Bit of a gap there, but we’ve been so busy careering here and there with the Murrays that there’s been no time to stop and write it up. They left on the 9 o’clock train today and should be boarding the plane about now (3pm). The picture is of them and Dot emerging from an hour or so on the beach at Holkham on Saturday, during which we saw the tide coming in and several groups having to wade across the stream to safety. Quite exciting – but not very, very exciting. We had been hoping for a group of dwarves to attempt it. Earlier that day we had visited Wells (including the wonderful Big Blue Sky), had traditional fish and chips on the quay and moved on to a tea shop at Holkham, plus the very tempting Adnams kitchen and wine shop, to which we succumbed. After the beach we drove back home through the Holkham estate.
I see I have slipped out of sequence. Let us return to last Monday (the 18th), where we spent David’s birthday with him and the grandchildren. First we all took David to Loch Fyne restaurant in St Albans, which was superb – both food and setting. Then we were joined by the children at Winchfield and had a hectic remainder of the afternoon, with Oliver showing his skill at football, which is considerable, and Amy organising an outstanding game of hide-and-seek. It was a really nice day altogether. We left just after six and had an easy drive home.
The following day we went to London on the train and took the tube to Westminster Bridge, which we crossed, paying tribute to Wordsworth as we did so. I feel I may have underestimated Wordsworth. Then an awful hot dog in a cafe (me only; the others had something more palatable) before we proceeded to the Eye, which was brilliant. No long queue, and we were in our pod way before our due time. The weather was good (showery, but dry at this point) and clear, and it was well worth the money and effort. We then walked up to Tate Modern, taking in a gallery on the way, and popped briefly inside before crossing the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s, where we took the underground to Oxford Circus. After a brief trot in the wrong direction, we then walked down Regent Street, taking in a few shops (Burberry’s loo is excellent, and Hamley’s toy attack too overwhelming). Found another gallery – Haunch of Venison – but weren’t impressed by what was on show, though the building itself was superb. Down Burlington Arcade and a brief foray into Fortnum and Mason’s before arriving for tea at the Ritz. Superb. Tube from Green Park back to Liverpool Street and so to bed. Well, after we got home, that is. Another great day.
The next day we went for something a little more leisurely, hiring a Broads day boat from Stalham (Moonfleet Marine) for five hours and taking in Barton Broad, How Hill and Wayford Bridge. Very pleasant weather, if not quite hot enough for Barbara. We rounded off the day with dinner at Morston Hall, which I have to say was very good indeed. On the Thursday Dot was working, so I took the Murrays to the Castle Museum (via the Cathedral). Roger did his best to knock himself out on the Castle wall, but just failed, though he was stunned for a while. We proceeded to the Caffe Italia, where we had a light lunch. Dot had been intending to join us there, but was late back, so we walked to the Art Shop in St Benedict’s, where Roger had been hoping to buy some revolutionary new acrylic paint. But no luck, and it started raining heavily, so I phoned Dot, who by this time was at home, and she came and picked us up. Barbara and Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and in the evening we all went to the Maddermarket to see Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables, which was very well done. Met several ex-EDP folk – Frank Gordon, Trevor Burton and (after about 20 years) Jack and Sylvia Gordon. Sandra was also there, painting the scenery. Actually, I think she had finished painting it.
Next morning (Friday – try to keep up) I took Roger and Barbara on a seven-mile walk at Caistor. Dot was at a SIAS training day at Brome. Very pleasant walking weather – not too hot – and it went very well, though I was pretty desperate for the loo at the end. Having problems in that area at the moment. Restricted flow. Roger located the mystery acrylic at Jarrolds in the afternoon, and in the evening Dot took the Murrays to the Last Wine Bar while I went to the final night party for Voicing Visions. Knew almost no-one there except Ruthli and her husband, who invited me to tea on their lawn at my convenience, which was nice. Fortified by some very acceptable white wine, I talked to some very nice people, including Alison, who works at Waterstone’s, and Philippa, who is a stone carver and works for David Holgate. She introduced my to Joyce Dunbar, also a poet but primarily quite a well-known writer of children’s books. Left after an hour and a half and met the others as they were finishing their meal.
Saturday we have covered, and on Sunday the Murrays went to Suffolk for a family meal while after church I went to Paston to stand in for Lisa at the Art Alive project following her poetry walk. We returned there the following day with the Murrays to look at the book and the church. Brigitte was there again in medieval costume – never seen her in anything else. Perhaps she is medieval. Jo Berry showed me how to make paper. Called in at Knapton and Edingthorpe churches before proceeding to Elderton Lodge for another pleasant meal. Then on to Rosie’s for tea and buns and a walk round the garden.
Completed the Norfolk rose round the following day, which started out very wet but dried out, by having tea with Peter and Jean at the Beales Sweet Briar Bistro and then looking round their gardens and shop. After that went for lunch at Dunston Hall after calling at a farm shop in Mulbarton. Ended the day with fillet steak and chips at home. During their visit Roger and Barbara saw all 13 episodes of the first season of Battlestar Galactica. Apparently there are four seasons and 73 episodes altogether. Ended up feeling more sympathy for the Cylons than the humans, which can’t be right, can it? Perhaps I’m not human. I probably wouldn’t know.
