Tuesday 5th November 2019

Swahili: Jumanne Tarehe 5 Novemba 2019

23:00hrs: Having nodded off early last night, even for me, I stirred into imitation life, with a sore throat, runny nose, a raving thirst, and wind coming out of most of my bodily orifices! Yes, I’ve caught a cold.

I lay there on the Xyrophobia-suffering, house-breaking, Brother-in-Law Pete damaged, while he was flat sitting when I was in the Stroke Ward, and he fitted new CCTC cameras and searched for my valuables, which he found and took, (I still haven’t got them back yet six-months later). The £300, second-hand, near-dilapidated, gungy-beige coloured, c1968, sometimes working-but not today, uncomfortable, rickety, rinky-dinked, rattling, rusty, resurrected, reconditioned, recalcitrant, recidivating and rotting-away recliner, pondering. Should I go to the After-Stroke Physio Session or not today? After hemming and hawing, this remains irresultative. Uncertain, undecided, and undetermined. I certainly don’t have any energy or desire to attend and be ridiculed and embarrassed by wearing the PPs and struggling with the pain of the exercises… Mmm? At the same time, I am the only one of the few patients, that has attended every meeting up to now. But it was so cold in that church hall last week… And they took the piss, silently, but I picked up on it, about my wearing the PP’s as they showed through the trousers… The of Arthur Itis Knees are giving me some stick, and I’ve not even got up on my feet yet, Oh, sod it. I’ll decide later.

I gingerly evacuated the recliner, caught my balance, grabbed the stick, and set off to the kitchen. Got the kettle on, and jiggled the handwashing done last night, and got them on the airers.

I made a good-strong brew of the Thompson tea and took the medications.

Began on the computer to do the updating of the Monday post. The fingertips were a bit bothersome with losing sensitivity when touching anything hard, which meant it took a long time to get done, five hours! However, the internet signal was doing alright for me, up to now. I sent it off to WordPress and then went on the Reader Section.

The Porcelain Throne was needed, and I got to the wet room in plenty of time for once. Not so messy this time at all, but lots of it again, and a bit of bleeding afterwards. However, Little Inchy was not leaking or bleeding, that was good! I changed PP’s and had a close look at the plates-of-meat, after their treatment yesterday. Now I have got to remember to go back in two weeks, to book the next appointment. I’ll put it in the Google Calendar now… All done! I’ll make a Morrison order methinks for next week, while I think of it, and I have time to now, with getting up so ridiculously early again. My EQ tells me to expect tsuris today. So maybe it would be best not to go to the Physio session? Anyway, I’ll get the order made up. All done!

A brew and some flakes, now I’ll get the ablutions done. An amazingly good session this morning. Erm, only two things dropped. Oh, yes! The razor (6), and the soap (3)… oh, and the toothbrush (3). 

It got a  bit repetitive, I must say! Humph!

I got myself ready for the walk in the rain and dark to catch the bus. I piled three rubbish bags on the trolley, and put some cleaned jars for the glass recycling bin. Down and out to Robert’s (Caretaker) area. And despite my best efforts to take a viewable picture of the bin, with only my three sauce bottles, and every other one an alcoholic beverage of some sort. And again, I spotted an empty Absyinth bottle when the flash-flashed, so as to speak. This was the best of several tries, I’ll have to consult Tim Price about this. I’ll beg him to share his expert photographicalisational skills. Many photographs were taken in the dark this morning, and really came put dark, but not all of them. I’m a tad confused as to what I was doing wrong. I was using the Canon camera, as well!

The first photo from outside Woodthorpe Court, on Chestnut Walk. Second, a shop of when I pushed the three-wheeler-guide through a puddle, to clean the wheels before I got on the bus. Oh, I am a good boy! The last one of a Nottingham City Homes -repair van shooting up the hill to the flats, which caught me out! It was about five past seven in the morning, so, either they had an emergency to go to, or they may have left their fags or Guinness in a flat yesterday, maybe? Hahaha! I’m a witty boy, too! (Well, perhaps not!)

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The bus arrived, and had to overpay again! With Xyrophobia-suffering, house-breaking, Brother-in-Law Pete half-inching my loose change, and the notes and collectables as well, by the way. Thanks, Peter! The driver did his best to have me on the floor, but I managed to get into a side-saddle seat, alright. As the bus filled up, I was so proud of my dodging any injuries from the Nottinghamian hoards that got on the bus. I decided cunningly, that once in the city I’ll call at Tesco first for bread and Flaky-Pastry fingers. Then out of the shopping centre into Milton Street and down to the Poundland shop, that should be open by then. Before hobbling to the St Andrew’s with Castle Gate URC Church. The rain made me move a little quicker than I would have liked.

I took a snap of the giant electronic advertising board as I crossed the road after getting off of the bus. This turned out to be another of the extremely dark for some reason pictures? It baffled me, why? I walked the length of the mall to the other end, and into Tesco. No rush, I had plenty of time, so I went on a bargain or treat hunt! Which took some time. I came put with: Treats for Christmas (I just hope the bomb works for Brother-in-Law Pete!) Hahahaha, only joking, honest! Milk Roll bread, pack of puff-pastry fingers, and some biscuits for the gang at the After-Stroke Physio Torture, I mean session.

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I had a mini-funny-turn as I left the checkout. But it was not a prolix or sustained one, though, and I was back on the hobble within minutes – out into the wet, drenched Milton Street. I’m a bit of a pluviophile, but the wind and cold with the precipitation took the edge off of my enjoyment. Especially with trying to control the guide and the umbrella! Made my way to Parliament Street Poundland store.

I got some nibbles for the break at the physio, some orange chocolate digestives for myself, some cough and cold medicine/linctus for children, that might help ease my sore throat. I paid at the self serve-tills, and stood outside under the cover and took some photographs of Parliament Street to the left and right.

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Off to the church hall, and found there were eight stroke-survivors there already, and the nurse and Obergruppenfurheress team leader. I handed the nibbles on the counter in the kitchen area.

The gang didn’t seem to keen when I asked a few of them of they were doing alright. Precious answered me though, lovely woman, who later I was paired with again, for the exercises along with the Nigerian lady who is still struggling with the language. Still, smiles and laughs helped the three of us to communicate. Doing the bending of the knees exercise’s were excruciating, not that anyone other than I was interested. Haha! Precious and the other gal and I, still managed a few giggles.

When we moved on from the stepping up routine to the sit and stand one, I wanted to tell the nurse I could not cope with it, but foolishly persevered, until I fell over missed the chair, fell over and took the trolley guide down with me. They were anxious and concerned for me… they ask me, “How did you do that?” – I told them I didn’t know, and the nurse told me to leave this exercise out and just sit there until you move on to the next one!” I sat there until I moved on to the next one! Oy Vey!

When the to me silly gentle music and a voice speaking so low I cannot hear them session started, I moved away, which did not go down too well. I was sorry, but a voice (even if I could listen to it), telling me to think of a beach, and the water and sunshine, dangle your feet in the… You get the idea? It does not calm me down, I was already calm, despite my clattering to the floor and being soaking wet. Hehe!

We had drinkies, and the nibbles were handed out. This week they were soon wolfed-down and pleased me muchly. In the games of bowls, the two gals who were partnered with me earlier won a game each, Smashing! I made sure the others joined my clapping and congratulating them. It cheered them both up a little, and I felt great!

Unfortunately, once again, we finished the session, just as the L9 bus would be leaving Queen Street. So I had another hour to wait for the next one. I said my farewells, got wet and a hundred yards or so down the road, and returned for the carrier bag of fodder I’d left in the hall. What a Yutz I am!

I hobbled down to the slab square. I took photographs from left to the right.

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Then I went into the book shop on Long Row – a fatal move. I spotted a 1950’s book on the cars of the time. Of course, I bought it! Tsk!

I made my way to Queen Street and decided to catch the 40 bus. It was only a few minutes before the L9 was due, but this bus gets close to the flats in about ten-minutes quicker than the L9 does. Mind you, I then have to tackle crossing the road on the steep hill and sharp bend, but still, I enjoyed getting soaked again, waiting for a gap in the traffic! Oh, dearie me!

I got down Chestnut Walk eventually, the. And took this picture of Winwood Heights in the rain.

Then I dropped the umbrella after taking the photo, and it could not have landed more perfectly, right on my corn! Argh!

As I limped on towards home. I had to get off of the pavement, to avoid getting some of the thousands of leaves on the wheels of the trolley guide. Then having to spend ages in the rain cleaning it up to get it free of detritus enough to go inside the flats.

So, I walked in the roadway, through an unseen puddle! And ended up with squelching sounds coming from the socks and shoes!

At this stage, my confidence and willpower were being tested to the full! And I was losing! Hahaha!

I got to in through the Winwood Court lobby and walked along the link-passage into Woodthorpe Court. By gum, it was cold in the Woodthorpe Court lift lobby! Where the lads were working still, on the Fire Sprinkler installation, as you can see in the picture here.

Up in the lift, and into the flat. The thirst was still at its height, and I got the kettle on to have a mug of Thompson tea and took the evening medications.

I pondered about what to do next. The Asda delivery is due, but not until 1830 > 2030hrs.

I didn’t need any wee-wees (A little worrying that!) I decided to have milk roll sarnies, ham and tomatoes, and maybe a few chips? But not until the fodder had been delivered.

I set about updating this blog. The fingers, arm, shoulder, and right leg were not wicked at all? I worked away like a good un, for about five hours, then at long last, I needed a wee-wee. A disappointing VWYSAO (Very-Weak-Yet-Spraying-All-Over), but very little actually flowed?

I heard some banging and knocking, and went to see if the Fire Sprinkler lads were in the lobby, but it was some carpet fitters doing Josie’s new floor covering. I nipped out with a mini-bottle of Gordon’s Gin for her. She asked me if I was trying to get her drunk. I replied, “Oh, yes!” Hahaha!

I had a look-out from the crumbling balcony, to see if any fireworks were going off to photograph yet, but there were none in sight.

I imagine they will be on show later on. But will I stay awake long enough?

Half an hour later, it was getting very murky out there, but no signs of any Guy Fawkes festivities yet. I took a shutter-priority and Night view picture of roughly the same area. Oh, heck, they did come out disappointingly!

The intercom would not let me view the entrance door at all! But it did show No missed calls and Do Not Disturb option not chosen. So, had the Asda delivery arrived, I think I should have heard or seen the light come on?

As the Asda-Walmart delivery was awaited, I took some shots of the fireworks.

The last one of the above is only of the moon: I missed the rockets going up. Huh!

I made the sarnies and bagged them and back into the fridge for after the Asda-Walmart delivery arrives. I put the TV on with subtitles and watched it in silence, not wanting to miss hearing the food coming. Hours later, I was wondering if they had delivered to the wrong flat?

So, I checked on the Emails, to find this on there from Asda! I was gutted!

All the staying up late and depriving myself of sleep again! Mind you, other retailers have done this to me before, with no real reason. Tesco (2), Morrison (1) Iceland (3), and this is the second time that Asda-Walmart has let me down. I can get melancholy, cynical, distrustful, curmudgeonly, suicidal, and mardy, you know! He-he!

Pee’d off with things now! I got the sarnies put did the chips and piled other stuff on the plate. Until I saw this photo, I wasn’t sure what I had attempted to eat.

I was feeling irritated and belligerent! But as for eating, this did not happen, I fell asleep, waking four hours later, finding that I had tipped the whole meal into the waste bin, all the fodder, fork and spoon included! I was struggling to breathe, the sore throat and cough started off… More to follow on tomorrows revealing episode of, The Nottingham Lads True Tales of Woe. Unless I snuff it, but that’s only to be expected!

TTFNski.