Thursday 9th November 2017

Indonesian: Kamis 9 November 2017

0045hrs: Woke up thinking it was very late for some reason. Bits of the later dreams remained lingering in the grey-cells. Factory, machinery breaking down, no spare-parts and getting lost in the workshop?

Then I cheered up a bit when it dawned on me that the Fire Alarm Strobe and Pillow-shaker alarm had not activated as it has for the last two nights.

Wind fluttered out of the rear-end, stomach ache instantly arrived and I was out of the £300 second-hand recliner in record time and off to the Porcelain Throne. Luckily with no injuries, stubbed toes or Whoopsiedangleplops. The evacuation was instant (The moment I sat down), foudroyant and without doubt, prompted by the return of Trotsky Terence. Another messy session, and yet as the blood spurted out, it reminded me of a book I read years ago, with the title of “Through Gritted Teeth”. It was a horror story. Blimey, now I have the Trots and Haemorrhoid Harold hassle at the same time! Haha!

Cleaned up and into the kitchen to do the Health Checks and take the medications, with an ADRC capsule added to the recipe of legal drugs as usual.

I made a small mug of tea in the delicate China cup and cleaned some cutlery I had missed from last night. Luckily I had some of the Germolene cream handy to put on the finger that was scolded in the too-hot water I used. Tsk!

Took this ‘Moody’ but not very good photographicalisation while hanging out of the kitchen window.

Showing the mini-compound used by the workmen doing up the complex. I can’t make out what is what.

You can see the support racking they have erected across the bottom. I think the men will raise this to the level required, to give them access to knock the balcony of each storey down. Then again, I have frequently been wrong about these things, and most other things before. (Oh, you noticed? Haha!)

The computer on, mustn’t get carried away this morning, I don’t want to be late to miss the Tenants Social Hour. While I thought of this, I assembled the raffle prizes and nibbles in the bags to take with me.

After doing this task, I got further distracted from working on the diaries done. I went to make another brew and saw how the kitchen window had got splashed with greasy whatever it was by the workers yesterday, and set about cleaning the outside of the glass.

Eventually, I got it finished, made the brew and returned to the computer and finalised yesterday’s post and got it sent off.

0345hrs: Started on updating this day’s diary of woe, to here.

Caught up on Facebooking and TFZing.

Then WordPress Reading and an answering comments session.

Just about to start on creating a graphic for a page top, and Trotsky Terence forced me to hobble swiftly as possible to the Porcelain Throne. A close call, but I made it with seconds to spare. It was a sloppy session again.

Cleaned-up and made another mug of tea and returned to the graphicationalisationing.

I got the ablutions done and changed into the day clothes.

The Morrison delivery arrived at 0815hrs. Some naughty Pensioner had let her in the foyer. So when she knocked on the door, I thought it was him up above, or workmen on the outside making the noise and kept searching for what it was, holding the girl waiting. When I peeped through the keyhole viewer and saw her there, I was surprised. She took the bags through to the kitchen for me.

I didn’t ask, but wondered if the doorbell had packed up? Off she went, and I got the stuff sorted. There were three fewer bags than last week, but cost me more? The only nibbles I got were some chocolate and yoghourt peanuts.

I made a small mug of tea to try out the new Twinings Strong Tea Bag on offer from £4.98 down to £3.00. I had to try these, cause Morrisons had stopped doing the wonderful Thompson’s ones. (Swines!) The Twinings ones were nowhere near as good either… but not too bad on the Special Price I begrudgingly admit. (Gits!)

I tested both door alarms, and they were operational. Bursting forth with Dusty Springfield’s ‘I only wanna be with you’ tune.

I can hear the drilling from the work lads now. I might go to the Tenants Social Hour and then had a bus ride somewhere or a walk to escape the worst of it?

Readied bags etc. Sorted the bin bags out and on the way to the lift, I dropped them down the rubbish chute.

Out through the worker’s materials and along towards the Temporary Social Hut

Halfway up the incline, I turned and took these photographicalisations of the block. It surprised me to find my guess about what they had built yesterday, was right. It was to gain access to the balconies.

A lot more chaps on site today. I also noticed in the distance, a lot more tenants than usual going into the portacabin.

I arrived and was actually greeted by two people. Jenny busy working away on our behalf.

I dropped the raffle prizes on the tray, but could not find a seat near the other folks.

I reckon there were about 30 people in the room. Nice and busy. This might be due to some of us going into the place to escape the noise in the flats? Sensible. Jenny asked me if a wanted a drink, I thanked her but declined, as I was going out to the Audio Clinic.

I took the nibble around, I enjoy doing this and trying to get a conversation going with the others.

Being as I could not get a chair without taking one of the few remaining that others usually sit in, I decided to leave and take a walk up through Woodthorpe Grange Park.

Said a cheerio to the couple near me and set off along Chestnut Way to the gravel hill up by the fantastic Tree Copse. It was too wet to risk walking through it today, although I had the time.

The Audio Clinic was not an appointment one. I just needed some more batteries.

I was only about half the way up the hill when visits from Anne Gyna (As is usual) and unexpectedly from Dizzy Dennis.

I stopped at the top, and Anne Gyna subsided quickly, and I took this photograph of the unfortunate lopped trees near the Pitch & Putt course. They had suffered more bits being cut off recently.

Down the footpath onto Mansfield Road, over the hill and down to the bus stop. I soon caught a bus into town, but the only seat was one of those side-daddle affairs. Like the one, I had to sit in on the trip to Mansfield the other day. Tsk! Hehe! Only a short journey of about two miles, though.

I alighted at Victoria Centre (Mall) and was walking along Milton Street and went to get the Audio Clinic Authority Booklet out of my pocket,! I’d not taken it with me! What a Pillock! That was the end of that mission then.

So, I thought I’d have a hobble around and get some pictures of this diary and the TFZer Site. Starting with the giant advertising screen, Victoria Cente (Mall).

The weather kept changing from lightish to dark. ! I’d left the umbrella behind as well! I’d put it in the spare room to dry and forgot about it. Humph!

I poddled along down Clinton Street.

There were a few folks about, but even the McDonald’s, with its regular young beggar, but with a different dog outside today, was not busy.

No smiling faces were either.

A few spots of rain descended but soon stopped. For which I was glad.

At the end of the street, I turned right onto Long Row. The Christmas Fair and Food stalls were being erected. I seem to be burdened with building all around me? Haha!

The Slab Square was a hive of activity.

I hope they are building the little sentry-like box or the lady with the Roast Chestnuts again this year. I foolishly bought a bag last year in November from her. I got five chestnuts in the packet that cost £2, and one of them had gone off!

The Kangaroo and Aligator steak sandwiches, if I recall correctly, were selling for between £5 and £10.

Peoples expressions here also gave off the aura of malaise, anxiety and simple unhappiness. Even the youngsters were looking and sounding grumpy. I know not the reason why. Perhaps it was the building of the so-called entertainment attractions that is depressing them? Was something in the air?

The £4 a go Helter-Skelter is back again as well, by the way, being put up now.

As I limped around and struggled up the hill, Queen Street to the bus stop, the feet started stinging something awful, and Dizzy Dennis gave me another visit. Not that this made dispirited in itself, the Nottingham Street Art near the bus stop did, though.

And to think that Nottingham is bidding to become the European City of Culture? What with Brexit and the Nottingham Street Art, I guess not?

I had a jolly good natter with a lady at the bus stop. She gave me some tips on cooking the belly pork when I have it again.

When I got back to the flat, the workmen had encircled the building. Hehe! I had a job getting into it! The white lines I added to this photo I took as soon as I got up into the apartment, was the route I had to make to gain access. Not complaining, just saying. Can’t be helped if we want the upgrading work done.

Got the Health Checks and medications tended to, and Dizzy Dennis returned. Not good this.

Updated this diary to here, and I was all-in health and energy-wise by then.

Got the nosh started. The last of cooked beef, some chips from an out of date part bag found in the freezer bottom, vegetarian skinless hot dog sausages and baked beans is the plan.

Did a Morrison Order for next week, while I waited for it to cook.

A delightfully flavoursome feast. The teeth suffered a bit, but still.

I placed the tray on the next chair, thought about what to watch on the TV and drifted off into a Nocturnal Nibbling filled sleep.