It’s my birthday! I can’t tell you how old I am, but the numbers 7 and 8 are in it. Don’t feel all that much different. Cloudy day, bit windy, seeming about to rain any second but hasn’t yet. Or has it? (Looks out of window) No, it hasn’t. Paul Henderson called in this morning. He is the process of selling his house and buying one a bit smaller. I had to leave shortly after he arrived to walk to church for a Bible study. Debbie, Steve and Stacey. Quite relaxing. Dot picked me up and then went for a blood test. Later we’re going out for a meal. Parcel arrived from David and Chrissy. Two exciting looking books.

Last Friday was warm. Dot went to shop while I had a bath. Window cleaner came. After lunch drove down to Eye to meet Amy, Vicky and Matt. Plenty of traffic. Found car park, but the others were in a cafe. Amy came to fetch us, and we had a cup of tea with them. Vicky and Matt were having lunch. Confusing “Road closed” signs in Eye. Roads were in fact open, though obstructed. Lots of traffic on the road home. All went out for street meet at 5.30pm, as Murray was heading for a loss at Wimbledon. Attending: Des and Chris, Sarah (Mark is in Norway), Jonathan. Amy pretty relaxed. Had evening meal outside (Pizza plus salad), then showed each other recent pix on TV. Eventually watched Tour de France. Cavendish almost won but his gears were faulty. 

Saturday was warm but mainly cloudy. Drove  Dot and Amy to Cromer mid afternoon so that Dot could rehearse for concert while Amy and I amused ourselves in Cromer. Bumped into Adrian Busker unexpectedly, and later the lovely Karen Wimhurst. Went on to the pier for a while, then walked along the prom and climbed steep steps to coast road. After a rest we decided to play crazy golf, which I unexpectedly won 69-73, putting mainly left-handed.

Saw end of rehearsal, then we all went for a short walk before coming back outside church to eat our lunch. Then had cup of tea before concert. Sat with Angela and Rodney. Spoke to Graham Smith, Adrian and Jane O’dell ( she had just had gall bladder removed), Neville and Jaya, as well as one or two others. Gave violinist Nova (Chinese) a lift back to Norwich. Amy watched British Grand Prix practising, which she had recorded. 

Sunday continued warm and mainly dry. Went to church on my own; led prayers and prayed in Communion. Discussed Phyllis estate briefly with Anna. Latish home: went to Gem with Dot and Amy, then watched British Grand Prix with  her. Won by fake world champion Verstappen, but Lando Norris  second. Watched film, 500 Days of Summer, and Amy discovered link to Bob Dylan’s Duquesne Whistle video after hero’s way of walking rang a bell with me. After tea watched Test highlights – narrow win for England. 

Monday was another busy day: mild but slightly windy; rain late evening. Took Amy over to station after breakfast, and made sure she got on the train. Then drove to Denton – delayed yet again by road closure at Saxlingham and then got lost as we approached Denton. Had coffee and biscuits/cakes with Robin and Shelagh, and they showed us round the garden and house. Drove home by different route. Felt a big ropey in afternoon: remembered it was exactly a year since my gall bladder operation. Watched Tour de France – sadly Cavendish out with broken collar bone. Got buses up to Eagle pub for orchestra barbecue – very good after slow start. Spoke to people new to me – Penny, Jenny (wife of double bass), Peter – vicar and trumpeter –plus others I did know, including  Vicky, who was with her new boyfriend Anthony. Seemed a nice guy. Barbecue food was excellent, as was wine. 

It was quite warm and dry yesterday, after early morning rain. Maybe a few drops later. Dot spent all day at a DSSO meeting, and I used the time to catch up on lots of stuff. Posted cards to Phil and Joy (anniversary) and Stephanie ( birthday) and bought stamps from Andrew “ Clown” Partridge. Arranged to update BT Broadband. Watched a bit of Wimbledon when Dot got home. Cake and Compline in evening: all present at 22 except Judy, who has laryngitis. Quite a long session: Phil arrived at 7am and we ended at 10pm. Watched Tour de France. 

So we continue into July, breathing out and breathing in, as Peter Greig mighty say. As we do so, it’s not quite so warm. After the haircut mentioned last time (don’t say I don’t fill you with excitement), I had a bath, and then we went to Morrisons and stocked up. Fortunately the car stayed in one piece. I also caught up on computer and with Telegraph puzzles. Very tired. 

Sunday was windy, and a bit cooler. Led church service in the morning –  Leanne came and seemed quite cheerful. In the afternoon went to Cow Tower with Des, Chris and Ciara to watch The Common Lot do a play about Mile Cross. Charlie Caine was excellent, but it wasn’t their best – too cheaply political. About 400 there. Then went to barbecue at Graham’s   Quite a lot of people from both churches. Had chast with Phil and both Steve’s, Harriet and others. Home to see Beck (excellent) and Test highlights (disappointing). FTd with Amy to fix visiting dates. 

Monday was mainly dry, reasonably warm but with a bit of rain here and there – enough to dissuade Dot from walking into the city. I walked up to Boots to get my new glasses fitted: they were pretty well perfect. Even the girl who fitted them liked them. Later walked to sorting office to post birthday cards to Joan and Holly: sent e-cards too. Caught up with e-mails etc, mended the fan in the bathroom and booked an electrician for the oven. Watched Van der Valk and Tour de France.

Tuesday – Grey all day with spots of rain developing into steady rain in the evening. Coolish. Because the car is still in bad shape, we walked to the Archant pensioners’ coffee morning at Thorpe. In our case, of course, it was a full breakfast, and unusually we had to queue for it, because of an influx of four very hungry and slow young people. This was after we’d said hello to Brian, who was sitting in his son’s car outside: he couldn’t manage the steps. Apart from that, he looked pretty well, considering. Tricia was at an appointment in the city. Spoke to Bill, Richard, Jenny and a few other people. Shelagh and Robin dropped us off on the one-way system going home, and we walked the rest of the way. In the afternoon Dot walked to her violin lesson with Anna, and I caught up with computer stuff, like editing our holiday pictures. Later I cooked lamb steak and we watched tennis and the Tour de France. 

Wednesday  –  Aaargh!  Cloudy with some rain and several nightmares. Took the car up to have the exhaust done and got the bus part of the way back. Then the cooker man came and changed the element on the lower oven because it kept cutting out and  shorting the fuse box. When I cooked the evening meal it did it again!! Walked up to church to do Bible study: two people there I didn’t know; not entirely happy, partly because garage rang up in the middle of it. On the plus side, Leanne came and again seemed quite happy. Walked home and met the legendary Paul Dickson and Neil Haverson on Foundry Bridge.  Had quite a long chat with them.  Dot was in city.

WiFi was down and I spent ages trying to fix it; eventually I rang BT and got directions which seemed bizarre but worked. All very tense. Then the WiFi disc upstairs stopped working. I found a spare one which turned on ok, but it took ages before I was able to get it working with the TV. Suddenly worked just before Dot got home from orchestra. Pretty shattered by it all.

Thursday – Dry and reasonably warm. Another rather frantic day. Cooker man came back and replaced the fan while I was in the bath. No problem so far, but then I didn’t use the bottom oven today: we had sausages done in a frying pan. Phil came and drove me to the funeral director’s, where we had a good chat with Glynn about a tombstone for Andrew  – and Phil asked about funeral plans.

Afterwards we went to the fishmongers on Magdalen Street, and he bought over £100 worth of fish (including some sausages, to be fair). He then drove me up to the garage, where I picked up the car – total cost just under £1000. Fish is cheaper. Car seems fine now: they sent me a video of work they were doing on it, which I rather liked.

Rather stiff at bottom of abdomen/back. Not sure why.  Later Bridget came to clean, and we watched a fair bit of Wimbledon – Brit Broady beat fourth seed. Dot walked to bell-ringing: I walked part way with her, then bought some milk and plums. As you do. Then I cleared up and read a bit. At the end of the day I reversed the cable from the WiFi booster to the TV, and the TV (which had developed a fault again) suddenly started working properly. Both late in bed because we watched Tour de France. 

Back from a few days at Scarborough with Dave and Julia. No wi-fi there (aargh!); so this is a bit longer than usual. As I write Linda has arrived – just after 9am – to cut our hair. And it’s July, my birthday month.

Last Friday was warm and dry. Dot kept coughing during the night. Quite a busy day. I wrote a couple of Parish Pump articles. Dot went to see her boss, Paul Dunning, in the afternoon, which went well Afterwards she took the car up  to the garage – problem with the exhaust. Booked in for Monday week –later changed to Wednesday via a phone call when we were walking near Thornton le Dale – so we decided to go to Scarborough by train. Bridget and David left car in our drive while they visited her sister. New CD/tape player arrived – seems ok. Meet in street – Des and Chris, Matthew, Mark and Sarah. Watched The Magnificent Seven – brilliant film with two plot flaws: why not shoot leader? and why give them their guns back?. Also watched start of new series of Not Going Out. Very funny.  

Saturday was very humid, though not especially sunny.  Extremely tiring day. Finished articles for Parish Pump and manoeuvred the brown table down from the living room to the study, where it is slotted under the computer shelf, protecting the WiFi plug and hiding the wiring. In the afternoon went to Great Hospital church to hear Sine Nomine, a choir that includes David Archer, Simon Snell and Lesley from St Mary Mag. Excellent singing – great female conductor – literally, because she’s pregnant. Sat with Bridget and Michael, from her church. 

Later David FTd, and we had a long chat – all seems to be well. He may be buying a bike. After supper watched a documentary on Sid James – very well done. Scanned document for Des – had to work out how to do it on new iMac. Six attempts. 

Sunday was another full day. Very warm, but windy. Church in the morning, Graham preaching. After lunch drove to Walpole in Suffolk for poetry reading in Old Chapel. Nightmare journey: car in dire straits and a huge diversion. Would have been late but remembered a short cut at the last minute. Sue and Lynne there. Beth Soule did excellent poem involving an angel. Two people brought dogs!  Unbelievable. Drove back direct route via Bungay. Car rattling and blowing. Matt came round when I got home and took away my cassette and CD player. And some wires. Dot had swapped bookcases while I was out and now seems happy with the living room. Cooked salmon and watched Van der Valk. Still following Peter Greig on his three-week pilgrimage from Iona to Lindisfarne, morning and evening. 

Monday was slightly cooler, but very comfortable. Threatening clouds, but no rain. Drove up for blood test in the morning, then after buying train tickets for Scarborough, Dot took me to church for Bible study with Steve and Stacey. Walked home from there. Prepared for holiday. Cut some ivy, and contacted funeral director and Phil re gravestone. Tidied up generally and corrected rota yet again after late change from Heather. Des came over and we had a chat about watering and a few other things. Later watched film Limbo, which was excellent. 

Tuesday –  Much cooler, with a little rain. Spent much of day travelling by train to Scarborough. First leg was Norwich-Grantham: held up by “congestion” at Ely and again just outside Grantham. Thought we were going to miss our connection, but in fact the train we were connecting to was also delayed (some problem around Cambridge), and so we were able to get it. By the time we got to York we were almost on time, and we bought a baguette and tea/coffee before boarding the Transpennine Express. However, while waiting for the doors to open, Dot went to dispose of wrappings at the precise moment that the doors opened. I tried to get both cases and knocked over her coffee. She rushed back to get another coffee and just made it on to the train. We were met at the station and went back to the flat. Later Dave and I went to get fish and chips, which I paid for. I had to wait at the Ordered window for No 93. After the meal we spent the rest of the evening talking.

Wednesday – Warmer again, and mainly dry, though there were lots of threatening clouds about. Rained a lot in the evening. Slept till 9am and had a late breakfast, then we drove to Cedar Barn, near Pickering, where we had an early lunch. I had egg and mayo and watercress sandwich and Dot had a scone. We shared a little of both. We then drove down to the beautiful Thornton le Dale, parked and walked round a small lake and then up through the village and up to a mill, then along a long stream to St Hilda’s Church at Ebberburn, then back by a rather higher path. I had a really nice blackberry crumble ice cream, and we all sat and ate them and then drove back to Scarborough.

Lovely evening meal after a rest and then watched Test Match highlights, which rather favoured Australia. No WiFi, so rather hampered in using internet.

Thursday –  Warm and dry, though quite grey clouds at time. Drove to Bempton and had a snack, then proceeded to Bempton Cliffs RSPB, which was very crowded, but we parked in an overflow and went  and looked at the birds. Spectacular. Loads of gannets and kittiwakes, among other things, and a number of puffins too. Stayed on the cliffs for a while – bit cooler there –  then walked back to the car park and drove back to the same cafe, where we had a latish lunch (sandwiches). Then drove back to Scarborough, where we drove to the cliff top for an ice cream and a walk in a park. Back to the flat for a rest, then walked down to Tuscany Too for our evening meal. Excellent lamb rack for me. Got taxi home, watched Test Match highlights and went to bed. Evetts want to come to Ballater with us next year.

Friday – A bit cooler, but not uncomfortable. Spots of rain as Dave and Julia took us to the station at 10.45, but nothing after that. Crowds waiting for York train seemed huge; so we opted for the Hull route, though it’s slower. It was a few minutes late into Hull, but we switched platforms at a gentle run (together with a few others) and got a seat OK. Nice train (Hull Trains), which dropped us at Grantham. Had to hurry a bit to get over footbridge (via two lifts), and no time for Dot to get coffee as Norwich train came in. Fairly crowded, but got seats OK. By the time we arrived in Norwich (a few minutes late at 4.15pm), Dot was gasping, and so she bought a Costa coffee and sat and drank it, while I bought some milk (not for the coffee).

Very tired, but got ourselves out in the street for the 5.30 street meet (Des and Chris, Mark, Ciara, Mary, Matthew): bit windy, and a few drops of rain as we came in. Des got us fish and chips, and we watched Test highlights and caught up with Dot’s Lindisfarne pilgrimage on Sounds. Very, very tired.

Lying in bed worrying about the car – for more than one reason. A couple of days ago the tyre alarm sounded, and I found the front offside tyre was down a bit on pressure. So I decided to monitor it. Then tonight Dot took it to the Greens’ and it wouldn’t start afterwards – until she rang me and I told her to fiddle with the keys. That worked for some reason, but then she complained that the car had sounded funny. So at least one problem to sort out, and possibly three. We may have to go to Scarborough by train.

Last Sunday was warm all day, but rain in the evening likely to last a few hours. Drove to church in the morning and led service.  Interesting sermon from Heather on Trinity icon. Nice prayers from Debbie. Chatted to Steve, and Judy’s friend Mavis among others. Wrote piece for website on being unable to contact people. Had main meal at lunchtime again. Both of us felt a bit under the weather in the afternoon – Dot having trouble with insect bites on her arm – so didn’t go to concert in evening. Dot wrote report on school visit. Watched Test highlights and Van Der Valk, which was excellent. Like all the main characters. 

Monday – Warm and dry. Rained quite heavily overnight. Dot dropped me off at church and went to Morrisons. I walked home and then in the afternoon walked up to Boots for an eye test. Had no difficulty spotting that ophthalmologist was very striking. And extremely polite. Ordered new set of glasses, because near sight is deteriorating. In the evening Des and Chris came over for a drink and whisky cake and looked at our Scottish photos. 

Tuesday – Rained in the morning, but stopped by the time Anne arrived. She went in the city with Dot, and they lunched at the Ivy while I had fried eggs and sausages at home. Sad or what? Did a bit of reading and computer stuff. Later walked to Budgens to get cash from ATM, then up Rose Lane, over to the river and up Julian’s Alley. Rested in church garden and popped into church, where I bumped into woman on retreat from Bromley. Watched Test, which Australia won by two wickets. Then football, which England won 7-0 v North Macedonia. 

Wednesday – Again warm and quite heavy. Drove up to chemist to pick up pills. Unexpectedly easy. Walked to church to do Bible study. But only Debbie and Steve there: talked to Debbie about silence in church and other things. Then we looked at Philemon. Dot arrived with car for Taize and I left with car, but not before popping into Phyllis’s house. Tyre alarm went on car, checked and found front offside a bit low. Dot went to orchestra in evening. I read some more of Translation State. Amazing imagination.

Thursday – Heavy atmosphere, with constant warning of thunderstorms, but none materialising. I spent a great deal of time and energy removing the Cassette and CD elements of our sound system and recreating it as a turntable  with loudspeakers. As this involved a pre-amp and about a million wires, it was not easy, either psychologically or physically, especially as Dot wanted it the other side of the room. After a couple of false starts  and frustrations I managed to complete the job while she was at Thurton School. Nevertheless felt extremely tired afterwards,not to say disorientated.

While still in that state I ordered a combined cassette player/CD player from Amazon for about £60. It should arrive tomorrow. Bridget came to clean, and we spent a bit of time looking for an injured baby bird I had seen earlier. “We have an injured bird also.” Eventually she did the kitchen (Bridget, not the bird) and Dot arrived back from Thurton. In the evening Dot drove to Golden Dog Lane for handbells and I cleaned up the house and watered plants. Afterwards Dot couldn’t start the car and rang me: i suggested fiddling wit the keys, and it started. Oh, I said that.

Last Tuesday was – not bucking the current trend – very warm.  Dot finished painting walls, and I went to Morrisons and bought lots of food. Later cooked salmon. Watched last episode of Guilt, which was very well done.  In the evening we drove to Golden Dog Lane for DCC, which was a bit trying, despite the Prosecco and fruit salad. I walked home. 

Wednesday was – yes – very warm. Dot went to the Yarmouth school with the brilliant head – Maria. I switched on Des’s solar power (I think). Watched YouTube of Alan’s funeral service as it happened: all very good. Dot went to the garden centre and bought a huge pot for the front garden and a huge hanging basket for the drive. Erected latter with help from Mark.

In the evening we drove to Salthouse for a Private View involving Charlotte Ashenden. Welcomed by Ian Dyble, the vicar, who remembered us from last time (and probably elsewhere – not sure where, but he used to be at St Thomas’s). We’re on the same wavelength. He also paints and writes verse. Also met Charlotte’s husband. Afterwards called in to the upscaled Manor at Blakeney and went to the loo. Beautiful light at Blakeney (not in the loo). Ate mussels at home then watched Ladies in Lavender, a film which was surprisingly good. 

Thursday was, yes, very warm again. Dot’s school visit was cancelled, so she spent much of the day in the garden. In the early afternoon I walked up to Richer Sounds to ask about replacing my aged, old-style sound system; got a lot of chat from Roger, but nothing all that helpful. Bit disappointed. Bridget came round to clean in the afternoon, and David came around 5.30 to meet her. 

Friday was – you guessed it – very warm. Dot and I drove to Bawdeswell Garden Centre and had a snack and cup of tea with Julia Higbee, as well as a discussion about her church, which has problems. After we got home Dot watched Alan’s funeral service, and I watched it again! Then out for street meet – Des and Chris back from Portugal , Mark, John and his eldest daughter; Matthew. Quite hot sun Fish and chips, then watched cricket and football. Former much more exciting. Tired out. 

Had a very bad night: started by feeling vaguely sick (though not ill), then had a very heavy stomach, and couldn’t sleep.  This made Saturday a very odd day. Also a change in the weather, with much more cloud and even a (very) little rain in the afternoon. This was just after Dot had allocated apace for all of her new plants and cleared up, with a little help from me. Mark has also spent hours (literally) on cleaning his car, and I wrote to Rosemary Town, and sent her a couple of pictures. Also posted the letter.

Meanwhile, David had FTd us, and I was able to thank him for a Father’s Day present he’d sent me – an SF book by Ann Leckie called Translation State. I enjoyed her previous ones. We had our main meal at lunchtime, I lay on the bed for a while in the afternoon – may have gone to sleep – and after tea we watched the Test Match highlights, preceded unintentionally by the Trooping of the Colour highlights. King’s Birthday, and all that.

We’re in the middle of a warm spell: nothing too oppressive, but certainly tiring. Nevertheless, Dot has done a lot of painting, including walls and gates, and as I write this on Tuesday morning, she is finishing the wall at the NWT side of the house. I have to say it all looks very good.

Last Thursday was dry and quite sunny; pleasant without being warm. a couple left a car in front of our drive overnight; so Colin and his father could not park their truck in front of the house, and when there skip man arrived he could not reach it. Fortunately he was quite happy, as it was too heavy anyway: he already had a load on. Eventually the owners (Australians) came out, and Colin’s father told them to move. They parked opposite and I told them they might get ticketed. Started telling them to park on Riverside Road, then decided to give them a permit. Felt good. Had been quite angry.

Dot had already been to Taverham School at this point. Anna arrived at just after midday to give Dot a violin lesson. Bridget came to do the cleaning later, and in the evening we took Eleanor and Phil to cake and compline at Judy’s. Phil managed to miss the barriers and notice and came to our front door. Grrrr! Supposed to not use path till Monday. Don’t think any harm was done. Nice meeting. Vicky was the only absentee. 

Friday was warm, but with a bit of a cool wind in the shade. Everyone “panicking” about heat and drought. Man came to take skip away while I was in the bath. Dot and Mary moved cars to assist him. Dot spent much of the rest of the day weeding and cleaning the drive. I finished editing the holiday pictures. Street meet in evening very well attended – Dot and me, Mark and Sarah, John, Ciara, Bob and Mary, Matthew and even Paul at the very end. Sent pic to Des in Portugal.  Watched end of Local hero again and first episode of Guilt, a Glaswegian thriller. FTd Amy and Oliver. O has finished his exams (he “smashed” them) and Amy has three to go, ending on 21st. Both seemed happy. 

Saturday was warm. We were going to meet Kim for coffee, but she had a migraine. I read a bit and entered some poems in two competitions. Dot started her gate-painting with the gate on Mary’s side. I walked to St Luke’s for a ceilidh in the evening; Dot drove. Got a meal there (buffet) but exhausted by the end of the evening. David FTd Dot just as she was leaving home. He was having a meal in Toronto after visiting garden centres. Jaya among many others at the ceilidh; Anna’s friend Alison also played violin. Organisers were Gathering Gates – a  bunch of hippies led by Liz Day. They gave chocs to the band and thanked us, though. 

Sunday was warm again. Oliver has just climbed Snowdon for the third time, as it turned out, with quite a large number of friends. On a less adventurous note, we went to church in the morning and played in the worship band. Also did a song in Communion. Claire came. After lunch we drove to  N Walsham and put flowers on the graves. Then on to Walcott. Sea fairly high. Walked a bit and had an ice cream, then drove home via Wroxham – not too bad. Put flowers on Rosary graves. Cooked chilli con carne and watched some inconsequential stuff – Countryfile, I think, and Antiques Roadshow. Don’t know why. Inertia, probably. David FTd from Caledon, and we had a chat – also with Barbara and Roger. Very tired. Opened access to new path, and we both walked up and down it. Bit worried about the incline. 

Yesterday was – you guessed it – warm. Dot drove me to church and I did a Bible study with Stacy and Steve. Went quite well.  Walked  home. Dot spent most of the day painting doors and wall outside and re-arranging things. I had a blood test at Thorpewood by Emma Richardson: very competent. Nice woman. Watched a couple of episodes of Guilt, which is quite compelling. Dot and I read through DCC agenda and financial statement, then Dot read from her Lindisfarne book and Psalm 91. 

It’s Wednesday, 7 June and it’s grey again; still a bit chilly, but signs of increasing warmth, at least in the forecast. Some halfhearted bursts of sun today. Colin and his father have been working on  the garden, concentrating on the path, which was finished by mid-afternoon – at least as far as the stone placement is concerned. Grouting tomorrow. Till Saturday our front door is inaccessible. Awkward. Dot went to Brooke school in the morning, and in the evening she went to orchestra. We finished watching Malpractice, which was quite well done, but had a woolly ending. I am editing the holiday pictures and choosing some to show friends. Long job.

Back to last Friday – still mainly grey, but sunshine for the street meet in evening. Des, Chris, Dot, me, Mark, Matthew and Jonathan (briefly) – followed by fish and chips. Earlier Dot went to the shops and I walked up to the Rosary. Watched three episodes of Ted Lasso (one to go). Wrote a poem and a half. Much earlier Linda came round and cut our hair. 

Saturday was warm and dry. Looked through Julian images that Lucy sent me, then after lunch drove to the Urban Jungle, just the other side of Costessey. Quite interesting: some very expensive plants. Dot took some notes and we had tea and Victoria sponge. When we got home we watched the Cup Final, which we’d been recording. Man City beat Man Utd 2-1 after scoring in the first minute. Fair result, because Utd got a ridiculous penalty  (ball hit  hand).  In evening watched the end of Ted Lasso, which was quite nicely done, and David FTd – he looks well but is spending a lot of time in Cambridge. 

Sunday was warm and sunny, despite a bit of wind. Led service at church – Ray has testicular cancer. Howard spoke on Ecclesiastes – got a bit out of hand with audience participation. After lunch went to Strumpshaw Fen – longer walk than intended, but watched a heron for a long time and saw marsh harriers. Cooked duck, then watched a couple of programmes, including Annika, which is growing on me. Spent quite a bit of time tidying up my study, but too tired to finish. 

Monday was much cooler but still dry. Colin and James are making progress on the walls. Dot drove me to church: did a bit of Bible study, but the general distracting chaos overtook us. Nevertheless spoke to a number of people, including Steve, Nicky (who is 27 weeks pregnant), Alison, Judy and Graham. Also a couple of new people – a husband and wife and a man with his seven-month-old baby. Afterwards continued with clearing up and ordered a couple of things from Amazon – bath plug and computer adaptor. Very tired in afternoon after walking home from church. Watched rest of Annika episodes , a bit of Gordon Lightfoot in concert and a bit of Local Hero to restore our wa after particularly gruesome repeat episode of Inside No 9. Dot is reading me extracts from David Adam book in bed: very good. 

Tuesday was grey again – even a bit of drizzle and a bit chilly too. Colin and James here again, making a lot of noise. Dot and I went to Archant breakfast at Town House. Chatted with Robin and Shelagh. Also there, Steve Snelling, Andy Russell, Frank Gordon, Bill, Jenny, David etc but not Eric and Linda –  on a cruise. Brian is pretty ill, but slightly better than he was, according to an e-mail. Good breakfast as usual. Posted sympathy  card to  Rosemary Town – Alan died the other day.

Adapter arrived from Amazon, so was able to download pictures from Panasonic. Wasted a lot of time trying to cancel BT Sport – will probably have to ring them. Dot walked to Morrisons in the afternoon to buy celery for meal she’s cooking this evening. Des came over with his key: they are going to Portugal for a week. Janet and Graham Smith came for the meal in the evening – pretty relaxed. Have written a song for  Dot to  play violin in. 

Coming toward the end of May – Sunday was a really nice day: warm but not too warm; sunny but not too sunny. After cooked breakfast, we drove from Lindisfarne Inn down to Bamburgh via the coastal route. Walked briefly in dunes at Bamburgh: magnificent castle, but bank holiday crowds, so didn’t attempt anything ambitious. Back to Holy Island, where the tide had gone out, and we accessed  the causeway, then parked in the visitors’ car park. Walked around town and went in the  museum and priory, which is still stunning.

Bought a David Adam book on Aidan, Bede and Cuthbert. Had ice cream, walked some more – halfway to the castle – and had a coffee. Struck up conversation with couple who had been to Norwich, where the woman bought a £180 teddy bear from a shop on Elm Hill. Drove back, stopping at a couple of points on the causeway road (pre-causeway) and did short walks up into the dunes and over on to the sands. Back to hotel for evening meal. Fell far short of finishing my fish and chips.

Monday – the journey home. Warm and dry, and not too much traffic, considering it was a bank holiday Monday. Filled up with petrol before leaving, and Dot drove to a service station near Durham that was well away from the main road (Don’t you hate that?), where we switched driver. Didn’t even go to the loo. Then I drove, taking the route not recommended because of forecast hold-ups. Glad I did. Stopped at a nice service station – Woolley Gap, near Wakefield  – very friendly and a lovely view.

Then Dot drove and I spotted speed cameras using Google Maps. Arrived at Fosse Park Aldi at Leicester about 3.30pm and found Heather and Simon in the cafe. Heather was quite bouncy, and Simon was very positive, but I think he made a big effort for us. Since his stroke, their life has been extremely difficult. Suggested they write a book about it; they seemed to like the idea, but it might be too big a burden. I drove to Cambridge Services, where we bought some food, and then Dot drove home. Ate most of a pizza, watched final MOTD of the season and then Masterchef.

Surprisingly, Tuesday was much colder, while Ballater basked in 22C. Dry, though. Woken by skip arrival, together with Colin. Spent most of the morning unpacking and sorting out, while Colin demolished our steps in rather noisy fashion. Dot made some phone calls, and Austin came to wash the windows. Spent much of the afternoon on the computer, catching up with various things left undone. Cooked sausages for supper and watched Detectorists, which is wonderful however many times you watch it. Beautifully written and directed, and with a lovely atmosphere. 

Wednesday – Had quite a good sleep: think my back is improving. Still quite cool and cloudy, with spots of rain. Colin and his brother James came to continue work on our front garden, and our Naked Wines order arrived, probably within 12 hours of our ordering it, which is remarkable. Later did some shopping at Morrisons. Felt exhausted at end of the day. Watched quite a big of TV and cooked salmon. 

Thursday – Bit chilly again, with grey skies. Colin and James here again all day to put in the new slope – coming along nicely. Wrote piece for website in the morning. In the afternoon Roger and Debbie called in for tea and biscuits; they came by bus from North Walsham for a day in Norwich. Later showed Des and Chris the garden work so far. Later still Dot went to handbells at the Greens. I walked with her to the upper Close, then later went and met her on Prince of Wales Road. Watched Test cricket v Ireland and then the final of Masterchef. Any of the last three could have won. All were pretty much perfect. 

Tuesday the 23rd was quite mild, with a bit of wind around Loch Muick. Warmer towards evening. Drove down to loch and parked in the new overflow car park after buying pies and strawberry tarts from the bakery. Had lunch in  protected rock pile just off the path, with a tin of sicilian lemonade we’d bought in the Lake District. Continued down to the loch, where five small dogs were off the lead – forbidden at this time of year. Paused for a while on the beach, out of reach of dogs and owners, and then again at the boat shed, where a small bird was agitatedly trying to get in, under the illusion that we were a threat. He/she clearly had a nest in there.

Made the mistake of continuing round the third and fourth sides of the walk, which is considerably longer than going back. Exhausted at the end: we did over 10,000 steps today. Stags in the neighbouring field. In the (early) evening went over the road to the Indian and had a very pleasant meal. Place packed by the time we left. Watched Masterchef.

Wednesday was warm and sunny. Blue skies. Intended to be a quiet day, and we got up late – I read the Julian play that I had been putting off for some time, and it was quite good. Drove to Burn o’Vat, and for some reason I put on boots and carried a pole, both of which came in useful. I had forgotten how difficult the entrance to the Vat was. Fun, though: we both managed it, and the waterfall was in quite good nick. Then walked over the road on to the Muir and made our way to the bog with boardwalk: more attractive than it sounds. Much further than we thought, though, and we’d both had it by the time we got back to the car.

Dot drove to the Cheese Factory and cafe at Tullich – a new place for us. Delicious toastie – Lochnagar cheese and red onion. Chatted to owner, who is an angler – said her husband knew Ella. Bought cheese. Drove down Glen Muick road just past Birkhall, and  sat and read for a while (slept quite a lot in my case). Then home.to Clannach Grill in evening. Sirloin good again; chips a bit underdone. 

Thursday – Warm day again; blue sky. Did a bit of shopping in town, then drove to Cairnwell, where we found the chairlift closed again – this time for maintenance! So we drove down to Braemar and bought some chocolate, then drove in to the Log Cabin, where we had lunch – I had a cheese and onion sandwich again. Very good. Also there was what appeared to be a sports car rally, mainly German Weismann Roadsters, whatever they are.

Drove back to where we could walk down to our favourite “Amy” bridge – quite steep path! Back in the car, drove down to Gairnshiel Bridge, where a helicopter was landing. Also police cars and other vehicles. Made the mistake of turning right after them, only to find the road blocked. Did amazing eight-point turn (roughly) and got back to the junction where I could take the Ballater turn. All looked very chaotic, probably a car crash. Parked in a lay-by just outside Ballater and read for a while, then drove home. Very tired. Cheese on toast. 

Friday – Very warm again. Anyone who has been near us or who might have been near us is ill. Julia texted today to say she and Allan have Covid – he quite badly. And Ella, who we were going to have lunch with today, has a high temperature, cough and bad throat. Had breakfast at cafe on corner and bought picture from Larks Gallery. then walked down to Monaltrie Park. Felt very strange most of day – took Patacetamol. Did packing after lunch, and in evening went to Green Inn. Very nice meal – excellent waitress. Felt a bit better. watched Detectorists. 

Saturday – Bit cooler by evening. Just managed to pack and get away by 10am. Cleaner arrived as we finished, and we had a brief chat. I drove to Braemar, where we stopped and bought some chocolate as a present; had to wait for the shop to open at 11am. Then drove on to Blairgowrie Starbucks, where Dot took over driving, with me guiding her with the help of Google Maps and car satnav (some slight differences).

Through Perth easily and on to M90 – but slow over Forth Bridge. Got involved – largely as bystanders – in bizarre exchange on text involving Amy, Oliver, David and Chrissy. Changed driver on A1, which was littered with speed cameras – one of the reasons we now use the M6 when going north. Arrived at about 3.30pm at the Lindisfarne Inn, but had to wait for a room because they were behind with cleaning: all 23 rooms had been vacated today, which was very unusual. Excellent receptionist; nice room. Walked down road towards Holy Island as far as train crossing. Then back for very good meal, but I felt quite ropey afterwards: something  wrong with my stomach, I think. Felt better towards end of evening after lying on bed.

Definite improvement in the weather today: very little wind and no rain. This coincided with Julia and Allan going home: we drove them to the airport this morning, arriving in good time for their flight, which was delayed for 30 minutes. Not that we knew anything about that; we were on our way to Drum Castle, where we had a guided tour followed by lunch and a walk round the chapel and gardens. Very enjoyable.

Back to last Tuesday, when there was quite a chilly wind and some rain in the first half of the day; then sunny and quite warm at times (in the sun). After breakfast we drove up the Tomintoul road; stopped by the Watchers, but it was very windy and cold, so progressed to the Well of Lecht. Still cold, though less windy. Decided not to walk to the mine. Drove back to the Lochnagar Distillery, but no tours available. Then on to Loch Muick road, where I checked the place where the Birkhall road had fallen into the Waters of Muick. They’re doing a good job of covering it up, blocking the entrance completely.

On to the Loch, where there is a new parking place nearer the visitor centre. Parking charge £5. We walked a fair way down the path, considering Allan’s problems, and got a good view of it as well as of a sizeable herd of deer. Back to Ballater – road very quiet. Later we walked round town a bit to increase steps, and I bought wine and a Telegraph from the Co-op. Then had whisky Julia had purchased at the Distillery – very nice (from Islay). Fish and chips for supper – very good. Watched a couple of programmes, including Masterchef.

Wednesday was mostly quite mild and dry, but rain and cooler in the evening. Drove up to Glen Shee, only to discover that the cafe and Cairnwell chairlift were both shut on Wednesdays. A couple of motor cyclists shared our amazement. So instead we drove back down to Braemar (back lane) and then on to Linn of Quoich, which has been transformed by a new bridge, taking the road round a corner and leading to a new path up to the Linn footbridge. Cars not allowed beyond the usual parking place, which happily was free with our NT for Scotland membership.

Taking it very slowly, we got Allan up the Linn, which was beautiful as always. I came back by a different route, which turned out not to be a good idea – marshy and difficult. Back into Braemar, where we ventured inside the Fife Arms but eventually settled for a delicious scone in the nearby tea shop. Bought a couple of shirts over the road. Then back to Ballater. Had evening meal at Clachan Grill, which has gone a bit upmarket. Sirloin was excellent. Higbees paid: earlier paid for petrol too. Despite Julia’s misgivings, we managed to walk home afterwards.

Thursday was mainly quite mild, but cooler in the Cairngorm area. Forgot how long a drive it is: felt quite tired at the end of the day. Straightforward drive, though; new £3 parking fee. Got funicular at 12 (they run half-hourly) and had lunch (sandwiches and tea), then went out on to viewing area. Plenty of snow on neighbouring peaks, but not much visible from viewing area. Exhibition much reduced, but an excellent panoramic film. Shop much the same; very expensive stuff.

Another cup of tea, then down and drove to Loch Eilean, which was rather lovely and deserved a more thorough exploration. From there through Aviemore and home, via Boat of Garten. Dropped Dot off to buy a few things for supper. Then FTd David – his 51st birthday – and had long conversation with him and Chrissy about his work and about his childhood, which he said he enjoyed. Lovely to hear. After supper watched a bit of Masterchef and a programme on Sri Lanka, which wasn’t very impressive.

Friday was a very pleasant day; quite warm. Drove to Balmoral, and dropped off Julia and Allan by gates before parking. As an unanticipated result they paid for our tickets; so we paid for lunch later on. Spent a long time walking round the grounds, featuring the usual spots, including the ballroom. Allan lasted remarkably well. Back in Ballater by 2pm, for tea in the garden. Later had evening meal at the Green Inn, now a very good Italian. Excellent starter of trout and avocado on toast. Home by 8.30pm. 

Saturday was dull but mainly dry, with spots of light rain off and on. Heavier rain started in the evening and lasted all night. Julia was quite tired; so they rested while Dot and I walked halfway round the river walk (from the Bridge of Gairn end), coming back across the golf course and into Golf Road near the RC church. Then we all walked to the station for lunch – chunky sandwiches: not over-enthused, though the woman in charge was excellent. Looked round info centre and a couple of shops; it started to rain, so I walked home, buying a Telegraph from the Co-op, partly to protect my head! Others continued tour of town, and Allan bought a walking stick.

Before supper Dot and I drove to Cambus O’May bridge and saw someone dive in. Then checked in at Burn O’Vat car park, which was full, and visited our favourite riverside parking spot beyond the sawmill. Saw a heron. Had sausage and mash for supper and watched two fairly awful TV programmes – Palin on the Himalaya without mountains, and a repetitive documentary on the five royal grandchildren. 

Yesterday we woke up to find the rain had stopped, but it was very misty and damp all day, with quite a lot of light rain. Drove to Crathes Castle – very interesting inside, and nice lunch in the cafe. Visited wood-turning demonstration and bought a couple of things, then a bracelet for Dot from the gift shop. Drove past Ella’s, then to our favourite spot on South Deeside again, but low cloud meant Morven was invisible. Later Dot and I walked across the golf course to the river, then along and back. Right hip started hurting, and later had a headache. Must be the weather. Got fish and chips – shop very crowded. Watched Simon Reeve in Peru and Bolivia. Fascinating stuff and quite disturbing. Early night.