Out of interest, this little hobble along Mansfield Road was in fact only 0.3 miles in length.
The claimed time of the walk on the Google as in the screen-grab was six minutes. Of course, it took me a lot more. Partly due to my stopping to take the photographs, calling in a shop to get fodder and waiting for the bus back up the hill. At least I walked down it and along the road, despite Hilda Hips not being happy about it. Hehe!
There were so many closed down retail units, it was saddening.
Some of those that are still trading today are clearly struggling to make it pay.
I wonder how long it will be before an implosion of failure and bankruptcy floods the country, then explodes the economy altogether?
With even the big retail companies like Tesco hiding their losses and claiming to be doing better than they actually are, what does the future hold for the small entrepreneur?
First I walked to the Library.
You’ll notice, that no patrons are going in or out.
In fact, there was nobody about at all, and this does not bode-well for the local business impresarios does it?
To my right across the road, a confusing sign on the Hair & Beauty Shop.For there
For there was certainly no one in the shop or building, perhaps they had given up and gone on to offer a visit my home, or I’ll visit yours to have your hair done, and left the mobile phone number so the ladies could ring them?
If so, I hope it works out for them.
On the back of the roof, I could see pigeons appearing and disappearing.
The next shop along to the right has not done any good over the last ten years, I’m afraid.
The last bloke to make anything of it was Duncan something or other. He did washing machine and cooker repairs and second-hand sales. Until about ten years or so ago, when he was arrested for buying stolen goods. There must have been other charges because Big Ron tells me he’s still inside.
Up to an alleyway between two shops, the long gone brothel has now been made into nine flats.
Must have been a busy brothel once? Hehe!
Further, along on the other side of the road, the failed hot potato shop, called ‘Just Potatoes’.
Even the Estate Agents to the left of the eatery has moved elsewhere now.
Same side of the road further up, another failed business.
A poster told me it was up To Let. Where I imagine it will remain for a long, long time. It was last used as an entertainment come Bingo and one-arm bandit place. Now, this, I thought might have taken off in Nottingham, with it being full of alcoholics, pickpockets, shop lifters and already having more betting shop outlets per capita of anywhere on earth!
The two units next to the Polish Restaurant were closed down, after some poor soul trying to make a living out of takeaway food.
At the junction of Marshall Street, what a disheartening sight.
No less than three bankrupt food take-away shops in a row! None of them has traded for many years now.
Over the road, the sign To Let – Ground floor and first floor retail.
He’d been there for a good few years too, poor chap, a victim of the current financial markets?
Still, I suppose it might help stop people buying tropical pets and killing or abandoning them? The poor chap has been raided a few times over the years.
The old bedding shop unit was still empty and unwanted by any of the other entrepreneurs.
And who can blame them with the current uncertainty in the country and world?
Doomed! We’re all Doomed!
Two more abandoned hopes and dreams further up the hill.
At least I think that Akaldeep (Owner of the Discount Shop, has some other retail units to fall back on. He and his wife always seemed happy and friendly when I went in his store here.
I’m not sure if Darcy’s second hand stolen goods store had closed or not. Maybe he does not open on a Monday?
I’ve never seen anyone who does not look like Arthur Daley, has four or more kids with her or a nose broken bouncer go into the place anyway.
Thus ended my little photographicalisationing hobble.
But I had another later:
Nine closed down food outlets, and they open two more doomed to failure outlets?
It amazes me how they can expect to make it pay?
Never on, on I plodded.
The Golden Grill has seen better days.
So, remember folks; If you venture to Nottingham… just be careful. Hehe!
0400hrs: Woke up, recalling some bits of a dream and scribbled it down quickly on the notepad. From my younger days, Suzie my first love (Well, my only one really), Chrissie, a wondrously attractive gal from ‘Down our terrace’ and Dad were in this one, I could not see me though, it was like I was just watching things as they progressed? I think Sister Jane came into it at times, to tell me where and what to look for? The back yard, Chrissie’s family dog Rover, appeared, burning ashes came down from the train above on the viaduct. Memories (Happy ones mostly) raced into and out of mind at a fast rate, like fast forwarding a tape or DVD? Pondered on them for ages.
0455hrs: Up and to the Porcelain Throne for a heavy duty session, but failure was in the air (Just wind, Hehe!) Had a wee-wee, though.
Did the health checks: Sys148, Dia 80, Pulse 101, Temp 35.6 and Weight 14.7 The pulse rate was exceptionally high, never had it so big before?
The computer on and sent Email to Sister Jane, with the photo of the funny shapes on the tummy. Told her I could make it tomorrow (Wednesday) all being well, to get out to visit them. Fingers crossed she can accommodate me. I’m sure she told me on the phone that she would be in on Wednesday. (Well, somewhat sure, Tsk!)
Another attempted Porcelain Throne session failed. Had a wee-wee, mind. Took a Senna tablet.
Did some WordPress reading.
Another try on the Porcelain Throne, gave up, had a wee-wee again. Took a second Senna tablet.
Did the ablutions. Another attempted heavy-duty session on the Throne… Failed again. Felt the pressure of needing to go, but too nervous to push too hard yet, as this had caused much bleeding last month when I had Constipation Konrad visiting me. Had a wee-wee.
Could not find the hearing aids. Searched for over an hour and a half without any luck. I vaguely recall taking them out yesterday because one had lost all power and the other was picking up some squealing noises and wrapping them in a tissue – where, when and the location of where I put them remains a mystery to me? I’d been considering treating myself to a newer set of two anyway. So decided I would go into town and check on availability, prices, etc. and have a new hearing test done if they were not too expensive.
Got the bag ready, and went out to the Community Shed to see if Obergruppenfurheress Deana would be in like she said she would. Down the lift and out to the hut. Obergruppenfurher Deana and Gruppenfurher Julie were both in. Apparently, it is the day for collecting the yearly concessional TV licence monies in, so they were busy with us old folks throwing money at her. Hehe!
In between issuing the licences to various folks, she rang the insurance company for me and got it paid, bless her. Then reminded me of the need to pay for my TV licence. So I did.
On the way back to number 72 for one more quick search for the hearing aids, before catching the bus into town. I observed that the Woodthorpe Flats bus stop had a notice telling us ‘This Stop is no longer in use – use the one at the end of the road next to the Winchester Flats” – shame that, an extra walk and no bus shelter to wait under in the event of foul weather. Never mind, can’t he helped. A lot of workmen standing and lurking this morning, and they had started to do the removal of decorative ceiling coverings doing one floor at a time. Starting with the top floor on Monday. Meaning my floor will be done on Thursday when I can either go out for the day, and they will provide a free buffet meal in the Social Hut for us, or we can stay inside all day. Does this mean the Tenants Social Hour will be cancelled? I imagine not because it only affects the people on the 12th floor of each block. There is no way anyone opting to stay in their flats will be allowed into the lift area while the work takes place. Health & Safety rules.
Up to the apartment and had a search for the missing hearing aids again, no luck. Rushed back down again and to the end of the road to the new to us, bus stop. Many residents from both blocks were waiting. Had a chinwag with Bill. He was telling me how all the others were moaning about the bus stop, being moved, further to walk, no shelter from the elements, chattering about having to in or out of their homes for a day… they are not happy Bill said. I could not hear them due to the lack of hearing aids in my lug-holes. Haha!
I was the only one from the flats who got onto the City bound bus.
On Mapperley tops, the traffic inbound was at a standstill, and the L9 bus that the others back at the flats were waiting for was in the middle of the queue. Poor folks have going to have a long wait.
Dropped off at the terminus and walked down Queen Street into the slab square.
No Big Issue sellers in the area this morning?
To Boot’s and had a word with a lady there. But when we got to the prices I withdrew with as much grace as I could manage.
Over the road and down onto Wheeler Gate and the Specsavers shop. Had a word with them, their choices were far less than at Boots, and the prices for comparable models was about the same, but they had an offer on of two for the price of one. Plus, 4 years free batteries, one-year free insurance, Free aftercare, Free choice of fitting styles (Not sure what this means yet), a ninety-day satisfaction period and a Four-year guarantee. Oh, and a free hearing test.
The young man got my details onto the computer and asked when I wanted the test done from his available dates. He offered Thursday, made him look at me oddly when I told him I was to be stuck in the flats all day Thursday, I declined. Friday at 1700hrs – I got another odd look when I said this was too late for me to get a bus there or back to the flats.
Saturday at 1330hrs (He was getting a look of desperation on his face now, Hehe!) That will do, I told him, much to his relief I’m sure. He gave me a booklet and an appointment card.
I was going to tell him about there only being three buses to town on a Saturday, but I think had come to the decision that I was mad enough as it was. Hehehe!
Left and had a hobble up Friar Lane to see if the hearing place was open that used to sell alarms and timers for the hard of hearing. Terribly high prices last time I looked.
A big sign on the window, Shop To Let! So the business had apparently gone under since my previously visiting it. Not surprised really at the prices they were charging.
I meandered back down and onto the Slab Square, then up to the Primark Store and had a look around. Got some socks that claimed to be wider than average, thought they looked comfortable.
Some shoplifters were being taken out as I left the store. I don’t know how they make it pay here. So many times I’ve passed by and seen a police car with Officers removing offenders from this place.
Spotted some Nottingham Street Art outside.
I assume the staff of the nearby shops and officers have to nip out for a quick fag at their breaks and lunchtime? Whatever happened to the Smoke Rooms we used to have?
Got a TV magazine for next week and a newspaper to read on the bus, as I had failed to put my crossword book in the bag. I thought whatever it was that had caused the traffic snarl-up earlier, might be roadwork related and still be there.
As the bus passed the end of Clinton Street, I took a photographicalisation of it.
It didn’t come out too bad, considering how fast the bus was travelling, I thought.
Back at the apartments, I got off at the new stop and had a fair walk back to my block. Although it wasn’t a long walk, it was longer than usual. I must remember this when setting out in future to catch a bus and give myself a little more time.
At the apartment door, I rang the ladies next door bell. Gave her the newspaper to read. In the flat and tried again on the Porcelain Throne, no luck, but had a wee-wee.
Got the calendar updated with the appointment for the hearing test.
Realised when I did so, I’d missed getting to the Woodthorpe Park open day. Tsk, Cobblediplonk & Humph!
Did the Health Checks.
The pulse rate had gone down well, only 75 now, gone the opposite way? Huh!
The computer on again and updated this diary.
Back to the Porcelain Throne… ah, movement at last! Not easy, and Duodenal Donald bled a lot, but at least Constipation Konrad had eased a little. I shall still take another Senna with tonight’s medications, though. Took them while I thought of it.
Did some more WordPressing, then Facebooking. Lots of comments to reply to, that was fun.
The intercom burst into life, it was District Nurse came to collect their bag of tricks. I pressed the admit buttons and put some nibbles into the bag and said nowt when she got here to collect them.
Back to Facebooking.
1845hrs: Dawg-gone Virgin Internet went down! Reset button and restart made no difference. Rang 150 for help, got a recorded message Sorry your Virgin Internet is having problems, engineer despatched, we anticipate to have it working again by 0225hrs!
Had a wee-wee. Wash, the toothache started when cleaning the teggies. Humph!
To extra Codeine Got the meal ready.
Rang Sister Jane to make sure she will be in and I would be welcome to visit in the morning.
Got some nibbles and things in the bag, so I don’t forget them tomorrow.
Found the hearing aids in the pocket of a shirt I was putting into in the laundry bag. Humph – Tsk and fancy that!
Fell asleep, dreamt of being chased along office corridors again.
Woke around 0600hrs, very tired and feeling in desperate need of a good rest from the Enoxaparin injections and all the related hassle. No memory of any dreams. Out of the £300 second-hand recliner and off to the Porcelain Throne. Did the ablutions as I was as usual, not sure of when the District Nurse would arrive.
Got the kettle on and did the Health Checks, they were all over the place this morning. Sys: 174 (Up from 154) Dia 81 (Up from 74), Pulse 74 (Down from 86), Temp 35.0 (Samish), Weight 14.82 (Up a bit more) – Can’t wait for the midday checks to see them then.
Dizzy Dennis called on me a few times. A headache is developing above the eyes, I assume this is because of the lack of rest and sleep?
Had a wee-wee.
All cleaned and smelling fresh now, I got the computer on and finished the Friday post.
Started this one off to here, and then did some WordPress reading.
Had a wee-wee.
Started Facebooking, and Grenfell disaster came to light. I searched for the latest news in response to a post about it. Something caught my attention in a report from the residents who were woken by the Taxi Driver: Neighbour Maryann Adam, 41, said no smoke or fire alarm was sounding in the building when Behailu was forced to evacuate his flat. ‘He knocked on the door, and he said there was a fire in his flat. It was exactly 12.50am because I was sleeping and it woke me up,’ she says. ‘The fire was small in the kitchen. I could see it because the flat door was open. There was no alarm.’
If the flat fire-door had not been closed, would this have made the situation worse? Surely it would? I do not try to blame or accuse anyone with this observation, just would like to find all of the causes.
Had a wee-wee.
Went to make another mug of tea and I could hear a dog barking so clearly, even without my hearing aids in.
He was 12 floors down and a few hundred yards off, half way up the gravel path to the park. Managed to get a half decent shot of him by hanging out of the window. Boy, could he yap! Hehe!
The District Nurse arrived at 0925hrs. Cor, what a cracker! Got me all hot and bothered, of course, she was too young for me, but a sudden delightful yearning arose for the first time in years. It soon faded, though. Huh! Hehe!
Got on with doing a graphic for the TFZers.
Just got an Email telling me my Morrison Delivery is due in a while.Did I remember?
Did I remember? Ahem!
Carried on creating graphics after a wee-wee and making a mug of tea.
The next one took ages to get something like I wanted it to look, but I got there in the end.
Got another completed, but not the one I wanted to do for TFZer Shirley.
Lillie is in this one on the left. Reasonably happy with it.
I’ve love to try and get it in sepia but having problems with the background.
I’ll try it again mind you, although I anticipate I may have to give up on it and do another sort for her.
Done my best, this is it on the right. Got TFZers Shirley, Linda and Thomas in it as well.
I just had to turn everything off and get a nibble and a sleeping session it, hoping I don’t oversleep and miss the evening Nurse.
Drifted off into a deep slumber for a few hours, to be woken by the mobile ringing, but I was too slow to answer it. Got a voice message, it was the Nurse Controller saying they would be late tonight. Just as well really.
The poor nurse was hassled when she arrived and under pressure. She told me she’d done three shifts worth of jobs already tonight. She wanted to know why I could not do the injections myself. Fair question, as she has not seen me during a Dizzy Dennis visit. I must ask at the DVT on Monday if I can do them myself. Poor gal left in a rush to get to her next patient, leaving me feeling a bit guilty.
Made a mug of tea and took the evening medications rather late. Got the computer on to update this hilariously messy two-days-in-one diary, because I was still so tired, that if I did let myself sleep again, I was nervous of not waking in time for the morning nurse’s visit, and get in trouble again.
Did the Health Checks.
Feeling a bit disconsolate, de-meritorious and inconsolable for some reason.
Sunday 18th June 2017
Afrikaans:Sondag 18 Junie 2017
Heavy eye-lidded and feeling blameworthy, at fault, in the wrong, responsible, answerable, accountable, liable, censurable and condemnable, reprehensible and almost sinful. Suddenly at a new low spiritually.
I suddenly remembered I have not visited the Porcelain Throne for ages now? Finding it hard to concentrate now, to keep on to thoughts. If you know what I mean? Wondering why I Googled Side-Affects of Enoxaparin.
I reckon with Confusion and Irritability in the list explains why I am constantly battling with myself to make decisions, and always thinking I make or have made or am going to make the wrong ones? Which is usually right this weekend!
I’ve only had to have these injections twice before, but they were for only two days, about four doses. With the INR level so low this time and not coming up so soon, it has been about 16 injections this time. Maybe this accounts for the depressions, confusion and irritability with myself?
Hello, I’m coughing like a good one now! No demands for the Porcelain Throne since yesterday morning? Had another wee-wee, though.
I’ll take a photographicalisation from the kitchen window to cheer myself up. (Desperate measure now)
Terrible efforts, took three, in different modes on the camera, but none of them was any good.
The lone star in the sky reminded me of me? Hehehe! (No charge for the chronic poetry here folks)
Well, that failed to cheer me up. Humph!
Had another wee-wee.
Took the medications (Extra Senna) carried out the Health Checks: Looking alright.
Checked the Emails and responded to some WordPress ones.
Onto Facebooking.
Back onto graphicalisationing on CorelDraw.
Had a heck of a time getting all these done.
So glad I did though, hoping they like them on the TFZer site.
Canada’s finest in the first one. Pattie. My desire you know?
Janet next, with Meritt and yours-truly sneaking into it with my camera
Hope Janet likes her pony.
Hehe!
Bleeding from the left leg now. Humph! And both limbs have swollen with water retention, which confuses me considering the number of wee-wees I’m doing.
Had another wee-wee. Hey-ho
Fitted an old graphicalisation up and reposted it.
A selection of fantastic TFZers in this one.
Lynda, Patricia, Lona, Thomas and Andy, along with a few of their pets as well.
Then I moved on to do one for Andy’s Birthday, which is today.
Great chap is Andy, he’s from Canada too.
Off for a wee-wee.
Made a cuppa.
Found I’d left the fridge door open, so closed it. (I’m quick ain’t I? Hehe)
Checked the leg, still leaking just a tad.
The oddly sized legs tickled me. Well, that’s not the right word, but it’ll have to do.
Must remember the Morrison delivery coming today, coming because I have a feeling that I may be kept in the hospital on Monday when I go for the INR blood test.
The bleeding while the INR level is so low, that cannot be a good thing.
Made another mug of tea.
I used the tripod for the first time when taking a photographicalisation out of the kitchen window.
However, it was not tall enough for me get a shop properly, so, I may have to invest in the longer one.
Noticed that the injection holes in my tummy, the right and left, did not match up count-wise?
And… why being as the weight has gone down a decent amount, have I still got the flabby tummy? Hehe!
Into the wetroom for the ablutions. Just getting out of the shower, when the intercom rang, the morning nurse had arrived. Got myself decent by the time she got up to me. All done in short time and off she went.
Had another wee-wee.
Might have a meal later today, I’m feeling better, apart from the bleeding chin and Dizzy Dennis’s attentions. Bacon I thinks?
Watched some stuff on the U-tube thingy.
The Morrison man called.
Put the food away and got an early noshing session in. Bacon sarnies with trimmings.
Put the headphones on to listen to the radio and nodded off. During which I dreamed about my suffering vivisepulture. But I was calm and fascinated by the experience. I thought:
I wonder if I can count all the knots in the wood inside the coffin before I die for real.
Why the box I was laying in is built from Fyffe’s banana crates from the fifties?
How can I see the knots and grains in the wood when there is no light in here?
How did I snuff it?
Did I leave the hot tap running?
Why am I wearing an Oliver Cromwell outfit?
On and on questions came into my mind… I’m sure at one stage a thought/question was ( I think possibly the best and most intriguing one of those I could remember):
“I’m fed-up with all these issues now, I hope I wake up soon?” Hehehe!
When I did stir, the need for making use of the Porcelain Throne appeared, at last. Can’t remember the last visit! Haha! I can laugh now, because there was no extreme pain and no bleeding from the experience, as I anticipated there would be. Almost a pleasure!
Had a wee-wee and set to doing some cleaning, mopping hoovering and dusting.
Then Dizzy Dennis assaulted me rather nastily, so a sit-down and a cup of tea with the medications was called for.
After a while, I felt a lot better and got on with sorting out the paperwork that had built up on the mini-desk that Duncan gave me when I moved into the flat, (Thanks again Dunc!) into their respective folders.
Suddenly felt tired again now, so I visited the wetroom and did the ablutions. All went well, apart from spraying myself all over with the Dettol Antiseptic Disinfectant spray in error for the citrus antiperspirant. Tsk! Had another wee-wee.
Made a brew and took this photographicalisation from the kitchen window.
Back to the Porcelain Throne, but it was a false alarm.Had another wee-wee.
Had another wee-wee.
Got the computer on and updated this twollop.
Checked on Facebook. While doing this, two District Nurses arrived to see to me.
Both worthy of a 9.2/10 rating for their sizeable perfect forms. Again they were in a rush. They did tell me though, that the Winchester Court Flats had four fire engines outside! Oh dear!
Back on Facebooking.
WordPressing next.
Had another wee-wee.
Went to make a mug of tea, and just had to take this photo of the view.
0400hrs: Stirred from a dream filled night (Of which I can remember nowt!) throughout which I was ever waking up and trotting off for a wee-wee. I think I suffered this the last time I had to have the Enoxaparin injections?
Gave up trying to get back to sleep, and decided to get the washing done in the laundry room before the District Nurse arrived. No idea when she will come. Had a wee-wee.
Took the washing down and got it in the machine and came back up to the apartment.
Took the medications and made a brew and it was time to go down to move the clothes into the dryer. Got a phone call from Sister Jane. She told me to put the TV on to see the horrible fire in the flats in London and asked how I was feeling this morning. Nice of her. Had a wee-wee.
Down to the laundry room and got the dryer working, then back up again and got the TV on. Terrible news, and from what I listened to from the tenants who had escaped the conflagration, they had been told the same as us here about what to do in the event of a fire, those that did follow the advice must surely have perished. No fire alarms sounded they say?
The computer on and did some Facebooking and WordPress reading.
Had a wee-wee and down to collect the washing.
Cleaned the filters, washer and dryer and back up again to the flat.
Worked on updating the diaries while watching the news of the disaster on the gogglebox. Couldn’t use the headphones or I would not hear if the nurse arrived and buzzed the intercom line.
Very depressed with the news. It had filtered through of how brave the emergency services were.
The nurse arrived, a cuddly little thing, asked many questions and injected the tummy. She was here about an hour or so. Said someone would call again tonight around 1700hrs, Bless her.
Had a go at doing some graphics to take my mind off of the poor souls that were living in the flats fire.
The Morrison delivery arrived, and when I moved to go to the door, some severe pains from the innards appeared.
At least I know I have someone to tell the tale too, or will have when the District Nurse comes tonight.
Put the fodder away and cleared the waste bags out to the chute.
Not so good at all, now, even Dizzy Dennis paid me a visit. Humph!
Signed off on Facebook, no way I can concentrate on that or graphicationalising how I feel now. Befuddled, Hehe!
Got the pod peas simmering in the pan. Not having anything else heated today, I might leave the meal when the peas are done until after the medicationalistical (Hehe) visitation later.
Updated this to here, and got the ablutioning tended to.
Got the early meal sorted. Not that is was difficult with no hot fodder involved.
Took the medications and gobbled the food down.
Off for a wee-wee.
Settled to watch the TV with subtitles on, so as not to block the hearing with the headphones in case I don’t hear the District Nurse arrive. I could not read the subtitles though, they were too small, so I put the news channel on about the fire in London.
Fell asleep, woke to need a wee-wee, tended to this, made a mug of tea and as I was doing so, felt sure I could hear noises, but where from? It took me a while to realise it was coming in through the open window, I went out on the balcony and found it was some residents from a flat a floor above mine. Got the hearing aids in and realised they were slightly intoxicated, bless them.
They were out in the warmish sun, legs over the balcony railings, a selection of drinks to hand and shouting in ‘Gibberish’, I think it was.
Hehehe!
Got down in the second-hand £300 recliner, and despite the twinges, stabs and unrelenting pains now suffering, I fell asleep again. It was well past my bedtime now, and still, the nurse had not arrived. The nurse earlier said they would be here at 1700hrs, but it is now 1900hrs. Had I missed her when I fell asleep?
Up for another wee-wee and noticed how beautiful the evening clouds looked with the addition of the aircraft exhausts. The almost ghost-like bit, centre left confused me? Haha!
Popped out on the balcony to take this shot, so the unique mystery addition was not reflections from any glass?
Fell asleep again, and just after 2100hrs the intercom burst into life, the nurse had arrived. Cuddly little thing she was. Soon had me sorted with the injections and I bid her farewell and got my head down. But the brain and new pains from the stomach ensured I did not nod-off for hours.
Hey-ho, so much better off than the poor souls affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster!
This is the latest photograph of the complex. 12 dead, still unable to search for bodies 24 hours after the fire started. Dozens injured, many critical.
So, I do not have the right, intention or inclination to moan about things.
0435hrs: Greeted by Duodenal Donald as I woke and lay there doing my best to recall the dreams, but only vague memories of a dustbin lorry and giant live jelly babies walking the streets, lingered? No idea!
Disentangled me from the £300 economy second-hand recliner ASAP and off to the Porcelain Throne for a heavy duty evacuation session. A lot easier again this morning. The cut I got shaving yesterday had stopped bleeding leaving a beautiful pattern of blood in the shape of a question mark on and down the cheek to the neck. (Just thought I’d mention it like, Hehe!)
I noticed how grotty the wetroom floor looked. So I got the second mop and bucket out and gave it a good scrub up. I have two mops and buckets you know? I bought the expensive rotating to dry the head one cause it looked easy to use (As it turned out it was far easier to stub my toe on as it happens). Found it did not work on the knobbly floor of the wetroom and had to buy another.
Returned to the chair and again, there were signs of ‘Tidbit Nibbling Activity’ overnight, Again! Crumbs, empty crisp packet, vine tomato stems… Tsk!
Into the kitchen and viewed the murky morning outside.
It soon cleared up and the sun started to break through.
Spotted where I’d been at the tomatoes overnight.
Took the medications, made a mug of tea and got the tablet pots sorted out for next week.
Health Checks completed, all looking good apart from the increase in pulse and the weight!
Got the peas and potatoes in the saucepan and added water and vegetable seasoning for them to soak until ready to be boiled.
Had a wee-wee and got the computer on and started the diary updating to here.
Posted yesterday’s off, then did some WordPress reading.
Onto Facebooking then.
Duodenal Donald keeping on bothering me and for no reason a sudden depression hit me? I feel terribly low, no gusto, no interest… Oh dear.
I’ll make an early meal, see if that cheers me up.
Although the fodder tasted nice, the spirits did not improve at all.
A fatigue of sorts dawned after gobbling up the meal.
A shadow, a curtain, a genuine tiredeness, weariness, drained. Felt a right Eedle-doddle, as the Scots would say. (Always loved this phrase)
Hence, I did nothing but watch the TV and dose off, watch the TV then dose off… for the rest of the day and night.
Felt awful when I sprang awake many hours later to find it was not even time to go to bed yet?
Very odd, pointless, confusing, uselessness, worrying, a semi-obliviousness day of vague nothingness? Hehe!
0330hrs: Stirred, lay there doing my best to recall details of the dream I’d been having; something about me being chased in a skyscraper full of office corridors? Haven’t had one like this for ages, but, any real memories were too vague.
Fell off to sleep again (another uniqueness for me, nodding off again).
0530hrs: Came back to life, of sorts with a jolt. Found rubbish all around the £300 second-hand recliner again. I’d been nibbling, that was obvious by the crumbs and wrappers generously scattered around on the carpet, the chair and me. I can’t remember eating at all, let alone fetching the biscuits to eat?
Off for a wee-wee and heavy duty session. Little Inchy was raw and sore, but no bleeding again. Haemorrhoid Harold only bled the tiniest bit. I could tell Duodenal Donald was building up for an attack. However, Reflux Roger, Arthur Itis and Anne Gyna were in a good mood – and, no signs of Constipation Konrad either. So no complaints there.
To the kitchen, where I rinsed out the mucked-up oven mitt things from the bowl where I’d left them to soak. Drying them was a problem, how to? I put the clothes airer on and balanced them on top.
Did the health Checks: Sys 145, Dia 79, Pulse 88, Temp 35.6 and the weight was 14.8lb
Mephitic emissions of the wind from the rear arrived unexpectedly. The aroma seemed to linger all day. Tsk!
Computer activated. Checked on which programme if any the Scotland v England match would be on. I was delighted when I found out it was on ITV tonight. A hard game for me in some ways to watch. I have a great liking for the Welsh and Scottish teams. The likes of Andy Lochhead (My favourite, a great old fashioned centre forward), such a shame he was not selected for the Scottish Squad, he did get just one under-23 match in.
But his going South of the Border made him a de trop to the selectors, I’m much afraid.
Ian Ure and Dennis Law were both great defenders, too. Jim Baxter was fantastic in his hey-day. So, I’ll be unhappy whichever way the match goes… unless it is a draw? Haha! Others that come immediately to mind: Welsh: Terry Hennessey, Ronnie Rees, Dean Saunders. Scottish: Kenny Burns, Peter Cormack, Archie Gemmill, Frank Gray, John Robertson, Kenny Dalglish, Tommy Dockerty, etc. Ah, good times!
Nipped into the kitchen to pod the peas and get them cooking in the Crock-Pot. I also put some Jersey potatoes in the saucepan to boil.
Hence the advice on the left here.
Another wee-wee and back on the computer.
Updated this diary. Then caught up with WordPress reading.
Checked on the cooking and saw that I had not turned on the power to the cooker. Ah-well, done now!
Onto Facebooking then. Spent hours on it enjoying myself.
Went to check on the fodder’s progress.
You recall how I forgot to turn on the power to the cooker earlier to do the spuds? Well, I didn’t turn on the oven when I put the lamb nosh into it either! Gerrin’ fed up with missen today!
Cooking now, though.
Scoffed the lot of it, a yoghourt, some bisuits and some nougat too!
Back onto CorelDraw 2017, but coud not concentrate very well. Perhaps the expectations of the upcoming Interernational twixt Scotland and England later?
Nodded off and dreamt of Sister Jane and me living together with our beloved Auntie Kath, I was the butler and we were all so happy doing things we never did before together.
Woke, took the medications, did the Health Checks and visited the Porcelain Throne and settled to watch the match on the gogglebox. The abutions can wait now, ’cause the match is due to start.
The match itself was wonderful to watch, with the most exciting last twenty minutes I’ve watched of a match since the 1966 World Cup Final.
But the aftermath saddened me so.
It happens that the authorities had sent some Metropolitan Police officers to Glasgow in case of terrorist activity, so it seems, up to now to me, that they coped with the vandals and yobboes reasonably well. Took the edge off of my enjoyment, to think about this return of mindless hooliganism and hatred.
The so called fans were even rioting when on holiday in Magaluf!
Did the ablutions with mixed emotions, happiness at seeing a great match and agreeing with the score for once, loathing and not understanding of the rioters, satisfaction at the good tasty meal… cut myself shaving due to lack of attention. It took a lot of stopping, had to resort to the aftershave, need a new bottle now. Hehe!
Shaved, teggies done, ear-holes cleared, Little Inchy medicated and showered, I got the nightweat on. (Well, it was nippy tonight).
Head down in the £300 second-hand recliner. (It’s lasting well for a cheapo bargain is this chair) But, I could not get to sleep thinking alternatively about the great match, the fighting hooligans and the newly attacking Duodenal Donald. I don’t know if it is the fodder or the vandals that started him off, but by gum, he’s back with a vengeance. Took an extra 40mg Omeprazole.
I’ve been on this medication along with so many others for about 13 years now, looked it up to see if any alternative is available on the NHS. Got side tracked with this page on the left here: Methinks I might have a word with the pharmacist or doctor on my next visit.
I Googled for any Omeprazole alternatives. It seems that almonds and almond milk after eating has helped some people get off of this drug. Thaty should it says, only be taken for short periods; And my doctor has had me on it for 13 years plus?
Another suggestion was deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL? Never heard of it, but this is more for Roger Reflux than the ulcer. Then they suggest Apple Cider Vinegar, but it must be organic. Each time I ask about Omeprazole, it relates again to the reflux valve and not the duodenal ulcer, so I put in the search; Duodenal Ulcer Medications UK. Andthere it was, but only as an antacid. Confused now. Tsk!
0400hrs: Woke, no memories of any dreams, the stomach rumbled, and I got put off the £300 second-hand recliner with high hope of achieving a passing on the Porcelain Throne, so off I hobbled to it, taking care not to stub the toe en route, or on the way back.
Still a painful, but successful visit, if another rather long one in urging things to happen. Haemorrhoid Harold bled a lot less than of late. Cleansed and medicated me up. Hehe!
Duodenal Donald was letting me know he’d be about hassling me today.
Took the medications and carried out the Health Checks. The weight had gone down a bit, not before time.
Made a brew of tea, and looked at the Google Calendar. Morrison delivery is coming twixt 0700>0800hrs, Vote in Elections and Extra INR blood test at the surgery 0950hrs.
I mused over the Voting and considered which of the unreliable lying nihilists to vote for this time… not that I really had to ponder over my choice. Just a hatred of having choices of which none met my criteria of being votable… Huh! Working family roots will prevail methinks.
Got the ablutions done.
Got the nibbles in the bag for the electoral staff and nurses.
Shelled the pod peas and into the Crock-Pot in water and a bit of demerara sugar.
Opened the Emails and did some WordPress reading.
All ready for the Morrison delivery to arrive.
The rain seemed to be easing when I made another mug of tea.
Made sure that the things needed were in the bag: nibbles, brolly, hat, collapsable walking stick, DVT Card and Health Check Record for the nurse and the crossword book.
Got the last bag of the Purple Chips that I bought for Jenny and Frank to try, then rang Jenny to see if she would be in this morning. She said she would, so I went up to the fifteenth floor with the chips and a free small can of lager delivered by Morrison, but I did not recognise the outside of the flat?
Came down to my own pad to see if I could find the number of Jenny’s and Franks flat on some paperwork (Also put in the hearing aids I’d forgotten to earlier). Picked up the bag and Voting Card and nibbles. Then I set off to check each floor. On the ninth floor, a chap got into the lift and pressed for the ground floor. I asked him if he knew which was Jenny’s flat and he lived next door to them on the ninth floor.
Back up to the ninth and dropped off the things at the proper unit. I did feel such a fool! Tsk!
When I got down to the foyer, and outside, the rain had stopped altogether. Walked to the Voting Shed, and found different people there today and they had laid things out differently: Without thinking, I said to them as I entered: “Oy! You’ve changed things around this time! I’m not having this; we aged old farts can get confused, muddled and addled very quickly, you know! They burst out laughing and smiles appeared on their faces. Gave them my election card and one of them said: “There you are, five booths to pick from, all free, Make your choice Sir!” I rubbed my chin exaggeratedly and put on a frown saying: “Er, erm…” More laughter rang out. I voted and posted the sheet in the box and gave them a bag of nibbles!
Said my cheery cheerio’s and out and off down Chestnut Walk onto and down Winchester Street Hill.
The high winds had caused more havoc nd damage again last night. Debris scattered all over the roadway.
Down to the bottom of the hill and noticed as I approached the traffic light corner to turn left, that I had not taken the bank papers with me.
So I didn’t call at the bank. Humph!
I still had plenty of time to hobble up Mansfield Road and down into Carrington with time to spare.
So I had a leisurely amble.
At the corner of Haydn Road, I espied some traffic and altercation that was taking place near the school gates.
Probably just busy.
I pressed on up the hill, and by the time I’d covered about 300 yards or so, six police vehicles with klaxons and the blues on passed on the journey toward the City Centre?
Just over the brow of the hill, a Nottingham Pavement Cyclist nearly had me over. Tsk!
A few hundred yards further down the hill and in Carrington; So many police cars belted by I could not count them!
I did manage to get the camera out and caught the blue lights of the last one on the convoy
as they had to use the opposite side of the road to get through the traffic.
Got into the surgery with 20 minutes to spare. Logged in and got seated with the crossword book extracted from the bag and pen in hand.
After only five minutes the nurse came and called it to go in.
It was not the usual nurse this time, but the Obergrupenfurheress one. SFA Time! Shudder, Fear & Apprehension! Hehe!
She took the blood, I gave her the nibbles and returned to the receptionist. I explained that the Anticoagulation card I am supposed to carry with all the time is getting a little tatty and the lettering is coming off of it. Could you advise me where to get another one from, please? “The Queens Medical Anticoagulation and Deep Vein Thrombosis Clinic on the fourth floor” she informed me. Thanked her, departed and limped to the Lidl Store to have a perusal of what they had on offer.
I got little carried away in there, I’m afraid. Got three raffle prize nibbles, Nougat sweeties, piccolo tomatoes, Lemon Curd Yoghourts, Frikadellens, Choc Hobnob Creams and a lamb hotpot. £11.47 spent. Boldy (And as it turned out foolishly) I tried to use the self-serve till again, being as I had no end of lose change. Got the stuff swiped in alright, but when it came to paying, it took the £10 note but kept spewing out the change I put in! Sometimes holding a coin and the total to pay kept changing! After trying about eight times, I had to ask an assistant or help. When I told her what was occurring, the look on her face shouted out at me: “Oh, Christ, not again!”
We tried again between us, several times and in the end, she got it to accept the coins after I had to change the ones I was putting in!
Out, in a foul mood and caught the bus back into Sherwood. Still, the rain kept off!
Dropped off in Sherwood and got a second-hand cup from the Charity shop.
Then and crossed over the pelican lights and to the bus stop. Three other tenants there waiting, and a good laugh and chinwag ensued. Two more joined us. The bus came, and we were soon back at the flats battling the wind to get inside them. Haha!
Squashed into the lift and we were still laughing and joking, I like it when this happens.
In number 72 and had a wee-wee first. Ten put the fodder away after selecting the lamb hotpot and some potato balls and putting them into an oven tray to cook later. The Crock-Pot was bubbling away with the Jersey potatoes, pod peas and mushrooms.
The computer on to update this diary up to here.
Used the new cup and made a gorgeous, strong cup/mug of tea, using the last of the 99 tea bags.
Must get some more tomorrow!
Checked the nosh, not ready yet.
Looked later and it seemed to be ready, got the oven food into the dish, made and added some gravy, then the mushroom, peas and potatoes.
Superb tasting fodder this was. Rated at 9/10. Minced lamb hotpot with extra potatoes of two types. Sourdough bread and a lemon yoghourt.
Watched some TV and the phone rang before I could fall asleep (Hehe!) but I could not get to it in time before the damned thing went to answerphone. Struggled to find out how to listen to it. Eventually getting into it, and putting the hearing aids in and the message I heard was; “Nothing to be heard!”? Methinks it night have been the surgery, DVT clinic or the Anticoagulation Unit about the INR Warfarin blood test results?
Took the evening medications, unsure of what Warfarin tablets to take, not knowing the results like, I took half the dose, no idea if I’ve done right or wrong.
Watched some telly in between nod-offs. Woke with a start and a raging hunger?
Which I found confusing bearing in mind the decent sized meal I’d had a while ago. Raided the fridge and made a brew, then nibbled away as I fell asleep again watching the TV.
After a long nod-off, I changed channels to the election results… and had a few kips in between watching them.
Into the morning now, I checked on the final results locally:
To the Porcelain Throne, with good results, I think that Constipation Konrad is leaving me now. Hopefully, the ‘Trotskies‘ will not replace Konrad! Even Haemorrhoid Harold was only bleeding the tiniest bit.
Woke at 0330hrs, Out of the £300 second-hand recliner and off for a wee-wee and attempted to encourage Constipation Konrad activity on the Porcelain Throne. In there a long time, Haemorrhoid Harold bleeding, and a failed evacuation attempt. Painful and time-consuming.
Washed up and into the kitchen to put the kettle on. The view, (although it does not show in this photographicalisation that I took of it) out of the window, reminded me of a Walt Disney film scene. The lights seemed to be all twinkling. A closer look and I realised it was the horrendous winds blowing the greenery on the bushes and trees in front of the lights. The rain drizzled.
Took the morning medications and did the Health Checks, with some odd results: Sys 147 Low? Dia 73, Pulse 92 High?, Temp 36.1 High? Weight 14.82 Higher suddenly so much higher? I took the Warfarin tablets out of this evening’s pot, to make sure I did not forget not to take them as instructed.
Checked the Emails, got one from the QMC – DVT advising me that the Anticoagulation had informed them of my dangerously high INR result and they cancelled Thursday’s appointment for the checks they were to do and will rearrange them again when the INR level get back to withing range. Warned me to take extra care and in the event of any bangs or cuts to seek assistance through 999 immediately (The same as the anticoagulation team did yesterday). Reminded me to avoid eating any brassica. To remind myself of the full brassica range, I Google it and other food to avoid:
Kale, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Cabbage and my beloved Turnips! Also, other foods to avoid: Aubergines, Mustard, Chinese leaves, Parsley, Spinach, Green tea, Cranberries, Alcohol, Grapefruits, Lettuce, Avocados, Celery, Coconut and Asparagus. Humph! I didn’t see parsnips or lettuce on the original list the hospital gave me after ticker operation? So, the end of my enjoying the turnips has dawned. Grumph… Hehe!
Went to make a mug of tea and took this photo of outside to compare with the one above, taken about two hours ago.
Off for a wee-wee. Tried for a download while in there. Great! The movement achieved, and Haemorrhoid Harold had hardly bled at all! It took a while (15 minutes) and a bit of pain but cheered me up no end.
Disinfected and cleaned everything and back to make the brew in the kitchen. The tea had gone cold, so I made another mug.
The change in the scene outside from the one taken before I hobbled to the Porcelain Throne was astonishingly amazing!.
The wind still howled, though.
I got the computer going and updated the diaries.
Then did some WordPress reading and rechecked the Emails.
Facebook would not load first few times I tried to get into it. The third effort, it did?
TFZ’d a while, then started on my next TFZer graphicalisationing for a while, before having to get ready for the trip out for a nosh with the other tenants.
Met some tenants in the foyer, they were in excellent form verbally.
Caught the bus to Arnold, chatting all the way with one or another of the girls and gals.
The meal was roast beef (well underdone and too chewy), cabbage and broccoli (Both on my ‘Do-Not-Eat’ List, Tsk!), a small cold Yorkshire Pudding and some imitation gravy. But still, I am not complaining.
It was for free. Jenny had worked so hard to arrange it all for us.
It was nice to communicate with others in different surroundings.
Three of us left earlier than the others to the bus-stop for the L9 back to the apartments. Mary, Bill and me.
Chinwag on the ride to the flats, off the bus. All three of us battled with the high winds to line ourselves up so as not to get blown off course for the foyer doors… (Hehehe!) up the floors. Mary off first, then me with Bill carrying on up.
Into the wetroom and deposited me on the Porcelain Throne. I thought after the meal, things might start moving, but no; failed again. Took ages to get in a situation that would allow me to stand and walk again. Much bleeding from Haemorrhoid Harold and this worried me a bit, had to wait a while before the flow was stemmed. Did have a wee-wee though.
Toyed with making a Logotype Graphic on CorelDraw. Still not right or how I’d like it to look yet.
Took the medications and did the Health Checks. All looked okay.
Felt a bit hungry despite the eating out and beef dinner Jenny had arranged for us all at the restaurant. Had a nibble of crisps and biscuits.
Settled to watch the TV then the general nodding-off sessions began earlier than usual.
After several part-watched programmes, I gave up and got the head down in the £300 second-hand recliner.
Woke just after midnight with a start, and recalled some dreaming facts and details so strongly, I was sure I’d remember them later to record here. But no, it was not to be. Tsk!
