Signs of improvement last Saturday, but still very cold. Walked into city to buy a few more cards and some sweets. City was heaving with people – escaped quickly. Dot spent most of the day writing cards and preparing stuff for Christmas lunch at church tomorrow. We both decided not to go and watch Norwich City, mainly because of the cold, but they played abysmally, lost 2-0 to Blackburn and were booed off. FaceTime with David and Oliver. Amy should be joining them tomorrow. They have a little snow, but more on the way, apparently.

Checked over Alternative Carol Service and practised carols. Impending doom. Haven’t been feeling too good today, but I probably had too much to drink, if that can give you cold symptoms. Watched last episode of Granite Harbour: not very good. Oh, and I put together my Canadian poems into a kind of booklet to send to the Murrays and David. 

Sunday was cold to start with, but became slightly less cold in the afternoon, and it rained from late afternoon into evening. Amy flew to Canada and is now in Waterloo. All a bit hectic first thing: got to church early and sorted out who did what in the Alternative Carol Service. Graham took over on piano; so I didn’t have to play guitar. Dot and Anna on violin. All went pretty well; got lots of compliments. Several people from St Luke’s. Afterwards had the Christmas meal – about a couple of dozen for that. Pretty good, but I had a dodgy stomach later in the day. Come to that, I was feeling pretty odd generally, but there’s nothing new in that. Missed first quarter of an hour of World Cup final, which Argentina eventually won on penalties after drawing 3-3 with France after extra time. Watched final of Young Chorister of the Year, which was impressive, and a documentary on Quentin Blake, which was pretty good. 

Dramatic change in temperature on Monday. Up about 12 degrees or more. Also rain, unfortunately, but not too bad. Dot dropped me off at church in the morning – plenty of people there, but not Nikki or Leanne. Had long chat with Steve. Dot picked me up and we got Bibles from Phyllis’s house.  Then dropped cards off at Fiskes’. Chris looked very ill. After lunch watched Strike, which was good, and an episode of Slow Horses, which was brilliant. Caught up with a few presents and electronic messages. Walked to Kim’s for supper. Her partner Kai was there – nice bloke,  Norwegian of course. Lovely meal and chat. Arrived home just after midnight. Had been raining for about ten minutes. 

Tuesday was slightly cooler with a breeze, but sunny. Finished wrapping presents after driving to North Walsham  and putting flowers in cemetery. Bought a few things in Sainsburys, including a turkey breast, but appalled to find no trace of lentil crisps. Lots of traffic at Wroxham coming back.  Watched last episode of Strike, which was very good indeed, and the next two episodes of Slow Horses, which were brilliant. Caught up with e-mails.

Yesterday it rained till mid-afternoon: reasonably mild. Very busy, but managed to write two Pump articles and watch another episode of Slow Horses – still brilliant. Started day with hair cut, then after lunch Anne came round, and later Roger and Debbie. Meanwhile Carrie called in to pick up a music book, and Jonathan to drop off a present. Got an e-mail from solicitor asking about insuring house: had to deal with it because Anna is away. Spoke to Sophie and Kim on phone.  Copies of my poetry book I ordered on December 1 (and posted the same day) finally arrived. 

It’s still very, very cold; so I won’t repeat that every day in this post. Just assume it is. Hardly any snow in Norwich, but loads of frost – white roads, the sound of frantic scraping, car engines running to heat the screens and the occasional scream as someone falls over.

On Sunday, Dot had a cold to go with the cold, and that’s continued as well, although after Sunday she was not disabled by it. However, I went on my own to church after much window-scraping. Played guitar, with Matt on piano – went quite well. Went to play one of my songs during Communion, but they saw me coming and started singing Ubi Caritas. So I waited till the end and sang it then. Don’t think anyone noticed.

Quite cold in church. Stuart said at the end that the temperature inside hadn’t got above 13C. Gave out Christmas cards. Car had iced up again while I was in church!! After quick lunch (soup) took Dot to practise handbells at Great Hospital church, then returned home, did some quick jobs and returned for the concert at 3pm. Dot also played violin with Anna, and Bridget read a poem. Had tea and mince pie afterwards. Walked home and arrived home before Dot, who got a lift with Bridget. Cooked elaborate meal of duck legs, courgette, mashed potato, yorkshire puddings and gravy(!). Afterwards watched some football and then a film, Anna – complex story about a KGB assassin, very well done. Bed early.

On Monday there was snow over much of country, but not here. Oliver managed to get to   Gatwick for his flight to Canada. I gave Blofield and the church a miss and took the sugar to Swafield – a lone journey because Dot’s cold hadn’t improved, and I was worried I was getting one and might not otherwise meet the deadline (Fri). Very sunny out N Walsham way and unloading sugar proved straightforward. No one about. Drove home – Dot was getting up. Later I cleared up some leaves – with care, as pavement was icy in places. Dot was doing her DSSO paperwork, but I helped her get some Christmas stuff out of the loft.  Sent out most of the electronic Christmas messages after cooking sausages, mash and leek. Watched a couple of episodes of Lucy Worsley on Agatha Christie, which were really very good, and two episodes of Strike, likewise. Oliver has arrived in Canada and reached Waterloo.

By Tuesday Dot’s cold was gradually improving. Thought I was succumbing, but rallied later, and we both eventually went to the DCC meeting with refreshments, giving Howard a lift. Earlier finished off writing the Alt Carol Service with a few adjustments and even put an order of service together. Watched a documentary on Big Ben reconstructed – fascinating – after listening to a Radio 4 programme about bells, produced by Kristine’s company. Also filled up the car with petrol and did a mammoth shop at Morrisons – about £200! Short FaceTime with Amy. 

Wednesday saw a sprinkling of snow in the evening. Paul came round in the morning looking rather tired. He coincided with Bridget, and shortly before she left Dot went to the shops to buy a few presents. I printed off some stuff and sent off a few more electronic cards. Postal strike again today and tomorrow. Phone call with Lucy about possible Julian project: she’s been in touch with Howard. Rather alarming. In the evening Dot and I drove to Bowthorpe for Sillars Christmas meal. Excellent food. Chatted to Vicki and Janet and Graham. Also briefly with Catherine about Florida devastation. She has property in Fort Myers, but had only minor damage. Watched an old Christmas special of One Foot in the Grave, which was very clever. 

Hard frost all day on Thursday, like 1963.  As so often nowadays, felt under the weather during morning and early afternoon, then improved. Naomi came round at 10.30 with football tickets: brought dog, but it was well behaved. Walked up to Maids Head to buy books from Paul – had whisky in the bar. Pavements icy. Prepared some presents and cards. Watched some football and accidentally Escape to the Country because it was in Norfolk. In the evening thought we’d ordered a taxi to go to the Greens, but it didn’t turn up. Started to walk, but Dot fell over – fortunately nothing broken. So defrosted car and drove. Jaya’s birthday, and to celebrate we read through The Importance of Being Ernest. I was Algernon, and Dot was Cicely. Perfect! Great play – really enjoyed it. Had veggie Indian, which was ok, but meat would have made it so much better. 

Pavements lethal yesterday. Slipped three times on way down to post office to mail parcels, but fortunately didn’t fall. Also posted a few cards and bought a few things. Most of the day was spent preparing for our neighbours’ party in the evening. Had phone call from Ray to say he and Chris both very bad. Then later call from Carrie to say she was being overwhelmed, having organised so many things and helpers all going down sick. Meanwhile Phoebe came round  because she had forgotten her key and couldn’t get in – Sean and Ciara were on their way back from London. Party went very well – people brought lots of wine and one of two other things. Present: Des (Chris had a cold and didn’t come), Angela and Matt, Mary and Bob, Sean, Ciara and Phoebe, Mark and Sarah, and Jude Sayer. John didn’t come because his father was in hospital with a broken ankle. Most left by 9.30, but Des, Sean & co hung on till the bitter end – roughly 11pm. Cleared up in about half an hour. Pretty tired. 

This has been a cold week. Monday started with showers, but I managed to walk to church and actually did a Bible study: Leanne turned up, and Alison and Steve were quite keen. Lots of people around, preparing for some kind of Christmas thing. Bought some cards from Alison and had a serious talk with Steve, which I hope helped. Dot came and picked me up, then after lunch she went to Taverham, getting caught up in quite a lot of traffic. Realising rather belatedly that our Mazda European Assistance had lapsed, I arranged roadside assistance with Green Flag, starting tomorrow. Felt very tired in the evening. Sent electronic cards and Christmas cash to Oliver and Amy, and birthday card to Joe. Getting quite a lot of low-grade pain in my teeth, for some reason: ears popping too.

Tuesday was again cold with showers. Dot went to Worstead School quite early: I was planning to walk to the Archant Christmas meal, but in fact Dot arrived just as I was about to leave; so we went together. Very good meal. Chatted to Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia, plus a few others. Bill, David and Richard all there. Carvery. Later Dot wrote up her reports and I lay down, not feeling  too good. Think I went to sleep. Watched a bit of football, Morocco beating Spain on penalties and Portugal slaughtering Switzerland 6-1. Watched another episode of Slow Horses: very good. Then a good episode of Motherland. 

Wednesday was very cold but mainly dry. Dot went to a DSSO meeting followed by their Christmas lunch. Safeguarding meeting for 4pm postponed, but she went to orchestra in the evening. I stayed in but racked up 5000 steps. Also reworked alternative carol service and printed out sheets. Chose hymns for Sunday.  Read a bit and did a few Christmas cards. Watched final episode of Slow Horses, season one. Very good except for  language. 

On Thursday we woke up to a dusting of snow. Had to de-ice car for Dot, who was off to the Yarmouth school with the brilliant head teacher. I decided to have a bath after she went and read quite a bit of Keiron’s book. We had soup for lunch because Dot was cold. In the afternoon I wrote a Christmas message which I hope to send to a number of people after I run it past Dot. Still waiting for copies of my poetry book, which were posted to me on December 1. Bridget came to do cleaning after Dot had left for Catfield for an Ofsted feedback. I gave her some questionable legal advice as we had a coup of tea and biscuit. Dot got back just after she left, having been held up by traffic between A47 and home. We had eggs, and watched Grand Designs before I drove her to the Greens for handbell practice. I read some more of Keiron’s book; felt very tired. David and Bridget brought her home. Watched another episode of The English.

Yesterday was very cold, but dry. Wrote a lot of Christmas cards and finished off the Christmas message, which Dot seems happy with. Read a bit more too. Dot picked up more sugar from Brooke, and I helped her sort it. She also went to Thurton school. When she got back she spent a long time compiling her Ofsted feedback report, but finished just in time to go over to Des and Chris’s for wine and talk. Too cold to drink outside. He got us some fish and chips later and we watched Argentina v Netherlands, which the former won on penalties after the Netherlands got back from 0-2 to 2-2 with almost the last kick. Despite Messi, Argentina succeed mainly by falling over every time an opponent goes near them and relying on the referee being hopeless. He was. Most of them are. Earlier Brazil had gone out on penalties to Croatia. Watched second episode of Granite Harbour, which continues to be badly acted, directed or scripted – possibly all three. I was itching all over at end of the evening – possibly because I had drunk a lot of Merlot. 

Today was also very cold but dry. Ice on birdbaths. Got up quite late. After lunch I walked into the city and Dot took the bus, because she’s not feeling 100%. She has a slight sore throat, and is feeling tired. We went to Adnam’s shop in Westlegate and then to Lakeland, and bought several presents. I walked home via City bookshop and bought a book for Andrew. Dot took the bus again. Before this we had talked about a gift list and more or less got it sorted out. Then Dot packed a lot of the presents while listening to Norwich beat Swansea 1-0 away, just as Morocco beat Spain 1-0. Later England lost to France 2-1 but played very well. Sadly for Harry Kane, he missed a penalty. Dot practised her violin for tomorrow, and I bought a few items online.

Wednesday was dry and fairly cold. The head of Brooke school rang while Dot was in the shower, asking her to come to see him a bit later than planned, which she did. I did quite a bit of work during the day, including our charity giving and putting together a Christmas card list, deciding which to send online, and which to stay traditional. Also put rota in diary and online, prompting Anna to e-mail and change three Green dates, which was really helpful. Watched a bit of Poland v Argentina and some University Challenge and Grand Designs.  Earlier Dot practised violin and did a report on Brooke. While she was at orchestra in the evening I walked up to post office to post cheques and put some more books in the little library. Managed 5000 steps a day during November.

Thursday was chilly but quite pleasant: dry with some sun. It was the day of Phyllis’s funeral. Dropped Dot off at church and had trouble finding a parking spot – eventually found somewhere on Oak Street. Dot was playing violin during the service with Anna (Martin Wyatt on organ). I gave a tribute, Anna read from Psalms and Sophie gave an excellent account of her friendship with Phyllis. Graham did the service very well. Sylvia Ford, Phyllis’s niece and Davids’ former primary head teacher, came with her daughter. About 35 in all.

Afterwards took Howard and Anna up to the cemetery – off the ring road – for burial. Phil brought Sophie, Matt came by bike, and both he and Sylvia arrived too late. Afterwards drove back for refreshments at the hall and spent some time talking to Nikki about her feeling inferior. Tried to encourage her: she is really lovely and quite talented. After lunch watched a bit of football and chose a Compline for the evening. We walked to Cake and Compline, which was at Eleanor’s and very enjoyable. Excellent mince pies from Bridget, who had come and cleaned our house while we were out – Dot had forgotten to leave a note. 

Friday was very grey, with some rain. Sorted out a few Christmas cards and wrote to Oliver. Window cleaner came, but it just seemed like more rain. In the afternoon Dot went to Alpington School while I went to Revelations, but their selection of Christmas cards was nowhere near as good as usual. Bought some anyway. Later met Dot at Morrisons and bought considerable food. I put it away while she did her school report. No meet in street because of bad weather and absence of D’Souzas. Watched new Aberdeen police series – not brilliant but ok. 

Dry and chilly on Saturday. Drove to Mulbarton for brunch with the Gazleys, American style. Very nice. From there drove to Coventry, stopping at Cambridge Services for sandwiches etc to eat later. Also had croissant and cup of tea. Bought Andrew a photography magazine with some great pictures in it. Arrived at Baginton just after 5pm after going astray because of roadworks and finding ourselves on the A46 instead of the A45. Very nice room, and excellent bath, but  BBC1 on TV packed up half way through Argentina v Australia. Watched the rest on iPad, but after Argentina went 2-0 up switched to watching programme about Scotland on BBC 2. Final result 2-1. Went down to bar for glass of wine each, which was very pleasant. Bad night for both of us.

Sunday was overcast but mainly dry or with very light drizzle. Had good breakfast at the Old Mill, then drove to see Andrew. He is having real trouble standing up straight but says he is not in pain. Responses very slow and he is forgetting more. We left him with a video playing after Dot managed to find the connection.

Then on to pick up Oliver: again had problems finding our way – this time went down wrong road, and Oliver came and found us. We drove back to the Old Mill using a new route and had a really nice lunch together – roasts. I found it hard to eat it all after the big breakfast!  Afterwards walked round the back, then drove back to Oliver’s house, where we had a look round: looks comfortable and well situated.

Drove home, stopping at Cambridge Services for a toilet break, and for some reason I took the wrong turn at Barton Mills, and in trying to retrieve the situation found myself in a MacDonalds drive-through queue from which I couldn’t extricate myself without waiting for quite a while. Drove on and stopped for petrol at Thetford; got home around 6.30pm. Watched England beat Senegal 3-0. Mixture of very boring play with exciting attacks – mainly the former. Watched the first episode of Slow Horses, which I think we’d seen before.

Thursday – Bad night. Eventually woke at 9am and had a bath. Drove to Colney for funeral of David Street, who I knew slightly: he is the brother of Joy McCall, who I know very well through poetry. Packed building, and hard to park at first. Spoke to Joy, her husband Andy and mutual friend Nick Gorvin, the printer. Very odd funeral: no prayers, hymns or liturgy. Consisted of memories of David from various people and a piece that he himself had written, read out by a friend and interspersed with fairly mediocre songs, by people like James Taylor. Slipped away at the end.

Still, at least the weather was OK. Didn’t rain till early evening. Afterwards sorted out some stuff for Sunday and collated eulogy for Phyllis, plus a few other things. Dot went to Morrisons and I cooked the meal, then I drove Dot to handbell ringing. David and Bridget brought her home. Watched some world cup.

Friday – Sunny but quite cold. Walked up to solicitor’s for 2pm meeting with Anna – was passed en route by Howard, who didn’t notice me. I am getting less significant by the hour. Good meeting with Beth Slaughter, who certainly knows her stuff. She will be handling the whole probate process except where we have to be involved as executors. Afterwards had a cuppa with Anna in the Refectory and discussed mishandling of the funeral leaflet. She has eye problems. On the evening went out early for drinks – Des, Chris, Angela and Matthew – and Dot left at 6.30 for meal and ballet (Nutcracker) with Anne. Earlier Bridget came round to do cleaning. Des got me fish and chips, and I watched England play abysmally to draw 0-0 with USA. 

Saturday – Quite a pleasant day, though chilly. Linda came round and cut our hair, and while Dot was still having hers done I walked up into the city to drop in on Paul Dickson at the Forum, where he had a bookstall. Spent some time talking to Rwandan woman next to him and bought her a copy of my book. Walked home via Boots where I got a “free” package of eye treatment (points on loyalty card), then down The Close.

Wrote my prayers for tomorrow and then Paul came round for tea and rock cakes, which Dot had just cooked. He seemed a bit better – has had work done on his legs. Cooked sausages and bacon and egg then watched TV – another episode of The English – bit obscure at times – then a documentary by David Baddiel on why Jews don’t count when it comes to minorities. Quite good, though a bit Jewish. Joke. Really. I am the least anti-Semitic person you could meet. Then watched a bit of World Cup highlights, and Dot had a bath.

Sunday – Supposed to be rain all day, but although it was damp, there was little rain. Two advent services at church – morning Communion and an evening “dark to light” – much shorter, and a joint service to which several St Luke’s people came. Led prayers at the morning service and read one of my poems at the evening one. Played guitar at both. After morning service picked up photos from Phyllis’s house. In the afternoon wrote a couple of pieces for Parish Pump, on Lewis Carroll and Edward Jenner. Watched some football and the final episode of Rogue SAS, which was a bit of a downer. Both of us fell asleep while watching FA Cup football and went to bed after midnight. 

Monday – Dry but a bit chilly. Fog much of the day, especially over Acle marshes. Went to Lily’s funeral at Hickling, arriving at 10.30 for 11am service. Heater under pews very hot, air above pretty cold. Aged lay reader took service. Afterwards at Methodist Church spoke to Linda and Roger; Jenny, Claire and Jill (Andrew’s wife and daughters); Ruth (Lily’s sister) and one or two others. Good refreshments. Called in at Morrisons for cheese and petrol. Dropped off Dot, then went up to garage to get new battery for car key that had been failing. Finished off Parish Pump stuff, including rewriting Lewis Carroll. Des and Chris came over for nibbles, drinks and looking at our Canada pictures. Stayed till 11.30; so late in bed again. 

Tuesday – Dry but still quite cold. Caught up with e-mails and looked through Phyllis’s pictures and letters. After lunch Dot went into the city, and I looked at this month’s chess games in En Passant. Later spent some time reorganising Christmas card list – will send more electronic ones this year. Watched England beat Wales 3-0 in the World Cup. Longish phone call with Sylvia Ford – she didn’t know she benefited from Phyllis’s will. E-mail from Dave revealed he’s booked Buxton and also that Vicky has eosinophilic fasciitis, which is not nice but could be worse. 

Dot has moved on a year, celebrated by…but we’ll come to that later. Some pretty weird weather this past week. Last Friday was dull but dry, apart from a few spots of rain in the evening. I walked up to the Rosary in the morning and put flowers on Mum and Dad’s grave. Also put half a dozen books up in the little library. Went to Morrisons with  Dot, who was taking a break from her meditation day, and bought presents for Bridget (birthday) and the Evetts (Christmas). After lunch I wrote most of my sermon in good time for us to go outside for drinks at 5.30pm : Des, Chris, Ciara, Jonathan, John (who arrived just as I was leaving to cook our dinner). Watched last episode of The Crown and another episode of Rogue SAS, then Dot watched the video that Kim sent us and was quite impressed.

Saturday was dry but very cold, especially toward evening. After revising a bit of my sermon and Dot working on her DSSO reports, we walked into city after lunch to sit in on an interview with Keiron Pim about his new biography of Joseph Roth. Quite long but very interesting – got Keiron to sign our copy afterwards. After supper – pizza – watched a couple of episodes of The English, which is a really superior western, and a further episode of Rogue SAS. Practised hymns. Capo broken  but I have another. 

Sunday was quite cold again. Rain at first, dry later. Church as usual. Gave sermon about not being frightened, I’m afraid. Phil absent again. Also Nikki and Leanne. Talk afterwards about Phyllis’ funeral  service with Anna and Graham. Home for lunch, then walked up to Vue cinema in Castle Mall to see special showing of Series 3 intro to The Chosen. Very good quality maintained. Everyone should see it. Went with Kim, who told us about it. Didn’t notice any other publicity, and the cinema was practically empty. Walked home,  did a lot of clearing up and watched a documentary on The Waste Land, which was illuminating. Sorted out my room a bit, then read a bit more of Keiron’s book. 

Monday was dry at first, but got wetter and wetter. Quite heavy rain in Suffolk as we travelled to Seckford Hall Hotel, near Woodbridge. But before that Anne came round: Philip may be facing another operation. Watched a little bit of the World Cup. England beat Iran 6-2. Arrived at hotel about 3.45: pouring with rain. Our room was in the courtyard; so I had to transfer cases quite a distance. We were lucky to get a parking space close to the hotel entrance. Met Dave and Julia at 6pm for Prosecco in their room. Afterwards lovely meal – I had chicken liver parfait and duck. Chatted afterwards, then to bed by 10.30pm. Our room is quite small but comfortable. Evetts have a big room (“The Seckford Room”) in the main hotel and have made friends with the restaurant manager, a very pleasant woman. I had a lot of itching during the night.

Tuesday, thank goodness, was mainly dry – few drops of rain. After breakfast Dave drove us in his new car into Woodbridge, and we parked not far from the Violin Shop, then called in to say hello. Quite cold. Eventually I bought a waterproof cap from Mountain Warehouse, which looks quite reasonable, surprisingly. Dot meanwhile celebrated her birthday by buying various items, including a long sweater and some socks (for me).

Earlier, before breakfast, we had opened Dot’s presents – including books from David and ear rings from Joy and Phil (we think – no message). In Woodbridge we walked down to river and had lunch at the very good theatre restaurant. Then walked along by the river and back up to where we’d parked car. Then drove to Dobbie’s (a garden centre) for tea and mince pie. Caught up on e-mails back at the hotel. Felt very tired. Then David and Chrissy FaceTimed, and Amy piggy-backed. Prosecco again with Evetts in their room. Really nice meal – I had fillet of beef wellington; Dot had pork. Friendly waitress (Lailah). Had drink in bar afterwards and talked about Phyllis, among many other things, including harvest spiders. Dot seemed to enjoy her birthday.  

Yesterday was a strange day, weather wise. Dry at first, but raining by breakfast time, which made packing the car up difficult: I drove up next to our room in the courtyard. Good breakfast again, then paid our bill under the watchful eye of Dave. Decided to drive to Snape: we followed him in pouring rain and wind. Once there we waited a few moments for rain to abate, then walked over to the cafe and managed to get a table, thanks to the generosity of a woman who switched her three for our four. Then spent some time in the big shop and Dot bought a blanket for the sofa. I bought some esoteric food.

Weather much better as we drove to the Two Magpies, which is near the Halesworth turn-off on the A12. Had mushrooms on toast and bought a mince pie for later. Then drove home, arriving about 3.30pm. Later Dot went to orchestra and I managed to fix the dishwasher, which was very satisfying (salt cap had jammed and a basket wheel fallen off and lodged in the filter). Also sorted out some music for Sunday evening and sent a few e-mails. Getting a bit fed-up with my fellow executor. 

Saturday the 12th was quite a pleasant day: mild with some sun. We walked to Julian Church by 10.30 – passing Mary and Bob on the way – for a Julian meditation session led by Robert Fruewirth. Readings, talks and a bit of a response in writing. Quite good, but the church was very cold because the heating was broken. Also present were Howard, Jenny, Frances (wife of Sillars viola player) and Debbie Sands. Had a break for lunch (self-provided) up in the new Julian Centre.

At 2pm Dot and I walked to Carrow Road for the match against Middlesbrough (lost rather unluckily 2-1). Dot went in while I waited to deliver tickets to Jonathan and Naomi. The latter has just moved to 70 Ketts Hill. Then back home, cleared up etc. After evening meal we watched a couple of episodes of The Crown. I went to sleep during the second one. Then the Championship football. 

The weather was quite reasonable again on Sunday. Church in the morning for Remembrance service led by Graham. Went well. Afterwards had a discussion with Anna and Sonia about Phyllis, who died yesterday. Anna and I are executors. She has left some money to the church. Sylvia Ford, David’s old head teacher, is her niece. After lunch Kim came round for tea and cake, then stayed for a meal in the evening, leaving about 9pm. Long chat about vaccinations and climate, among many other things.

Monday was fairly mild most of the day. Dot dropped me at church. Almost no one came; so Judy and I sorted out drawers. Interesting. Dot came towards the end. She took me home for a bite, then dropped me off in Sussex Street and gave Steve a lift to Bowthorpe while I went to the undertaker’s with Anna. Long discussion about funeral arrangements, fixed date, then went to Phyllis’s house to see if she had any suitable pictures for the order of service. Didn’t, but I found one at home later.

At home I rang Sylvia Ford to check on arrangements. She seemed quite happy. Still a lot to do. In the evening we watched an episode of Rogue SAS and three episodes of The Crown. Portrayal of the Queen was not very sympathetic. Oliver texted to see if we could meet for a birthday meal.

Tuesday was miserably grey and wet. Dot spent most of it preparing for the visit of Mary and Neville in the evening. I wrote up Phyllis’s biog and contacted the solicitor re probate. Also caught up on loads of e-mails. Arranged visit to Coventry to have meal with Oliver. Judy left car outside – arrived when I was in bath, and Dot didn’t hear bell; so had to get out and speak to her from the window. Put a permit in her car, then got back in bath. 

Car-juggling was all in vain: Judy arrived back before the Throwers arrived, and they came in a taxi anyway. Dot did a lovely meal, featuring very interesting starter, then fish pie and pavlova. Nice evening, but Neville very edgy about taxi arrival; showed them a few pictures of Canada. Watched another episode of The Crown: Diana’s interview. 

More rain on Wednesday – much of it heavy. Went to North Walsham after buying flowers at Morrisons and filling up with petrol. Dot put  flowers on graves in quite heavy rain; then we went to Roger and Debbie’s for lunch, which was really nice.  When we got home Amy rang to say she’d had an offer from UEA, and while we were talking to her she got another offer – from Nottingham! She was quite excited. Apparently Vicky is improving slightly too. In the evening Dot went to orchestra while I read some of Keiron’s book and put the rota together. Piece about Darsha appeared in the paper: Carrie not too happy with it because of a couple of minor inaccuracies. Watched another episode  of The Crown. 

Thursday – rain again. Dark sky all day. Got quite a lot done: wrote a piece for website on Surrey Chapel’s change of name, then added a poem prompted by a visit to the Rosary the other day. Completed the rota for church and chose hymns , but didn’t make an awful lot of progress on my sermon. Watched a video on world government sent to me by Kim – a curious mixture of various types of insanity; so probably true. Is Joe Biden really Joe Biden? A strange question, but interesting evidence.

An e-mail from Phil revealed that he’s not at all well and fears he may have prostate cancer: Joy is not too good either. Meanwhile Dot was having a very busy and frustrating day: she went to Tasburgh school and couldn’t get in because no one was manning reception – then found the head was actually at Saxlingham. Went for cup of tea before her next appointment and dropped cream on her (black) trousers – had to wash it off in loo. Then went to Cringleford for Ofsted feedback and had to wait a fair time.

On the way home she was delayed by traffic entering city for Christmas lights switch-on. After supper i drove her to the Greens’ for handbell ringing. David FTd just before she went, then again after he’d read my website stuff. Had very interesting chat about times past and how we thought about them, the interlinking of time and space and so on. Finished just as Dot got home. We watched University Challenge before going to bed.

Monday – Pretty miserable weather. Overcast and plenty of rain, though mainly light. Someone has damaged Mark’s car, but he caught them in the act. You don’t mess with Mark. Spoke to him on the way to church. I was there by 10am because Carrie expected to be late, but she wasn’t. Only a small gathering – Judy, Robert, Alison, Paul and his daughter (3) and dog, and Dot when she returned to pick me up. Discovered that Judy’s son and Alison’s partner Dolly are both poets. Dot made cake in afternoon. Watched some more football. David FTd us at teatime: he is now not coming to England this month, because both Oliver and Amy are going to Canada for Christmas. After supper we watched The Keeper, an excellent film about goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who broke his neck in a Cup Final and played on. 

Tuesday – mixture of rain and dry. First rain timed exactly to coincide with our walk up to restaurant – Georgian Town House on Unthank Road. Excellent meal – scotch egg followed by venison, followed by peanut parfait sweet. Went with Des and Chris as part of Norfolk Restaurant Week. Afterwards looked unsuccessfully for picture frames in Jarrolds, then Dot went to chiropodist and I went home. In evening Cake and Compline: Bridget, Eleanor, Judy, Vicky. Dot baked chocolate cake , which went down well. 

Wednesday – Cool but dry. Dot had two school visits, to Long Stratton and Sutton, with lunch at home in the middle. I finished reading Imagine Heaven, an extremely good book about near-death experiences which demonstrated how the latter are not only remarkably consistent with each other, but tie in closely with biblical descriptions, especially those I’d formerly thought of as imaginative fantasy (from a human point of view). Very encouraging in the descriptions of overwhelming love and light. I also started reading Keiron Pim’s biography of Joseph Roth – Endless Flight. Watched a bit of football and University Challenge, in which a girl from Norwich made a disappointingly brief appearance (for Balliol, who were overwhelmed by Southampton). Cleaned out car in preparation for service tomorrow, largely in order to find the wheel locking nut – which was where it should have been, in its slot in the boot that I’d forgotten about.

Thursday – Dry and not too cold (about 13C).  Drove up to garage to take car in for service and MOT. Walked back over ring road and caught bus to Tombland. Bought sympathy card for Linda  from Revelations and walked home. After lunch Dot walked to Anna’s for violin lesson and I got bus from Tombland to pick up car at 3. But because of mix-up at MOT place it wasn’t ready till after 4pm. Meanwhile Carrie had come round to talk about Darsha, who is being abominably treated by Norwich Housing Dept, and found herself talking to Bridget, who had come round to clean. I eventually got back about 4.30, shortly before Dot. Carrie had gone. In evening watched first two episodes of The Crown, and some football, which was marginally more exciting. 

Friday – quite mild and dry. Dot and I drove up to chemist to get pills and then to Morrison’s for £125 worth of groceries. After lunch I filled the brown bin full of leaves, and had a long chat with Michael, as he returned from a five-mile walk in tee shirt and shorts. Later still out for drinks at 5.30pm – Des, Chris, Mark, Mary, Ciara and John. Joined briefly by Anglia TV news presenter who lives up in Old Library Mews. David FTd and we chatted mainly about sport. Watched a couple of episodes of Rogue SAS Heroes, recommended by Mark. Not bad.

Not a good week as far as the weather is concerned – and the same goes for mortality. Discovered last Tuesday that my old chess colleague Paul Buswell had died, and on Friday my first girlfriend, Lily, eventually succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She was about 84. Sad that I could not see her in her last couple of weeks, but I rang on Wednesday and was dissuaded from going by Roger, her niece Linda’s partner, who said they were overwhelmed with carers and other helpers. Probably I should have gone anyway, though I believe she was barely conscious.

Tuesday was a bit chilly with some rain – including a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Got to Archant Pensioners’ Breakfast in the dry, though, and had a good meal. Tables were split up, unfortunately; but chatted to Robin, Brian and partners about Canada, then spoke to Bill Woodcock, Richard Batson and first-timer Steve Snelling on the way out. 

After lunch caught up on computer, chose songs for Sunday and wrote some e-mails. Dot went to see Phyllis. In the evening we watched the final four episodes of The Capture, a quite frightening thriller about AI and computer manipulation. 

Wednesday was quite cold. Wrote most of the Alternative Carol Service, then took Dot up to Taize at the church. Left the car there and walked home, taking in a Hostry exhibition on the way. Old photographs, but not especially interesting. Dot took Nikki to pick up Indie from school off Earlham Road. She (Dot) has repainted cabinets in the bathroom today, after getting expert advice from an assistant in Homebase. No, really.

Re-watched the final half of the final episode of The Capture, and it turned out to be brilliant: I had missed a section of it last night because I went to sleep. Same old story. Cooked a chicken breast for supper and in the evening went with Dot to watch Norwich draw 0-0 with QPR. Very good game that City deserved to win. Light rain on the way home. 

Thursday was somewhat colder, with lots of rain in the morning and flooding on Riverside Road and elsewhere – White Horse Lane in Trowse was impassable. Dot drove me up to the dentist’s, where I had a rather painful filling (numbing not very successful). Cost £400. Afterwards the rain was very light; so I walked to Morrisons, where I met Dot, who arrived at the petrol station precisely when I did. Filled car, then did shopping. £111. That’s just the shopping. After lunch I had a lie down, then Bridget arrived to do cleaning. Dot’s violin lesson was cancelled. Dropped her off at the Greens’ for handbell ringing. Read a bit. Dot walked home, and Jaya walked most of the way with her. Watched documentary by A N Wilson on T S Eliot: extremely interesting.

Friday was bright but quite chilly. Went for lunch to Julia and Allan’s at Swaffham – made good time there, and coming back wasn’t too bad either. Nice lunch and interesting conversation. Outside for a drink at 5.30 despite cold: Des, Chris, Mark, Ciara and, for a moment after he arrived home, John. Tara still fighting “long covid”. Afterwards watched Dances with Wolves, a long but very good film.

Saturday was quite cold with lots of rain. Didn’t go out. Linda arrived at 10.30 to do our hair. Had a bath afterwards. Other Linda rang to say Lily died yesterday at about 4pm. Very sad, but good for her of course. I used to walk her home from Surrey Chapel, and there was a certain amount of kissing (he revealed) behind the pub on City Road, but I don’t think we ever really went out anywhere together. She was seven years older than me and wanted to get married – generally, not to me particularly. I felt she could achieve this objective better without me in tow, but was always fond of her.

Norwich beat Rotherham 2-1 away. Watched very good Storyville documentary about volcanoes – more particularly about two vulcanologists who were killed in Japan by a pyroclastic flow. Some great pictures. Later watched last two episodes of Wisting – again excellent. 

Yesterday the weather was still miserable. Poured with rain during the morning, flooding on Riverside Road again and elsewhere, and it rained on and off for the rest of the day. Cool. Gave Heather Cracknell a lift to church; she decided to do a Communion, which meant we didn’t have enough hymns, but we got round it. Big congregation, surprisingly. New people from  Esdelle Street.

In the afternoon, after watching football I caught up with e-mails, then we had a fairly early meal and drove to Lowestoft for the poetry group, which again was surprisingly well attended. One of my poems (Magdala) was read on Friday at Aldeburgh by Ivor Murrell at launch of Ripples book. Have ordered Ripples book.  I read six at the Seagull: got home after 11pm. Those read: Aircraft Incident, Possible Coyote, Different Mountains, Hurricane, White Shipwreck (1120 AD), Magdala. I have discovered that I have lost my list of poems read at various venues over the years: it was on my Notes app but must have been deleted accidentally. Very annoying.

The weather’s been a bit up and down. Last Wednesday it rained quite hard early on, but improved later. A bit chilly because of the wind. Dot went to visit Phyllis in the morning, while I wrote a bit about buses for my website. After lunch I ordered some wine and put some pictures on Flicker. Then we went to St Luke’s for a ceilidh rehearsal with a proper caller (George). He was nice, and it went reasonably well. After supper we watched Oscar-winning film Parasite, which was very well done but rather soulless. Then the final episode of Doc Martin, which was the opposite: heart-warming – although also well done.

On Thursday it rained in the morning again, but became dry and quite mild later. Wrote a couple of articles for Parish Pump, then we went to Morrisons just before lunch – bit of a mistake because Dot becomes very lethargic if she’s not fed at the right time. Nevertheless we completed shopping. Visit from artist Charlotte Ashenden in afternoon – first time we’d seen her since her exhibition at Salthouse. Had a really good time with her: hope to see more of her.

Watched a bit of football, plus Unspun World, which is becoming more and more spun, unfortunately; Repair Shop with (then) Prince Charles visiting and saying what we’ve always said – that more children should be encouraged to go for apprenticeships and learn a trade, which is just as fulfilling as academia, probably more so. We also finished watching Four Quartets with Ralph Fiennes. Earlier we took delivery of Naked Wines and a book from Amazon: Keiron Pim’s latest. Oh, and practised a few ceilidh tunes.

Friday was still mild and dry. I finished my Parish Pump articles. Dot went to shops. Richard McPhee returned our bookcase with tan leather on top. Looks really good. Filled it with books and put it in the hall. Practised guitar. Went out for drinks early and left at 5.45pm for St Luke’s, where we played in a ceilidh band – Matt, Anna, Dot and me. We had a professional caller (George), and everyone seemed to appreciate it. The band got special applause. Very tiring. Home  by about 9.45 and watched Professor T – a particularly good episode.

Saturday felt like Sunday, partly because we were in church in the morning – Carlton Colville Church, for the long-delayed induction etc of Sarah Quantrill. So there was a bishop and archdeacon present, plus other dignitaries, such as the local MP. A Few people from St Luke’s, but no one else from St Aug.  Nice service, music and food but quite chilly in church, though it was a warm day. Drove back in time to get Dot to the football match, which  Norwich won 3-1 against Stoke. Practised hymns for tomorrow and watched some football as well as three-parter Maxine, which was about the Soham murders and very well done. 

Sunday saw quite a bit of rain and was rather chilly. Clocks back: so rather disorientated. Got to St Luke’s at 10 for rehearsal for joint service.  All went well, but as many St Aug people there as St Luke’s, which is pretty astonishing. Afterwards went to the Golden Star for lunch with Anna and Howard, and Dot gave them great detail on our Canada visit (illustrated). Very good roast lunch which I had no problem eating, though I had a stomach upset earlier. Lost door key, but Dot said she had seen me drop it, and we drove back to St Luke’s and found it. Don’t ask. Watched a bit of football and FTd David. All ok in Canada. Watched Wisting x 2, which was a bit gruesome but well done. Very tired – tried to read on Kindle, but went to sleep roughly once a page.

Yesterday was mild; rain in the evening. Dot dropped me at church – odd morning. Darsha and her husband (fresh from Sri Lanka) came, plus a couple of women I didn’t know. Stacy brought her dog – an unpleasant creature. Steve stayed a while, then went to Rollesby with his dad. Not much happened.  Leanne didn’t make it – lots of problems, apparently. Walked home because Dot  had gone to see Anne. They went for a walk, and she was home quite late for lunch.

Cleared up leaves with assistance from Des. Mark cleared steps. Pretty tired. Dot had sudden diarrhoea, so instead of taking her to church hallowe’en event I went and fetched stuff I’d left earlier. Church eerily quiet. Back home changed bed completely – Dot had done washing earlier – and flaked out. After supper watched some football and The Capture – first episode of thriller – which was excellent. Then the first half of Mr Bean Goes on Holiday. Dot’s stomach now OK.