Friday, January 9 – Rain all day and pretty cold. No street meet: Mary in Spain, Mark in Brazil. Rang Ray Fiske in morning: sounds pretty bad. Judy offered to help us because I “looked tired”. Trouble is, I would have to explain what needs doing, which would probably take longer than doing it. Usual lunch for the two of us. Anne came at 3 and stayed a couple of hours. Dot seems much better – taking far fewer pills. In the evening cooked salmon and washed rags and a tea cloth, though not necessarily in that order. Watched a bit of TV – Christmas University Challenge and an Australian drama, plus Would I lie to you? which is very funny. 

Saturday – Dampness gradually dried out, and the afternoon was quite bright, though still cold. I didn’t have a very good night and felt quite odd today – took paracetamol. Well, someone has to. Janet Smith came go see Dot just after 10.30, and brought a plant. After she went I had a bath to try to feel better, but went to sleep and got one of my books wet. Spent some time later putting kitchen paper between pages, which Dot tells me is a Howard remedy.

Had egg on avocado on toast for lunch during which we watched Macclesfield (Northern Division) beat Crystal Palace (Premier League and holders) 2-1 in the FA Cup, followed by the usual hysteria from commentators. Saw a bit of Spurs v Aston Villa, which Spurs lost 2-1, though they looked much better in the second half. Had soup for supper, followed by fruit salad. Watched three episodes of The Little Drummer Girl (Dot has already seen four), which was pretty good.

Sunday – Dry at first but rain later. Cold. Listened to radio service, then Songs of Praise later. Also plenty of football, the rest of The Little Drummer Girl and another episode of The Night Manager. Usual lunch, and duck for supper. Felt pretty rubbish most of the day, either cold or itchy or both. Dot still making progress, I think. Put out rubbish. 

Monday – Mainly dry; much warmer. Hospital day. Got up early after difficult night, possibly because alarms set.  Always seems to happen. Roger and Debbie arrived at 10am to take us to the hospital. Roger’s height and weight very helpful on slope. Took push bar. Arrived in good time, to find the fracture clinic was just inside the East door. Picked up wheelchair, checked in and after a while (not too long) were told that she needed an x-ray (some doubt about whether she had plaster); so we went round there – not far – booked in at radiology and walked down to the x-ray rooms.

Waited quite a while, and I was not allowed to go in, but it went OK. Back to the fracture clinic and were eventually called: I did go in that time. Liked the doctor, who was very reassuring and said Dot was making good progress. Dot waited outside while I looked for the dermatology clinic and the gastro clinic, the second of which was not where it was stated to be on the internet. Eventually found it. Dermatology clinic was easier, being almost next door to the restaurant – our next stop. 

Bit cool, but I got us a scone, sandwiches and sweet to share, as well as drinks. I was due a call from the gastro clinic; so we left early for dermatology and had not got settled when my phone rang. I went out into corridor for quite a long chat. The doctor was keen to know as much as possible and seemed sorry not to be able to see me in person. He seemed to think there was some urgency, and has promised an appointment for a proper scan of my liver and abdomen as soon as possible. Meanwhile I had had a call from urology, who are going to get in touch again tomorrow morning. It seems they may be taking some notice of my progress. However the urgency is a little worrying.

I returned to dermatology where Dot was sitting stranded in a wheelchair but had managed to check in. We actually got to see a doctor early, and after some discussion Dot agreed to have a photo of her mole taken and to get it checked after three months. The doctor didn’t seem worried though. We made our way back to the fracture clinic seating, where I got Dot a coffee. She rang Roger, and he said he could get back to the hospital in about 40 minutes. That is what happened. We got Dot back into the car, and I dumped the wheelchair back where I found it. (Happily Roger’s car was big enough for us and for the walking frame.)

Traffic worse, but we were home well before 4.30pm, and Roger and Debbie came in for tea/coffee and Christmas cake, during which we heard a big sonic boom. Annoyingly, the gastro guy had told me to drink minimum alcohol before the scan. In the evening I cooked pies and we watched some. Christmas Uni Challenge and Call the Midwife. I cleared up and we went to bed quite early.

Tuesday – Much damper, but not constant rain. Urology woman rang as scheduled about 10am, and we had a chat, but not a terribly productive one. Later I had a bath, and in the afternoon I went to Morrisons and stocked up. While bringing food in I met Phoebe, who sent her best wishes to Dot. Dot made it downstairs, and we washed some clothes etc. Watched Pointless, which was.  Towards evening, as I cooked a ready meal lasagne, I realised we hadn’t had lunch, but it didn’t seem to matter. Finished off fruit salad. Watched Lynley, which was quite good. 

Just before that, Angela rang to say her brother John had died. He had been ill for a while, but it was a bit unexpected. He was in hospital. Always liked John when he was younger – he reminded me of his father Walter, and he had a great sense of humour – but something went wrong later on. Bit of a drink problem in the end. Very sad, especially for his daughter Donna, who was with him when he died. Her mother died not long ago. 

Sunday, January 4, 2026 – Again, didn’t seem much like Sunday, as Christmas didn’t seem much like Christmas or New Year like New Year. Very cold day with snow on ground but none falling. Quite a few people out, including Chloe playing snowballs. Did quite a bit of tidying up in preparation for taking decorations down tomorrow (if we’re back from hospital in time). (Ha! – Ed)

Norwich City managed to lose 2-0 to Stoke at home, which meant Dot was glad she couldn’t go. Sounded pretty pathetic. Started watching the last Ashes test, in which England are doing quite well. (Ha! – Ed) Des put some grit on road to enable Dot’s transport to reach us tomorrow. Message from O’dells to say neither of them too good: he has a bad knee, and she has a serious spinal problem. Phil tripped over his dog. Woof, woof. Put some more water in the piano  – a three-monthly ritual – then put together what has become a “traditional” lunch of crackers, cheese, ham, pâté, salad. In evening heated up the quiches that Bridget and David brought. After supper we both watched episode 2 of The Night Manager. 

Monday – Still cold. Bit of snow overnight and early afternoon. Very annoying day, because transport to hospital didn’t show up despite a couple of reminders, and we couldn’t get a new appointment from the clinic, mainly because they don’t like answering the phone. So we have to go through it all again – except that we shall be using our own transport. Dot spent most of day in living room – dressed because she was expecting to go out. I did a bit more clearing up in between feeling a mixture of angry and mildly ill.

Dot is definitely making progress and is vowing to get up every day for the rest of her life. Took Mary’s casserole dish back and discovered she’s going to Spain on Wednesday. Did usual lunch of crackers, cheese, ham etc etc, and steak pies for supper. Cleared snow off car and inserted new front seat cushion for Dot. I think it’s OK. Remade her bed. After supper FaceTimed David and brought him up to date with events. While we were speaking to him, a text appeared giving Dot a new appointment next Monday (12th) – by which time I hope I (and someone else) should be able to take her. In fact between us we have three appointments at NNUH that day! We might make it a special outing…

Tuesday – Mainly dry and bright. Hovering just above zero. Rain late in evening. Went to Archant pensioners’ breakfast – no subs and a guy I’m sure I know but can’t place. Eight in all. Had a bath afterwards, then went to Morrisons to stock up. Met a blonde woman I’m sure I know, but again names failed me. She had a very small grandchild. After lunch we watched Lynley. Set in Norfolk and pretty good, though Dot kept dozing. She was down in living room again. During the day she got two extra hospital appointments on unrelated matters (dermatology and oral). We now have three appointments next Monday between us. Cooked chicken Kiev and put out rubbish. Cleared up a bit, including sorting washing, and started on the mechanics of that. Two loads. Bed late after more tidying. 

Wednesday – Bright and dry; snow more or less disappeared but storm warnings everywhere. Exhausting day, too. Dot came down into living room and I made a couple of meals. Also did washing and drying, then remade bed, which was really tiring. Dot sat by Christmas tree and took lights and decorations off it. About lunchtime Howard came round and fixed the sink in the shower room – there was a bottle top stuck in u -turn. He also looked at cistern and is going to fix it. Good innings by Bethell in Ashes. Switched to sleeping with Dot, but on “her” side so that she can get to loo easily. Didn’t have a very good night. 

Thursday – Started dry and reasonably bright but by evening Storm Goretti was with us, which in our case meant pouring rain. Elsewhere it was much worse. Had bath, then finished pulling down Christmas decorations and putting them in the loft. Also took down Birthday and Christmas cards. Bridget came around 2.30pm, while Dot was still in bed, and did a two-hour clean. I had done avocado and egg for lunch followed by baked cod for supper – the latter was not too popular.

Dot and I had barely finished eating and were watching the last throes of the Ashes when Judy arrived for Cake and Compline. Also present: Bridget, David, Claire, Vicky and Nikki, who was as inspiring as ever. Quite a good time altogether. David FaceTimed just as we were packing up. Dot rang him back as I was bidding the others farewell, and we had a long chat. Cleared up afterwards and watched the end of the Ashes. Meanwhile Dot has arranged for her cousin Roger to take us to hospital on Monday in his “big car”.

Wednesday 31 December – And so the old year shuffles off, and we won’t be sad to see it go. After my being ill for a fair bit of autumn and messing up her birthday, Dot broke her leg in the week before Christmas and is confined to bed.

It wasn’t all bad, of course. Today has been bright and quite chilly, and especially memorable because Oliver and Amy drove from Aylesbury to see us, make us lunch and then drove back again. We managed to keep it a surprise  from Dot until they arrived, which was lovely for her. They put together a really nice lunch of croissants, cheese, ham, salad and crisps. After they left at 3pm it felt a bit empty; we watched yesterday’s Match of the Day and a couple of other things. Dot watched two episodes of Stranger Things and then got involved in something called Riviera. I watched a programme featuring Bob Monkhouse’s last show – to a private audience of other comedians. I’ve always liked Bob Monkhouse, partly because he delivered my favourite joke: “They laughed at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian. They’re not laughing now.” For some reason he reminds me of David Coomes.

I cooked some yellow haddock for our supper and watched a Champion Masterchef programme in which nobody did anything wrong but someone won. 

Thursday, New Year’s Day – Quite cold, but dry. Had a quick bath because Anne was coming to visit Dot. She arrived about 10.30 and stayed for a couple of hours. I joined in the conversation to start with but then left them to it. Cheered Dot up again, I think. House alarm went off twice for no apparent reason; I moved lighting wire away from main box, and nothing has happened since. Watched the end of Riviera on Netflix with Dot: she saw the whole first series. I cooked soup (pea and ham hock) and we finished off the blackberry and apple. Also had some mulled wine. Then watched (separately) the new first episode of The Night Manager, which was excellent. 

Friday – Very cold wind but dry. Snow in Braemar: A93 closed. So much  for my hopes for the alarm: it went off again at 3.15am; I reset it and it went off once more at 5.20am, at which point I rang the engineer. He arrived around 7.30am and thought he’d fixed it by adjusting some wires, but as he went to drive away it went off again, upon which he revised his opinion and felt perhaps the whole system needed to be updated; so he removed the battery and fuse, which prompted the outdoor alarm to go off for about ten minutes, as he predicted. Nothing since, thank goodness. 

Naturally I felt rather tired when I woke again at around 7.45pm. Took some paracetamol (as yesterday) and felt better by late afternoon (as yesterday).  Had a bath and then realised I should have been at Boots to collect my new glasses at 11.30. I rang them, and they said any time in the afternoon was OK. I walked up at 2pm, and the glasses seemed fine (after adjustment). Tried to get red milk on way back , but the one-stop shop had everything but; so I returned to Tesco on Prince of Wales Road and got their penultimate bottle, as well as some marmalade. Almost 7000 steps by end of day. Brief greeting of Michael and Margaret as we met on Aspland Road.

Later Mary came round with magazines, just after Dot had descended to living room for the first time. Fred rang – he’d heard about Dot. Then Janet and Derek Bower came and were able to have coffee with Dot. They brought a perch chair: not sure why.  After they left Dot went back to bed and I went over for street meet indoors at Des and Chris’s with Matthew. Very pleasant. Des got us fish and chips, but in taking it upstairs I spilled red wine on the stair carpet. Better keep Dot in the bedroom. Watched a very funny Would I lie to you? then some football – four matches, two goals. Washed and tidied up and went to bed.

Saturday – Very cold. Quite a bit of snow early on.  Des cleared our path late in the afternoon, when the snow had eased considerably. I went outside purely to empty rubbish – no real problem. Slept quite late and stayed in bed for a while reading paper and doing puzzles. Interrupted only by a routine call from the surgery checking on Dot’s medication. Crackers, cheese, pâté and various other items for lunch.

Dot managed to get down into living room for most of the afternoon, during which Bridget and David came bearing gifts, including food. Nice for us all to be able to sit in the same room. Then Des brought round food Mary had made for us – spaghetti bolognaise and  a strawberry dessert. Dot got back in bed to eat it more comfortably, and afterwards we watched The Holdovers, an excellent film about boys kept back at a boarding school over Christmas, under the supervision of a disillusioned teacher. Really well done. Felt quite ill at different times during the day – head was all over the place and I felt sick at one point. But as usual during the evening I felt better. 

Thursday (Christmas Day) – Bright, dry and cold. Dot is making some progress but is still confined to her bedroom and bathroom. To avoid doing damage in the night I am sleeping in the spare room. Both of us woke latish and during the day FaceTimed or were FaceTimed by Amy (with Dave, Julia and Vicky) and David and Oliver (later including Barbara, Roger and Chrissy). After breakfast we opened our presents, and I then tidied up.

Our Christmas dinner was supposed to come from church, but by 4.30 I had given up and started preparing meat and vegetables. Then Carrie arrived with food – there had been problems with cooking. So when I had sorted things out I heated it, and we ate: it was quite good. However I still cooked the turkey as it was ready to go. We watched Christmas episodes of Call the Midwife and Amandaland: the latter was very funny.  Tried to watch on Dot’s computer while lying in bed, but we both had neck problems; so I switched to the living room. Cleared up downstairs before going to bed. 

Friday – Cold but dry and bright. Hail and ice in Waterloo. Dot seems to be slightly better but still almost immobile. Got her breakfast, then had a bath – cut short for some reason I can’t remember. Spent a couple of hours cooking Christmas dinner: the turkey was already cooked but had to be sliced. Cooked roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and pigs in blankets. Stuffing awful but everything else good, especially the potatoes. Did quite a lot of clearing up, especially after the meal, and watched a bit of senior snooker. Later Dot and I both watched Call the Midwife, which was commendably high on Christianity and Jewishness. Earlier we listened to Norwich City beating Charlton 1-0. Dot watched quite a lot of Amandaland while I was cleaning up. Totally forgot it was Friday; so no street meet, especially as many others were away. Had quite a long FaceTime with David, Oliver and moments of Sophie and Chrissy. 

Saturday – Weather not quite so good, but positively benevolent compared with Waterloo. A little damp at times but not too cold. Only went out once, to give EDPs to Des and return a dish in which he had kindly supplied us with Italian-style nibbles. Felt a bit overcome at times, but much improved by the end of the day. Managed to watch The Italian Job – quite a funny ending, but I suspect they left it there because they couldn’t think of anything to do next. I’ve read a novel or two like that.

Also watched the Fourth Test in the Ashes, which was an astonishing win, marred by the way they presented it on iPlayer – very poor editing. Watched one or two other things either together (King’s College Carols) or individually. More supportive messages from friends and FaceTime from David, which is really encouraging for Dot. Phoned fracture clinic three times to change appointment, but no response despite promise to phone back. Cooked second slightly less complicated Christmas meal which went quite well. Earlier cut into Christmas cake, which was delicious (one of Marion’s).

Sunday – Chilly and a little rain, I think, though yet again I didn’t go out. Naomi threatened to come round but went to sleep instead. Finished responding to Christmas e-mails. Dot much the same, though I think feeling a little better. No response from fracture clinic: tried ringing hospital switchboard, but no luck there either.  Had crackers and cheese etc for lunch and then turkey sandwiches in the evening. Turkey now finished – will be running out of certain food soon. Found lots of paracetamol scattered round the house, so no worries there. Watched Match of the Day and Death in Paradise, which gets less and less credible, though quite enjoyable. Dot managed to give herself a good wash. All this is not in the right order, but time becomes less and less clear. Hardly felt like a Sunday: couldn’t find St Luke’s service, which is usually broadcast. Perhaps it was a joint service. Made a very small start on Parish Pump.

Monday – Cool; some rain. Lot of hassle in the morning trying to contact the fracture clinic, but they finally rang back while I was downstairs, and Dot fixed an appointment for Jan 5.  Now I have to see if we can arrange transport: Dot has been practising walking, but I don’t think we can rely on that. Spent much of day writing three pieces for Parish Pump: Mary Shelley, L S Lowry and Queen Victoria’s funeral. Sent them off (checked by Dot) about 2245, shortly after Norwich City lost 1-0 to Watford. Deflected goal in 96th minute. Naomi came round to bring presents from her and Lucy, and we had a chat. She didn’t see Dot. Later David FaceTimed: Oliver is back in Aylesbury, but Roger and Barb’s basement is flooded because it’s very  cold there and sump pumps failed. Spoke to Joe as I moved the car – he sent good wishes to Dot. Feel very tired, but cleared away. 

Tuesday – showers; cool. Rainbow over Morrisons. Bridget came to clean “as a friend”. Paid her as usual. While she was here I put petrol in the car and bought some food from Morrisons. Not as crowded as I thought it would be. We rang surgery on advice from Bridget or someone else, and they have arranged transport for next Monday despite our giving the wrong time for the appointment (corrected later). In the afternoon Leanne brought some wine and chocolates and had a chat with both of us in the bedroom. Her partner Rosco came to the door because she’d left her phone downstairs and he couldn’t reach her: she was supposed to have met him from the station. He seemed fine; Leanne is amazing, coping with all sorts of problems. Most of the day Dot seemed much better, but she had pain in the evening, possibly because she missed some pills. I cooked some salmon and stewed blackberry and apple. Felt very tired for some reason. Put rubbish out. 

A Christmas to remember – but I suppose I’d better start with Saturday the 20th and keep things in order for posterity, whoever she is. The 20th was dry; quite pleasant but chilly. Both of us had a bad night and so got up late. I finished off cards and delivered the ones for Aspland Road, then posted three at sorting office. Had chat with Jon, who was sitting in his car after cleaning the inside of his windscreen. Don’t ask.

Dot drove to Morrisons , mainly to get flowers for Angela. Later a parcel from David was delivered. I cleared up some leaves and put them in the bin, but felt tired out as a result. Spoke to Mary: Bob is not too well. She invited us round on Monday but don’t think we’ll make it, as we’re at Anne’s. (Or are we? – ED) Later helped Dot get Christmas decorations out of the loft, and she put most of them up, with not much help from me because I was washed out. Did cook dinner, though, and cleared away afterwards. In soccer news City drew 1-1 after conceding in the 96th minute and Spurs lost to Liverpool 2-1 after having two men sent off. 

Sunday – Damp and cold. Leanne had an upset stomach, so couldn’t visit. After lunch, we drove to Dereham via NDR and arrived exactly on time (1.30) at Phil and Joy’s, where we had tea and quite a long chat, and exchanged presents. Then on to Angela and Rodney’s for afternoon tea and more chat and present exchange. Good to see them. Angela’s brother, John, seems in a bad way. We left around 6pm and went back via NDR. Quite misty, but not too much traffic. We had to be careful on back roads, though. Back home, Dot cooked an excellent chicken meal, and we watched cricket and football. Both pretty tired. 

Monday – Dry but chilly. Bit of a blur from here, because I only got three hours’ sleep on Monday evening.  Carrie came round in the morning, but I can’t remember why – I think it was primarily to pick up eight packets of sugar that had failed to make the Roudham cut.  After she left and we had lunch, Jonathan arrived to bring and receive presents. While he was here disaster struck: laden with presents, Dot fell down two or three stairs. She screamed several times and had diarrhoea. Jonathan left fairly quickly, because he is a solicitor. I got Dot up to the bathroom, and she sorted herself out, but was clearly in a lot of pain. Eventually we rang 111  – a suggestion from Anne when we warned her we might not be coming to see her –  and they said it would be passed on to ambulance if a clinician did not ring her within an hour.

After a couple of hours I rang Carrie for advice (she’s a nurse), and when the doorbell rang, I assumed it was her. But it was the ambulance. They examined her and were concerned enough to take her to hospital with gas and air. Carrie and I followed in my car. We transferred to the ambulance while they went to check her in – took some time, but we eventually got to the amusingly named Rapid Response unit, and some time after that to x-ray, at which point I took Carrie home. When I returned, Dot was in what I thought was the Trolley Park, but was in fact a temporary “ward” – still part of the A&E. People there very kind, which was just as well, because she was there for a long time waiting for the orthopaedic surgeons, who were apparently dealing with a serious road accident. One of the nurses was a grandson of the head teacher who Dot had worked with at Surlingham.

I was eventually encouraged to return home at some point (can’t remember when), but returned after a few hours because there was no communication possible, which was not very helpful. I returned home again in the early hours and got to sleep between 3.30 and 4, waking again about 7.40 and not feeling well rested. 

Tuesday – Cold wind but dry. Up at the hospital Dot had had no food because they thought they would have to operate (nil by mouth) but in fact they decided that the broken bones were sufficiently aligned to heal on their own (hopefully). I received this news at home, because no-one knew when the surgeons would turn up. I returned to hear advice from physios on managing at home. I was also given a commode, crutches  and walking frame. Very difficult to get commode in car, but was assisted by A&E male nurse.

The idea was that I would go home and be ready for when the ambulance arrived with Dot. So I went home, and after many hours I (and Oliver) noticed she was on the move, and they arrived around 10pm. After reconnoitring they managed to get her into the chair and into the house, depositing her on the bed. She was in surprisingly good spirits. Or maybe it was the painkillers.

All this time I had been communicating with various people, including David, often with conflicting information. The outcome (no surgery) was good, but she has to go to fracture clinic on the 29th (if she can move) to make sure everything is OK. I don’t even want to think about what happens if it isn’t. 

Wednesday (Christmas Eve) – We both woke at about 8 and everything proceeded as expected, except that I was still exhausted. Sorted out loads of stuff to get Dot comfortable and thought we were getting somewhere. She has decided against the commode – it is very awkward. The walker is very good. Breakfast and lunch as usual, and did some washing as well as having a bath and rearranging various objects. Dot has written more texts than she can count; so most of Norfolk now knows what happened.

Watched Beyond Paradise on Dot’ s computer, interrupted by Howard on phone, who is very keen to help. I cooked Dot  (and me) meal of fried egg, bacon, fried potatoes and tomatoes. She is trying not to take too many painkillers. At 6.15 I went to Paul Henderson’s Christmas Eve event and chatted with Joe, as well as Paul and Holly. Couple of other people there. Had been very difficult to park. Paul gave us plant and another present. Drove home and got Dot some tea, then we had quite a long FaceTime with David and Oliver. 

Sunday, 14 December – Colder but dry and mainly bright.  Dot and I went to after-church refreshments to take Christmas cards in and had quite a few chats with those present, including Ray. Offered him a lift home but he is being looked after by Harriet. People seemed pleased to see us. Did some more cards in afternoon and some Amazon parcels arrived.

At 5pm we went over to Library Wood for carol singing and mulled wine. Talked to Des, Chris, Joe, Sam and Cleo; also Jude, who is shortly off to Bahrain to spend Christmas with her son. Had soup for supper and watched Dimbleby programme about Royal Family’s wealth. Finished my cards, I think. Saw Winter Walk programme in Wensleydale by Kate Bottley, who came over very well. Just under 3000 steps. Me, not Kate.

Monday – Dry and mainly bright. Dot took Ciara up to Lionwood Infants to pick up sugar. I finished most of the cards and sorted out most of the presents. Earlier had our feet done: mine got high praise from Aidan, and Dot’s were fine too. Posted a couple of cards through doors near us (the Webbs and Jude) and posted another. Felt very tired, perhaps not surprisingly as I did over 5000 steps for the first time for several weeks. Then Jude invited us for nibbles in the evening with three of her neighbours, which was very pleasant. On returning home watched a bit of football, then bed. 

Tuesday – Very damp and grey. A little rain. Dot went up with Des in his car to collect sugar from Lionwood Junior, and after counting it, we headed for Roudham. Dot came with me, and Ciara went with Des. They were following us, and they managed to stay in sight through the city and up the A11 roadworks, which weren’t as bad as I thought they might be. Everything went as anticipated, and we reached Roudham, with its magnificent ruined church, without trouble. Went the wrong way round the farmyard, but soon found the right spot to unload.

Then had food and drink – quite a few people there, some of them a bit high society, such as Lord Leicester, plus many members of the farming family – the Buckinghams, from Swafield – who started the charity. I spoke to several random people, including a bus driver from Thetford, Helen and Chris Lamb and Billy Buckingham, a grandson who works in sports media and enjoys getting live sport on to the screen.  Had a very long talk with him, discussing living in London and travelling to various parts of the world. Dot meanwhile got an insight into storing onions.

Drove home through misty rain. Then packed presents and I had a bit  of a panic when I couldn’t trace letters I’d sent, but eventually realised Search distinguished between ‘from’ and ‘to’. Weird.  Sent Bev letter on Facebook when I was trying to send it on WhatsApp; so put that right.  Cooked salmon, and we watched some TV, including another episode of Down Cemetery Road, plus Motherland and Kingdom (wildlife).

Wednesday – Dry but quite cold. Bridget came round to clean, and I typed out a quiz for her (and added a couple of questions). Dot drove up to the surgery to see the pre-diabetic nurse, Julia, who turned out to be very sensible and reassuring, actually advising Dot not to take any more pills and saying she was in good health. After her appointment Dot went to post office on Thunder Lane and posted parcels and cards, as well as buying a couple of presents. Later Dot and I bussed up into the city and went to Boots to choose some new glasses for me: they will be ready in the new year! Then we went to Jarrold’s and I got her a couple of things, and I left her to browse presents for other people.

Dropped in at Waterstones and bought a couple of books, then walked home through the Close. Very tired, but not as tired as Dot was when she finished. We had a drink, and Dot did some wrapping and packing. I would have done more, but she likes doing it. Oh yes, she does. I then cooked some duck legs (90 mins in oven), which turned out quite well, and we watched another episode of Down Cemetery Road. Facetimed David to tell him about his cheque and to discuss briefly what to do about Oliver and Amy’s presents – very briefly, because he was shopping. Dot did some more wrapping and packing while I cleared away. 

Thursday – I would say wet and windy, but that sounds too much fun. Actually windy and wet, and very dark. Drove Dot up to surgery at midday. Her scheduled doctor was ill; so (20 minutes late) she saw Dr Hampsheir, who seemed delighted to see us and even more delighted that Dot looked many years younger than 80. He reviewed her blood measurements, but seemed even more interested in a spot on her wrist, for which he has referred her to a hospital appointment. Yippee.

We then went to the post office in Thunder Lane, where we sent off Amy’s parcel and bought a few more stamps. Then home, but passing Lionwood by chance, we picked up some extra sugar, after Dot had managed to force entrance. Only eight bags…. After lunch Dot was  preparing to go to a violin lesson, but got a message from Anna saying she was in agony from knee arthritis; so instead she went on wrapping presents. I tidied and also wrapped a bit, but felt very tired; so lay down for a while. Had pizza for supper, then watched the last episodes of Down Cemetery Road, which was pretty good. Rather late in bed. Only 1600 steps, amazingly. Oliver has arrived in Waterloo. 

Friday – Colder but dry. Busy day. Linda arrived at 8.45 to give us a haircut. Afterwards I had a bath as usual, and Dot went up to The Chantry to met Julia and Allan for coffee in Costa. I followed them up there and joined their chat for about half an hour. Turns out Allan doesn’t like Costa coffee. When they left we went to Sketchers and bought some slip-on sneakers for Dot, then progressed to Slater’s, where we unexpectedly bought some trousers and socks for me.

Thence to M&S, where we got some Christmasy food, partly for Kim. Got the bus home and had a few crackers before driving to Kim’s house for afternoon tea and cake. Kai  was also  there, and we all had quite a long talk. Parked in a neighbour’s garage. Got home just after 5.30: Des was already in the street; so we put something warmer on and poured ourselves some wine. Matt and Angela  also out there. Pretty cold; so eventually went into Des’s house. Have just realised Joe may have come out and wondered where we were. Anyway cooked pies later and we watched the cricket, plus the end of a documentary on what the monarchy is for; wondered what David Dimbleby was for. Over 4000 steps. 

Tuesday, 9 December – Started very damp but improved to become bright and dry. Took bins in, then Dot and I drove to Worstead school to pick up sugar. Took it and what was already in our boot to North Walsham, where a very nice lady helped us unload it. Then went to Sainsbury’s to buy flowers and worked as a team to insert them in the Cousens graves – bit wet, but not enough to be a problem. Then drove back to Norwich and posted parcels in Thunder Lane before going to Rosary to put flowers in Lenton graves.

Today was my mother’s 114th birthday: put it in Facebook and got a couple of responses. After lunch (boiled eggs), sorted out card and present lists together and then sent off stuff separately – mainly my Christmas letters. And Dot’s cards. Cooked salmon and then Dot listened to evening match between Sheffield United and Norwich, which ended 1-1. I finished my Colm Toibin book while that was happening. Agreed with Dot it was a bit of an odd ending. The book, not the match. Afterwards watched a winter walking programme and University Challenge. Scraped over 4000 steps – first time for ages. 

Wednesday – Cool but not unpleasant. Bridget came to clean, arriving a couple of minutes before Dot got back from surgery, where she had pre-diabetes tests again. After lunch I walked up into city for an eye test, which lasted over an hour, partly because I had to have one of the. tests repeated. Unsurprisingly, my prescription has changed and I need new reading and driving glasses. Will get them some time soon, when both Dot and I are free. Wine arrived. I was very tired after walking up Rose Lane, and met Dot in M&S for a cup of tea. She had been unable to get what she was after, and so we got a bus home.

In the evening of course Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet and Nova. I did some more cards, and when she returned we watched the last episode of Shetland and a bit of European football. Dot was feeling “a bit weird” because she forgot to take her pills for two days (especially thyroxin). Her blood pressure is high, probably for the same reason. Somehow I reached over 4000 steps again – nearly 5000 in fact. 

Thursday – Relatively mild and dry. So much for the good stuff. Dot drove us to Wreningham in late morning, and we picked up a moderate amount of sugar, then headed for the chemist to pick up Dot’s late-ordered pills. They had the pills, but gave her a blood pressure test which came out very high (192), and she was told to go to the doctor – so we did. However the doctor wanted nothing to do with her and sent us to A&E, which is just what we needed. Meanwhile our Amazon parcels arrived.

I returned home for lunch, while Dot went through a pretty exhaustive examination in A&E, which showed she was in pretty good shape but didn’t really explain why her blood pressure was so high. So they gave her some pills with instructions to contact her doctor the next day. They say that as if it’s straightforward! I travelled through nightmare traffic in the rush hour to pick her up, literally inching forward down Ipswich Road after failing to reach Newmarket Road. Fortunately the journey back wasn’t so bad. I did some sausages, and we watched a bit of TV; Dot did some of her puzzles. 

Friday – Mainly dry and not too cold. Very busy day. Dot managed to get an appointment with doctor late afternoon. So she, Des and I picked up sugar from Long Stratton (glimpse of new bypass), Tasburgh and Newton Flotman, then continued to Diocesan House via the southern bypass, which had road works on it. Dot was able to chat with Paul Dunning, who is retiring and who she worked closely with. Then the three of us crossed via Ringland to the NDR and then to North Walsham via a small diversion to Worstead to show Des where the school was. Dropped off sugar at Benjamin Foundation, then drove home via bad congestion on Riverside Road.

After lunch drove Dot to surgery, where we  saw an excellent doctor (Dr Suraj Ranasinghe), who reassured her and prescribed pills, immediately available at chemist opposite (to which Dot has transferred). From there we went to Morrisons, bought petrol and a substantial amount of food. Back at home it rained a bit, but after unpacking we sheltered under Des’s garage for our street meet. (Des, Chris, Angela and Mary with us.) My legs ached a lot and I eventually sat on Chris’s folding chair. Felt aged. Des got us fish and chips, and we watched Return to Paradise – or at least I did: Dot went to sleep. Afterwards spent some time trying to put right a syncing issue for Dot. Felt very itchy. Just over 3000 steps.

Saturday – Bright, dry and not too cold. Walked Dot up to Carrow Road, then came back via sorting office. Exhausted. Had to lie down for a bit. Amazon guy rung me up from Leyton asking what he should do with Kristine’s present. Told him to put it behind the bin. I’ve left her a message: hope sh’s not in Germany. (She’s not, and retrieved the parcel later.) City beat Southampton 2-1, much to delight of Dot. Late lunch and caught up with cards/presents.  FaceTime from David. After supper watched some TV, including lucky wins for Liverpool and Arsenal. Just over 4000 steps. 

Thursday, December 4 – Cool and damp, but avoidable showers. Had bath, and Bridget came round to clean. Felt quite cold during the day, but better later on. Watched football on TV and read a bit. Also looked at family tree. Later we drove Jude to Cake and Compline at Claire’s: good session with Bridget, David, Vicky and for the first time Nikki, who found us after first going to Magdalen Street instead of Magdalen Road. Advent compline, of course. Nice food from Claire. 

Friday – Cold: had to de-ice screen. But fine until evening, when it rained hard. Dot came with me to surgery in morning – check on medication; “no problem” with head scan. Refused to take blood thinner. Doc a bit hard to understand but very pleasant. Afterwards changed next appointment and got pills. Then went to Morrisons and stocked up: also got petrol. Had bath in afternoon. Went out for street meet but was too cold: came back in. Dot stayed out with Des, Chris, Matt, Angela, Mark (who leaves tomorrow) and Joe and Sam. Drove to Sillars Christmas do with Dot and Nova. Tried to pick up Dave the viola player from Bullard Road, but  when we tracked him down he was clearly ill and Dot persuaded him not to come. Got lost finding the venue (Roundwood Bowls Club in Taverham) and so were quite late. Sat with Nova and Penny and later with Vicki and Anthony plus one or two others. Took a few pix and drove home quite successfully. Watched highlights of Day 2 of Ashes Second Test: not doing too well. 

Saturday – Stayed in again, though weather largely dry. Compiled the bones of Christmas card/present list and started on what would eventually turn out to be a Christmas letter. Still felt rather chilly and itchy, but am eating all right: Dot did some nice cod. Dot listened to Norwich match, which was on at 12.30. Did well to start with but lost 3-2. On the plus side Spurs won 2-0 and Liverpool drew 3-3 at home to Leeds. Watched some snooker, then later a couple of episodes of The Night Manager, plus an odd Motherland and Return to Paradise. Too much, I hear you say. You’re probably right, but I don’t have much energy.  Have noticed occasional dizziness too, which is a bit odd. But then I am a bit odd. Steps getting very low – under 1000 today. 

Sunday – Bright sky to start with but turned wet and miserable. I felt a bit better, even after having a bath and reading quite a lot. Dot spent a lot oof time on cards and presents, including going to Morrisons. I managed to finish a Christmas letter with pictures, which I checked with David when he FaceTimed in early evening. Chrissy seems to be quite a lot better. Watched quite a bit of football and the Ashes (lost 2nd Test, of course), then another episode of The Night Manager. Cooked meal (salmon) and cleared away. Joe has put some Christmas lights out. Watched Match of the Day before going to bed. 

Monday – Milder and mainly dry. Went with Dot to Brooke schools to pick up some sugar. Discovered water in boot again. Drained it and put in tarpaulin, plus sugar waiting in the garage. Ciara came round in afternoon to hear about sugar machinations: she will probably come with us one day next week. Booked an eye test for Wednesday and had another look at the Christmas cards/presents list. Also put bins out.  In the evening watched the end of The Night Manager, which turned out to be surprisingly satisfying. Cooked lamb, which wasn’t bad, but then it wasn’t meant to be. 

Saturday, November 29 – Plenty of rain, though perhaps not enough to qualify for the forecast warning. Stayed in bed during the morning, but later had a bath and got up. Felt better but still fairly fragile. Dot went to football of course and was rewarded with a 3-1 win against QPR. Played pretty well, she said. Watched a couple of episodes of The Black Swan (Danish) and a couple of Return to Paradise. FaceTimed David: Chrissy improving though still with little energy. She was lying on the couch. Spurs lost 2-1 to Fulham. Dot did me avocado and egg on toast, followed by fruit. Have lost quite a bit of weight but now eating well. Still rather shaky, which probably isn’t surprising. 

Sunday – Advent, hope. Weather bright and dry but cool. Still quite reluctant to return to reality, though after a bath I went down to kitchen to chat with Dot and Des. Cooked myself some avocado, toast and egg with truffle oil. Gradually refuelling, though aspects of gut still a bit worrying. No pain, though. In the evening Dot went for a meal with Anna and Howard, plus Matt and Amanda, Phil and Clare  and had a good time …. I stayed at home, watched the end of the Danish documentary, The Black Swan, and some other bits about villages by the sea, plus some football. Also cooked myself some soup with sourdough, and had jelly and biscuit. 

Began reading Long Island by Colm Toibin. Dot home around 10.45, and we watched a couple of matches before bed. 

Monday – Very damp again, but some dry periods. Grey. Both slept late. Felt a bit shaky but improved as day went on, especially after Dot cooked me lovely fish meal (I did potatoes). Drove Dot to violin lesson at 4pm and picked her up at around 5.20pm. Apparently she did well. I caught up a bit on e-mails. We put rubbish out in evening after watching a couple of episodes of Edge of Darkness, set in 1980s. 

Tuesday – Quite pleasant, with some sun. Happy to be able to get to Town House at lunchtime for the Archant pensioners’ Christmas meal. Practically everyone was there when we arrived early, but fortunately Tricia had saved us seats. Meal very tasty, though it could have been hotter. Had no trouble in eating a fair bit.

Afterwards drove Dot to Boots, then went home to rest while she shopped there and at Morrisons. Picked her up around 3pm. Felt very tired but improved during rest of day – kept nibbling. Watched final four episodes of Edge of Darkness, which was very well done, though I would have liked more people, especially in suits, to get their comeuppance. Also a bit green at the end. Interesting piece by Ian McNeice  commenting on it. Des has reported another drug dealer. Think I’m feeling better. 

Wednesday – Dry; still chilly. Bit more energetic but felt cold in the afternoon. David FaceTimed; glad to say Chrissy is improved and looking much better. Did quite a lot of practical things; caught up on e-mails, wrote some things for Diderot, checked bank account etc. Sent some quotes to Amy. While Dot was out at orchestra rehearsal (she drove herself and Nova) I went into the loft to look for last year’s Christmas list but couldn’t find it. Still, got rid of suitcases. Earlier went out and checked the tyres because of repeated dashboard warnings. As expected, they were fine. (Same thing happened last time it was serviced.) Dot worked out  sugar list for schools. Watched penultimate episode of Shetland.

Wednesday, November 14 – ten days ago – Showery and cold. I left at 10.40 to take Mike Read to Graham Wright’s funeral. Lots of nice things said (rightly), but a complete absence of the supernatural. Also the civil celebrant spoke too quickly. No singing or prayers, but some good music – Hey Jude, Albatross, Whiter Shade of Pale… Also there was Frances from the ECN library (where Joy Wright worked), and we sat with her, because she didn’t know anyone else. Afterwards left Mike with some chess friends and rushed back to join Bridget’s birthday party at the Maids Head. 

Bit of a struggle to get there (walked from home), especially as I couldn’t find Bridget & Co (including Dot) in the hotel – had to ask. Lovely refreshments of sandwiches, chips and tea. Dot had been given a lift up by Colin Wright (no relation), who is fixing our front wall. Also there were the Cake and Compline group (except Phil and Vicky) and some people from Christ Church who I’d met. Oh, and David (Archer) of course. Took some nice pictures. Dot and I walked home afterwards, and I took the opportunity to lie down – feeling cold and tired. Later cooked some eggs and baked beans, and Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet and Nova, at a temporary venue off the ring road near Sprowston. I spent hours trying to work out how to pay for scratch card parking (largely because I  had to upload a utility bill, which is not as easy as it sounds). Managed 5000 steps. Heavy rain evening and weather warning of possible snow in Norfolk tomorrow. Had FaceTime with David: he had a good journey back.

Thursday and Friday – Ill. Thursday was very wet, and I had felt so bad during the night with stomach pains etc that I never got up. Should have gone up to walk-in centre, but thought I’d give it a chance to sort itself out. Mistake, obviously. Woke at 7 the next day and discovered the walk-in centre was already open. Dot heroically drove me up there, and I was seen in about ten minutes. Not too impressed with nurse, who reminded me of Philip Robinson (Sorry, Philip). He prescribed a different antibiotic, and we drove down to Boots at Riverside to get it – had to wait a quarter of an hour for them to open. Went back to bed. 

Antibiotics had to be taken with food, which was awkward because I wasn’t hungry. Discovered later in the day that I’d forgotten to take my usual pills both yesterday and today. Colin is making progress with the wall, and Dot had a long visit from Nikki. Lots of nice messages from others, and Des also came over, together with Mark and Sarah with flowers, drink and chocolates for her birthday. Really kind. Later Dot went over for indoor street meet at Des’s, and I found a card to give her. Not exactly what I’d planned. Put off Parish Pump, thank goodness, in view of what followed. 

Saturday – Again very wet, but I didn’t venture out. Dot made arrangements to get Anne and Kim to her concert, and spent a long time receiving gifts, visits and messages for her 80th birthday. She is very popular, unsurprisingly. She is lovely, after all. She left for rehearsals at about 3 and gave me a ring halfway through. Rehearsals very good. And so was concert. At end Dot was singled out for having a significant birthday and everyone applauded and sang Happy Birthday. Wish I could have been there. She got back just after 10, accompanied by a woman screaming in the distance (no idea). David, Oliver and Amy wrote lovely things on Diderot about her. There was probably more: I was in a bit of a haze. 

Sunday – Slight improvement in afternoon, both in the weather and my condition. Had long bath, ate soup and jelly – oh, and a round of toast earlier. Finished reading Exit Music – pretty good – in bath. David checked in by FaceTime and Dot wrote many thank you notes. I caught up on e-mails. Felt quite a lot better but still very tired. 

Monday – Lovely in Norwich, but very wet by the time we got to Blakeney. Bit of a miracle we did, as I was still feeling well below par. Some kind of miscommunication with Evetts meant we did not meet till cocktails. I wasn’t really with it. Dot did most of packing and organising, checking with Colin and neighbours. I ate some soup and jelly and a few biscuits, and watched a bit of football on TV. I am now not really in pain, but have a sore chest and am hoarse, as well as heavy-headed. 

Tuesday – Mainly sunny, but with some heavy showers. Not that I would know, as I stayed in bed after joining the others for breakfast. Managed to eat boiled egg, croissant and a bit of fruit. Thought I was on the up… but got very tired and had to sleep while Dot drove others to Jarrolds Letheringsett and then Holt. She got back mid-afternoon, and I finished lots of puzzles in the paper, including tough sudoku. Felt a bit down before supper, but managed a small plate of Binham Blue fries, plus rather too much drink. Afterwards we joined the Evetts in their remote room for a splash of Jack Daniel’s and some chat, before making our way precariously back to our room. Meanwhile after leading Oxford 1-0 for a long time, Norwich conceded in the 96th minute, a fact noted by Dot’s cousin Adrian. 

Wednesday and Thursday – Weather mixed. Think the previous night’s drinks didn’t go down well, because I had a bad night followed by a bad day. Dot took Dave and Julia to Wells, and they seemed to have a good time. Dot was almost complimented on her driving, which is in fact excellent. I was brought some soup by room service – cauliflower soup, very nice. Seemed to have a better night and was able to get to breakfast (boiled egg) and then help with packing and paying. Left about 10, just after Julia and Dave. Journey back no problem, and watched some football with Dot for about an hour +.  Then stomach hurt a lot (gas); tried bath but had to go to bed and slept for 2-3 hours, after which I felt better. David FaceTimed: Chrissy has flu, and so has Roger. We had quite a long chat. Dot went to shop, and on her return I took my last tablet with biscuits, cheese and jelly. Stayed in bed. 

Friday – Sunny. Looked nice, but I didn’t go out. Felt decidedly better, though I had to take paracetamol. Ate a bit – Dot did me boiled egg. I helped sort out newspapers, and then she drove to the Marsh Harrier for lunch with Julia and Allen.  They had asked her a couple of days ago whether she wanted to postpone, but she hadn’t seen it. While she was out I shaved and had a bath, which made me tired for some reason. Brown bins haven’t been emptied despite protests from Mark.

Later street meet was in our lounge because of rain: Des, Chris, Mark, Matt, Ciara and Dot. I was in bed after having eaten some soup. When they went I went down and watched two episodes of Shetland with Dot. After she’d watched the end of a Vera she’d been looking at, she brought me a cup of tea. Earlier David FaceTimed: Chrissy still quite ill, and so apparently is Roger.