Isn't It A Lovely Day Today?

Sunday. 6.45 a.m. The clocks have changed, and gone back an hour, so it's a good deal lighter at this time. I've been out with Alfie, although he must have been a bit shocked, as I had to wake him up. It was really beautiful out, with the leaves on the grass and a thin fingernail of a moon more or less directly overhead. 

Thursday.  7.15 a.m. It's a rather overcast sort of day as I write this. 

Alfie was again asleep when I took him out about forty minutes ago. He didn't seem to object, in fact, I think he was more or less asleep as I carried him along the corridor.

Friday. 8.50 a.m. It's a somewhat overcast sort of morning. Never mind, it's what you would expect for a November day.

I was busy yesterday. I went to the Thursday Morning Life Group (which I've always called 'Bible Study' which it is, but it's a lot more than that. A lovely group of people.) I came home and had something to eat. I watched something on History Hit, which is a streaming service which has a very wide range of history documentaries to watch. This was about how would a modern man deal with wearing s suit of Medieval armour? Very informative, and also quite amusing.

Then, at 1.40 I had an appointment to have an echocardiogram. I'm not sure whether I've had one of these before. The location of the appointment was in Lloyds Court, opposite MK Centre shopping centre. I wasn't entirely sure where it was, but I looked on Google Maps, and even then I wasn't sure. I drove to the usual car park and then walked through the shopping centre and out about halfway down and across to Lloyds Court. I had the number, 30, but I walked along one side which seemed to be almost all restaurants and take-away establishments. I eventually found the place and walked in. 

By now I was exhausted. All that walking had paid it's toll. I reported to the receptionist and was sent upstairs. I had to sit and wait in the 'F' area. You couldn't miss the sign, painted on the wall in the biggest lettering you've ever seen. I think it was meant to be easily seen by those with poor eyesight. I had the feeling of the place, rather like the set for some science fiction film, set on a spaceship in the far distant galaxy, a bit like in Doctor Who, when they dematerialise in the Tardis and it's a space station, and the huge lettering on the walls are to inform you of the level you are on, but probably not numbered, probably in some sort of script used by some alien race. Also, clinical and empty, lifeless and probably uninhabited. One other couple was waiting. They didn't speak. There was no one else around, except a cleaning lady, sweeping the floor with one of those weird mop things which has a sort of hinge in the middle. Someone came out and called the name of the lady who was with her husband (although I assume he was. Never mind.) The person who appeared was dressed in a sort of green/blue oversuit, making him look like a surgeon or similar. The couple walked away and I was left on my own, with the cleaning lady pushing her mop around. The place had a sort of clinical feel to it. Well, as it was an N.H.S. establishment, it's not surprising, but no pictures on the walls, no television to watch on the walls, not even a pile of ancient magazines to read. Sterile, I think you'd call it. Plain white walls and the sort of seating which tend to become very uncomfortable the longer you sit on them. 

Then I was called into one of the rooms. The gentleman who called me said he was sorry for the delay. Well, my appointment was scheduled for 1.40 and it was well past 2 o'clock when I eventually stepped into his room. I had to take my shirt off along with my shoes. I was weighed and my height measured and then I had to lay on a bed and in such a position that I faced the wall and as far up the sloping head end as possible. the doctor (I presume he was a doctor.) proceeded to scan my heart, and it was fairly difficult to hold the same position with one arm held over my head. I could hear strange noises, but couldn't see a thing because I was lying facing away from whatever device he was using. Then I had to move to another position. It was then that I heard a sound like a pump, but splashing water and I then realised it was the sound of my heart! Not something I ever expected to hear. Rather like the sound of an ancient, rather inefficient washing machine! 

Saturday. 10.20 a.m. I haven't finished my Thursday adventures if that's the way to describe things.

To continue. I left the diagnostics centre, being told that the information found with the procedure would be forwarded to the cardiology department and no doubt I would be contacted regarding where my care would go from there.

I left the building and walked towards the shopping centre. As I did so, I saw a group of teenagers in front of me, one very blatantly smoking a spliff. I knew that was what it was, by the smell, and it was far bigger than a normal cigarette. He wasn't likely to be stopped by a police officer as there are never any about on foot as would be the case years ago, which might explain his smoking the spliff so openly.

I went home and had something to eat, as I usually do at midday.

At around 3.40 I drove to The Oaktree Centre because I had volunteered to help with the Light Party which was being held that evening. It's to be an answer to Halloween, which was on Thursday. As a church, we don't do Halloween and the idea of the Light Party is to show children that it's Jesus who is the light and Halloween is darkness. 

The hall was laid out with tables for a wide range of crafts, and I was in charge of one with black sheets of card which you scratched off to reveal colours underneath and the children could use stencils to make art or draw freehand. Other tables had drawings, lamp making and other crafts. After around half an hour there were games, one very similar to a game I think I must have played a bit like musical chairs, except there weren't chairs, the children had to simply sit on the floor when the music stopped. Then there was a short piece of drama and the evening ended with the children going through to the café area to have a tea of sandwiches and cakes. Oh, I should say that they then went back into the hall, which, by that time had been cleared on the tables, to have a dance around.

We cleared up, and that was the end of the evening.

I must say it was a really successful event and I was surprised by how many children and parents turned up. I think it must have been around 30-40.

Happy Talk!

 Tuesday. 7.50 a.m. I haven't been well for the past few days. I'd recovered from the covid I had around six weeks ago and as a result of that I had fairly severe back pain, although there's no genuine proof that it was linked, but it seems something of a coincidence that the back pain started up at the same time.

On Thursday, the Bible Study group, which has been meeting in different places in and around Milton Keynes during August, met up at Mursley Farm Shop. I wasn't exactly sure where it was, although I had a rough idea, but looking on Google Maps. I drove to the Oaktree Centre and was taken there by Jennie, who is the leader of the Bible Study group.

I've never been to Mursley Farm Shop. Like many of these places, it's not merely a farm shop, selling eggs, meat and other items, but there's a good cafe, which was where we met up with the rest of the gang and I had a very nice latte, although, having ordered it, it seemed to take an eternity to arrive at our table. The weather was miserable. A sort of thin rain fell as we arrived. In the field beyond the car park I could see a field with various animals in, including alpacas, which I love.

On Friday, we had a meeting at the Oaktree Centre about the proposed Alpha Course. As part of this, we did a fast (which is something I have never done before, but it was worth it, and it went well.) We watched a training video, which came on a memory stick which plugged into the television screen on the wall in the café area. It turned out I had seen it already on YouTube. We need at least 6–8 people to sign up to the course, otherwise it isn't really viable. It runs over 10–11 weeks and there is food which has to be provided for each weekly session, so it's quite a logistical issue to provide that, along with merely having support people to run the course, so, if we don't get sufficient people attending, it isn't going ahead. We will have to wait and see if the numbers increase in the next week or so, because it is scheduled to begin on 15th September.

Having finished the meeting, I drove to Domino's Pizza in Duckworth Court, which is over the road from Lidl and Tesco Express in Oldbrook Boulevard and ordered a take-away pizza, which I took home and enjoyed, actually breaking my fast!

On Saturday morning, I went to the 1940s weekend at Milton Keynes Museum. If you read my blog posts on a regular basis, you will be aware that I have been to quite a few of these events. This seemed to not be quite as good as the others. I went because of the proposed World War 2 project which is being developed in the theatre workshop at Camphill, so I took my camera and managed to take a handful of photographs, which I intend putting onto a memory stick and taking the next time I go to Camphill.

It was around this time that the flu-like symptoms began. I won't go into much detail (in fact, none at all.) I didn't eat anything until at least Tuesday and didn't go to Camphill. Well, it didn't seem such a good idea, as I didn't want to be responsible for spreading whatever it was around.

Worcester and Wellies

Friday. 6.40 p.m. Yesterday (Thursday) I went to Sports Direct with the intention of buying a pair of Wellington Boots. I was certainly not paying somewhere in the region of £60-£100 for a pair, which seems totally ridiculous. Just a bog-standard pair of Dunlop Wellies and I browsed in the shoe department and chose Karrimor walking shoes, good solid shoes with, hopefully, tough soles. I think they will do the job admirably. I think I have mentioned the two pairs of Skechers began to leak water and thus became unwearable in wet weather. When I went to Chloe and Steve's around three years ago, just after Carol died. We all went out, and it was necessary for me to borrow a pair of Wellingtons, so it seemed a good idea to arm myself with them for the trip to visit again tomorrow. Chloe has told me we may be visiting an English Heritage property and wet weather gear is in order, so I will pack the Wellingtons as well as my bright yellow Regatta coat. She also said I should wear earplugs, no doubt because the four boys, George, Eddie, and Arthur, are somewhat boisterous and noisy. Well, that's what little boys do, so I won't be in the least bit surprised. Just be nice to see them all for the first time in almost two years.

Saturday. 6.00 a.m. So, today I'm going with Alfie to Worcester! I've sorted everything I need to take with me and will pack it all into the car and drive out of Milton Keynes. I topped up with diesel yesterday, which should see me well all the way there and back, so no time wasted on fuel on the way.

I managed to get everything loaded into the car, along with Alfie in the cage in the back of the car. He made a lot of noise, barking, and so on, but once we were moving and driving out of Milton Keynes he settled down for the rest of the journey. I know my way well to the M40, and it took around an hour before we eventually drove onto the motorway. Unfortunately, it was raining, although relatively lightly, but the moving traffic threw up spray, which obscured the motorway ahead and to some extent, behind, making overtaking somewhat hazardous, and I had to drive below the normal top speed, but it was necessary to keep safe. 

By the time I got off the M5 for Worcester, I had to use Google Maps to direct me to Steve and Chloe's home, and around ten minutes later I was drawing up outside their house. I was greeted at the door by George, Eddie, and Arthur. Really excited to see me! I just realized that it was almost two years since I visited. I briefly visited when I went to see Arthur after he was born, taken there by friends from church, but not for a longer visit.

After lunch, we went to Witley Court, an English Heritage property around a twenty-minute drive out of Worcester. It was just as well I had my wellies, as it was quite wet and muddy. The boys enjoyed playing on a climbing frame, which included a rope walk and a slope to scramble up. Then we went to the mansion area, now a ruin, because it had been burnt down in the 1930s. A Victorian pile, a real hodgepodge of styles, some neoclassical, some Italianate, lots of columns, and very excessive in style. It was interesting to be able to wander around inside the ruins of this mansion and see how it had been built and get a glimpse of what must have been a really impressive building. Interesting to see that the inside walls were rough brick and the exterior was covered by a relatively thin layer of dressed stone. All very similar to a set for a film or play, the audience side is painted to look 'real' and impressive whilst, if you go round the back, it's rough wood, plywood and canvas.

We had a picnic, sitting on the grass near the most magnificent fountain. It was somewhat in need of a good clean, but that didn't detract from its size and scope, some sort of, presumably, mythical horseman spearing what looked like a dragon. The horse had wings, although very small. Was it supposed to depict St George and The Dragon? Who knows. As we ate our picnic the fountain burst forth into life, water gushing out of the mouths of fishes and several from each side of the central section and a larger fountain in the centre of everything which shot into the air to a great height.

Witley Court fountain in action.

It was beginning to get dark by the time we walked back to the car. Back at Steve and Chloe's home, we unpacked the children (having for to deal with is somewhat like an army on manoeuvres. You have extra stuff with a six-month-old child to consider.) All loaded into each of the two cars, with me in Chloe's, and we got back to the house. 

We had supper (what do you call your evening meal? Dinner if you're posh, supper if you're not so posh? Tea? Which is what Carol used to call it. I suppose it depends on what area of the country you come from. Tea for me, when I was growing up was bread and butter with jam or honey or any sort of spread on it. Today it might be chocolate spread or peanut butter, followed by cake ('bread before cake!', as my mother used to say. I digress . . . ) 

Then time for bed. It was difficult sleeping in a single bed with Alfie . . . He's used to sharing my king-sized bed. I had his own cosy dog bed with me, bought from Milton Keynes. After some effort to keep him on the bed, he eventually decided it was easier to sleep in his own bed and I got a good night's sleep.

Next morning I was planning to go home early afternoon. Not before I'd been surprised with a birthday cake with one candle on (which I blew out!) presents, colourful socks and chocolates and then around midday we had a proper family roast lunch, which I haven't had in years. Sitting around a table is something I haven't done in quite a while. Then, packed up my belongings in the car, first installing Alfie in the cage in the boot, with quite a lot of barking. I managed to set the SatNav properly and for the first time I got the voice to work. Having said my goodbyes, I was off and soon on the M5, followed by the M42 and eventually the M40 and came off onto the main road which leads home through Buckingham and soon Milton Keynes hove into view and the journey just under two hours.

Busy Doing Nothing!

Friday. 8.a.m. Bright and sunny. Virtually no clouds in the sky, and, according to the BBC weather forecast this morning, we can expect more similar days. 

Actually, the title for this post isn't accurate, as I have plenty to keep me going. My family history research is going well. The My Heritage site works best on the app on the iPad. Got back around 9-10 generations. Baking at a standstill at the moment, but I intend to do more soon. Writing going well, although I'm doing the research before I continue. Reading, still on the Juliet Gardiner book. It's around 600-700 pages, so I don't expect to get through it much before the autumn.

Witty is saying 'we're not out of the woods' in regards to the pandemic. But the data says otherwise. The stupid NHS app is flawed and people are being 'pinged' because the idiot thing is sending messages saying people should isolate when there is no need to. It's just scare-mongering once more. Crazy. 

I got the quote from my current car insurance provider, Swinton. Am I glad I did some research before going with them again? The quote is an eye-watering £759.95! The new quote, which is already set up and the deposit paid, is £329. Just shows how important it is to shop around to get a better quote and with a breakdown cover from the RAC. This is from Dial Direct, which I found through Go Compare.

Saturday. 6.45 a.m. It's bright and sunny this morning. The BBC weather forecast is telling me that it's likely to be the hottest day of the year. I just need to keep out of the heat if that's the case, as it can be dangerous with a heart problem.

Later. 2.40 p.m. I am part of what is called a 'Prayer Triplet' which is part of SCF. We met for the first time this morning. The idea being that we are mentored and supported, probably quite necessary considering the current situation regarding the pandemic as well as the effects of Carol's death. Good to be able to talk about things that are going on in your life and then pray it through. I had to drive to Conniburrow, which isn't much more than a ten-minute drive from home. I had been there before, to a barbecue, but still, I needed to refresh my memory and then decided to use Google Maps on my iPhone, which acted as a satnav. Amazingly very good and a clear voice, as I had the mobile sitting on the passenger seat beside me. Just crazy how this technology works and I soon got there.

It's really hot today. I've been out with Alfie who didn't get his mid-morning outing because of me being out for the morning. I just can't cope with the heat and neither can Alfie.

Sunday. 8.55 a.m. I've been out twice with Alfie. I didn't wake up until 5.45, which isn't my usual time to wake up. It's usually a good deal earlier. So I had to really struggle to get out of bed and then get dressed and take Alfie out. I can't think what was different. 

It's really hot and it's only barely 9 o'clock, so I'm glad we went out when we did. I would rather stay indoors out of the heat as it's not safe if it's too hot when you have a heart problem. Alfie doesn't like it either and I think he prefers it cooler.

I had a shower, which isn't my usual time to have one, but I am a good deal cooler than when I came indoors. I have a drink of cranberry cordial with ice in it. I have plenty of ice in the fridge.

Been to get milk from Tesco Express on Oldbrook Boulevard. I don't want to have none for my early-morning cup of tea and bowl of breakfast cereal.  I noticed that the Dominos Pizza and Bernados charity shop have closed. I have a sneaking suspicion that the whole block is to be demolished to make way for a new, larger Lidl branch to be built, with this being the opposite end to where it is currently. Presumably, Lidl has bought the entire site, which might explain all this. I have since discovered that Dominos has moved across the road into Duckworth Court, where there is already a Pizza Hut. I'm not sure when all this is due to be started, but I just wonder what will become of the mini Tesco branch which is so handy for buying milk and last-minute things. Also, it has an A.T.M. outside when you need cash or to at least check your bank balance. I hope that Lidl will have one when all this is completed.

Bradwell Abbey Medieval Fayre

I forgot to mention that on Sunday I went to the Medieval Fayre which was held at Bradwell Abbey. I had only discovered that it was on through Facebook on Saturday and wasn't sure what it was likely to cost to enter and sent a message through the Facebook page to be told it was free. Aldo, who is a science teacher and worked with Carol at Milton Keynes Academy, is involved with reinations of battles and it would seem, medieval one's at that, and is a member of something called Chanz des Reis (translated as 'Song of The Kings.') and was involved with some of the reinactions at the Milton Keynes History Festival a few months ago. So, I decided to go along as it didn't start until 11a.m. and after church I drove straight to Bradwell Abbey. I had heard about it, but wasn't entirely sure where it was, so I used Google Maps and soon found it. I was surprised that it was more or less hidden within a business park and when I got to the place, was surprised that there were so many cars parked along the road and a great many people walking towards the entrance. I suppose being free made a difference. Making a charge can put people off I suppose, and it was a fine and sunny day, which also made a vast difference. I was more than surprised how much was going on and the first person I met as I walked in wanted to know how I'd heard about the event (as described above) and mentioned various voluntary activities going on at Bradwell Abbey. I have lived in Milton Keynes for over 12 years and knew about this place but had never visited. When you see photographs of the place, you only see a small gothic style building (which is part of the now none existent Abbey (actually a Priory) but I never realised there is far more to it than that, a whole range of other buildings, including a barn and what must be more recent buildings, in one of the barns is a medieval interpretation building and a charity which is based there, called InterAction, which used to be near here, just a short walk down the Redway to the Grand Union Canal, and housed in a large house which, when we walked past the other day, has been vacated and has 'keep out 'signs all over the fence. No doubt it was to expensive to keep maintained and this might explain whey they move out to Bradwell Abbey.

Walking in to the event, a sort of courtyard in the centre of buildings and open spaces, grass meadows and the small, stone-built building, which is what I refer to in the above paragraph, a mansion (I assume) with rather attractive garden which is enclosed by a wall, and, further round, open grassed space, and he remains of what looks to me like a medieval fishpond (I may be wrong, or I might be right!) In one of the grass meadows, a sort of area area, roped off, with people watching what looks vaguely like some sort of medieval battle, with men in period costume, some with a variety of weapons, and a man with a long beard, attached to a portable public address system, giving a running commentary of the action, looking to me like it might be from about the period of the Battle of Hastings or at least, the Norman Conquest. Very coincidentally, I'm reading a book on the subject. Apparently, I later heard from Aldo (via Facebook) that he was in amongst this throng of men, although I would never have recognised him, as part of Chanz Des Reis. His children we also there, apparently also dressed in medieval garb. I took some photographs of this reinaction and uploaded some of them onto Facebook, which is how he eventually contacted me. I was looking out for him during the afternoon, but didn't see him. Hardly surprising, because of the beards and other period costume they were wearing. At the end of their session, they all marched off, with banners and so on, which I also photographed and put on my Facebook profile.

Having watching the enactors, I walked round to the rest of the fayre. A range of stands displaying different aspects of the medieval period, from weaponry, making to using, usually in battle, hand-to-hand and otherwise, swords, shields and other weapons I've never come across. There was a display of chainmail and what must have been an accurate recreation of a chainmail shirt and I was surprised how heavy it was. The item of clothing handing on a pole to show it on display and later two medieval costumed men carried it off around the fair, and, because I am currently reading a book about the Norman Conquests, I had seen images taken from the Bayeux Tapestry and was taken particularly by one image which showed soldiers loading armour and other weapons onto ships and carrying chainmail in exactly the same fashion.

I had an ice cream from a stall. One of those jobs which is ice cream extruded into a wafer cone and then has chocolate sauce poured into it. The only problem was that the ice cream was almost defrosted when I received it and it made it difficult to eat, as you could expect, on a fairly hot day, and it was in the process of melting all over my hand and I had to devour it fairly rapidly before the whole lot ended up on the ground and, as I walked around the fair, some of it landing up on some of the items on display. A pity really, because otherwise I rather enjoyed it. But, being honest, who doesn't enjoy an ice cream when it's warm? Not the ice cream, of course (silly man! Who ever heard of warm ice cream?)

I was keen to learn more about Bradwell Abbey and learnt that the last remaining chapel (built to be dedicated to Saint Mary.) was used more recently as a cow shed and has been restored. The rest of the Abbey I presume was demolished at the time of the Dissolution of The Monestaries under that evil king, Henry VIII. There was a model of what it was supposed to have looked like in the barn and this chapel was only a very tiny part of the whole.

One of the most interesting displays was of falconry, a subject that interests me. There was a display of a few different species in a cage and then a full display of falconry, but the one bird that really caught my attention was a vulture, not a bird normally associated with falconry. Most people cower when they hear the word 'vulture' because of the association they have with dead animals and the application of all these associations when used in films, usually Westerns. Usually hot deserts, blazing sun, probably someone tied up by the baddies and then a few shots of vultures circling overhead as the baddies ride off, leaving the innocent victims tied up and unable to defend themselves. But vultures are carrion, they don't attack live animals (or humans, for that matter) and live off the dead carcases of animals which are left to rot. In that respect they are a recycling species and can apparently eat animals which have died of such diseases as anthrax and therefore keep the vicinity clear of diseases that would otherwise wipe out populations of humans and other animals.

One more demonstration, of archery, and that was all I wanted to see. A really excellent event and I trust and hope that they have more. There seem to be a lot more of these type of events all around the country and considering how history was taught when I was at school and the deadly dull 'A' Level History course I was doing when I then went off to Cheltenham in 1969, it makes a change to have what I would call 'hands-on' history, whereby you can actually get a taste of what life would have been like in a certain period of history, with enactors creating battles and showing how wars were won and fought. So saying, I left and went back to my car and home.

Moving. . .( Hopefully) . . . At Last!

I have been hoping that I might get an email form the lady from Milton Keynes council who visited two Fridays ago about me moving to sheltered housing. I have already glanced at the list of places around Milton Keynes and two stood out; one called Everglades which is within Eaglestone and Alfie and I walk past it regularly when I take him out for his early-morning walks. It seemed perfect, with what appear to be bungalows within a 'unit' and each with it's own garden, so it would be more or less what I was hoping for, so we had our own independence, more or less, but the whole idea of sheltered housing is that there are staff, probably a warden, on site, as well as community facilities, such as a lounge and other rooms where you can get involved in community activities, something which would make life a little more comfortable, particularly as I'm a single person once again since Carols' passing. 

The other place is called Dexter House, and in Oldbrook, in a road off Strudwick Drive, and a short walk from M.K.C.C. I have looked for it on Google Maps and drove around there the other Sunday after church to have a look at, not just the building, but the area in general. I often drive past if I'm going to Lidl in Oldbrook Boulevard and I quite like the idea of some of the flats within the project have their own bit of garden and that there is quite a large garden which can be used by residents.

So, fairly late in the afternoon on Friday, I got the hoped-for email, as I had sent one asking that my choice of places would be more flexible, if I was to move quicker I was going to have to accept somewhere which probably didn't have a garden and might be on a first floor. So, I opened the email to discover that a flat was being offered in Dexter House, on the first floor. I have to telephone on Monday morning to arrange a visit and have a closer inspection of what is on offer. I am really pleased that something has come up a good deal quicker than expected, basically because I don't want to stay in this house any longer than necessary, basically because I am not being paid the full amount of the rent by Housing Benefit. The good news is that, once I move, all my rent will be covered by Housing Benefit. Well, to be honest, I don't need a 3-bedroom house any longer, which this current property is, and a landlord who doesn't really care whether the place is well maintained or not (as I think I've discussed on various posts on here.) The next thing will be moving out, loading up my possessions and taking it all to the new flat, but first of all, clearing the small bedroom and disposing of things that are no longer useful or can be taken to a charity shop, such as the two bicycles which has been living in the entrance hall for the past couple of years and would not be possible to take to the new flat, because of the lack of storage space.

Alfie, at once not in full barking mode

Alfie now expects to get more than one walk each day. My fault, I suppose, but seeing that it's been sunny and warm for the past few days (is this what's called an 'Indian Summer'?) I decided to take him out in the afternoon, and this morning, after I'd been to, first, the 'Men's Breakfast' at the Oaktree Centre (there wasn't one during August.) and then on to do some shopping in Aldi at Bradwell Common, I thought it only fair on him to take him out once I'd got home and unpacked the few bits I'd bought in Aldi. He soon twigs that I'm considering a walk. I don't know what it is, but he seems to sense that I'm about to find his lead and take him out. Then. later, at around 2.30, I took him out again for a third walk, this time walking towards Milton Keynes Academy and eventually through to Coffee Hall and back over he bridge that crosses Saxon Street and then into the estate and round towards Marlborough Street and back home along the Redway. In total, a little over 12,000 steps. I'm not sure what distance that converts too, but quite a long way I should imagine.

A Day At The Show

A day that started out a good deal colder than of late, but as the day went on, became quite sunny and pleasant. As mentioned in an earlier post, I booked a ticket on-line for the Buckingham County Show. I didn't see much point getting to the show too early (it opened at 8a.m.) so I left just after 9 a.m., driving out of Milton Keynes on Standing Way towards Buckingham, a road I know well enough and then turned off just beyond the Thrift Farm and used the Google Maps app on my iPhone to direct me more or less exactly to the show ground. No, I didn't use the mobile as I drove along. I had to stop in one of the villages and checked my phone to make sure I was heading in the right direction. The Google Maps app is probably more use than the built in SatNav which I have in the car.  I saw a couple of yellow signs which directed me towards the show ground. I had suspected that there must be some sort of sign somewhere for those who didn't know the way, such as myself.I continued on until I came to a  set of traffic lights, not for roadworks (fortunately) but to allow vehicles to enter the carpark. When I drove in I was confronted by his vast grass meadow, so I was very wary of having to drive across a not-too even surface and was directed by several stewards to the place to park. Then, having parked, I had to follow the crowd walking towards the entrance to the show. I'm so glad I bought my entry ticket on-line and had it printed out because all I had to do was show it to a member of staff who scanned the barcode on the ticket to then be let through the gate and into the show ground. This bought back memories of such visits as a child, usually the East of England Agricultural show at Alwalton, Peterborough, or before that, when the Bedfordshire Agricultural show was held on the riverside meadows along Cardington Road, on the way into Bedford, usually over a weekend in summer.

On arrival inside the show ground, I was confronted by a range of stalls and tents to explore. A lot of pennants and flags and one in particular, saying 'Ferrets' on it, so I made my way towards the stand. A lot of coloured tubes, and a board giving what I assume is the name of a different ferret, which I imagine is set up for ferret racing. As I've owned and kept ferrets I have a certain amount of knowledge about these fantastic, feisty little creatures. But there was absolutely no sign of a ferret, which was a pity as I'd have liked to see them racing. Then on to an area, a largish area of grass with a roped off pence and people standing and watching something going on in the ring. A man demonstrating dog-training, working dogs such as cocker spaniels, sheep dogs and labradors. He has a microphone attached to his face, similar to what are used in church, and what I presume is a radio link allowing his voice to be heard over the Tannoy system. What I watch is quite amazing, a sheep dog (I assume it to be a sheep dog) heading ducks or geese. Around six or eight, being cajoled by the dog, rather like a sheep door herding sheep. I've never seen anything like it, and it ends with the ducks being herded into an enclosure. It was amusing, to say the least and the crowd were loving it. I had my Canon digital camera with me, so I took a few shots, but unfortunately I didn't think to charge the camera's battery, so the thing, unfortunately, died so I ended up taking photographs with my iPhone, which isn't as easy as using the Canon because you can never see clearly through the little LED screen and it was a bit of pot luck whether any shots would be successful. You can see a few on the post, below.

Model T Ford on display at the show

Cattle in the process of being judged

 Well turned out horses in the equine area of the show

No agricultural show is complete without a display of the latest mechanical equipment, including
tractors

I had a good wander around the show, looking at a lot of the stands. I found a stand which was for a company called Dog Only Knows, selling a range of natural dog food and treats, so I had a browse and bought Alfie a bag of treats. Who says I never love hime? He deserves treats and hopefully he would take to these. Later I found a stall selling a wide range of brushes, and as Alfie needs brushing because he has a long coat, I managed to buy one which was more than suitable for the job. Quite expensive, but never mind, just this once I didn't mind paying for a brush that wasn't going to fall apart.

I saw several displays of dogs, beagles, seleham terriers (around the same size as Alfie, who is a Yorkshire Terrier.) and bloodhounds. I was surprised how big they are and I imagine how much food they would eat! Probably quite a lot.

I was feeling a little peckish and was contemplating where to stop to have a bite to eat and a drink when I came across a tent which was run by local churches, offering free tea and cake. Too good to miss. I couldn't believe that it was free. So, in I went, chose a rather  nice slice of what looked like walnut sponge and a large cup of tea and then sat at a table, by now really ready to sit down. People were really friendly and ready to chat. Having had my cuppa and cake, I left the tent and had another wander, having a look at tractors and other farm machinery. Well, let's be honest, an agricultural show isn't complete with tractors. Then, something of a surprise. Tortoises! No, it's not every day that you come across large tortoises. I think we saw some when we visited Twycross zoo, but nowhere else. They were quit4e large and you could pay £2 to get closer, but there were signs up telling you to beware that they could bite! Probably be a bit like being bitten by a set of pliers! They're mouths do look quite lethal and their teeth probably quite sharp and certainly give you quite a nip if given half a chance.

Then, viewing a selection of vintage cars, vans and farm machinery. I have taken a photograph of a Model T Ford, which is above.

Having seen all I wanted to see I decided it was time to leave the showground and make for the exit. A real crush of people coming in. I was then concerned that I wouldn't remember where I had parked the car in that vast field. Since I had arrived the carpark had filled up considerably but after a bit of a walk I soon found the car and then had to find the way out of the carpark as there was no real indication but it wasn't as difficult as it could have been. There were plenty of stewards to direct me out. Turning left onto the road I drove towards Aylesbury and eventually got on the road back to Milton Keynes, but I didn't realise how close it was to Aylesbury and even Waddesdon Manor wasn't that far away. A familiar road and not long before I was home and really pleased to have been out and had such a good day out.

Visit To Basildon Park

Easter Monday. A day out is in order. The weather is fine and sunny. New car in good order. Full tank of petrol. National Trust membership up-to-date. We decide from considering the options to go to Basildon Park for a visit. Having viewed several maps on-line, one being Google Maps, we decide it's not much more than 60 miles so we leave at around 9.15. It's no point getting there too early as it's not all open until 11.00. We drive towards Buckingham and then on towards the A34, a route we know well as we drive south regularly to visit the in-laws who live in Bournemouth. On Saturday we had hoped to drive up the M1 and visit a National Property, Caulke Abbey or another the other side of Derby, but when we get onto the Motorway we soon discovered a high volume of traffic and on actually getting on to the carriageway that there are roadworks all the way north past Newport Pagnall services and that you can't drive more than 50 miles per hour (or aren't supposed to.) It takes us around and hour and a half to get as far as the turning off for Weedon and Leamington Spa so we decide that we're not going to get much further and won't get to our destination this side of midday so we come off the Motorway near Coventry and come back across country and back through Buckingham where we drop in to the newly opened Aldi branch and do a shop for the evening's meal and then return to Milton Keynes and home.

Yesterday's trip was considerably better, but we were supposed to get on the M40 and then onto the A34, but due to roadworks we couldn't get onto the Motorway and instead had to make a diversion towards Oxford and find the A34. It seems that the road network is currently plagued by a good deal of roadworks at the moment. I think if we had been altered earlier it might have saved us a good deal of time and effort and not a fair amount of frustration. Unfortunately you don't learn these sort of deal until after the event.

Yet another great mass of roadwork activity on a vast roundabout when we come off the A34 towards Reading, which means we have to circle the confounded roundabout again so that we are facing in the right direction for Basildon Park, but as a result it is a worthwhile journey as the scenery is very pleasant. We eventually arrive at our destination to find that the sunshine has brought out a large crowd of visitors. I think this may be due in large part to the fact that Basildon Park is one of the locations for filming of the I.T.V. drama series Downton Abbey. I have to admit to having only watched one episode and then I wasn't immediately drawn to watching further episodes as it's not really the sort of programme I enjoy.  Probably actually better to watch via catch-up as there are adverts around every 20 minutes or so and who wants to sit through endless ads for sofas, double-glazing and shampoo? The fact that it's so full of advertising is enough to put any one off watching. The acting is very wooden and the storylines are cliched and full of anachronisms. It is a pleasant place to wander around and take in the scenery. On arrival we make for the cafeteria but then discover an extremely long queue of similarly hungry and by now quite frustrated visitors. It takes us a good 20 minutes to reach the counter, make our selection of sandwiches and lattes and pay and then find a vacant table to sit and eat. We wander into the garden to find a lot of families enjoying the sunshine and the views across the valley from the garden a truly spectacular and you can clearly see why someone would choose to build a property in such a location. We then enter the house and wander around the various rooms and in particular those which are used as interiors for not only Downton Abbey but the recent film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as well as several other film such as The Duchess. The National Trust staff in each room are extremely knowledgeable and it's interesting to hear from them about the history of the house and the families who used to live in the house. Having finished our tour of the house we leave and go back to the stable block near the carpark which is where we came in and find the shop to buy the handbook about the house as well a to buy ice creams which we take to eat sitting at some picnic tables conveniently placed near the carpark. We get back to the car and drive home which seems to take less time than the journey out.

New glasses!

I hadn't heard anything from Boot's opticians as regards my new glasses being ready so I went into Milton Keynes Shopping Centre mid-morning. I have continued to deliver the IKEA catalogues, and managed around 60 more along the Chaffron Way side of Eaglestone. It's easier when you have a clear map, which I don't have. Google Maps is useful, but even that doesn't mark all the names of the little alleyways and roads. The photographic version is clearer as you can see the actual houses. I have done another 'block' of houses this morning, so that leaves a block coming back towards home for tomorrow and there's some flats within the hospital grounds that need to be delivered to.

I got to Boots and asked at the reception desk. I had been told that it would take two weeks from the original eye-test for the glasses to be made up, and was told that they would telephone when they were ready for collection, so, when I still hadn't herd anything, I decided to go to the store to find out what was going on. The lady on reception looked on their computer but could find nothing. They seemed to be having trouble getting into the system to track orders. I sat and waited, and after around 10 minutes they told me that my glasses were indeed in. I had to try them on, and they fit perfectly. The old ones, as I've already mentioned in the earlier post, fell apart, and not only that, they had kept slipping down my nose and making life really difficult. These, thankfully, remained on my face and didn't slip down my nose! So, I wore them as I left. Mission accomplished, and now I can see the world clearly again, thankfully.