6 PM+ WINNIE PHONED
During the evening, I received a phone call from a family friend, Winnie. She just wanted to see how I was doing...we had a long chat.
I cannot, right now, recall all that we talked about...
- Chronavirus...that I recently got the jab
...and, quite a few other things.
2 PM-2:40 PM BIKE STOLEN IN BRIXTON
I was standing up in a queue in Brixton...; when I first looked up my bike which I'd chained up to a green post outside of the Beehive pub...was there...though, lying down on the floor(maybe, I didn't chain it up, properly?); and, the next time, I looked up...the bike was completely 'vanished'...?!
I looked everywhere all around me...; thinking I might see who the perpetrator(s) were...but, saw nobody...
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REPORTED BIKE MISSING TO THE POLICE
At first, I tried going down to Brixton police station to report it...; but, they told me I must go home to get the necessary details...bike frame reference nos./-etc.
So, I took the bus home...; and, then, got the details...returned back to Brixton police station...only to be told I must go back home...and, report the missing bike on phone number: 101 (non emergency police line).
I returned home...rang 101...gave them the details...then, was passed on to somebody else...who confirmed some further details; then, was told they would look into it.
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NOT TOO HOPEFUL I'M EVER GOING TO GET MY BIKE RETURNED BACK TO ME, AGAIN
Frankly, I'm none too hopeful that I'm ever likely to see my bike, again; after all, on the streets of London, I have lost so many bikes to date...seriously, it must all amount to over 20+...! I never got back a single 'one', yet; whether I reported it or not.
What I do very deeply regret...because, I'm unemployed/broke...therefore, cannot afford to buy a 'new' bike...is I should have brought some insurance...which I did not. If I had done that...I would, at least, have gotten back some money to replace it with a 'new' bike. Well, maybe, next time, I guess...and, especially so if the bike I brought is really expensive...this one was the most expensive I had ever brought in all of my entire life. So, I miss not just the bike...but, also, all of that money.
£350.00 Carrera, Subway Two, Black
£160.00 2 x £80 each heavy duty bike chain locks
£ 80.00 3 year bike care plan (labour/not parts)
=
£590.00 Total
Thus, constituting a massive financial loss to me. The most expensive bike I ever brought before cost just £200.00 in range, instead; and, this bike had cost me 3 times that sum!
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GOOD LESSONS
What I did learn when I went and brought myself a £350.00 Carrera bike...is the 'quality' is that much higher...in terms of ride quality; and, also,...
- the bike tends to break down so much less
- it runs pretty much 'puncture' free
- when in good order; it moved fairly 'fast'
I believe I owned that bike for around 2 or so years; and, as far as I'm concerned having had that experience was, really and truly, worth it. Meaning, I would like to replace it with the same exact model that I really 'loved' riding...far more than any other bike I'd experienced having before.
I'm thinking of going to Brixton; then, paying for it using monthly instalments. However, it may take some time to save up to get all of the other accessory gear...such as bike locks/bike warranty/-etc.
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I was totally negligent...
1> I knew the bike had fallen down flat onto the floor...; this would make it, instantly, noticeable to anyone passing by...including, 'bike thieves'.
However, I had chained up bikes before...which had fallen onto the floor...but, because they were chained up...I just left it there like that...and, there was no problem...it was still there when I returned.
2> I had two heavy Kryptonite bike chain locks...and, I should have tried chaining up both wheels...as well as, the frame. Unfortunately, I got really 'lazy'...and, instead, just used just one chain, alone, tying up the bike to the 'thick' lamp post...and, around the top of the bike frame.
Had I bothered with chaining up both wheels...or, even, a single wheel; then, even if it had not been properly chained to the lamp post...nobody could easily ride off with it...as both wheels simply wouldn't turn. If one wheel was locked...then, they would have to slowly walk off with it...but, using only 'one' wheel to move it. Thus, it was a really big mistake to leave both wheels unchained...massive mistake, actually...through just not having enough time/patience.
3> There were proper bike stands over across the road; but, me, being in such a dreadful hurry...I didn't bother to even think about using those.
After all, previously, I had chained my bike to the very same lamp post...and, it was never stolen, yet.
4> I had read about buying bike insurance...; but, for some reason, decided I just couldn't afford it...; instead, I wanted to save that money to go and do something else.
Buying insurance, always seems a little bit mad...when nothing is going wrong; it's only when things go wrong...that's when you have the very deepest regret that you did NOT get any proper insurance.
CONCLUSION
Make no mistake about it, I really miss my bike...; I miss loosing all of my money invested in it even more; and, the whole idea of having to start up saving to get another bike...honestly, makes me feel a bit 'sick'...what if the next bike gets stolen, as well(gotta buy some insurance, like it or not)?!
8:15 AM WENT FOR 1ST CHORONAVIRUS PREVENTION JAB
Early morning, I rode my bike down to Streatham, Westbury Chemist...where I was given my 1st Choronavirus prevention jab.
There was only slight pain experienced...; but, the process was really quick, and, all over and done with really soon.
They gave me a piece of paper recording...
- what batch number I had the anti-virus from
- the name of the anti-virus: AstraZenica
...and, there was space to record having taken the 2nd jab, as well; which won't be until June 13th.
COMPLETED DOING THE UK CENSUS ONLINE
I filled in the UK Census online; which was very important...otherwise, I could get fined.
APPLIED FOR 2 X CHORONAVIRUS PREVENTION JABS
After completing the census online; I decided why not apply for the Chornavirus prevention jab online, too. When I went there it said, I need to take 2 jabs...and, not just merely one...which I accepted.
Originally, I wanted both jabs to be administered in the same 'one' place: Streatham, Westbury Chemist; however, it wouldn't allow me to book that...; therefore, I was forced to book to take the 2nd jab elsewhere: Robson Road, West Norwood.
- https://www.duolingo.com
So far to date, and, for each of the last 14 days, I've maintained my topmost position on the studying leader board of 1st place.
NOTE: I had signed up for a FREE 14 day trial of Duolingo; and, today, that FREE trial period ends; so, that means they are about to charge my card £12.00 monthly; so, I'm going to have to make sure that there are sufficient funds in my a/c. to cover that.
I forgot to close the backgarden door; and, then, all of a sudden, my cat came up to the side of the bed; but, I really wasn't too sure what it was she was trying to tell me; so, I simply 'ignored' her...; and, continued studying French at Duolingo web site...using my iPad.
It was only, later on, when I got up somewhere around 6 AM...that I looked down to see the cat had brought in a 'gift' of a dead mouse straight up to my bedside!
Quickly, I wrapped the dead mouse in a sheet of newspaper; and, then, walking to the front door threw both the newspaper sheet/and, the mouse out onto the street pavement.
What a really weird way to start off the day...!
Some time around midday my cousin, Sharon phoned; I guess, it was to thank me for the kids presents.
However, I was studying hard on Duolingo...; and, was feeling about as tired as hell; so, I didn't bother sticking around to talk to her long.
I just told her make sure Geoff gets his bereavement card; and, basically, left the conversation there...sort of hanging in the air. I did, of course, explain that I'm feeling extremely tired; so, I would try and phone her back, later on.
Somewhere around 6 PM I did phone her back; but, there was no reply.
SAT 200221 VISITED SHARON LATE NIGHT TO DROP OFF KIDS PRESENTS
I was meant to have gone and visited Sharon, yesterday; but, most unfortunately, with ADD/Attention Deficit Disorder getting the better of me...therefore, I went and left it far too 'late'.
So, instead, I made up my mind to go and visit them, today; and, drop off their birthday presents which should have been delivered, yesterday.
I left home somewhere around 7 PM; and, with 3 trains to catch...the journey was extremely slow...I think, I actually arrived there somewhere around 8:30 PM.
West Norwood -> Norwood Junction -> Purley -> Kingswood
The first station I had to wait 15-20 minutes long...the 2nd station I had to wait about 20 minutes up to 1/2 an hour...and, the 3rd station another wait time of 20 minutes. Not to mention long train journey's in between stations.
When I eventually arrived, I rang the bell...; but, didn't bother to go inside of the house...; instead, I just simply said, here are your presents...but, now, I have to leave before the last train comes. I only got to speak with the 2 youngest children; not the adults/nor the teenage boy.
The truth is, I had been coughing a bit...; and, didn't wish to give any of the family Choronavirus entirely by accident...; that's the real reason why I didn't bother going inside of the home.
I brought 3 cards...each of which I signed up.
- Bereavement card the dad (who had just recently lost his mother)
- 2 birthday cards for the twins
...I also included some presents: toys/box of chocolates/peanuts/-etc. Oh, and, a Alexa device(I had given them this device before; but, when I got home it wouldn't work...; so, I decided to return it back to them...I think, it wasn't properly de-registered from their a/c.).
9 PM THE RETURN TRAIN JOURNEY HOME
My original intention was to get off at Tulse Hill train station. However, when the train arrived along the platform; I found I could not get off...because I was in carriage number 8...and, the station announcement said..."this station has a short platform/make sure you are in the right carriage to leave"...; because, I had travelled on my bike...it wasn't easy to rush to get out of the adjoining next train carriage, instead; so, I simply wait for the next train platform to come along which was North Dulwich.
I knew which way to ride from North Dulwich to get back home...turn left at the entrance...passing through West Dulwich...and, then, over to Tulse Hill/West Norwood.
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I noticed there are many 'teenagers' on the streets/and, also, using public transport during the late evening. I think, this is because Covid-19 doesn't affect the young as much as it does older people. I'm not too sure if the parents either let their teenage children out.../or, if they sneak out themselves without having their parents permission. I can certainly see where it's possible for teenagers to get into an awful lot of trouble on the streets...with their carefree, couldn't care less sensibility...and, also, willingness to try and experiment with attempting to do 'new' things.
For example, whilst sitting on the train, a couple of teenage girls came up and asked if I could light their cigarette. I told them, "no, I don't smoke." When they came and asked me a 2nd time, I replied: "You look a bit young to be smoking." One of the young girls reply to me was: "F*** off!" I decided it's best to totally ignore her; after all, I used to be a teenager with a highly rebellious streak myself.
