A Cold And Frosty Morning

Wednesday.10.40 a.m. A freezing and frosty morning when I took Alfie out after 7.30. I don't think it was such a surprise, as this is probably typical weather at this time of the year. Later, I went out to scrape ice off the car and put the heaters on to defrost the windscreen and rear window. Later still, I went to Sainsbury's and got a spray bottle of antifreeze, amongst other things.

Thursday. 6.40 a.m. I'm not sure how cold it is outside and whether I will need to defrost the car before I drive to the Oaktree Centre this morning. I am due to take Alfie out as soon as it gets light, probably around 7.30.

12.35 p.m. It turned out to be frosty and cold. The temperature has definitely fallen sharply. Considering how warm it's been throughout the summer and well into the autumn, it's quite a contrast.

Friday. 6.50 a.m. I had a terrible bout of heartburn when I went to bed last night. Having had two heart attacks, I have a good idea of what that feels like and the feeling of intense heartburn is very similar. In fact, the first time I had a heart attack, I actually thought it was no more than heartburn. It's in virtually the same place in your chest. I took one of my Gaviscon tablets, which fortunately I had in my medications' drawer, and it did subside eventually, but it was still frightening. Not having someone around immediately to support me was rather scary and then, had I actually had a heart attack, what would have happened to Alfie if I'd gone to the hospital then there was the prospect of being stuck in the hospital for a couple of days. Not something I was particularly looking forward to. I still don't know what set the heartburn off as I had eaten my meal two or more hours before. I have a medication review on Monday. I have my doctor telephoning me and I will discuss this then. Also, the troublesome cough I have I reckon is caused by one of my medications, possibly the Atorvostatin. I think is causing the phlegm at the back of my throat, which makes me cough. It just will not go away. It is very annoying and unpleasant.

7.55 a.m. It's frosty and cold once again. 

I have loaded the washing machine with clothes (well, what else would I load into a washing machine?) So, another hour or so before I remove it and put the load into the drier.

Alfie is now well and truly warm and comfortable on my bed. Well, who can blame him? He knows where it's best to sleep.

I am watching another episode of one of my all-time favourite television shows, 'The Avengers' on Britbox. It is very stylistic and typically 1960s entertainment. Mrs Peel, played by the late, great Diana Rigg, is a very positive female role model. No shrinking violet or your stereotypical female sidekick. The whole show is very tongue-in-cheek and doesn't take itself too seriously. 

Life, The Universe And One Or Two Other Things

Monday 7.05 a.m. I awoke early, as I usually do. I didn't see the point of taking Alfie out until it was lighter, which only begins to get light enough to venture out until around 6.30. Then I could hear the rain, rattling on the windows and thought to myself that Alfie wasn't going to like it, but there was no alternative, so we went out and it was raining slightly, not too heavy, but I think it was likely to become more serious as the day progresses.

Wednesday. 6.50 a.m. On Monday, I emailed Camphill about whether they were still insisting on staff and volunteers wearing face coverings. I'm really keen to get back to working there, because sitting in my flat on my own isn't very conducive to mental health, apart from anything else, and two years of being put under house arrest (or let's say, what has felt like house arrest, but what the government called 'lockdown', due to the pandemic.) haven't helped matters, being cut off from meeting people, for example, so going back there for one day a week had given me a focus and I really enjoyed being there. I soon had a reply and the response was good! No more face coverings, and you only have to do a test if you show symptoms of covid. As I've had all my doses of the vaccine and last week I had my booster jab. So, I'm planning to go back and work with the guys in the theatre workshop. Yesterday I was sent an email in order to sign up to do an online course concerning the various aspects of care, such as manual handling, infection control, fire safety and a whole host of other areas. I managed it, although I had to do it in stages as it took around two hours in total. I also did an application for my disclosure certificate, which you need to have if you are working with vulnerable groups such as learning disabilities, which the client group is at Camphill. I have to go to Camphill tomorrow (Thursday) with a bundle of documentation in order to get signed up officially, although I did this initially when I started there back in around March-April 2019. So, let's just say I'm a bit excited about going there next Tuesday and can't wait to see the guy's faces when I walk in the door!

3.25 p.m. I've mentioned that I have recently signed up to the streaming service, Britbox. I am more than pleased with their offerings, a lot of ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 stuff to view. I have already enjoyed 'The Avengers', the brilliant 1960s show with Patrick McNee and Diana Rigg. Really over-the-top entertainment and some of the stories are unbelievable, but they are done with such style that you can forgive some of the craziness, which actually makes the show so watchable. Yesterday evening I began watching the Granada TV version of Sherlock Holmes, with Jeremy Brett as Holmes, in the first story adapted, 'A Scandal In Bohemia.' I can't see any television station in today's broadcasting landscape making such a well-produced series as this, the period details, sets, costumes and so on are amazing. There are one or two little points which are totally unbelievable, such as the ropey disguise that Holmes puts on i and which is so appallingly bad it would never fool anyone. The wig and sideboards he dons look as if they would fall off or at least be pulled off at the least provocation. Really unconvincing.