Sunny and Pleasant

 Thursday. 7.30 a.m. The weather continues to be sunny and bright. I just hope it stays that way.

Excitement! I cleaned my fridge out yesterday morning. It is a fridge/freezer, but I didn't touch the freezer part. It has been in need of a cleaning for a while, but, like a lot of domestic jobs, it gets forgotten or avoided. It was running with water, but I have a dredging kit, which has a sort of syringe mechanism and a tube which you insert into the drainage hole at the back of the fridge. It will suck out any water which is in the unit and then you use a metal, spring-like device with a small brush on the end and this clears out a small amount of muck. It worked! You never get told that this will help with the matter of water engulfing your fridge. All now clean and fresh! Time and effort are very well spent.

Saturday. 10.15 a.m. I've got an Apple Watch. I bought it via Very. It was ordered last Sunday and it arrived via Royal Mail on Thursday lunchtime. It was easy enough to set up and does far more than I expected. I am pleased with it, and it connects to my MacbookPro, my iPhone and my iPad. My only gripe is, to charge, you have to plug the charger device into the Macbook, which is fine, but I need to charge it away from the laptop, so I will need to invest in a new charger which will plug in to various ports I have around the flat.

I've been doing more domestic work. Cleaning the bathroom floor and washing the mats. I took out the rubbish earlier this morning and had another encounter with a rat in the bin store. It jumped out and ran out through the gate. Eeek! A bit of a shock, as you might imagine. Someone on Facebook has posted a solution to a rat problem. Get an owl, as they will leave as they are scared of owls. What a great idea, and totally environmental. No poison or other noxious material. This matter was bought up on Wednesday afternoon at the Tenant's meeting.

Sunday. 7.10 a.m. A really rather pleasant, sunny morning.

The digital thermometer currently reads 24˚C. Things are definitely hotting up. I have had my electric fan on for the past couple of days.

I have a parking space outside Dexter House. There are several along the street. It is a 'first come, first served' sort of arrangement. I prefer to have my car off the street as I always think it is safer. I can see my car from my flat window. But recently there has been a problem, caused by a large flatbed lorry which is often parked where I need to get in and out of my parking space. Some mornings it can be so close that it makes it virtually impossible to get out without scraping it. I really don't think this sort of vehicle should be parked in a residential street.

Spring Is In The Air!

 Monday. 7.05 a.m. Spring is here. It officially begins around the 20th of March, but metrological spring begins on 1st of March. It's chilly out, with a light frost.

Tuesday. 10.20 a.m. I have been out this morning to shoot some more videos. It was bright and sunny, as it has been for the past few days. I was using my iPhone, connected to the rig which takes the DJI camera and has a reserve power pack and, when required, a tripod, which screws onto the base. Using the DJI app, it means I get a far better idea of what I'm filming. I had the thing set correctly and I have already looked at the footage on my iPad. I'm very pleased with the result.

Saturday. 6.10 a.m. I went to get my hair cut yesterday at ROK Barbers in Unity Place. It definitely needed a good trim.

Chloe rang me the other evening, and she hoped I would be able to visit them all in Worcester sooner rather than later. I have rung the lady who looked after Alfie so well last time I went and everything is in place to go over the Easter weekend. So I have that to look forward to.

As I write this, it's bright and sunny, so it looks like 'Spring is in the air'! Crocuses and daffodils, as well as a host of primroses, are blooming along the sides of Chaffron Way.

Monday. 7.10 a.m. It's colder this morning, and there was a light mist over Milton Keynes when I took Alfie out around 30 minutes ago.

Tuesday. 7.10 a.m. It might be bright and relatively sunny, but it's chilly.

Saturday. 8.55 a.m. It's bright and sunny, but chilly.

I've been to Lidl. At this time of year, I always have daffodils because Carol loved them, and it would have been her 61st birthday last week, as you will know if you read my posts regularly. Lidl is so much easier to get to and have a quick shop. I still get a few items from Sainsbury's, such as bread.

Sunday. 6.40 a.m. Another mild morning on the weather front. But there was a light frost on the grass when Alfie came out with me around 10 minutes ago.

Miracles Do Happen!

 Thursday. 2.25 p.m. It's sunny and bright today, but it's not as it seems. It's actually been quite chilly. I went to the Thursday Morning Life Group as usual, and, although the car wasn't iced up, the inside of the windscreen was misty, and it took some time for me to clear it before I could drive out.

The new Lidl has opened on Oldbrook Boulevard. I must have mentioned that the old store had closed and the row of shops with a Tesco Express. There was an A.T.M. outside, which could be useful if you needed cash in a hurry. I went to look around earlier this afternoon and was surprised by how many cars were in the car park and inside the store it was heaving. I did buy a few things and used a self-service till to pay. You must keep hold of your receipt at the end because you need it to scan to exit the store.

Saturday. 9.20 a.m. It's relatively mild but overcast. Never mind. Get used to it.

As usual, I took a sleepy Alfie out onto the grass along Strudwick Drive around 6.45 this morning It has been made into something of a mud patch, a ploughed field or whatever you want to call it, created by the workmen who are doing the work in the community garden at Dexter House. I just don't like getting my shoes covered in thick mud, but it really can't be helped. It was dark, and it was difficult to see clearly, but as I was dealing with Alfie, I saw something moving in the greenery which grew alongside the wall of Dexter House. I looked again, and to my horror, I saw two rats fighting. It is not something I am keen on seeing or being near. Having had the rather horrible experience of the rats we had running about the house when Carol and I lived in Crownhill. (I think I have mentioned this saga in an earlier blog post.). I shouted at the rats, and they soon disappeared. But that wasn't the end of it. About two hours later, I sorted out the recycling and the various bags of rubbish which had to be taken out to the bin store. I opened the lid of the receptacle which takes the bags, and in amongst the bags were two more rats! I quickly put in the rubbish and slammed down the lid. 

Sunday. 8.25 a.m. No rats were seen when Alfie and I went out earlier this morning. It wasn't excessively cold, but I have a feeling it was slightly frosty, because the grass had a sort of glitter on it which is always a sign.

Wednesday. 10.20 a.m. It's sunny but chilly.

I've been to Lidl. I love it when you can get in and out quickly. The only problem is, finding what you want. I have a good idea where everything I want is, when I go to Sainsbury's. I have set up the  Lidl app on my phone, so I can scan and get points, a bit like Nectar, but you get instant treats, such as cakes and fruit, which was a surprise. If I have a gripe, it's the fact that, when you've done your shopping, taken it out to your car and unloaded it, you have to return the trolley to the parking space near the store. It's when you push your trolley into the parked trolleys, that you get your token back for your next trip. I imagine that this is so they don't have to employ someone to retrieve the trolleys (which they have at Sainsbury's. One less employee means they can cut prices. The staff work hard in Lidl, because they not only have to work on the tills, but stack shelves. Again, another way to have fewer staff and keep costs down.

Tuesday, 7:20 a.m. I've taken my usual walk with Alfie. We strolled along the grass by Strudwick Drive, which has become muddy due to the workmen driving vehicles for the community garden project. Their tyres have churned up the grass, creating this mess. I'm hoping things return to normal once they complete their work. 

I was at the point where I was about to pick up Alfie, to avoid him walking in the mud, and go back into Dexter House, when an electric scooter shot past. If I had taken probably another step or two, I would have been in a direct line with this scooter. There was no noise, nothing to warn me. The rider seemed totally ignorant of my presence. A bit of a shock. This is why I don't like these things.

I have mentioned elsewhere that I had changed my broadband provider. I'm now with Vodafone Fibre Broadband. I have managed to reset the various devices I have, so they are once again connected to broadband, but the password you have to enter to connect is long and complicated. The only device I  needed to set up was my Canon Pixma printer. I spent all yesterday trying to fathom out how to achieve this. I even bought a cable from Amazon, intending to use that to connect my MacBook to the printer, but I could not get it to work. As these things don't come with a full instruction manual, you have to do a search on the internet. I have the Canon print app on my iPad, so, as a final attempt, I thought I would try and see if that would work. It was relatively easy to put in the password, and, thankfully, it worked! These things are so frustrating. I even went to Argos to buy a black ink cartridge, as I was sure there wasn't sufficient ink in the cartridge that was in the printer. Everything fell into place, and I have been printing a document, which is some of my writing project, which I can now read and begin to make edits and amendments. I now need a suitable file to put the pages in.

So, the title of this blog post is pretty well accurate!

Electronic Appliances Failures

 Tuesday. 6.30 a.m. Oh, dear! The new year hasn't started well for me. Yesterday I wanted to make some toast, so I took the toaster out of the cupboard and then discovered that it wouldn't work. I thought at first that there was a problem with the power supply, that maybe the workmen who were around Dexter House had turned off the electricity for some reason. But I tried other electronic devices that used the mains supply, such as my fridge-freezer, but it was working as normal. 

I was thinking, I want to make toast! I would need to replace the old toaster. I bought this one from Argos, and I had sufficient points on something called Consumer Pulse. I have been part of this for years, recording things I have purchased and earning points which can be converted into vouchers. So, I went onto the Consumer Pulse website and ordered Argos vouchers. Unfortunately, I will have to wait around 5 days before I receive them. They used to send you these vouchers via email and you put a code into the Argos website in order to pay for whatever you wanted and then go to the nearest Argos store to colled the item. So, I will just have to be patient and then order the new toaster.

That was the first failure. I have my main meal in the evening. I was going to have meat pie, chips and green beans. Everything was ready to cook, but then I couldn't get my electric oven to work. Again, I thought it must be the power supply, and I tried the oven several times, but it wasn't going to play ball. So, no meal. I thought I could order a take away using an app on my iPad. Deliveroo or something similar. I have used it before, with no probloems, but I could not get it to work. Password or something annoying like that. I attempted to resolve the issue, but it would not work, even trying to use the 'forgotten password' function, which is supposed to send you and email and then set up a new password, but it wasn't going to work.

So, it seems as if my devices were being decidedly awkward today.

In the end I just made myself a cheese sandwich. 

As regards the electric oven, I thought the only solution would be to replace it. I have an on-line account with Very, so I went on their website and found what looked like the perfect replacement oven, in their sale, as around £150 off the price, the right width to fit in the space in my kitchen, ceramic hob like my old one and fan-assisted. So, after some thought I went ahead and ordered it, which means I can pay in installments, which is how I bought my fridge-freezer when I moved into Dexter House. I paid extra to have the old oven removed, but I will have to find someone, probably at church, to come to my flat to install it, as I'm not able to do electrical stuff like connecting an electric cooker. The new oven isn't likely to be delivered for around two weeks, so I will have to figure out a way to cook my meals, although I can use my microwave oven.

6.20 p.m. The situation regarding the toaster and oven. I spoke to Vashti, the S.H.O at Dexter House. She spoke to someone at Mears (I imagine it was them.) about the situation and I was told it might have something to do with the fuse box, although it isn't a traditional fuse box, which was renewed a few months ago. The box contains several rows of switches, and if an appliance is faulty or fails in some way, the circuit it is connected to will fire the switch. It turned out that the oven and toaster (or, in that case, the socket in the kitchen.) had shown up with a light which was orange, so we pushed the switch and the light turned to red. As a result, the oven and toaster worked. As a result, I have cancelled the order from Very, because a new oven is no longer required. Situation resolved, thankfully.

All Is For The Best, (In The best of all possible worlds)

Monday. 4.55 a.m. Here we go! Yet another fun-packed week at Dexter House. I'm being very sarcastic, but life goes on. What else to do? I have a hospital appointment this morning at Milton Keynes University Hospital at 11.50 a.m. It's not so much the actual appointment which is the problem, it's managing to find a parking space which causes stress which is more of a problem. I'll just have to get there in plenty of time to make sure I can park the car and then walk through to the department where I have to have a kidney scan. The letter I got, which rescheduled the appointment for 16th June, tells me I have to drink at least a litre of water. Well, as I'm keeping hydrated because of the hot weather, that's not going to cause much of a problem.

12.25 p.m. I have been to the hospital for my appointment. It was scheduled for 11.50, but, because of finding a space in the multistory car park, I went earlier. Fortunately, I found a space, which relieved the stress. When it came to walking to the ultrasound department, I at first went in the wrong direction and had to be directed by a helpful man who sent me back to the reception area and I soon found the department.

I was met by a lady who asked me my name when I walked through the door. It turned out that she was going to do the scan, so I was checked in and then the usual wait. Not long after I was called into the room and had to lay on a narrow couch/bed thing and the scan began, laying on my left side, then my right. The reason for this scan was that when I first moved to my current surgery, my doctor got me to have a blood test, which showed up something related to my kidneys and possibly caused by a side effect of taking some of my heart medication, which I have been on since my first heart attack in 2006. The technician doing the scan said this 'thing' was like a birthmark or tag, and was about 5 cm across, but when she did the scan it wasn't viable. In fact, she had to have a second look and still, nothing! So hopefully that's the end of that. No more to be said on that matter, but I should get a letter from my GP surgery with details, which will have been sent from the hospital.

I took Alfie to the dog-sitting lady at about 1.50 and left him to find out how he would behave, rather, if he would settle. I then went to Monday Club at the Oaktree Centre, which is on the opposite side of Shenley Brook End, and returned when that ended at 3.30. I was pleased to find that Alfie had done well, although he did bark a small amount. So it looks as if I can leave him there, so I can go to Worcester.

Tuesday. 5.15 a.m. Thankfully, it's a good deal cooler this morning and, as a result, far easier to sleep. The digital thermometer currently reads 22ºC.

4.25 p.m. A relatively straightforward drive to Camphill this morning. I know that it will be somewhat easier when the schools are on holiday, but it couldn't be that, as schools haven't broken up yet for the summer holidays.

Most of the theatre workshop gang was in the theatre today. We got to hear some of them talk about their holidays when we did check in. It seems to take longer and longer each time, probably because there are far more members of the group, and certainly more than when I first went to Camphill in 2019. It took a good hour today. 

I was moved to another of the silent movie projects. I was with the time-travel movie, and last week, when there were so few people in the workshop because they were on holiday, we didn't rehearse that project so I had to take over the pirate project. I have to say I'm disappointed because I had been working on developing the story with the gang and would have loved to see it completed. 

Terrie had managed to construct sets for the time travel movie on the Chrysalis Theatre stage so that some of the movies could be filmed using an iPad. I can say that it's so easy with modern technology such as iPads and iPhones, and editing is relatively easy. 

Because the time travel set had a prison set, the Western video group used it to film footage for their project. It seemed to go well, and they got all the materials they needed. While all this was going on, the pirates' team rehearsed in the hall part of the theatre. Terrie had gone off to have supervision with the manager of Camphill and came back a good deal later than expected. Her supervision was supposed to last an hour but overran by about thirty minutes, so by the time she returned we had more or less finished and there wasn't time to start anything else. So, it was a day of bits and pieces, but in some respects, successful, considering some filming was done.

Wednesday. 5.30 a.m. Yet another mild morning. I slept a good deal better than I have for the past couple of weeks. The digital thermometer currently reads 24ºC. Alfie and I did a circuit of Oldbrook Green, although he was somewhat reluctant.

12.55 p.m. I knew I was due to have a glazier come and replace the glass in the window of the kitchen this morning so that an extractor fan could be fitted. The man was due between 9 and 1. He turned up at about 10.30. It was done really quickly, the old glass taken out and the new one, including the cut hole to replace it. He then went off, mumbling something, which I didn't catch. So, I am now with a beautifully cut round hole ready to receive the extractor fan. But when is it to be fitted? Presumably to be done by a different contractor. So I rang Mears, yet again about this situation (I have now lost count), to be put through to a lay, who said she'd raise an order for the fan. But my question is, when can I expect this? It seems to go around in circles, a bit like a dog chasing its tale.  I JUST WANT MY EXTRACTOR FAN. But, whilst they're at it, what about my bathroom? It's no good asking. When this confounded fan (more of a FAN-tasy than an actual fan- get it? A pun!) I can actually use my George Foreman grill, which is waiting to be used, without setting off the fire alarm.

Jam Yesterday, Jam Tomorrow, But Never Jam Today

Friday. 1.40 a.m. Yet another case of nothing being able to sleep. Never mind. I can always find something to keep myself busy, such as washing up, tidying the kitchen, sorting out the recycling and tying up the bags to take to the bin room. I did my Bible reading, which is 'Through The Bible In A Year, with Nicky Gumble.' I do this on my iPad. Then I feel hungry, and so I made several pieces of toast and had a really nice Lidl raspberry conserve on it. (Conserve, having a higher percentage of fruit in it than jam.) And far better value than other brands.

10.40 a.m. It's a bit overcast and dull. Where has the sun gone? I can hear the wind, making wind-like noises (!) The sort of whistling, yet not whistling noise. The sort of wind you'd expect in a rather clichéd production of 'Wuthering Heights.' You know what I mean, at least, I imagine you do, with Kathy outside and shouting to be let in, in the middle of a moor somewhere in Yorkshire. Sad, really, but very corny and the acting is somewhat over-the-top. Melodramatic.

2.30 p.m. I was about to take Alfie out at around 1 p.m, only to discover that it was pouring rain, so we only went out fleetingly. As I write this, the wind continues to howl around the building.

Saturday. 5.50 p.m. Where did the rest of the day go? Well, it began early, with me taking Alfie as usual around 5.00 a.m. We didn't do our usual circuit of Oldbrook Green, but I had all the recycling and rubbish bagged up and ready to take out to the bins. Washing up done and the kitchen tidied.

We had our monthly men's breakfast at the Oaktree Centre this morning. I thought it started at 8 o'clock, so I was there bright and early. There was nobody else waiting, so I sat in the car, listening to Classic FM, with the overture to 'The Flying Dutchman' blaring out of the car radio. I was listening as I drove up Chaffron Way, and, although I'm not a keen Wagner fan, it was very motivational, so I had to sit and listen to it in the car park outside the Oaktree Centre.  I have to admit, I was wondering if I had the day or the time wrong, but then Richard, who organizes the men's breakfast, arrived, with a load of what looked like bread rolls. The building was locked, so we had to wait for someone to come and open the place up.

A couple arrived to do the cooking of the food. They set up two gas-fired barbecue pans and proceeded to fry sausages and bacon. 

The group began to arrive and it turned out that it wasn't supposed to start at the usual time of 8 o'clock but an hour later at 9, which I didn't know.

We ate our bacon, eggs and sausage and drank tea (or coffee) and then we had a talk from someone who used to be involved with S.C.F., on advanced driving, which was very informative and instructive. 

I was planning to go to the history festival at Milton Keynes Museum directly after the men's breakfast, but, because it concluded later than expected, I decided to leave it until Sunday. As a result, and because I didn't want to be cooped up in the flat all Saturday, I drove into the Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre and had a browse and went into John Lewis as I'm looking for a cable which would allow me to link certain peripherals to my iPhone, iPad and MacBook because Apple has changed the ports from lightening to Thunderbolt/USB 4. I didn't find what I was looking for, unfortunately. I may end up going to the Apple Store to find what I want, but, being a Saturday, the store is likely to be very busy, so I decided to leave it for another day.

I walked through the shopping centre and went to Waterstone's and purchased two books, one on 'How To Be a Victorian,' and the other about 'Peterloo.'

Sunday. 12.45 p.m. My goodness! What's going on? The sun is shining and it's really bright. Almost (Note: I said 'almost'!) like spring!

Came out of church early. Miss having my usual cup of tea, so that I could be ready to go to Milton Keynes Museum for the history festival. There were just TWO spare spaces in the church car park! 

My friend Nick (hello Nick, if you're reading this!) was coming over to Milton Keynes from Northampton on the bus so that we could go to the history festival at Milton Keynes Museum. At around 1.30, he texted me to say he was at the centre, so I drove in and he was waiting near The Point. We drove to the museum and managed to park, although the car park was very full and there were few spaces. Luckily I managed to find a place.

Because I had been to the museum some months ago, and paid and kept the ticket, I was able to enter, free. I have a few months left on the card, so I can go again. Today's history festival covered a vast timescale, from around the time of the Romans, the Medieval period right up to the time of the Suffragettes. There was a gladiator fight (quite scary) as well as a knight's battle from the time of the Wars of The Roses. 

We went into the café and had tea. I was ready for a drink, as by now I was thirsty. Then we went into the main museum building, which was the farmhouse, built in C.1840, at the time well before Milton Keynes was built. We learnt about the railway and Wolverton's part in the history of the railway in the mid-19th century.  We saw a display of Victorian music boxes, a pianola and a gadget which displayed photographs stereoscopically, When we emerged from that exhibition it was time to leave. I took Nick back to the bus stop in the city centre and said goodbye. There is to be a Victorian history festival in June, so no doubt I will be attending that and possibly Nick will come over from Northampton.

Monday. 4.05 p.m. I have done all the usual walks with Alfie and when I took him out at around 5.20 a.m. there was broken glass along the path leading to Oldbrook Green, which some delightful person felt it necessary to drop in our path. Fortunately, I avoided it before Alfie got his feet cut and I moved it out of the way. Not just his feet, but it would have punctured the tyres of anyone cycling along that stretch of path.

I went out, alone this time, with the gimbal and noticed a blue tractor cutting the grass, which I haven't seen before. I think it would be a good deal quicker than the usual mowers they use for this job. I got the gimbal set correctly and the results were a good deal better I have got the video to work on my iPad.

Easter Bank Holiday Monday

Saturday. 4.20 p.m. We had another men's breakfast this morning, this time in the restaurant at Dobbie's garden centre in Fenny Stratford. When I had taken Alfie out at around 6 o'clock, there was a mist hanging over Oldbrook Green, but it was still quite bright, but not sunny (well, the sun had barely risen by then. The moon was again shining brightly, more allusions to coins, medals and silver discs as a description seem more than  appropriate.) But when I went out at around 8.35 to drive to Fenny, I found that a thin fog had descended over Milton Keynes.

Some of the men's breakfast members (for want of a better word.) began to arrive. Dobbie's didn't open until 9 o'clock, but when a staff member came and opened the front door, we went inside and made our way to the restaurant. The entire place has been modernized, given a good deal more than a mere lick of paint. In the restaurant, the self-service element has been removed. It used to be one of those restaurants where you took a tray and moved along a counter where you could choose what you wanted to eat and a member of staff served you and then, when you had everything you wanted to eat, you went to a till to pay. You now go to your table and staff come to you, and they take your order, which is written on an iPad this is how your order is made up, and then it's bought to your table.

Monday. 6.40 a.m. It has been raining overnight. There were definitely signs of it when I went out with Alfie. Well, it is a Bank Holiday Monday, and it's surely traditional for rain on a Bank Holiday.

10.15 a.m. It's overcast and drizzling. By which I mean it's a rather paltry, thin sort of rain. Not the sort of weather you would want to go out in, in the traditional British, Bank Holiday visit, to a zoo, stately home or wherever, so it's just a stay-at-home sort of day. Alfie, I'm sure, would love to go out, but as it's a bit wet out, I don't think he'd enjoy it. We will wait and see how the weather develops and then perhaps go out.

I have been to get a few items from Sainsbury's. Fairy washing-up liquid is the main item, but also a few snacks. It wasn't excessively busy. Well, I don't think most people go grocery shopping on Bank Holiday Monday.

Going down on the travellator (moving people carrier? I don't know what you call it. It's what you stand on to get from the car park level below Sainsbury's store.) there is a really annoying recorded voice, which keeps on telling you to 'stand still and hold onto the rail' and, as you approach the top or bottom to 'get ready to push your trolley off the travellator.' It's so repetitive and annoying, done with a female voice. I was thinking, don't people think for themselves? Do we really need to be told the obvious, like this? (I have discussed this sort of thing elsewhere within these blog posts.) It's a bit like 'nanny knows best.' Okay, I know it's to warn you, but surely, any intelligent person can SEE the spot where you either get on the thing, or off (unless, of course, you are short-sighted or 'visually impaired (politically correct usage for 'blind.' The female voice is not only annoying, bossy and over-repetitive. Why not less hectoring? It could have Anne Robinson's voice, she of, 'The Weakest Link.' As you step off, or on, it could say 'You are the weakest link, goodbye!' or a Margaret Thatcher voice, in her rampaging headmistress-style voice. That would be enough to get customers moving. I was wondering if a female voice has the same effect on people compared to that of a male voice. 

2.00 p.m. The rain has ceased, and the sun has been shining, although it hasn't been very warm. As I write this, I can hear the wind roaring around the building.

New Skills , Editing and Rewriting

 Thursday. 7.15 p.m. This must be the latest in the day I've ever started a blog post, but it's good to change these things occasionally.

I've recently upgraded my iPad to a far more powerful model which can be used with an Apple Pencil. This means it's possible to do graphic work, although the pencil can be used to great effect when using a wide range of apps, not necessarily for graphic work. I have downloaded Procreate, which allows some quite sophisticated work, and the results don't look like they've been done on a computer. There is no pixelation, which you might expect. I have now discovered an animation package which is called Squid Toon (don't ask me why they gave it that name. It has nothing whatever to do with squid or any other sort of sea creature.) Both these packages are £10 each, which is an incredible bargain and under different circumstances, would probably cost in the region of £200-£300. I am slowly learning how to use them, and I'm viewing YouTube videos to find out how to make the most of them. Both these packages are exclusive to iPad and don't work on Android tablets.

Saturday. 7.40 a.m. Goodness, gracious! Where did Friday go? As you would have realized, I didn't write anything for yesterday, Friday. I suppose it was because nothing really happened. Well, let's be honest, not a lot happens at Dexter House. 

I want to put in a new character in my writing project. It isn't just a question of 'adding' this character. I have to go back and edit a point where this character can enter the plot line. I think it's a bit like unpicking a knitted jumper and then reknitting the jumper. My mother was a great knitter and made us all beautiful jumpers. She made me a really fantastic jumper, very thick and warm. It had a cable stitch pattern on the front. It had to be remodelled, to give it a different neckline. She had to unpick a certain amount of the neckline and then reuse the wool to reknit the neckline. I think previously it had a roll neck and this was changed to a lower neckline. This is exactly the same as what I am doing with my creative writing.

I have printed off several pages of what I have already written, so I can edit it and insert this new character.

I was thinking, about how many words we use which have a connection with print and writing and sewing and weaving. Just think of weaving a story, text, texture, loose ends, dénouement, losing the thread etc.

10.55 a.m. I've been to the monthly men's breakfast at the Fountain at Loughton. We seem to have more men coming than ever before. The only problem is, it's quite difficult to hear what anyone says at the furthest from where I was sitting. It's not easy for anyone to speak and be heard clearly. We propose meeting on the 18th March at the Oaktree Centre next month and ordering McDonald's, which should make the food part easier.

It might be bright and sunny this morning, but there is a definite chill in the air, which meant I wore my jumper under my Regatta jacket. It's that time of year, almost spring, with the sun shining and a hint of wintery weather. It's difficult to know whether to wear a jacket or jumper or not, and not always choose correctly.

Sunday. 8.05 a.m. Another cold but sunny morning. 

1.20 pm. Extremely busy at church this morning. I'm not sure how many were actually in the hall, but I don't think there were any vacant seats.

Monday. 8.35 a.m. It's a great deal more overcast this morning. Actually quite cold out, when I took out Alfie around 6.45. On BBC Breakfast, Carol Kirkwood, the weather lady, said there was snow in parts of the country. 

1.30 p.m. I had transcribed around four pages of handwritten text into word processing. I'm editing and making changes as I go. Furthermore, I have to say, I'm rather pleased with how it's going. This is something I wrote some while ago and had forgotten all about, but it seems perfect as the backstory for the new character I want to introduce. 

No White Christmas! Good or Bad?

 Saturday. 8.10 a.m. Cold and snowy conditions continue here in Milton Keynes, but, according to BBC Breakfast, it's going to get warmer next week. So, if that's the case, we won't get a traditional 'White Christmas.' 

11.15 a.m. I needed to get an ice scraper and more de-icer spray. I managed to get a can of spray in Sainsbury's yesterday, but no scrapers to be had. So I thought it might be an idea to look elsewhere and then decided on going to Halford's. I drove to the store in Rooksley and had a good look around and eventually had to ask a staff member who directed me to the last remaining stocks of these essential winter items. I grabbed two bottles of de-icer, just in case I couldn't get any more later on as well as the scraper and paid. I had problems keying in my PIN on the card reader, and the lady on the till told me that the keys were worn down because of people using hand gel. Which made me think if that was what it did to buttons on a card reader, what would it do to the skin on your hands? I suppose it's because most of it is alcohol-based. Worrying.

From Halfords, I drove to Sainsbury's because I had to collect a repeat prescription from Lloyd's pharmacy, which is within the store. Upon arrival inside the store and eventually arriving at the pharmacy, I found a notice informing me that they weren't opening the pharmacy until 10.30, which meant I would either have to return home and come back until 10.30 to collect my prescription or wait within the store. I didn't want to go home and then come back, so I spent the 40 minutes browsing the store, bought a string of Christmas lights, which I had been looking for anyway and also bought a few items I knew I'd need. The prescription was important because I was concerned that the order wouldn't be made up in time for the Christmas holiday when everything closes for at least two weeks.

1.35 p.m. I've been out, and it appears that the snow is gradually melting away. I do hope so, as it makes life difficult underfoot.

Sunday. 9.45 a.m. Under normal circumstances, I would have driven off to church by now, but there is no service this morning. Instead, there is to be a carol service, with candles, I believe. My only problem would be that smoke, given off by the burning of candles, would cause me to cough, so I will watch it online instead.

It's certainly a good deal milder this morning. There are definite signs of a thaw. The next problem is likely to be flooding.

2.05 p.m. There's even less chance of there being a 'White Christmas because I have been out with Alfie and it's now raining, although very thin. The grass alongside Strudwick Drive is gradually disappearing, so if it keeps on in this way, tomorrow morning it will have completely disappeared.

Monday. 3.05 a.m. I am awake, well, almost. I needed the loo (What's changed in that department?) Once I'm awake, I can't always get back to sleep. So, no point attempting to sleep. I have a shave and that makes me even more wide awake, but worth it. I do my Bible reading, 'The Bible Through The Year With Nicky Gumble', which I have on my iPad. It's he who was one of the originators of the Alpha Course at Holy Trinity Brompton. 

I'm not sure about the weather, but, having looked out of the kitchen window when I did the washing up yesterday evening, I saw that most of the snow had disappeared. At that moment, I can hear the wind, whistling and roaring around the building. 

8.00 a.m. It's windy out. The snow is gone and it's so much milder. I'm glad because it means I don't have to scrape ice off the car before I drive off to Bleak Hall Motors so that it can have its annual service. 

Christmas Is Coming!

Sunday.10.15 a.m. I am making an effort to reach my 10,000 steps today and, hopefully, exceed that target. As I write this, the FitBit shows I have done 4132 steps. I have been out with Alfie around 7 a.m. and we have also been out at around 9.15 and did two circuits of Oldbrook Green.

4.55p.m. I have exceeded 11,000 steps (the actual reading from my FitBit is 11,647.) I took Alfie out and we did another two circuits of Oldbrook Green and went around Oldbrook, some way along Strudwick Drive and some other roads. I'm now knackered.

Monday. 10.35 a.m. Here's a thing. I've been to Sainsbury's. I bought some brandy butter. Well, you can't NOT have brandy butter at Christmas, with your mince pies or Christmas pud. On the label, it says 'contains alcohol.' Now, THERE'S a surprise! It's got brandy in it, so it's bound to have alcohol in it. Or is it? I suppose it could have brandy FLAVOUR in it, perhaps essence or something. But what do you expect from it? Tea? Coffee? It really makes you wonder who has the idea of putting obvious labels on things, such as cups of coffee that state, 'hot. May cause burns.' Or a glass bottle, 'will break if dropped.' Doh!

2.45 p.m. The weather has changed considerably. As I write this it's raining and was tipping it down when I went out with Alfie just after lunch.

Tuesday. 7.40 a.m. Fairly mild this morning. Not a lot more to report as I write this

It didn't seem quite as busy on the road, driving to Camphill yesterday morning. There wasn't the great long queue of cars at the roundabout just before the Camphill entrance, thank goodness. Another super day with the theatre workshop guys. The morning was spent with some of the guys being interviewed on video, talking about a show they had done earlier in the year, particularly how much they had achieved, what they had learnt and how it had grown their confidence. I'm not sure where this video will be shown, most likely on YouTube and other online sites and used to show the way drama helps people with learning disabilities and particularly to help with funding and making sure it carries on. A few drama exercises to get limbered up and to help with speech and after lunch Terrie, the leader of the group began working with the group on rehearsing the first few scenes of 'Twelfth Night.' The group are allowed to put their own stamp on things and add their own ideas. It looks very good at the moment. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this show develops.

Wednesday. 7.50 a.m. The weather is changing. I wasn't expecting rain when Alfie and I went out. He soon took me back indoors and is now merrily curled up on the sofa.

9.35 a.m. It's windy. In fact, looking out of the kitchen window, I can see the branches of the trees moving quite vigorously. The sun is now shining, but I don't expect it means it's very warm out.

Thursday. 7.45 a.m. Mild and calm this morning on the weather front. 

12.50 p.m. I've been to the Oaktree Centre this morning to help set up the playgroup. I left Dexter House a good deal later than usual, and as a result I managed to avoid the gridlock which I have to experience in earlier weeks. Then, on the way home at around 11.45 I had to go on a somewhat circuitous diversion because Chaffron Way was closed off at Watling Street. It was really annoying and there was no sign that this was going to happen further back towards Shenley.

5.05 p.m. As you may know (or, for that matter, maybe not) I have an iPad. I bought it during lockdown and it has been used quite a bit and I have uploaded quite a few apps, Facebook, Twitter as well as having The Telegraph app and a subscription which means I don't have to buy a print copy. I had intended using the iPad with an Apple Pencil, so I could use an app called Procreate. I downloaded it and had a look at it, but it turned out the iPad didn't work with the Apple Pencil. I just assumed that all iPads would work with such a device. Both were bought through the online store, Very, so I could pay by instalments. You never get told the basics for such things. I wasn't aware, until a few days ago, that there were so many different iPads in the range. They range from a mini version up to around a 12.5 inch version. Mine is 10.2 and, after some research to discover which version it is, that mine is a seventh generation model and doesn't work with Apple Pencil. I am therefore planning to buy a new iPad which will work with the Apple Pencil. I went into the Apple Store in Midsummer Place and spoke with a staff member, showing her the Apple Pencil I have, which has the special tip missing. It turns out it's a second generation pencil and only works with later iPad models. I had hoped to buy new tips, but they didn't have any in stock. At home I went on Amazon and have ordered some (a good deal cheaper than the Apple store.) and they should arrive sometime tomorrow. I will now order a new iPad and hopefully, the Apple pencil will work with it. (I will be more careful that I order a model with is compatible.)

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!

Sunday. 5.25 p.m. Did you notice that many of the titles for my posts are taken from those of songs in musicals? This one comes from the opening number of the Rodgers and Hammerstein show, 'Oklahoma!' 

I bought The Sunday Times this morning. I went to Tesco Metro in Oldbrook Boulevard. I haven't had any Sunday papers for I don't know how long, well, at least in the traditional, print form. I have a digital subscription to The Daily Telegraph, so I can read it on their website and on the app on my iPad. I was shocked that The Sunday Times now costs £3.50, which shows how long ago I had it when it was probably less than £1, but maybe £2. 

There's an article which interested me, about the boom in television and filmmaking in the United Kingdom, and how there is a desperate need for more studio space because most of what's available, at, say Pinewood or Shepperton, is already booked solid by the likes of Disney and Netflix. The Hollywood studios seem to prefer to make their blockbusters, such as 'Star Wars' and 'Mission Impossible' in this country because we have some of the best facilities as well as the personnel to make them and also companies based here who create the special effects, provide the costumes, set-building, makeup and a whole host of associated creative material.

The Edinburgh Festival has just started. I am totally amazed that theatre companies, who appear there, now have to give a warning about anything that might offend audiences. How crazy is that? Are people so pathetic that they have to be warned if there's any mention of anything sexual, outrageous political matters, anything about gender, Britain's past, such as our empire, slavery, nationality or whatever? It seems people can become 'outrage about more or less anything. Also, there's an article in the 'Culture' section of The Sunday Times about Terry Gilliam, who happens to be one of my favourite film directors. He was the animator, as part of the 'Monty Python' comedy group.  I love the films he has directed, such as 'The Time Bandits', 'Brazil' and 'Baron Munchausen.' He was scheduled to direct a production of Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Into The Woods' at the Old Vic, but, due to his views on transgender and the     #met oo campaign, staff didn't want to work with him, so he has been 'cancelled.' It seems you can't have an opinion about anything unless it's someone else's opinion. He has taken the entire production to a theatre in Bath, where it is about to open. I am so hoping that this production might go on tour and come close to Milton Keynes, probably not to Milton Keynes Theatre, but possibly to the Royal Theatre in Northampton or the Oxford Playhouse.

Monday. 2.10 p.m. I have been experimenting with the animation app I bought from the Apple app store. I have spent around an hour this morning playing around with the set-up, using the piece of card I got in Hobbycraft the other morning and using the Rode device to clamp my iPhone to because you need to have your camera or phone steady before you can even think of any form of animation. I have now done a very short piece which runs for a mere 19 seconds, of a group of bits of Plasticine, and I'm rather pleased with the result. Now I will have to devise something a bit more imaginative and give that a go.

In The Loop

Friday. 6.25 a.m. I'm just thinking of relevant titles for each of my blog posts. This one, 'In The Loop', seems relevant, in relation to the lack of communication I have had regarding Mears and the work done on my kitchen. In the leaflet they sent, entitled, 'Mears: Resident Information Pack-Kitchen Refurbishment,' there is mention of the 'Role of the Customer Care Officer.' I quote 'The Customer Care Officer should be your first point of contact if you have any questions regarding the work to your property, however trivial they may seem.' Then, further on it says 'Your customer Liaison Officer/Planned Works Supervisor, will visit each day to check that you are happy with how the works are progressing.' Well, I haven't seen this person in all the time the work has been going on, and they certainly haven't been to see me in my flat. Then, I didn't get a reply, as promised, to either of the two telephone calls I made yesterday. There is no indication regarding the electric works that are supposed to be happening, either yesterday or today.

11.20 a.m. Still, nothing doing as regards completing work on my kitchen, even with an electrician in Dexter House. This seems to get worse and worse, even though I have telephoned Mears again.

4.35 p.m. The electrician has been, replaced the board and the fridge/freezer and oven are back in their original place in the kitchen. Someone is coming next week, hopefully on Monday to 'sign off' the whole process and finish off things like the power sockets which need screwing fully into the walls and there's a certain amount of finishing at the skirting board level regarding the floor which needs doing, but that is it. I have just moved the freestanding unit back into the kitchen, which takes the microwave. Just great to have had the oven and fridge/freezer and oven moved as you had to manoeuvre around them when they were in the hallway.

Saturday. 2.30 p.m. The kitchen is more or less finished, as I've mentioned above. We had our monthly prayer triplet on WhatsApp at 10.00 a.m., although I had fallen asleep on my bed and the sound it makes woke me up. Then I went to Sainsbury's to do a top-up shop. Having spent the past week or so eating microwaved meals, it certainly will make a change to eat proper, cooked meals again.

Sunday. 3.30 a.m. I hope we're not heading for another excessively hot period. I say this because my digital thermometer is currently reading 80ºF. The temperature had gone down considerably since last Monday, when we had record temperatures in this country, which made life very difficult.

Monday. 7.25 a.m. A milder morning, but the temperature in the flat is 78ºF.

There was a problem with the electric supply yesterday evening. I couldn't understand why the reading light, which is next to my armchair, wouldn't work. Also, this MacBook and my iPad wouldn't connect to the internet. It would appear that the circuit that they were on had tripped out, but I had no idea why. I have since managed to get it back working, by flicking a couple of switches on the new panel which was installed on Friday afternoon, but now I can't boil my kettle to make a cup of tea, so I imagine the kitchen sockets are on a different circuit. I'll just have to wait until the workmen come later to sign off the kitchen work and, hopefully, get that circuit operating. I'm concerned that the fridge/freezer goes off, and I lose all the contents if it defrosts, but it appears to be functioning properly at the moment.

Irksome Inking

Wednesday. 7.15 a.m. My Canon printer is being annoying. I don't think it's just my printer that plays up relentlessly. I have been fiddling with it to get it to work, but it still won't play ball. All I want it to do is print out some of my work, but it refuses. As a result, I have decided to replace it and have looked on the Argos website and have found what I think is a better printer, also a Canon, which can be connected to my MacBook via Wi-Fi and will also connect to my iPhone and iPad via an app. Just shows that if you upgrade technology, there are benefits. I have been looking for a way of connecting my iPad in particular to a printer, as there is material on there that I would like to print out.

Still no word from Mears regarding my bathroom being upgraded. I live in hope that something might happen regarding this, but I don't put a lot of faith in any of the organizations involved.

Thursday 7.20 a.m. It's icy this morning. My digital thermometer currently reads 55ºF. It was well over 70ºF up until only a couple of days ago. Mind you, that's indoors. It was something of a shock to find it bitterly cold when I took Alfie out around an hour ago. Then I discover ice on my kitchen window, which is left open to, ironically, let the heat out, because the flat is so over-heated. 

I have now purchased a new inkjet Canon printer. I am signed up to something where I use an app on my iPhone and scan the barcodes of everything I buy, and I earn points which can be redeemed for vouchers and other items and I had enough to transfer into Argos vouchers, which I did yesterday and ordered the new printer on the Argos website and collected the printer from the Argos store. This printer will work using wifi and can be connected to my iPad and iPhone, but I have only managed to get it to work via a cable. I hope to eventually get it connected to Wi-Fi, which would mean not going into the bedroom, where the printer is set up and being able to print from the lounge via Wi-Fi.

9.00 a.m. Goodness, gracious! It's now snowing. I think it's a good idea to turn the heating up and probably diving back under the duvet for the rest of the day. I can't take Alfie out in this. He won't like the wet or the cold, and neither will I.

4.50 p.m. We had a tenant's meeting this afternoon. There was a lady there who is from an independent organization researching tenants' grievances about Mears, the maintenance company who are supposed to look after Dexter House. They don't seem to have a very good reputation, and it's not just this project which is having problems with them.

Cakes and Bakes and Lost Socks

Friday.4.50 p.m. Oh, dear! The confounded washing machine didn't do what it was supposed to do this morning. It got itself into a real spin (sorry for the pun!), didn't heat the water, spin out what water there was in it, and left my load of washing sodden. It didn't dissolve the two gel tabs I put in and then, having put it into the drier, didn't dry the load properly, so I had to put the entire load on my drying rack. Not exactly the best way to start the day.

Thursday 21st October. Sorry folks, I haven't been keeping up with this blog for a week. I've been busy elsewhere, so nothing was reported.

It was chilly, although sunny, when I took Alfie out at around 7.30 a.m. I seem to be waking up later and later. I think it's because the days are getting shorter as we approach winter.  As I write this, at 10.15, it's bright and sunny, but I know it will be chilly if I go out. Very deceptive. 

I  now have a three-13 amp socket adaptor with USB charging points which I ordered on Wednesday from Amazon and which arrived yesterday and is now installed. I had to replace the old one, as it didn't seem to be charging either my iPhone or iPad, so a replacement seemed a good idea. The only problem with Amazon is that there is such a choice of similar items that selecting the best one is very difficult. I know people complain about Amazon, with such things about them having far too much power over bricks and mortar retail outlets, but you certainly don't seem to get the choice as you do with Amazon. I did look on other traditional company's websites, but I couldn't find anything even remotely as good as what I now have. It has certainly helped tidy up the area near my armchair, where the electric sockets are, and the table where the iPad and iPhone are set up to charge.

Sunday. 6.02 a.m. I spent a good deal of yesterday making and baking a cheesecake to take to today's 'bring and share' meal at church today. 

The cheesecake turned out far better than expected. It must have gone done well because very nearly all of it went. It was slightly burnt, due to not being able to get the oven temperature correct. As it was an American recipe, it was in American measurements. They use 'cups' as a measurement, which to me is somewhat vague and also in imperial instead of metric measurements. But, regardless of that, it seems to have been a success.

Monday. 11.00 a.m. Another bright and sunny morning, but that can be deceptive. It may look sunny and warm, but when you get outside it can be chilly especially early morning.

12.30 p.m. I'm currently baking a banana loaf. I had planned to make one earlier in the week and bought bananas in Sainsbury's, but they have to be ripe and soft, so I left them until today when they were beautifully ripe and soft. Mashed up and added to the mixture. The loaf (or is it a cake? No matter. What's in a name anyway?) is now in the oven, baking. It should be done in around 40 minutes.

Wednesday. 3.00 a.m. Here I am, wide awake and busy writing this post. Oh, I forgot to mention the banana loaf/cake. It turned out fine, but I should have left it to bake for another five minutes or so. A bit soggy in the middle (not on the bottom, as they famously say on 'Great British Bake-Off'.) I'm not over-keen on it. Just a bit bland for my way of thinking, and I won't be making any more. I just prefer things to have a bit more of a bite and chew. I'll have to have a look for another recipe, something a bit like a Soreen malt loaf, perhaps.

So, where are the 'Lost Socks' which are in the title of this blog post? I imagine you might have read all the way down to this part and thought to yourself, 'Okay. He's mentioned cakes and bakes, but I feel short-changed as regarding lost socks.' Well, it does occasionally happen, usually when I do my washing. There inevitably get one lone sock that doesn't have a mate. It does usually turn up and gets paired with it's opposite number, usually left in either the washing machine or tumble drier. So, having mentioned this matter, you can definitely feel you haven't been short-changed!

Troublesome Technology

Tuesday. 7.45 a.m. A bit wet when I  went out earlier with Alfie. Not exactly pouring rain, but a bit what I'd call drizzly. Thin rain might be a better description.

I forgot to mention that the fire alarm when off in Dexter House yesterday morning. The system has been tested by a technician, who presumably knew what he was doing, but it went on for around an hour. At first, I wasn't sure if it was the weekly test, which usually lasts around a minute. Then, when it continued on, whether it was more serious. It was no good because it gives me a headache and Alfie can't cope with it either, I imagine it hurts his ears as dogs can hear sounds at a different, lower, frequency to humans. So I put on my trousers (well, not such a good idea to go without, don't you think?) and gathered Alfie up, and we proceeded to leave the flat and go out into the street. I could still hear the alarm and thought it best to walk around the block, giving Alfie a surprise outing in the process.

Wednesday. 10.20 a.m. The other morning, there was a sound rather like a baby crying. It was around 3 o'clock in the morning. It was very close, whatever it was, more likely a cat, sitting on the ledge outside my bedroom window. As the window as open, that might have accounted for the rather loud volume. I was expecting Alfie to react, but he seemed to remain asleep beside me on the bed.

Thursday. 7.55 p.m. I have never mentioned the online surveys I do, for which I receive both cash and vouchers which can be redeemed for high street goods and services. Not only am I doing the online surveys, but I have more recently done some focus groups. Most are done via Zoom, the computer video platform, basically, because it's easier than having to set up face-to-face groups and even more so with the current pandemic restrictions. I won't mention who or what is said in any of the surveys, as I'm not supposed to. Privacy and confidentiality and all that. I did one a couple of Mondays ago, and the latest one was yesterday evening. You have to make sure you're all set up well in advance of the set time, which I did. On this occasion, I used my iPad and had it set up on the gooseneck support which I got from Amazon. The idea with this is that it brings the iPad up closer to my face and is easier to use than having the MacBook at table height. I also had my iPhone set up on another gooseneck support, for emergencies. I should describe a gooseneck as being a device that is made of strong spring-like material that keeps its position once adjusted. It holds your tablet or phone in a firm, spring-loaded grip, and you can move it around to get the best position. The focus group began, but after around thirty minutes, the iPad began to die on me. I had thought it was fully charged, but it just died completely. I then decided to use the iPhone, and then I couldn't get the sound to stop on the iPad (don't ask me why or how. It really illudes me completely.) It began to cause sound problems, which I couldn't fix until I put the iPad in the kitchen. Then I had to continue on the iPhone, but eventually decided to use my MacBook to finish the session It was all very annoying and embarrassing, but I was determined to continue because I knew that otherwise I wouldn't be paid the incentive for the focus group. Then I couldn't get the sound to work and had to continue with the discussion using the 'chat' facility on Zoom, which actually worked quite well. I could write relatively fast in answer to some questions and make comments, easier than waiting for people to finish speaking. Considering I had all my devices fully charged and it was just as well I had an alternative to the iPhone and iPad. Just typical that they should fail me when I really needed them to work properly.

Pandemic . . . Over and Out?

So, is that the end of the covid-19 pandemic? Is it now an epidemic rather than a pandemic? Boris has always said that he would 'follow the science.' The data shows that infections have fallen.

Sunday 6.30 a.m. I woke a good deal later than usual. I waited to take Alfie out and when we did, we found it quite windy. Alfie obviously doesn't like the wind, so he took us back home. When he doesn't want to do something, he makes sure he gets what he wants and that includes not getting wet or enduring wind. Funny little person!

I arrived at church at around 9.50 this morning and I was somewhat surprised that there were no chairs put out. So myself and several other people were drafted in to bring them in on the trolleys. It's surprising how quickly this was completed when everyone works together. No restrictions! No horrible masks! Ability to sing properly! Just great to have things almost back to some sort of normal. Then, after the service had finished, we had to remain to clear up the chairs and put them away on the trolleys. Twenty-two on each.

Monday. 6.20 a.m. Alfie was just not bothered about walking this morning. He's just becoming rather lazy. Not like him at all. I found him on the bed, in my usual place. Curled up and fast asleep. I attempted to move him but he growled at me. Not his usual behaviour.

I've spent most of the morning moving half of the furniture in the lounge so that I could sweep up the dust and other bits off the floor and then steam mop the floor with the Vax steam mop. It's quite a military exercise as the armchair was quite difficult to get through the door and put it into the hallway. No end of cables for such things as the floor light, the wifi router, and the chargers for the iPhone and iPad. I've already cleared out a lot of paperwork and generally cleared away clutter. It now means I have the second half of the room to clean, which will mean moving the television unit, the desk, and the sofa. 

Tuesday. 6.36 a.m. Another relatively mild and pleasant morning. But, saying that, just as I settled down to go to sleep at around 10.30 yesterday evening, there was an almighty rainstorm. It seemed to go on for quite a while, but there wasn't much to suggest rain when Alfie and I went out before 6 o'clock this morning. He really is getting reluctant to walk the entire circuit of Oldbrook Gree, but I am really determined to do the steps which are being recorded on my FitBit.

11.10 a.m. I've been to Sainsbury's this morning. I had to collect a  repeat prescription which was ready and pick up some bits and pieces, particularly milk and dog food. I can't have Alfie going without, now can I? I was surprised by how many gaps there were in the aisles, breakfast cereal being one. No doubt this is because of people being 'pinged' by the ridiculous app which tells you to self-isolate if you've been near someone who has been found to be infectious with covid or whatever. No end of the staff in various industries have had this happen, in what is called the 'pingdemic.' Crazy. 

Have A Nice Day!

Tuesday. 10.55 a.m. Alfie and I were out by 5.45 this morning. I think the mild weather is having a positive effect on us both. I'm not one to lounge about when it's mild and sunny. I was bought up on a farm and work usually started early and I would never be allowed to stay in bed, even if I wanted to. My mother would never allow us to stay in the house during the day when it was the summer holidays. Even the thought of daytime television (which wasn't introduced until the 1980s.) would have been heard of. And anyway, there was always something to do outside to keep us occupied.

I had to do some shopping. Running low on stuff like milk, breakfast cereal, and dog food. I can't have Alfie going without his dinner. I have been eating more fruit since lockdown. I have an apple and a couple of what they call 'easy peelers', which are small oranges, which, as the name implies, are easier to peel than ordinary oranges. Some are better than others. It's a case of 'you pay your money and make your choice. Some are juicy and sweet, like the ones from Sainsbury or Waitrose, whilst others can be tasteless, bitter, and just pith. I got some doggy treats, some of which are supposed to keep Alfie's teeth clean and freshen his breath. I got to paying and decided on using a self-service till. The confounded thing was really playing up. It didn't want to play ball (not literally, you understand. It would be interesting to see one of these machines playing tennis or even football.) It wouldn't recognize that I'd put an item in the infamous bagging area, and on at least three occasions I had to get a member of staff to sort things out. I threatened the machine with Alexa. I didn't think it was impressed, that is, if a machine can have any sort of feelings. Really didn't take much notice as far as I was concerned.

Wednesday. 6.30 a.m. Yet another sunny and bright morning. Out before 6 o'clock once again. Let's see how the day develops before I write anything further.

Transcribing of my writing is going well. I just can't do more than about fifteen to twenty minutes at a time as it's quite intense, concentrating and working on the laptop keyboard, but it's getting there.

Thursday. 6.15 a.m. It's cooler this morning. A definite possibility of rain. I have an idea that I felt rain or at least a drop, so we're likely to get a downpour later in the day.

Later. 12.05 p.m. I'm not sure exactly what the weather is doing, but I don't think it's raining at the moment. I suppose that if I stuck my head out of the window I could find out, or just look outside, but at the moment I don't want to.

Friday. 6.25 a.m. I was surprised when I went out with Alfie at 5.45 to discover that there was light rain. As a result, Alfie didn't stay out for long. A couple of spots of rain and he turned tail and took me back indoors.

I've had some problems attempting to order a repeat prescription. I always make sure I don't run out and do a regular check because I know it can take a week for the whole process to go through. I can get my medication a good deal quicker and I get a text message from Lloyd's Pharmacy in Sainsbury's so that I can go and collect it. The problems started when I set up an account with something called Echo. The idea behind it is that you have an app on your phone or tablet and you set up an account, nominating your doctor's surgery and then put in your medication, and Echo, which is part of Lloyd's Pharmacy, will deliver your medication to your home, free of charge. I'm not sure whether it comes via post or whether they deliver via courier. I attempted to put in my medication but several didn't have the right dosage which I require, so I abandoned setting it up. Further problems came when I attempted to order a repeat prescription via the NHS app which I have been using successfully. I usually give at least a week so as to allow for the order to go through my doctor's surgery and then be sent on to Lloyds for them to make it up. I did this last Sunday when I realized that some medications were running low. When I didn't get a notification to say the order was ready for collection, I rang my doctor's surgery, Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre and they said that I couldn't order those particular medications as I had enough, according to their system. After several telephone calls to both Lloyd's and the surgery, I discovered that the repeat prescription had gone via Echo, which I thought had not been connected to the surgery. I imagined it had not linked to the surgery. Lloyd's have made sure that my repeat prescriptions will continue to be made up by them and I have since removed the Echo app from my iPad and through the app, I disconnected it from further connections with the surgery. I had thought that, because Echo was part of Lloyd's, the in-store pharmacy would make up my prescriptions, but that is not the case.

Saturday. 6.40 a.m. A somewhat unsettled day on the weather front. It was relatively dry when I was out with Alfie an hour ago, but I felt a slight drop of rain and Alfie scuttled back indoors when he must have felt a few drops of rain. I think we're in for a wet day head.

More transcribing. It's going really well and I'm making modifications as I go. I'm really pleased how it's going. The whole thing is over 28,000 words long.

Sunday. 6.45 a.m. A sort of undecided day. I'm nut sure whether it's going to rain, but I felt a few drops when I went out with Alfie around  6 o'clock this morning. It was slightly misty over the centre of Milton Keynes, but it will burn away once the sun comes out.

Post number 1550- Another Week of Groundhog Day!

Monday. 7.20a.m. It's bright and sunny but somewhat muted. The sun hasn't had enough time to warm things fully but we'll wait and see how the weather changes as it surely will.

Later. 2.45 p.m. I've been out with Alfie. It's still sunny but there's still a chill in the air.

Tuesday. 6.40 a.m. Another mild and sunny morning, but not chilly.

I'm busily writing. I have now found a way to link some of the elements together but I'm not going to reveal anything about it on here. It's just going so well that I wouldn't want to ruin it. It's a bit like when you do a jigsaw and you have one piece missing at the end and then- suddenly- you find it, on the floor, behind the sofa, under your mug of coffee,  or the cat's sitting on it, the dog is chewing it or whatever. You snap it into place and the whole picture is complete.

I've just completed reading a biography of Roald Dahl, called 'Storyteller,' by Donald Sturrock. A thick volume and it had to be, as he had a full and interesting life. I get the impression that he could be quite difficult and unpredictable, which comes over in his writing, particularly his short stories, which were the basis for the Anglia Television series 'Tales of the Unexpected.' He must have been difficult to live with.

Wednesday.7.10 a.m. It's still chilly. Apparently, according to BBC Breakfast, April 2021 is supposed to be the frostiest since 1960. Difficult to believe.

1.40 p.m. I took Alfie out as I'm taking him to get his hair trimmed later. It was closing over so I thought it was a good idea to get out quickly and I was right. Alfie spends so much time deciding where to have a wee and taking in in circles in the process. Almost gets me tied in knots as he goes round in circles. There were a few tell-tale drops of rain but Alfie insisted on going into the wooded area that borders Oldbrook Green. I said to him 'shall we go home?' and he turned tail and we headed back to the flat.

I took Alfie to The Groom Room at Pets At Home in Bletchley. As soon as he sees me picking up his lead he starts barking and doesn't really stop until he's put into the cage in the back of the car. He does stop barking once we start moving but then starts up again as soon as I draw into the parking space outside Pets At Home. 

I have an hour to kill before I have to collect Alfie, so I wander around some of the shops along the parade from Pets At Home. There seemed no point in driving home and then back to collect Alfie.  Costa is open, but not to sit in. I think you can order via their app, and I think it's similar to Greggs which is next door. I go into T.K.Maax to have a browse. It amuses me about 'keeping safe,' referring to social distancing due to covid-19. What about if a bus runs you over or an anvil hits you as you walk along the path outside? Me just being crazy, but this sort of thing does make me think of this sort of 'safety.'

I've managed to transcribe several pages of writing onto word processing, using the speech-to-text function on my iPad. Quite a useful bit of technology and definitely saves time.

Thursday. 8.40 a.m. It's another bright and sunny morning. But, again, quite chilly first thing. 

Friday. 6.55 a.m. I've just taken Alfie out, as normal. He did his wee on the grass immediately outside where we come out of the door, but he insisted on taking me back inside to the front door. We normally walk along the path towards Oldbrook Green, but it wasn't interesting. When he doesn't want to do something, he won't change his mind and it's quite difficult to get him to do the opposite. For a small dog, he's surprisingly strong and more or less locks his legs.

Regarding the weather: it's mild and sunny, but there's still a chill in the air.

Incidentally, this post is number 1550. Another landmark for this blog!

Wild and Windy

 (Thursday) It's blowing a gale outside as I write this at 7a.m. I think even King Lear and his Fool would have had problems on that blasted heath, having to battle this wind. On BBC Breakfast's weather forecast they're saying in some parts of the country the wind speed is in excess of 85m.p.h.

(Friday) It's not as windy this morning, but still chilly.

Because I turned 70 in October I had to reapply for a new Driving Licence. It seemed that the easiest way to deal with this issue was to go to the D.V.L.A. (Driving Vehicle and Licence Agency) and apply there, which I did in September. I was expecting that it would arrive within days, but took into account the fact that they would be working with fewer staff in their office, due to the social distancing regulations for the pandemic. I still hadn't received it up until today, so I decided to try and sort out here it was, so I needed the reference number I was sent via an email and wrote it down, together with my Licence number and then had to find a number which I could ring to, hopefully, discover what was going on. This was extremely difficult to find on their website and when I rang it, I heard a recorded voice and then it ended which was of absolutely no help. I then discovered there was a 'chat bot' which seemed the only alternative to a phone call. It didn't take long to get an agent to respond and I explained what the problem was and it ended with being given another number to ring, which I did. Around a ten minute wait (and the music I had to listen really getting on my nerves.)and when I got through I again explained what my problem was and eventually got told that the licence had been posted out only days after I had applied. So, because I hadn't received the licence, I was informed that a fresh one would be mailed out within the next couple of days and if I didn't receive it to telephone again. I'm just worried that it could have been intercepted by criminals (no doubt someone would be looking out for what they believed would contain a driving licence) and use my data for fraudulent business, no doubt using my ID for illegal use, which is why I needed to get this issue sorted out.

(Saturday) Here I am at 3.20a.m., sitting with my MacBook on my lap, in my armchair in my lounge with the wind howling outside and not able to sleep. It just isn't going to happen so that explains why I'm writing this at the moment, even though there's not much to write about.

7.05a.m. It now not as windy, thankfully.

9.25a.m. I think I might have got the weather wrong. Been out with Alfie for the second time and it's actually as windy as ever. Perhaps it's because the side of the building my flat is, it's far more sheltered from the wind. It was bitterly cold and Alfie was keen to get back inside. The sun keeps on going in and out, as it disappears and reappears behind clouds.

Been into the Centre:MK, the main Milton Keynes shopping centre to meet up with my friend Nick who came over from Northampton by bus, where he lives. We were scheduled to meet at 11a.m. I had to take Alfie out before I left and then drove into the centre of Milton Keynes, parking in my usual car park near The Point. Very few cars so it was easy enough to park, probably because not all the shops in the centre are open. I put my face covering on because you have to wear one in the shopping centre and the shops within it. Big black crows everywhere as I walk through from the carpark. Puts me very much in mind of the Hitchcock film 'The Birds.' They're everywhere, on the ground, in the trees and perched on the roof of the bus shelters and other items of street furniture.

I walk towards Costa which is near Marks and Spencer to wait for Nick to arrive. There's nowhere to sit. All the seating has been removed within the shopping centre. The benches which are dotted around the place, which obviously couldn't be removed, gave been 'blocked' with boards informing you that the bench has been closed off because of social distancing. All right, but when you eventually need a rest from all the walking you have to do to get from one shop and the next, you do occasionally need to sit and rest. When Nick arrived we decided to walk to Starbucks to get coffee and something to eat. On arrival we had to queue as the store was busy, no doubt because it was a Saturday. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie latte and a ham and cheese toastie and we walked around to sit on benches outside near Marks and Spencers. A bit cold and windy but there was nowhere else to sit. A bit difficult to drink and eat walking along but that doesn't matter. We then went into Marks and Spencer, but we had to walk round to the entrance that came out opposite one of the malls. The escalators were not working but we soon realised that it was because non of the floors above were open and the men's department, which we wanted to visit, was on the ground floor and tucked away in a corner and out of the way (why are the men's departments in stores always hidden away and considerably smaller than those for women? It was like a jumble sale, no thought put into presentation and lots of items of clothing shoved on clothing racks. Not the usual Marks and Spencer way of doing things. Nick bought a shirt. I browsed but didn't see anything I liked in the sale.

Nick said he wanted to buy postage stamps, so we walked the length of the shopping centre and crossed over the road going towards the theatre and when we got to the post office we found there was a queue to get in. We had to wait around ten minutes before we could get inside. From there we walked back into the shopping centre to use the toilets and then I walked back to my car because by now all the walking had made me tired and we departed, me to drive home and Nick to remain and then catch his bus back to Northampton

(Monday) Rather cold and windy this morning, which I was not expecting when I took Alfie out earlier. this morning. I've managed to transcribe quite a few pages into word processing, using the speech-to-text function on the iPad. It certainly speeds up the process, although I have to check spelling and some words get mis-heard.

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.