Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17 – Still warm, but cloudy. Yesterday afternoon (Saturday) Dot and I decided to go for walk round the pitch and putt course on Mousehold, which was quite enjoyable, though I became very tired. Later lost my appetite and couldn’t finish my meal – though I did manage the salmon. Afterwards went to lie down – started shivering and felt pretty bad. Went to bed with hot water bottle (!) and eventually went to sleep. Surprisingly slept very well, but still felt shaky when I woke up, though the shivering had gone.

Yesterday (before I was ill) we had practised some songs for Bridget’s get-together today, but I wasn’t well enough to go. Usual UTI symptoms developed. Had a bath, but didn’t feel much better, though we were able to watch football. Spurs won and Norwich scraped 2-1 away win at Portsmouth. Judy came round and Dot took her and Howard to Bridget’s. They had a good time; I slept mostly. When Dot got back David FaceTimed and we had a chat – with Dot telling him more than he wanted to know about the party she’d been to. She brought me a scone back, which I ate and we watched Beck (very good) and another sacred Scottish islands documentary by Ben Fogle – this time Islay, Jura and something very small across the Straits of Corryvreckan and its impressive whirlpool. 

Monday – No change in weather. Had bad night and felt pretty rough during the morning, but gradually improved through the afternoon and even cut some ivy back and put it in the brown bin. That was after having a bath and watching some football. Dot got interested in getting me the right food to eat and went to Morrisons, where she met Claire and also had problems finding  ingredients; so was quite a long time. Later watched Ridley: very good. Also finished reading The Last Battle, the final book of C S Lewis’ Aslan trilogy. Brilliant, but probably wouldn’t get published today. 

Tuesday – Cooler; cloud. Still felt dodgy most of the day, but did some house-tidying while Dot went to Jarrolds in the afternoon for waxing and manicure. Nice to see things sorted out. Putting new cartridge in printer unexpectedly tricky, but did it. Got down big suitcase from loft. It doesn’t look like ours, but can’t think whose else it would be. Dot did me special lunch of poached egg on toast with avocado: very nice. In the evening drove to meal with Mary and Neville at the Cellar House in Eaton. Parking tight – came close to edge of drop but extracted the car later. Good food – had medium-rare rump steak and chips – then we went back to the Throwers’ house for cake and ice cream, and a talk about illness and getting old. Oh dear. Felt definitely improved by the time we got home.

Wednesday – Cloudy but quite pleasant. Dry. Again felt ropey on waking but improved as day went on. One dose of paracetamol at 12.30pm. Bridget came to clean at 9.30; so I had to get up and move car. Dot left at about 10.40 to pick up Joyce and take her to North Walsham to meet Sandra again for lunch. After Bridget left – shouting a greeting to a mystified Des, who was engrossed in a conversation with John – I went out for short walk and to post pic to Linda (Eric’s grave, which she had asked me about). Popped in at station for no good reason. Did a bit of picture editing and attempted to finish a poem. Dot cooked chicken in the evening – very nice – and we watched Masterchef and another episode of In Flight. 

Thursday – grey and coolish, especially in Norwich. Warmer and with the occasional shaft of sun in Essex, where we spent the afternoon. We travelled down (Dot driving) by the fastest but not shortest route, down the A11 and M11 to near Stansted, cutting across to Great Dunmow and then up to Duck End, where Liz and Pete live. About 90 miles. Had really nice time there, with Brian and Jacqui, Rob and Sue, Jeannie, Jan, Christine. Others couldn’t make it; Jan’s husband is too ill with dementia.

Lovely food, and I had a long chat with Rob and Pete, who I like very much. He is a businessman in the engineering industry with a special interest in cars. Rob and Sue have visited every corner of the known universe. I drove back by the more country route, with only the occasional diversion. Took in Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds and the occasional road closure which you could in fact drive round with minimal effort, using a parallel lane. Quite tired by the time we got home. Had a bite which I probably didn’t need and watched Masterchef and the penultimate episode of In Flight. 

After that, felt quite ill and was shivering. Very bad night – so bad that I determined to go to the walk-in centre and this morning (Friday) was seen by a lovely 60-year-old nurse, who listened to what I had to say and prescribed antibiotics, which I have started. She was very thorough. Have been feeling very tired and warm and not capable of much. Got the antibiotics from Boots on Riverside, where Dot met me. She has been quite busy: Anna called early to deliver some paint; Paul then called but left (mainly because Dot was not dressed) when Dot said I was ill. Later Howard called to do some painting; street meet as usual (I was still in bed), and then Dot picked up Howard and Anna and they went to the Bowers for a meal. Or at least Howard did: Anna had a migraine. Vicky was also there. Dot brought me back some blackcurrant tart, which was lovely with ice cream. I had been to sleep and felt much better. 

However when I woke up (Saturday) I didn’t feel so good. Head very heavy and general bad feeling. Meanwhile Carrie came round to see Dot about her group working in schools, and they had a long chat. Had a bit of lunch but wasn’t at all hungry. Then Dot went to football (lost 2-1, but Spurs top of table). I tried to sleep, then had a bath, then did a few puzzles in the paper. Took another paracetamol and shortly felt better. Had a small dinner – avocado and egg on toast – plus an even smaller sweet – banoffee pie. Watched a fair bit of TV about islands and also Annika. Earlier had seen last episode of In Flight, which was pretty good, though with some loose ends and a questionable moral compass. The good news is that Mark is home.

Monday – Very warm. Felt a bit dodgy with some stomach pain and funny head (what’s new?), but as usual improved at end of day. Dot went to see Anne for lunch and chat, and I wrote my three pieces for Parish Pump – Wright brothers, Margaret Thatcher and an American Seventh Day Adventist conscientious objector hero. In the evening watched a bit of T√, including Narrow Road to the Deep North, which includes much more violence than it needs to. Rang surgery and stressed my imminent holiday; so now have phone appointment with a clinician on the 26th and have been told it’s not urgent. So I hope they’re right. Elevated liver enzymes, since you ask. I am looking suspiciously at my perindropril. 

Tuesday – Still very warm. End of world near. Dot drove me to podiatrist to get my feet looked at: apparently they’re pretty good, except my toes are too close together: most people’s are at my age because we were designed to walk barefoot, and most shoes are too narrow, pushing the toes together. I also learned there are three beats to a pulse – and heard it. That’s good too, especially in feet and legs. Afterwards we came home through traffic and then caught a bus up to Red Lion Street. Popped in to M&S to try to get something for Dot’s hair, but they didn’t have any. We got it later at Boots, on the way home.

But first we had our afternoon tea at the Assembly House – a birthday gift from the Cake & Compline crowd. Very pleasant, though a bit on the sweet side. Service was first class. We took a few small items home to finish them in the evening. Called in at Hays to inquire about Canada, but had forgotten to take passports. Still, got some guidelines and were encouraged to call in again, which we will. Then walked through Castle Mall (including Boots) and on home. Felt very warm indeed. Met Des as we arrived, and had a chat, but we really just wanted to sit down. In fact we ended up lying down for quite a while: got some sleep, and we both read a lot. Dot has finished The Last Battle, which she is raving about and says everyone should read. Meanwhile I have been reading a really good crime novel called One of Us is Dead, by Peter James. Dot revived enough to listen to Norwich City beat Watford in the cup 2-1, and we watched a couple of comedy programmes before going to bed. Upstart Crow is very clever. 

Wednesday – Very warm but cloudy. Drove to The Foundry near Tasburgh to have breakfast with Robin and Shelagh, Brian and Tricia. Very nice meal and chatted till past noon. In the afternoon I drove Dot to have her feet seen to – by the same guy, Aidan, who did mine. I read while she had them done, and then we drove up to the chemist, where I picked up my pills. Bach home watched Ridley, a new two-hour police drama that was very good. David FaceTimed and we talked about Diderot , plus a new project he’d planning that might involve Philiosophy for Children material. Had a light meal. Nice messages from Eleanor (card) and Jennie (text). Blackbird died in back garden. Cat or natural causes? Mysterious loud aircraft noises as went to bed. 

Thursday – still very warm and dry. Dot and I bussed up to city to Hays and booked our seats on the Canada flight. Hadn’t been able to do it at home. Then on the way back (also by bus) called at the rail station and booked our tickets to Heathrow and back. Bridget came to clean and brought us ice creams. Dot sent away for printer cartridges and I ordered some wine. Then we had street meet one day early: Des, Chris, John, Matt, Sarah. Ciara was fishing and Bob and Mary are away, as are Joe and Sam. Des got us fish and chips – one of each, which was about right. Watched first episode of In Flight, a sort of thriller. 

Friday – Dry and quite warm. Went to Morrisons to stock up, then in the afternoon to Christ Church Eaton to hear a talk on plagues which, to be honest, wasn’t very good. Quite a lot there, though, including Eleanor, who we thanked for the very nice card she sent us. Had rock cake. At 5.30 pm had mini-street meet with Matt and Angela, who had had her sisters with her yesterday. Watched quite a bit of TV, including two more episodes of In Flight. Had light tea which included shrimps, which I think may have upset my stomach. Had a bad night and then stayed in bed quite late. Naked Wines and printer cartridges arrived. Got in touch with Evetts to arrange November dates at Blakeney. Finished One of us is Dead, which was very easy to read, though I would have preferred the protagonist to be less stupid. The writer, on the other hand, was quite clever.

Wednesday, August 6 was Andrew’s birthday. Sent messages to various people about St Augustine’s, and rang Ray. After lunch drove up to the Rosary and put some roses (courtesy of Dot) on Andrew’s grave after substituting a new holder for one that had been broken. Took bus up to Castle Meadow for evening meal at Côte Brasserie, one of my favourite restaurants. Had a really nice meal (steak frites de luxe and crème brûlée)and risked a Grand Marnier coffee. Chatted to couple at neighbouring table. Earlier had conversation with surgery (Donna) but still no blood test results. Ho hum. Watched a couple of things on TV, including a Songs of Praise featuring Keith Getty. 

Thursday – Bit of cloud, but mainly sunny and dry. Slept late and had a bath, but we were up in time for Bridget, who had switched from afternoon to morning for her cleaning. Felt unaccountably crappy for a while in the afternooon, but improved when David FaceTimed and we talked about his projects, among other things. Had fruit salad with bread, butter and paracetamol before  catching the bus up to the city for a visit to the Maddermarket, where they were putting on Dad’s Army, including “Don’t tell him, Pike” and the Brief Encounter classics, starring my former colleagues Trevor Burton and David Newham, both of whom I said hello to afterwards. Met Bridget and David in bar, and had ice cream at half time. Pleasant walk home brought me up to more than 4000 again. 

Friday – or rather Saturday, as we’ve only just got to bed after driving home from Snape, and it’s past midnight. But we’ll stick with Friday. It’s been warm all day. Quite late in bed this morning, and Dot watered the garden. I edited a few pix. Left for Snape just after 3pm after taking papers over to Des and telling him how good Dad’s Army was. Missed street meet, of course. Stopped at Two Magpies for drink and two sausage rolls, which we ate on our arrival at Snape. Also had a couple of glasses of wine from riverside hut. Very relaxing. Amazed everything else was closed.

Went for a short walk, then back to auditorium, but no entry until after a choir had sung outside. Not my sort of thing, but very fine of its kind. Bought some water and got to our seats, which were excellent – as they should be for the price. Everyone very friendly. National Youth Orchestra 160 strong and with flamboyant female conductor who was very good. They played Star Wars stuff and a piece called The Observatory, by Caroline Shaw.  Very well done. After the interval Holst’s Planets Suite, which was terrific, especially Jupiter. Great to hear 160 young people put everything they had into what was effectively I Vow to Thee my Country! Terrific tune, and not the only one in/on Jupiter. Getting out of Snape car park was a slow business, and so was the journey home. Accident in front of us, where a van hit a car at badly lit road works at junction with A12. Eventually made it home and grabbed some cheese and biscuits. As you do. 

Saturday – very warm and dry. Went with Dot to Morrisons in morning to stock up. After lunch walked with her to Carrow Road. She went early in the hope of getting a free drink, but she didn’t qualify. Unexpectedly Jonathan and Naomi were there: she seemed quite well, but Jonathan is suffering from shingles. I walked back by the river and was exhausted. Lay down for a while. Cooked an instant chicken meal which was a bit tasteless. Watched Annika, but it seemed as if we’d seen it before. 

Sunday – very warm. Odd not going to church, but we watched a documentary about the spirituality of islands, which was interesting. In the afternoon parked on Oak Street and walked down to visit Kim for tea and cake. She is having real trouble with an injured leg that doesn’t seem to be improving, but as always we had an interesting talk and a really nice time. Watched quite a bit of TV later, including a new series of Beck which was excellent. Then did a bit of reading, and had a brief FaceTime chat with David, until he had to sort out a problem for Amy.

I finished the second of two excellent books Dot got me for my birthday. The first was The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd, which is a highly original look at the Cairngorms; the second was The Place of Tides by James Rebanks, which is even more unusual and set in the islands of north-west Norway. Both very  highly recommended. 

Friday, August 1 – Some rain and sun; windy later. Booked côte brasserie for Andrew’s birthday; also Snape for a concert next Friday (National Youth Orchestra) and Assembly House Afternoon Tea – a birthday gift from Cake and Compline. In the afternoon Dot and I practised songs for (as we thought) tomorrow, then I did the charity money.  Then out for street meet – windy, but sunny. Des and Chris, Jon, Angela (but not Matt). Saw Mary briefly : she has shingles. Again. Fish from different shop not quite so good, or maybe I wasn’t hungry. Watched cricket and a couple of other things. 

Saturday started grey and chilly, but became sunnier and warmer as we moved north. We had been intending to go to James Knox Whittet’s for lunch and some music (we had three or four songs ready) but his wife Ann was ill with a lung infection, and it was cancelled. So we drove to the Jarrolds café near Letheringsett and had a lovely lunch of toasted chiabatta (in my case with egg, chives and watercress). I also had two iced peach teas. Then we bought some food from the adjacent shop after viewing the gardens (impressive). We then went to Morston and walked out to the marshes opposite the blue house at Blakeney Point. Very few people about: sunny and warm. Felt blessed. Stopped off at reopened Anchor Inn for cider: they’ve done the place out beautifully. Then home, popping in to Morrisons on the way for petrol. Dot drove all day. Cooked pies and watched cricket. 

Sunday was quite warm, but with light rain at times. Drove to church intending to have chat with Graham afterwards (he said he was coming down after the St Luke’s service), but this went slightly wrong because (a) he was late and (b) Harriet had a major collapse, having walked to church with her dog after being in hospital for three days. Paramedics were called, and she was eventually taken away in an ambulance. Meanwhile we fixed an appointment with Graham for the next day, and then took Ray home. He seemed even less well than usual and is on regular Co-codamol. We went home and had lunch, then did some reading. Later watched cricket and ate sausages. Also watched end of Karen Pirie: police procedural. Very well done but don’t like what she wears. As if that mattered. Walked extra steps in kitchen to bring day’s up to 4000. As if that mattered. 

Monday – A little light rain and a bit windy, but reasonably warm. Tried to get blood test results again, but no luck. Must be a clot somewhere. I know what you’re thinking. Took Dot to violin lesson in the morning and did some picture editing. Met her in Prince of Wales Road. Graham arrived by bike and we had a chat about our plan to “retire” from church, in the sense that we would step back for a while. He didn’t necessarily agree with our reasons, but was very kind and saw it as a “season change” thing, which we do too. Big step, though we are happy about it. Called Judy to let her know, and wrote to Phil.  Afterwards went to shop to buy food for tomorrow. I cooked salmon and watched the cricket, which was very exciting and I think a fair result. (India won by six runs, which meant the series was drawn.) Read quite a bit and went to bed quite early. 

Tuesday was dry and windy, but quite warm. To Town House for Archant breakfast. I had a slightly smaller version than usual , and Dot just had coffee. Tricia was there, and we were joined eventually by Robin and Shelagh, and also by Bill Woodcock, then by John Rogers, a former photographer who I vaguely remembered. He had a number of memorable pix he had taken, including the first one of The Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, when he went to court. Sadly we had to leave earlier than we would have liked because we had a full day: Linda was coming to cut our hair, and Oliver, Amy and Sophie arrived at roughly the same time.

The trio had a drink, then went into town while Linda finished and I had a quick bath. We got the bus up and met them on Castle Meadow after a Park and Ride driver took us up without charging us. I didn’t know that our bus cards were not valid on P&R. I also didn’t know that the bus stop “spoke” to us about the schedule. A little boy did it while we were waiting. After walking through the Arcade we went into Jarrolds for drinks, olives, nuts and dipping bread. Then to Scandinavian shop while Dot visited Thorns, and Oliver and I popped into a Norwich City shop in Jarrolds. I had forgotten it was there. Bought a few things in Scandinavian shop, then home via Elm Hill and the riverside path. Got very tired and had to stop a couple of times. After a rest at home and looking at a few pictures on screen (plus an episode of Outnumbered) we had our evening meal – a complex Indian affair put together largely by Oliver and  Dot. Nice, though. Oliver, Sophie and Amy left at about 9.30, just as David was calling them on FaceTime, and we cleared up. It was great to see them. 

Cloudy with some quite heavy rain on Saturday 26 July. Finished off my Parish Pump articles – on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the Nuremberg  laws and Albert Schweitzer. Then wrote up my blog and lightly edited Dot’s Rhodes blog so that she could send it to Anne. We went to the charity shop and dropped off lots of clothes, including some of my old trousers, then on to Morrisons to get some food and a cake for church tomorrow. When we emerged it was pouring with rain, and we got quite wet. Cooked pies for supper and watched cricket and Tour de France as usual, plus a couple of comedy items and the first episode of Gold, about the Brinks Mat robbery. 

Sunday – Cloudy but dry. Led the service at church – used feast day of St Samson (Guernsey link) from Ray Simpson book. Smallish congregation. Carrie did quite good sermon on prayer; unfortunately the usual suspects had to add stuff that rather spoiled it. Anyway, took Ray home: he’s suffering rather more than recently. After lunch walked to the Maids Head, where Rob was doing one of his costumed talks – this time on the Mayflower pilgrims. Had a chat with him and Penny, whose father’s house, it turns out, was close to the hotel we stayed at on Guernsey. Rob was happy to do a Paston talk for Norwich Rotary; so I’m passing his name to Janet. It was our 57th wedding anniversary; so we had Anne’s champagne with our salmon supper. Watched end of Tour de France, last day of fourth test (superb holding job by India for a draw) and the final of the women’s soccer Euros, which England won, rather luckily, on penalties. 

Monday – Cloudy. Tried to catch up with some things like fixing our outside light and getting our hedge cut – the latter can’t be done till October, unfortunately. Replied to David, Oliver and Amy on Diderot, though I seem to have lost one of the replies and had to do it again. According to my phone, David is now between Calgary and Medicine Hat. Dot spent a lot of time preparing tomorrow’s lunch, and I helped with some clearing up. Cooked fish. Watched all or last four episodes of The Gold, about the Brinks Mat robbery. Very well done. 

Tuesday – Dry.  Perhaps a bit cooler, at least according to the nurse who expertly took my blood this morning. Results on Friday, I hope. Walked a little way afterwards, which helped me to exceed 4000 steps for the day. Took some papers over to Chris; then Kim and Anne arrived for lunch – a lavish affair prepared by Dot which was more than sufficient for supper too. They left after 4pm, and I had to lie down for a while. Felt excessively tired, which may have been the wine or the shrimps, or neither. In the evening watched the first two episodes of The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which was a bit horrific (Japanese POW bits) but nicely done. Read the book some time ago. 

Wednesday – Cloudy but quite warm. Threat of rain never materialised. Got up early to greet electrician from Homecare, who arrived at 8am (warning call at 7.30!). Replaced our LED light in porch at back. Watched him do it- very complex, and nothing like replacing a light bulb. Read up a bit on Daniel before going to Bible study at church. Went quite well, I think. Morgan, Judy, Debbie, Steve and Ellie-on-phone. Steve’s birthday: gave him a copy of Mist and Fire. Lucky man. Practised some songs for Saturday. Seemed to go OK. Had an hour’s sleep while Dot worked in garden. Cooked evening meal (duck) and we watched a couple of episodes of Karen Pirie, a police series. 

Thursday – Warm and dry after early rain.  Aimed to get a lot done but failed pitifully. Had bath before Bridget came to clean. After lunch took bus/walked to visit Linda (Shingles) and deliver a birthday card. She is 77. Roger was there and we had a longish chat and a small glass of red wine. Then I set off to walk home, taking in Southwell Road and cutting through alley to Queens Road and All Saints Green, then Westlegate, at which point I got tired and boarded a bus. Amusing journey home.  Woman behind insisted to her friend she had betrayed her by telling some else she used a microwave. “You must have told her, or how did she know?”

Walked up hill home and then lay down a bit. Put together a letter re church for the vicar but did not send it – yet. Spoke to Howard and Anna about it in the evening: still undecided about what to do. Later FaceTimed David and had a chat about Chrissy and his journey to White Rock, Kelowna and Calgary, interrupted by Barbara and Roger, who were over to help in the garden. The FaceTime was interrupted, not the journey.

Monday, 21 July – Not quite so warm; bit of a breeze and later some rain, most of which we avoided. After breakfast we walked into town by a different route through  Victor Hugo gardens. Ended up in a couple of shops – Accessorize, where Dot bought earrings, and Eternity (said Frankie Lee), where we got her a yellow cardigan. Then on to the bus terminal, where we squeezed on to a bus to Jerbourg.

This turned out to be a rocky promontory with great views. A few drops of rain; so we went into the hotel coffee shop for tea and strawberry tart/bakewell tart; then as the rain eased off we headed down the road to a clifftop walk (after advice from passers by), which proved really good. Then back to the bus, which we managed to catch because it was late. Bit more rain, but it eased and by a stroke of strategic brilliance we managed to exit the bus at a point where we could walk across to our hotel without plunging into town and having to climb up again. After a rest we did the packing but couldn’t locate Dot’s watch charger. Had a one-course supper (me steak, Dot chicken burger) then repaired to our room. 

Tuesday – Clouds, cooler, rain in evening. Bad night: woke about 5.20 for the last time and made a cup of tea. We had packed the night before. Got down to Reception in good time for transfer 6.30: picked up at another hotel (Great Western) but made good time to airport and checked in after they’d got the luggage roll-on working. Then ate our breakfast bag contents (Dot gave yoghurt to information desk) and went through security. Not too long a wait before boarding: good seats near back: left at 8.30. Stayed on plane when it stopped at Jersey: many got off and more got on. Easy flight to Norwich – impressed by Irish pilot. Seemed very quick, even the taxi-ing. Luggage came through with no problem and we got a taxi from the local booth. Driver Simon full of complaints about closed roads. Charged £17.20 and I gave him £20. Bridget was cleaning – seemed pleased to see us. Had cup of tea with her. Watched Tour de France and then unpacked.  Very tired, unsurprisingly. Cooked salmon, watched a bit more TV, and then went to bed. Well before 10pm. 

Wednesday – Dull, with spots of rain. Drove to church, where we took part in Bible study, finishing James. Present were Debbie, Jude, Steve and Morgan, back from the USA, where his proposal of marriage was accepted. Not sure who to. He’s young and interesting. Leanne popped in with Evelyn, who has grown quite a bit. They were going out blackberrying and popped in again on their way back. New garden at church is complete and looks good. Dot and I drove from there to Thorpewood, where I had a doctor ‘s appointment. Apparently my liver is rather less than perfect, but more investigations needed. Blood tests next Tuesday. Doc rang me later after he had spoken to specialist. From surgery we came home for lunch, then went to Morrisons. Managed just on 4000 steps today. At some point Mark has weeded our drive. Dot got in touch to thank him. He is very kind. Basic supper, then watched cricket and cycling. I put the luggage in the loft before going to bed. 

Thursday – Rain most of day, but dried out around 5pm. Dot had spent much of the day preparing a meal for Anna and Howard, who arrived at 6pm – walking. Howard did repair to our door while the rest of us chatted, then we all ate the meal. Very good. After they left we watched cricket, then cleared up. In bed around 11.30. Earlier I did a bit of clearing up in the bedroom and study and chose hymns for Sunday. David is in British Columbia. Des brought over Private Eye. 

Friday – David now in Calgary, presumably with Jackson. Warm and dry day here. Spent most of day on Parish Pump, interspersed with cutting ivy (not much) and watching a bit of TV – cricket and Tour de France, mainly. Street meet at the usual time – Mark, Sarah, Matt, Mary, Joe and Sam. Provided red wine for Mark to thank him for doing our drive. Good long talk. Des and Chris at Lichfield. Call from Stuart McLaren mid-evening to say tree branches had fallen in church hall garden, and he couldn’t reach anyone. Couldn’t go myself because I’d been drinking, but got through to Graham, and he went over. Don’t know what happened but he sent a picture. Quite dramatic. 

Friday, July 11 – Very warm. Drove Dot up to Asda to get an eye check. Pretty tired all day. Cancelled papers. Light lunch, then went to Morrisons to get some champagne and other stuff. Watched some TV – Wimbledon and Tour de France – and David FaceTimed. Had quite a long chat, which was really nice. He has been doing quite a bit of cycling.

Special street meet with champagne for my birthday next day. And nibbles. Mark, Sarah, Matt, Angela, Jon, Joe and Sam. Had quite a talk with Sam, but also with others. Outside in shade for a couple of hours before I came in and cooked salmon. Watched cricket and more Tour. Was very tired; so Dot cleared away. 

Saturday – Very warm. Again. My 80th birthday. Felt quite dizzy much of the day. David sent me some writing books and a mini-pen. Books from Dot and Joy, who has sciatica and is feeling pretty bad. David and Oliver and Amy wrote some lovely things about me in Diderot. Anne got me some champagne and Kim got me a small mouse with a guitar. David and Oliver both FaceTimed, but Amy is in Scotland. Watched a bit of Wimbledon and Tour de France, then cricket when we returned from a meal at Bishop’s, which was my main present from Dot. Really nice there as always. Walked back through Close and as a result just reached 4000 steps for day. 

Sunday – Somehow failed to record this, but went to church, then went to North Walsham to celebrate Roger’s birthday with him, Debbie, Judy and Don. Nice afternoon with snacks. Pretty warm still. 

Monday – Not quite so warm. Very small amount of rain in evening. Sent birthday cards to Stephanie and Audrey. Spent day preparing for holiday – packing, etc. Didn’t feel too great. Head was very fuzzy. Thought at first I was getting UTI, but no. Decided not to go to Cake and Compline. Would have been a squeeze, timewise. Booked taxi for 9am. Cooked Chicken Kiev and watched England lose narrowly to India at cricket, then a couple of days of Tour de France. 

Tuesday – Cooler; very windy in Jersey with tiny amount of rain. Picked up by taxi just before 9 and at airport in good time. Irritatingly long wait before we could book in: some kind of system problem. However, left on time after thorough going over in security. Flight was a bit bumpy; no food or drink (we had had a bun/Danish pastry before we left). Jersey airport exit very quick: picked up by minibus and taken to Radisson hotel by waterfront in St Helier.

First impressions not great; loads of traffic on unexceptional roads. But hotel was very good (though room had no sea view) and when we walked out by the marina, I was overwhelmed by the scenery as well as by the boat names (Sea Esther and Just Add Water, for example). Tide low and water dancing at entrance to marina, as well as castle out in the harbour being accessed by amphibious vehicle. Paintings in arches by the marina really good: in Britain would be covered with graffiti.

Later booked a couple of tours – one with hotel and one with Premier rep, who came to see if we were ok. Impressive. She also gave us a rundown of the area and what we could do, including bus routes. Evening meal in hotel very good (mussels starter big enough for main). We walked out afterwards to watch incoming tide. Remarkable difference. Earlier we had bought ice cream and walked through Jardin du Mer. Very early to bed. 

Wednesday – Grey with some light rain. Coolish. Good breakfast at hotel, then on board bus to War Tunnels. It arrived a bit late, and the Tunnels were crowded but fascinating, giving a step-by-step scenario of the occupation of the Channel Islands by the Germans. Not impressed by Government’s failure to defend them and reluctance to help them after D-day. Then bus took us to the Glass Church, which was full of Lalic glass and very impressive , though not to a guy from Rotherham, who said he would rather have a beer. Had to get a minibus back to Radisson (we were only two from there out of 33 in bus).

Free afternoon tea, which was so lavish that I couldn’t eat anything for rest of day. We both slept for about an hour afterwards, then walked into town to buy snacks and get our bearings. Felt shattered, but it was all very beautiful, especially Liberation Square. Later had two free glasses of wine in bar (part of deal). Tide coming in – lovely view of sunset. Somewhere in there caught second half of Tour de France highlights. 

Thursday – Started grey with very slight drizzle, but by mid-afternoon became very warm and sunny. Earlyish breakfast, then tour of island by minibus, driven by witty Scotsman. Went round Jersey anti-clockwise (21 of us), stopping at Gory, then for very nice lunch (best prawns I ever tasted) at an inn, Les Fontaines, on the north coast. After that continued round to Corbière lighthouse and a beach on the south coast, where we stopped for ice cream.

Quite a restrained group, but I chatted to a woman who think was quite upper class but very nice. Driver had amazing series of stories about who lived where etc etc and why Jersey society was so calm (no litter, graffiti etc). Interesting – bit like England when I was growing up. Lots of traffic at end but back at hotel by 5pm. Tired. Watched Tour de France then had meal in bar area – I had beef burger and Dot Caesar salad. Beautiful sunset which I managed to get on camera after being alerted by Dot. 

Friday – Quite warm. After biggish breakfast walked into town, but I wasn’t feeling great. We walked around various shops – all very picturesque – and Dot bought some stuff in Boots while I sat on seat. We then walked some more and had drink in Costa, where I went to the loo. On again, and bought Dot a bracelet from a jeweller who was retiring. Back up to hotel, and I  lay down for a while. Also took paracetamol, which worked quite well. We decided to take DUKW ferry out to castle in the bay , which proved quite exciting. Climbed to the top, where we saw some aerobatics from a Spitfire flying over – had the feeling he was doing it for us: the two of us were standing alone on top of the tower. Got last ferry back at 5pm. Early supper at 6.30pm in hotel bar – both had Caesar salad followed by really nice light cake and a Cointreau. Strolled out to look at sea but then went up to our room. Managed 12400 steps today. 

Saturday – Dull, spots of rain later. Amazing waste of time. Ready for transfer to Jersey airport after breakfast; specified time 10.30 am. Our transfer man arrived ten minutes late and drove like a bat out of hell to get to the airport by 11am. then discovered our flight had been put back 90 minutes. Incidentally check-in and security were fast and friendly. Anyway we sat in the departure hall, did a bit of eating and drinking, and I was feeling really rough. Bought a couple of books. Eventually while I was in the loo we were called to our gate, where we waited another 20 minutes or so before boarding.

When on board there was another hold-up because of a problem with luggage. Then took off behind Spitfire and took about 15 minutes to reach Guernsey. At the airport we waited another 20 minutes or so for our transfer to arrive, and got to our hotel in St Peter Port about 4pm. So that was about six hours to get about 27 miles, or from Norwich to Blakeney. Weather worsening: very grey; light rain in the evening. Before meal we walked down to viewpoint over harbour, and afterwards a short distance in the other direction. Hotel Duke of Richmond quite posh.  They had done me a  small birthday cake. Nice meal in evening. Slept afterwards, then wrote blog. Felt a bit better. 

Sunday – Well away from pop-up DCC meetings, sunny with occasional light showers and wind (but not cold). Breakfast with terrace view. Met Mr Bennett, who found the stairs hard to deal with. Walked into town (very steep downhill) and looked round old parts before having a cider in Terrace Garden. Then down to seafront and eventually to bus terminus, where we met a couple who often cycle in North Norfolk. Very nice. They were heading back to Manchester but recommended a beach area we might bus to tomorrow. After making some inquiries we caught a 91, which basically did a circumnavigation of the island, dropping us off halfway at Vazum Bay, where we had lunch in a beachside cafe; Dot had sweet potato chips and I had mackerel pâté.

A few drops of rain, but we walked out to a bunker on the cliff, with sky looking threatening. Dot climbed to sea wall but didn’t make it to the beach. Eventually walked back to bus stop and waited about 20 minutes for 91. This was packed, and we had to stand for a bit. While we were on board there was a really heavy shower. Back in town, where it was dry, we tackled the steep walk back up to our hotel – hard going!  Watched Tour de France and then had another £100 supper.

Saturday July 5th – Still warm but a little windy and cloudy, especially in the evening. Changed the bedclothes with Dot – not one of my favourite jobs. After lunch drove to Cromer for Dot’s concert. Dropped her off at church and parked in usual place. £4.50.  Back at church assisted Neville in preparing programmes and tickets; then we went over road to Huckleberry’s and had tea and biscuit. Back at church for a while then walked with him part of way to his hotel. Concert was very good. Sat with Angela and Rodney. Angela had a bit of a problem with vertigo. Chatted with Catherine at interval about Florida. Eleanor and her friend were there; also Claire, surprisingly. Afterwards chatted with Vikki on way back to car park. She seemed quite happy. Drove home in quite good time and watched cricket highlights: England on brink of defeat, but you never know…  

Sunday – Grey but mild with a heavy shower about midday. We were in church at the time – St Luke’s, that is. The original plan was to have a parish barbecue in the vicarage garden, but there was a forecast of thunderstorms; so this was aborted. Quite a sizeable band, but I played anyway, and so did Dot of course. Quite a good meal, nice to have a chance to talk. We gave Ray a lift home afterwards. For some reason felt very tired and lay down for a while. Did our packing for Scarborough and watched some tennis (Cameron Norrie winning), the first two stages of the Tour de France (highlights) and the last day of the Second Test against India, which India won – the right result. During the afternoon Anne came round to bring my birthday present. Two others had been delivered to Mark! Later David FaceTimed, and we had a chat. He had been on a long cycle ride. 

Monday – Cooler, cloudy, windy. Some rain the evening. Walked over to station to see if the bus replacement was running and discovered it was leaving five minutes earlier than scheduled. So we put on a bit of a spurt. It actually left seven minutes early and made good progress, landing us in Peterborough in time to catch the 12.01 to York. Quite crowded: sat in reserved seats and I started writing a poem. Arrived in York at 1.30pm    and relaxed a bit until boarding the Scarborough train, which was likewise crammed with reserved seats. A nice lady gave us a couple of seats which turned out not to be not reserved after all. Julia met us outside the station and we waited a while for Dave to find his way through the traffic and pick us up, taking us up to the apartment for refreshments. Spent rest of day there – bit of sleep, lovely meal and quite a bit to drink. Then watched some Wimbledon and Death in Paradise, during which both Dot and I went to sleep. 

Tuesday – Cool to start with, becoming much warmer. Dry. Not a good night, sleepwise. Drove to Thornton le Dale, one of my favourite villages. Then to Cedar Barn, which wasn’t as good as usual – waitresses not very wecoming. Bought some wine for our hosts. Had Sally Lunn (a kind of teacake). Drove back to Thornton and did shortish walk round lake, then upriver and round the back: very beautiful in the sun. Into café for lunch – much better service – had sandwich and chips. Diana George from Paston was at nearby table. She and her husband on the way to Scotland. Afterwards bought some chocolate and then back to car park. Dot and I both went to sleep on drive back to Scarborough. Later Dave and I got fish and chips. Had to pay with cash. Afterwards watched an episode of McDonald & Dodds that featured Delta blues from Robert Johnson and the crossroads story. Quite well done. 

Wednesday – Warm and dry. Sunny after early cloud. After another mediocre night (for me) we had breakfast and walked down into Scarborough. Stopped before reaching main town and had tea/coffee in promenade café. Then into seashore area which was highly populated with dogs and wheelchairs. Stopped at Bayview Café for lunch. Dot and I shared a ham and cheese sandwich and crisps. Dot and the other two shared a bottle of white wine, but I had a Coke. Owner (female) had really nice trousers. Afterwards Dave and I went for long walk down into the harbour, where we saw the Regal Lady, among other things. Then back to the funicular, up into town and caught the bus back to the flat. Home well before 4pm. Meanwhile Dot and Julia had gone to M&S among other things, and got back around 4.40pm. After having trouble earlier with iPhone, but it seemed to be back on an even keel. Had fruit and cup of tea and we all lay down for a while. Back in the land of consciousness we left at 6.30 to walk to the Italian restaurant, where we had a really good meal before getting a taxi back. Had some whisky and chatted about the past before going to bed. 

Thursday – Very warm and dry. Bad night — cramp in leg and worried about train seats. Breakfast as usual – toast, marmalade and cheese. Dave and Julia dropped us at station and we caught the 11.54 to York. Got home just before 6pm. First part was easy, except for difficulty of finding railcard on Trainline. Quite a delay in York before catching 1333 to Peterborough. Thought we’d have to stand, but nice member of LNER team found us seats – not together, though. At Peterborough discovered the Norwich train was late, but nice café on the relevant platform, and another helpful lady found us a cold white wine. When train arrived it was pretty full, and we were split up again, but we got together again at Ely. By now very warm, even more so at Norwich. Very tired but unpacked and cooked pie and potatoes. Watched cricket, some Wimbledon and some Tour de France.

Monday, June 30 was very hot and dry. Heatwave, one might almost say, as the BBC did ad infinitum, when not apologising for broadcasting Glastonbury hate speech. Wrote a reply to one our friends’ messages about Israel, and then Dot wrote a better one. We haven’t sent either yet. Went to Morrisons, then in the afternoon rang to get the results of my most recent water sample. I was told it was abnormal and I would need to see a doctor, but as I already have an appointment with a doctor in three weeks’ time, they weren’t keen to give me another one. I queried this but was told that although the results were abnormal, they weren’t urgent. So either it’s something relatively trivial or something they can’t do anything about. No worries. In three weeks I might know.

Mark is home. We watched a chunk of Wimbledon (Katie Boulder scraping through) and I cooked some cod which wasn’t as tasty as Dot hoped it would be. I quite liked it. 

Tuesday was also very hot. Strange day. Drove to Archant pensioners’ meeting in the morning, but it was very poorly attended. Robin had fallen over again, but Tricia was there, and the three of us were joined by the printer guy who I know well but whose name I forget, plus Andy Russell, Alan George and Ann Crane. We all sat together and actually had a pretty good chat. Later Dot and I got a bus into the city and got some corrections done to our travel documents for both Channel Islands and Canada (mainly Mr Dorothy Lenton). She then walked on towards Jarrolds for her nails appointment with Hannah; I went halfway with her then circled back to get bus back.

Really uncomfortably hot. Went to sleep for an hour (didn’t mean to), then drove up to chemist to get catheters I had ordered on prescription – except they didn’t have them. Checked in surgery, who were nice but not all that helpful: gave me the number of the place that supplied them. Back home I gave them a call (after Dot had arrived home with a present for Roger) and had a difficult time explaining exactly what had happened. Eventually I got someone who made sense, and it seems that the prescription was for ten, but they only supplied boxes of 60, which would last me for well over a year. So I had to bring the surgery back, and had difficulty explaining to them what the problem was. In the end I think they are now on order, but no-one knows whether they’re being delivered to the chemist or to me. Oh dear. Dot spent a long time the afternoon doing puzzles. Sent the Israel messages. Had pizza for supper and watched some TV, including an old episode of Vera. 

Wednesday – Startling reduction in temperature with the bonus of some light rain. Finished reading The Magician’s Nephew in the bath. Drove to church for Bible study with Steven, Debbie and Jude. James 3 and 4 – went quite well. Graham put in appearance in background. Not sure what he was doing. Planters still doing stirling work. After lunch I posted  birthday card to Joan and then we bought train tickets for Scarborough next week. Nice man in ticket office: £98 return each with Railcard. Then watched a bit of Wimbledon – win for Cameron Norrie against 12th seed. Cleared up while Dot went to orchestra with Janet and Nova. Checked hymns for Sunday. When Dot got back we watched an old episode of Yes Minister, as true as it always was. 

Thursday – Warm and dry. Watched cricket while eating breakfast and got an unexpected phone call from Paul, who invited us round for coffee. We went on the bus, which worked well, and we stayed for quite a while before getting the bus home. Got Holly’s new address from Paul: she is still in Bath but has moved to a bigger house with her boyfriend, Rich. So I was able to re-address her birthday card before posting it at the sorting office later. Cooked a Thai curry (in a box) and while we were eating it watched some Wimbledon (Draper being knocked out by Cilic) and then the cricket – Gill scoring a huge double century for India. After clearing up we watched a new murder mystery series. 

Friday – warm and dry. Linda came round and did our hair: she now lives at Guist with her new partner. Had bath and read more of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Everyone should read the Narnia series. After lunch my catheters arrived: I am now OK till the end of next year! We then went to Silver Road to buy some stamps and Morrisons to get some food for Sunday’s barbecue. Adapted my flash fiction Samaire for Bridget’s competition and submitted it. Sorted out my out-of-date catheters etc and bagged them up for disposal. Freed up quite a bit of space. Street meet with Des and Chris, Matt and Angela, Joe and Sam, Mary and Ciara. Felt quite odd and was glad when Angela offered me a seat. Result of haircut? Seems silly, but I often feel odd after having my hair cut.

Des got fish and chips and I managed to eat a fair chunk of it while watching cricket and Wimbledon – Emma Radicanu playing well and just losing to top seed. My cousin Sandra sent me a voicemail message about how she’s getting on in South Africa, which needs a reply. 

Wednesday June 25 – Warm and dry with a bit of wind. Sound familiar? Have now written four poems since Dot left. She is a distant inspiration! Gradually felt better during the day, though my head is still fuzzy and occasionally I feel off-balance. Had a call from the surgery this morning to arrange an appointment to discuss my ultrasound. It can’t be too bad, because the date is about a month away. Admittedly, that’s partly because we’re on holiday some of the time in between.

I eventually decided to go to see Barbara in Cromer, though I couldn’t raise her on the phone (turned out she had been out walking). Felt a bit guilty as I [assed the church, where I should normally have been leading Bible study, but it passed. Remembered in time to avoid the Holt road because of the road works and doubled back to take the back way through Buxton. That went fine, and I got to Barbara’s about 3pm. She didn’t answer the door at first, but I persisted and she eventually came. She had been sitting in the garden, which is where I ended up with a bit of cranberry juice. She always seems really pleased to see me, and we talked a lot about family. She’s had quite a difficult life in many ways, and of course no grandchildren, just the one son. She ended up praying for me (I think she has a healing gift), and I do now feel quite a bit better, though the dizziness is still there, off and on.

Kim rang while I was there, and when I rang her back I discovered she was going to Coventry tomorrow to help Kavana move (she had been hoping to go to Leamington Spa, but no luck). As she was leaving on the 8.30 train tomorrow I wouldn’t be able to have a chat with her, which is a pity. Got back to Norwich in rush hour as usual, but it wasn’t too bad. Watered the garden and cooked myself a chicken pie. Watched an episode of Death Valley I had slept through most of last time, and then a comedy programme. Both had Sian Gibson in them: she is a good actress and writer too. Cleared up and completed a couple of poems then caught up with blog. Dot got in touch about arrangements tomorrow evening and what they had to do to get to the airport at Rhodes on time. Sounds very organised (!), which is how I like it. Meanwhile I reached 4000 steps by walking in the kitchen. 

Thursday – Windy but quite warm. Up-and-down day healthwise. Woke quite late, had bath and wrote another poem. Can’t remember which order these things happened in. Sarah texted me and Des to see if we could get her from the hospital at 10am tomorrow – obviously I couldn’t, which is annoying, but in the end Des decided he could. Mark is going to be later back, hence the problem. Helicopter chaos, apparently.

At some point I tidied up the bedrooms and thinned out my study a bit. Felt grotty early afternoon, but better later. Watered the flowers while my supper cooked (yellow haddock), and I ate it partly while FaceTiming with Amy. We had a long chat, which was lovely. She is doing really well and got a first in her first-year exams. Earlier Dot called me (by mistake) while I was driving to Morrisons, but texted afterwards to tell me her plane was leaving late. I checked later and it seemed to have caught up and was scheduled to arrive on time.

Kim got in touch and said she had arrived in Coventry but had hurt her back again while moving a bed (??!) for Kavana, whose new flat is apparently a bit “tatty”. Drove to airport and arrived very early, but it meant I could wander round and got a picture of Dot’s plane landing. They got through arrivals by about 11pm and I drove Anne home (with Dot) so that she could go into the house with her. Then we drove home. Very little traffic about, of course. Dot had had problems getting to the airport in Rhodes, and I heard all about it. Got to sleep late. 

Friday – Warm with some wind. very warm later. Felt dreadful when I woke up, but as soon as I went downstairs, felt better. After breakfast drove to Wroxham and  parked in Roy’s medium- stay car park (free); then bought sandwiches and buns from Roy’s before meeting the others at Broadland Direct, including Fred and Sue, Neville and Mary, Ray Houseago, Michael and Cindy Huggins, Adrian, Tony and the usual suspects.  Boarded Cordon Rouge and started with talk by Chris Hart on his life of adventure in the UK. Good.

Moved up to top deck for the cruise, which started at 12 and finished at 3. Downriver to Horning, taking in Wroxham snd Salhouse broads with commentary by captain. Sun warm, and I got quite tanned without realising it.  Then a cryptic quiz, and I got in team with Fred and Sue, and we won (38/40). Dot formed duo with physicist  Peter Bussey, in which she was not outmatched. Then a singsong organised by Fred (G@S) followed by part of the school song. Young female bartender described trip as a “welcome change of pace”.

Dot and I walked back to car park and eventually found the car. Drove home via Coltishall to avoid traffic. Found some interesting backroads. Both of us very tired but went out for street meet with Des, Chris, Matt, Joe, Sam, Jon. Then I cooked salmon. We tried to watch TV but went to bed instead and wrote our blogs, which took a long time. That was after FaceTiming David to update him on Dot’s exploits. 

Saturday – Hot and dry. Despite having a good night’s sleep I felt tired all day. We gradually cleared up and had a couple of cold meals. Had a FaceTime with Amy, which was really nice. Dot prepared her prayers for tomorrow. I had a sleep in the afternoon and also re-read the first four chapters of The Magician’s Nephew. In the evening watched a few programmes, including the last episode of The Last Anniversary, which was so convoluted that I had to have Dot explain it to me. 

Sunday – A little bit cooler with a bit of cloud. Drove to church but took no special part in HC service, which was a joint one: unusually more St Luke’s people than St Aug’s. Two violins (one from St Luke’s). No guitars. Spoke to two couples I didn’t know – David and his wife; and Andrew and his Brazilian wife (think they live at Aylsham). Refreshments afterwards – and before, come to that. Took Ray home and dropped off Liz Day’s birthday card at Cotman Fields. Watched quite a lot of catch-up TV and we both slept on bed in afternoon. After we woke up I felt much better. Chicken Kiev for supper; David FaceTimed and we had a long chat, mainly about Dot’s holiday and David and Chrissy’s travels planned for next month.