8:30 AM WOKE UP TO FIND CAT MISSING?!
I told Alexa to set an alarm to wake me at 8 AM; because, yesterday, I'd booked a Brixton Halfords FREE bike check appointment at 9 AM. When the alarm sounded at 8 AM; I told Alexa to 'stop' ringing...; and, basically, I went back to sleep for a bit.
At around 8:30 AM I decided I only got 1/2 an hour left to get to my Halfords appointment...; so, I better get up/washed/dressed/-etc.; as usual, I leave everything only until when the very last minute comes!
One of the first things I noticed when I went downstairs...was no cat greeted me in the morning...; as she usually wants her food really early. So, I thought to myself, most probably, she's not in the house. I went and opened up the back garden door; and, still no cat appeared? Seeing it's raining hard outside...; and, normally, when she's out there...and, it rains...she will immediately come in as soon as the door opens up. My conclusion was the cat's gone missing...?
Anyway, I had my bike to get fixed...so, I got dressed and went out...riding all the way down to Brixton Halfords...3 miles away.
At Herne Hill...I decided to cut through Brockwell Park...where I saw some guy practicing doing some boxing moves...whilst at the same time...running. The guy seemed to move really pretty well...so, as somebody who is a keen boxing fan myself...I couldn't help but to be fascinated. As I passed him on my bike...I shouted out...'boxing'...the guy looked; but, didn't actually say anything...just kept on doing what he was doing before. Me I went on my way...
9 AM BRIXTON HALFORDS FREE BIKE CHECK
When I arrived at Brixton Halfords...there was a guy who asked me did I book a bike check appointment...I answered him, yes.
He then, proceeded to look at my bike...with the aim to fixing it.
I told him...
- the handle bars...keep sliding off the handles
- the chain keeps on slipping
- the gears don't see to be working, properly
- there is a constant 'clicking' noise
- the bike wheels might need pumping up
At first, the guy was going to charge me £20.00; but, then, I said I brought a 3 year bike warranty; he said, if you have a bike warranty...; then, labour is FREE.
NOTE: He did also say the 3 years 'labour/not parts' bike warranty I'd paid for...runs out on: May 7th 2022/(at least, I think, that was the date he gave me).
Well, the guy didn't take too long to do what he did; maybe, 15 minutes or so. When he'd done...he said he's made a few gear adjustments...; and, finally, pumped up the tyres.
I said to him I'm 'amazed'...; because, I thought they were going to say...we are all fully booked up this Christmas...and, so, you need to come back Friday/when we will give you a call.
But, instead, they guy said, no; the bike is fully working, now...just go and ride.
9:30 AM LEFT BRIXTON HALFORDS TO RIDE MY BIKE BACK HOME
As soon as I'd left the shop, I could sense that something still wasn't quite right about the bike...for instance, I could still hear a 'clicking' noise every time I pressed on the pedal; and, basically, it didn't quite feel right...slow/heavy/not smooth.
However, there was a part of me...that was really pleased to have my bike still available to ride/and, I was also happy that both tyres had been fully pumped up; in other words, the bike did feel a little bit better to ride than before...; but, still nowhere near 100%...more like 50%.
I cut through Brockwell Park...and, came out at Herne Hill, Trinity Rise church entrance.
I stopped to inquire at the former Library...if there were any classes; the receptionist replied not until 2 weeks time...we will have a 'new' Timetable.
At that point, I thought to myself...well, this bike really isn't working too well; maybe, I should take it back to the bike shop to be looked at, again. At the same time, it's cold/raining...and, I just can't wait to get back home. So, I decided why not go home; then, phone them...and, explain what's going on about the bike...; see what they have to say about it, then.
10 AM WENT TO THE PICTURE STORE IN TULSE HILL
I went inside of the picture store in Tulse Hill...where I tried to buy some picture hooks; only to discover they had completely run out.
10:10 AM GREGGS, WEST NORWOOD/BROUGHT 2 HOT SAUSAGE ROLLS
I decided to buy 2 hot sausage rolls from Greggs...£1.00 each; because, it's been such a long time since I've tasted meat. (Mostly, I cooked eggs/baked beans, instead.)
10:20 AM JAMAICAN FOOD STORE...(OPPOSITE CHEMIST/NEAR PETROL STATION)/BROUGHT COCONUT ICING
I stopped inside of the Jamaican food store; where I brought 2 x different flavours of 'Coconut icing'; coconut drops/and, coconut 'red/white' paste. £1.50 each.
10:30 AM JAMACAN FOOD STORE...(OPPOSITE POST OFFICE)/BROUGHT 2 BEEF PATTIES
I brought 2 beef patties from the Jamaican food store, opposite West Norwood post office; they would only accept 'cash' payment; so, I had to withdraw £10.00 from the Post Office ATM across the road.
10:40 STOPPED AT THE OPTICIANS/(BUS STOP OPPOSITE WEST NORWOOD TRAIN STATION)
I told the optician that I had lost my glasses; and, when will I be due for a next FREE pair of glasses; he said he would go and look; when he came back he said...not until next year December 2021.
10:50 AM RETURNED HOME/STILL COULDN'T FIND THE CAT...
When I got home...again, I opened up the back garden door to see if the cat would appear, no! Then, my mind started wondering where the hell could she be...did she have an accident, possibly.
It is my cat's habit when she is seriously sick to go hide underneath the bed; so, I looked underneath the bed using a torch; but, she wasn't there, neither; instead, I found 2 missing items...
- My glasses
- the back cover for the remote control battery compartment
11 AM PHONED COUSIN SHARON
Before eating, I decided to phone my cousin, Sharon...just to tell her my cat's gone missing.
Her husband, Geoff, answered the phone...; and, I asked how he was/how's his mum/-etc.
Eventually, he said Sharon had returned back from walking in the rain; and, was dripping wet.
After a while, I got to speak with Sharon. I told her I can't find the cat anywhere...; then, really quite weirdly enough..the cat appeared at the back of the room...she was asleep, and, hidden by two black boxes(the cat herself is black).
We talked about me going over there Christmas...; but, I explained I really don't know how I will be feeling that day...Christmas Eve...; so, it's better to ask me during the last week.
She asked me about my aunt/mother's grave stone; but, I told her I'm far too broke to be able to afford that, right now.
Anyway, we closed the conversation there.
Afterwards, I had something to both drink/eat.
11:30 AM I PHONED BRIXTON HALORDS BIKE SHOP TO REPORT BIKE STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY
I phoned Brixton Halfords bike shop to report the bike is still not working properly, yet.
- The chain fell off
- Still hearing a 'clicking' noise
...they told me to bring the bike back in.
2 PM MIDDAY, RETURNED TO BRIXTON HALFORDS WITH BIKE
I returned back to Brixton Halfords with my bike...; they said they would take another look at it. Which they did. Then, they told me to go and ride it around the car park.
- When I tried switching gears, the chain fell of
- Still a, constantly, 'clicking' noise
...they took the bike over to be seen by one of the mechanics...who said certain parts are worn out/and, will need to be replaced. They gave me a receipt...stating that they would order the parts...and, inform me/phone me when to come back in.
2:30 PM BROCWELL PARK/ENCOUNTED BOXER, AGAIN/BUT, DIDN'T SEEM TO WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME
Again, I went through Brockwell Park...few people inside there...as it was still pouring down with rain.
Opposite the Lido area, there is a 'black' empty floor space where people work out; and, there I saw the boxer guy, again...a slim white guy/looks relatively young...I'd say around early 20's. He was practicing boxing in the rain.
So, I parked my bike inside of that space; and, tried going up to him and chatting...I asked him 'is it boxing/or, kick boxing?' ; but, basically, the guy just completely ignored me, altogether...; after which I immediately backed off.
When you are dealing with complete and total strangers...you never quite know what their mindset/or, intention is...they could be angry/or, 'mad'/or, just simply plain quarrelsome; I didn't want to get into an argument/nor a fight with a total stranger who I don't know; and, especially, not a skilled fighter...I could see this fighter was skilled.
For a minute, I just stood by the railings and watched; then, due to feeling rather uncomfortable that the guy might not want me watching him...so, I very quickly left.
This time I cycled home...taking the Rosendale Road path...and, coming out at West Norwood Cemetary.
