Very warm week. On Monday drove to Morrisons and restocked; also filled up with petrol. After lunch walked up to solicitor’s and showed Bethany my copy of Phyllis’s will; but it wasn’t any improvement on Anna’s version. Don’t know what Howard did with original. Felt pretty tired; watched football and cricket on TV. After supper (Dot did blackberry and apple crumble) we watched a couple of other things, and David FaceTimed around 10pm. All seems well.

On Tuesday drove to Town House for Archant Pensioners’ breakfast. Not as many as usual – Robin has an “improving” infection, and Brian’s son Nigel broke his femur so couldn’t drive him there. Sat with Richard, David, Jenny. Afterwards drove Des and Chris to Urban Jungle to buy some ferns for Mark and Sarah, who are getting married today. Took in a parcel for Mark – it was sitting on their porch. Caught up with some computer stuff and some tidying. Watched next two episodes of DNA, a Danish noir that is particularly well done.

Wednesday – Even warmer; so of course the BBC gets very excited and says some pretty stupid things. Back in real life, Dot and I watched the cricket, in which England lost to New Zealand, making it 2-2 (T20). Then I walked up to the church. Dot would have taken me, but we were awaiting a wine delivery. Had a good Bible study, with Jude, Debbie, Steven and Stacey. Then I fell over while I was walking through the churchyard. Fell quite hard, and twisted my ankle slightly and cut my knee. Nothing broken, though. A young lad rushed over to help, but I was Ok and could even walk home without much trouble. Fortunately my face hit the grass and not the path.

Arrived home just before the wine, and Des and Chris came over so that we could all give the ferns to Mark and Sarah as a wedding present. Earlier Sarah had picked up the parcel I had removed from her porch yesterday. Late lunch, which meant neither of us was really ready for supper, but Dot had a shot at it, because she had to go to rehearsal. I put mine aside to heat up later. I drove Dot up to orchestra because her usual lift was not available, and she was worried about parking. Came back and laid down to listen to one of the sessions from Kim’s conference, which was largely about prophecy. Quite moving. Ate my food afterwards. Vicki gave Dot a lift home, and we had a drink to celebrate!

Thursday – Very warm again. BBC goes into full panic mode. (I’m just guessing. I haven’t listened to it.) Actually I didn’t feel too good, but later on things improved. Dot did an imaginative card for Oliver, and I posted it – to Scarborough. What could possibly go wrong? Wrote a piece for Square One about sham consultations, among other things. Tried to help David with a gift for Oliver, but had the same problem with Amazon as he did. He sorted it later. Bridget came and did since cleaning while I laid down and read some of Labyrinths, which is brilliant. Cooked pies and watched a bit of athletics while we ate them. Also watched the first in a Channel 5 series about Norfolk and Suffolk: this particular episode majored on Peter Beales Roses and featured Ian Limmer very strongly. Dot drove me and Jude and Eleanor to the Archers for compline.  Everyone there except for Phil. Told them about prophecy talk. Felt better at end of day. 

Friday – still warm, bit of cloud but not much. Mainly quiet, but in the evening went over to Mark and Sarah’s to celebrate their wedding. Nearly all neighbours there – except Bob and Mary but including Nina and Neil from Chalk Hill Road. Really good time: drinks and nibbles Had interesting conversation with Scottish Angela, among others. Lovely atmosphere. Neil is insulation expert; Nina works in Jarrolds. Handbags at the moment, but she’s been there a long time.

Today is very warm. A week ago it was reasonably warm, but with a cool breeze. Put my jumper on, then took it off. Put heating on. Read quite a bit in the bath. Put rota in the calendar and on website (correcting a couple of mistakes). After lunch walked up to solicitor, which was shut. I realised later in the day it was a bank holiday. Posted document through the door.  Looked in Cathedral shop for birthday card for Joy but without success – they were selling Christmas cards! Eventually bought card and chocolate in Jarrolds and some sweets for Dot.

Very tired on the way back. Couple of young teenage boys asked me directions to the Riverside Arcade. Think they were surprised I was pleasant to them. Quite cheeky! Watched final two episodes of Wolf, which turned out to be better than I thought it would. Also two episodes of DNA – a second series of the Danish thriller. Also good. 

Tuesday was reasonably warm, but cooler and some quite heavy rain in evening. Have now written five poems in a few days, which is quite satisfying. Sent three entries to Twelve Rivers magazine. Got my new pills from the chemist, after waiting while a woman told everyone about her father dying at 94. Collaborating with Des and Chris about buying a wedding present for Mark and Sarah. Watched documentary on failure of Cornwall space launch, then got cases and pillows out of loft. 

Wednesday’s weather was mIxed. Bit of a chill in the air, and some heavy showers. Busy day too. Had our hair cut (mine very short) , and then Dot dropped me off at church for Bible study, together with pillows for Steven (not to go to sleep on during Bible study) as requested. Dot then picked me up (with a sandwich), and we drove to Dereham with parcels for Joy’s birthday next week. Phil and Joy both quite cheerful, but obviously not well. We got back a bit late for Bridget, who was cleaning a day early, but no problem. Paul Henderson came round at 6pm to return our exercise bike (aargh!) and he stopped for wine and pizza plus. Had quite a long chat. 

Off to Blakeney on Thursday. Fairly warm, but quite cloudy and with some cool wind. Paul left his car in the drive while he went to London with  a friend. We left just after 2pm, and after the usual slow journey arrived in Blakeney just after 3pm. Evetts were ready there. Had checked in online, so we were soon in our room, which was quite superior to how they used to be. Said hello to Evetts then unpacked and met them at the Two Magpies around 4.15pm. Then back to our room to relax before meeting them at 7pm for drink. Meal was at 7.30pm and extremely good. I had steak frites, as did Dave. After meal we walked down to the quay to catch high tide, but it had gone down quite a bit, though it had obviously been pretty high. Back for final drink in bar, then bed. 

Friday was grey and drizzly at first, but warm. Very high tide: went to take pictures before breakfast. Dot and I both had a very bad night. Later drove to Holt to check train times, then parked at Baker & Larner and bought a little food while Dave and Julia went to Byfords. Caught train to Sheringham and walked into town. Had lunch at The Kitchen – good food with excellent toilet! Then walked to seafront and visited Upcher lifeboat. Walked back through town (recognising where I used to go with Mum) and got train back. Lots of kids and dogs. Quite funny. Dot drove back to Blakeney from Holt. Relaxed and had bath. Anna rang from solicitors’ about Phyllis’s will. Evening meal (8.15) at The Moorings. Steak again. Last drink back at hotel. Quite late in bed. 

Saturday was warm, sunny and dry. Walked down to the quay before breakfast and found tide high again, and still coming in. Afterwards we all went to have a look, but it soon started falling. We were going to  Wiveton cafe, but the path was shut, possibly for a wedding. So we walked out through freshes and joined coast path to Cley. Enjoyable but tiring. Went to cafe at Cley, and Dot and Julia bought stuff in the attached shop. Bus back to Blakeney: walked down High Street and called at another hotel (Blakeney House) to look at prices, but they were having a private wedding. Lot of it about. I went back to the hotel while Dot shopped: found they hadn’t cleaned our room. Picked up teas, coffee etc and made do. Later FaceTimed David, who was cleaning the compost bin but seemed happy. I felt very tired and had a coolish bath. Cosmopolitans the at bar before going to the Moorings for meal. Sea bass. Ok. Back for drink before bed – felt very tired. Had trouble keeping balance, but wasn’t drunk. New pills?

Sunday was very warm. Packed and checked out, then drove up to Felbrigg Hall, where we met the Evetts, sitting at a table in the sun. Had cup of tea and felt very hot. Decided to look round the house, then had lunch (egg mayonnaise sandwich), again in the sun. Walked round the walled garden, getting tireder and tireder; eventually Dot and I left, and I drove home. Felt pretty rotten. Lay on the bed for a while, then had sardines on toast. We drove to Lowestoft for a Seagull session. Wanted to go because I’d missed the previous one. Read five poems – Not Phoenix, Oystercatchers, A Question (of Time), Where you Stand and The Sands of Time. Ivor did a piece on following his lay preacher father around – very similar experience to mine in Coventry. Drove home after chatting to Lynne and Ivor, and Ian. Felt considerably better. Quite a bit of mist on the road.

Last Tuesday it was still warm in the evening. The Murrays were safely in the Heathrow Hilton. I worked out the rota, and we FaceTimed with David. The next day it was warm again. I walked up to the church (feeling very tired) and did a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13 with Steve, Judy and Stacey (after a while). Went quite well, I think. Walked back home and had lunch; then rested on bed. Dot walked to Morrisons, and I picked the shopping up in the car while she walked home.

After supper (mussels) we watched world athletics from Budapest: Josh Kerr won a surprising gold in the 1500m. Also saw a couple of short programmes about island people (Hebrides and Welsh). Amazingly, Dr Hampsheir himself rang me up in the early evening about my blood pressure results; apparently the lower readings were a bit too high. He is putting me on new, improved beta blocker tablets at a very small dose for a month’s trial. The Murrays got in touch to say they were home.

Thursday was sill warm, but cloudier. Humid. Walked up to funeral director’s for 10am – on my own because Anna had migraine again, though she recovered enough to give Dot a violin lesson when I drove her down there in the afternoon. Spoke to Glynn and sorted out what the headstone wanted, but have to drop off the deed of burial rights that Anna had. Dot picked it up for me in the afternoon. She walked home. Both of us feel exhausted for some reason. Des and Chris also not fully recovered from “cold” after two weeks. Bridget came and did cleaning. Watched two episodes of The Chosen and some athletics.

Friday was (you guessed it) still pretty warm. Mixture of cloud and sun. Kim came round for lunch and we had a long talk: she is going away on Monday until the beginning of October. Spoke of devious goings on in Hawaii concerning the fires there. After lunch took the certificate to Glynn at the funeral director’s so that he could proceed with Phyllis’s gravestone. Street meet with Des and Chris, Mark, Matthew, Jonathan. Drank Barb’s Prosecco. Watched athletics again. 

Saturday was a bit cooler. Lunch date with the Gazleys was cancelled because Phil has a stomach upset. Caught up on editing pictures (quite a few of them) and wrote a new poem. Norwich beat Huddersfield 4-0 away. Watched more world athletics – surprise bronze for Ben Pattison in 800m, and less surprisingly for 4x100m women. Started watching a very weird thriller called Wolf.

Yesterday was definitely chillier, but warmer in the sun. Went to church and played in worship group and gave sermon, which I think went over quite well. It made me think, anyway. Watched football over and after lunch. Wrote another poem and a bit, then – after an omelette – the last day of World Athletics and another episode of Wolf, which I wish we hadn’t started watching. Now of course we have to see what happens. 

It’s warm and sunny with a nice breeze, and the Murrays departed on the 1pm train, which was about a quarter of an hour late because Greater Anglia had to replace it for some reason. Pretty annoying, because we were at the station nearly half an hour early, which meant they had a lot of hanging about. Still…I think we all had a pretty good and busy time apart from that.

Going back to last Wednesday, it was again warm and dry. Dot felt a bit better, but we both  felt very tired. The carbon monoxide alarm went off during the night, but of course it was just because it was getting old – why does this always happen in the early hours? Was awake quite a long time. I went up to the chemist to fetch my pills and found it eerily quiet. Also they had the pills. Odd, Holmes. Walked to church (and back) to do Bible study with Steve, Stacey, Debbie and Judy – went quite well. Had a light lunch in view of what was going to happen later.

Dot felt increasingly better through the afternoon, and we left just after 4pm for Blakeney, where we picked up the Murrays and went to Morston Hall. Being the driver, I couldn’t indulge myself, but I had one glass of wine as well as a non-alcoholic gin and tonic, which tasted exactly the same as an alcoholic one. We arrived at 6pm and left about 9.30pm. There were seven courses, plus canapés, which sounds a lot and is – especially as I wasn’t feeling very hungry to start with, for some reason. Obviously the courses were very small, but they were pretty intense. By the fifth and sixth I was flagging, but the seventh (greengage and almond tart) was excellent. Altogether a memorable evening. A young couple sitting quite close to us had clearly just got married, which was nice. Afterwards we dropped off the Murrays at Blakeney and drove home. Nice to have nearly empty roads. I tried a diversion near Norwich, but it didn’t really work. Straight to bed. 

Thursday – Seemed a bit cooler; mixture of sun and cloud. Felt decidedly better. Amy got her place at Southampton with an excellent A, A and B. Spoke to her briefly on FaceTime. So pleased for her – she deserved it. Wrote a positive piece for Square One – not on Amy’s A-levels, but on other matters – but I wasn’t sure how good it was! We went to Waitrose to buy some stuff for the next few days; but it was a trial getting there. Not sure the shop is as good as it used to be. Bridget came round to clean, especially guest rooms! Watched another French thriller. They’re really rather good. 

Friday was mainly dry, though very cloudy and spitting a bit; so when we picked up the Murrays at just after 10am, we decided not to go to Felbrigg but drove straight home. Barb wasn’t feeling too good but improved during the day. Stayed in, except that Dot took me to Anglia Square to meet Steve and give him a pep talk. Then ran into Anna and her grandchildren. At home, the TV went wrong and I couldn’t fix it despite numerous attempts. Frustrating. Went outside for the street meet, by which time the weather was warm and sunny. Des not well, but Chris came out: also the four of us, Mark and Sarah; John; Jonathan; Matt; Ciara. Then walked to Delia’s and had nice meal, which Roger paid for. Shattered by the time we got home. Straight to bed: felt a bit sick. Heavy rain during the night. 

Saturday was warm and dry. Spent much of day walking round town, starting along the riverside path and having lunch at Jarrolds. Met Stephanie Caine in Bedford Street and Adrian the busker in London Street. Called at market and Forum, where I began to feel very tired. Back to the Cathedral, where we caught a bit of Evensong, then home. Brief chat with John’s partner Tara, who’s also Canadian. Des seems better. Had to lie down for a while. Various attempts to fix TV failed until Roger restarted box. Now seems OK. I cooked salmon and we watched a few episodes of Outnumbered. 

Sunday was warm again, unless you’re Canadian. Spent most of the day at Houghton Hall, home of the Cholmondeleys and built by Robert Walpole, the UK’s first prime minister. One of my favourite places, and not too many people there, possibly because the Lionesses were in the world cup final (losing to Spain). Norwich were beating Millwall 3-1. Saw the house and grounds (including the famous Sky Space), and enjoyed food from the cafe, then explored the walled garden and the brilliant flame fountain. Saw the deer. It’s a marvellous place. Highly recommended, though I wasn’t too impressed by the Scully exhibition – but that didn’t matter.

Drove home and had Prosecco in the garden; then I cooked chilli con carne, which we ate with the rest of the blackberry and apple crumble from yesterday. Finished the evening by watching another couple of episodes of Outnumbered, and (after the Murrays had gone to bed) West Ham beating Chelsea 3-1 on MOTD2.

Yesterday I walked more than 12000 steps; it was pretty warm. Had early lunch at about 11.30, and after clearing up drove to Strumpshaw Fen. Walked the full circuit , stopping at both hides. At the first, ran into Ken McEwan and his wife – top Norfolk chess player of many years standing. We were  waiting for Dot, who had left her phone in the car and had gone back with Barb to fetch it. Slow progress round main path – very tired at the end. Dropped Dot and Barb off at Rosary, and they walked home. In evening walked to the Ivy for our last meal together. Excellent meal – I had superb duck pate, sirloin and crème brûlée and the service was excellent. Quite expensive, though. About £250 altogether. Outside gave a man £10 to buy food and suggested he come to St Augustine’s. Walked home and watched another two episodes of Outnumbered. 

An odd week, alternating between very busy and very quiet days. Mainly warm and dry. Have been watching a series of French thrillers with subtitles (obviously), which are very good. Last Thursday I was not feeling great – very tired – but managed to finish four Parish Pump articles – on Landseer, the Marshall plan, Beatlemania and Paddington Bear. Dot went to Morrisons in the morning, and had the car cleaned. Afterwards a warning light came on in the car, but I think I’ve sorted it. Seemed to be something to do with the battery.

After lunch drove up to the Rosary and did a cleaning job on the two main graves – quite strenuous – as well as putting flowers on both of them and on Andrew’s. Then filled car up with petrol. Watching some old episodes of Outnumbered – really very good. At bedtime thought I might be feeling better, but next morning I was not so good again. Warm weather, though, and dry.

Roger and Barbara arrived about 12.30. We put luggage in our car, and I travelled with Roger to the airport while Dot drove Barbara to the airport hotel. After we dropped off the car (handily ran into Avis guy in the car park – not literally) Roger and I walked to hotel, and I drove us all to Blakeney in painfully slow traffic. Parked in Blakeney Hotel car park and located their flat, then had snack at Two Magpies. Afterwards unloaded luggage and drove home. Street meet at 5.30 – usual four plus Johnathan, Mary and Bob, who are selling the Bongo. Des bought us some chips. Watched a bit of TV until Oliver and Amy arrived about 9.30. After snack and chat, went to bed. 

Saturday was mainly dry, but a cool wind in the evening. Dot did a special breakfast, and we walked into the city, then split up. Oliver bought me a book as a birthday present – The Outsider, by Camus. Great choice. Amy had already given me blackberry jam and whisky marmalade! Amy got us some charcuterie as a snack before we left for Blakeney, Oliver driving. He is very good. Arrived about 3.45, and Oliver and I parked at village hall. Chatted and had cup of tea: rained for about half an hour. After it stopped, we walked to the Moorings for an excellent meal. I paid for wine. All of us walked out on to the marsh, but Roger and Barb turned back because they were cold. We looked for a promised meteor shower, but no success. Even tried at St James Hill on way home. Watched highlights of Norwich City’s  4-4 draw at Southampton, then a couple of episodes of Outnumbered. Bed late: 9736 steps. 

Sunday saw a mixture of sun and cloud. Mainly dry. After breakfast Oliver drove us to Winterton, which was unexpectedly attractive. The old cafe which had been falling off the cliff was replaced by three wooden stalls. After we walked down on to the beach and back Oliver bought us drinks and an ice cream for me (probably a mistake). We drove back on Acle road (the A47 outgoing had been very busy), and that turned out to be very pleasant. Dot cooked exotic lunch, but by then I wasn’t up to eating much – finished it later. O & A seemed to like it. They left about 4.30 and I went and lay down because I was feeling very tired. Dot watered the garden. Checked O & A progress, which was good. Watched Becoming Elizabeth (two episodes) and a bit of comedy and football.

Yesterday was mainly dry. Anna called in to talk about music at church: we were pretty much in agreement. Watched last two episodes of Clean Sweep, which as anticipated had an unsatisfactory ending, largely because there was no way to end it well. Finished off yesterday’s fish and then watched A Spy Among Friends and a follow-up documentary. 

Today has been another quiet day. Dot was not feeling too well; so we didn’t too much except change the bed in preparation for Barbara and Roger coming at the end of the week. The weather was quite mild and dry. Mark is home. The Bongo is gone: sold by Mary and Bob to an academic couple. Quite pleased: it’s a bit of an eyesore. Managed at last to cancel my BT Sport, and also rang the surgery about my urine test: no problem, apparently. Think I’m feeling a bit better, but still heady and tight-chested. Finished The Outsider: liked the style a lot, even though the narrator clearly has something missing in his personality – hence the title. All-round very readable.

Last Friday was a sort of return to normality, without the feeling well. Dot’s college friend Jacqui and her husband Brian came for a cup of coffee and stayed for lunch, which included rosé wine – possibly a mistake. Held it together while they were here, and we got on really well, but at about 4pm felt awful. Lay down for an hour and managed to go out for street meet – with water. After that gradually improved, but still feel very clogged up and delicate, if that’s possible. Spoke to David briefly on FaceTime, which was nice, and watched some TV. Three drunks were sprawling all over our wall earlier; Dot had to clear up litter.

Saturday – Rain all day, and I mean all day. Cooler too. Dot drove over to Poringland in the morning early to pep up Anne – successfully. I caught up with e-mails and other jobs. She went to match in afternoon with Des. I wasn’t really feeling up to it, though quite a bit better. Airways still not quite clear: some frightening coughs. Norwich beat Hull 2-1, scoring in 96th minute. Earlier we watched a bit of downhill cycling, which was pretty amazing in dreadful conditions (Fort William). David FTd as I was cooking mussels, and we had another brief chat. Watched a bit of football and Becoming Elizabeth. Dot prepared prayers for tomorrow, and I looked at leading the service. Nikki still in labour.

Sunday – Much better day: almost entirely dry. Still feeling far below par, but was able to lead service. Woke at 5.30 with I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine in my head. Felt I needed to use it in the service; so started by reading it. By then I knew Nikki had given birth to Hope at around 2am. Great relief, but still much sadness of course. Also read a bit from Water into Wine about the black lamb. Good service generally, with a lovely sermon from Liz about struggling with God. Leanne organising a basket for Nikki. Cut a few branches of ivy in afternoon, and we remade the bed. Not feeling great but cooked some fish. Watched a bit of netball and a couple of episodes of Clean Sweep, an Irish thriller, and one of A Spy Among Friends.

Monday – Woke about 6am and eventually got up at 7.30am and had a drink. Drove up to surgery for blood pressure and urine test. Apparently blood pressure too high (early in the morning) and apparent blood in specimen – but I think there may be a reason for that. Pricked my finger on needle just beforehand…? Anyway, drove home and woke Dot up. Had a bath and sent e-mail complaining about family history company retracting £229 from my account. Got call back attempting to sell me special five-year deal for large amount… ended up getting an extra six months. Have cancelled automatic renewal… Phone call from Howard to say Anna has another migraine. Still feeling very stuffed up. Have to do blood pressure tests for a week. Later Howard came round and fixed hole in door. I had a rest after lunch then went outside and hoed all along the front wall: got rid of quite a lot of weeds. Message from Joy, who is in High Wycombe, that on the way there Phil had an attack – possibly a TIA or something Parkinson’s related. Ambulance called. Recovered and could remember nothing about it. Meanwhile Leanne is ill…

Tuesday – mainly dry, but quite cool. Wrote one of my Parish Pump pieces. On Landseer. Dot went to see diabetes nurse and pick up pills, then garden centre. Again. I walked into city, and Boots woman mended my glasses. Then went to market and bought rather a lot of fruit. Tried to help an oldish couple find a pub near the river – the Mischief, or possibly the Ribs of Beef. Very nice people, staying at Dunston Hall, offered to buy me a drink, but I declined – got home for lunch. In the afternoon felt very tired and cold. Turned heating on. Later watched last episode of Dr Death – very well done and quite frightening. True story about arrogant incompetent surgeon who killed people. In the evening walked to Eleanor’s for compline. Everyone there except Phil.

Wednesday – Mainly sunny. Still feeling shaky but walked to church to do Bible study with Debbie, Judy, Steve and Stacey. Went quite well. Leanne popped in and didn’t seem too bad – saw her again afterwards when she was talking to police about drug use outside her flat. On way home saw Carrie and Nikki, who was still very down of course but wanted to come to church (Taizé). Bridget was still finishing off cleaning when I got back. Felt so tired after lunch that I lay down on bed and slept for some time. Dot is still working her way down a long list of house-related tasks.

If the Earth was flat, cats would have pushed everything off it by now. Rather more upbeat than I’m actually feeling, for various reasons. I’m getting toward the final throes of a really bad head cold or other virus, and a lovely friend of ours has had some really bad news. To start at the beginning, which wasn’t so bad….

Friday was reasonably warm; bit of a breeze toward evening. Dot has developed quite a bad cold, almost certainly as a result of visiting London. I thought I was getting one too, but I’m not so sure (hah!). She didn’t do much today; so I had free rein. Cleared the decks a lot; tidied the study and the bedroom in a minor sort of way. Got some cash from ATM in order to pay Colin tomorrow. Dot did manage to get to the surgery for the results of her blood test and was given a prescription for pseudo-statins. By the time she got back the street meet was in progress, with quite a few attending: Des, Chris, Sarah, Ciara, Mary, Jonathan, Matt and Angela, who has gone blonde. Looks good. Des got us fish and chips. We watched a couple more episodes of Dr Death and of course the Test Match highlights.

Saturday – Warm again, but with the odd shower.  Colin came early with his son Jordan to cut our hedge. Dot was feeling pretty bad with a streaming cold; so stayed in bed till mid-morning. i made several cups of tea! In the afternoon I drove to North Tuddenham to take some second-hand clothes to the O’dells for their charity fete next weekend. Adrian was in Ipswich; I had a cup of tea with Jane, and we discussed gall bladder surgery; our histories were strangely similar. Also reunions. Cooked lamb steak. Watched Test highlights (England in the driving seat) and Becoming Elizabeth. David and Chrissy’s third wedding anniversary.

Sunday – Mild and dry until evening; then persistent rain. Dot has been ill all day, staying in bed this morning while I went to church for a joint service which attracted a huge number of people – must have been about 50. Played in band with Steve, Simon Snell, Matt and Anna (who arrived late and changed everything – Steve and I could have done it on our own). Good service, but I wasn’t feeling great, and I felt less great as the day went on. Lay on the bed for a while. Have an odd feeling in my throat and a bit of a cough, but it’s hard to pin down what’s wrong. Dot is coughing a lot but says she’s improving.

I cooked meal as usual.  On the plus side I finished reading Dominion, which Paul had given us for Christmas. Very dense and long, but fascinating overview of history from pre-Christian times. Excellent research generally, but how can you discuss Christianity in the 20th century without mentioning C S Lewis? Didn’t agree with the conclusions, but lots of good stuff. Frustrating end to the day when we tried to watch a programme on itvx, but it kept cutting out and then lost sound.

Monday – Felt lousy all day. Dot improving slightly. Had a bath and read a bit of Borges. Managed to cook meal but made peculiar mistakes – wrong oven, wrong time. Fortunately it was edible. I may be cracking up, but how would you tell? In bed most of day. 

Tuesday – Another rotten day. Dot was feeling a bit better and did some cupboard cleaning. I felt bad and didn’t even have a bath. Not easy to sleep. 

Wednesday – hoped I’d feel better, but didn’t  really, though I did have a bath and got a little sleep. Eyes watering , headache. Weather quite good- sunny – and Dot did a lot of work in the garden. Our lovely friend Nikki has had terrible news: her baby is dead in the womb. Dot wrote her a lovely message on WhatsApp. She already has a little girl, India, who is wonderful. Her fiancé was delayed getting to her because his electric car ran out of charge on the way from London. Eyes stinging. Just like the colds I used to get. Hope I feel better tomorrow. 

Thursday – Managed to get some sleep late yesterday and felt I was improving. Mainly sunny today, but the threat of rain. Dot went up to city for pedicure and a couple of other things. I had a bath and got up, but had a bit of a relapse, though it’s not as bad as yesterday. Bridget came to clean. I was confined to my room but very pleased to be quiet. Cooked evening meal but felt very full afterwards, though it wasn’t much. Gunge in stomach. Still feeling far from well. 

Just spent a few minutes trying to work out why there aren’t any notes on my machine(s) about Friday, when I distinctly remembered writing something about the day in bed last night. Have just realised that today is Friday, and nothing much has happened yet. What I was writing about was Thursday. Well, that’s what happens when you get to 78. And 55 years married. Aargh!

Revenons à nos moutons. Sunday was milder with some sun. The test match was rained off in Manchester, with the usual whining from true blue Englishmen and a demand for a new system, all of them forgetting the times that England have benefited from just such a situation. The day ended very badly when I spent ages buying a Railcard, using an awful picture, then one for Dot, via Trainline. Ended up failing to understand Trainline ticket-buying – pricing was very obscure concerning a return ticket: didn’t seem to make sense. It should be really straightforward. Very frustrating. 

So I had a bad night, but strangely didn’t feel bad during Monday, most of which I spent writing articles for Parish Pump on North Korea, J R R Tolkien, W H Auden and Google. In the afternoon drove Dot to  the charity shop and chemist’s, and posted my booking form for Bertie Cottage next year after paying the deposit. Cleared up a bit outside – mainly old leaves and some straggly ivy, then after bacon, eggs and chips watched the original Pink Panther, which was brilliant. Oh, and I bought train tickets on Trainline. It was easier on a bigger screen.

Tuesday was mild and dry in London, but it was raining when the train pulled into Norwich at around 9.20pm, and we ended with a miracle: I had mislaid my debit card, and we searched the house when we got back until we gave up. Then Dot prayed about it and  was led straight to it, lying camouflaged on one of the TV remotes (the card, not her). I had realised earlier in the day I didn’t have it, but thought I remembered where it was. It wasn’t.

Earlier we got the 10am train to London. Dot went over to the station early and bought a coffee and croissant. Ironically there was a buffet car on the train both ways. The train was also bang on time. Got the Central Line to Tottenham Court Road and walked down to Trafalgar Square. We were early for our slot; so we got a scone from the cafe in the Gallery – quite packed; a lovely Chinese family sat almost opposite us. We were still early, but the officials didn’t seem to worry and waved us in.

The St Francis of Assisi exhibition was very interesting, more for the story than for the pictures: quite challenging in terms of Christian response to God. Afterwards we went into the main Gallery and saw a few pictures there, but we were both very tired; so went outside  and stood in the extremely busy Square. Eventually walked over into the beginning of Whitehall and bought a couple of glasses of  wine at an extortionate price. Got talking to an Australian couple: the woman, Erin, was very much like Barbara and extremely entertaining; her husband was a former professional racing driver.

As we were finishing the wine and the Australians were leaving, Oliver arrived, having seen us as he walked towards the Square. We introduced him, and then the three of us went inside (it was a Sicilian restaurant) to have a meal and a chat. He is clearly enjoying London and the work he’s doing. We then all walked up to Tottenham Court Road station again and we got the Elizabeth Line (Oliver waited to get a later train). Reached Liverpool Street in very good time and got on the train at around  7.10. Plenty of room, and we left on time. Had a headache and took some paracetamol. During the journey (there and back) read a book about physics that David got me. 

Wednesday was warm and dry till early evening, then steady rain, which was forecast to continue all night, and it did. Woke late. Walked up to church in the morning and did Bible Study with Judy, Debbie and Steve. Went quite well. Dot picked me up and we had a quick lunch before I walked up to the solicitor’s to talk about Phyllis’s estate. Anna was there too. Saw Hannah, a trainee who was clearly very on the ball, and we signed a couple of documents and had a couple of questions answered. Then walked home. After a while drove to Morrisons and spent over £200, stocking up – probably two weeks’ worth, and including a £42 bottle of whisky. After supper watched a couple of episodes of Dr Death, about a surgeon in America who killed people. Interesting, unless you’re about to go into hospital. Found £50 of money from Phyllis’s estate that I had misplaced.

Yesterday was warm, very humid with occasional light rain. It was our 55th wedding anniversary, and Norfolk Day. We walked up to the Maids Head and listened to Rob Knee do one of his costumed talks – this time as Sir Robert Huntley talking about Octavia Hill, the founder of the National Trust. Greeted by Penny. Interesting info: I asked a couple of questions at the end, and Dot asked one. Afterwards we walked into the city and had an early lunch at Harriet’s tearoom in London Street. Very good. Then on to the White Company, where Dot bought a couple of things on her list. Walked home and watched a comedy drama – Dial M for Middlesbrough. Bridget came and cleaned while I cleared up the study and sorted some stuff out. Had a long FT chat with David in the evening, before watching the cricket. 

Time races past: it seems only yesterday I was posting my last entry. Now it’s Sunday again, we’ve been to church and I’ve been up to the sorting office to post some charity stuff. I’m tired but feeling much better than last Tuesday , when I felt a strain in my abdomen, back and front. Eased off as the day progressed. Sorted out songs – took a while – and wrote blog. DCC  in the evening at our house: Graham, Debbie, Phil, Howard, Dot and me. Not too bad. Afterwards had quite a long chat with Oliver on FaceTime. He showed us his apartment. Seems very upbeat. He sent me some quotes. Later in the week he revealed he got a first in his second year. What a star!

Wednesday – Still fairly mild, but heavy cloud and occasional rain. Dot dropped me at church to do Bible study with Steve, Stacey and Debbie. Leanne has hives (Debbie called round). Afterwards Dot picked me up and we took some stuff up to the tip. Quite easy, because plenty of staff around to direct us to the right bin for each item. When we got back we discovered that it had been raining hard in the city. Not much appetite, but felt better generally, though I had to lie down in late afternoon. Cooked sausages, and in the evening we watched Tour de France and Test highlights, as well as the rest of Alan Bennett’s An Englishman Abroad. Didn’t think much of the Englishman (Guy Burgess), but it was beautifully done – based on a true story involving Coral Browne, an actress who played herself. Oh, and we also watched a documentary about the Great Flood of 1953, which was very good until they dragged in global warming by the scruff of its neck (it was 1953!!). 

Thursday – Dot walked up to Jarrolds for lip wax and I met her afterwards. We had lunch at  Charcuterie there – pate and cheese, very nice. Kim was in the same area coincidentally, and we had a chat. She is off to Coventry tomorrow. Dot and I walked down to M&S and bought me some new slippers and two thin jumpers. Also four new pillows (I’m not going to wear those). Got bus back. Dot has a problem with her ankle that I think may be a ligament, but not sure. Bridget came to clean, and in the evening I drove Dot part of the way to the Greens for handbell ringing. David and Bridget brought her home. I caught up on some reading. 

Friday – Mainly dry but a little cooler. In the morning we took a bus up to the dentist’s to say goodbye to Ross, who is retiring. Enthusiastic greeting from Linda, his wife, who we have known for many years. Others also very friendly – fizz and cake. I walked home while Dot tarried in John Lewis and bought stuff. I felt absolutely shattered at lunchtime, and lay down for a while. In the afternoon Dot went to Dunelm and a garden centre and bought more stuff.

I waited in for BT man, who unexpectedly didn’t do much but confirmed all was in order. Just a new contract, apparently. Contacted stonemason about Andrew’s gravestone and then completed papers and paid deposit of 50%. Confirmed meeting next week about Phyllis’s probate. Street meet went well (four of us plus Ciara and Matt), but it started to rain as Des brought fish and chips. Watched Test highlights, Tour de France and some other stuff. Lots of stuff about.

Saturday – Unpleasant, grey and often wet day, but I managed to get up to the sorting office and Rosary while it was only spitting. Andrew’s grave is now flat. Dot went to chemist and managed to get pills (she was on the last one). Caught up with loads of stuff and watched cricket, Tour de France and episode of Beck. Cousin Ann from Liverpool rang up to talk about her family history. Very complex in the Howard area. He married two sisters and possibly three other people. Not simultaneously, but almost in one case. Ho, hum.

Quite a busy few days. Going back to last Wednesday, my birthday, Dot and I had a perfect meal at Côte Brasserie in Exchange Street. It rained hard while we were in there, but happily remained dry as we walked up and came home. I have decided I love French food – on this occasion a bottle of French rosé wine with garlic bread; chicken liver pate; sirloin steak medium rare; crème brûlée with candle; followed by green tea with peach flavour. To round the day off, David FTd from his office in Cambridge. Afterwards we watched Beck and Tour de France. 

Thursday was overcast, fairly mild but with occasional rain. Dot bought paint in the morning while I finished Translation State – very good SF novel bought for me by David. Later wrote most of my sermon and an article for my website. Bridget came to clean while Dot went to Ofsted feedback at Sutton. Cooked duck. Watched a bit of Wimbledon. 

Friday started grey but dry, a bit windy. By lunchtime it had started raining and turned quite chilly. Rain persisted for the rest of the day. Picked up Alan and June Harrison just after 9am. Alan is a former CNS teacher considerably older than me, and June is a relatively young Asian woman, attractive and very pleasant, dressed in moderately spectacular fashion. I had not met her before.

We drove to Easton College and spent some time finding the right building, then the right room. Huge campus with lots of speed bumps. We were still among the first there for the annual CNS Class of 1961 reunion. Good attendance, including Fred and Roger, plus Neville and Mary and the Houseagos. Autobiographical talk on engineering (Laurence Scott etc) which was very interesting but got a bit bogged down in detail towards the end.

Then we all went in tractor and trailers to a field where the top guy, who was Irish, gave a talk on the farming work there. He was brilliant – an original thinker not interested in all the clichés. He attacked research for research’s sake – just to get your name on a paper, he said. After lunch he gave another talk on the way they were approaching farming at Easton. Really exciting. If only he was Minister of Agriculture! Before that we saw a film on farming in 1945!

While we were out in the fields it started raining and got windy, and I had quite a bad attack of hay fever, affecting my eyes rather than my nose. That got better, but the rain got worse, and it was tipping down when we left. Traffic bad too. Dereham Road very slow, but I got across to Essex Street rather neatly. Food at the college was very good too. Too wet for street meet; watched a bit of tennis and Tour de France, then caught up with newspaper reading.

Saturday was very windy, with a little rain. Moved the car into Chalk Hill Road so that I could get to church the next day when they blocked our road for the Norwich run. Then posted a card to Audrey while Dot pursued her day-long task of painting the dining room chairs. In the afternoon walked up to St Stephen’s Church to take part in a Julian workshop. Received call to say Lucy was held up in traffic; so welcomed them and found room – also bought several mugs of tea. About 12 of us altogether – only one other man. Lucy had to leave again to move her car; so I chatted and read poems. Went ok altogether. Later had delayed street meet with Des, Chris and John, after watching Stuski win men’s doubles final. Women’s singles won by unseeded Czech woman, Marketa Vondrousova. Watched Tour de France. 

Sunday was not quite so warm; windy with a few drops of rain. Had to walk to Chalk Hill Road to pick up the car. Traffic was really bad trying to get to church by devious route, and hard to park too. Martyn turned up unexpectedly to play piano. Anna and Matt away. I did sermon and Dot did prayers. In afternoon watched impressive men’s singles final: Djokovic lost to Alcaraz on five sets. Later watched Beck and Tour de France. Sound familiar?

Yesterday was fairly mild, with a couple of spectacular thunderstorms. Started by going to Morrisons on my own, followed by a trip top to the surgery to have yet another blood test, this time related to my kidneys, apparently. Nurse Linda described herself as a minion, so couldn’t really answer questions. She was very nice though, and called me “Dear”, a definite trend at the surgery. Do they know something I don’t?    

Didn’t feel too great all day but visited my Aunt Thelma with Dot, just after a very heavy thunderstorm in Norwich (but not Poringland). It was Thelma’s 94th birthday. When we arrived Sheila was there. Had quite a nice chat with her. Thelma doesn’t seem keen, but I think that’s because she depends on her. Thelma is definitely deteriorating. Her deafness is really bad, and she can’t really hold anything. A male carer had to give her tea through a straw. We looked at some of her wedding photographs.

Another thunderstorm in Norwich afterwards; so I took Dot to a safeguarding meeting at the Greens’. Afterwards Dot finished painting the chairs. Watched Murder on the Blackpool Express. – very funny – and the new Paxmanless University Challenge. Caught up with Fever, a really interesting radio programme discovered by Dot on the origins of Covid, and the way it was obscured by scientists.