where it was and very quickly I got a response and someone contacted Campbell Park Parish council, who administer this area. This morning, as I walked past with Alfie, I saw it had been removed and close by, the workers clearing up other rubbish and litter. No doubt it was them who removed it and put it in their vehicle which was parked close by. There were hi-vis clad workmen elsewhere picking up litter. It's a real disgrace that people have to behave in such a thoughtless fashion, but it's good that this has been resolved and speedily so as to avoid any vermin getting into it or before it starts deteriorating which would make it more difficult to clear up.

I have this morning given Alfie a bath, basically because he is getting really mucky and a bit smelly. It's to be expected with a dog with a longish coat, which really needs grooming, but this isn't possible under the current pandemic lockdown restrictions. Also, being little and closer to the ground, he does tend to pick up mud and grime as well as getting bits of twig and leaves stuck in his coat. He doesn't like water particularly, but I think he enjoys the drying process because he gets a lot of attention. I had him on my knee in the bathroom and rubbed him dry with a towel and the he started running around the lounge, bouncing on and off the sofa and is now curled up in his pile of blankets on the sofa. His coat has gone all curly as a result of being wet.

I've now heard that a letter with an address was found in the pile of fly-tipped rubbish which means the perpetrator of this disgraceful incident will not be found and hopefully receive their just reward, probably a fairly hefty fine. It should be quite hight and then given some sort of media mention as a deterrent to others who might think it's acceptable.

(Wednesday) It's sunny but quite chilly this morning. Up and out with Alfie early and we walked round Oldbrook Green.

It looks as if the lockdown restrictions are going to be relaxed. Not a complete return to 'normal,' meaning how life was before the pandemic. I can't see how it can be, but from what I saw on the press conference on BBC1 last evening, it would appear that the number of recorded incidents of people with the virus as well as those who have died is beginning to flatten out. Mind you, there is far too much coverage of the pandemic and it's becoming to the point of saturation coverage.

I had intended going shopping in Sainsbury's this morning and I'd made a very detailed list to take with me and to speed up the actual shopping process and hopefully avoid the time actually in the store, but when I went to start the car I found it wouldn't start. It is most likely because the car has been sitting on the parking space and not being driven as it would normally, but because of the pandemic lockdown I haven't driven to church or to Camphill for a few weeks. I gave it a couple more attempts but nothing, so I rang Bleakhall Motors and they said they'd ring back in around an hour, and, as good as their word, someone came out and got the car started. I don't know how, but he had some sort of gadget, I don't know what it was, but it did the trick and was told I would need to drive around for about half an hour to boost up the battery's charge, which is what I did and drove part-way to Buckingham, going round one of the roundabouts and headed back into Milton Keynes. I will probably have to take the car out each day to keep it in running order, because I really don't want this to happen again in the near future. A lesson learnt.

I considered ordering via the Sainsbury's website, and did an order, but then discovered that I couldn't get a delivery slot because almost every one was taken for several weeks into the future. They have given preferential treatment to those who are 'vulnerable,' and I don't fit into this category, unfortunately. I'm wondering how they class someone as vulnerable, to the Covid-19 virus, as I would have thought I would have fitted this category as I have had two heart attacks, but apparently I don't come under this umbrella so I can't order food on-line, but it's fine for me to put myself at risk of the infection if I visit a supermarket.

(Saturday) I'm continuing with the photography project. I had a good excuse to take the car out and went along Chaffron Way and saw some poppies on the verge and decided they would be a good subject for said project, so I parked in Fishermead and walked back but, strangely, couldn't find the aforementioned poppies as it's quite a difficult matter to find a route through the trees and nettles, but in the process found quite a wide range of plants and flowers to photograph. Once I'd managed to take as many shots as possible I went back to the car and drove down Chaffron Way as if I was going to Camphill and eventually came back through the centre of Milton Keynes. It's so strangely free of traffic, except for the occasional vehicle, making it seem more like a Bank Holiday or even a Sunday, all due to the lockdown.

Alfie was expecting to have another outing so we went out along Strudwick Drive. On crossing Oldbrook Boulevard and onto the Green, I was shocked by the sight of a man, dressed in red football strip, having a wee behind a hedge, well, not even BEHIND it, standing on the road-side and making no attempt to hide. I have seen most things, but the sight of someone relieving themselves in this blatant fashion is quite unbelievable and actually quite unacceptable and I think if he was seen doing so by a passing police officer it is likely he would have been prosecuted for unacceptable behaviour. Not something one would wish to see in 'polite society' as they say.

1450th Blog Post. Unpresidented Times!

Another milestone reached. This is the 1450th blog post. I'm not sure how many words I've written, but it must be quite a few.

I was running low on milk. I'm fully stocked with everything else. My fridge/freezer is fully stocked, so I do't need to buy anything for a while. I'm not sure whether I can order from Sainsbury on-line (other supermarkets on-line shopping are available.) I took Alfie out for his morning trot (not really a walk as he doesn't walk.) and no sooner had I got back to the flat, I went back out and went to Tesco Express in Oldbrook Boulevard. I wasn't sure whether they would be open, or whether there would be a queue outside, but, fortunately there wasn't. 

Having a keen interest in history, I have signed up with Milton Keynes Heritage Association, which I discovered when I visited the History Festival which was held last year in Campbell Park. I get regular emails from them and the last one had details of Milton Keynes Living Archive, which I discovered  is based at Milton Keynes Museum. In the email they mentioned that they would be interested if people were keeping diaries or journals about the coronavirus pandemic and in particular, the lockdown. I think what I am recording in this blog might be quite useful in years to come as a historic document. Well, there is enough of it! Just think of Samuel Pepys, who wrote a diary, and which is a good record of what life was like in the 17th century and covers the Great Fire of London and several periods when plague swept the nation.

Later. It's as warm as ever. The sort of weather that would get you out in your shorts and T-shirt and drive to the seaside. Probably Southwold or Frinton-On-Sea. I had to take Alfie out for his final walk around Oldbrook Green, although, I'll be perfectly honest, the sight of it is beginning to wear a bit thin. It's a bit boring now. There are signs on some of the play equipment around the Green, on the children's playground which has a fence around it and the skateboarding park. As I walked around, barely 10 minutes ago, I saw some youths quietly throwing a ball into a basket on the tarmaced area which has a netball basket on one side and a goal on the other. It seems quite harmless to me, but a four-wheel drive vehicle drove up on the grass and told the youths that they weren't supposed to be playing there, which was contrary to the anti-pandemic regulations bought in to help control the spread of  the coronavirus. I thought he was being somewhat heavy-handed and then drove off. I don't think it's such a good idea to drive a large vehicle across the grass as it ruins the surface. I am somewhat shocked by the high-handed and rather pompous attitude of the council man (I think from Campbell Park Parish Council, which controls this area of Milton Keynes. They have fixed notices to some of the equipment, but they could at least put 'please' and 'thank you' on them. I am naughty and I expect I could get a tongue-lashing from the fact I saw one of these notices on the ground as I walked past the other day, and, heaven forfend, put it in a . . . bin! I plead guilty, your honour. I know, I know. Unpresidented times and all that, but what do you expect???