Warm sun and a cool breeze today. This morning we went up to Hay Hill to witness the Saltmine outdoor Passion Play, which progressed up to the Forum and late around and into St Peter Mancroft. Very well done indeed, though the ending sort of drifted into singing, which for me lost some impetus: everyone else seemed to like it, though. We caught glimpses of various people we know, including our window cleaner, and I spoke to Geoff Lawton (face from the past), who seemed pleased to see us. Also spoke to Nikki and one or two strangers, including Jesus’ aunt, if you see what I mean. We are now back home listening to the game between Man Utd and Norwich, which has gone from 0-2 to 2-2. And counting.

Monday was a mixture of sun and cloud; quite mild. After giving blood for cancer research in Sainsbury’s car park (the blood-giving, not the research), we spent much of the day reorganising after the weekend, re-establishing the music room and sorting out CDs and other things. Felt very tired until evening. FTd David briefly and discovered why WiFi had been moved: because it is now connected directly with the BT box (with much clear picture). Cleared the living room and watched Dynasties , during which we both went to sleep, then later an episode of Hidden and an episode of Bridgerton on Netflix.

Tuesday was warm and dry. I walked into the city to pay in a cheque n the afternoon. Felt very tired when I got back, but otherwise felt better than I have done for ages. Watched a lot of TV, none of it very remarkable. Brief talk to David about picking stuff up from Vicky’s. Said we were happy to do that.

Wednesday was fairly warm; a few drops of rain. Went to Morrisons again to buy food, while Bridget was cleaning the house. She had witnessed one of her clients being scammed, but couldn’t stop her. Later drove to new recycling depot on Cromer Road: took some time to find it, because there was no signposting on the NDR. Huge amount of road works in various places, but no-one doing anything. Big hold-up at North Walsham roundabout, then another one on Fifers Lane, then on Catton Grove Road. Later watched several episodes of Bridgerton, which is very good and quite funny. Also fairly short FT with David: he looked very tired. His flat has now been cleared. Posted Easter cards to Andrew and Thelma and arranged for Easter Egg to be delivered to Andrew. Didn’t feel too bad today.

Thursday was quite pleasant, fairly warm. Walked to church for the usual Thursday event and met John Drake in Magdalen Street. Had a chat. Church session quite good, except that Evelyn (Leanne’s daughter) was sick and fairly destructive towards the end. Dot came later and drove me home. In the afternoon Des came round with some plants, Dot and I practised some hymns and had an early supper before picking up Anna to go to St Cuthbert’s for the Maundy Thursday service. Played in music group. Small congregation and intrusive music from back room; so not ideal. Would have made a good service at St Augustine’s. Felt hungry for some reason. Watched Masterchef and Kate and Koji – last episode. David had reached his Gatwick hotel, and Oliver and Amy reached home at 11.54pm, tracked most of the way by us! We read the last of 40 Lent psalms. I have written at least one haiku for each one.

Yesterday was pleasantly warm. Sorted out worship songs after file broke. After lunch Dot and I walked to the Rosary and put some flowers on the graves. Beautiful up there. Finished watching Bridgerton and one or two other things. Pretty good, actually. Went out for drinks with Des, Chris and Mark, then Des got us fish and chips. All this time David was travelling home to Canada. He arrived at Waterloo just after 11pm our time, just after 6pm Canadian. 

It’s Monday again, and we’re just back from giving blood as part of a cancer research programme. This took place at Sainsbury’s, Pound Lane, and was particularly efficient. I asked my nurse if she would come into hospital with me next time I was there, as the hospital people, even the doctors, are hopeless at it. She demurred. David, Oliver and Amy are back in Aylesbury, having spent Saturday and Sunday with us. More of that later.

Last Wednesday was mainly dry, but there was at least one very heavy shower, which I got caught in as I left Kim’s to get to the car. I had called round so that she could give me some supplements to tackle my illish feeling. Had cup of tea with her and a chat while Dot was rearranging the house for the visit of David & Co. I had helped earlier. I got back before 4pm so that we could go over to Des and Chris’s for tea and chat. Then back home for chilli con carne part two before Dot was picked up by Janet for orchestra rehearsal.  Did some Paston editing while she was out. Had taken some pills and felt a bit better.

Thursday was very windy. Intermittent sun, with red kites in Aylesbury. Dot dropped me at church for the Bible Study session – much delayed because Leanne was late and Nikki even later. Leanne brought Leah, her eldest daughter, for a while. Dot picked me up after midday, and we headed straight for Aylesbury. Got there just after 3pm. Took stuff out of the car and put some in. Chrissy FTd,  then Oliver arrived with his friend Daniel. Also, separately, Amy. D, O and D loaded boxes and other stuff into our car and pumped up back tyres to take the weight. We ate some chicken and other stuff that Dot had brought, then headed home. Straightforward journey, except that several notices said the A14 was closed when it wasn’t. Dot drove to petrol station at Thetford, where we filled up (general fuel shortage caused by idiotic Extinction Rebellion activity) and I drove the rest of the way. Watched Kate and Koji and went to bed.

Friday was quite pleasant, but with a chilly wind. Went to Morrisons in the morning to get food for the weekend. I walked back so that Dot could get the food bags in the front seat. (We were under strict orders not to unload heavy boxes from the car.) Dot spent a lot of time baking a cake  for David’s 50th. Also a lot of clearing up. I felt very tired in the afternoon and had a sleep on the bed, but after that I was fine – went out for the customary drink. Mark was home, and Jonathan and John stopped by – later Tara came for a while, but John was out running. We went in to have supper, partly because Dot was cold. Had a good long chat, though. Now tending to eat supper downstairs. Afterwards saw a bit of TV.

Saturday was again quite pleasant, but coldish. Anne arrived before 9am and we arranged for her to park in Des’s drive. Then she, Louise and Charlotte left for the train. Linda forgot to come to cut our hair; so we spent the morning clearing up and preparing for our guests, as well as tracking them on our phones. We had a bite to eat, then David and the children arrived about 2.30pm, driven by Oliver, and Amy nervous in the back with all the boxes.

Phil and Jane, with Lydia and Alastair, arrived not too long afterwards. We had a good chat, then Dot and Amy mainly got out the buffet, with some help from me. Oliver and Alistair played table tennis, as did Amy for a while. Then we had the buffet followed by the cake (David’s 50th) and champagne. We got the stuff in from both cars and put it in the garage – not as much as I thought. Following further chat the Coomes left and Dot and I cleared up. Then we watched F1 qualifying followed by highlights of Villa 0 Spurs 4, and a look through our recent photographs at Amy’s request. But she was very tired, and we went to bed fairly early, with Oliver sleeping in the living room on a mattress.

Sunday was Palm Sunday, but of course we took no practical in church activities. The day was quite pleasant, and I was feeling a bit better. After breakfast and a buffet leftovers lunch, David, Dot and Oliver left for the match. There was a problem because unknown to us, one of the tickets had been cancelled by its owner (Chris) ; so David had to come back and get the fourth one. Norwich beat Burnley 2-0 and looked quite good, apparently. I had a nice time with Amy, looking through lots of her pictures and then trying out some HIghway Code practice questions.

Later we went through the stuff in the garage, and David and Oliver sorted out some minor problems with the computers and (especially) TV. They have got rid of Airport 22, and for some reason the picture on our TV seems much better. David also installed a label printer in my study, which will be handy. I cooked salmon, and they eventually left about 8.30pm. We tracked them much of the way home. Lovely having them all here.

There was a very cold wind on Friday, but it was mainly dry. I visited Alan Harrison again to sort out a letter to the editor correcting a couple of mistakes in his article. Too cold for Friday drink. In the evening we watched quite a bit of Masterchef, plus a long documentary on the 2002 Soham murders and a good episode of Not Going Out. 

Saturday was still cold, but it was sunny much of the day. Did not go out. Caught up with chess games in En Passant. David FTd to ask if the Coomes could come up while he is here. Later Amy FTd too, quite excited because her father is coming home tonight. Norwich drew 0-0 away to Brighton and played very badly, if radio is anything to go by. Changed all bed sheets, and Dot washed most of them. I adjusted the toilet seat in the shower room again. Watched another Masterchef and a film – Double  Indemnity, with Fred McMurray. Very good. 

Sunday was till cold but dry. Heating didn’t come on in church; so it was pretty cold there till we turned it on and it warmed up. i led the service, and we had a good number, including Nikki’s brother Luke, who we took home. Leanne is getting very upset by Evelyn, her daughter, who we think is autistic and keeps hitting her. Only Dot and Matt in the worship band, but they did well.

Had a brief chat with John and Tara as we got home : T is having a bad time with long covid. I’m not quite right –  still shivering and  a bit heady. David arrived back in UK during service – met by Oliver and Amy. Had a FaceTime with them all later at David’s flat. Watched a fair bit of TV – end of Peaky Blinders (pretty good) and third episode of Hidden, a Welsh crime series. Also football and   the boat race (discovered iPlayer works best through phone and screen mirroring). Nikki got in touch before church to say how much she liked my poems – Leanne also agreed. Very chuffed. 

Yesterday was mild but still windy. Early rain cleared by mid-morning and Dot took me to Plumstead Road when she went to get her pills, and I walked home through Lion Wood and the Rosary. Took papers to Chris. Dot went for a violin lesson at Anna’s in the afternoon. When she came back I dropped some music round to someone on St Matthews Road for Anna. Brief chat with David about books then watched a film, Who was that Lady? – which was very funny. 

Today there was a bIt of rain about to start with, but it was dry for most of the day. We went to the Town House for the monthly Archant pensioners’ breakfast – plenty of people there, including the usual suspects. Afterwards we went to Morrisons to stock up on some food for the weekend (among other things). No lunch because of late breakfast ; most of afternoon spent clearing up, Dot in the garage and me in the kitchen, getting ready for David’s stuff. 

 Spoke briefly to David on FT and agreed to go down there on Thursday to bring some stuff back. Watched last episode of Holding (pretty good) and first episode of the latest series of The Split, which is much like a soap but has some quite good actors. Also the final of University Challenge, which was very close but went to the wrong team (IMHO). 

Just a short one this time, and that’s not an April Fool joke – or maybe it is. Summer has turned into winter, despite the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s e-newsletter, which started: “After the rigours of winter, April feels tender and mild.” As they live next door to us, and we’ve had snow and an icy wind the last couple of days, they must have the heating turned up.

Wednesday was pretty unpleasant. Rain started in the afternoon, and it was quite cold, though not as cold as Buxton, where it was freezing at 9pm. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, picked up again by Janet. Popped over to Des with EDPs, which have built up over a number of days. No sign of an article on Alan Harrison, which had been promised by the Head of News. Had a bath and caught up on reading. 

Tuesday was much already much cooler than the weekend. I didn’t venture out, but Dot spent all day at a Head Teachers’ Conference at the Cathedral Hostry. I caught up with all kinds of things on the computer. We had a light meal in the evening. David FaceTimed again: he’s given notice on his apartment. Watched a number of TV programmes – catching up again. Feeling a bit odd. Sore shoulders and very heady. 

Yesterday was very cold indeed, with wind and occasional snow or hail showers. Dot dropped me off at church just after 10am, and after refreshments I led the usual Bible-based discussion, proceeding through John’s Gospel and taking in the wedding at Cana.  As well as Leanne and Nikki, I had Steve and Helen, from Bowthorpe, and Stacy, who goes to Surrey Chapel sometimes. All very exciting. Dot came back later, and afterwards we went to Morrisons for food and petrol. At Morrisons we ran into Ruth Colmer and had a good chat. She’s looking very well. Bridget came in the afternoon for cleaning. Dot’s knee is much better. Watched quite a bit of television, but nothing memorable. 

Today I got up very late, finished off a piece on 20mph limits for my website, which everyone will hate, and e-mailed Alan Harrison to tell him how to send a letter to the EDP to complain about mistakes in his article, which appeared today on Page 39. Needless to say the mistakes were introduced after I sent the original story in. It also took almost a month to get printed. Times have certainly changed.

Bit of a gap there. Sorry. Last Monday – a week ago yesterday – was sunny and mildish. I rang Lily up, as it was her birthday – had forgotten to send card. She is in a bit of a bad way – has had mini-stroke, also has fibromyalgia and is awaiting results of a scan because she’s losing weight. Also oesophagus problems. After lunch I went to pick up pills: chemist was shut, and I had to wait. The chemist’s has really gone downhill since it was taken over by Well. Then walked up to to the sorting office to post a birthday card to Sam. On the way back I walked past “no through route” sign to get a view of the back garden. As a result two people also walked past the sign: I warned them both – the first went on to try to get through, but came back; the second (a woman) took my advice and went down the road instead. I found this ignoring of signs reassuring for some reason. We went to Morrisons later, and I filled the car up with petrol.

Tuesday was fairly mild, with quite a lot of sun. We were literally the only ones in the cinema to see The Duke, a brilliant film about art theft. Made me laugh and cry simultaneously. Had a bit of a bad night: not sure what’s wrong. Stomach wasn’t quite right, but nor was my head. Neck and upper arms giving me a bit of pain. Gave key to Chris/Des so that they could replace Philip as key holders – also informed police. Later gave Eleanor a lift to Cake and Compline at Judy’s. Nice evening, though without Vicky, who is having covid problems, mainly with George. David was also absent, singing. Went to bed early.

Wednesday was sunny and warm, for the time of year. Dot went to a DSSO meeting at Diocesan House, and I phoned Lily, who had tried to get through to me last night. Her scan results showed a mass on her pancreas, possibly pancreatic cancer. Of course she was upset. We had quite a long chat. Later I e-mailed Ian Clarke about non-appearing news story and got a good response (though it still hasn’t appeared, a week later). Then Andrew Brierton, our cooker repairman, rang and arrived early to fix the rubber seal on the bottom oven: £71. Did quite a bit of Paston editing, and Dot did more work in the garden.

A couple of Green councillors called round, and I had a go at them, but of course they had an answer for everything. I do quite like Ben Price, but not his policies. Then I walked into city and bought some new shoes from Hotter, and some acidophilus. On the way I tried to help two women in a car who looked lost, but don’t think I helped very much. Got home feeling very tired. We watched Witchfinder, which is funny, and then Dot went to rehearsal at St Mary Magdalene – picked up by Janet again. Had a bath and read a couple of chapters of Middlemarch, which is quite hard going when nothing is happening. Very dense.

Thursday was warm and dry. Walked to church and back to do Bible study with Leanne and Nikki. Graham and Debbie also there, plus Robert. Had another good session: now well into the first chapter of John’s Gospel. Didn’t feel too well in the afternoon – possibly a result of carrying a heavy rucksack. Lay down for a while till Bridget came to clean. Wrote to Thelma and to Ben Price, Green councillor, about 20mph limits. David sent chocs present to Dot for Mother’s Day – a surprise package! She was very pleased. Packed for tomorrow. Watched documentary on original Peaky Blinders, plus the end of This Is Going to Hurt, which was OK. 

Friday was warm and dry. We left just after 9.30 for Derbyshire. Stopped at Cambridge Services, then swapped drivers on A50. I drove more than Dot because her knee was hurting a bit. Arrived at Buxton about 1.45pm. Evetts already in town. We unpacked  – after speaking to the Polish waitress – and had a nice room. Met the Evetts at the Pavilion, where we had an ice cream. Then walked a bit in the park till Dot felt her knee and walked back on her own, I continued with Dave and Julia, and we looked at the Crescent, which has been redone – very nice. Walked back on my own from there, and caught Dot up not far from the hotel. Felt very tired. Went to sleep for a while. Had drink with Evetts at 6.50, then Dinner. I had mackerel fillet – very good. Brief drink afterwards, and we skated round what we really thought about vaccinations. Dave and Julia still wearing masks to walk around hotel.

I had a bad night, but Saturday dawned sunny, and we had a good breakfast. Drove to Chatsworth in Dave’s car. Very busy, but we were lucky in getting a table for both coffee and lunch. In between walked round gardens (£15 each) and took some photos. After lunch we looked in greenhouses and shop. Bought some marmalade. Back at hotel we had a slightly earlier dinner, fortunately, as there was table of about 18 starting at our usual time. Three of us had excellent lamb; Dot had fish and chips. Felt a bit better. 

Th clocks went forward for summer, but I still didn’t feel too well. Had to take another lot of paracetamol at 3pm. Head very woozy, and stomach gassy. However, I still had quite bit of energy compared to Dot (using poles) and Dave (bad back). Dave drove us to Lyme Park, and we had tea/coffee in the cafe by the lake. Then walked up to the house and did a tour of the gardens. Lunched in the Alehouse and watched a brief film about the history of Lyme Park. Others went to the shop while I climbed the hill up towards the tower. Didn’t  go all the way in case I held others up as they headed for the car, but in fact I was ahead of them. Dave drove back via the lovely Goyt Valley.  Later I went to fill up with petrol, then had a bath. Evening meal was very quiet – we had a waitress to ourselves. Good, too – salmon. Afterwards had quite long chat before bed. 

Yesterday the sky was still blue, and it was quite warm until evening, when a chill developed in the air. Got up early, breakfasted about 8.20am and left by 9.20am. Good journey, stopping to change driver on A50 and then at Cambridge Services (Dot-Tim-Dot). Home by 1.30pm. Had a banana sandwich, then Dot drove me to hospital – horrendous journey through the city, but we got there in time. My appointment was slightly early in fact – nice consultant – we agreed I would have the op because it was riskier not to. But I’ll have an ultrasound first, hopefully within two or three weeks. Got bus most of the way home, but again a horrendous journey – so much jolting over bad roads and speed humps – so much so that I got out at Orford Place and walked home. Spoke to David on FaceTime – he’s keen to get rid of the apartment as quickly as possible. Had a bath, then we went to the annual parish meeting and meal at St Luke’s, which was quite pleasant. Home just before 10pm.

Big news of the week is that David is flying back to England on April 3 for 12 days. Dot is already in hugging mode. I am scheduled to see a consultant on March 28 after driving back from Buxton – barring accidents. These two events are not connected. Nor is this: Dot’s knee is much better.

In other news, last Wednesday was grey, and wet from midday. Pretty horrible by the evening, when I met Dot on Rosary Road: she was dropped off by Janet after orchestra rehearsal. Bit of a Covid alert – she had to do a lateral flow test this morning before attending rehearsal: negative of course. This morning Dot went to shop for food for tomorrow’s meal for Phil and Joy. I spent quite a bit of time on Paston editing. Cooked meal and cleared up. 

Thursday was quite pleasant weather, with a lot of sunshine. Walked to church in the morning and did Bible Study with Nikki and Leanne. Really enjoyed it. Had chat with Carrie. Walked back with Nikki as far as Tombland. New woman – Stacy – from Surrey Chapel, which she described as homophobic. Interesting. Others in group were doing a Ukrainian support prayer and flags for the church window.

Welcomed De Sousas home from Madeira – three days late, because of storms – in the afternoon: Chris has injured her foot. Bridget came and cleaned. Washed and cleaned car – well, it was mainly Dot, but I provided staunch back-up. I picked up Phil and Joy and brought them home for meal cooked by Dot for Phil’s 70th birthday. Had a good time and took them home quite late. Back at Aspland Road after 11pm. Gave him two bottles of wine and a puzzle. Also a book of Dad’s handwritten sermons. Mileage just under 100.

Friday was sunny but with a bit of a chill out of the sun. Dot’s afternoon visit to Thurton was cancelled; so we stayed at home. Watched Four Weddings and a Funeral, in bits. Also Grantchester, which is truly awful: ridiculous premise, dubious script and appalling direction. Des and Chris came round in the afternoon with Madeira cake and wine/sherry. Then out in street with wine at 5.30: Des, Chris, Jonathan, Bob, Mary. Very good Hello Fresh duck. 

Saturday was sunny but quite cold. Haircut in the morning, quite early. Dot’s concert day. Drove her to St Peter Mancroft in early afternoon for rehearsals. She stayed there all day (pizza for lunch), and I walked up for the concert later. Before that checked posting times because I have a Covid test to complete and it has to go the same day as I take it. So I’m taking it tomorrow morning. Then bought some bread and bagels for Dot, because the ones she had had gone off in a big way. Saw TV programme about gallstones, using 3D modelling. Quite shocking, size wise.

Concert was very good, including Mozart and Schumann piano pieces. Sat next to Neville, Bridget and David, and Neville’s friend Ann. Also there were Angela and Rodney and a very  full church. Cold walk home. Watched Italy beat Wales at rugby. In Wales. Italy’s first ever win, I think. 

Sunday was again quite cold and not so sunny. Dry, though. Took Covid test supplied by Zoe and posted it before church. Led the service: Leanne came with her daughter Evelyn, and Nikki too. About 20 altogether, but Anna had a migraine and couldn’t come. Howard did sermon on very difficult passages! Had a DCC non-election afterwards. Judy accepted as churchwarden. Dot did a lot of sewing in afternoon, mending a duvet cover. In the evening we watched A Room With a View – great film. FaceTime with David – he is coming to UK from April 3 to 15! Oh, I said that.

It’s now Wednesday, and it’s rather grey, with some light rain. I’m trying to reproduce my previous entries because I deleted them by mistake (or possibly put them somewhere else) at a stroke while using my iPhone. Tried various ways of retrieving them, but have now given up. So…

On both Monday and Tuesday, if I remember rightly, it was quite mild, with a fair amount of sun. We received intermittent messages from Des, who is on holiday in Madeira, postponing his arrival back because there were no flights as a result of a storm. He is now due back tomorrow morning, after deciding to stay a night at Stansted instead of getting an extortionate taxi when his flight arrives just before midnight. 

Monday was Howard’s 60th birthday bash at the Rumsey Wells on St Andrew’s Street, where the speciality is pies. In fact, it’s all they do. I had a straightforward steak and ale (or Moo) and Dot had something involving mushrooms (Shroom). They were presented on mashed potato and gravy with sides of mushy peas, onion pieces and grated cheese. And they were delicious! There were 17 or 18 of us, and of course plenty of wine. Both Dot and I drank too much and staggered home just after 11pm. We had both said a few words in praise of Howard at Anna’s request. Really nice evening. Spoke a lot to Ray and to Debbie, surprisingly. 

Earlier Anne had come round and taken Dot for a walk to Boots and back. This meant she had done a lot of steps for the day, and in the evening was not walking too easily.

Both had a bad night and woke up for the final time at 9.30 Tuesday morning. Colin came round after a hospital appointment for plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition. Not much they could do for him, apparently. It will probably go eventually, but he’s had it for months. He looked at our broken wall and cracking facing on the garage front and decided he could fix both quite easily – a “Saturday morning job”. 

At 5.30 we had a DCC meeting at Golden Dog Lane, at which everyone except Elwira was present. Howard was a generous host again. I walked both ways, but Dot drove. I met Trevor Burton in the car park and had a brief chat: he has just started acting again. There were differences over set-up with reference to Covid, but Graham handled it very well. Later we had a FaceTime with David and Chrissy, with Apollo the cat featuring quite strongly.

I am reading Middlemarch, by George Eliot. Superbly written and very funny.

Last Wednesday (March 9) was milder, I believe, though I didn’t go out. I had intended to go with Dot to Hickling and possibly drop in to see Lily, but the cooker repair man was scheduled to come in the morning. In the end he didn’t, and I rang him to find he’d deleted the appointment accidentally. So he came in the afternoon, and fixed the cooker with the help of a bulb  that we kept from last time, plus his own new element.

In the morning I had cleared up and done various other things. Dot went to orchestra rehearsal in the evening – picked up by Janet – and I had a lie down before preparing for Bible study tomorrow and practising a few songs for Friday. Watching a serial called Our House, in which I foresaw a key twist, which was quite satisfying. War in Ukraine continues, but Putin not making much progress, other than killing people and knocking down buildings.

Thursday brought quite pleasant weather – reasonably mild till mid-evening. Walked up to church and eventually did a Bible Study with Nikki and Leanne, two really interesting young women (in their early 30s) who have had lots of problems but are very bright, if slightly crazy. In a good way. Leanne lives in The Lathes, in Sophie’s old house. She has four children – the youngest, whose father is in prison, has some problems. Dot came up with the car later on and had quite a long talk with Graham (the vicar). Robert and Alison were also there, as was Debbie.

Later on Dot went to Morrisons and the card shop. I changed my guitar strings and rang the consultant’s secretary and left a message about my operation. In the evening Dot and I walked to Carrow Road to watch Norwich City go two down to Chelsea in about ten minutes, but come back to lose only 3-1. Jonathan and Naomi decided not to come. Watched last two episodes of Our House, which were very clever but a bit sad. Went to bed very late, but completed well over 7000 steps in the day.

On Friday I kept thinking it was Saturday. Fairly pleasant at first, but in the afternoon it started raining and became windy and colder. Dot and I did some music practice at church with Phil: hymns for Sunday and some of my songs. Robert and William turned up and we got a cup of tea! After lunch Dot went shopping, mainly to get a knee brace.  In the evening Dot drove us to Mary and Neville Thrower ‘s in LeStrange Close for a lovely meal (fish pie) and good conversation. Home well after 11pm. 

On Saturday the weather had improved, though it was still chilly. Drove to Filby Bridge Restaurant to celebrate the golden anniversary of Joyce and Ivan Lincoln and were surprised to find Fred and Sue there: they’d come over from Banbury and were staying at the caravan for a few days afterwards. Sat next to them: food was excellent, though quite a lot of it. Had fish and chips and Eton Mess. Met Joyce’s daughter Alison, who is studying to become a vicar, and we had two other vicars on our table – man and wife. Fred and Dot both said a little in response to Alison’s speech. Restaurant  was on bank of Ormesby Little Broad, very beautiful in the sun. Got home about 4.15pm. Tired. Didn’t have much tea! Watched England lose to Ireland at rugby after getting a man sent off in the second minute. Nice. However Spurs lost too, and Liverpool won. Not nice. Watched Queens of Mystery – first episode: quite well done and unusual. Watched Grantchester to give it a chance, but it’s wholly unconvincing. 

Sunday was fairly mild and dry. Went to church in the morning: Bridget and Sharon were there, as well as Nikki. HC with Graham – Anna did lectio. Dot made a superb cake for Howard’s 60th. In the afternoon we listened to Norwich losing 2-1 to Leeds after equalising in the 90th minute. Not much hope for them now. Des e-mailed to say his flight would be delayed and he won’t be back till Tuesday. Watched a couple of episodes of Peaky Blinders (quite good), one of Killing Eve (going off badly) and one of This is Going to Hurt (not bad). Norwich on first on MOTD. Aargh! The pain!

Dot has just departed for Hickling school, and I’m waiting for Andrew, the cooker repair man. Bit annoying, as otherwise I would have gone to Hickling with Dot, but it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Cookers are important.

Looking back, last Friday, March 4, was good for Norfolk. We were dry till quite late, while the rest of the country was wet. Dot went to Taverham school in the morning. Then she was busy on the computer, trying to fix up a knee appointment with a physio, and changing the date for meal with the Throwers, among other things. I got a call from Tracy at the hospital offering appointments for my gall bladder operation, but I asked about a scan first, and she said she’d get a clinician to ring me. So that’s probably gone for a burton. A clinician hasn’t rung, of course.

Out for our usual drink in the evening: Mary, Bob and Ciara came out; Des and Chris off to Madeira on Sunday. I scanned a covid pass for them. We think we saw the end of The Holiday, but if so it was an appalling ending: but then the rest of it was pretty bad too. Everybody was so bad-tempered and melodramatic that you wanted to punch them all in the mouth. Dot and I both signed up for cancer research. 

Saturday was a messy day. Drizzle/light rain throughout and becoming very cold towards evening. Started feeling very down because of the operation issue, but got over it. Dot’s knee is still bad; so I drove her to Carrow Road through a fair amount of traffic, just in time for her to meet Jonathan and Naomi. Then I drove home and walked back, managing to arrive before the game started. Pretty awful game, with City on the wrong end of all the decisions, conceding two penalties, both of which were iffy, and in the end they lost 3-1. Loads of people left early, when we were 3-0 down, including Jonathan and Naomi.

Apparently Lucy is quite ill, and Naomi has to give her internal antibiotics three times a day. She should really be in the hospital but won’t stay there, sadly for N. Walked slowly home with Dot and got really cold. Then the cooker broke halfway through cooking a guinea fowl. Switched it to the other oven, and it was delicious. In the middle of all that Amy FaceTimed us. We had to get back to her – she asked if she could come to see us on April 6, and of course we said yes. Her mum will drop her off. 

Sunday’s weather was mixed, but mainly OK, though there were a couple of very wintry showers. Went to church in the morning. Service rather spoilt by reversion to Covid fears, spacing chairs out and opening window. Got a bit angry about it. Cheered by newcomers Nicky and Alison. Also Nic Golding came, which was nice. Had our main meal at lunchtime, a few stomach twinges (too much fat?) but improved. Amazon parcel arrived, and Des left his key: they were staying at Stansted for the night. I went to Lowestoft for a revived Seagull session: Dot stayed at home to rest her leg. Carrie came round while I was out and had a talk with her. The Seagull went very well. About 15 there, including Lynne, Kaaren and Sue. Ivor did a very good funny song on accordion: Ethel from the Bethel. I did five poems including one I wrote that morning (Dream). Drove through Loddon on the way home to avoid road works. 

On Monday there was quite a bit of sun, but it was chilly in the shadows. Finished rota and sent it out. Went to Morrisons and spent well over £100 stocking up. Also filled up with petrol. Kim came round at 2.30pm and stayed till nearly 7pm. Brought cakes and sweets. Dot made scones (yesterday) – delicious. Good conversation with Kim, who is very encouraging until she gets on to the subject of the new world order. After evening meal we read the Lent psalm etc and watched another episode of No Return, which is rather depressing. But if you will go on holiday to Turkey, what do you expect?

Yesterday was sunny, but with a very cold wind Dot went to Alpington in the morning: traffic was very bad because of road works in King Street combined with everything else. Planners sadly have only half a brain and don’t connect how one restriction could affect others. I managed to edit Margaret Paston’s will, which was not as bad as I thought it might be. In the afternoon walked to the Rosary in an icy wind. Rearranged flowers. Then booked Andrew to do the cooker tomorrow after stumbling across his last visit in this blog. Finished watching No Return, which wasn’t too bad. Also saw most of a film called Misbehaviour, about Women’s Lib and Miss World, which was pretty well done. 

It’s Friday, and it’s been a busy week. Dot has had a lot of trouble with her knee, but is able to drive, and is now at Taverham School on a DSSO visit, hoping to avoid chaos caused by the closure of Sweet Briar Road to put right some kind of flooding issue. Still, only “a few weeks”. There seems to be no kind of urgency to deal with road problems.

On Monday I managed 8500 steps! It was mostly dry and cool, but rained in the evening, when the water went off because the very competent workers making a mess of Riverside Road managed to break into  a water pipe, spilling huge amounts down the drain. It was fixed by the time we went to bed, though. In the morning Dot went to practise violin, which now costs her £25. In the afternoon we went to Sainsburys because there was a traffic jam on the way to Morrisons. Dot then dropped me off in Tombland, and I walked up to Essex Street to make some revisions to my story on Alan Harrison. Had  a cup of tea with him and we talked about Israel and various other things. Then walked home, taking in The Crescent off Chapelfield Road, out of interest. Had mussels in the evening and watched a film, Internal Affairs, which was quite good.

Tuesday was St David’s Day and Shrove Tuesday. Dry most of the day, but some rain later. Dot and I went to the Town House for our monthly Pensioners’ Breakfast – had a full English, which is a bit shocking. Usual suspects present, plus Ian Gray, a former printer. Spoke to him at length, then sub-editors. Brian doesn’t seem too good. Rewrote Harrison article and sent it off. Dot went to a Carrie pancake event at church. In the evening we had our Cake and Compline group round – minus David, who had a choir rehearsal – for pancakes and compline. I wrote an extra compline page relating to St David and a bit about Ukraine, where the situation is getting worse. Nice atmosphere in group.

Wednesday was mainly dry, but some light rain in the evening. Not too cold. Dot feeling down about it her knee, but we went to the cinema in the afternoon and saw the new Death on the Nile, Amazingly I remembered at an early stage who did it and not only why but how, but it was still an excellent film with great  photography. Later on Dot went to orchestra rehearsal. David FaceTimed – Chrissy’s birthday. 

Thursday was quite a pleasant day, not too cold, and sunny. Dot went into the city on the bus for foot and lip work, while I walked to the church hall for our weekly chat with Carrie’s female recruits and Graham. Eventually I did a Bible study with Nicky and Leanne, which was a lot of fun. They are very bright and slightly crazy, and have a clear connection to God. Both in their early 30s. Dot drove to pick me up at lunchtime.

Later took Dot up to the walk-in centre and left her there: she eventually rang and I picked her up and took her to Boots to get some gel. She now has a diagnosis, which has taken a bit of weight off her mind: she has a sprained ligament in her knee cap, and it will eventually get better. Still painful, though.

Meanwhile Bridget had arrived to do the cleaning. I sent the final approved piece on Alan Harrison to the EDP, and at 6pm Dot and I – after being held up in traffic – met Anna and Phil at the Ten Bells pub in St Benedict’s to talk about the music group. Moved immediately to The Plough because TB was too noisy, and chatted for an hour – and a bit more with Phil after Anna left because Bethany was arriving. Home for a late meal, then watched another episode of The Holiday, which is pretty awful in terms of plot and especially script. But feel compelled to see the end. Don’t know why. Second day of reading psalms for Lent. Now on 44.