Medications

Inchcock Today Friday 19th January 2018: Whoopsedangleplop Ridden Day. Humph!

/ Inchie / 3 Comments

Friday 19th January 2018

Norwegian: Fredag 19 Januar 2018

0025hrs: I gave up again, on getting any sleep. And with little bother from the ailments, dismounted the £300 second-hand recliner, into the kitchen to do the Health Checks and take the Medications.

0120hrs: Despite feeling so drained and tired, I soon got on the computer and started to update the Thursday post.

0230hrs: Got it all done and sent off to WordPress.

The stomach gurgled.

0238: Went to make another mug of tea, and that fearful wet warm sensation was felt again in the lower regions. So, off to the Porcelain room, I poddled. Oh, dearie me. The Little Inchy lesion had been pouring blood again. Heck of a job stopping the flow. Time-consuming, painful uncomfortable and messy task. But, thanks to my adorning the Protection Pants, a lot of hassle afterwards was saved. Thanks to Michael, by the way.

Feeling reasonably pleased with how things had gone, I got another pair of PPs on and started to get the pyjama bottoms back on. Lost my balance and over I went, landing on top of the clothes warmer. Which, is now a custom-designed garment-warmer. With more bends in it that it came with initially, and a new bruise on the right wrist and Hippy Hilda unhappy with me. Tsk!

All refreshed, I went back to the kitchen to make the mug of tea.

A bit of drizzle outside, but no high winds like yesterday morning, thankfully.

A taxi was lurking on Chestnut Walk. Either he had dropped one of our alcoholic tenants off, or was waiting to pick up one who worked odd hours. But he was right in between the two blocks?

I got the pain gel out to put some on the chest and wrist, and again Dizzy Dennis visited, and I went forward. Put my hand out stopping myself hitting the counter. Unfortunately, the gel tube of was in that limb! Comforting to know, that the cooker top, counter surface and crock-pot will be protected from pain for a bit. Hehehe, it shot out all over the place.

Back to the computer, and did some WordPress reading. Then the comments.

0355hrs: Next, the big job. Creating the page top graphics on CorelDraw and Paint. Back in a bit. Hehe!

0358: Sidetracked, off to the porcelain Throne in response to the gurgling and rumbling innards. Excellent session. No bleeding. Back on with the page top graphic making.

0740hrs: Got a few done. Then got the ablutions tended to early, as I anticipate medicationalisationing activities will be required. They were.

Got the bag ready and took the waste bags to the chute on the way out.

Blimey, it was cold out there.

Tip-towed through the ice and on into the Winwood Social Hut to wait until the bus arrived.

A few other tenants doing the same. Much chinwagging between them.

Caught the bus into town. A crow of us got off, an all the others sped away from me? Well, I’d had a shave and shower and used deodorant afterwards and put clean clothes on? Mmm?

I wondered if there was some Sale-On in town. No stopping the gals if that was the case. Hehe!

I crossed over and went to Tesco to the Victoria Centre (Mall). Bought some lemon curd yoghourts, sugar snap peas, pork knuckle a pork pie some Boczek meat and a TV paper.

Along Upper Parliament Street and crossed over the road near the Theatre Royal and down Queen Street to the bus stop.

Hilda Hip gave me a blast of twinges as I stepped onto the crossing.

Thankfully, it was not a really bad one, but it seemed to last longer than usual. But, there you go. No complaints today, I was doing well ailment-wise. Just the lack of sleep did me.

A bus driver was in a nook on the Post Office building smoking his vaping thingamajig. It didn’t-half pour out some sweet smelling smoke, through which I saw a pile of nub-ends thrown into a corner on the pavement, and thought it must be better for him than tobacco? The Vap thing, I mean.

One thing tickled me on the bus stop wast bin. A poster saying Thank You for keeping Nottingham clean! And underneath it dozens of fag-ends! Hehe!

Caught the bus that was late by ten minutes. I was glad I had not gone down the hill to find number 40 bus, though. The driver said the traffic was chronic!

He soon got me and other who got on later, back to the flats. One lady said the ride was like on a waltzer at the fair!

I poddled to the apartment and put the stuff away and got on with preparing the meal. So tired now, I did nowt but eat the fooder; and very good it was too! Did the checks and medication taken.

I rang Sister Jane to see how she was, a little better I think she sounded, her hubby Pete was coughing in the background. Hope they will be alright.

I did the pots and just settled, having put on the TV to make sure I fell asleep. Which I did in minutes. Then the workmen’s crane in the centre of the buildings started to creak and clang and it woketh me up. Tsk! Eventually, it stopped, and I turned off the TV, confident my lassitude and fatigue would soon have me in the land of Nod, which it did – until the hoist platform things started going up and down. Woke again and gave up for a bit and got reading the book. Not long after that, the hoists stopped moving, and I settled back.

Into sleep mode at last… for ten minutes, then the damned strobe and pillow fire alarms went off! I dare not ignore it of course. So the old rigmarole performance had to be done again. I think this must be the twentieth time it has given a false alarm since being installed a couple of weeks ago! Out of the recliner, to the door and tested it with the back of my hand for any heat, none there, opened it to listen-out for any alarms going off, none heard. Then, to the kitchen window and looked down to see if any fire appliances had arrived, there were none. Back to the recliner, now in desperate need of sleep!

Sod-me! An hour or so later, the door chime rang out! Humph! I have to admit it took me a while to dismount the recliner and get there to answer it. Nobody was about at all?

Back in the recliner, then the landline phone rang and flashed. Being on the stand-by list for the haemorrhoid strangulation operation, I dare not ignore the call. A chap with an Asian sounding voice, who waffled on, I had not the slightest idea what the man was saying. Put down the receiver, and felt like crying such was my need for sleep!

Worra night!

Inchcock Today – Thursday 18th January 2018

/ Inchie / 2 Comments

Thursday 18th January 2018

Amharic: ሐሙስ 18 ጃንዋሪ 2018

0150hrs: I gave up on getting any sleep, Again! The moaning noisy howling winds being the cause of this last night, they are still blasting away at the apartments now.

How the poor tenants with decent hearing are managing to cope with this awful scary wet weather, I don’t know. I bet I hear some tales at the Social Hour later. This along with the hassle of the radiator installation horrors and the mess cannot be doing us old fogies any good health or temperament-wise. I bet Jenny will have some words of wisdom for us at the Social. She can often use a couple of words that make such commonsense it stuns me, and makes me realise what a plonka really I am.

Now its started to rain with the gales. Tsk!

Off into the kitchen to put the kettle on and take the photo above. Then the call to the Porcelain Throne arrived. Oh, dear! Haemorrhoid Harold and Little inchy both bleeding somewhat profusely. At first, I was concerned at how long it took Little Inchy’s lesion to stop bleeding, but when I remembered the INR Warfarin level being so high, all concerns evanesced. I started to read the last chapter of the Lenigrad book. I wish every warmonger and their families would peruse this, horrifying true tale of human endeavour.

Cleaned up and back to the kitchen. I made a brew in the last remaining China mug I have left. (After breaking the best one last night, Humph!) Took the medications and did the Health Checks. The readings seemed okay to me.

To the computer with my tasty drink of Extra-strong English Breakfast tea and studied the scribbled reminder notes I’d recorded during last nights farcical Accifauxpas and Whoopsiedangleplops. And updated Wednesday’s diary.

This took me about two hours or so.

The winds not yielding at all. I’m getting fed-up of their noise after suffering them for over ten-hours now.

I closed the kitchen door. To keep the winds that are blowing in through the cracks in the wall, the air vents and the cracked window frame, from making the rest of the flat so cold. Still, we have all been instructed to keep that door closed as part of the fire regulation instructions. I kept it blocked open though, naughty me. I feared I would not be able to hear or smell anything burning on the stove from the other room with the door closed. That is my only claim in my defence, your Honour. Hehe! Shutting it did lessen the noise slightly, though.

Got the post finished and posted off. Started on this one up to here… and realised that the wind was no longer howling? Just blowing strongly.

I checked the WordPress comments and replied.

I nipped (Well, hobbled) into the kitchen to make another brew, and the room was like a walk-in ice-box! The winds I’d thought had decreased had not. It’s just that they were not getting through while the door was closed too. As I was making the tea, the winds whipping in from outside swung the kitchen door shut with an almighty bang!

0455hrs: Boy, am I going to be popular with the neighbours now!

Created the High Winds header for this post.

Then went on WordPress Reader. Next, I checked the Emails. None from the Prime Minister or Jeremy Corbyn, but Asda and Iceland sent me one. Hehe!

Went to make another brew, and the wind had definitely dropped now – but it was freezing in there. I turned up the radiator and put the oven on.

0635hrs: Back to the computer and perused the local news. Here are some of the headlines. Not very encouraging. Tsk!

I spent the next two-and-a-half hours getting graphics suitable to use in creating page-top headers. Worth the effort, but now I have to find time to get them done.

Took a photographicalisation from the main room window of the picturesque skyline.

Ablutions tended to, much less bleeding now.

Rubbish bags were taken to the chute, and off to the Winwood Tenants Social Hour Meeting.

Not so many made it today. I presume the poor things like most of us, got no sleep again with the howling winds.

Jenny was the Oberleutnantess for the meeting, very busy gal. The shed soon filled-up with more residents. It was another highly vocal session. Much laughter, singing and, as Jenny put in so well, much loud raucous noise. That the two new chap tenants were surprised at, I think. Hehe! I love to hear them laughing, shouting, insulting each other and singing. So full of life!

BJ was in much better health this week and chirpier. Helped me with the crosswords. Clever chap BJ is. I asked Jenny if she would keep my nibble-box there ready for next week and she kindly obliged. Then out to the bus stop and a chinwag with some smoker tenants out waiting for the bus.

The winds had dropped altogether by the time I arrived in Arnold and exited the bus into Sainsbury’s. Where I took a leisurely limp around, ending up buying: Apache Potatoes, Jersey milk, Marmite Cheese portions, Surimi sticks, Marmite Crisps, Melton pork pie, Anchor butter, flatbread and nibbles.

Out of the tore and had a hobble to the Asda store on Front Street, and got some potato chips and Curly Cheese nibbles.

I got the shakes at the check-out, which was a bit embarrassing. But I managed with the one steady hand. By now, I had two bags full of fodder to carry, but this helped keep the left-hand still. By the time I’d got to the bus stop, all was well again with the shakes.

Had a friendly natter with a chap while waiting. Who lives on the 6th floor, never met the bloke before, but he’s been living in Woodthorpe Court for six years he said. His brother lives on the 14th floor. I knew him, he was the man who was a sniper in Korea.

When we dropped off on Chestnut Walk, a crowd of other tenants go on the bus. and this time, I got a response or two, to my cheery “Hello, hello, are you all alright today!” Like from Roy: “What’s it got to do with you?”, and Lillie: “Gerrout of the way!” Hehehe!

Having gone two nights of sleeplessness, I felt well drained when I got back in the flat. I had some of the Apache potatoes, curly fries, potato chips, Marmite and Stilton cheese, pork pie, beetroot, tomatoes and sliced apple, followed by a lemon mousse.

Rate this plateful as a 9.1/10.

I felt beyond doing anything but try to get some sleep. To ensure this, I put the TV on, this usually does the trick, and it did. When the first set of commercials that came on, off I went. But not for long. Anne Gyna started giving me some uncomfortableness and the stabbing pains that woke me up. After this, it took me a long time to get off again, as the brain started its wanderings and diagnosing everything, questioning things, analysing, jumping from one topic to another.

Then the mobile phone rang on the Ottoman. As usual, by the time I’d gained enough nouse and found it, the ringing stopped. As I was fumbling to see who had called, the landline chirped up. I battled the £300 second-hand recliner and escaped its clutches and got to the landline in time. T’was Sister Jane. She did not sound very well, a nasty cold at least. I must send her an Email in the morning, as I was not entirely compos-mentis at the time. I did scribble down on the pad, ‘Pat, Cyril Road, Pam flat 80. Know each other.’

Back in the recliner, I managed to nod-off and woke up minutes later with a warm wet sensation from the lower regions. Off to the throne room, Little Inchy had and was, bleeding again. Luckily I had on the protection pants; this saved an awful lot of time cleaning up afterwards and avoided my having to throw away another pair of my knickers. Hahaha! Cleaned-up the room and me, packed the pants sealed them in a plastic bag, and used a separate disposal bag for them. Stopped the bleeding eventually. I will be so glad when I get the new cream from the clinic. This Daktacort is not so useful at all when the lesion bleeds heavily. Messy job.

Now there was no chance of any sleep. Laying there fretting, and feeling sorry for myself was no good. So I got up.

Inchcock Today – Tuesday 16th January 2018:

/ Inchie / 3 Comments

Tuesday 16th January 2018

0200hrs: Woke in a terribly confused state of mind. Had dream involving my old cats, Lady and Cyril, so felt a tad low. However, things settled to their usual semi-confused condition as I lay there thinking ‘Blimey, it’s cold this morning’, Brrr! Got to go out to the surgery for the INR Warfarin Blood Test as well.

At least the brain had lost its earlier Boeotian wanderings. The innards were already bubbling and rumbling. The thirst remains with me.

The morning battle to extract my ashamedly plump torso from the £300 second-hand recliner was relatively easy for once. No toe stubbing either. Shunted into to the kitchen.

Made the brew. As the gurgling from within developed, I took the medications and did the Health Checks. All over the place again this morning, up and down, like yesterdays. I must mention this to the nurse later, hopefully, Nurse Nichole.

Off to the Porcelain Throne: a short wait of a few seconds – Spurt – splatter – pebble-dashing of porcelain and rear-quarters, then a painful stomach rumble and a long extended mess leaving kerplunk!  Had a good clean up of me and the wet room, wiped contact points and back into the kitchen.

The tea had gone cold, so I made another.

I thought about opening the window to take a picture but decided against it when I saw the low reading on the thermometer on the window ledge.

Checked the diary for the blood test appointment time, 0920hrs.

Started this post off up to here, then finalised the Monday one, and went on Facebook to add photos to albums. Going a bit slow again today is Facebook. Comments when clicked on are not coming up? Turned off and restarted and it came back on. Made another mug of tea.

A bash on WordPress Reader, next. Then read the comments and responded.

It doesn’t seem to be getting any warmer, and the rain looks like it is settling in for the day again.

Made a page top graphic to use in a later post.

Seems to be getting a bit warmer now. I wonder if the flats are on fire? Took the midday medications and did the Health Checks early as I got up so soon, like.

Had an excellent ablutionalisationing session. Apart from the Little Inchy fungal lesion was bleeding, so I applied some Dakacort cream. Getting low on this again now. Must try to remember to ask for some more on a prescription request form.

I sorted a black bag of rubbish, got the three jars to go to the recycling bin ad tool them out with me. Dropped the bag down the chute, cause it was now 0800hrs, and tool the bottles down with me and deposited them in the bin outside the foyer door. The rain was barely noticeable as I began my hobble along Chestnut Walk.

The sun came out as I got further along the road. And, a few times throughout the day. But it was like politicians promises, no warmth and did nothing to warm up the voters! Hehe!

To the end and right down the Winchester Street Hill. When the wind blew, it had a chill-factor of Warp Nine!

Haha! Brrr!

A piece of Nottingham Street Art at the bottom of the hill. Art Deco style perhaps? Plenty of rice, but I didn’t know if it was of Chinese or Indian origin. Whichever it was, it proved unpopular with the most-likely drunk Nottinghamian purchaser.

Right along Mansfield Road and up the slow incline. I noticed the Continental Shop was open and I decided to walk back from the surgery after the blood test and call in to have a nosey around, Hippy Hilda and Anne Gyna permitting of course.

I pressed on.

0840hrs: The traffic going towards town started to back up.

The rain was very slight still, so the umbrella stayed in the bag with the other flotsam and mystery contents. Along with Nurse Nicoles and the receptionist’s nibbles.

As I neared the top of the hill, one of Nottingham’s infamous Pavement Cyclists shot by me from behind, between me and another pedestrian as she overtook me. Most annoying being made to jump like that, I can tell yer!

He was doing well up the hill, though.  He’d got a good head of steam going too.

Once more I carried on up then down Mansfield Road into Carrington and to the Doctors Surgery. The traffic still queuing and not moving very much. It’s times like this I am glad I had to hand back my driving licence after the ticker operation.

Logged in with the receptionist and got sat down and the crossword book utilised while I waited. The only ailments giving me any bothers were Anne Gyna and the poor feet. But both have been far worse. Doing well up to now.

Nurse Nichole came out to fetch me 20-minutes later. A chinwag and laugh while she took the blood. I told her about the radiator and the cupboard and drawer not opening. Nichole did laugh! She gave me a letter with details of a new system where I must book appointments through an operation on the internet. After I have registered. I gave her the bags of nibbles and departed.

Out and had a hobble back the way I came, made my way to the Continental shop in Sherwood.

Another Nottingham Pavement Cyclist came too close to me to my liking. Tsk!

Down the hill and into the store. Where I spent far more than I wanted to or needed to. (Again!) I came out over £8 lighter in the pocket, with a bacon joint £2.83, a big potato 35p, some sliced belly pork £1.49, a packet of biscuits 69p and a small sliced loaf at the ridiculous price of £1.49!

The wind had got up a lot outside when I departed, struggling with the heavy bag.

Up the hill and into the Wilko store. More finances spent. £8.40 this time.

I got some Liquid Soap Flakes, Wilko Fragrance Booster and a bottle of bleach. Paid the lady and off up the hill to the bus stop.

Where more Nottingham Street Art greeted me on the wire seats in the shelter. I must say that it all looked really fresh? A lady there humorously stated; “Maybe they got blew away in the wind while eating” Hehe!

Ray from the flats joined us as the woman was saying how she can’t stand this strong cold wind. I said: “Gerrin’ the corner love, and we’ll shelter you with our bodies”. And she did too! Her bus arrived a few minutes later, and she thanked me, that was nice.

I caught the L9 bus later and had a chinwag with a lady on there. Got off at the apartments and called in the Obergruppenfureresses Hut. I showed Warden Dean a photo of the radiator in the kitchen stopping the drawer and cupboard door opening. She got on the phone and rand builders on site woman. Who said: “He should have been warned that this might happen, I’m sure he was!” They should have been warned to get the job right in the first place, surely!

I told Deana if I had been told I would have removed the stuff from the drawer before they fitted the radiator; and, if you remember, I was not in that day because I had a blood test, and you said you would let them in, and forgot about it! I did not like the building representative woman’s attitude and response at all! I’ll have a word with Mick and Jenny tomorrow, see what they think.

Now in a not so good mood, I returned to the flat. Got the fodder and things put away. Did the midday Health Checks and did the medication imbibing. Made a brew and got on with updating this blog.

This little monkey was spotted outside on noisy Herbert’s balcony. “Who are you looking at, mush” was the verbal message I received. Haha!

The door chime came to life. Two Nottingham City Homes blokes arrived to test the fire alarm. This reminded me that I  had again forgotten to tell Warden Deana about the strobe alarm they kindly fitted for me, was going off when the other warnings were not, always at night when I was asleep. I had to get up and check things to be safe. Open the door to see if I could hear any alarms, look out of the window to check in any fire appliances were on site, etc. repeatedly since it had been installed. I informed the two engineers about this. They took a look at things, and set alarms off a few times and dealt with the NCH control. Eventually, they worked out that Smoke Alarm in the hallway was causing this strobe alarm to activate. I told them I could not hear the beeping noise from the smoke alarm anyway. I was not getting much in the way of sleep between these activations and the noisy Herbert upstairs and could I safely unplug the strobe and pillow shaker alarm without damaging anything? They could not give any advice under instructions (Understandably) and told me to tell the warden.

I’m sorry I mention it now!

Had a go at Facebooking for a while.

Irritable and tired, I got the nosh prepared. Not that it took much effort, nothing hot in it tonight. Polish belly pork and fresh bread sarnies, potato chips, tomatoes, beetroots, sliced apple, chestnuts, and Chinese mushrooms out of a jar. Fresh orange juice and a lemon curd yoghourt to follow. Have to give this one a 9.45/10 rating.

Consumed this with glee, washed the pots and succumbed to the need for slumber as soon as putting on the TV to watch the Law & Order episodes. I missed the programmes entirely as I nodded off into a much-needed sleep.

I bit my tongue in the sleep and woke up with a start. Dabbing the blood with a tissue, wondering what it was I had on the TV screen, and I saw the light flashing on the landline phone. Struggled to get out of the recliner, stubbed my toes on the way to answer the telephone and knocked over the waste bin and scattered Stilton Cheese biscuit crumbs all over the carpet. It was a pleasant lady from the QMC Haematology & Anticoagulation Clinic. The first thing she said was to offer an apology for the late call, they were working with short staff due to absenteeism through illnesses. Or something like that, anyway. The IRN Warfarin level was well over the target at 5-point something. I am not to take any Warfarin tonight. Then 2 a night until the next appointment, at the doctor’s surgery, which I must make ASAP or go to the City Hospital if the doctors cannot fit me in, for next Tuesday. I explained that I had already taken tonights doses. So she said for me to eat none Wednesday night then, and to use great care not to cut myself. (Great, I  thought, and here’s me just bit my tongue and wondering why it was taking some stopping, Hehehe!) Thanked the lady, scribbled notes about this call on the pad; then went and took the Warfarin Tablets out of tomorrow nights pill-pot.

The old brain was active again now and kept meandering about various topics, all purposeless, banal, haphazard, incongruous or trifling.

Proper sleep did not return. All I could manage was a few minutes at a go, and then wake up, a battle for control of the mind, lose the battle and nod-off again, repeatedly! Sad innit? Tsk!

I expect that I have been ostracised by what remains of my sanity. Oh, I should use that on somewhere that takes new quotes or whatever you call them? I might do an ode post about this tomorrow?

Inchcock Today – Monday 15th January 2018: Whoopsiedangleplops and Accifauxpas aplenty… Tsk!

/ Inchie / 7 Comments

Monday 15th January 2018

Sesthoso: Mantaha 15 January 2018

0255hrs: After another night of very little sleep, and all of it seemingly in repeated five to ten-minute spells, I felt so tired. Forced my short-plump wobbly body mass out of the £300 second-hand recliner, to be met with Dizzy Dennis as I finally got up into a semi-perpendicular position. The brain joined the body shortly afterwards.

I decided that this morning, I will get down to the laundry room first-thing and do the washing.

Collated the clothes into the bag with the already prepared accoutrements and down in the ‘making a grating noise’ elevator.

Got the machine going and nipped outside the foyer doors to take this dreary photographicalisation of the view and weather. Wet again!

I got back up to the flat sharpishly and to the Porcelain Throne. I was sure that things would be messy, but no. Just wind. Nothing else. Despite the strangely different. Louder than usual rumbling and grumblings from the innards.

Down to move the stuff to the dryer. This was when I noticed the state of the machine. Whatever it was spilt or dropped onto the top of the dryer, it took some moving. Luckily I’d bought some cleaner and towels down with me.

Bits of similar marks were removed from the sink. It had dried hard.

The filter, I’d never seen so clogged and dirty. I think that maybe some new tenants might not have been aware of the need to clean them? But, there are notices on the wall asking us to clean the filters?

Back up to the dwelling and back in the wet room in another attempt at evacuation. All wind and aroma!

Set the timer to remind me about the washing. Got the computer on and downloaded and edited the photographs to use in this and yesterday’s diary. Started this blog off.

Made a brew and took a photo from the kitchen window.

Got the Health Checks done and took the medications. Made up last weeks record card.

430hrs: Alarm chirped into life, and off down to collect the clothing.

I saw that Jenny had some different posters up on the lift lobby notice board. Well, I say new, I haven’t been out for two fun-filled days.

Got the clothing out of the dryer, folded and into the bag.

Up again to the apartment and got the clobber put away.

To the Porcelain Throne yet again. Still all wind and aroma!

Did an Emergency Wrist Alarm Battery Check. Told it was okay. Thanked the chap, and had to adopt an ‘Urgent Ooh’er Mode’ and get to the Throne ASAP! – I needn’t have rushed. I got through two chapters of the Clarkson book waiting for something to happen. When it did, oh the pain. Rock solid – which confused me having all the rumbling innards earlier? How many other people toss-up a Senna and Dia-limit capsule in the air, and whichever one they catch first, they take that morning? One extreme to another nearly all the time. Humph!

Things developed a little contrarily. Little Inchy was now bleeding, Haemorrhoid Harold was bleeding. I was uncomfortable in the extreme, and I stubbed my toe on the floor cabinet while applying the Betamethasone cream. Then dropped the lid off of the Daktacort tube and clouted my elbow as I bent down to retrieve it and Hippy Hilda started playing up! I was turning into a wreck! Hehehe!

Pressed on updating this post up to here, and then went to the WordPress Reader. Next to the comments, not many, so I visited Facebook.

Made another mug of tea. (The thirst is still lingering?)

Tended to the ablutions. Took all five black bags to the waste chute, and readied everything, remembering to take the Audio-Clinic book with me to get some more batteries.

Off down and out into the rainy morning, but it was not cold with it.

The workmen were busy, deliveries coming in regularly.

Had to be careful on the wet leaves in the puddles and pavements.

I stopped half-way to the Obergruppenfureresses Wardens Shed and took this photographicalisation of the progress in the new four-storey apartment block being built.

The new higher crane had had its concrete blocks fitted.

Went into the shed and found Obergruppenfurheress Deana and Obergefreiteress Julie busy and just leaving on their duties. Quick greetings and off they poddled. Jenny and about six other tenants were in there, keeping dry and warm while waiting for the bus. A welcome and chinwagging session ensued.

Jenny asked if the radiator blocking the kitchen cupboard and drawer had been moved yet. I said no. I think it was only Thursday when I noticed this, and Jenny mentioned it to Deana, so I should hear something from them soon. So kind of Jenny to look after me.

Out to the bus stop and another natter with Roy and Gladys.

I snapped this drab picture of the two blocks with the cranes showing. The one on the left was blowing about a bit in the wind. I also caught Roy, bless his cotton socks as he adjusted his lethal four-wheeled shopping trolly. Great chap Roy and his better half. I’m lucky in some ways here. Jenny, the Newcastle gal, Margaret, Deana, Julie, Roy and many other folks I consider as ‘Special’, and all might pull my leg, but they seem to give me time, and I love them all for that. Without them and my Cyber-Buddies, life would not be so good.

Caught the bus, had a bash at the crossword book en route. Dropped off in town and went into the Poundland Shop in search of some Payne’s Chocolate Brazil nuts and any Pork Farm Pork Pies if they had any. I came out with two Pork Pies and four screw-lid containers, well pleased with that. I can use the lidded boxes to keep the potato chips now and have a fresh nibble at leisure. Haha!

The rain got a little heavier as I made my way down into the soggy slab-square.

Crossed through the square and up Friar Lane, then right and along to the end of Maid Marion Way then left up Standard Hill to the Audio Centre. I have to mention that Hippy Hilda, Arthur Itis and Anne Gyna were all gentle with me, and I got up the hill almost with ease! Great stuff!

As I arrived, I thought we were going to be in for a right storm. Darkness fell, and the rain turned into a drizzle, but by the time I’d crossed over to the clinic, it had brightened up a bit, and the rain stopped altogether? Weird that. Being as it was not open, I did not go in. Hehehe! But, not to worry, I can get some from batteries from SpecSavers. Which entailed me walking back the way I came from, Tsk! At least it was downhill this time.

Down to get the batteries, and called into the Poundland shop on Fletcher Gate en route. Maybe they will have some Payne’s brazils at this branch?

Nope! I came out lugging a full shopping bag now. With, a pack of sliced wholemeal rolls, Zoflora disinfectant, Bliss Lemon Yoghourts and some bars of chocolate called ‘Twin Peaks’. Should come in handy as Raffle Prizes at the Tenants Social Hour on Thursday, because they are different? Methinks anyway.

I forgot all about getting the flipping hearing aid batteries, due to my excitement at getting something interesting for the raffle and the screw-lid containers. Sad, innit?

I hobbled to and over the slab square and up Queen Street to the bus stop. Only the plates-of-meat (Feet) was hurting now. But they were making an excellent job of it. Haha!

The Newcastle Lady and a bloke tenant were waiting alongside me. I Wished I were better at remembering names. She is a right character and lovely woman. We had a chat, and all got on the bus. We were soon back at the apartment. We both walked from the bus stop, having another chinwag. She got off at the floor below mine, we said our farewells and wished each other well, and I got in and id the Health Checks and visited the Porcelain Throne, and sat and waited for yonks! Blow me, back to all wind again this time?

Washed up well, and wiped the contact surfaces with antiseptic disinfectant. Best be safe I thought, with the ever-changing evacuations modes, and the non-stop thirst, something might be brewing-up, a cold perhaps. Getting wet again won’t help.

I took the cellophane off of one of the lidded containers, and found it had a second slightly smaller one inside! So I washed them an filled both up with potato chips. One with beef flavour, the other with plain salted and added some BBQ flavour powder to it. I’ll have some of these on tonight’s meal later on.

Got onto sorting the photos and updating this post.

I stored the other bits I’d bought away and got the Health Checks and medications tended to.

Readings a bit up & down today. Hey-Ho!

Must get these trousers off and into the jammies, the legs and feet feel terribly cold now. All done! That’s a bit warmer now.

Got the nosh sorted.

Not as enjoyable or good as the last one, but I still enjoyed this one. The Pork Pie was delicious. (Note I removed the fatty crust this time, due to the increase in my weight of late!)

Gave it a rating of 8/10.

After washing the pots and settling to watch a DVD, dear old Herbert above was clanking and banging away again. But it didn’t last for long this time.

I got the DVD on, fell asleep and woke with the phone tinkling away. Getting out of the £300 second-hand recliner and over to answer the ringing, I stubbed my toe on the Ottoman. It was my old mate, Mike. Saying he would visit me in the morning. I explained about the blood test I had in the morning, and he kindly thought about it and said he would call Wednesday morning if I was free, which I was, and informed and thanked him. I think, being half-asleep at the time. Great of Mick to call again.

It took a hell of a while to get back to sleep after the grey-cells had been activated again. They went off on their own thought patterns again, determined that I should solve the problems of the world. Haha!

Settled and seconds later I had to go off to the wet room for a wee-wee. Bit of a Dizzy Dennis as I got out of the recliner, and banged my shoulder against the door frame en route. I believe I might have uttered words to the tune of “Oh, blow!”, or something similar.

Eventually, I got off to sleep a much-needed sleep, thankfully.

Inchcock Today – Saturday 13th January 2018

/ Inchie / 9 Comments

Saturday 13th January 2018

0220hrs: After getting over the resisted and reluctant waking up hurdle, the brain seemed atonally challenged and took a while before it joined the body in a sort of semi-coherence condition and a make-do survival state. When it kicked in, it was in a garrulous mood, but not making a lot of sense as it nattered away to me about things that needed getting done and sorted. The link to the memory didn’t seem active though.

Moments later everything my brain had informed me of, had diminished into the ether as the innards rumbled and grumbled, forcing me into a battle with the overnight fluid-filled legs to escape the £300 second-hand recliner in haste, to get to the Porcelain Throne in time. Which I achieved with about 2-seconds to spare! This session’s activities on the porcelain could be described as: “Whoosh, splatter, splat done!”

Diahorrea Duncan has returned. Took a lot of cleaning up of me and the porcelain afterwards. When I do the ablutions, I think it safer, bearing in mind how close I came to another Whoopsiedangleplop, I add a Diah-Limit capsule to the morning medication pot and will adorn the safety pants again today.

Tended to the morning medications and Health Checks. Readings were looking good.

Temperature a little high, and I’m still drinking a lot of juice and tea.

The itching around the upper torso is back again, driving me potty this morning. No pain as such, until I over-scratch. Rubbing the back against the edges of the door or using a towel. I’ll mention these things to the Nurse on Tuesday blood test.

I found the little notepad on the floor when I got back in the other room. As soon as I read the scribble on it, memories of the nightmare came back to me. For some reason, the writing was all readable and, this decided me to get the computer on and add this to yesterdays diary.

Went to make another mug of tea.

While the kettle boiled, I stuck my head out through the window to take this photo. I hope the lady who drives the red one on the far left, isn’t planning on going out this morning? Reminded me of the Parking Wars programme on TV.

Got the Friday post finished and started this one off up to here. Then posted the Friday one. Read and replied to the WordPress comments. Made another brew, and visited the WordPress reader.

0545hrs: Checked the Emails. During which knocking sounds heard from somewhere above, or maybe outside overhead? (Hearing aids not in) Had a look around but could not find the cause of them.

Then did some catching up on Facebook. The posts with the flashing moving pictures are giving me the dizzies, I might have to consider leaving Facebook, there are so many of these annoying things coming on nowadays it’s doing the eyes and health no benefit. It will not let me close or hide the posts, only the comments on the site. The only option is to ‘Unfriend’ the poster, I don’t want to do that, but may be forced into doing so.

I did some TFZer prep work on CorelDraw.

Stopped to get the vegetables prepped and in the Crock-Pot. Green beans, Chestnut mushrooms, parsnips,  red onions and sugar-snap peas. Seasoned with a little Maggi. Back to the Facebooking.

Sorted the bag made up for the Nottingham Hospice. So glad to get rid of some of the stuff, to make it easier when they get the balcony done, and the big clean-up will be needed. Meanwhile, I dwell in a state of untidiness and noise from above during the week that gets worse every weekend, that is getting me hassled.

Then I got the ablutions tended to. Wrapped up well in warm clothing and set off on a walk into Sherwood.

As I got out and poddled up the gravel footpath hill to my beloved Copse, I could see right through her. So sad I felt, that. But the ailments were not too severe for me.

I turned back and took this photo of the complex.

I could feel the stomach building up for a rumbling grumble. A funny turn arrived, and in my mind, all the priorities, desires, needs and worries changed. I sat down on the damp bench for a minute.

The mind seemed to clear in a minute or so, and the Dizzy Deniss’s disappeared. I felt a little unhappy about this returning to so-called normal at first. It was as if I’d become a different person, yet with the same problems for a while? Hope this makes sense to you, cause it doesn’t make any sense to me. Tsk!

So, this stranger and I hobbled on up to the park and down the footpath onto Mansfield Road. I turned left up and over the hill and down into Sherwood.

This bit of the walk or instead memory of this bit of the trail seems to have skipped my mind as well. But the picture helped.

Into the Nottingham Hospice shop and dropped off the bag of donations. New lady in charge now, seemed nice enough bless her and the volunteer lady too.

I had a look around afterwards to see if they had any of the narrow at the top mugs. They didn’t. So I said my farewells and thanked them.

I left, out and over the pelican-lights lights safely; despite a pedal cyclist going through the lights on red and nearly hitting me and another old chap as we began crossing. Humph!

To the Royal Mail box and posted the letter I’d received for some unknown previous tenant of the flat, marked Not At This Address’. Then, I’m afraid, I started a search of all of the Charity shops (Well, most of them) for any keep-warm mugs.

Sur Ryder: Came out with nothing. Mencap: came out with a jumper. Children’s: Came out with a DVD. Oxfam: Came out with a towel. Mind: Came out with two mugs. What a clot! I took into the Nottingham Hospice Charity Shop, jeans, undies, saucepan, towels, t-shirts and other bits, and ended up coming home with more rubbish to take back to the Hospice! Apart from the mugs, which the lad at the Mind Shop would not let me buy one of them because the ticket said £3 the pair on it. I suggested I took one and paid the £3, but no, I had to buy them both.

Got some tea-bags and lemon curd yoghourts from the Co-op and made my way to the bus stop at the top of the hill. Here, I met Welsh Bill and lady tenant. We had a good chinwag. Bill told me about the surgeon who had been searing his initials on peoples kidneys when he replaced them.

Back in the messy, untidy scrappy apartment, to be greeted by Herbert above’s noise, banging and tapping this time. Every weekend it is worse than weekdays.

Got the pasty and potatoes into the oven, turned the vegetables in the crock-pot to a low setting.

Made up the meal, and very-nice-too! Beef pasty, tomatoes, sliced roast potatoes, parsnips, green beans, sugar-peas, mushrooms and parsnips. Yoghourt and a mug of Clementine Juice, using the new bigger container I’d bought earlier. A mandarin & Lime yoghourt too. Rated this as a 9.54/10.

I think Herbert above dropped something heavy while I was eating this feast. I heard it while I had the headphones on to listen to the DVD I’d got and didn’t need. Tsk! The Magnificent Seven, the 2016 version I think. Crap! Violent, but the storyline terrible. I’ll take it back to the charity shop later.

After washing up and utilising the Porcelain Throne (Messy, wet!), I changed and settled adequately into the £300 second-hand recliner to watch some TV. Dizzy Dennis returned, and concentration was almost zero. So I turned off the television and listened to Herbert’s noises for a while. Tap-tap, chipping, knocking… I can’t complain really, cause it is still so early in the evening.

But getting any sleep was farcical. Not because of the noises from Herbert, but the noises in my head. The body needed to sleep, but the brain refused to cooperate with it. This has never happened before like this, and I don’t know why it is so.

Around 0230hrs, I surrendered and got up.

Inchcock Today – Friday 12th December 2018: Nottingham Castle Visit – Whoopsidangleplop and Accifauxpa!

/ Inchie / 10 Comments

Of Course, they are lying on both counts!

Friday 12th December 2018


0240hrs: Woke, while remembering a dream about being chased through sewers the brain informed me that I was thirsty yet again. I reached for the mug of orange juice on the Ottoman near the £300 second-hand recliner, only to find it was bone dry. So, I gingerly manipulated the body mass free of the chair and put the empty giant mug in the bowl to soak and made a small cup of Yorkshire tea.

Got the computer started, took the medications, then did the Health Checks. All the results looked okay to me. A bit up and downish though, this week.

Off to the Porcelain Throne. Messy, very messy!

Downloaded the photographs to use on yesterdays and this post. Did this one up to here, and updated the Thursday codswallop, and got it posted off.

At last, I got around to responding to the WordPress comments. Then I did some WordPress Reading. On to Facebook catching up.

Ablutions tended to. Put the radio on while shaving and Bad News Flowed. I heard that the Nottingham Trams were not running due to an armed robbery incident on the route.

The Nottingham Train Station was evacuated after the fire broke out at around 6.25am. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service say that 60 firefighters from eight stations are at the scene. The Station is closed, with no trains arriving or departing, and is set to remain shut all day. Oh, dear, and they just paid £50m to upgrade this too!

Roads around the station have either been closed off or are very congested.

Nottingham City Transport is not serving any stops at the station or at Arkwright Street.

Various roads closed off for the investigation by the police; this news was followed with: Nottingham Railway Station has twenty fire-engines in attendance at a fire that apparently started in the toilets on the concourse. No trains and no trams today; This was followed by reports of Traffic mayhem, and we must check before we attend any hospital appointments today, due to staff being unable to get into work.

 I checked on the weather I was about to go out into. Tsk!

Spruced up, I took a recycling bag to the chute on the way out.

I thought it might be a bit of fun if I took the camera and went up to Nottingham Castle to get some shots of the Station Fire if I could. So I did.

Outside and took a couple of photographicalisations around the block of flats.

Got to the bus stop and had a chinwag with some others there, Frank and Welsh Bill both in the sarcastic, insulting mood, and we had a laugh or two.

Had a go at the crossword book en route into town.

Made my way straight to Robin Hood’s Maid Marion Castle. I got a bit of a shock when I went into the little shop to use my Pensioner’s card to gain entry.

Yep, £6 to get in. I fumbled and found the one twenty-pound-note I had left, put on confident, nonchalant smirk-come-smile and cried inside, and paid the nice-lady. Hehe! She said I could use the ticket again if I want to gain entry, but it had to be used before March. I was not sure I’d be up to wanting to go there in freezing February?

Paid my respects at the War Memorial. Ten minutes or later got a sensation from lower regions. Embarrassed, I went into to some trees and had a feel around. Just a little bleeding from Little Inchy, but nothing to fret over… I thought.

Then at the Victorian Bandstand, I took a photo of the castle from the low area.

I struggled up the incline to the Eas-West wall and hoped to get a photo of the station and maybe a little smoke or fire engine or two. But no luck, wrong position and a little misty. I thought I’d plod on my way up to the top level to try there. By the time I get there, the mist might have cleared by then.

But, iI did take this of the old cave houses that Nottinghamian Proletariat folk did live in, many years ago. The brick building was built in 1895, much modernised since.

A bit of a steep walk up the path to the old stone inner moat bridge.

Where I came across this whatever it is? Plainly very old and weather worn, a bit like me really. Haha! I can’t recall seeing this before on any of my many previous visits. I spent a while recalling my meeting a girl who worked at the Wimpey Bar on what was then Gramby Street (I think) before they changed the name to Maid Marion Way.

Be about 1963/4 I reckon.

Over the bridge and left, looked at the steps that needed climbing, took a breath and pressed on up to the top in one go. (Head shakes with pride mode adopted!) When I got to the top of the concrete, there were two animals straight in front of me, a squirrel and a magpie on the small lawn. I carefully got the camera out as I took the last two steps… and tripped. Flash, whoosh, they were gone! Humph!

To the wall and the entrance to Mortimer’s Hole. Mortimer History ← Click here.

Of course, there would be trips down this time of year during the week.

This brought back memories of long ago and got me a little excited.

I went to the uniform gallery, and that was locked up. Then to the History Museum and that was also closed.

As I turned the corner to go back around and down to the lower level, there came the wet, damp sensation from the lower regions. This time there was no need to check. Good job I had the safety pants on, I  think I must have had a message from the EQ that made me wear them today? I carried on down and out, to catch the bus back so I could clean up, use the Daktacort cream and sorts things with Little Inchy. Darnations! just paid £6 for this visit too! Huh!

Luckily I did not have long to wait for a bus as good fortune had it arrive within three minutes of my getting to the terminus stop. A most uncomfortable ride home. I thought things had settled and the bleeding might have stopped on its own; as I fidgetted in the seat.

The compound was abuzz with activity as I walked back from the bus to the flat.

Hastened into the wet room to sort out things. Well pleased with how the pad-pants protected me this time. Far less mess and hassle to clean things up. Put the unwanted items in a blue bag, sealed it, had a shower then took the blue back to the proper bin. Returned to the flat, changing into fresh trousers and fell over when I got my leg caught in pulling them up. What a state I was in. Hit my shoulder on the way down and banged my elbow on the way up. No, hang on, that was the other way around. Hahaha!

Took the belated midday medications and did the Health Checks.

Got the computer on and had a couple of hours and a bit updating this post.

Nosh sorted. A simple affair, curried beans, tomatoes, sliced apple, potato chips, Scottish Plain Bread and pork knuckle followed by a lemon mousse.

Did the pots and drank more Clementine juice and made another mug of tea.

Health Checks and medications tended to.

Settled in the messy, untidy room to watch TV. Unhappy with the mess around me, but aware that they will be returning to knock out the balcony and fit a new one, also to sort out the radiator drawer and cupboard door blocking and making more mess.

Started to watch a Law & Order episode and lasted only up until the first set of commercials, the nodded off.

A scary dream woke me. In it, just about everyone I’ve ever known, and film characters, singers etc. were chasing me, in underground tunnels. “Shouting “You’ve got to go youth!” repeatedly. Where to I didn’t know, just felt I did not want to go wherever it was. We were suddenly on a ship, below deck, (Me still being pursued on foot) a cruise liner type, but it was scruffy, for there were portholes in the passageway… I was ejected out of one of these openings and recall thinking as they hacked off bits of my torso to get me to go through the window, “Well, at least I lost weight before I died”. Down into the cold ocean water… something else happened I’m not clear on, and then, I was in a barred cage with penguin looking angels approaching. They were most annoyed telling me they did not want me here, there were not enough pilchards to feed me… and I was back, body-parts reattached and being chased in the underground tunnels, by all and sundry?

I got the torch and scribbled notes of this dream. So glad I did now, cause the memory of it was very vague in the morning when I updated this blog.

I spent a few second trying to work out what could have prompted this episode. Not that it mattered, and was soon off into the land of nod again.

Inchcock Today – Wednesday 10th January 2018: Busy day

/ Inchie / 6 Comments

Wednesday 10th January 2018

0145hrs: Seemed to shoot awake and found myself looking around the room for an old lady who had been in my dream, and blimey, it felt so real.

The lady floated down through the ceiling and hovered above me, then sank down and stood in front of me – I got the sensation that I knew her, but was aware even at the time, that I didn’t? I thought, this can’t be a dream because she has a shadow, so she can’t be a ghost either. The whole thing only lasted a few seconds; well, it felt like it to me. She spoke with the most beautiful Welsh accent: “You must not donate, they will come for more, and you will fatally give more… Remember this, my love…” and she faded away while blowing me a kiss?

Afterwards, I thought, perhaps she got the wrong address? Hehe!

Not the most interesting of dreams to remember, but I felt so much like it was actually happening.

I had to pull back my mind from this and make an effort to rise out of the £300 second-hand recliner and off to the Porcelain Throne. This session could best be described with two words: Messy and Yellow! We’ll say no more. Cleaned up and off to the kitchen.

Did the health Checks and took the medications. Made a brew and got the computer on to finish yesterday’s post and sent it off.

0240hrs: Remembered that I needed to go down to the Laundry room and get the clobber cleaned, so I did. Collated the equipment and washing, down to the foyer on the way to the cleaning room.

Three new posters from Jenny, on the wall. The saddest sign of the year greeted me on the board facing the doors as I got out of the elevator. Dear old Eddie has passed away. An amazing man, who everyone liked or loved, a treasure lost. This photo I took is of Eddie enjoying his tipple on 16th December 2016 in the Social Hut. Cheers mate! Of course, now I am banned from making any snapshots of the residents nowadays.

Another poster was on the wall, from Jenny. (Busy gal!) informs us of a possible sneak thief in our midst!

I’d have thought a CCTV camera would have been installed in such an establishment as this. Not only or primarily to catch or identify naughty people, but to monitor the health condition of the Senior Citizens. Even those stealing from other pensioners! Just a thought.

Last of the posters, might seem inconsequential compared to the other two. But, it is kind of Jenny to remind us of this availability on a Saturday, and for opening it up for our use if wanted. Personally with the buses on a Saturday being only every two hours, and a total of four, if I go out on a Saturday, I tend to get confused and often miss the bus back.

I don’t know why I mentioned that, cause I get confused most days. Hehehe!

Got the washing in the machine and back up to the apartment.

Started to do this post, then back down to move the washing to the dryer. Oh, dear, the dryer filter looked like it had not been fluffed-out for several washes. And the sink was disgusting! Looked like someone had been plastering a wall and cleaning the tools in it! I’ll take some spray down with me on the last trip.

Up to the flat. Took this photograph out through the window.

No frost or ice this morning.

I started this post updating. Time flashed by and back down to the launderette to collect the clobber and titivate the room a bit.

Got the clothes folded and packed into the bag. Cleaned the filter and wiped the casings.

Then tackled the sink that someone had left in a right state. I reckon it might be one of the new tenants because this has never occurred before.

Naughty Tenants!

The grime took a long while to get cleaned off; it had an alabaster-like texture to it.

I opened the washers to freshen the insides a little, and in the first drum, I found more alabaster-like patches stuck on it?

So I cleaned them off, but they were easy to remove, not like those marks in the sink.

Then, as I was opening the door to leave the room, Hernia Harry started giving me grief suddenly? This might have been caused by the bending down or scrubbing away at the sink. Either way, he was not welcome! Hehe!

0435hrs: All the clothing stored away, accoutrements placed in the laundry bag ready for use on the next wash. Kettle on and made a brew. As I sat down to continue with the updating of this post, Hernia Harry again let me know he was active.

Did the graphic above of the dream and put it at the top of this post.

Made a graphic for the TFZers:

Nearly time for the ablutionisationing. Quick bash on Facebook and WordPress reader, them off to scrub-up.

Teggies done, then shaved. A Jolly nice shower was taken. Medicated the areas in need and got the rubbish bags to the and down the waste chute. Tried to make sure I had everything needed.

Took this photo just before leaving. The mist cleared, but the rain did not.

And guess what I forgot to take with me. My hat! I realised when I got out into the rain, Well, I would wouldn’t I? Haha!) Too late to go back up now to fetch it, I thought if I did, I’d miss the bus. I’ll see if I can buy a cheap one while I’m in Arnold.

Got to the Obergruppenfureresses Hut and had a quick chinwag and laugh with some other residents. Then caught the bus into Arnold. Nice chit-chat with a lady passenger. Made her laugh a bit, and that cheered me up.

Out in the rain and into another shop. Every one also too large. I popped into the Poundstretcher and got some black waste bags and a fabric refresher.

Called in the butcher and got some shop-cooked belly pork. Then in the big store and checked out their hats on sale. Every cap was too small, apart from one that was far too large.

Walked, getting wetter as I plodded on, to Asda (Walmart). First I went into their clothing section, and believe it or not, every hat they had was too small for me!

Spent a good while nosing around the food shelves and ended up getting: Four more tins of the curried baked beans, pork steaks, tomatoes, mushrooms, nibbles, a parsnip, a turnip, green beans, sliced red onions, sugar-snaps, Cox’s apples, orange yoghourts, and a TV Magazine.

Paid the nice gentleman on the till what I owed and made my way to the bus stop. Where I met fellow tenant Roy from the fourteenth floor. Good chinwag. Welsh Bill and four other residents got on the bus in Sherwood. Welsh Bill said he had now sorted his radiators out, he hoped. The Company that manufactured them told him to reset to factory standard. Which he did, and all seems well now, but he has not had a monthly bill yet, so he’s see what happens then.

All off the bus and they all went into the Social Hut. Roy caught me up before I got to the flats and I told him about Polish Eddie, pointing out the notice Jenny had put up about it. His only concern was the stealing of the Bone China cups. The other fellow with us, kind chap (I hope he is not the noisy Herbert from above me – He wasn’t, he got out of the lift on the 11th storey) Said our farewells, and I got into the apartment and had a wee-wee.

I was about to get the fodder unloaded as one of the Willmott-Brown external platforms came up passing the kitchen window. Although I didn’t catch them by the time I got the camera out, there were three women workers on it. That could be awkward if they found any bloke stripping off in his bedroom? Hehe!

I had a terrible thirst on me. Guzzled no end of orange juice from the fridge.

Unloaded and checked the items bought with the receipts. No overcharging today. Although some git gave me a five-Peseta coin in with my change! Humph!

Got two of the pork thingies, Shoulder Steaks, that’s them, and trimmed some parsnips and turnips, plopped them all in the slow-cooker with some pork gravy granules and a drop of Maggi in the water. The sugar-peas and green beans I can cook separately later in a saucepan afterwards.

Took the hearing aids out and noticed they needed a little TLC.

Got the tools out and de-waxed them, poked the tubes out and washed them. Then changed the batteries.

I was pleasantly surprised at how the fingers let me get the task done. No freezing or twinges. Then I realised that apart from the still stinging poor old feet and Little Inchy bleeding, the other ailments seemed to be giving me a break today? Good Stuff!

Putting the things back in the medical drawer and shook it a bit, and the Enoxaparin needle fell off of the top and shattered. As I recall now, I might have muttered something like “Well, fancy that!” at the time.

Poured out another giant mug of orange juice and got the computer on to update this diary.

Half an hour or so later, I went to check on the crock-pot and remove some fat that had floated to the top. And refilled the mug with orange juice. Why this thirst? Is it due to the radiators? Can the Aliens take the blame? Have I got a cold coming on?

The tiredness dawned. And I decided to set the alarm clock to remind me to check the pork and get my head down for a bit. One last check on the crock-pot before I got my head down, and to my surprise, the pork was well cooked and ready. No head down for me yet. I turned down the slow cooker and got the vegetables cooking. Sugar peas and beans in one saucepan and mushrooms with Soy sauce in the other and prepared them quickly. Got two part-baked cobs in the oven.

Can you see the face in the pork steak?

Picked out the turnips and parsnips from the cooker, then the pork onto the plate. Put things in the sink to soak as I went along. Added the veg and sliced tomatoes. Added the chips, two cobs and lemon mousse to the plate and got settled to dine rather well, I thought. Another mug of orange juice.

I purposely ate slowly. Savoured this much-better-than-of-late feast. Rated this as a 9.4/10 effort. I think cooking the parsnips and turnips in with the seasoned pork turned out to be a good idea. I slowly voraciously devoured and decimated all in front of me. (Not the cutlery or tray, you understand? Hehe!)

I put the dish down and drifted off into slumber. Woke-up shortly afterwards in desperate (I thought) need of the Porcelain Throne. Out of the £300 second-hand recliner with relative ease and lack of pain and got myself seated on the Throne… wind and nothing else evacuated. Read a bit of new book while waiting. I was well-awake of course by the time I gave up, still have the sensation that I needed to ‘go’.

Took this photo of the rather beautiful sky.

I washed the pots up, feeling in a sort of haze of thoughts, everything and everything seemed to come into my mind for pointless considerations. Terrorism, Brexit, the radiators in the flat, Hippy Hilda, which tea-bags were the best, Poor old Eddie, Fooey, Dad, the lack of buses, hearing aid problems and I felt sorry for Teresa May having to cope with the mess that the coward Cameron had run away from, sorry for my not getting a proper education. Oh yes, the mind did its own thing, wandering off on tangents and I just let it go.

Which was not a good idea as it turned out. Cause I got the pointed end of the steak knife stuck down a fingernail while drying the pots! Still, it brought the mind back to reality. Haha! It also made me realise I had not done the Health Checks nor taken the medications, so I belatedly did so.

Once again I got settled down. I think the mind must have felt guilty at letting me stab myself and gave me a rest so I could nod-off quickly, which I did.

Inchcock Today – Tuesday 9th January 2018: Recovering from the Mini-Marathon. Ten-Hours spent doing two posts!

/ Inchie / 6 Comments

Tuesday 9th January 2018

Kyrgyz: Шейшемби 9 Май 2018

Kept waking during the night, feeling cold. 0340hrs: Woke again and extracted my elephantine fluid-filled legs and whalelike body from the £300 second-hand recliner. I think that the long walk yesterday had pleased Hippy Hilda a little. As for the plates, they were stinging something awful.

Off to the throne, a good-easy clean session, but much rich blood flowed from Haemorrhoid Harold’s vicinity. Little Inchy bled a tad too. Applied the various creams and lotions, cleansed the areas and me, then to the kitchen, to do the Health Checks for today and last weeks averages.

Took the medications.

The computer on and started to download and titivate the pictures from the cameras. Then created a route map of the marathon hobble. As I drew the line indicating where I walked, the pain-memories of the poor feet came back to me as I got to do the areas in which they were worse on the day. Three hours later, I’d got them sorted ready to use on the blog. I pondered on yesterdays diary that needed updating and decided that the post would be just too long if I put everything in. I made the decision (Yes, it has been known. I’m famous locally for my incredible incertitude, inconclusiveness, irresoluteness, being in two minds, and undecided. Wallowing in dilemmas, and existing on the permanent horns of a dilemma, too. Hehe!). I’d do a separate post about my discoveries and activities from when I got back to the flat, and the heater and lads who installed them.

Flipping cold in here this morning, I put the fingerless gloves on, and a thicker bob-cap.

Then I set about the task of updating yesterdays Inchcock Today. This is Gonna be an extended Tuesday needing concentration if it is to come out right.

It took me over six hours to get the Monday post done and posted. Phew!

Got to get the Radiators post done yet, Tsk!

We got builders notice through the door. We are now officially Bat free!

Seems to be less cold now? No, my mistake. Tsk!

Started the Radiators Ode off. All done, three hours it took.

Had a go on the WordPress Reader.

Then on Facebook.

Did the Health Checks and took the medications.

Must get on with the fodder now, getting late for me.

I took a photograph of the food on the plate, but once again, the Aliens stole it from my camera card by the time I got to download it! Where do they go, it is not in the Wifi storage?

Did the last Health Checks and medication taking session.

Got settled down in the recliner an watched nearly all the way through ‘UnderSiege 2’. I had to pause it to go to the Porcelain Throne. Bit of a blockage and finished reading the Lenigrad book.

Back to the £300 second-hand recliner and I seems I fell to sleep before putting it in the recline position!

Inchcock Today – Monday 8th January 2018: Heaters being replaced, so I abscond for the day, while they do it! The Marathonist of Marathons I’ve ever made, ensued!

/ Inchie / 10 Comments

Monday 8th January 2018

Armenian: Երկուշաբթի 8 Հունվար 2018 թ

0245hrs: I woke up and immediately the belief that an upcoming recumbentibus would arrive today: The day I have to get everything done early so I can relinquish my occupation of the flat for the day – while the crew remove and install the new radiators. Nothing could exclude this fear, and my grey-cells mused, fretted and the apprehensiveness had started Duodenal Donald off. Coping with change and stress is no longer my strong-point.

Imbibed the medications and did the Health Checks. The computer on and straight to getting yesterdays diary finished and posted off.

This is not going to be a good day. The rumbling innards have started already, Duodenal Donald and Hippy Hilda are both in fourth-gear, I am anxious about events about to take place and have to evacuate the apartment for the day. Worried? Me? Yes! No doubt about this. But can still feel the appreciation of the help Jenny has been.

I might get some photographs taken later when I go out on the enforced abdication of the flat?

A slight panic overtook me as I was adding now received an appointment for the INR test to the calendars; thus followed, atypical of me, “Panic at will period” Tsk!

I went to check the dentist appointment day, all I knew was it was in January sometime and feared I might have missed it. To my horror, it was not in the written or online calendars! I flapped about getting the files out of the case for the medical section and after a while found the letter – The date was for the 14th, so I wrote this and put it in the Google calendar – then I realised it was for 14th March, not January! So I had to change it all again. All this with Duodenal Donald in the most unhappy of moods with me!

Made a mug of tea, no calls to the Porcelain Throne yet, that caused a mini-worry; if I don’t pass and have to go out for the day, I could find myself in difficulties?

I made a start on this blog up to here. Gawd, the innards are growling away today.

I got the mobile and camera in the coat pocket while I thought of it.

Hello; off to the Throne I go.

No movement, only wind, wind and more wind! I found I’d left the flipping fan-heater on all night. Snug as a bug I was there, reading the Lenigrad book. Only 60 pages left to peruse. But it was damned cold when I came out, especially with no radiators working.

Had a go on WordPress Reader then Facebook, cause I felt confident I would be far too drained and tired tonight to do anything but sleep.

Made a brew and did a TFZer graphic, A Mystery Photograph Quiz. Asking the TFZers if anyone can tell me what was going on here? Haha!

When I went to do the ablutions, it was virtual agony from Hippy Hilda as I painfully put on the socks and trousers. No wonder this post sounds like it is written by a pilgarlic pensioner who is on the verge of losing it altogether – I am that man! Hehe!

The workmen arrived, and I greeted them, had a laugh and then set-off out, the start of the marathon all-day-hobble!

A quick look out of the window before departing revealed a frostiness of immense magnitude.

Off I went, down the lift and out through the lobby doors. Which was not responding to the release button being pressed? But I managed to heave the doors open on the end and escape. Handy this, if there was to be a fire that needed the building evacuating? Tsk! Just a thought.

I called in the Obergruppenfurheresses Den on the way out. Wardens Julie and Deana were busy.

Had a chinwag and a few laughs (Not many) with some other tenants.

Here on the left, is the map I made up of the route I took after leaving the warmth of the hut on my marathon hobble:

Flatulence accompanied me for much of the course.

However, Hippy Hilda started to like the exercise the further I went? Duodenal Donald, Haemorrhoid Harold, Anne Gyna and Hernia Harry and the poorly painful plates, were not so keen.

The frozen-solid leaves on Chestnut Walk gave off a warning for me to take care in the limp down the hill into Sherwood.

This tale of the hobble, may get little out of sync time and happenings wise, I’m afraid to say. This is because usually after I go out for any length of time. The first thing I will do on getting back to the cold, lonely flat (Hehe, couldn’t resist putting this in, in search of sympathy!), would be to make a list of reminders on the notepad to use in the following morning. Then, when I update the blog, I can consult it. Although the order that the photographs stored on the SDH card helps. But tonight, I got home to the mayhem of four young, fit, good-looking, healthy, robust, well-paid men (Makes me sick! Hehehe!) in my abode, working merrily away finishing the installation of the dreaded new Storage Heaters for me. (I’ve done a separate post of this part of the day, funny and in rhyme of sorts). The hecticness meant I did not do the note scribbling reminders last night, you see?

Down onto Mansfield Road, up the hill an down through Carrington.

Down the incline and passing the Lidl store, where I half-expected the staff to run out into the road and give me glares and sneers like they do when I go in the shop, but they didn’t. Hehehe!

Along and passing the Clarendon College, as was when I attended night classes for the Elementary and Associate Member of the Grocers Institute. It’s amalgamated with other places of learning and is now called Nottingham College. I had no education at school and left at 14 years-of-age. I learnt how to survive bullies and when to duck, that was about all. I got sidetracked there, sorry.

Up to the pelican lights and crossed over the road. Much to the displeasure of a Yuppy type looking fellow in a BMW, who was not in the least bit pleased at having to stop his dark blue car at all, to let me over the road.

I could not hear or read his lip, so I don’t know what it was he was saying to me, but his accompanying single finger sticking up, indicated he was not a happy chappie.

I pressed on up the hill.

Thinking to myself, why had he been so upset at me crossing the lights? As I was doing this, a Nottingham Pavement Cyclist nearly hit me as he sped by from behind of me, on his bike. He did the same thing further up the pavement as he passed another pedestrian. I’m glad to report that this chap shouted after him and waved his fist at him! The whole world of manners has changed along with the PC brigade gaining more power. Good job an altercation didn’t ensue, cause that pedestrian walker ahead, would not have stood a chance when it came to court. All the cyclist needed to do was tell the Judge or Magistrates, he was a sex-change Muslim Lesbian ex-offender, a Member of Parliament and was saving the world by not using fossil fuels! Haha!

To the top of the hill and right around the Rock Cemetry gates.

More memories were triggered at this spot.

In there, is the grave of Watson Fothergill. The most elegant architect whose work I have ever come across.

Down Forest Road East and Coalville Street to the Guinness Trust cleverly name Coalville Court, Home for the elderly.

I popped in to discuss the availability of any flats and the costs etc. It turns out there is 24hour cover 7/7 here. A cafe where you can order your breakfast, tea or evening meal. I was shown around two single flats. Very nice, and they decorate it for you when you move in with your selection of colours. One is free now, but they have to get things sorted before they can allow anyone to occupy it. The buses are not far away, and every three minutes into town weekdays. Regular Saturday and Sunday services. I can catch one to Mansfield, Derby, Hucknall, Bulwell, Arnold, Carlton etc. I was beginning to get excited about this. Then the rent was mentioned. Oh dearie me!

Mind you, if like Welsh Bill the electricity charges double with the new radiators, and Herbert keeps on with his noises above but, knowing my luck there will be none-available then.

I filed these thoughts tenuously in my grey-cells and departed. Hobbled along to the Arboretum via the side entrance for a change. This brought me out, or preferably in, much closer to the Bell and Cannons that Britain nicked from the Chinese. The Chinese bell tower (pagoda) was designed in 1857 by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton as a war memorial and built in 1862. The bell was looted by British troops from a temple in Canton during the Anglo-Chinese war (Opium War) of 1857-61. Two of the cannon were captured at Sebastopol.

Down the centre path on my way to the pond, where I had planned to feed the Mallard Ducks with the earthworm pellets and pigeons with some seed.

The pond water was frozen solid, with food thrown onto it and laying there in the ice, untouched.

The only birds in the place were the captive ones! These parakeets were lovely; they reminded me so much of my Australian cyber-love, Marie, she has one as a pet.

Chagrined at failing to see and talk to my beloved mallards. I left and decided, being as there was a lot of time to kill before having to get back to the flat, I’d walk up the hill and down passed the Forest and had a perusal around the Asda (Walmart) store on Hyson Green.

Mistake that!

By the time a got to the place, the feet were giving me some stick. Then I had to stray around inside, killing time by pretending to look at the clothing section. But when I got to the foodstuffs, in my element here, I realised this was going to cost me. An hour or so later, I’d virtually filled both bags at the self-serve checkouts. They had curried baked beans on offer at 50p a can! But only had six left on the shelves, so naturally, I took all six. A bright idea, with how the feet were, that. Adding milk, crisps, garden peas and lentil snacks to the basket. Dimwit came to mind later.

No chance of my walking to town now. I waited for and got on a Tram. I dislike using these nowadays. You have to remember to swipe your Pensioners Free Bus-Pass before getting on and will get put off if any checkers get on to find you have forgotten to swipe the card. They are filthy inside: food dropped on the floor, clients giving abuse to each other, loud music: drugs being smoked (I think judging by the smell the roll-up was giving off?). 90% of the passengers on their mobile phones, almost shouting at whoever is on the other end. And, there were no seats free! Peoples Boeotian nature comes out when there is no conductor on the trams. Add all this to my having the weight of the worm pellets and birdseed to carry with me. I am a right Shmendrik!

Got off the tram at the Theatre Royal, had to step over what looked like a freshly regurgitated pizza to me, near the tram seats. Still, more time to kill, I wandered through Trinity Square, my rate of knots had declined with each hurtful step now. I called in the Wilko Store, having plans for only a walkabout. Came out having purchased Ginko, Fragrance booster, St Peters Worts, Eyelid spray and a wooden spatula. Why? I think I was so tired and might have been having a funny-spell?

Made my way to the Poundland shop on Fletchergate. To see if they had Chocolate almonds, misshapes of chocolate brazils or Pork Pies on sale. They hadn’t.

So I left being accosted by three people collecting and trying to get people to sign up for monthly donations for the PDSA. I was polite enough not to ignore them. And explained that I support the Nottingham Hospice and the salvation army and regularly give to Big Issue sellers. I am being hounded by appeals for water in the third world and other daily requests on TV and through the Royal Mail and will not sign up for anything else; but, I gave a donation now cause you made an effort. And gave him a few quid. I might not have bothered talking. The obviously parrot-learnt schpeel came out, with an upturned lip sneer and a look of incredulousness, when I walked away.

I went to the M & S store, and down to the food hall. Struggled on my wandering about the store, but determined to find some short-dated fodder. I found a box of chips and some Dinky Melton Pork Pies. These still cost twice as much as their Morrison counterparts!

A little earlier than planned, I made my way to the bus stop. No more photographicalisationing now, the bags were taking all my concentrations to carry, and the pain from the plates-of-meat was torture. Got on the bus and arrived back at the flats, but oddly, no memory of the journey – maybe I fell asleep?

Dropped off the bus and to the hut. I indeed fell asleep in the Obergruppenfurheress’s Social Shed!

After starting to talk to the lady there, who was also having her heaters installed today, I drifted off a few times, waking occasionally but no recollections of who was there or said what. I have a feeling, I might have spoken to Warden Deana.

Woke again later, and Deana was gone. I made my way back to the flat.

T’was mayhem I say!

An hour or so later they were cleaning up after finishing the job. A chap showed me the radiators, not how to changed or adjust them mind. Hehe! A little chat and they were off.

I did a quick look around to see what needed sorting.

Oh dear, this will have to wait until I get over the marathon hobble.

Got the short-dated dinner going.

Only the disappointing chips needed any heating up.

I need not have bothered. The chips were bland and tasteless. I might have well heated some cardboard up to eat. The beetroots were bitter. The mini-pork pies were just about okay. Had to add some Soy sauce to spice it all up a bit. Rated this effort at 4/10!

The tomatoes were not too bad. Left most of the chips and all of the beetroot.

The flat was feeling nice and warm.

Did the pots and settled to watch Law & Order on the TV. Fell asleep during the first set of commercials.

Woke up in the early hours, feeling so cold! Got up and got a thick quilt and threw it over me. I put this phenomenon down to the heaters settling in.

Drifted off into the land of Nod again.

Inchcock Today – Sunday 7th January 2018

/ Inchie / 4 Comments

Sunday 7th January 2018

Greek: Κυριακή 7 Ιανουαρίου 2018

0355hrs: Having a marathon long day yesterday, I slept through for over seven hours. I still had the remote control in my hand from when I was trying to view what channels were on the goggle-box, but can’t recall watching anything, so I assume I drifted off into slumber very quickly.

The mind seemed to have some disponibility this morning, far less muddledness. The stomach began rumbling as I tried to dislodge my grotesque body from the £300 second-hand recliner. So, off to the Porcelain Throne with a certain amount of haste. Oddly, and I’m not an algophilist, but I missed the pains from Anne Gyna and Artur Itis. Although I was extremely pleased with the lack of attention from Dizzy Dennis. The session went well, only a few specs of blood that I think came from Haemorrhoid Harold and not as messy as yesterday.

I made up the medication dosage pots and made a tasty mug of Co-op 99 tea. That went cold when the rumbling and grumbling started again. So, back to the Porcelain Throne. A more protracted session this time, I got through a whole chapter of the Lenigrad book before anything moved, and when it did so, rock solid surrounded by coloured water? I hope this will not prove nocive to my health, I don’t want or need any other new ailments at the moment to cope with. Hehe! However, on the bright side, I saw no blood.

Back to take today’s health Checks and medications, and make another brew-up,

Got the computer on and an update arrived, so I downloaded it. It didn’t take long. Reading about what the update included left me baffled, just crossed my fingers all would be well and got on with finalising the Saturday diary and got it posted off.

When the rumbling innards started to kick off for the third time, worriment showed itself. The session was entirely different again; ‘Push, Plop, Gone!’ This time with a little blood from somewhere. Washed and cleaned up and the second mug of tea of the day had gone cold, went to make another one.

Took two photographs out of the kitchen window.

The first one, of the resident’s parked cars down below on Chestnut Walk.

The vehicles had a decent covering of frost and ice all over. I should imagine the pavements will be a bit slippery.

Then took a picture of the skyline and horizon. Which seemed to provoke to me into a studious mode. Out there, all those people asleep in their cottages, bungalows, apartments, terraced houses, semi-detached homes, mansions, caravans, cars, hostels, shop doorways, friends settees, workplaces, hospitals, loony-bins and being burgled, mugged, attacked, conned or whatever. Every Homo-Sapien with their own personal worries and hassles. I think I heard silent cries of, unhappiness, frustrations, pain, paroxysms and unwanted emotions in the still of the icy-cold morning. Blimey, did I write that?

I made a third cup of tea, Extra-strong Old English Breakfast this time, in the tiny mug.

As I was putting in the milk, the shakes came over me. When I went to pick it up, and Craig Cramps attacked the left-hand fingers, and I spilt a drop or two trying to grab it, cause I was using the other hand on the camera.

How can things change so much ailment-wise in just a couple of hours?

I was feeling so good when I stirred into life this morning too. Now in turmoil and uncomfortable! Confusionableitis reigned. Globdangerations!

Updated this post up to here. Went to the WordPress Reader section. While doing this at 0710hrs, Herbert above kicked off with his dropping stuff and knocking. I must remember to mention this to Deana when I see her.

Then, after the tea had gone cold once more, (Like how I cunningly made only a small mugful, Hehe?) I made another and read then answered the comments

Then went on Facebook.

0805hrs: Next on CorelDraw, doing a graphic of the new Sandra Lentz film on DVD, called Law & Order: “The ‘Senior Citizens Uprising’. 0940hrs got it finished and posted off.

Worried about how things will go tomorrow with the radiator installations.

Did the Health Checks and medications.

No desire for any real fodder, but had some nibbles.

The blues were returning, I got down to watch some TV, but gave up after about a dozen nod-offs.