Another Wednesday In Milton Keynes

Wednesday 24th June. 3.15 a.m. It is exceessively hot at the moment, which is the reason I am sitting here, writing this. It isn't the main reason. I have not been posting on here for quite some time, which you might have noticed if you are a follower of this blog. The temperature, according to the digital thermometer, is currently 30ºc. This must be something of a record and considering what time it is, in the middle of the night, very hot. I have sweat running down my face and attempting to keep myself cool, wiping my faee with a towel, which is only slightly relieving things. Endlessly drinking water, or squash diluted with water, because I find plain water just boring and the taste isn't very pleasant.

8.35 a.m. It is bright sunshine, as I write this. It's going to get even hotter. The digital thermometer still reads 30. 

I had an appointment yesterday morning at Milton Keynes Central Medical Centre. I was going to have blood taken, so it can be tested. Unfortunately, the nurse couldn't find a vein. She said she could try in the back of my hand, but, from experience that can be really unpleasant and can sting like crazy, so I passed. Just annoying, because I drove all the way to the surgery and with no blood taken, I will have to go to the hospital, which is where I went last timeand they succeeded in finding a vein and taking blood, so I will go there, once the heat had gone.

I have mentioned Linkedin, and the reason I set up an account, because it seemed a good place to start networking, and in particular, looking for someone who might be able to help develop my writing, especially the completed plays, a person with the skills and called a dramturg. Well, someone has contacted me, and he's an academic working at the Bristol Old Vic Stage School. This is somewhat ironic, because I was supposed to have gone to Bristol University, to study drama, with the intention of eventually geting to work in television production. I didn't get there, having started wtudying A Level English and History at Mander College in Bedford, but then leqing, to start qs a student A.S.M., at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham instead.

My lovely daughtre, Chloe, rang me the other evening. She usually does this when she's driving home from work. She told me she is changing jobs. She has been in her current position for thirteen years. I can't believe it's that long. She starts this new job in August, teaching A Level Art in a college in Birmingham. It sounds to me like a step up the promotional ladder. Also, it was Eddie, my second grandson's 9th birthday. I find it difficult to belive he's nine. Chloe bought him into the hospital when Carol was in there, not long after she had been diagnosed and she had to have an operation so she could have a stoma. A very difficult time, as you might imagine, so seeing the newborn Eddie did cheer her   up considerably. Just can't believe that was nine years ago.

We had our weekly Wednesday afternoon tea party in the community lounge. I took my tea things, including milk, sugar, teapot, jug of milk, as usual.. Afterwards, I took it back to my flat and left most of it untouched on the kitchen work surface and left it. Around an hour later,  I thought it a good idea to clear it all away. When I came to pour what remained of the milk back into the bottle in the fridge, I found the milk had turned, or curdled, becoming like yoghurt. It just shows how hot it was and how milk can go off so rapidly.

Good Day Sunshine

 Monday 2nd March. 7.40 a.m. It's bright and sunny as I write this!  I only hope it stays that way. Please, no rain! We really have had enough.

The digital thermometer currently reads 20ºc.

6.45 p.m. The digital thermometer currently reads 23ºc. It has been exceptionally warm and sunny all day. Dare I say it, Spring-like? I think so.

I've been to Monday Club this afternoon. A great deal of cake, coffee and tea. One of the ladies, Wendy, goes to another similar club elsewhere, and there was a lot of food left over, so she brought it to the Oaktree Centre this afternoon. People definitely dug in and ate!

Tuesday 3rd March. 6.20 p.m. It's been a mild and sunny day. As a result, I decided to go out and walk around Oldbrook Green with the Osmo Pocket camera. It's odd going out with no Alfie. He is so missed! A lot of dafodils out and more to come, although some aren't actually daffodils, they are more likely narcissi, those with the orange centres. I may be right, but then I might be wrong! A lot of work has been done by council workers to clean up the rough areas, with bushes pruned or at least cut back, and it looks so much better.

The digital thermometer currently reads 24ºc.

12.05 p.m. I've been to Sainsbury's this morning. I wanted cash from the A.T.M and expected to go out through the front entrance, but the shutter was down. This meant that once I had completed my shopping and put it in the car, I had to walk out of the underground carpark and go out on the street and go round the building to get to the A.T.M. 

Friday 6th March. 7.10 a.m.

The digital thermometer currently reads 24ºc. 

Yesterday afternoon I had to go to Milton Keynes Central Medical Centre to have a vaccine. I won't say 'jab' because it never is a 'jab.' It is called RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine. It's to prevent getting a quite serious flu-like illness, which can be serious for people my age and also with a heart problem. So, when I was offered it, I thought it good idea to have it.

Saturday 7th March.  8.05 a.m.Today would have been Carol's 62nd birthday. Greatly missed and loved, but I am getting on with things she would have approved. I'm so glad the dafodils I planted for her memory are in full bloom and far better than I had hoped for.

Yesterday evening, there was another quiz night at The Oaktree Centre. A good time was had by all and my team won! Yippee!

A Little Bit Of Snow!

 Saturday. 8.10 a.m. I was up and about later than usual this morning. At least I'm sleeping better.

The digital thermometer currently reads 21ºc. Apparently, according to various weather forecasts, we're in for a cold spell, with snow, frost, ice and all that goes with it. The media always makes such a big issue on this sort of topic. When I was growing up in the 1960's, you just got on with it. We went to school. No such thing as 'Health and safety' then. Now, schools close down, and the children get a day off. I remember having to shovel snow off the playground at school. Trains are prevented from running because the lines are blocked by snow, or more likely, the drivers won't work because it's too cold!

Sunday. 7.30 a.m. I was awake at 7.10. That has to be the latest for a very long time.

The digital thermometer currently reads 21ºc. No sign of snow here, but I expect there to be some further north, in Yorkshire and Scotland.

Monday. 8.40 a.m. I am currently experiencing a really unpleasant cough and feeling totally drained. I'm not sure what this thing is. It's not the flu, but it could be. On Saturday, I got some cough mixture in Sainsbury's, which does help, but I'm coughing up phlegm, which is unpleasant.

I would have thought that having the , flu vaccine would have protected me, although, as I say, it's not like full-blown 'flu. I don't have a high temperature. It would appear that I'm not alone with this 'thing,' because so many people in church yesterday morning had the same ailment. It's something you just have to put up with and it will eventually pass. Well, I hope it goes soon.

A light frost over the grass and covering car windscreens this morning. I may have to put the heating on in the flat.

Tuesday. 3.00 p.m. We had a very brief flurry of snow this morning. It left a sort of sugary coating to the lawn and road outside, but by now it has more or less evaporated. More like, melted.

I dismantled my tiny Christmas tree. I divested it of its decorations. It is still in its pot, and I moved it out into the garden, but then I managed to lock myself out, and someone had to let me in. Stupid, I know, but once the door closes, that's it. You can't get back in.

Thursday. 3.15p.m. We started back with the Thursday morning life group at the Oaktree Centre this morning. It's great to have got Christmas and New Year out of the way, basically because my routine is thrown out. I had a coughing fit in the middle of the meeting, but it did settle down. This is something which comes back every year. 

Chloe asked me if she could have information about my heart condition, which I imagine is for her doctor of maybe insurance, Anyway, I put a message regarding this on the Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre website, and I was really surprised how quickly I got a response, and after the Thursday Morning group, I drove over to Bradwell Common and the recptionist printed out the information. Now I can post it off to Worcester. I can do that tomorrow. From there, I drove to Sainsbury's to do a shop.

The Holly and The Ivy

 Wednesday. 12.30 p.m. There was a gorgeous red rosy sky earlier this morning. The sun was out, but it was low, and from my kitchen window, as I stood and did the washing up at the sink, I could see the shopping centre, which is on higher ground than Oldbrook, it seemed to glow a golden colour, which was really the sun reflected in the glass. It was really beautiful. Strange how the most mundane things can have beauty.

Thursday. 1.20 p.m. We had a Christmas party at the Oaktree Centre this morning. It was with all those who are part of the Thursday Morning Life Group (Bible study group, as I've often referred to it in earlier posts). We had some silly games, and there was food, mostly what you'd call buffet food. A good time of fellowship and silliness.

It has been raining all morning, quite heavily, and I had to run to my car after the party, in an effort not get wet, which was impossible. I got slightly damp, but it didn't really matter as, once I got back inside the flat, I very soon got dry.

Friday. 8.30 a.m. I woke up a good deal later than normal. As I write, my washing is in the machine and should be done in around 30 minutes.

Currently, the digital thermometer reads 20ºc.

3.25 p.m. Some of the daffodil bulbs which I planted in September are starting to come up in the community garden. I know they will eventually blossom in the spring, but it's great to know that they are growing. I trust that the rest of the batch come up eventually. All planted in memory of Carol, as she loved daffodils.

The sun has been out, although only weakly.

Saturday. 10.00 a.m. I had an appointment with the doctor at Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre for 9.15 this morning. I was surprised to find it was foggy as I drove across Milton Keynes to get there. On arrival, I had to stand and wait outside before the doors were opened. I checked in on the computer screen, and before I knew it, my name came up on the digital screen, and I was walking to Room 7. The doctor took my blood pressure. Quite normal, as well as my weight, around 15 stone (don't ask me what that is in Kilograms. Sorry, I'm stuck with imperial measurements.) Everything seemed fine and I was soon back in my car, driving home.

It soon struck me that I would need some cash, and the A.T.M. that used to be outside Tesco's convenience store in Oldbrook has gone, and the row of shops it was in was demolished when the upgraded Lidl store was built. It seemed that the only one I could use that was close was at Sainsbury's, so I headed for the store and parked in the underground carpark and, walked up the travelator and got the money from the cashpoint (A.T.M.) and then decided to buy a few items in the store as I was there. 

Changeable Weather

Saturday. 8.55 a.m. It appears to be a somewhat overcast and dull sort of day. What of it? Just get on with things. It's a bit gusty, and it might be raining.

The digital thermometer currently reads 21ºc. 

I purchased a book from Amazon, titled "DJI Pocket 3 User Guide." This little gadget is far more complex than you might imagine, and with numerous settings, a manual is really a necessity to get the best from it.

Sunday. 2.50 p.m. It has been bright and sunny this morning, although, as I write this, it has become overcast.

Currently, the digital thermometer reads 23ºc.

I have begun going through the Osmo Pocket 3 manual and getting to discover what each setting does, which includes how to download a completed video file so it can be edited.

Chloe has sent me a lovely photo of all the grandchildren, which was taken by the school photographer. I am going to be with them all over Christmas, and I will travel to Worcester on Christmas Eve and return home on Boxing Day.

Monday. 6.45 a.m.  1st December, so Christmas is closer than ever. 

There is quite a strong wind raging outside as I write this.

The digital thermometer currently reads 20ºc.

Tuesday. 7.20 a.m. The raging wind has gone, thankfully.

The digital thermometer currently reads 20ºc.

I should have mentioned that yesterday I had another appointment with the nurse at Milton Keynes Central Medical Centre to try again for a blood sample. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful, so I have to go to the hospital and try there, where they can use an ultrasound scanner to find a vein. This is getting annoying, to say the least, as I don't want to go, what with the difficulty of parking my car and then walking to the relevant department.

10.00 a.m. I have been to the blood department at the hospital. It was easy enough to park in the multi-storey car park. You don't have to take a ticket. A machine takes a picture of your car's registration number. There were more than enough spaces, although I don't like these sorts of carparks. I don't like the slopes between floors.

I walked downstairs and then across the road and into the reception, and asked the receptionist to direct me to the blood department, and I soon found it and took a numbered ticket and sat for a while in the seated area and very soon my number was called, and I went into the room. The nurse was able to find a vein, and some blood was taken. Success! It was all over in a minute or so, and I was soon returning to my car and driving out. At the exit, you pay with your contactless debit card, and the barrier rises, and you drive away.

At the moment it is quite sunny.

2.40 p.m. I have just been to Lidl. The last time I was in there, I noticed they had Christmas trees, small, and ideal for my flat. They come in a metal pot, grown in soil and even have LCD lights which run on a battery and also a handful of decorations, so I've been to buy one. I also bought a Christmas jumper which has motion-activated flashing lights on it! I had been looking for something with lights on and with a Christmassy theme, so, ideal.

It remains sunny, and the digital thermometer currently reads 22ºc.

What The World Needs Now

 Wednesday. 10.35 a.m. A rather dull and overcast day. The digital thermometer reads 21ºc.

I've just come back from Sainsbury's. Halloween stuff is on the shelves, not that I have anything to do with it. But next to it all is a display of Christmas cards, and we're only just into October (today is 1st October.) I think it's so we are thinking about the festive season. Not that we're allowed to forget. I saw mince pies on sale last week. I expect there will be Christmas trees next.

Friday. 10.10 a.m. A rather wet morning. I'm so glad all the bulbs are planted. 

The digital thermometer currently reads 23ºc. Autumn has definitely arrived.

6.05 p.m. As I write, there is a strong wind blowing, which I noticed when I was in the kitchen and looked out of the window. 

Saturday. 3.05 p.m. There's quite a strong wind howling outside. Apparently, it is Storm Amy, or the tail end. I think this area of the country got off lightly.

Sunday. 7.25 a.m. It's peaceful this morning. No rain and no gale-force wind. The digital thermometer currently reads 21ºc.I have more or less finished the writing sequence I've been working on recently. It will now have to be transferred to word processing. As there are over 15 pages, it will take me some time. Then a heavy edit will be necessary.

Monday. 8.10 a.m. I didn't wake up until 7.20. That has to be the latest in a good long while.

The digital thermometer currently reads 22ºc. The sun is out, but it's not clear if it's cold outside. This time of year, it can be sunny, but then, when you go out, you find it is chilly.

Saturday. 1.10 p.m. I have been to have my flu vaccination this morning at Milton Keynes Central Medical Centre. As usual, I arrived in good time and signed in on the computerised system. I didn't have to wait long before my name came up on the digital screen.

Sunday. 2.20 p.m. Another rather indifferent autumn day. It's getting chilly. The digital thermometer currently reads 22ºc. I decided to wear a pullover to church, but then, partway through the service, I found I was too hot. 

I am currently transferring the handwritten material I have written into a word processing program. I am making changes as I write. I had mislaid a large amount of material, around 10-12 pages. I searched the flat and went through all the files and drawers without success, but yesterday it came to light, fortunately, so that it can be word processed.

A New Day, A New Dawn!

 Tuesday. 6.20 a.m. What a cliché! I couldn't resist today's post title. I think I will see if I can find as many as possible to use as post titles.

Thursday. 8.20 a.m. Yet another hot day. My digital thermometer currently reads 28ºC. The  BBC Breakfast weather forecast came from a lavender field somewhere in the Cotswolds. Today may very well become the hottest day so far this year.

The results of the bowel cancer screening test came back yesterday. Nothing to report, thankfully, and next time I have to do a test I will have to ask my doctor if I can have one, for some weird reason. Probably because, by then, I will have been over the age of 75. Why does that make a difference?

Friday. 9.25 a.m. Yet another hot day. My digital thermometer currently reads 27ºc. 

Since this current heatwave began, I have had some really unpleasant skin irritation. I think it's just because of the heat and my skin sweating so much. It has got to the point that I needed some sort of relief from it. Having a shower tends to help, but it still comes back. I was trying to think of something to help relieve this irritation and Piraton came to mind. I have some in my cupboard, but I think these tablets are well past their 'best before' date. So, thinking further, I decided I needed to find a pharmacy to purchase some new Piraton. The pharmacy in Sainsbury's would have been ideal, but that has since closed down, unfortunately. I also had to bear in mind my heart medication, as it was important there were no reactions to these with this new mediation. I decided to drive over to Bradwell Common and go to Boots, which is next door to the Milton Keynes Medical Centre. So, I drove there and went into Boots branch. A queue at the counter and the issue the person had seemed to go on endlessly. Also, I had to contend with someone behind me playing horrible music on their mobile. NöelCoward was right when he said, 'strange how potent cheap music is!' Too right. From his play 'Private Lives.' Ironic, because it was said, with the song 'Someday I'll Find You' playing in the background, and which he composed.

Saturday. 6.25 p.m. It's hot. Apparently it's the hottest day of the year. I can well believe it. My digital thermometer currently reads 30ºc.

Sunday. 2.55 p.m. Milton Keynes has been hosting the Bludfest at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes. No, don't ask, because I have no idea what it's about, but yesterday I could hear 'music', that is, if you can call it that, for most of the day and right up until around 11.30 p.m. At first I thought then music was coming from far closer, but then I realized that it must have been from The Bowl. (As I write, I have a feeling its continuing. Usually the drumming which I can hear, and it can depend on if there's a wind. It's around three miles from here in Dexter House, so you can imagine that, at that sort of distance, what the volume of the music must be.

Driving along Chaffron Way on Thursday morning at around 9.30, I noticed a crowd of people walking along the Redway which runs alongside the road. I have a feeling they must be going to something connected with this festival, probably going for some sort of training, to be stewards, parking attendants and so on, but, of course, I might have been wrong.

On the way to church this morning, again driving along Chaffron Way, the road was blocked off, just after the roundabout where Chaffron Way crosses Grafton Street, which meant I had to take a detour back towards the city centre and then along Childs Way and back into Chaffron Way before I could drive into the OTC car park.

Boxing Day and Beyond. . .

 Thursday. 8 a.m. I went to the Christmas Day service at SCF yesterday morning. It was an hour and there wasn't any tea or coffee as we usually have after our services, so I came straight home afterwards. 

I had my Christmas Dinner at around 5.15. I had purchased all the bits that made it up from Sainsbury's which included a chicken breast (which turned out to have stuffing inside when I began to carve it.) Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing and bacon. I had bought a ready-made Christmas Pudding, but I decided to have it another day (probably this evening.

Later, I watched the new Wallace and Gromit film, 'Vengeance Most Fowl.' I'm a fan of the work of Aardman Animation, so this was something of a treat. I know it takes years to make an animation film, and probably more work goes into this type of stop-frame animation. It was so inventive and imaginative and hilarious. According to the over-night ratings, it got over 9 million viewers.

Friday. 1.40 p.m. It's been foggy and overcast for the past couple of days. Just typical December weather, I suppose.

Another trip to Sainsbury's this morning. The travelator was not working on the trip up to the store. They seem to have endless problems with this technology, but I can walk up the travelator, which is odd when it doesn't move, but the down one was working.

There seems to be a lot of Christmas stuff left over. Perhaps they should sell off mince pies and Christmas puds at half price, or even less.

All the tenants at Dexter House, including myself, have had letters from the maintenance contractors, Mears, today. Reading down the list of things they are going to do, caught my attention. It reads 'Slip and trip hazard free pathways from external doors to the scooter stores, from the fire exits of the scheme to external gates, and from the scooter stores to the external gates.' Which means, if I am right, but don't hold your breath, they are actually going to do the work, which has been held up for at least 3–4 years! SOMEONE in the hierarchy within Milton Keynes Council, has decided to act on this work, or at least, signed the piece of paper which means that, at last, the work can be done and the electric scooters, which are stored at the moment, in common spaces, for example, the corridors, and were deemed a fire hazard by a fire officer years ago. I have been watching the brilliant sitcom 'Yes, Minister' on BBC iPlayer. This business of the scooter stores seems very much like a storyline straight out of this series. 

Well the work begins on 6th January, so I will report on here how things progress, but don't hold your breath.

Saturday. 9.45 a.m. It's yet another gloomy and overcast day here in Milton Keynes. I see from BBC Breakfast, that vast swaithes of Britain is covered in thick fog, but this area seems to have escaped. There are problems with visability as airports and flights have either been delayed or cancelled. Drivers have been told to be careful on the roads, and, in particular, because visability if poor.

I went to the prayer meeting at SCF this afternoon. A lot of the people who are in the Thursday morning group were there.

Sunday. 7.35 a.m. I've been out with Alfie. There's a bit of fog hanging around although it's thin and is likely to disperse as the day progresses.

Monday. 9.35 a.m. A bit of a misty, rather than a foggy day. Overcast and murky is the best way to describe it.

I found that I was running low with some of my medication, so I decided it would be advisable to put in a repeat prescription. I went on the on-line pharmacy I use, Pharmacy2U or whatever it's called. When you can order, then those medications which you have signed up to a 'clear', but those they say you can't have yet are screened out, being 'greyed out.' As most of my repeat medications were 'clear', I clicked to order. I thought to myself, 'ok, that's done!' and they will arrived in a few days time through the post. But a few days ago, over the Christmas period, I got a text message from my surgery to tell me I had ordered too early. Which bothered me, because, by this time I had finished the Bisoprolol tablets I take, which I think are to control my heart rate and, hopefully, prevent me having a further heart attack. This morning, rather than ringing the surgery, because I knew it would likely take me about 45 minutes for them to respond, hence causing stress, it was far simpler to drive to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre and get the medication ordered, which I did. I was concerned that they might not be open, due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. But I needn't have worried, as they were open, and I spoke to a receptionist, who did the order on her computer and I will hopefully receive the medication in a couple of days, maybe a bit longer than usual due to New Year getting in the way.

Hap, Hap, Happy Day!

 Saturday. 7.35 a.m. A rather gloomy and overcast day. Quite chilly when I took Alfie out. I don't think he couldn't care less, because he's having a sleep on the blanket in the bedroom.

Today I have to get my flu shot done at Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. I knew it was today, but I wasn't sure of the time. I searched for the details in my emails and text messages, but nothing. I thought I could easily drive to the surgery to get the information, but then I thought I might just as well telephone the surgery, which I did. I was number 4 in the queue. It gradually shrunk down and I was number one and I got the information from the receptionist. The appointment is at 9.55 this morning, so that was a relief. I think I might have deleted the text or the email.

12.20 p.m. I've been to have my 'flu shot. I was at the surgery well before the allotted time and signed in with the computerised screen. I was called into the room and the nurse soon gave me the vaccine and out in less than three minutes.

Yesterday, late afternoon, I just happened to have a look at my mobile and the text messages, and one jumped out at me. It said that a suspicious amount of cash had been taken from my Nationwide account, and I should ring the number, which was included in the text message. I was somewhat surprised and rang the number. It was the Nationwide fraud line. It turned out that this was a scam and, with the help of the gentleman on the other end of the phone, checked things out and nothing was taken from my account, thank goodness. The scam works if you panic and then receive another call or text, and they take money from your account. A really horrible feeling of panic, which is what the scammers want.

Friday. 10.15 a.m. It's another typical November day, dull and overcast.

I am moving to a new broadband provider. I have been with Sky for around 10 years. I am moving to Vodafone Fibre. An engineer is coming on 20th November to install it, and it requires a hole to be drilled through the wall from the street to bring in the line. I will receive the router in a couple of days. 

The router arrived in the morning. I came via courier. I opened the large box and not only the router inside, as expected, but also a smaller box containing an Apple TV device. Having done some research on the internet, it would appear to be similar to a Fire Stick. As part of my Vodafone fibre broadband contract, I forgot I got Apple TV free as well as Amazon points, which I don't expect to receive until well into the New Year. So, I will have more to stream when the system is up and running. I have also subscribed to a relatively new streaming service called Marquee, which streams theatre, dance, ballet and other artistic performances. This seems to be the way forward for television and particularly theatre when plays and musicals can be videoed 'live' and then either shown in cinemas or through online streaming platforms.

Sunday. 8.15 a.m. I am waking up later and later each day. It's probably because the clocks went back recently. 

Another rather dull day, but the weather people on BBC Breakfast tell us that it will get colder as the week progresses. There has been snow in part of the north of England and parts of Scotland. It seems quite early to be having snow.

Monday. 8.10 p.m. I had a haircut today. As I wrote in an earlier post, ROK, the barbers I usually go to, has recently moved from their shop in the Central Shopping Centre to Unity Place. I had driven there to find out exactly where they had moved, a couple of weeks ago. It's easy enough to park outside and had only a few minutes to wait before it was my turn to have my hair trimmed.

I left ROK and walked along the road and wanted to explore what else there was at Unity Place. There is a restaurant and at the end of the building an aptly named shop called 'The Corner Shop.' As I entered, I was confronted by a barrier, similar to what you get on the London Underground, where you swipe your ticket. But here you had to swipe your bank card. There were no tills in the traditional sense. A lady was there, who at first I thought was a customer, but it transpired she was there to assist customers. I chose several items in the sweet section and she said, to pay, I just had to leave through the barrier and the value of the items would automatically be taken from my bank account. So, this is a taste of the way retail is heading. But my question is, what happens when the system fails, or there is a power cut?

Sunshine On Milton Keynes!

 Monday. 6.15 a.m. It's May Bank Holiday Monday! For a change, it's dry and mild. Not so sure if it's going to remain dry, although traditionally (sorry, a bit of irony creeping in here!) it's supposed to rain.

2.15 p.m. I had to buy milk and dog food for Alfie. He would be most upset if he didn't get his dinner, so I went to Sainsbury's. Being a Bank Holiday, the underground car park was virtually empty, so it was easy enough to find a space. 

I am currently reading a book I have recently bought on Amazon, about the 'Ascott Martyrs', some of the ladies involved were ancestors of mine on my mother's side, and I discovered this when I was doing family history research. The book is entitled 'The Ascott Martyrs: Why Did the Rural Establishment Imprison Sixteen Women and Two Babies in 1873?' and it is edited by Keith Laybourn. It's actually a series of essays written by historians and others who have a background in the various elements of the story of these women.

Tuesday. 8.00 a.m. I woke up, went to the loo, went back to bed and, instead of remaining awake, I went back to sleep because when I eventually woke up, it was around 5 a.m. Alfie had to go out, so we went out briefly as we usually do. It's mild as I write this and the sun is out.

Wednesday. 5.25 a.m. I was surprised to find it was foggy when I took Alfie out about half an hour ago. It's not thick, but nevertheless, hanging over Oldbrook. It is mild and quite pleasant.

9.14 a.m. I had a text message from Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre a couple of days ago, telling me that an appointment had been arranged for me, for 8.20 this morning. I had no idea what it was for, but I imagined it was for a blood pressure test or something, I arrived in good time and found out that I had to go to room 21, which is on the first floor. I went upstairs and waited and, no more than five minutes later, I was called into the room. I then discovered that it was to have a blood test, blood taken to check my cholesterol level. The nurse told me that it was supposed to be a fasting blood test, but I hadn't been told, I decided to go ahead and let her take blood, but she couldn't find a vein in my right arm, so I had to lay on the couch, with my feet on the raised bit, where you normally put your head. Fortunately, she was able to find a vein and take some blood. Now I'll have to wait for the results and see if I have to go back for another blood test and make sure I haven't eaten anything beforehand.

From the surgery, I drove back along Witan Gate and went into Sainsbury's. (I seem to spend a lot of time, and money, in there. I was thinking, as I was driving, perhaps I should buy some shares in Sainsbury's, because of the amount I spend there. Just an idea. Anyway, having parked, I had to use the infamous travelator, and then discovered that the UP side wasn't working, and I had to walk, which was odd because you think it's supposed to move.

The Pressure's On!

 Wednesday. 7.45 a.m. The sun is shining! It might not be a heatwave, but at least it's not raining and no strong wind to almost blow your head off!

I am coming to the end of the 24-hour blood pressure test. I have got on remarkably well, having the portable device connected to my arm. Sleeping wasn't too bad last night, which was my main concern, and not getting the thing wet, or it's becoming disconnected. I remember when I was in the hospital, and having a heart monitor connected with the type of connections they put on you when you have an E.C.G., and finding it very difficult to lie in bed and sleep, and the confounded thing beeping whenever a connection came off. This thing is only connected to my upper right arm, onto the 'cuff'. It hasn't come off.  I will have to take it back to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre at around 10 a.m., and someone in reception will receive it and then the data it contains, which has been 'saved' inside the device, can be uploaded onto a computer (I presume that's what will happen.), so that it can be looked at and see whatever can be done to help with my blood pressure, more than likely some sort of medication.

10.30 a.m. I have been to the medical centre with the blood pressure device. I had to use the toilet in the centre to disconnect the thing. It wasn't difficult, and now I have to wait for the results.

On the way, driving along Witan Gate, on my way to the surgery, I once again had to avoid potholes, something I have mentioned in earlier blog posts. As I got to the crossing near the police station, I was stuck behind a lorry with 'Road Maintenance' emblazoned on its side. It went over the roundabout and into the estate where I was going but then made a right turn, so I didn't have to follow it on to Bradwell Common Boulevard, where Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre is based. I thought to myself, with all the potholes I have to avoid, all around Milton Keynes, the workers on that lorry should spend some of their time filling in those confounded potholes.

Thursday. 12.10 p.m. I had an appointment at CMKMC (I'm not writing out the entire name of Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre from now on. It's far too long and a real mouth full if you have to say it.) This meant I couldn't go to my Thursday morning Bible study, unfortunately.

I got to the surgery in good time. The appointment was scheduled for 10.50. I was called into room 12 at approximately 10.55. I was to have another E.C.G., which went well. I can't see how it could have gone otherwise. Just laying on a couch and having sticky contacts put on you and not moving or talking for about 2 minutes, while the machine does its work. The nurse then told me that a doctor would need to check the read-out just to see whether my heart was all right. I had to go back into the waiting area and sit there and wait for her to speak to a doctor, and after around five minutes I got the all-clear and drove home to Dexter House.

War Is In The Air

 Monday 6.20 a.m. I've been out with Alfie. It's warm for the time of year. 

I woke up to the news of Iran attacking Israel in retaliation for an attack on Iran's consulate in Syria and killing diplomats who lived there.  The world waits, with bated breath, to see what moves Israel is likely to make, and whether this situation escalates into a dangerous war situation. I personally don't understand the situation, and I'm generally fairly good at understanding such situations, with my interest in both politics and history. Whatever is going on in the Middle East at the moment, things are getting tense. There has always been some sort of tension in that area and it doesn't take much to set off a war.

8.55 a.m. I should have kept quiet about the weather. It has changed dramatically. As I write this, it's pouring rain. Quite a violent storm. I intend to go to Sainsbury's, but I think I'll wait until the rain passes, or, hopefully, stops.

10.15 a.m. The rain stopped! It is bright and sunny, but there's also a strong wind.

On my way along Oldbrook Boulevard, as I drove to Sainsbury's, I saw what at first I thought was pink paint across the road, near the primary school. As I drove over it, I realised it wasn't paint, but pink blossom, blown there by the wind. I'm not exactly sure what sort of tree it's from, but either a flowering cherry or almond.

2.15 p.m. The wind is currently blowing a gale. Things are being blown around, such as wheely bins.

Tuesday. 6.25 a.m.Yet another mild morning on the weather front. It's still, no wind, so let's hope it stays that way.

10.25 a.m. I mentioned a few posts back, that I was going to have to wear a blood pressure unit for 24 hours. This morning I went to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre and a nurse fitted me up with this device. It has a cuff, similar to any other blood pressure unit, but it also has a small 'box' which I wear, as it has a strap which goes around my neck and hangs down my right side, with the cuff on my upper right arm. I have to leave it on and let it pump up every hour or so over the 24 hours. (As I write this, it has done exactly that.) The 'box' device will record each time the machine measures my blood pressure, so when I take it back to the surgery tomorrow, they can upload the data and the doctor can then decide if I need to be put on new medication.

The nurse then did an E.C.G., and I still have some of the connections for the E.C.G. stuck on my chest!

I have just heard a strange noise, a sort of whirring, electrical noise. I thought it was coming from another flat, or outside, but then I thought it might be in the bathroom. I have had a look, and it turns out to be my electric toothbrush! Somehow or other, it had managed to turn itself on! Don't ask me how, but very odd, to say the least!

12.55 p.m. The blood pressure monitor has been going off roughly every 45 minutes or so. At one point it went off and then, almost immediately, it went off again. It's not uncomfortable, but a bit surprising when you'd do something else, such as reading or writing this.

3.15 p.m. There has been another violent rainstorm. I'm not sure if there are puddles all around Oldbrook, but I wouldn't be surprised.

The Whirligig of Time

 Easter Sunday. 7.40 a.m. It's Easter Sunday morning.

The clocks have changed. We are now, officially at any rate, in Summer. 

 As I look out of the window, I can see that there's fog covering Oldbrook. It's not particularly thick, but it's still foggy. I expect, as the day progresses and the sun comes out, it will clear.

Bank Holiday Monday. 7.25 a.m. I got up a good deal later than usual. It's relatively bright and sunny. 

I'm shocked by the number of potholes around Milton Keynes. I went into the centre of the City the other day and I unfortunately drove over a large pothole. I couldn't avoid it, and I was somewhat concerned that it would damage the car in some way.

Tuesday. 10.10 a.m. Another trip to Sainsbury's. I don't normally go on a Tuesday, which means it was easy enough to find a space to park. I suppose most people shop later in the week, on a Friday or Saturday. The 'up' travelator wasn't working, which meant, at the end of my shop, I had to go down via the lift.

I was more than ever aware of the number of potholes in the road as I drove to and from Sainsbury's. It seems to be getting far worse and it won't just me who has found this problem. If I damage my car from driving through a pothole I shall not be very pleased and I would expect compensation from Milton Keynes Council if my car is damaged.

Wednesday. 6.40 a.m. It's another mild and pleasant morning. As far as I can see, there's no fog.

Yesterday evening, just as I was starting my evening meal, I got post. I don't think there's been a post-delivery so late in the day. There was a time when you could more or less tell the time by the postman delivering. We had a delivery at around 7 a.m., and then a second one at around 11 a.m. It would seem that now they only deliver when they want to, with no sort of reliability. Anyway, I picked up the post and one of the letters was from Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. Having read it, I was shocked that it was telling me off for missing my appointment. I think I mentioned this appointment in an earlier post. I didn't know whether it was a face-to-face or telephone appointment. I did put a message on the website, asking me which form the appointment would take. I didn't get a response before the appointment time. So, in that respect, it's as much their fault that I didn't go for that appointment. I have to say, it makes me feel like a naughty child, the way they had to write a letter to me. Why not merely ring me? Well, that's far to easy.

Thursday. 6.20 a.m. I have taken Alfie out. There was a thin rain falling. Not really rain in the normal sense. Having come inside the flat, I sat down and started using my laptop and there was suddenly an almighty rainstorm outside, (just as well it was outside!) It didn't last long, but it was very noisy and violent.

Here We Go Again!

Tuesday, 9.15 a.m. I have been putting off a job for a while now, It was to clean the kitchen floor. I have to admit, it was getting dirty. I have a Vax steam cleaner, and it's a good deal more effective than your traditional mop-and-bucket. If I were to use that method to clean the floor, it would require hot water and some sort of detergent and the mop would require rinsing out and, at the end of the process, disposing of the dirty water. Probably down the toilet. Then you get left with a really smelly mop to find somewhere to store it, along with the bucket. I don't have space for them. The Vax steam cleaner uses water and a special detergent, which you put in two separate tanks. Relatively easy to fill, as the whole unit comes off the handle of the steamer. If I have a fault with this, it's the fact that the tank filler is on the side which means you can never fill up with either detergent or water, which go in separate tanks, because as soon as you turn the unit on it's side to clip it onto the handle, water and/or detergent leaks out. It would be far better if they'd designed the tank filler to be on the top of the unit. Just a minor fault with an otherwise great piece of kit. You have to give the steamer enough time to heat up and then produce steam. It's of no use using it like a conventional mop and just pushing it across the floor quickly. It doesn't work in the same way, because it's the heat of the steam which removes any dirt and stains. The steamer doesn't leave the floor soaking wet. Of course, there is a certain amount of moisture, but this takes about ten minutes to evaporate and you are left with a clean floor.

Wednesday.  10.20 a.m.I've been to Sainsbury's again. The down travelator is still not running, although but it appears to be in a near-complete state, with workmen still working on it. Let's hope it is running soon.

A mild and sunny morning. No sooner had I got in from shopping in Sainsbury's and unpacked, than I took Alfie out. I didn't put a coat or top on, and it's the first time this year I've been out without either piece of clothing. The daffodils are out on the piece of grass opposite The Cricketers' pub.

Friday. 6.15 a.m. I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. I wasn't aware of this fact and only discovered it when I got a text message. I wasn't sure whether it was going to be a face-to-face appointment or a phone call. I have had several phone calls from the surgery's pharmacist, and this was actually what I was expecting. Once I had learnt about the prospective appointment, I left a message on the Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre website. You aren't supposed to telephone now, because of the triage system they now have. I was hoping the surgery would either text me or phone me to let me know what type of appointment it was. The appointment was supposed to be at 11.10 a.m., but the time came and went, and no call. 

A good deal later, I got a telephone call from the surgery. They had only just seen the message I'd left on the website, and a fresh face-to-face appointment was made for the 11th of April. The appointment is to review my medical situation (i.e.: concerning my 'incident' when I collapsed and went to hospital.)

The weather is somewhat dull. Overcast, I suppose you'd call it, with a thin rain falling.

Stranger Than Fiction . . .

 Monday. 6.15 a.m. I know, it's early, but I'm awake, and I have nothing better to do. I have BBC Breakfast on my television. 

Yesterday morning, I was on duty at church because I am on the refreshment rota. It's once a month and at the beginning of the month. I arrived well on time and then found that I couldn't get into the kitchen, which is locked with one of those devices that requires a combination to open it. I did eventually get the correct combination and managed to get into the kitchen, so I could get to the coffee-making machine (not actually a coffee machine!).

The lady who was on duty with me on refreshments came in later and we managed to finish setting up, with the coffee urn (at last! I found the correct word to describe the coffee 'thing'!) It had to be turned on well before the service began, so that it was hot and ready for people when they came out after the service.

Tuesday. 9.05 a.m. I am attempting to get a doctor's appointment. Nothing wrong. It's just since I had that blackout a few weeks ago I get a bit shaky and I think the sertraline is making my eyesight go a bit blurry and I get headaches and double vision. It doesn't last long, so I wanted to have a word with a doctor.  To get an appointment, Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre has a new system. You can't telephone for an appointment, you have to go online and, having registered, go through a triage system, explaining what your problem is and wait for the receptionists to respond. They prioritize your ailment and then phone you to arrange an appointment, either face-to-face or over the telephone. The system isn't open until 8 a.m., and I attempted to get an appointment yesterday, but I had to reset my password, a fiddly job at the best of times, and then, by the time that was done, all the appointments were taken, all gone within barely 15 minutes. I managed to get this done this morning, but I will have to wait until I get a call, probably in a few days.

10.20 a.m. I got a text message from the surgery, informing me that I could expect a doctor to telephone me and at around 9.30 a doctor did phone me. She suggested I got my eyes tested because of the blurry vision I am experiencing.

1.15 a.m. Alfie loves to lay on the sofa. Who can blame him? It's a good deal more comfortable than laying on the floor. Even though I went to the trouble of buying him a new bed, he still seems to prefer the sofa. I can't think of many dogs who get an entire sofa to lay on. While, at the same time, I get the armchair! He keeps looking at me and I have to pick him up to put him on the sofa. 

I went to bed and left him on the sofa. I was settling down to sleep, and then I heard this rather sad little noise, a sort of 'help me!' sort of doggy sound. At first, I thought, perhaps Alfie has got stuck under the bed. I looked, but no Alfie. Then, perhaps he's got stuck in the bathroom, as the door was closed. He has a habit of wandering in, and then it's easy to forget he's there and then close the door. But he wasn't there. So, I got out of bed and went into the lounge, and he was still on the sofa! I think he's scared of hurting himself if he attempts to jump down. So, I picked him up and put him on the floor.

The title of this post has absolutely no bearing on the content. I just couldn't think of anything better.

Getting Wintery!

Wednesday. 8.10 a.m. Yesterday I took my application form to Bridge Builder. Next week I will return and they will apply for my D.B.S. check (Disclosure and Barring Service.), so I can work with children in the schools they visit.

Thursday. 7.45 a.m. It was an amazing sunset as I took Alfie out at around 7.20. The whole sky was blazing red. I would have taken a few photographs, but it would have finished by the time I'd returned to my flat and picked up my phone or camera.

Friday. 3.00 p.m. I have been taking Mirtazapine for around a month. It is an anti-depressant and it helps me sleep. I will admit here that I have been going through a depressive episode for the past couple of months. I had been taking these tablets for around a week when I went to Worcester, and the Saturday afternoon I was there I felt awful and wasn't particularly sociable. For the first few days, I felt horrible and wasn't sure I wanted to go on taking them, but I persisted with them as they were going to take several weeks before I felt any sort of benefit. I am sleeping far better now, and the depression has lifted to some extent. 

I was told by the doctor who prescribed Mirtazapine that I would have to have a review before a new prescription was given. I rang the surgery several weeks ago to book an appointment with the doctor to review this medication before the current course ended. The telephone review was to be with the surgery's pharmacist, and she would ring me this morning, which she did. I told her how I was getting on with the medication, and she gave me a prescription and the new anti-depressants would be reviewed after three months. I didn't want the prescription to go to Lloyds Direct, because it was likely that I wouldn't get the next course of tablets. It might take a week, or even more, for them to arrive in the post. So, the prescription went to Boots pharmacy, next door to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. I drove to the pharmacy and managed to collect the medication, which means that I can keep on with them when the current course ends on Tuesday.

My car needs servicing. I usually get it done at this time of the year and the digital system keeps on reminding me of the fact the car needs servicing. It also needs the oil changing and there is a small light which has come on the dashboard which I've not seen before. I should get my Winter Fuel Payment any day now and that will be used to pay for the servicing. As a result, I won't be driving the car until the service has been done. This cash was usually in my bank account around now, but it seems it was later because I checked my bank account. I will just have to be patient until it is in my account and then book the service with a local garage. 

From Boots pharmacy, I walked the short distance to the surgery to ask at the reception for my blood test result, which was done exactly two weeks ago. It turns out my cholesterol level is normal, which would be 5 or less, with the label on the result, 'no further action,' which is a relief.

Saturday. 8.10 a.m. A cold morning, with a light frost on the grass when I took Alfie out at around 7.15.

Monday. 8.55 a.m. It must have been raining at night because the leaves appeared to be wet when I took Alfie out.

6.05 p.m. I had my first Zoom meeting with the Social History group of U3A. I just found out there were Zoom meetings like this recently. It was about letters, letter-writing and communication in general. It was very interesting and I found out a great deal. I had trouble connecting, basically, because I was given the wrong ID code and password, but, when I went on email, I got the correct information.

Tuesday. 6.30 p.m. I've been to the Bridge Builder office in Bletchley to start my D.B.S. application. Unfortunately, I need a printout of my bank statement. The other documents are suitable and used to prove my identity. I have since printed out my bank statement from the Nationwide website.

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing a safeguarding training. I  have done similar training, having worked in care in various situations. 

Back Home

Tuesday. 1.35 p.m. I mentioned the fact that my washing got stuck inside the tumble drier on Friday before I was due to drive to Worcester. Well, the good news is that it has all been removed from the machine, although the drier isn't repaired. 

It's bright and sunny out. Thankfully, no wind or pouring rain. Let's just hope it stays that way, at least for a couple of weeks or so.

Thursday. 8.15 a.m. A wind and rain-free morning. I just hope it remains that way for at least the weekend.

I wasn't going to mention this, but I think I ought to. Two Tuesdays ago, which was Hallowe'en, I wasn't going to go to Camphill. But then I decided that I would go and drive there after 9 o'clock. As I walked into the Chrysalis Theatre, people were unloading pumpkins from a car parked outside. It was obvious that Halloween was going to be the centre of things and no work on drama was going to take place. So, I said to Terrie, the lady who leads the performing arts workshop, that, as a Christian, I 'didn't do Halloween.' She replied that it would be all Halloween stuff and that, if that was the case, I had better go home, which is what I did.

I didn't think any more about this situation until I got to Worcester on Friday evening and was looking at emails on my phone when I came across an email from the lady in charge of volunteers. It said that being a 'diverse' community, all 'religions' were included, and that my reaction was 'inappropriate.' The email was something of a shock and made me really upset. I don't remember that Halloween was a religion, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I have given five years of my time (excluding lockdowns) for nothing, as a volunteer. I have no end of experience which the theatre group has benefitted from, and many relationships made and built on since I started there. The email said that maybe 'Camphill isn't the place for you.' Not true. I have set up an interview with Julia, the lady in charge of volunteers on 27th November, and I will apologize, even though I can't see that I've done anything wrong by stating my feelings towards Halloween. I can't be a true Christian and be dabbling in Halloween and all it stands for.

I have since contacted Bridge Builders, which is based in Milton Keynes and have an interview this Tuesday, to discuss being a volunteer for them. I will wait and see what this interview produces, which will mean I won't be going back to Camphill.

1.45 p.m. We prayed about the above situation at Camphill. The prayer group knows the situation. I have to walk away from Camphill without any sort of ill feeling, which is necessary if I am to expect a reference from them.

I have been to find Bridge Builder's office in Bletchley, just opposite IKEA. Very easy to find, and it makes it easier to know exactly where it is when I go for my interview there on Tuesday afternoon.

Friday. 1.00 p.m. I have been to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre to have blood taken, so it can be tested for cholesterol. As I may have mentioned in an earlier post here, I have a problem with this procedure, because the nurse usually has a problem finding a vein. It went well, and I should get the result in about a week.

Another Week

 Friday. 9.45 a.m. It seems bright and sunny outside, but I have a sneaking feeling that it's cold. I will find out when I take Alfie out again later. Currently, the digital thermometer, which incidentally is indoors and sitting on the television unit, is displaying the temperature at 23ºC.

Monday. 10.25 a.m. There's not a great deal to report on here over the last day or so, hence, nothing on here!

It's bright and sunny as I write this. It can be chilly first thing. So I put on a fleece and then, by the time I get back indoors, I'm really hot. I suppose it's just that time of year, moving into autumn, when the weather is undecided.

I have been doing homework for the Camphill World War Two project. Doing a bit of research on the internet on various aspects of the war, such as ARP Wardens, the so-called 'Phoney War' etc. I have got it on a Word-processed document and have printed it out and will take it with me when I go to Camphill tomorrow.

Tuesday. 4.25 p.m. I have just got in from Camphill. I have to say it has been really successful. We are putting together ideas for the World War 2 theatre piece and the group is suggesting what they want to put in it and how the story will be told. A lot of material about Bletchley Park and the Codebreakers.

Wednesday. 1.00 p.m. I have been having problems receiving some of my medication on order. I went to the doctor around two weeks ago and was prescribed tablets to help me sleep. I also had to order Atorvastatin, which I have been on for years, I think, since the time of my first heart attack in 2006. In fact, I was put on a different type of statin at that time, but that particular version had a bad effect on my stomach and I had to try several different statins before settling on Atorvastatin which doesn't have any side effects. 

I was also given a prescription for sleeping tablets. This prescription was supposed to be sent to me via Royal Mail, through Lloyds Direct, but I found out that there was a manufacturing problem somewhere in the system. I found this out because I was sent an email which had a barcode in it, which I took to the branch of Boots next to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. I was told by the pharmacist that I would need to contact the surgeon, which was closed because it was a Saturday. , 

Thursday. On Monday, I rang the surgeon and they sent me a code via text, which I took back to Boots on Wednesday and managed to collect the Atorvastatin. A long and complex situation. THEN I got an email from Royal Mail, informing me that the remaining medication, the sleeping tablets (called Zolpidem). Two of these are to be taken before retiring for the night, which I took at around 10.30 last night. I did sleep, but still woke at around 4 a.m. 

August Excitement! (?)

 Monday 14th August. 3.45 p.m. I'm not going to post this until the beginning of September. I will write as and when I feel I have something to write about. 

I have mentioned having to have a physiotherapy appointment, after the lower back pain I have been experiencing for the past month or so since I had covid. My appointment was booked around two weeks ago and today was the earliest I could be seen. It was booked for 10.20 a.m., but I am always keen to arrive in plenty of time, but, in general, it doesn't take much more than ten minutes to drive there, taking into account the several sets of traffic lights you encounter on the way, which seem set to take far too long to change, regardless of the amount of traffic, which is usually light at that time of day.

I got to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre and had to check in with a receptionist because the computerised system wasn't working. Around ten minutes later, I was being called into room 7 to see a physiotherapist. She did a sort of triage, attempting to find where the pain was centred, bending down to the ground and side to side, and then I had to lay on the couch. It wasn't actually long enough, as I'm over six feet tall. I was expecting her to get some treatment, but no. I have to have a telephone referral with a private company and do some exercises myself. So, it seems as if the N.H.S. seems determined to spend cash which they don't really have, for this sort of treatment from an outside business. So, it seems I will just have to wait at least a week before this treatment can begin.

I left the surgery in my car and intended to go into the city centre as I had to collect a polo shirt I had bought via the Marks and Spencer website and needed collecting from the store. I had to drive around the centre to get to the car park near The Point and fortunately, the RingGo app worked, so I could pay to park. I had done a survey online and earned a £10 voucher which I converted into a Marks and Spencer voucher and decided to buy a polo in their sale. I ordered with 'click and collect, which I have used before. The polo shirt was valued at £18, so I had to pay the difference. I went into Marks and Spencer and remembered that the click-and-collect desk was on an upper floor, but then I couldn't find it and then discovered it had moved to the ground floor. There are a couple of digital screens, onto which you key in your name, and your parcel is then bought out to you. All wrapped up and ready to take away with you. I was a bit surprised I didn't have to prove my identity, as I could have been anyone. 

Thence to the nearby Costa for a large caramel latte, cheese and ham toastie and slice of rocky road. Very nice! Then I walked back through the shopping centre towards Midsummer Place and then ended up browsing in Waterstone's and then back to the car park and drive home.

Wednesday. 6.10 a.m. Due to the lower back pain, I didn't go to Camphill yesterday. It started off very mild, at the time I got up (as it is, as I write this.) but it gradually got worse as the day progressed. I am learning to live with it, but I am hoping it is going to fade away so I can get back to somewhere near normal by, hopefully, next week.

I've only just got back from taking Alfie out. As we were walking back along the path towards Dexter House, I saw what, at first, I thought was a cat, staring at me, as it was standing under the overhanging branches of the tree which is on the grass, about halfway along. It didn't move for at least fifteen seconds, and then it occurred to me, it wasn't a cat. It was definitely a fox, because of the shape of its head, very similar to Alfie's and very prominent ears. It turned and then disappeared into the wooded area between the Dexter House garden and the SIA offices.

12.05 p.m. I've been to Sainsbury's this morning. I had a Nectar voucher which meant, if I bought a certain brand of dog food, I would get 200 extra points.  If I hadn't used it today, it would expire today, so it seemed a pity to lose it and I did need some dog food as there were only a couple of pouches left. I bought a few other items. 

I had to use one of the self-service tills to pay. The manned tills had queues, so it was either that or a queue for so few items. All went well checking my items through until I had to scan the voucher, so I had to get a staff member to help. George, who is one of the drama group at Camphill, works in Sainsbury's, and it was him who helped with the voucher, so I was able to complete the transaction, although I almost left without paying! I almost forgot to put in my debit card and then put in my PIN, but I could then leave to go home.

Thursday. 2.00 p.m. I've been out this morning with my Thursday morning Bible study group. We went to Milton Keynes Museum. I drove to the Oaktree Centre and Jenny, who is the leader of the Bible study group, drove me and one other person across Milton Keynes, arriving at the museum at around 10.30, which was when it opened. There was quite a queue of people wanting to get in. I had a ticket which allowed me free entry, having bought it almost a year ago and, once bought, allows free entry throughout the year.

Friday. 10.20 a.m. I have just got back from a trip to Sainsbury's, to get a few items. I was reluctant to use one of the self-service tills to check out, so I went to a manned till and as I was queuing, I noticed that around six of these tills had been removed. I am beginning to wonder if this is a crafty manoeuvre on behalf of Sainsbury to get rid of staff and encourage their customers to use self-service tills. As I was waiting in the queue, a lady ahead of me was completing the payment of her shopping and seemed to be having problems with using her card, that is, putting in her PIN in the machine. I would say she was around 75-80, so probably not very confident with using technology. They should take into account this sort of customer when they are considering removing what I would call 'traditional' technology.

I cleaned out the fridge earlier. I know, rather a mundane and somewhat dull job, but it really did need doing. It's the sort of job that gets avoided, but then it gets to the point that it needs doing. Lots of food which is well past its 'best before' date, so it went in the bin. The shelves were removed, given a good wash in the sink, and then replaced. Job done.

Tuesday 22nd August.  6.55 a.m. The digital thermometer reads 26ºC. A really hot and clammy night. I have been up early, as usual. I took Alfie out at around 5.45. Done washing up from last night, put out a bag of rubbish and now made up my pack-up for Camphill. I am feeling a good deal better as regards the lower back pain. I would say it has actually disappeared. 

I got a text from the physio company, which came as a referral from my doctor's surgery. I attempted to complete this online, but it wouldn't work, so I rang and have a telephone consultation on the morning of 4th September. 

What's It All About, Alfie?

 Saturday. 7.35 a.m. I am feeling considerably better this morning. I had a review of my care package (if that's the correct term. I don't receive care, even though I live in a sheltered housing unit, Dexter House.) Anyway, this is reviewed and amended every six months or so, and we have a new S.H.0. (Sheltered Housing Officer), Vashti, who began working here a few weeks ago. I mentioned the pain I was experiencing in my lower back, my kidney area, and she said it could be a urinary infection and connected with the covid infection I have had over the past week or so.  I did a covid test on Wednesday and it was negative. I then rang Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre and wanted a doctor's appointment to discuss this issue, but I could only get a telephone consultation yesterday afternoon. I discussed this with the practice nurse, who I have spoken to before, and he told me it could be Musculoskeletal, and suggested using Voltarol gel, which I have from another pain-related injury and used some immediately. It appears to work, so I will continue using it twice a day.

10.20 a.m. I've been to Sainsbury's. I haven't been out to do any sort of food shopping since the covid infection. The last one was the Thursday I did the first test. I have bought a new tube of Voltarol because the first tube is nearly finished. This new tube is stronger and probably more effective. 

Sunday. 5.40 a.m. I got up and got dressed. The lower back pain isn't as bad as it was and the Voltarol is working, although not entirely. I suppose I just have to let it take time.

5.25 p.m. I went to church this morning, having not gone last week because of covid. 

Having parked my car, I walked around the building to the entrance. As I got to the door, a bird flew past me, chasing what I thought was a pigeon, and the first bird crashed into the glass of the frontage. It was then that I recognised what this bird was, some sort of hawk, and possibly a sparrowhawk. It didn't catch the pigeon and then flew off over Shenley, but for the shortness of the incident, it was really exciting to me, as I find any sort of wild bird, particularly birds of prey. I don't know what happened to the pigeon, but there was a pile of feathers left where both birds had run into the window.

Monday. 8.05 a.m. I am continuing to use Voltarol on my lower back. It seems to relieve it slightly, but then the pain comes back. I have a feeling it makes me feel sick. I intend to ring Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre to hopefully get a physiotherapy appointment, although I doubt it is unlikely to be immediate. I really want to go to Camphill tomorrow, but if the pain continues, then I can't go.

8.50 a.m. I rang Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre just after 8.30. I was told I was tenth in the queue, so my heart sank. The thought of having to listen to the music they play for half an hour or more was enough to put me off, but I was soon sixth and then third in the queue. But I was soon speaking to a receptionist. I can't get a physiotherapy appointment until 14th August! I will just have to endure the pain and continue with the Voltarol.