Inchcock Today: His hobble to the Arboretum

Saturday 28th February 2015

Difficulty in getting to sleep again last night. Tsk!

Got up later than usual and made a cuppa and pot of porridge then took me medications.

WC’d.

Cloudy and gloomy this morning – and the weathers the same. Hehe!

Laptop on and did some work on me blog.

Must get the things sorted for the Nottingham Hospice shop in a bit.

Did a bit of Facebooking and WordPress reading.

WC’d.

Eventually I found me hearing-aids in me cap on top of the burnt-out cooker in the kitchen.

Polished myself up and got ready to go for a walk to the Nottingham Arboretum being as the weather looked okay – windy but not cold with it at all. Feed the mallard ducks their earthworms and the pigeons their seeds and bit 0601carringof bread like, as well as get some exercise to Arthur Itis’s joints. Hehe!

The sky looked alright as I set off.

Not many folk about this morning.

I slipped the local pigeons some seed as I walked through the twitchell onto Mansfield Road and started me limp along Mansfield Road.

0602manRd1As I approached the junction and traffic islands near the Forest Recreation ground: Wait for it…

“I saw a bicyclist cycling on the road and not pavement – honestly!”

I took his photo to prove it!I was so shocked I nearly got hit by a car as I crossed the road.

Further up on the hill up to the 0602manRd2cemetery I espied an ambulance parked up with its blues going – so I increased me walking speed to 2 m.p.h. to investigate before it disappeared.

As I walked passed their was also a Paramedics car in the side road, and they were packing up the defibrillator stuff.

No idea what happened of course, the ambulance men were talking to three young lads.

0602manRd3I crossed the road and up the hill the sky was not looking as friendly as it did earlier.

Still not many folk around.

Hobbled up to the traffic light junction and turned right then left down North Sherwood Street down through the students accommodation quarter to the East entrance into the Arboretum.

I entered and walked down to the famous Muggers Tunnel into the Arboretum proper.

0603Arb1

I was reasonably pleased with this photograph through the ‘Muggers Tunnel

Took a photograph from the end of the tunnel hoping to catch a bit of atmosphericalisation in it.

Quite pleased with the result for once.

There is a photographer name of Paul Militaru who posts some of the most amazing shots on WordPress – I’ve sort of made his standard me target – a bit 0603bhopefully I know.

But even using only me Cannon digital camera I do like it the odd time one comes out as I’d planned and hoped for like what this one of the end of the tunnel into the Nottingham Arboretum did… ish…

As I walked down through to the lake/pond at the bottom of the site, I tried to catch a squirrel or two as I like the challenge (Even the many failures) of trying to capture them.

But today they were very scarce for some reason.

0603Arb2 I enjoyed feeding the ducks and pigeons 0603Arb3while chatting merrily away to them – much to the amazement of those few folk that were around me.

I must say the mallards and the pigeons were a lot plumper here in the Arboretum than the poor things on the canal.

Next time methinks I’ll got to the canal and feed those instead, a much more needy case I reckon.

In the Aviary they had started to show some birds again – Parakeets of some type, but they had not put up the usual descriptive signs yet.

0603Arb2aI tried to take a decent photograph of the Parakeets (If that is what they were) in the cages but this one is the best I could manage.

I was tempted momentarily to throw them some seeds – but thought better of it to be on the safe side I thought. Because I didn’t know if they would agree with them.

TFZer friend Richard Johnson will let me now I hope.

0603Arb4I moved down to the exit gates near the keepers lodge and walked slowly into the City Centre along the tram route then into Trinity Square.

There was a temporary mini-market being held in the square, second world war based/themed.

They was a few stalls and someone 0604Trin2singing second world war songs on a temporary stage. (Not very well mind! She was more interested in selling stuff to the few Nottinghomians that had gathered).

An uphill battle there I thought.

One stall had some original stuff from the 1940’s on sale though they were heavily priced and the wise tight Nottinghomians were having none of it while I was there.

0604Trin1I noticed the ‘Le Petie Four’ cafe was doing better today – five customers in at the same time.

I tried to translate it on the web (‘Le Petie Four’). It told me it meant ‘The Small Oven’. Over to Cyber-pal Lynton Cox for confirmation?

I wandered down to the bus stop, making sure I’d got me bus-pass with like.

0605lightsOn the way I took a photograph of the Nottinghomians crossing the lights on red again.

The three lads having just crossed against the light were not impressed with me photographicalisationing at all.

I moved down to the bus stop and caught one back to Carrington.

En route I remembered I’d forgotten the Nottingham Hospice Charity shop stuff – and I also had forgotten to get some milk.

So I got off the bus a stop early and called into Lidl in Carrington.

Got some kitchen towels, bird seed and milk. And the lady on the till must have been new, because she didn’t get irritated when I fundled with me arthritic hands to pay her – and she didn’t sneer at me either. Shook me that did!

Poddled back to the dump and WC’d.

Started the laptop, made a cuppa, passed wind and updated this diary.

Then made a flask of tea – spilling boiling water on me left hand. Huh!

I plan to have the last of me beef slices later, with some tinned potatoes and garden peas but by then who knows? The world is my oyster when it come to choosing between a beef slice pasty or some slightly out-of-date frankfurters yer know?

Hey-ho.

The rumbling innards seem to on the wane today, and to that hurrah!

Inchcock Today: Back to his second home – At the Queens Medical Centre

Thursday 25th February 2015

What a night!

No sleep at all, me body and mind refused to let me, until around 0400hrs – then when I woke at 0530hrs I remembered bits of a dream I’d had:

A gangster-like looking chap was telling me what would happen if I didn’t purposely loose a contest – no idea now what the contest was – but I reluctantly agreed. When whatever it was came to fruition I forgot and won… Not sure of anything else other then he was following me around in his fur collared coat making various promises to injure me health?

The piles are bleeding, Anne Gyna a bitch, Arthur Itis cruel even the Ulcer is letting me know it’s there. Not all is lost though, the rumbling and grumbling innards seem a bit more settled – I know I’ve said this last week but…

WC’d.

Remembered about my INR checks appointment and got myself abluted in case I fell asleep again.

Made a cuppa and took me medications then started this diary off.

WC’d.

Decided to bus it into town and miss getting a good walk in due to the persistent rain persistently persisting.

Got the things needed in me bag and set out to the bus-stop in time to use me wonderful bus-pass.

0402CyclistAs I approached the pelican lights I saw a pavement cyclist approaching in the distance and got me camera out – I caught the little ragamuffin as he veered around a traffic lights column to avoid hitting a chap and to pass him – he came close to catching me one too.

Swine!

0403cityCaught the bus into town and walked the short distance to the next bus-stop – It were gloomy wet and depressing.

I caught the bus on the right of the picture with the Sterling Moss driver.

I had to shelter under a bus-stop as the rain was getting worserer.

Sterling soon got us to the hospital – shaken but unharmed.

The rain even cut down the amount of patients outside the front of the entrance having a smoke in the no smoking area – wanted to take a picture but the rain was too heavy at this point.

When I went on Monday for me last INR Warfarin tests there were five patients in wheelchairs two of them on drips and three walking wounded – today only three in total.

0405broachI wandered in to the Haematology waiting area passing a display of home made jewellery for sale in support of funds for a certain department, can’t remember which now though.

They had some very nice brooches.

The waiting area was completely empty! My number was called over the tannoy before the ticket had fully come out of the dispensing machine.

Talk about service – I reckon the weather had made folk go later in the hope that the rain would abate?

And a new nurse (to the department) who was training did me samples – very nice I  didn’t notice her much; About 45, stocky, black hair, spot on her left ear-hole, lovely hands, local accent, pleasant disposition, twinkle in her eyes, cuddly and she gave off an aura of desirability of great proportions… I hope she’s there next time I go.

Gave her the nibbles thanked her and said cheerio and out into the rain again.

I pondered on where to go to take some photographs and decided I wasn’t going to walk anywhere and get soaked again, so caught the bus with the plan of going onto the walk-over into Victoria Centre and take some shots on me journey through into Tesco and out near the bus-station and catch a bus back to the dump.

Apart from a woman treading on me corn as I got on the bus there were no occurrences en-route.

0406stepsI dropped off on Upper Parliament Street and walked up the stairs to the walk-over above the road – reaching the top of them I turned and took a photo of the state of them.

Nottingham at its finest. Street Art graffiti, cracked patched up wall with rain running down them, soaking-wet warped wooden hand-rails and a distinctive smell that reminded me of abandoned used urinals.

0407busesOn the walk-over I took photo of the street junction and traffic lights.

It’s not very clear on the photo but there were the usual Nottinghomians crossing the lights against the lights again.

There have been many accidents and two deaths at this junction recently – but Nottinghamians don’t learn easily.

It’s in the blood yer know…

0408VicI wondered into the centre and walked around the sad Victoria market – so depressing with so many stall unoccupied.

Took a photo from the top upper floor, not very busy today.

Nipped into their toilets, all okay though.

Poddled to the end and Tesco and had a wander around and got myself some cheesey seaweed.

4IT3Had a dizzy sell on me way out so leant on the railings outside the doors pretending to enjoy getting soaked in the rain for a few minutes.

Moved on and down to Trinity Square where I took a photo of some ‘Bling’ (Pearls) to post for Jilly in Australia as a Get Well Card. Cause I know he likes pearls yer see.

Fed the pigeons when the rain eased.

Clandestinely.

0409busWalked down to the bus stop.

The rain had eased to a trickle but it made the streets look shiny and clean. Still few people around.

Caught the bus back to Carrington and hobbled home.

WC’d.

Made a beef slice with baked beans and a mousse to follow… oh and some bread and a cuppa.

Laptop on (No Coreldraw crashes yet) and did this diary to here.

Coreldraw9 and Serif Draw x6 crashed in me. I’m fed up now!

Inchcock Today: Sprurghling along… Sat 21st Feb 15

Saturday 21st February 2015

After a night interposed with many uncomfortable rumbling-innards prompted visits to the porcelain.

I forced myself up into physical activity – much against the wishes of Anne Gyna and Arthur Itis.

Pain below me right elbow still with me – no bother from the ulcer, and no dizzies up to now.

0601teaWC’d.

Made a cuppa and a pot of porridge with honey and did some Facebooking.

WC’d.

Watched some old stuff TV on YouTube (Heartbeat).

Had a good scrub-up and abluted and noticed that the two front teeth that the dentist had filled had both gone black?

Urgh!

Pondered on if I should try having a walk today or not.

0602swissDecided to risk it ‘for a Swisskit’ (anyone remember that advert for the chocolate bar from… I don’t know when, ages ago?) and poddle to Sherwood to take me togs to the Nottingham Hospice charity shop, then call at the dentists and last to get a small cooked nosh from the hot food place.

0603sherwAs I arrived near Sherwood the sky looked amazing.

Though I’d check me Lotto numbers at the paper shop. After so many years of trying and only getting one win – £10 and that was shared – I can’t think of anything more futile… Huh, nor one number!

Mind you I’m not surprised.

Fortuitously the Library was open and I sated the demands of me rumbling innards in their WC. Phew!

0604msHalfway up the second hill I spotted two mobility scooters outside a shop and none outside the pub which is normal.

I pressed on up and arrived at the Hospice shop and gave them me bits, then up to the dentist. Where I had a Senior Moment…

0605dent

 I pushed at the door and it was locked, so I read the opening hours on the door and thought well it says here that they are open 0840hrs t0 1700hrs on a Friday… why are they not open now at 1345hrs?

Quick as a flash I got it within minutes – today is a Saturday!

0606aI called in the hot food shop and got a tray of roast potatoes and… er, some meat or other like mince but it wasn’t mince to take home and reheat later.

As I was limping back to the dump I thought I’d take a more scenic route, longer, more hilly but with more trees and that like.

So I did.

I turned right down Haydn Road. As I plodded 0606bdown it the Second Hand Car Sales place that reminds me so much of George Coles Arthur Daley in Minders place from the 70’s TV show.

I don’t think I’d be confident enough to risk getting a car from there somehow.

0606cI carried on down and as I approached the pelican lights a sign that I’ve seen endless times on the side of the road made me smile for once as I saw a funny connotation attached to it today. The sign, behind the red car read: Humped Zebra Crossing…

I bet that made him jump? Hehehe!

0606dI got to the end of the road and turned left up the tree lines hill called Devonshire Drive.

I thought at the time, feeling so much better than yesterday like: “I can do this without any problem!”

And started to ascend the hill with grim determination and a commitment to get to the top in good spirits and maybe jump up then like wot Rocky did in Rocky 3 like…

0606eThird of the way or so up and I stopped to get me breath – but soon started off again showing great spirit bravery and bravado!

So proud of missen I wor.

About halfway up I stopped once again momentarily, the angina starting now and me feet and knees joined in too.

I began to think I maybe made a bad decision in taking this route back to the flea-pit now…

0606gme stick.

Nearly at the top now in this photos.

I realised as I struggled on that I may have seen my last marathon, game of squash, bungee jump or parachute jump as the pains emanating from various quarters of my decrepit ageing flobadob body were increasing in intensity and I needed to get to a WC quicker than I was doing.

Thank heaven the summit was only a few yards 0606haway and I turned right into Carrington and down the hill.

So glad to make it to the porcelain, but the bleeding was back.

I ate the reheated whatever it was meal and enjoyed it – then said a little prayer for it not to start off the rumbling and a-grumbling innards.

As I was washing the pots I managed quite skilfully and without any planning to drop the vinegar bottle right onto me corn on me right foot and said ‘Flipping heck’.

Made a cuppa and limped a little more acutely than normal, up and laptop on, took medications.

I’m so glad I didn’t go on a long walk.

Aye-up… I can feel movements from within…?

Sprurgh!

Nothing more eaten tonight, lost me appetite.

TTFN all.

Inchcock Today: Housebound Again with Diarrhoea! – Fri 20th Feb 15

Friday 20th February 2015

I really did spring awake this morning around 0530hrs – I laid there thinking how nice it was to remember so much details of the dream I’d just been having – when something happened that sent these facts into the ether of unimportance…

I passed wind and boy what a mess!

While I spent a considerable time on the porcelain I recalled what I’d written on me yesterdays Diary: “I haven’t had a single evacuation from the rear all day… bit worrying that!” – Never a truer statement has been made!

Oh yes, the Rumbling innards are back with a vengeance.

No moving from the bathroom much for me today…

Got missen cleaned up and refreshed.

Went downstairs and took the bins out for collection so as they will not be missed this week by the gentlemen of the Nottingham Hygiene Collection and Recycling Team.

Made a cuppa and went back up and started the laptop – another call to the porcelain – unpleasant.

Took me morning medications, then returned to the porcelain – where is it all coming/slithering from?

I know I’ve got a rather protruding flabby wibbly-wobbly stomach but how it has held all that is coming out now, I don’t know.

As I washed last nights pots I wondered which of the foods I’d eaten yesterday might have caused this unpleasantness?

Put me togs in soak, and updated this Diary of Woe.

Of course now I can remember nothing of the dreams I’d had. Tsk!

0504

I wondered what had caused this malady to return? The minced beef slices, or the BBQ Ribsteak burger? Or neither?

403ctescoOr perhaps the French Horns. (Being addicted to them, I hope this is not the case!).

No further movements at this moment (0729hrs) but plenty of worrying gurgling and rumblings going on from the innards.

Good job I have a decent stock of toilet paper and other items still to hand 0507from the last bother that I had of a similar nature.

As I went down to make another brew, terrible thirst this morning, me other ailments made themselves known to me:

Anne Gyna, Arthur Itis, Hem Arroids and D.  Uodenal were I think a little envious of the ‘Gurgling rumbles and trots taking the spotlight for once. Hehehe!

0506I took a look in me refrigerator to check the use-by-dates on me food for a family of five stocks.

Suddenly I felt rather ill.

Sat down for a while and was back to my normal self in half an hour or so.

Wonder if this has anything to do with me INR Warfarin level being so low?

Still, on the bright side the haemorrhoids are not bleeding or too painful, I haven’t had a ‘Whoopsidangleplop’ yet today, no dizzy-spells and after the first forced involuntary messy evacuation the other ‘managed’ evacuations have not been as pungent.

Hello here it comes again…

I’m back again, Phwor!

Made another cuppa to quench me rabid thirst.

Now I know how convenient it is having the WC in the bathroom.

0505Updating the diary of woe and somehow managed to lose all me additional writings on me word processor.

I expect it’s something to do with catching the touch-pad that I cannot turn off – gets a bit frustrating and annoying that does, especially when you don’t feel to well. Huh!

Did some Face-booking.

Then worked on a Nottingham Lads Security True Tales of Woe and managed to get it finished and posted of to me blog.

The rumbling brewing and nervousness and expectation of involuntary movements remain.

Managed a pasty and some bread – hopefully it won’t bother the innards too much – oh dear, yes it will…

Inchcock Today: Hypodermic into his ticker

Thursday 19th February 2015

Last night I had braised beef in onion gravy with soft bread followed by a yoghurt ice lolly, mousse and my medications. Mmmm!

But the wind… of dear, very persistent and noisome putrid pestiferous poohs meritorious of the Houses of Parliament… that bad! Oh dear…

I got up late at o540hrs and beautified missen ready for me extra Queens Medical Centre Haematology INR level test.

No blood from me rear-end, gel on me knees and ankles and the bruise on me head was almost gone.

Made up a bag of nibbles for the nurses, made sure I’d got umbrella, bus pass, INR record card, cash, reading glasses, hearing aids etc.

Set-off in the rain so caught a bus instead of walking to town in case I gotted soaked again like on Monday.

0400

Chocolate Pound on the left next to a real Pound coin

Popped into the chemists first to pick-up me blood-release tablets that they had ran out of when I picked up me monthly dollop of medications, and had a bit of fun with the girl on the counter that went down very well and all four of the staff laughed with or at me:

When Safira gave me the bag of Trental tablets, I pretended to read it and saying out loud “Oh one pound eh…” Then produced my earlier prepared gigantic chocolate pound coin and handed it to her. A lovely grin came over her face and she turned to the others and showed it to them and wallah… everyone laughing at the same time.

I really got satisfaction from that.

0402qmc

Patients having a fag out in the rain – addicts each and every one – Bless em!

Bus out to the QMC where on getting to the entrance I was tickled to see patients outside, some in wheelchairs some on drips, outside having a fag under the No Smoking signs. Bless em!

I was soon seen to and the samples taken and had me injection of Warfarin straight into me ticker and was back out into the rain and on the bus back into town.

Swallowed me midday medications then I took a photo on the bus through the front window but for some reason found it was far too blurred – again – to use?

403bcity

Evenin’ ‘all!

Getting the shakes is not doing my photographicalisational reputation any good at all!

As I dropped off the bus the Police paddy-wagon had pulled up a car and three plain-clothed officers were trying to ejecting the occupants.

The incident took place in front of the bus-stop my sister uses.

0401a

Plenty of buses in Nottingham this afternoon competing with the ebullient Nottinghomian citizenry for the right of way…

Wonder what they’d done?

I didn’t ask like.

I poddled up the stairs (Painfully) to the walk-over (Muggers paradise) to take a few of shots of the wonderfully, pleasant, happy, merry, joyous, contented, sweet, kind, philanthropic Nottinghomian’s on Upper Parliament 0401street in the rain.

Took a walk through the open market, but is was bereft of any choice, many stalls unoccupied and the owners of the stalls were obviously not happy as they glared at people as if to say “Yes.. you dare disturb me!”

403ccity

John Lewis Department store window today

I had a wobble though the rest of Victoria Shopping Centre and the first window I came to as I entered it was the High Class (Claimed by them anyway, the prices Are high) John Lewis department store windows.

I was intrigued by the display  windows I must say, felt something was missing like…

I noted some shoppers coming into the centre who were absolutely soaked through.

0403city

Me attempt at an atmospheric piccy

So I nipped back to the walk-over to take a photo in the heavy rain in an effort to try and get another atmospheric one.

It didn’t come out like that really, but it did catch some more Nottinghomians crossing against the lights. Oh it didn’t… the lights must just changed as I took it – Huh!

Hehehe!

403ctesco

One of many of Inchcock’s Weaknesses

I wandered to Tesco and managed to get some cheesy seaweed and gravy granules, then had another losing fight with my conscience over whether to purchase some fresh cream French Horns or not to purchase some fresh cream French Horns…

I purchased some fresh cream French Horns. Tsk!

I slipped the pigeons some seed on Trinity Square as I made me way to catch the bus back to Carrington and the flea-pit.

Got rather wet between the bus-stop in Carrington and the front door.

WC’d hurriedly.

Got changed and put two beef slices in the microwave and made some rich gravy and poured it over them when cooked – had some bread and sauce with em followed by the fresh cream French Horns. (Guilty mode adopted)

Had a scrub-up took me evening medications while continually coughing sneezing and passing wind.

Watched a Heartbeat DVD while I ate me nosh.

I haven’t had a single evacuation from the rear all day… bit worrying that!

Tired out now poor mite that I am…

Inchcock Today: Nottingham Hospice Charity Shop Visitation. Wed 18th Feb 15

Wednesday 18th February 2015

Up at around 0500hrs… realised I’d missed me last nights medications… and took me morning medications.

Couldn’t recall the dreams I’d had just knew I’d had them?

WC’d – lots of blood from the rear cleaned up. Arthritis fair, angina flaring a tad, haemorrhoids leaking and a new pain in right arm around the elbow? Coughing sneezing and emissions from the back exhaust persistent. Tut!

Started laptop and finished and posted yesterdays diary. Then finished iff me Security Woes post about the Turkey Farm and posted that one to Inchcock on WordPress.

Remembered Iceland coming later and I must sort the camera for taking to the Nottingham Hospice shop afterwards Spent a while doing some graphic work and then facebooked a bit.

0301Another record form arrived from the hospital reminding me about tomorrows appointment for an extra INR level check.

Went down all clean and polished to wait for the Iceland man. Started me second less powerful laptop that will not handle Coreldraw or Serif draw and did some work on Apache and then the Iceland-man commethed.

I put the stuff away, not easily though I’d got that much the fridge and freezer are even more crammed than ever now.

Made sure I’d got the camera and bits for the hospice and set off on me walk there.

Fed the pigeons and set off on me poddle.

0302Passing a house on Watcome Circus I remembered attending years ago when I was on Security Mobile Patrol Alarm response and took a photo of it because I thought I’d do me next Security Woes about that night and can use the photo again in it.

At the time of the incident the house (Now flats/apartments) was owned and lived in by a bank manager who’s bank paid for the security response and patrols for him. I’ll say no more it might spoil the Tale of Woe.

0303I walked up the hill and onto Mansfield Road and down towards Sherwood.

The sky looked nice, but the wind was biting despite the sun coming out often during me hike.

Down the hill passed the traffic lights and realised I’d left me cards at home. That shouldn’t matter though as I wont be needing them for the cash or bus… would I?

At least it’ll stop me spending for once.

0304As I carried on up the next hill I noted that the Nottingham Reptile Centre had a new sign outside with their name on it – the satirist in me thought I could take a photo of that and put Osborne or Cameron’s (Chancellor and Prime Minister) face on the poster and post it on Facebook? Perhaps to the Funny Site.

What do you think?

If anyone would like me to, I can do one with the face of any politician for you if you like and email to you.

0304fbHere’s the idea what I thought of after I’d doctored the original photographicalistion like.

Not that I have anything against the unelected ministers or their spoon-in-the-mouth wealth or their nepotism nihilism or sybarite lifestyles in the least.

In fact I think they should have more notoriety and fame than they have already conned cheated lied and been handed… something like being the first Government Ministers to be launched into space… or hung for treason something along those lines like.

I digress, sorry back to the diary.

0305Up the hill and to my astonishment to gentlemen of Eastern European looks pulled up in front of me in a van at a road junction, with the back end of their van sticking out about 6 foot into the road where they had just turned from.

A bus driver expressed his derision at their parking and honked his horn as he could not pass. The unshaven and rough looking 0305apassenger went into the beer-off, and I could not get across the road, not that I wanted to like – I was hoping things would develop as the bus-driver was gesticulating at the un-road-savvy nerks… Eventually the white van man pulled forward hitting the car parked legally in front of him to make way for the bus to pass.

Then reversed and nearly hit a bloke who unlike me who waited, he walked behind the van into the road to get over the road.

0306This’ll be good I thought as the man approached the driver – but in seconds the drivers mate returned and they were off in a flash.

As I got to the Nottingham Hospice shop I had a dizzy-spell, first one in ages – shook me a bit.

I explained about the camera to the lady 0307and gave her the other bits and noticed some ladies footwear on sale and decided to take a photo for Patti Caroline and the TFZ gals.

It (The photo) came out very blurred though, perhaps a side-affect of the dizzy-spell?

As U left the store I noticed these dresses? in the window. I’m curious if anyone can help in what type they are?

Backup_of_Lynda5Made me way down the hill into Sherwood and on my way noticed a pavement cyclist crossing the pelican lights on his bike and up the pavement on the other side, narrowly missing clobbering an elderly lady as he did so.

I’d like to mention that this sort of activity from cyclists doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

WWarnLie

0308Further down the hill, and a private hire car had stopped in the bus-lane on double-yellow lines to go into a shop and two buses were stuck behind it.

The cab driver came out of the shop rubbing his beard and didn’t acknowledge the hooting form the traffic at all and calmly drove off.

Gawd I love Nottingham folk.

0311I resisted the smell from the take-away food shop, and started my way up the hill when I thought a miracle took place! A cyclist came passed me from behind making me jump (Well… I say jump?) and I called after him and got me camera out and… wait for it!… he got off his bike and started pushing it!

I was amazed at this, it has never happened before… then I realised he was two-thirds of the way up the hill and must have been knackered so that must be why he got off it?

I pressed on up the hill, the knees starting to twinge a bit now, but no more dizzies thankfully.

0310Then I came across my first piece of Nottingham Street Art of the day.

The legs from a toy doll – and feet away (Not sure how but I missed this off the picture…Tsk!) laid a plastic head of David Cameron?

What the artists intention was to create I don’t know. Hehe!

Up to the top of the hill and down into Carrington, and turning right at St Johns Church the site of the flowers forcing their way through up from the graves these little blue and white flowers made me again appreciate nature.

0312As I looked up Church Drive I saw four chaps having an altercation over a rear-bump in their cars – and decided to take the long route to avoid them.

I couldn’t tell what they were saying as I didn’t know or understand the language they were spitting at each other, better safe than sorry I thought.

0313As I got to the corner of my street I came across my second piece of Nottingham Street Art of the day, that was not there when I left the house.

I pondered over it a bit – and thought maybe it was created as a protest over the nearby cable television lines that had been vandalised and pulled out by the local yobbery? However the significance of the dog pee to the right of it left me puzzled – that is of course if it was canine pee?

Anyway I think it is as good as the rubbish bag display that they had in the Tate Gallery a few years ago – of course it will not be worth the £70,000 that that piece of art sold for I 0304fb2suppose.

Limped to the dump and hastily hobbled to the porcelain.

Here, I had a very very minor Whoopsiedangleplop – I bent down to rub some Phorpain gel into me kness and cracked me head on the sink.

Lucky it was only me head really – then another dizzy that couldn’t have come at a better time than me being sat-down at the time like.

I waited a few moments then stood up and all signs of the dizzy had gone, and tended to me tender rear area – still a tad nervous going down the stairs though.

Had a small Pork and pickle pie, a flake and a cuppa and started the laptop to do this diary update.

Make a cuppa and took me medications.

Tired again, must remember me extra INR check tomorrow…

Inchcock Today: Mon 16th 15 – Back to the Hospital

16th February 2015

I didn’t get to sleep for yonks last night despite me exhausting walk wot I took to the Arboretum yesterday.

Woke up well tired still.

WC’d.

No tablets to take due to me error in taking me morning lot last night… confusing meself now.

Laptop on to finish and post yesterdays Diary and started this one.

Thought through me tasks for the day:

QMC INR level tests at the haematology department. Must get the nibbles packed up for the nurses, Record-card already in crossword book in bag.

Meet Pete at noon at his bus-stop.

Get back and sort things for the Nottingham Hospice Charity Shop and take them in.

Got myself cleaned, medicated and polished and set off for the walk into town.

Oh boy shiver me timbers and cor blimey governor was it raining? Is the Pope a atholic? It was belting down!

I had a ponder for a while: Should I get a bus into town and pay £2.50 for the pleasure? (It was well too early to use me pensioners bus-pass). Or should I risk walking and hope the rain eases a bit?

I decided to risk it as well as keeping Arthur Itis’s joints moving thought it a good idea.

0101wetWhatta-mistaka-to-maker!

I was well wet within a few hundred yards of me walk – the rain had started to fill me bag, (Luckily the nurses nibbles were well wrapped up in an Icleland carrier bag) me new shoes were leaking, and halfway up the hill the floodwater was unavoidable by the buses and several unpleasant drenchings took place.

I just hoped that the rain would not get through me new coat into me mobile phone and/or camera.

Out of desperation I used me Pound Shop umbrella, that dripped (Obviously) into me bag, down me already soaked legs and me shoes like.

I squelched on into town and caught a bus out to the hospital within minutes.

Getting from that bus into the hospital (About 400yds) through the torrent of rain that decided to come down as I got off the bus was not nice. I got in though the entrance to the foyer area and had to shake off as much rain as I could before going in proper, as did many others.

Me poor old tweed Andy-Cap was absolutely drenched and I decided not to take it off cause I knew from experience that putting it back on again would be farcical.

I got to the haematology and only one person was there and I was in, gave them their nibbles, blood taken and out in a matter of ten minutes tops.

The rain had eased a lot when I came out and crossed over the road to catch a bus into town to meet Pete.

When I arrived in town I realised that it was far too early to wait for Pete in the rain and rang him to see if he could come any earlier – as I didn’t fancy going back to the bomb-site then coming out again to get re-soaked. He said no, he’d see me at the agreed time and I should go in a cafe for a cuppa and wait.

Fair enough I said. But no way was I gong into a cafe for a cup of so called tea… have you ever found one that served tea that didn’t taste like warm brown distilled water?

0102JI was outside Jessops department store so thought I’d go in and have a wander around in the dry and warmth. I went up to the top floor and started working me way down nosing at things and pretending I could afford them like.

0103JThey had some artwork on sale but nothing that attracted me, not my style really – apart from one piece that is of a stone built cottage in the hills of somewhere or other that I thought was a decent effort, a very decent effort… then I saw the price of it… £120 (USD$184.45, CAD$229.98, AUD$237.17 Euro€161.74, JPY ¥21860.95 a little too much for me..

0104busPete rang back to say he was on his way and would be there in fifteen minutes, then I had find me way out of the store? It took a while… Tsk!

As I poddled down the stairs I found that through the windows I could take an overview shot of the crossing on Milton Street below – so I took one to the left of the traffic then one to the 0105crossright of the crossing.

I think they show the weather as it really was although the rain had eased off by then a bit.

Got out into Victoria shopping mall and made me way to the exit and passing the Thornton’s store I espied some chocolate shaped like a Champagne bottle at £5 a go and thought sister Jane would like one for Easter maybe, so I went in and bought on. The young chap asked what I’d like writing on it… I must have given him a confused look and he repeated himself slowly. Then it dawned that they write a message of one’s choice on it in white chocolate… I got there in the end (Attracting the now much used “Poor old devil” look from him. I asked him to put Jane and some kisses which amused him but he had the nous and manners to turn around before laughing. (The tell-tale sign was his shoulders going up and down yer know… hehehe)

I met Pete and he said Jane wanted to know where the shop was that got the seasoned roasted seaweed for her, so we had a poddle around for a bit. We passed where the 19 year old lad had been murdered and there were hundreds of floral tributes on the lampposts. So very sad I decided not to take a photo out of respect.

The Chinese shop on Goose Gate was an Alladins Cave to Pete. We got some seaweed and then went to another Asian shop around the corner – but what a difference, mouse droppings, out-of-date stuff on sale and staff that looked and leered like they were tongue members.

0106GCI left Pete at his bus-stop but not before he took a photo with me camera of me with a wet barren atmosphericalisional background.

I poddled to me bus stop and caught one back to Carrington, calling in the public gents on the way.

Back in Carrington I popped into the Co-op and got some bread-thins then hobbled in the rain to the dump.

WC’d, kettle on, laptop internet on, made a flask of good strong tea and set about creating this diary.

Too late to take the stuff to the hospice… well I mean too wet really.

7-11-14 7-11-14bDuring which I realised I’d not taken a photo of Jane’s Champagne bottle that I meant to earlier. Huh! So I rang Pete and asked him to take one and email it to me please.

He did bless him, he took two: Here they are.

Notice the brickwork in their front room, spot on and classy – yer can see Pete was a brick-layer can’t you.

Mash and sausages for nosh methinks tonight.

Inchcock Today: Incorporating Inchies Mammoth walk to see his beloved Mallard ducks

Sunday 15th February 2015

I yet again sprang awake at 0520hrs this time, passed me morning medication time but still.

WD’d, then made a cuppa and a pot of porridge and took the medications.

Spent a good few hours trying to get my head around Serif Draw x6 without much progress. Doing lines on text involves many more steps than in Coreldraw9 and to delete a guideline needs six steps opposed to just selecting and pressing delete in Coreldraw.

0701Got missen washed and brushed up and set off on me walk to the Nottingham Arboretum to see the mallards and pigeons.

Around the first corner at the end of the street I managed to avoid whoopsiedangleplop on some Canine Nottingham Street-Art, presumably designed with the assistance of their pet hound – judging  by the ‘Spread’ of the artistic blobs the owner must have been in a rush and forcefully pulling the poor thing along?

0702The view looked like somehting out of an old black and white picture as I wended me way through the jitty onto Mansfield Road.

Sneaking some seeds to the pigeons as I whistled and looked up to the sky – then saw yobboes lurking near the passageway so took the long route as I didn’t feel too comfortable about the 0703three lads drinking and shouting about something or other.

As I was walking down the road a 1962 Ford Zepher passed by, saw it coming so had time to grab me camera to take a photo of it. Gloriously memory tweaking seeing that, they were converted for Ford by Farnham Estates and very few were made. A rare treat to 0704see one nowadays, and the engine sounded in good nick too.

So I looked ahead and took a photograph of where I had to walk to get on me way to the Nottingham Arboretum.

Straight on to the traffic lights on the corner of Hucknall Road in the distance on this photograph.

Got to the traffic lights and took a photo of the next stretch of Mansfield Road down to the traffic island at the junction of Gregory Boulevard alongside the Forest 0705recreation ground.

A fair but of traffic around considering it is a Sunday.

The weather still a bit gloomy, but not me. I was feeling surprisingly perky at this stage, the ailments not too bad… apart from the angina but I can’t have it all ways can I now.

Pressed on singing away to meself to traffic islands and turned right.

0706To the pedestrian crossing you see in the picture and crossed over it and started to walk along the side of the recreations ground.

Where they are building something new for the kids, it might be football pitches perhaps.

IMG_0022Took a photograph of the piles of grit and sand stacked all over the old field because I thought how they looked like mole-hills… Giant mole-hills. Hehehe!

As I turned to carry on me walk no less the three police cars belted passed en-route towards the City Centre with their Blues & Twos activated.

0707A few yards further along Gregory Boulevard I turned down a path into the recreation ground, seeing these cars parked where they were, you can understand it, the sign is not big enough and they are Nottingham folk after all said and done!

Bless em!

IMG_0024I walked passed the cars and into and across the Forest ground on the footpaths you can see int picture, and up the hill to the right.

Half way up i stopped to catch me breath a bit, but moved n without resting as a rather large dog on its own was coming up behind me and showing its teeth!

Up the path opposite almost to the end of it and then I turned right up an old cobble-stone path steeply rising to the top and Waverley Street.

IMG_0025As I looked up the path I began to regret taking this route a bit… but the cobble stones first erected as a road  surface must have been designed so the horses could get a good grip when pulling drays and trams on the main roads.

Damp as it was, I didn’t slip on the hill at all.

When I got to the top of the hill Arthur Itis knees were complaining.

It was not too cold and there were very few folk about anywhere up here on the hill top.

IMG_0026I had a look at the memorial plynth for the local WW1 soldiers lost.

It’s been renovated and looked almost new – I fear with it being out of the way vandals may visit it soon with their grafitti or worse.

But I was soon recovered and crossed over and down Waverley Street passing 0708the tram stop for the Nottingham High School buildings.

“Ah… this is better!” I thought, downhill to the Arboretum gates.

Still uncommonly quiet, so much so it made me nervous, bearing in mind I was on my way down this hill to go into the place where I was mugged last year.

Shudder!

0711No one about at the entrance to the grounds (Mind you there wasn’t last August either).

I emtered and started to walk down towards the duck pond and saw several squirrels on the grass near some bushes.

I took some photos but for some reason they all came out very smudgy and blurred. A bit disappointed with that, but the least bad one I’m posting here – if you could have seen them with your own eyes you’d have been fascinated like 0713wot I was I think.

They seemed to be playing with each other like children.

Sorry about the quality or lack of I should say.

I walked through the trees where I was set-upon intentionally so as to break any lingering fears I thought.

Hobbled (And by now I Was hobbling) Down and around to the ponds edge and despite 0712everything felt grateful that I could still get about and so many interesting   things for me to do locally – but mostly so glad I had remembered me free pensioners bus-pass to use to get home later.

I opened me bag of meal-worms ready for the Mallards and got the seeds ready 0714for the pigeons and walked around the pond to the spot where they can get out and to the food easily.

I fed the little mites getting joy and satisfaction from dong so – I’m easily pleased.

I’m amazed at how well the mallards always seem to get on with the pigeons, cause mallards are not known for their passive nature are they?

The Aviary had now got some birds in the cages, no idea what they were but they had attracted a 0716good few folk sat watching them.

My final visit in the Arboretum was to my favourite few square yards of unkempt land near the gates at the bottom of the hill end.

The wild flowers that grow here get me admiration for how they not only survive but seem to flourish against all the odds.

Nature at its best this patch.

I walked into town down Waverley Street and 0717along Shakespeare Street on my way to Tesco to see if they had any cheesey seaweed in stock.

As I passed the Central Fire Station I looked up at the building – not a good idea as it happened and I stubbed me toe on the kerbside – Cursed, and .replied I was okay thank you to the kind young man with the gloves on who asked me if I was alright.

IMG_0037Called into Tesco, they had one packet of me seaweed left so I snaffled it.

As I came out to go to the bus stop I caught another Nottingham pavement cyclist and a few more Nottinghomians crossing the road against the lights at the same time. Naughty!

Caught the bus back to the hoppit.

Met neighbour who told me that a coach of visiting students had been attacked by a gang as it drove through Broxtowe earlier today. That might have been where the police vehicles I saw were going?

Got in the dump, WC’d put the kettle on and WC’s again? Oh dear…

I had six microwave sausages and some instant mash, followed my a lemon yoghurt.

WC’d, then started to update this diary.

Then made a big faux pas.

I took me morning medications in mistake for me night medications, well six of theeighboum before I realised. Then took me night medications with the Warfarin, but avoided those that were to be taken morning and night if yer see wot I mean like? – Tummy-ache within half an hour but still here. Tsk!

Must remember tomorrow INR tests (I’ve already put me record card in me bag ready so I don’t forget it again) Then I’m meeting Pete at 1200hrs at his bus stop in town.

Forget? Me?…

.

Inchcock Today: Hospital with Sister Jane

I fell asleep (at last) early last night – sprang awake at 0300hrs and for the first time in ages could not remember having any dreams.

WC’d, bit of blood from the rear. Knees and hands not to bad with arthritis, ulcer okay, angina a touch bothersome and ticker beating away like a good un. The escapages of wind continue unabated however.

Made a cuppa, started laptop and finished yesterdays Diary and worked on some graphics and facebooked a bit.

Took my medications aware that I missed last nights so I can expect a bit of bother of some sort today. Tsk!

Must remember to ring Sister Jane later to confirm what time she wants me to meet her at her bus-stop in town to go with her on her appointment at the Queens Medical Centre.

Also must take out bins for collection, call at the GP to collect prescription and after going with Jane, I must call at the chemist for me monthly medications.

Rang Pete early and confirmed he and Jane would be going and I could meet them at 1315hrs at their bus-stop in the City Centre.

WC’d.

Made another cuppa and had a pot of porridge. (By gum I live well)

Forgot to take me bin out – Tsk!

Titivated myself and set off remembering to call at the GP surgery for me extra prescription – which they took a while to find, it was with my monthly prescriptions that the chemist had not collected yet. Hey-ho. I took them all down to the chemist as it was on me walk into town anyway.

Bit drab this morning with the odd spot of rain but not too cold at all.

0501As I was half way down Mansfield Road from the cemetery I thought how sad the row of shops looked across the road.

I pressed on and got into town and made my way to Argos to see if they had any mini-cookers in – they hadn’t – so moved towards the bus-stop where I was to meet Jane and Pete, and noticed 0502yet again the Nottinghomian’s habit of ignoring traffic and pedestrian lights as they crossed over the road against red lights again. No wonder the cyclists on the pavements don’t interest them.

Had a go at me crossword book while I waited in the bus-shelter for Jane and Pete.

They soon arrived and we walked to catch the bus to the QMC.

We set off and were soon at the hospital, very early for Jane’s appointment but they still came and took her in for the x-rays (That’s not the word she used but it I’ll forgotten the word).

0503Jane was out in 6 minutes and we were out walking to the bus-stop to get back to town and I took a photo of them.

Pete took one or more of Jane and me on his camera phone, I’m still awaiting him to email them to me.

In town I walked them to their bus-stop and had a poddle to Friar Lane and the Asian food shop, where I got some of the cheesey seaweed.

0504Then walked through the slab square in the city centre where the Nottingham Wheel was being well used, despite the rain now a little heavier.

I think I might treat myself soon and have a go one it to take some photographs?

Two police vans were outside Primark again. Shoplifter?

Walked up to Victoria centre the Trinity Square where I got a photo of some ‘bling’ in the jewellery shop window for the TFZ gals, much to the consternation of the lady inside.

0505Yet again as I passed the lights on Upper Parliament street the precious little Nottingham citizenry were still crossing against the lights.

Caught the bus back to Carrington and hobbled to the dump, got to the door and realised I’d not collected me prescriptions from the chemist – just as the rain got heavy again. Limped to the MedTrentalchemist and collected me sack of medications and returned to the hovel. They said they couldn’t get any of me Trental blood release tablets but would have some for me on Monday.

WC’d.

Sated me hunger pangs with 2 beef slices, a tin of potatoes and followed them with yoghurt and a mousse.

Laptop on, took me medications and started to update this diary.

Again I have a feeling I’ve forgotten something today…?

Inchcock Today: Thurs 12th Feb 15: Stay at home day

Thursday 12th February 2015

Didn’t get off to kip until gone 0300hrs despite feeling drained.

Up at 0517 hrs and WC’d, bleeding from the back-end.

Started laptop and took me medications.

Staying in today until or if the Serif-Draw package is delivered.

The knees were bad, and the wind from all quarters chronic really never ending. I’m thinking of calling at the Army & Navy surplus stores for a gas-mask for misssen? But all other medical ailment not bad at all, even Anne Gyna is behaving herself.

I phoned sister Jane to see what time I should meet her tomorrow to go to the hospital with her, bit of support like cause she don’t like going bless her. Hubby Pete said he could not go with her because they had the fish being delivered on Friday and he had to wait in for it.

I finished and posted yesterday’s diary and did some graphics, but Coreldraw9 crashed again.

0406drawThe DrawPlusx6 package came though the letterbox – I was anticipating a courier delivering it and it being a lot larger because I’d ordered a manual with it, it was just a CD along with the very thin manual. When I’ll get time to install it and learn how it works I’m not sure.

0401ShrbI titivated myeself and got the Nottingham Hospice things in me bag, visited the porcelain and set off on me walk into Sherwood

I managed about six yards and realised I’d still got me reading glasses on, so returned and got me bi-focal spectacles on.

I poddled down to Mansfield Road and

turned left at St John’s Church to find some 0402artbrand new Nottingham Street Art just before the bus-stop.

As I was photographing this original piece of Yobbo-art I espied a burke-on-a-bike approaching so managed to get a shot of the git coming – being reprimanded – and going.

I quoted loudly my usual “If you’re too 0403Cyclscared to ride on the road you shouldn’t be on a bike youth!”

His one word reply reminded me I’d got a visit to the genito urinary clinic coming up soon.

0404SherwOnward up the hill, down the hill, and up the next hill into Sherwood and the Nottingham Hospice Charity shop and left me bits for them.

I called in the take-away food shop and got something to take home and reheat later – chicken in batter and roast potatoes £3.50 and very tasty it was too.

As I came out of the food shop there was an altercation going on between a group of chaps that was getting verbally heated with all the signs of it about to develop into physical violence showing.

I hobbled away and stood to watch them from a safe distance.

No idea what language they were speaking in such anger, Eastern European of some sort I think.

The police arrived and one of the officers spoke their tongue and that seemed to calm them all down.

I moved on down the hill and continued me walk back to Carrington.

0505signOutside the Methodist Chapel… no they call them Churches nowadays, in my younger days the Primitive Methodists called them Halls or Chapels, the new sign caught my attention and made me ponder on it. If only it were true we would be a lot wiser.

Got back to the hovel and reheated and consumed me nosh – lovely it were.

Tiredness and fatigue overcame me again and I soon fell asleep. Missed both me midday and evening medication doses today… oh dear…

At least I managed to get some kip in – not before time either.

TTFN all.