Tag: Nottingham City Centre

Inchcock Today: Monday – Snow, rain, hail, sleet and a Whoopsiedangleplop!

Monday 2nd March 2015

Woke up after a decent 4 hours kip feeling apprehensive, fearful, distressed, agitated and desirous of peace of mind – I didn’t get it though.

Took me medications and the feelings lessened after a while – but remnants of a weird uncomfortableness remained?

Maybe me dreams had prompted these emotions? I’m sure I had many dreams as is usual for me – but cannot remember the details of any – just these feelings of foreboding?

Did a bit of Facebooking in between visiting the porcelain. (Oh dear, I thought that had cleared up – Tsk!).

Looked outside and a few bits of snow was falling.

Had a good scrub-up and decided to have a walk into town and then hobble down to the canal to see, talk to and feed the ducks.

Thought I might have a pot of porridge before I set off – reaching up for the pot and had a dizzy spell – knocked over tins of food which managed to clout me on the ankle and foot as they descended to ground level. I think I might have said ‘Flipping ‘eck’ or something similar.

Feeling the need to cope I told myself “Well, that’s the Whoopsiedangleplop out of the way for the day, I say… well I pray!”

The dizzy left me in few seconds, I must remind the GP about them when I see her.

I felt okay and set off on me walk into town.

It was very windy again.

The snow had disappeared, but the sky told me something was lurking up there that would visit us later.

I pressed on pushing myself a bit more than normal to give the ticker a good testing.

Up the hill towards the cemetery another pavement cyclist made me jump as he shot passed me from behind.

I did call out questioning his parentage using one word I’m afraid to admit to – but the howling winds ensured he couldn’t hear me. I must give him credit for managing to go so fast against the wind like he did.

On up the hill and over the brim down towards the city centre the sun sneaked out as if to mock us – the clouds were moving rapidly in the gale-like winds.

Onwards and down through the Victoria bus station – dropping some bird seeds clandestinely for the pigeons as I went through, going out the other end and into the shopping mall and Tesco.

Where I got some bread and a yoghurt. (I do live  well yer know!).

I realised I’d got very little cash with me and thought I’d call at the bank and get some form the ATM – now what was me pin number err…

Remembered (A rarity there) I wanted some cod Liver Oil capsule and a new nail cutter/clipper to replace the one I trod on and broke last week.

So I called in Boots and had a wander around – finding the cutter okay then facing the dilemma of which capsules to purchase – so many options and choices oh dear, it’s not nice when one finds it hard to make decisions sometimes as one gets older. Ended up getting the smallest content ones that were on offer 3 for the price of two… no… yes that’s right. Boots own label.

Made me way down Clinton Street, and thought I’d pop in Primark (When will I ever learn?) to see if they had got any of the flat caps in stock. A store detective (She not a very good one) tagged onto me and I couldn’t resist taking out me camera taking some photographs for the TFZ gals on Facebook of ladies underwear… (I worry about missen sometimes). Any road, they had not got any caps in and I wandered out down to the slab square and as I left the store it was hailing heavily – but only lasted for a minute or so.

It had gone really dark and sleet then began coming down a tad then that stopped – I took out me camera to picture the sad passengers at the City Centre tram stop – by the time I’d got it out (The camera you understand) the weather had brightened again.

Talk about changeable weather!

I popped into the bank because the ATM was out of order and got some cash.

Then down Wheeler Gate and through the Broad Marsh shopping centre – out over the road and past the car park and bus station up Carrington Street and down to the canal.

Well talk about windy – it nearly blew the camera out of me hands and the hail returned so I nipped (hobbled really) under the bridge to feed the ducks.

Took me midday medications with a swig of spring water.

I can’t recall it being so windy for years, umbrellas blown inside out, folks a-moaning about it, then the hail stopped as suddenly as it started.

You can see it’s affects on the canal. Even the pigeons had problems landing in that wind, poor things.

I got the feeling that the ducks weren’t too keen on the weather either – two of the Canada geese were constantly honking and fighting each other any any other duck that got near them?

Spent a good while chatting to the ducks them I made me way back to the Broad Marsh mall and called in Heron frozen foods where I managed to get a pack of iced-lollies with ice-cream in the centre.

They had a pack of Warburton’s Thins on display that was out of date by three days (Feb 28th) I mentioned this to one of the staff who gave me sort of look that Basil Fawlty used to give to Manuel!

Hey-ho.

I hobbled up and out down Bridle Smith Gate into town and up towards Trinity Square, noticing en-route that the nice gentle kind Nottinghomian citizenry were still crossing the traffic lights against the red – one of them an apprentice hoody-yobbo on a bike with his face covered in a mask?

Up to Trinity Square where I took a photo of some ‘Bling’ for the TFZ gals.

I see the ultra-expensive new restaurants had their blinds bent and damaged in the high winds – not that it caused any bother or danger to the customers cause they didn’t have any.

Back down and around to the bus-stop to catch one back to Carrington.

I noticed the Nottingham folk still crossing the road against the lights on red.

I wonder if Mr Cameron is aware of this?

Got the bus back to Carrington, just as well I didn’t forget me bus-pass cause I couldn’t have walked much further thanks to Arthur Itis making his presence known.

Got in and WC’d post haste.

Made a cuppa and started this diary whilst listening to the howling winds.

Made another cuppa and took me evening medications.

Still feeling apprehensive?

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 of 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.

As 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 cemetery 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.

I 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.

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 hopefully 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.

I enjoyed feeding the ducks and pigeons while 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.

I 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.

I 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 singing 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.

I 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.

On 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: Out on a walk at last… carefully mind!

Monday 23rd February 2015

Not much sleep again, couldn’t get off for ages, still managed 4 hours though.

The rumbling and grumbling had toned down a bit thankfully, only the arthritis any real hassle this morning.

Took me medications with a cuppa, then laptop started and managed to get my postings finished and posted to the League of Mental Men blog.

Then I had to rush (Well I say rush, poddle a bit quicker would be a more appropriate wording perhaps...) about a bit to get myself then the things ready for me trip for me INR level tests at the QMC to catch the bus at 0930hrs so as to use me free pensioners bus-pass.

The sky looked a little ominous and the wind very variable?

I stood and watched a pedestrian and driver having a good verbal set-to, but alas was not close enough for me to hear them over the wind in me hearing aids. Huh!

When I got to the bus-stop on Mansfield Road a few minutes later the sky had changed again and looking quiet non-threatening.

I caught the bus into town (Very full with us old ones using our bus-passes yer see).

I got to the bus-stop for the Y28 and after a short wait and passing long unintentional almost musical escapages of wind – I visited left and visited the Gents in Victoria Centre. All okay and no blood from the haemorrhoids either.

Returned and caught the Y28 out to the Hospital.

Had a chat with an elderly lady en-route, she looked a little confused and nervous so I struck up a chin-wag with her. She was going to the QMC for her weekly checks and was doing it on her own for the first time. I didn’t ask why.

When we got off the bus I walked her to where she was going and wished her well. Nice lady.

Quite a wait, many in the queue today.

Unfortunately an unintentional leakage of wind – just a tiny ‘plop’ like escaped and I kept me head down pretending to read the free Metro paper as the mutterings grew and the phoo’s rang out from the poor patients in the queue.

The nurses in the haematology were surprised to see me again for the third time in seven days.

They soon took me sample  and I decided to go to Long Eaton when I left, I’ve not been there for years – using me free pensioners bus-pass of course.

When I came out of the building the unofficial patients smokers corner was fully occupied.

When I walked out from the sheltered area I felt the wind (Not mine) had got up a lot and the flags and trees were blowing viciously.

Taking a photo of the flags I caught the first of three fire engines rushing into the compound down the hill passed A&E and round the back of the main buildings.

So annoying when you don’t know why innit?

I got to the bus-stop and caught the bus to Long Eaton, taking a photo of the QMC from another angle as we passed by. Didn’t come out too bad considering we were travelling at a fair rate of knots like.

When I alighted the bus the first building I saw that wasn’t there last time I visited was a KFC.

I thought it might be a Pound Shop, Money lenders, Costas, Caffe Nero, Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King or Pawn Brokers I would have seen first. Hehe.

 I had a good walk around and many places brought back memories of when I worked there for Tesco and the Nottingham Co-op many years ago.

Found a cheapo shop that was selling Lion bars at 6 for a quid – ‘Glad I came’ I said to myself and bought some.

Found they were just out of date, but still eatable like if yer not too bothered about breaking yer teeth…

After musing over some memories I caught the bus back to Nottingham.

En-route the weather worsened even more, I took a photo through the bus window.

It seemed like a gale was brewing at one time and buffeted the bus.

Within half a mile things seemed to calm down?

I got back, the bus dropping us all off at the Broad Marsh centre, and I had a wander through it taking some photographs for the TFZ gals I thought might be of interest to them, they like their handbags yer know, bless them.

Here’s one of them wot I took.

I plodded through the centre, not before calling at their ‘Gents’.

Out and up to Chapel Bar and up Exchange Walk.

Note the sky had cleared up now and the rolling clouds far less threatening. But something told me to make me way back to the hoppit and out of the coming weather?

As I got to the top and into the Slab Square in the City centre, I remembered that I wanted to take a ride on the Nottingham Wheel/Eye and thought I’d treat missen and take some photographs from high up that might be interesting.

Then the rain started to drizzle along with some sleet. (I knew it!).

But it didn’t last long.

As I turned the corner I saw they were dismantling the wheel – bother!

The sky kept changing so quickly and the wind again got up.

Both the weathers wind and mine.

A little further up King Street I came across a car that had seemingly reversed into one of the bollards?

Again, it’s so aggravating not knowing for sure innit?

I noticed the bobbies were well wrapped up.

On up the hill, a little walk around Trinity Square fed the pigeons and I caught the bus back to Carrington.

I thought I might stay on the bus and drop off in Sherwood so I could see the Dentist and complain about me front teggies that they treated that have gone black since!

Of course I forgot all about it until I was writing this diary now. Tsk!

As I dropped off the bus – down it came, rain, snow and sleet at the same time.

By the time I’d hobbled fast as me knees would let me back to the flea-pit, the snow had stopped, just the rain and sleet or hail falling now, and the wind was terrible.

Took a photo of it from me doorway.

WC’d.

Th knees were painful but other ailments seem better, including the diarrhoea.

Had one of me Lion bars with a cup of tea, worried me a bit in case I broke me front teggies on it, so hard.

Laptop on to do this diary.

Heated a pasty and had it with a large frank to get me through till me nosh later.

So tired again now – not surprising really with no sleep much.

I wonder how much Cameron gets? Just a thought like.

Made a cuppa and took me medications… missed my midday ones. Huh!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 street 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!”

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.

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!

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: 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.

Got 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?

The 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 three 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 see 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 recreation 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.

To 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.

Took 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.

A 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!

I 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.

As 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.

I 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 the 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!

No 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 wot 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 everything 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 for 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 good 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 along 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.

Called 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.

As 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 yet 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).

Jane 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.

Then 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.

Yet 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 chemist 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: Mon 2nd Feb 2015 – Confused

Monday 2nd February 2015

Lousy night again – it seemed every of the few minutes I managed to get any kip was dream filled but I can’t recall any of them.

Felt rather confused when I awoke to visit the porcelain and had a wobbly (Dizzy spell) then realised I could hear the wind outside… and I have the Iceland delivery then I want to go to see about the camera-pens and go to the Nottingham Hospice shop with some bits… my mind was racing with nothing really. Bit worrying at the time, calmed down now.

Laptop on, medications taken with water and set about doing the posts for the WordPress, Inchcock diary and to LOMM site.

Even got a wobbly when on the laptop then… Tsk!

Did some graphics and Facebooking.

Got ready to go for a bus-ride using me free pensioners bus-pass of course, instead of a walk into town in case the dizzies return later.

Caught the bus into town and had a hobble around the shops for a good while. Took some photos of interest.

I called into Jessops camera shop to get a new SD-card… why? Because I realised I’d took me camera and had not got the card in it… Tsk!

The chappy-fella put init the camera for me and I was off walking all over Nottingham taking photo’s of bling, buildings, trams, cyclists on the pavement, Nottinghamian citizens crossing the traffic lights on red etc.

Really enjoyed doing them, and no dizzy-spells either – good stuff.

Then I hobbled to the Menkind shop and found they had some Camer-watches on sale at £50. One for later after spending on me SD card, I took a photo of one with me old camera.

After walking around for a while I called in to get me Lion bars and they had sold out! Swines!

Hobbled up through Square and took some photo’s of the pigeons and two CPO’s holding hands?!?!

Caught the bus back to Carrington, slipped the pigeons some seed on me walk back to the hovel and kettle on, visit to the WC and upstairs laptop on and got me SD card out to transfer photo’s to Coreldraw9 to use here… message came up that told me the SD Card had to be Formatted before use… so I lost all me photographs wot I’d painstakingly taken all day, apart from the one of the watch-camera – and that came out horrible on the old camera!

Pee’d off then.

Decided after downloading it the search for the old SD-Card began, and within an hour I found it on the stairs behind a bottle of sauce – Don’t ask please!

I put the formatted card in the new camera and couldn’t get it out again – after much angst I had to use a screwdriver to gently encourage it to come out. Huh! Back to the shop tomorrow for advice.

No INR level checks this week, they have given me a fortnight.

Then the search for the new camera started – I knew it must be in the bathroom cause I’d used it minutes before!

At this stage I began to question whether or not Alzheimer’s was approaching a little faster than expected?

After searching upstairs downstairs all rooms (There’s only four), clothes and shopping bags, depression frustration and suicidal tendencies grew stronger… had I lost it all together today?

Not giving up eventually I found it… it had fell behind the toilet porcelain on the floor. Oh dear! Being deaf I never not heard it fall see?

So well annoyed with everything I started this diary, then the light bulb blew!

Fetched the spare bulb, step ladders and returned with them – treading on me reading glasses as came back into the room…

I swore.

Well and truly had enough now!

Changed the bulb without any mishaps, picked up the beyond repair spectacles and made another cuppa and took me medications.

Tomorrow may be a busy day I thought – Laundry, the Clinic, Back to Jessops, to the Opticians… good job the INR level tests were cancelled by the NHS I say, oh and the Dentists, blimey let me check… no that’s on Wednesday 1200hrs.

Sandwiches tonight… if I ever get time to make em that is – got some cheapo smoked ham from Friday wot I got to use up.

Remembered to put the new camera on charge.

Must do some Facebooking now. Too tired to do the planned blog I wanted to.

Huh, what an ‘orrible day!

Inchcock Today: Sat 31st January 2015 – Sleepless night…Tsk!

Saturday 31st January 2015

Spent the night trying to get to sleep without any luck at all?

Gave up and made a cuppa and took me medications – then fell asleep!

Had to rush about a bit (Well I say rush… hobble rapidly is more like it) to get things ready for me visit to Sister Jane, she is not one to cross by being late believe me!

Had a shave and got missen spit and polished – got the things to take with to get Pete’s birthday and pay him a visit and I set off… then returned to change into me shoes from me slippers and set-off again…

I caught the bus into town to save time being as I had got a little behind this morning (They can’t touch me for it… can they?).

I got off at the Victoria bus station and took a photo of the Victoria flats (Apartments) and the sky that held clouds that seemed to be travelling at great speeds across the sky, I half expected the picture to come out blurred. Hehe!

I walked through the bus-station and into the top-level of the shops – sneaking some seeds to the pigeons on my way through – and I made for the Menkind Shop, after a look around I chose some pressies for Brother-in-law Pete that I thought he and Sister Jane would both like.

I opted for these three here like wot I photographicalised.

They both seemed to appreciate the humour in the first two, and the novelty and practicality of the ‘pen’.

I made me way in the wind and rain to the bus-stop for the West Bridgford buses and caught one quickly. Just avoiding being clouted by a cyclist on the pavement as I joined the queue – Git!

The bus was well crammed with passengers and when it came time for me get off – the left knee was restrained by Arthur Itis and I missed the bus-stop. Tsk!

Hey-ho, not too much rain when I alighted and started the short 10 minute walk to Jane’s posh house.

Mind you some of the pavements where no sun had got to needed a bit of careful manoeuvring along, due to the reattainment of the earlier snow making them a little slippery in places and the knee still not to enthusiastic about being used.

I arrived at their dwelling and was greeted and was given a cup of tea – I mentioned it was a bit weak and Pete said it was the tea-bags I’d recommended for them because they were strong ones, Glengettie brand. I said I couldn’t believe it it was so weak. With a smile Pete added “Probably because he’s made three cups with one tea-bag! Tight wad! Hehe.

I got Pete to take some head shots of me so I could doctor and use them later in me graphics, oh and one of me and Sister Jane to put on Facebook for the TFZ gals and guys.

When Jane viewed the photo on the camera she said:

“Ah, the dimple family!”

Then I took one of Jane and Pete that I thought came out alright.

They were wearing red because they were going to the Nottingham Forest match against Millwall later – that is why I had to visit them earlier than usual.

Oh, I almost forgot, I took a photograph of Fooey – in his usual position in his favourite chair – sleeping!

He’s getting on now, like all of us and I have always felt an affinity with him – he’s old, friendly, poorly, deaf and pretty ugly bless him.

We had a natter for a while (Jane Pete and me that is, Fooey doesn’t yer know… Hehe) and then I walked to the bus-stop with Pete who was going to the shops and I caught a bus into Nottingham.

As we walked into West Bridgford centre Pete pointed out some Mistletoe growing high up in a tree. So unusual I took a photograph of it from under the tree. Never seen that before?

Then on to the bus-stop where Pete carried on to do his shopping.

Again the bus was crammed full but I was just glad to be travelling for free

with me bus-pass, particularly with the knees playing up so.

As I got off the bus in town at an early stop to have a little walk around, the wind was getting stronger although it was not a cold one.

I wandered around for a while and called into an Asian store on Goosegate got some seaweed and blackbean sauce.

As I came out of the store I noticed several vehicles parked on the double yellow lines near the DG Cabs HQ.

Naughty!

As I limped towards the bus-stop for the Carrington buses, I espied another dangerous cyclist-swine crossing the traffic lights and onto the pavement – again!

By the way, when I was in the MenKind shop – I saw they were selling although they were out of stock today and were unsure when or if they would get any more – A pen camera! Must look again there, might get one to record the naughty cyclists on Nottingham pavements?

Back in Carrington I remembered I’d forgotten to make an appointment with the GP. Tsk!

Popped in the Co-op to get some bread. On the shuffle back to the dump I sneaked the pigeons who massed around me some seeds.

Got in and WC’d and the rumbling continued from me innards, but Arthur Itis was more bothersome today, and the rear-end piles were bleeding again. Still, yer don’t like to complain do yers?

Decided to have braised beef and instant potatoes for me nosh… ended up having beef sandwiches and microwave chips.

So tired now, hope for some sleep tonight.

TTFN all.

Inchcock’s True Security Guarding Tales of Woe – The Victoria Hotel

Inchcock’s True Security Guarding Tales of Woe

The Irish, Scottish and English Security Guards and the Moonlight Dip!

I’d been working nights as was usual, guarding the old Victoria Station hotel on Milton Street in Nottingham that was being refurbished, along with my colleague ‘Mad’ Mick, for about a month.

We had suffered with the antics of drinkers coming out of the nightclubs in the early hours, and the client had added an extra guard.

Control sent us Andrew, thus making up The Irishman, Mick, the Scotsman Andrew, and the Englishman, me.

The assignment instructions required one officer out of the security cabin at all times, and inside patrolling the building.

Another patrolling the frontage and one in the cabin at all times.

This particular night, it was my turn to be based in the porta-cabin with the RT, Andrew to patrol the front of the the site.

Mick had gone into the building on patrol, and we had agreed he was to return to the cabin at 1100hrs, to swap with Andrew. By 1115hrs, with no response to my calls to him on the RT, I informed control, and Andrew went inside to check on Mick’s status.

Half an hour later, no contact with either officer, I asked for back-up from control. (None available)

Now I was in a dilemma! If I left the frontage to go in and search, I’d leave all the equipment and tools at risk, if I called the police, control would not be happy… As I pondered my response, Andrew turned up, telling me that Mick was in the swimming pool in the basement, having a whale of a time.

So I thought, (bravely) it was my duty as site supervisor, to fetch him out and bollock him.

I told Andrew to stay at the front and keep his RT on, and I wended my way down through the maze of narrow stairs to the newly built heated swimmng pool.

I found a broadly smiling Mick getting back into his uniform after his moonlight swim. I stood staring straight ahead at his belt buckle which was at my chin level (He was a big lad) and pretended to tell him off.

The RT burst into life. It was Andrew, informing us that the Night Manager had just turned up!

At that precise time, a loud crack was heard from the cellar at the back near where the train lines ran.

I informed Andrew on the RT that we were going to take a look.

Mick and I went to investigate, we saw steam as we approached the door to that cellar, I tested the door for heat with the back of my hand, then gingerly opened the door… to be confronted by three balaclava wearing intruders who had just broken through into the cellar, bursting some hot water pipes en route.

Gulp, phwert!

Whether we were more surprised or they were, I cannot say.

Mick was struggling with one of the men as I got a clout on the head with something hard, a bar of some kind I think it was, then thank heavens Andrew and the Night Manager arrived on the scene, quickly followed by the police with a dog.

One of the very few times we were actually able to assist in the capture of any criminals.

I had to refuse the kind offer from the ambulance man to take me in for a quick check-up as the client was en-route and was not pleased apparently the Night Manager told me?

We came out of it with flying colours, and Mick and Andrew each got a commendation from the Chief Constable. (Why not I? I’ll never know!)

I hate to think what the outcome might have been if Mick hadn’t taken his moonlight dip!

More tales of security Woes to follow…

Inchcock Today: Wed 21st Jan 15 – Declorication and dentist concerns

Up at 0400hrs – WC, cleaned up the blood.

Damned annoyed at not remembering any of me dreams again this morning.

Angina and arthritis both playing up big time, went down to make a cuppa to have with me medications and found that a bit of snow had fallen overnight and had turned to nasty dangerous black-ice!

I took a photo from the front door that creaked as the frost broke around it when I opened it!

I hope no more falls with temperatures this low it shouldn’t, but if it warms up a tad later I can see more snow descending. Tsk!

Not looking forward to the walk to the dentist at all this morning… but got to go.

Weather like this is Whoopsidangleplops inviting. Especially with Arthur Itis limiting my movements like wot he is today.

Trouble with Coreldraw9 this morning, freezing, crashing and importing work I’d done warped? Eventually after many restarts it  seems slow but working again – lost hours there. Tsk!

Looking out the upstairs window I saw many flashing blue lights of emergency vehicles in the distance on Hucknall Road I think. I’d bet the black ice had caught some poor sod out?

Finished off yesterdays diary and got it posted, then had the urge to write a ditty about the weather so I did and posted that. I lost the original plot in no time, but it seemed fairly funnyish all the same.

Must get the things ready for the Nottingham Hospice Charity shop because it’s only a few doors down from the dentist. Two jobs in one like – as the missus used to say.

Got missen cleaned up and set off for the walk to Sherwood and the Dentists.

It wor miserable out there, but the snow had all but melted by the pouring rain. Not cold at all now.

I pressed on keeping an eye on the time ’cause they don’t like it if yer late you know like. Got there in time and climbed up the high steps into the passage and down to the reception. A few questions answered and I took a seat and waited until she called me name in her Concentration Guard voice (Wrongly but no problem there); “Go up to treatment room one now!”

So I did – with difficulty as the stairs are a bit steep, so much so I took a sneaky photo of them – just glad I didn’t have to go up another flight to treatment room three.

I sat patiently waiting looking around and noticed a photo on the wall, just above the signs that told us we would be charged extra if we were late for appointments, and taken off their records if we missed an appointment – oh and if we want none grey fillings we must ask them and they will tell us if they can provide them (White ones) and how much they will cost to be done privately.

I thought that the portraits of the Lions was most suitable for this camp… er, surgery.

Eventually the Obergruppenführer came in… I mean Dentist came in and ran through checking me teeth and commanded me to make an appointment with the receptionist for a half-hour treatment session on me two lower front teggies to try and save them, and shoved me record card into me hand..

I mumbled a few words in thanks and painfully nervously got up to go down to the receptionist, by which time she and her assistant had rushed off to treatment room two to see someone else… then I limped gently down the stairs. talking myself into being brave as I did so… to tackle the receptionist to get an appointment.

I handed her the card:

She demanded the payment for the checks just done and I paid her.

Inchy: “Thank you, the dentist said to make a half-hour appointment”

Grissly: “I am knowing this…”

I heroically interrupted her: “Any day but a Monday or Tuesday at any time will do, they are my hospital and clinic days…” I followed it up with a weak twitchy smile…

Grissly: “Humpf… let me to look, wait!”

I whispered back “Yes no problem.”

I sat down.

After a couple of minutes of her belting hell out of the computer keyboard keys she pointed her finger at me and bent the index one inward – this I took as a summoning and went back to the desk…

“You will be coming for treatment on Wednesday 4th February… Yes! This is alright with you yes?” It was an order more than a question.

“Fine yes thank you very much indeed”.

I got sympathetic looks from the other poor sods whose turn it would be later… I mean patients waiting her attentions as I limped out into the rain and sleet.

A bag of nerves by now I forgot completely about the bag of stuff I’d got to hand to the Nottingham Hospice shop a few doors away – such was my determination to escape Frau Goebbels. Actually I think they were Polish. Thus had to carry it around with me all day.

When I got to the bus stop to catch a one into town and take some photographs I adjusted me clothing and a zip came of me nice warm jumper. I tried to reconnect it and a bit flew off into the road never to be seen again.

“Ah well” I thought “I’ll call in Primark see if they have any in the sale still.”

The bus came and it was a case of standing for the journey into town so many people on it.

As it came towards the City Centre stop, I was caught up in a sort of stampede to get off the bus along with the polite mild mannered Nottingham people nudging and grappling to get off first. I wondered what was happening.

When I got to the pavement I thought my big coat had come undone in the mini-melee – but found that that zip was also broken beyond repair. Huh… what a day I was having and getting soaked in the rain to boot!

Hey-ho, onward down Clumber Street across the lights and right into the Primark store – now I was seeking a jumper and a coat. Tsk!

Took me time and pottered around, took some photographs for the TFZ gals and eventually came across a jumper that looked nice and warm and was reasonably priced – but none of the coats were anything like what I was looking for even though they were cheap enough.

Not enough pockets yer see.

So I left and had a walk through the slab square to M&S to cheer myself up with buying one of there admittedly expensive, but deletable braised beef with roasted parsnips that can be cooked in the microwave meals for one.

I foolishly thought before going to the food hall, I’ll pop up the escalators to the third floor and have a look at their coats on sale.

I fell in love with one that had plenty of pockets and looked nice and warm – but dare not tell anyone how much it cost… What a fool!

Now me bags were getting heavy, and me feet stinging as bit.

I poddled down to the food hall and got me meal for one, then limped back up and out of the store. I held the door open for a lady as we left and found the rain was even more heavy than it was before.

I couldn’t manage me brolly up and cope with me two bags at the same time. What a day!

I made me way back through the City Centre and up King Street.

Then round to the bus stop via Trinity Square, but no photographicalistioning of shop windows today, it was too wet you see.

A Nottingham Pavement Cycling nearly caught me off guard while I was concentrating on avoiding the worst of the rain but somehow he missed me by inches. I Christened him as loud as I could manage by questioning his parentage with the use of one word.

He didn’t seem to notice and was off out of view within seconds… bless him.

I really must look into getting a clandestine camera to catch the pavement cyclists and send the photographs to someone who might be able to do something to bring this problem to the attention of the authorities who don’t seem interested at all in Nottingham, but find the time to prosecute people for throwing away a nub-end or feeding the birds?

The rain kept alternating with snow/sleet as I made my way to the bus stop and got on one without any delay.

I took a photograph through the bus front window as we moved up Mansfield Road. do you see the lighted little box on the right of the picture?

A God-send that is – it’s where we old-uns swipe of free bus-pass on entry to the bus.

I was soon back in Carrington alighting the bus and  popped into the Co-op because I’d forgotten to get any bread when in town.

I’d also forgot to get some hearing aid batteries from the Ropewalk clinic. Tsk!

As I left the Co-op shop, the heavens really opened up and made me way as quickly as me knees back and feet would let, back to the hovel.

WC’d, put the kettle on, started the laptop then made a cuppa and put me things I’d bought away.

Certainly nothing to make me ecstasiate today!

Overall a day of frustrations, pain, embarrassments and failed good intentions – a normal day for Inchcock then!

Hey-ho!

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