Still Going Strong!

Saturday. 8.15 a.m. Well, can't believe I'm still writing these blog posts. This will be the number 1,873. I know a great deal of what I write is waffle, boring and a lot of it is mere trivia, but it has kept me busy and, when I started it back in around 2011, I would never have imagined that it would be going so many years later.

It's fine and sunny this morning, as I type this. Not sure how warm it is outside, but I shall find out soon enough, as I'm going to Sainsbury's soon to buy milk and one or two other items I need.

9.55 a.m. It is actually quite warm out. I've only just come back from Sainsbury's. The travelator is working on the downside, although it is making some unpleasant noises. The wretched voice which tells you to get ready to push your trolley off as you approach the bottom is not working. I hope it isn't merely having a rest or gone away on holiday, as it is really annoying.

Monday. 6.15 a.m. Where did Sunday go? I went to church as usual. It was Palm Sunday yesterday. There's something called 'Messy Church in the afternoon, which is aimed at children and families. I've never been involved, so I don't know enough about it.

I woke up a good deal later than normal. Which meant that Alfie didn't go out as early as he usually does. 

It's light outside as I write this. Spring is definitely here.

I have mentioned this before, but around this time of year, near Carol's birthday, I have daffodils in the flat as a sort of memorial to my lovely late wife. I got several bunches in Sainsbury's and put them in two vases, one on each side of my television. They start off with their buds tightly closed, but over time they gradually open, and I have the full glory of them. The past couple of bunches have started to open, but then they don't fully open and they die. I can't understand why they don't why they don't open fully. The current bunches aren't actually daffodils. I think they are narcissi. They are more star-shaped, with an orange centre.

Tuesday. 5.25 a.m. Oh dear! It's really the last thing I want at this early hour. The fire alarm is going off. I have taken Alfie out, but he doesn't like it, and neither do I. He has gone into my bedroom. I suppose I'll have to endure the confounded noise for the next hour until the fire engine arrives, and the thing is switched off. I suspect someone in one of the flats within Dexter House has burnt their toast or something, which set the alarm off.

I've bought a new Fire Stick. The old one, which I've had for quite a while, probably 4-5 years, is not now up to the job. It doesn't have enough memory and it's become slow. This new one has a far larger capacity, and a few more bells and whistles. It was at a reduced price in the Amazon sale, and I got it around half price. I ordered it yesterday morning, about 7 o'clock, and it arrived at about 6.30 p.m. It was easy enough to set up and get all my apps working.

5.35 a.m. Thank goodness! The fire alarm has been turned off. I'm not sure, but someone came to switch the wretched thing off. Not sure if a fire engine came. If it did, I didn't hear it.

Wednesday. 7.40 a.m. A bright and sunny morning, but chilly.

10.25 a.m. Been to Sainsbury's . . . . again! I know, I do seem to spend quite a lot of my time shopping in there. I'm just trying to buy stuff for only a few days. We used to have a sort of habit of stocking up for about a month or so, which is what any supermarket wants you to do. I don't see the point myself. For a start, I don't have space for a month's worth of food.

2.20 p.m. I have been to Boots Opticians to get my eyes tested. The appointment was booked for 12.10. I got to the store in plenty of time, having made sure I could park the car and then walk through to the shopping centre. I got to Boots and had to sit and wait for about 20 minutes. A lot of new technology is used to check for various eye conditions. I don't like the one where they shoot a puff of air into your eye, but it went well enough. Also, one (which is an additional check, which you pay for.) has something to do with a 3D scan (not sure how it works.) Having an interest in archaeology helps explain the way it probably works. They can scan objects, such as vases, buildings, furniture etc etc., and then a 3D model can be produced, either on a computer screen or can be used to 'print' a 3D model. Anyway, no real problems with my eyes, except for slight deterioration due to my age, which I suppose is to be expected.

Once the eye test was completed, I had to choose glasses frames and have two pairs made up of lenses, one with Transitions lenses, which become darker when you go into bright sunlight. My current glasses have these lenses. Also, scratch-resistant surfaces on glasses, which is always worth having. Anyway, the glasses will be ready to collect in a week.

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.

To Be, Or Not To Be?

 Friday. 7.55 a.m. If it's Friday . . . it must be, washing day (not Crackerjack, if you remember the BBC children's show which ran from 1956s until 1984 and amongst compères were Eamonn Andrews, Leslie Crowther and Stu Francis.  They used to start off the show with 'It's Friday, and five to five, and it's Crackerjack!' It was the mainstay of children's television and was 'live' and in front of an audience of mainly children. Not much of modern television is done live, so it must have been quite nerve-wracking for the performers, and no doubt the technical crew.)

Saturday. 7.25 a.m. It's a bright and sunny morning. It's not a typical spring day. (Not entirely sure whether we are officially spring or not, but never mind.) It's certainly milder than it's usually at this time of year. We would usually have had snow and ice and very low temperatures by now in other years. There are daffodils out along the roads around Milton Keynes, which always cheer things up.

10.40 a.m. I've been to Asda. I haven't shopped in there for quite some time. It is some distance from Dexter House and I usually shop in Sainsbury's, which is very close. I think you get used to one store and when the layout is changed, which it has in Sainsbury's, it can be somewhat frustrating. The Bletchley Asda is huge, and you can walk miles if you're not careful. Bought an apple pie, peanut butter and chocolate spread. 

Sunday. 7.10 a.m. It appears to be raining, as I look out of my window. I don't think it is particularly thick, but foggy nevertheless.

My FitBit has been displaying the time incorrectly. I think it was about 30 minutes slow, and I have managed to reset it by going into the app on my phone. The app had to be downloaded again, and the time is now correct. I don't like having any watch or gadget with the wrong time set. There's nothing worse than not having the correct time and then being late for appointments.

Monday. 6.15 a.m. I was washing up at the kitchen sink and as I looked out of the window, I could see that it was quite foggy over Oldbrook. Not particularly thick, but still foggy.

10.15 a.m. I've just been to Lidl in Oldbrook Boulevard. This is where the Tesco Express used to be, but the entire block, which also had Barnardo's charity shop and Domino's Pizza within it, has totally gone, demolished and the space where the block used to be has been boarded up. I believe that a brand-new Lidl store is going to be built somewhere in that area, but I'm not sure if it will be in the boarded-up area or elsewhere. I presume, when it's built, the old store will either be demolished or become another business.

Why did I use Hamlet's famous speech as the title of this blog post? I had no real reason.

Wild and Windy Weather

 (Friday) I haven't yet though of a punchy title for this blog post, but I'm sure something will hit me suddenly.

There are further signs that spring is on the way with the first shoots in the grass along Strudwick Way and along the edge of the path round Oldbrook Green. Daffodils! Further round, snowdrops in full flower. Probably we'll see crocuses soon, pushing their way through the grass. 

I've been out with Alfie. There's a strong, cold wind blowing, enough to freeze your face off.

I get annoyed that some people, those with dogs, but a very small minority it has to be said, don't pick up after their dogs. I always try to and have poo bags in my pocket for such an eventuality. I'd love to know when those dog owners who don't do the decent thing, walk their dogs. I presume under the cover of darkness, when there's nobody around. It's just selfish and not acceptable, particularly when there's children around. I did see a black poo bag, beautifully tied up, left on the path when I walked around this morning. Please at least have the decency to put it in the bin as you walk past. There's three bins strategically placed around Oldbrook green and at least another three litter bins, so you have no excuse. Also, litter being dropped unnecessarily and somebody put litter actually ON the bin and not IN it and also litter NEXT TO a bin. Why not, since you were so close to a bin, actually put that rubbish IN said bin? I don't think the Council (or whoever is responsible for Oldbrook Green, either Campbell Park Parish Council or The Parks Trust.) had a thought when they stopped putting bags in the appropriate place provided for such bags. A so-called cost-cutting exercise which has somewhat back fired. The same sort of thing is happening regarding having to book to take rubbish to the tidy-tips which are dotted around Milton Keynes. There is now a problem with fly-tipping as a result. The excuse for this will be that it's because of the pandemic, but that's not really a good response if you have to send people out to clear up fly-tipped rubbish and then go after the culprits. If those responsible for throwing rubbish on the ground and not putting it in a bin (probably the same with those who insist on not picking up after their dogs.) it makes me wonder what their homes are like. Piled hight with rubbish and, dare I say, dog poo? Oh really, that is going too far! And you'd probably be totally right.

(Saturday) 12.07a.m. Sitting here in my lounge, having got up because I can't get back to sleep. Went to the loo and writing this. Alfie is stretched out on the sofa, fast asleep. I may do the washing up in the kitchen (so, where else is it likely to be? Never mind.) I can hear a howling wind outside. I reckon from how cold it was yesterday, that there'll be further snow. There were a few bits of snow left from the last lot we had and as they say, if there's snow left, there's bound to be more to join it, so who knows?

7.40a.m. I'm sitting here, with Breakfast on BBC1, and I've already been out with Alfie. Earlier than ever, around 7.10. It's chilly, but not as chilly as yesterday. Had my gloves with me so my hands didn't turn blue. 

9.40a.m. I had intended taking Alfie out a good deal later. But Alfie had other ideas. I was determined to have a bit of a rest, even a lie-in. If you read this blog on a regular basis you will have realised that I get up fairly early. Whether it's a habit, I don't know. When Carol was working at Milton Keynes Academy and it was a work day, we'd get up fairly early and have a cup of tea at around 5.45a.m and sit in bed and watch BBC Breakfast on the television we had in the bedroom and then she'd get dressed and I'd take her to the Academy for around 7.15. She didn't need to be there so early, but Carol, being a dedicated teacher, was always there early, usually preparing lesson plans and generally getting ready for her teaching day. As a farmer's son I am used to getting up early. I don't have a problem with early mornings. This helped considerably when I used to do walk-on work and had to get to locations, sometimes a good hour or two's drive from Bedford, which would mean, with a call time around 6a.m, I'd need to leave around 4a.m. or earlier.  Usually arriving on location and having breakfast (one of the best parts of that work is the food!) Getting a really decent breakfast, a full English, and then going to wardrobe for costume and probably some sort of make-up, usually having hair cut or something done. If it was period, usually a very short haircut and sometime moustaches applied. They could be more concerned about loosing such items which could come adrift and require re gluing. I could go on and on about this subject, but I won't. Anyway, digressing as I was, Alfie wasn't going to leave me for one moment, even when I was laying on my bed. Then I was working on the MacBook, but he was staring me, sitting on the sofa, not going to go away, lie down or go into the bedroom. He insisted on poking me with his paw. I attempted to ignore him, but he wouldn't stop. When I shut my eyes, I could sense him shuffling around. This is really getting worse. I think it's due to the fact that I'm at home so much, due to the lockdown. He jumped off the bed and then barked at me. I tried to ignore him, but it's difficult when he gives you direct eye contact. It's like living with a hyperactive toddler. So, I gave in and decided the only way to resolve the situation was to actually TAKE HIM OUT! So, I got togged up, and we made out way out through the side door into Strudwick Drive. Bitterly cold, but we walked around Oldbrook Green, with Alfie insisting he had to stop to cock his leg at virtually every tree and lamppost on the way. 

We get back inside the warmth of the flat. The wind is blowing and I can hear it as I write this. Although the sun is out, it's not particularly strong. Well, what do I expect, seeing how it's early February. I return to some of my writing, which has been held in suspension for a couple of weeks, but slowly isn't bad as I think it's worth spending time thinking about it rather than rushing ahead. Quite a few pages produced and although it's over-written to some extent, that's no bad thing as it means I have plenty to work with when it comes to editing, which it will need, as any piece of writing requires. Its' going slowly, but I don't mind. Alfie is now in his bed, fast asleep. He got what he wanted and I now can concentrate on writing, thank goodness.

I've been watching 'Sky Landscape Artist of 2021,' which is recorded on my Panasonic Freeview box. They were at Chartwell this time, in Kent, and former home of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. I really love this show, but can do without the awful adverts which come on every 10 minutes or so. The repetition is annoying. I realise these programmes are reliant on advertising for their funding, but to have advertising which is just shown over and over is not good. Anyway, it could be avoided I suppose if I fast forward through them, but I haven't got the hang of doing this on the Freeview box. Never mind, time to learn I think.

So, I ended up with a rather lack-lustre title for this post. As I write this it's 7a.m on Sunday and I can hear the wind blowing with a certain amount of strength, so when I take Alfie out we're likely to get blown off our feet. At least I am. Because he's small, Alfie not so likely, but who knows?

Foggy Morning

(Saturday)Another foggy start to the day, but I expect the sun will come out during the day. I had intended going out a good deal later than usual, say, just after 8 o'clock, but Alfie wouldn't have it. So we did our usual walk across the park. Spring is definitely making its mark, with no end of daffodils and crocuses showing themselves as well a wide range of blossom, most notably may, or is it called hawthorn? Anyway, the white blossom.

Later. Having been to do some shopping in Sainsbury's, after I'd done a load of washing, I come home and unload the groceries and put it all away, and then watch some television. I've been watching 'The Crown' on Netflix and decide to watch the first part of a documentary series which chronicles the story of the House of Windsor from it's birth a century ago. It's called, very imaginatively 'The Royal House of Windsor.' It draws heavily on documents and other papers kept in the royal archives at Windsor Castle. Very interesting to me because I love history and gives more background to what eventually becomes the framework for the storyline for 'The Crown.' Particularly interesting is the build-up to the Abdication of EdwardVII in 1936. I later watched the second episode as I got really hooked into the first episode. This is the factor which seems to make Netflix so good. You get all the episodes of a show to watch when you feel like it. I don't think I very often watch television 'live,' at the time it is broadcast, or if I do, it's very rare to watch 'live' broadcast television.

I was correct in what I said at the beginning of this post. It has turned out particularly warm and sunny. It certainly seems as if spring as arrived.

Sunday morning. Alfie was being as insistent as usual. He makes sure I know he wants to go out for his routine walk. More like a run, but never mind. He went off on his explorations along the path round the park. Then I heard a sort of knocking sound. I couldn't be sure what it was. It happened several times and now I'm sure it's a woodpecker! It was far too distinctive a sound. If so, its the first time I've ever heard such a sound and I can't believe I heard it in the middle of Milton Keynes and at such an early hour.

It's getting lighter earlier, so we go out earlier, much to Alfie's relief. He becomes like a coiled spring, with the build-up to getting out. It was deceptive, looking a good deal warmer than it was. I usually wear my fleece under my Regatta jacket, which I did as usual, but I didn't wear my gloves. There was a certain amount of ice of the car windscreen which is generally a sign of how cold be has been over night. I don't think it will take too much effort to scrape it off before I drive off to church at 8.40.

Later still. Really quite warm and sunny as I write this at 12.00 midday. I've been to church and then went into Morrison's. Trying to find something to get rid of fleas as Alfie has been scratching a great deal lately. I haven't seen anything (fleas, I mean) but if I put this stuff on him it will at least put paid to anything that might be lurking in his coat. It is quite long and I'm not sure I can see anything. Anyway, I'll give it a go. You can buy something to put in your dog's food, but I think this is a better solution.

Cold Weather

We're experiencing a very much colder dose of weather at the moment. I think December must have been one of the mildest on record. We've hardly had the central heating on, except briefly in the evenings, but over the past couple of days, we've had to have it on for far longer. I had to defrost the windscreen this morning, something I haven't had to do this winter. As I write this post, the sun is out and it's relatively warm, but, generally speaking, it's still chilly.

Because of the mild weather, it seems the plants and other wildlife around us are somewhat confused. There are bulbs popping up all around Milton Keynes, particularly on the roundabout at Standing Way. They are daffodils. In other corners of the town, we have seen blossom coming out, several months earlier than usual. Trees are adding and it appears that the grass is still growing. Please, no I don't want to get the mower out. It can wait. I'm just not doing it in early January. It must be some sort of record. Even the squirrels which live in and around our garden are rushing about the place. Don't they hibernate? It must be too early for them to be stirring. No doubt if there is a really sharp frost of even snow, all these bulbs will stop blooming. But from past years, they get a good covering of snow which seems to protect them and then shoot up even faster once it melts.

I'm back up and running with my writing. I managed to make notes for this 'piece' over the Christmas and New Year period which has really made the writing so much easier. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I had at last found a way to link the various elements of my 'multi-strand' project together. I am currently working on a schedule and hopefully, will manage to construct the necessary framework for this project. Most of it needs a great deal of re-writing and editing and then transferring to Word so it can be printed out, but I do attempt to avoid too much printing as the ink cartridges are  so expensive and it can be a waste of not just ink but also paper.