Mild And Sunny

Wednesday. 7.10 a.m. It's a bright and sunny morning as I write this, but, when I took Alfie out, around 6 o'clock, I discovered a light frost on the grass. We walked around Oldbrook Green and saw a van draw up at the bus shelter near 'The Cricketer's' pub the driver get out and sprayed anti-freeze spray on the windscreen and then attempt to scrape it off. I was thinking, as I saw this, why he hadn't done this before he'd started the journey and therefore driving with so much ice on his windscreen.

3.40 p.m. I'm continuing with the writing project. I got so far with the changes I've made so that I can introduce a new character, but I gave it a break as I work out the next stage of the plotting, which is perhaps the most challenging part of writing. The actual hard graft of writing is relatively easy. It's the structure of a piece that is difficult, working out what goes where who meets whom where and when etc.

Thursday. 6.55 a.m. I have mentioned the fact that the pharmacy which makes up my repeat prescriptions, Lloyd's within Sainsbury's store is closing, which means I have to find another pharmacy to make up the prescriptions. I wanted to use Lloyd's online system and order via their app. Several days ago I downloaded the app onto my iPad and began to set up an account, so the ordering would take place through that. All very well, and I'm happy to do that. But I didn't get the email which would mean I could input all the medication I take so that the pharmacy could make up my order. But it has now come this morning and I have spent around thirty minutes inputting everything as required. Quite fiddly, and I am now concerned that it will actually work when I need to order. As I have been using the tried and tested method of ordering my meds for around 15 years, about from the time I married Carol, all this change is a trifle unsettling until it has settled in and working successfully.

1.20 p.m. I've been to The Oaktree Centre to help with setting up the playgroup. I was more than a little bit surprised that Chaffron Way was more or less devoid of the usual gridlock I normally have to endure. It transpired, having spoken to people at The Oaktree Centre, about this lack of gridlock that it was most likely because school teachers are on strike today. If that's the case, is it possible that almost all of that traffic would have been parents taking their children to school? Seems crazy. Can't the majority of them either walk or go by bicycle? Ferrying children about is crazy. They should learn to be more self-reliant. I used to cycle to school and it never hurt me. In fact, I quite liked the idea of being independent.

Friday. 7.20 a.m.  Another relatively mild morning on the weather front.

I was out with Alfie at around 5.50 this morning. Immediately outside on the pavement alongside Strudwick Drive there were two electric scooters, the type seen being ridden around Milton Keynes. They were there yesterday morning at the same time. It seems crazy to have them left like this and in the middle of the path which would get in the way of anyone either pushing a child in a buggy or someone in an electric scooter, such as those used by tenants at Dexter House. I assume, if you use one of these devices, you set up an account on your tablet or mobile, by downloading an app, and then, when you want to use one, you 'unlock' one using a pin or something and then ride off and then leave it at your point of arrival. I have seen the staff of the company who run these electric scooters come out and retrieve them, no doubt finding them because they have some sort of connection to GPS technology which would show where they are situated on a tablet, laptop or mobile device of some sort. It just seems crazy to me to have these scooters left in such problematic places which might be in the way of other users of the road, path or whatever and especially those with sight problems who might crash into them totally unaware they are in their way.

A Little Wet and Windy

 Monday. 7.45 a.m. Another week begins. It's relatively bright and sunny outside, but when I took Alfie out around an hour ago it was quite chilly. I think perhaps it's time to put my shorts away for the winter months. A pity, as I've got used to wearing them. I may have to find some cargoes made of similar material. They're Weird Fish brand shorts with plenty of pockets, which are useful, particularly when walking Alfie, as I can put treats in one pocket, keys in another, and doggy bags in another. 

Wednesday. 4.20 p.m. I've had two letters in the post. One from Milton Keynes Council about having my bathroom refitted. Is it possible? Might I have a proper full-sized bath that I can actually lay down in and have a decent soak? Most people are at least 5-6 tall, and most, if not all normal people would expect to be able to lie full length in it when they have a bath.)Anyway, having contacted the number on the letter, I have someone coming to survey the aforementioned bathroom to see what can or cannot be done. I will report on here after I have had the visit. I hold my breath in anticipation (metaphorically that is.) The other letter was from Lloyd's Pharmacy offering me a flu jab. Booked through their website and it's going to be on 28th October at their branch in Sainsbury's.

Thursday. I've made a batch of scones to take to the quiz night on Friday evening. They aren't bad. Taste good, texture good and I'm sure Marry Berry would be pleased with the result, but to me, they don't look very good. I will have another try tomorrow and hope the second batch turns out better.

Saturday. 8.10 a.m. I've been somewhat lax this week, in the fact that I haven't been writing blog posts for the past couple of days. Very lazy, but, I'll be honest not a great deal to report. 

I've made another batch of scones, and this time I've used my food processor and they've come out looking considerably better than yesterday's batch. The food processor certainly speeds the process considerably. 

I went into Sainsbury's and had intended to purchase ink cartridges for my Canon printer/scanner. I hunter along the shelves in the stationary section of the store and could see none, so I asked a member of staff and was told that they had been removed from the store because they are stolen by people who then sell them online, no doubt on sites such as eBay. Crazy that things have come to this. I have since managed to order them from Viking, the online stationers. They should arrive, hopefully, in the next couple of days.

We had a quiz night at the Oaktree Centre this evening. Raising funds for the second phase of the building.  A good evening was had by all and it was great to be around people once more and not virtually.

Sunday. This afternoon I went out with the intention of topping up the car with diesel because it is running low. There is no ulterior motive other than my usual topping it up. I'm not driving a great deal at the moment, but the fuel gauge is showing there's not much in the tank. I drove around to the ESSO station on Childs Way to discover a huge queue of vehicles stretching from the roundabout on Marlborough Street. I wasn't going to join the queue and I could say a similar queue on the opposite carriageway at the BP station. I then drove to the Shell station on Grafton Street and, seeing there was no queue I drove in, but most of the pumps were blocked off, signaling they had no fuel. So, I drove away and have decided perhaps I will wait until later in the week to have another go at getting a tank full.

Tuesday. 10.30 a.m. Alfie had a bit of an accident last night, requiring a complete change of bedding and floor-mopping. He spent the night in the lounge as I didn't want a repetition of things. He was quiet until the early hours of the morning and then began barking. I had to do a further clear-up, but as I write this he seems fine. I'll have to monitor things and see what transpires. He seems to be his usual perky self and we've just got back from another walk around the park. It's bright and sunny this morning.

I have been attempting to fuel the car. I know it's not urgent as the car can go for quite a long period before it needs fuel. The gauge is looking low, so it will need diesel sometime soon. I went around Marlborough Street and to the Esso station along Child's Way, but they had nothing, and then to the BP station on the opposite carriageway, but, again, nothing. I'll have to leave it until the end of the week and give it another attempt. Then I drove on to Sainsbury's. A great many empty spaces on the shelves but I managed to get the few items I needed.

Dryday

Sunday. 2.20 a.m. Here I am, in the middle of the night, sitting in the lounge because I couldn't get back to sleep. Alfie has just come into the room from the bedroom. Probably he can't sleep either. I have ordered a repeat prescription via the Airmid app because I wasn't sure whether I had an adequate supply and it's as well to have it all ordered in good time to make sure I don't run out of anything. It should be ready for collection from Lloyd's Pharmacy in Sainsbury's by Tuesday at the latest.

I am not attending church in person until we don't have to wear masks. It is virtually impossible to sing when you have something over your mouth and nose. Apart from the fact that it steams up my glasses and having to breathe out hot breath so your face ends up as if it's been in a sauna, it sparks off that horrible cough I've mentioned before in these blog posts. I'm not entirely convinced that face-coverings prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Or protects you in any way. Most of those that people wear will be unwashed and not particularly hygienic, and those that are 'medically' serviceable, or of a higher standard, are not as effective as they might be. Also, some people, probably a very small percentage of the population, insist on disposing of them by flinging them on the ground. Very likely to be a cause for environmental problems as well as likely to contaminate water etc because of the chemicals they contain or the materials they are made of.

Later. 6.55 p.m. I've spent a great deal of time over the weekend transcribing my handwritten material into word processing. It's going better than I thought and have cut and pasted some material from elsewhere that had to be put in the correct place for the story to work.

Monday. 6.35 a.m. Another day and still under some form of lockdown. Today should have been 'Freedom Day' but things haven't changed since the so-called 'Delta Variant' is supposedly causing problems. But we have a vaccine  (something like 60 million doses have been given.) and a large percentage of the population has herd immunity. It's almost as if the government doesn't trust it to do its work. On BBC Breakfast (yes, I'm back watching that again.) they are discussing booster vaccines. Which makes sense as they don't know how long the vaccine will remain effective. But I'm thinking, surely, once you've had the two doses, your body will build up natural immunity. Keeping people apart surely prevents this natural ability to build up any immunity.

10.30 a.m. I've been into the city centre intending to apply for an ATM card which I can use with my newly set-up savings account with Nationwide. After parking in my usual place near The Point and paying using the RingGo app and then walking into the centre (which is deathly quiet as there are virtually no other shoppers about. When I see any they are walking the wrong way in the system is set up. You are meant to walk one way up and the other to walk down, but, as I say, some people don't appear to know this. They can hardly ignore the signs that are everywhere unless they have poor eyesight, can't read English, or have no ability to read whatsoever.) I arrive at the Nationwide branch and then I'm told that the account I have set up doesn't have an ATM card, because it was set up online. I wasn't made aware of this when I set it up. Oh, never mind. It's not important, although I could change it to be operated with a card. Such is life!

I then walk to Marks and Spencers. I want to go to the menswear floor but the escalator wasn't working. It looks as if it's being repaired, so I decide to use the stairs. Hidden away to one side of the store and it's quite a hike up to the floor I want. I think I might need oxygen, because of the effort. The irony, oh the irony! Also, a dose of sarcasm here. I hunt around to find polo shirts and discover several which I like and then take photos with my iPhone. The idea being that I will have some M and S vouchers soon, earned from doing online surveys. I can order the required items online and use the vouchers and then 'click and collect', which I have done before. I found the product number on the hang tickets and put these numbers on the M and S website. I know, a lot of effort but a good deal easier than finding and paying for the item in-store. It also means you just go in and collect the items without any more frustrations, such as queuing and paying.

Scorchio!

Sorry, more cheap tabloid headline-catching usage. Why am I sorry? Basically, because I can't stand cheap journalism which is basically just sensationalist just to get readers. And some people are stupid enough to fall for cheap journalism and buy the rubbish. For those with a low Gunning Fog Index rating? Okay, you don't know what the Gunning Fog Index is? Never mind. Doesn't matter. Just say, those readers of Red Top Tabloids probably have a low rating.

Monday. 11.05 p.m. I have woken up with some strange sound outside. Well, I presume it's outside. I thought at first it was a hairdryer because it's that sort of noise. The thinking is that someone in a flat either below or at least nearby was using such an electrical item. But it doesn't seem to be and it goes on for far too long. I begin to wonder if it's one of those slow-moving road sweepers you see which crawl along on the left side of the road with a revolving brush-thingy that sweeps up the debris in the gutter, leaves, and anything else which gets into the gutter. But if that's the case, why do it at night? No sense really. In fact, it would be dangerous, slow-moving vehicles are a hazard because of idiots who are impatient and want to get past them. Fifteen minutes have elapsed and I think it's stopped. Will it start up again and be even more annoying? Time will tell. Well, it's got me sitting here writing this, so does it really matter? Oh, for flippin' 'eck. The thing has started up again. Please just go away so I can get back to sleep.

Tuesday. 5.35 a.m. After being woken by the strange noise, as I write this, the only sound I can hear outside is pigeons making their ridiculous noise and the occasional car driving past. 

Later. A trip to Sainsbury's to collect a prescription from Lloyd's pharmacy and a few items for tonight's meal. Chicken salad and all the trimmings. It means I don't have to cook, and because it's so warm at the moment, salad seems a good choice. Just put it on a plate and eat. Nothing could be simpler.

My writing is going spectacularly. Really pleased with the result and will continue when I have worked out the next sequence. 

Football! Football and more football! Sorry, not interested. I just get sick of having it forced on me when I just couldn't care less. I know these big events, such as Euro 2021 or whatever they call it, come round every few years, four years or thereabouts, and the fact that this has been delayed since last year because of the pandemic, but it seems to take over everything, not just television, but the press and everywhere you go. Sainsbury's full of it, products have some sort of connection, whether it's sponsorship or tied in some way or other because these events are big money earners. I won't mention it again. Promise.

Wednesday. 6.15 a.m. We were out at 5.45. Just too warm and pleasant, with the windows open, why would you want to remain indoors? I think Alfie was somewhat surprised when I geared up to take him out. The BBC Breakfast weather forecast says that we can expect high temperatures today but as the week progresses we will get torrential rain. I don't mind, as I find that if it's too hot I can't cope. Just need things to cool down somewhat.

GBN News channel? I watched the opening night of this new news channel. It doesn't do what they call 'rolling news', which most other news channels use as their format. It's supposed to be 'presenter lead, and they keep saying, 'if it's important to you [the viewer} it's important to us!' The only criticism I have is that on Freeview, I have to watch the standard quality pictures. It would be better in full HD, which seems to be on other platforms such as YouView and Sky. There were a lot of problems with sound, some of it was out of sync with the pictures and in particular from their reporters from around the regions. But there's bound to be technical issues when a channel is live starting up. Just hope they get on top of these issues. I will wait and see and give it time to settle in. I will comment further after a week or two. Watch this space.

Foggy and Cold

It's a foggy and chilly morning. You couldn't see across to the opposite side of Oldbrook Green when I was out with Alfie at 7.30. It doesn't seem as if it's going to clear as it was just as foggy when we went out at 9.15.

(Tuesday) I've been to Sainsbury's to get a few bits and pieces and to collect a prescription order. I realised when I was doing my medication on Sunday that some tablets were on the verge of running out so I did an order through the NHS app I have on my iPad. The order goes to the surgery and then it's sent electronically to Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's. I then get a text message to let me know that it's ready for collection and that's it. Efficiency. I even bought a Christmas jumper! I thought I'd throw myself into the festive spirit as much as possible. I'm not going to Chloe and Steve's in Worcester because Chloe is expecting. Grandchild number four! Due to arrive in May. I can't imagine what their house will be like if it's a boy (probably the same if it's a girl!) but very noisy I can imagine. I can visit in the spring, but with the pandemic and the risk of passing on the coronavirus, (either me to them, and in particular, Chloe, as it might be dangerous if she's pregnant.) but also for myself.

Some of the residents of Dexter House have been busy creating what I would describe as tableau or presentations. The first one was to celebrate Remembrance Day in November. It consisted of a large model of an RAF plane flying over the White Cliffs of Dover and they had made poppies out of the bases of Coca Cola bottles painted red and stuck on pieces of wire, similar to the poppy sculpture which was displayed at the Tower of London in 2014 to be part of the centenary of the beginning of the First World War. Then a Christmas display was created, consisting of a 'set' of a room, with a fireplace (working. Not sure how, but very realistic with a fire inside it.) a Christmas tree and decorations and a Father Christmas model which was supposed to sit in an armchair. The walls of the room 'set' was made of cardboard covered in wallpaper. But . . . (there is always a big but in these things, I'm afraid.) someone from Milton Keynes Council, I think responsible for managing Dexter House, decided that it was a fire hazard so it had to be dismantled. I suppose he was right, but it was a pity after all the work was put in to make it.

(Wednesday) There are workmen in Dexter House, removing asbestos from the ceiling along the corridor where my flat is. They are currently working on the furthest section, which is closed off with firedogs, so I can't take Alfie out through the door which opens onto Strudwick Drive, although I can get out at the main door onto Dexter Avenue. Tomorrow I will have to stay in the flat with Alfie as asbestos is a dangerous substance.

(Thursday) A relatively mild day. I overslept somewhat this morning. Unlike me. The asbestos-removal was completed well before lunch. We were told it would finish around 4p.m. so I took Alfie out for a walk. He has been fidgeting all morning, with the hope of being taken out. I'm glad that the workmen have finished.

Foggy Day

(Wednesday)It was foggy as I went out with Alfie a little after 7.30 this morning. You could see the buildings in the city centre quite clearly across Oldbrook Green. Then I went to Sainsbury's to collect a repeat prescription and buy one of two other items, and on my return I took Alfie out again and the fog was thicker than ever, this time I wasn't able to see those distant buildings. 

I have to report something which happened in Sainsbury's underground carpark. It was a little afer 9 when I arrived there so parking was relatively easy. I parked on the upper floor, against the back wall and the then went into the store. On returning to my car and putting my shopping in the rear of the car, a car was pulling out of the next space to mine. Then the woman in that vehicle drove in the opposite direction in which you are supposed to drive along the internal road but along the walk-way, the marked-off area along which you are supposed to walk and proceeded to park in a vacant space. Firstly, this was incredibly dangerous, as she could have had an accident with a car driving in the right direction, and why move from a parking space she was already in and move elsewhere? No sense at all.

(Thursday) The awful fridge/freezer, which let me down terribly when it defrosted overnight about a month ago, leaving me with a load of wasted food which had to be binned, has now gone to the tidy-tip in Bleak Hall. Barbara, the new SHO (Supported Housing Officer) at Dexter House, helped me carry it out to the car earlier this morning. When I got to the tidy-tip I got a member of staff to help remove it from the back of the car. I was expecting to have to help, but he was able to carry it unaided. I would never have managed it on my own. Well, that's now gone, another box ticked. I now have to find some sort of unit to take it's place, in the kitchen, opposite the oven. I think I have found something suitable on Amazon, and should have space to take the microwave and have space to store other things which at present have no home.

I have moved doctor's surgeries. If you've read my earlier posts you will be well aware of my dissatisfaction with Ashfield Medical Centre. I had been told that CMK was a good and reliable surgery (Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre). It is based in Bradwell Common and opposite Aldi, so when I went to Aldi last week I thought it a good idea to enquire about transferring there and I am living within their catchment area, so I decided to get the paperwork and went home and filled it in over the weekend and found the identity that I would need, something with my home address on, so I took my photos Driving Licence with me on Monday and took everything with me. having h anded over the paperwork, duly filled in, dated and signed, I was expecting that it would be a couple of weeks before I got my welcome letter. It came yesterday, surprisingly, and a doctor has been assigned. I had to go back to the surgery to get a password for their on-line booking, which is exactly the same as that used by Ashfield. I had the password and have now got it set up. I also got a doctor's appointment booked for Friday 31st January, for a provisional discussion with my assigned doctor. Hopefully I can continue to use Lloyd's pharmacy in Sainsbury's to have my repeat prescriptions made up as I know the staff in their and trust them to do a good job, which makes a lot of sense. As for the doctor's at Ashfield? Sorry, no.

Walking The Dog (and Sundry Matters)

(Saturday) A really lovely warm day today. As a result of hearing the weather forecast I decided to take off the bedding, duvet cover, sheet and pillow slips, and have them in the washing machine early this morning. Bedding changed and sorted and took Alfie out for his routine walk around Eaglestone Park. We met a large labrador also being walked and as usual Alfie wanted to be friends but I wasn't sure whether the other dog was that interested. Poor Alfie! We did the longer route back through the estate going towards Marlborough Street and came back along the Redway. I had a package to collect from Marks and Spencer, a short sleeved Henley top which was on their website and with 20% discount because I have a Sparks card (the Marks and Spencer loyalty card.) it seemed to good an opportunity to add to my wardrobe, particularly with the warm weather. I went into town after 9 o'clock and parked where I normally do near the Point.

I walked through to Marks and Spencer's. Hardly anybody about. Well, as it's a Saturday, a lot of people who would be shopping in this shopping centre aren't even out of bed yet. I go up on the escalator to the first floor, to the department where you pick up your 'Click and Collect' orders. It's a simple system, go on-line to order and pay and then wait a few days to get an email and then go in and pick your order up, beautifully packaged and even on a hanger. It means you don't have to wade through racks in the store or spend ages trying to find that particular item in your size. I then had a look at sort sleeve shirts. Marks have a good range, in lovely colours and fabrics and found what I wanted, but it wasn't in my size, so I had to ask a member of staff if they had it in stock. She looked on a computer screen and said they could order it for me. I wanted an XL size, and a regular fit, not what they call 'slim fit.' I don't like clothes that are too tight and I usually take a size L, but find if I have XL then there's a bit more room, if you know what I mean. I have lost a fair amount of weight, but putting some of it back on. I lost no end of weight when Carol was diagnosed and going through that awful time before she died. I had to put several more holes in the belt on my trousers. I don't wear jeans, I never have done since I was around 17-18. I much prefer Chinos as they fit better and don't go all baggy in the backside. Generally more comfortable. Anyway, the lady on the till said that the shirt I wanted would be available to pick up, on Monday. So, when I go to the Willen coffee morning in John Lewis, I can go and pick it up then.

So, order collected, I walked back through the shopping centre and returned to the car. By this time it was beginning to get busy. I'm glad I came in when I did. From there I drove to Sainsbury's to do some shopping and mainly to collect a repeat prescription from the Lloyd's in-store pharmacy.

I have a mystery. When I got home I checked to see if the washing was dry. It was. I'm so glad I had it out on the line so early. I want to know is this: why is it whenever you wash a duvet cover and you put it in the machine the right way round, when you come to remove it, how come it's inside out? There's no reason why it should. And why do you nearly always find, when you peg out socks, in particular, you always get one sock that doesn't have a mate, a matching one? It then either gets left inside the machine, so you have to spin the drum with your hand to see what is left, or it might just not even make the wash, and remain in the laundry basket, or you find you left it on the bedroom floor. The laundry elves must have something to do with it . . . .

It was bright and sunny as the day progressed. After lunch I took Alfie out for a second walk. He was more than happy to oblige and must have thought all his birthdays had come at once. We walked down the Redway towards the Grand Union Canal and walked along one side and then came back over the other, crossing over the canal at one of the bridges and then came back round and walked back along the Redway and home. I was quite exhausted when I got back, but never mind, it was worth it, just to have Alfie happy and for me to get some good exercise.

I forgot to mention. On Thursday, about half an hour before I left the house to drive to the theatre to see 'Les Miz,' I got a telephone call on my mobile. It was from Universal Extras, an agency which I have started applying to work for on their website. I have already uploaded two photos, one of which has been approved and the second, one of the full-length shots that John did for me the other week, was awaiting approval. It wasn't that which the call was about. Apparently they need proof of my right to work in the United Kingdom. A bit of a shock, because I have never been asked this by anyone before because I was born and have only ever lived in the UK, and, secondly, I don't have a passport. I was told I could use my birth certificate, a copy of which I don't currently have. Once these documents have been seen, uploaded or whatever, then I can be offered work by them. So, on Friday I went to the Bedford County Council website and applied on-line, as most things seem to be done these days. I at first thought I could have to drive to Bedford and apply 'over-the-counter,' but, no, it's just a question of filling in an on-line form and paying using my debit card and hopefully the certificate copy will be posted to me and should arrive in a couple of days.

Early Morning

It's early morning on Wednesday. I've tried going out a good deal later with Alfie, but he has sat on the sofa beside me and has been staring intently at me, expecting something to happen. I tried my hardest to avoid eye-contact but it wouldn't work. So, I got dressed, having had my bowl of Shreddies and my mug of tea. Alfie's not satisfied until he gets the dregs at the bottom of my mug. I know, I know, tell me off for sharing my mug or my bowl or plate with a dog? It won't hurt. I know Chloe was horrified when I went to stay with her over Christmas. It was difficult for Alfie to not have his tea in the morning or when I'd finished. But does it matter? I don't think so. Having dressed and taken my medication, I got Alfie hooked up with his lead on his harness (a better arrangement than using his collar because it doesn't put stress on his neck.) The whole neighbourhood knows when Alfie's about because of the noise he makes as we go out of the front door. It turns out to be a good deal milder this morning. No frost on the car.

We do our usual walk around Eaglestone Park but go a good deal further. We get as far as the Redway which runs along the side of Marlborough Street. The traffic is relatively heavy. It's going much too fast. People seem to treat the grid roads like a speedway. Then we come out where the Redway goes under the grid road, and back towards home along the Redway behind the houses.

I've been to put diesel in the car this morning. I go to the BP station along Childs Way. It means I will earn extra Nectar points. I then drive out and onto Marlborough Street and then round into Witan Gate as I want to get to Sainsbury's. I have to collect a repeat prescription from Lloyd's which is inside Sainsbury's. I have a further repeat prescription to collect but that won't be done until later in the week.

I've been asked if I'd like to take part in the quiz night at the Oaktree Centre on Friday night. It seems that someone else can't take part. I say yes, because I haven't ever been involved in a quiz before. I love television gameshows such as 'Eggheads,' where at least the questions are relatively hard. Even being able to answer some of the questions on 'University Challenge' surprises me because some of them are really hard. Then there's ''Only Connect,' where the questions are notoriously difficult, having to find the link between three questions or other things. It's compered by Victoria Coren-Mitchell. Some of her remarks are what you might call 'off the wall.' These were some of Carol's favourite television shows. I'm also doing a course at church on Thursday evenings, called 'Freed To Lead.' Who knows what this may lead to? I'm also going on the 'set-up' team to being involved with setting up for Sunday services, so I'm not sitting around doing nothing at the moment, as well as going to the coffee morning which meets at John Lewis's café for people who've been bereaved and connected to Willan Hospice.

I've been to Willen this afternoon. I was annoyed to discover that Chaffron Way was once again closed off at the Marlborough Street roundabout so I had to get to Willen along Childs Way. It would be nice to be informed of such closures well in advance of the actual road closure. It seemed that the same was going on the other way along Chaffron Way. Whether it was for resurfacing or some other matter I have no idea, but still, it must be annoying for any businesses in the area.