It’s a new year – the second day of it, in fact, and Dot has just gone off to the shops to get some candles. It’s sunny and pretty cold, which is a vast improvement on New Year’s Day, which was heavily overcast, very damp and quite a bit colder. We stayed in bed till late morning, and after lunch had another quiz with Oliver, Amy, David, Chrissy and her three children. Each of us had ten questions to ask, and we then did a Would I Lie to You session that worked really well. Lot of fun.

Back in the old year, being wise, we looked for a star. On being told by Carrie on Sunday (27th) that the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn would be visible just after sunset, we drove up to St James Hill and certainly did not form a group with Judy and Carrie or anyone else, but looked unto the fairly clear sky for some time before realising that the conjunction was probably below the horizon. Another blow for Carrie’s infallibility, but it was fun. The ideal time to see the “star” was probably the 21st or 22nd, but this was the first clear sky since then. Earlier, after a Zoom service from St Luke’s, we had played the game David gave Dot, which was fun and easy to understand, and later we had another turkey meal and watched Grease, which had some good songs and minimal story line, which is the same as most musicals except that the songs were good.

The next day Dot and I turned left and walked along the river, which was overflowing near the Friendship Bridge, then round the back of Carrow Road, where they were doing Covid testing, and home via the back lane that runs by the railway. Eleanor called as darkness fell to pick up Claire’s gift, and later we watched Evil under the Sun, a Poirot film that it turned out we’d seen quite recently. Good, though.

Tuesday was cold and damp but very still, and we got up late. Dot walked to Boots. After lunch I walked up St Faiths Lane on to Bank Plain, then back through the Close, through playing fields and on to Bishopgate, then home along river. David FaceTimed, and I put together a bit of my quiz for new year. 

The next day it was sunny in the morning, and pretty cold. We drove up to the farm shop at Oaklands in Thorpe, then dropped in at Cary’s Meadow. We walked round it, but it was waterlogged in many places. Still, we got to the river and encountered a group of three anglers setting up. Clearly they must have been living together. Dropped Dot off at Rosary , and she walked home from there. Flowers on Mum and Dad’s grave still good. Later we FaceTimed Amy and David id and made preparations for the quiz. Later we saw To Catch a Thief, which was fun, and Love and Friendship, based on a Jane Austen novella, which was excellent. Went to bed quite early.

New Year’s Eve dawned icily cold, with frost on windscreens, which must have been nice for the binmen. It was sunny at first but eventually clouded over. We decided not to go out, but walked extensively indoors till I got up to my 4000 steps. Had another excellent turkey dinner with steaks bought from the farm shop and more sprouts, then watched Santa Claus: the Movie, which was all right but could have done with some editing, and started on Bridgerton on Netflix – well done, as you’d expect. We are now three episodes in. Spoke briefly to David and Amy, and then watched the traditional Jools till about 12.30am. 

On New Year’s day we had breakfast in bed with the rest of the prosecco ( “awful stuff” – M Henderson), which was actually very nice. It was overcast with some sleet, but not much. Again we stayed indoors and walked around a lot.

Christmas is over. Or is it? I seem to remember there are twelve days of it, and here in Tier 4 that’s probably still true in spite of the time distortion. We’ve just “attended” a joint service with St Luke’s on Zoom. I’m not sure in what sense it was “joint” because the only way I got into it was going on to St Luke’s Facebook page, and no-one from St Augustine’s took part in it. I circulated the link to St Augustine’s members, but only Matt and Carrie returned up. If we carry on like this we could get an Archdeacon coming round and complaining that we don’t get on together. Carrie says we need grace.

Before lunch we went for a walk, starting over the Julian Bridge, then down Mountergate and opposite into The Close, then round past the Cathedral and into Bishopgate. At the bottom of Bishopgate we turned left and walked along the riverside path up to Cow Tower, where the path was flooded. We knew it would be because we walked that circuit in the opposite direction yesterday, and I took some quite nice pictures.

Back on Tuesday Anne came round for coffee and an exchange of presents. After lunch I took a present to Thelma’s care home, then drove to Mulbarton, where I left a present for the Gazleys. They were out, but I left it on the door handle and carried on to Lucy and Naomi’s, where I had a chat with both on the doorstep. Naomi seemed well, but Lucy didn’t look at all good. She said she had an infection, but then she often does. Meanwhile Dot was listening to a broadcast of Nimrod by the Self-Isolation Orchestra. She had practised with them but didn’t record her bit in the end: still, she got her name on the credits!

She also posted another present to Andrew, and I was astonished to hear on Christmas Eve that they had both arrived. Later we watched Dr Zhivago, which is a great film. Dot and I saw it together in Leicester Square when we first went out together. It started at 11.30pm on a Friday, finishing at nearly 3am, and there were no night buses. I hailed a taxi, which went over well.

On Wednesday we were shoved into Tier 4, effective immediately after Christmas, and Dot tidied the house. Amy FaceTimed. I was busy, but I can’t remember what I was doing. It rained really hard from about 4pm. We watched The Wolf of Wall Street, which was interesting and had lots of naked women. I didn’t think it was a particularly moral film, but then I don’t suppose it was meant to be.

Thursday was Christmas Eve, and the weather was patchy. We met in the street for a Christmas drink – Des and Chris, John and Mary. Very enjoyable until it got too cold, and we went and posted a last-minute card, then filled up with petrol and went through the car wash. I had to run and put the code in again and almost failed to get back into the car. Could have been nasty.

We started watching the midnight service from Norwich Cathedral, but went to sleep. We saw the end of it the next day, which was Christmas!! We had a champagne breakfast and then looked at our presents. Dot rang Harriet. I don’t know why. Had a really lovely lunch, after we’d spoken to David and Chrissy about 1.30pm and opened our presents from them. I had an iPad from David (and Dot) and have been really enjoying it. Great for looking at pictures and reading stuff.

After lunch we watched Viceroy’s House, about the partition of India, which I suspect we had already seen, or seen in a different form. Very good film, if you like problems to which there is no answer. Later I walked down and looked at the river, which was very high. I had been alerted by Des. We also spoke to Dave and Julia and had a long chat with David and Chrissy, Oliver and Amy on FaceTime. Later we watched Call the Midwife. It was a really good day.

After our lunch and walk yesterday (Boxing Day) we watched La La Land, which is excellent film if the opening pointless dance scene doesn’t make you turn it off. It features some inconsiderate driving by the heroine, which is a big turn-off for me. However, the rest of the film was extremely good, especially when they weren’t dancing, and the ending was excellent.

At 4pm we had our much-heralded quiz, with everyone setting questions. Amy’s were particularly difficult. I have no idea who won, except that it wasn’t me, but we had a great time and agreed to do it again at New Year. Afterwards Dot and I had another Christmas meal, which was again excellent, although I forgot the sprouts. In the evening Norwich lost 0-1 at Watford and played pretty poorly.

In the middle of that Claire came to the door twice to deliver presents, which doesn’t strike me as proper Tier 4 behaviour, particularly as she’s just had covid. In fact she came twice, because she dropped her house key in one of the packages that we’re supposed to pass on to Judy and Eleanor. Not yet, methinks.

The shortest day of the year yesterday, and a really unpleasant one. Heavily overcast all day, with rain the air, and now heavier rain. I had been hoping to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn just after sunset, but no chance.Before that I walked up to the post office to post a parcel to Andrew and had to wait ages because a young woman not only had a long series of parcels to post but had to to write registration slips (or something) for all of them. No consideration.

I managed to write my Parish Pump pieces – on Keats and the RSV – and made a start on a piece on medieval Norwich for the Paston website. We also watched The Eagle has Landed, which was excellent. That made two exceptional films un two days: yesterday we watched Forrest Gump, which we both thought was brilliant: Tom Hanks really nailed it.

Earlier Paul came round for a cup of tea and present exchange. M is getting a bit worse. Dot has finished putting up decorations! I also had a chat with Amy on FaceTime about a Christmas quiz. Fixed it provisionally for Boxing Day.

Sunday was the Alternative Carol Service. Only 15 of us, but it went really well. Star performance was Judy and Dot as two sheep. Everyone seemed to appreciate it. Afterwards we went outside and sang a couple of carols to the neighbours, who had told Carrie they’d come out and listen. They might have listened, but they didn’t come out; so Carrie took some presents round to local children. She doesn’t give up.

In the afternoon we drove down to Alburgh and collected our Christmas cake from Marion – a very small version, as I’m not really supposed to eat it, and she only charged £5, though we put that right. Later we had a long chat with David and Chrissy, which was nice. Incidentally, we’ve agreed not to send Oliver and Amy’s presents but to wait till we see them. Don’t know how long that will be with the latest scare – a new strain of covid has stopped us seeing them this week – and Andrew of course. I’ve decided to post his, but not all at once. We are still in Tier 2, but Aylesbury and Coventry are in Tiers 4 and 3.

On Saturday, to take our minds off tiers, we watched a quite interesting film called The Beguiled, set in the American Civil War. As a further boost, Norwich beat Cardiff 2-0 and are now wen clear at the top of the Championship.

The day before, I picked up my pills from the chemist after waiting in line outside again – fortunately in the dry, though it was chilly. Later David got in touch to say Dot’s present was ready to pick up. It was getting late, but it seemed a good idea to strike while the iron was hot. She drove me up to Bank Plain and I made the pick-up. Miraculously she still doesn’t know what it was, or even where I picked it up from.

Later we watched KIng of Kings, which was surprisingly moving, though not meticulously accurate, making strange leaps. The acting was good.

Getting towards the end of another week. It’s a bit damper today but still reasonably mild. I’ve just posted the cards for Aspland Road through letterboxes, having driven up to get my pills from the chemist around lunchtime. Queue outside as usual. We’re still in Tier 2, unlike most of the country, which has been shifted into Tier 3. We’re very fortunate to still be able to shop normally. Happily, we’re both still ok. David has just FaceTimed to say Dot’s present is ready for collection.

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, but with a snap in the air. We drove to North Walsham, got some stuff from Sainsbury’s, including a frozen turkey crown, and took some flowers to the cemetery, which was looking beautiful in the sun. After driving home for lunch, Dot and I posted some cards at the sorting office (I think all the cards are gone now, including the electronic ones) and then walked up to the Rosary to put some flowers on my parents’ grave. Again, very beautiful. Had a brief chat with one of the workers there who we’ve spoken to before. Dot spent a lot of time wrapping presents (she’s still at it) and after a meal we watched the final of Professional Masterchef and had no trouble picking the winner, although they were all good.

Wednesday was pretty cold. I drove Dot up to the Forum, where she met David Archer and Vicky, and there was an exchange of presents. She had a coffee, but they had to stay outside and she got pretty cold. She walked home, calling at Dipples to drop a present off for Vicki. In the afternoon I walked up to the Rosary again, and in the evening we watched Norwich beat Reading 1-2, playing really well. Sadly Spurs lost to Liverpool, which rather took the gloss off it. Norwich now three points clear at the top of the Championship.

I have finished the Order of Service for the Alternative Carol Service and sent out everyone’s parts. How can it go wrong? We’ll see. Amy meanwhile got a brilliant exam report, exceeding her teachers’ expectations in absolutely every subject. She is a star. Had a bit of an alarm earlier in the week when we heard she wasn’t well, but apparently it was just a headache.

On Tuesday it was the Rosary again, and we had Zoom Cake and Compline in the evening. We used one I found on the net, which everyone seemed to like. Before that we did a version of Would I Lie to You?, which went well. This followed a version organised for our CNS Group the previous evening by Peter Bussey, using the word “organise” rather loosely. Still, it went well. Of the 11 people on camera, Fred Riches and Roger Prince (alias Humphrey Bogart) featured strongly. One of Roger’s false statements was that he had Jamaican nationality and a Jamaican wife. This was only false because he had two Jamaican wives (not simultaneously), but if you have two wives, you must have one; so I think this should have ben disqualified, or declared true – partly because it was the one I guessed as true. Still, he’s a barrister; so no point in arguing.

Also that day we watched High Society, which I surprised myself by really liking. The day before we had watched Scott of the Antarctic, which was strangely compelling. Not sure their planning was very careful: amazing what explorers in those days thought was essential.

On Monday we had both been into the city separately, buying last-minute cards and presents. Sunday was church as usual, with Carrie leading and Liz Cannon preaching. During the week people (including Dot) were making angels for the windows. In the afternoon I posted cards and went for a walk, though the weather was not pleasant. During the walk down Rosary Road, Andrew rang, and we had quite a coherent conversation.

The day before Norwich beat Blackburn 1-2, and we watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles, a rather unambitious comedy that was nevertheless quite entertaining. We also saw a very good French documentary on the fire at Notre Dame last year.

Cold on Monday. I walked down Bishopgate and round by the Cathedral while Dot was out walking with Anne at Poringland. On my way home, on Thorpe Road while adding a few unnecessary steps, bumped into Jude again – this time she was with Mrs Edwards, wife or widow of the former chief education officer for Norfolk. Jude said I had almost certainly written about him, but I denied it (though I almost certainly did, during my very brief stint as education correspondent in the mid-1990s).

Tuesday was even colder – very crisp, but much more appealing, with a mainly blue sky. Dot had a DSSO Zoom meeting in the morning, and in the afternoon we posted a couple more Canada parcels and one to the Coomes family. Longish queue in the post office, dutifully social distancing. Later while Dot went to Boots I posted her head teachers’ cards and then walked up to the Rosary. At just after 3pm, the sun in a clear sky wasn’t reaching the top of the hill. As I write Dot is watching the end of A Star is Born – the James Mason and Judy Garland version. Pretty poor film. Neither of the two lead actors can act, I don’t like Judy Garland’s voice, the songs are worse than mediocre and there is really no atmosphere. Hollywood at its worst. (Dot said it got better towards the end.) I had been thinking of watching the updated version, but certainly won’t now. Later we watched It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, which was wildly funny.

It was not quite so cold on Wednesday: it started foggy and continued very, very damp, though not developing into rain (had some overnight, I think). Spent much of the day transporting sugar: started at Brooke School, where we collected two crates, then in the afternoon we called at Worstead again and picked up a couple more bags, then took it all to the barn at Swafield, where we encountered a pleasant farmer. Then dropped a present off at Rob’s and on to Sheila’s, where we chatted to Bridgett and dropped off cards and presents. Back home via Wroxham, and I walked some cards up to the post office while Dot vacuumed up surplus sugar from the boot. Norwich beat Notts Forest 2-1.

On Thursday the temperature was 6C, with a lighter sky but still overcast. Mainly dry. Dot went to the shops on her own but was back by the time I tuned in to the Norfolk Record Office family history (advanced) event, which was interesting, but not as interesting as the first one. I turned off my camera and ate lunch while it was on.

A number of parcels were delivered, including one which had me mystified until David texted me to say it was for Chrissy. I have now forwarded it to Canada, but I’m not sure any of the parcels I’ve sent to Canada have arrived yet. Also posted three UK parcels. Another long queue at post office. Afterwards I walked round and over the Julian bridge to get my steps up. Judy came round with presents for Compline group. We may have to be postmen for some of them. Des came round with groceries: he had been on Look East briefly the previous night, complaining about an anti-vac poster that had been put through our doors.

In the evening we watched a live streamed concert from St Albans Cathedral, which turned out to be very well done. Put on by an organisation called FANE. John Rutter conducting, about ten excellent singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – plus the chorister of the year. Afterwards we spoke to David on FaceTime about presents for Oliver.

Yesterday was warmer but quite wet for most of the day, though it desisted for our evening walk up to Delia’s Restaurant at Carrow Road. We posted cards on the way, and came back along the river, by which time it had started raining again. But we had had a lovely meal – Dot’s belated birthday meal – and so it didn’t seem to matter. The food was excellent (we both had sea bass, and I started with pate and ended with cheese. It was a bit of a risk, because I couldn’t avoid a fair amount of fat, but I risked it and am being careful the rest of the weekend.) When we got back we watched The Bourne Legacy, which was excellent of its kind. Earlier Eleanor had popped round to leave/pick up presents for/from the Compline group.

Also this week Dot has been making angels for church windows, I have finished the script for the Alternative Carol Service, and (most importantly) Oliver has had his Cambridge interview, which he says went well. They would be mad not to take him.

Quite wintry the last few days, though there has been no rain today. We are back at church under the new regulations, but still masked and distanced. It’s Advent of course, and I preached on darkness and light. Had a long chat outside with Matt afterwards, taking in the general topography of Norfolk, our experiences of the CNS and the Paramoudra Club. Dot spoke to Carrie and Kim, whom she has invited to our Compline group. At home watched final of Young Chorister of the Year – something I wouldn’t have seen myself doing 20 years ago – and the wrong boy won. Still, they were all excellent.

Spoke to Andrew on FaceTime. He seems much the same. We struggle to have a conversation, but I’m glad we have contact.

It was very cold last Tuesday too – the first day of meteorological winter, as we were informed by the weather people. There was a north wind, which made a difference although it wasn’t strong. I posted Sophie’s parcels to Canada, and Dot went to her violin lesson with Anna – she took me halfway (entrance to the gym), and I walked home. In the evening we watched the original Dambusters film, which was good. A three-part documentary by Dan Snow on the next three nights corrected a couple of factual errors and rubbed home the high cost in lives among the air crew.

It was cold again on Wednesday, but there was blue sky; so it didn’t seem so bad. Best day of the week really, which was fortunate, as I took the car up for a service and had to go for a walk while it was being done. I walked as far as I could up Holt Road, which turned out to be just past my cousin Mark’s house. I then crossed over and walked back to the airport, noting a surprising number of take-offs – most of them grey planes. The non-Ingrid person on the service desk took for ever to do the paperwork, but I was eventually able to get back home for lunch. Dot spent most of the day on another Zoom art retreat: she gets a lot out of it. In the evening Norwich lost dismally to Luton 1-3. They were very poor, and so was the referee.

Thursday was very wet, with a dark sky all day. Hello Fresh arrived, and so did our groceries courtesy of Des, whose gouty foot seems to have improved. Dot had a Zoom session with the head at Cringleford. Defying the rain, I sent a parcel to David, then bought some cards and candles from Revelation. Dot cleaned the stair carpet and went to Morrisons for some more (*carpet) shampoo. Later we watched Enemy of the State – a fast-moving thriller with a brilliant ending. Also watched The Man in Grey – an old b&w film featuring a young James Mason and Margaret Lockwood, who was my father’s favourite actress, I think. Most of it was set in Regency times, and it was quite nicely done but with nowadays quite unacceptable racist undertones at times. I suppose the time will come when they refuse to show it.

Friday was wet and grey again, and still cold. Linda came to do our hair at 9am, and I had a bath afterwards. There was was a touch of sleety snow mid-morning (not lying), and an ice warning. Finished my sermon and later watched Whistle Down the Wind – another old film about some children who mistook a murderer on the run for Jesus. Not as bizarre as it sounds. I thought it was excellent in just about every way.

Much better weather yesterday – dry and not as cold as forecast. Dot went into the city to buy presents, and I went up to meet her. Norwich rather luckily beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. We played badly for about 80 minutes and should have conceded a penalty (though not two, as was claimed in some quarters). Scored our two goals in the last ten minutes. All three goals were excellent. In the evening we watched Hang Em High, another Clint Eastwood western, which bit off a bit more than it could chew. Thought-provoking, but the structure was odd.

Last day of November and a surprisingly busy day – sadly grey and drizzly. Preparing for a quiet day catching up on the computer, I suddenly found myself driving all over Norfolk on sugar-collecting missions. Slight exagerration: Dot had agreed to pick up sugar for Sugarlamb Charities Inc from Alburgh, her former school, and I volunteered to drive her. After picking it up we drove down on to the Happisburgh road, retracing my mysterious drive after I had the coronavirus test in Leiston, when I “lost” several miles and ended up in Homersfield. The re-drive wasn’t terribly enlightening, except to suggest that the road I remembered as being part of the Halesworth-South Elmham road was in fact the narrow road leading into Homersfield. Still didn’t seem quite right.

However, we returned to Norwich with a sweet cargo and a petrol fill-up, and after lunch Dot arranged another pick-up at Worstead. I agreed to chauffeur her again, and this time it was not quite so smooth. I persuaded her to stay and chat to the head teacher while I waited in the car. I was quickly joined by carloads of parents on pick-up duty. Walked round the green several times, but it was pretty chilly. Eventually Dot emerged after a successful chat, and we drove home. In the evening we watched The Homesman, which was beautiful but very strange and not entirely satisfying.

Yesterday was a nicer day in the sense that it was drier, but it was pretty cold. Dot and I listened to our final Rolf podcast in bed, and then went for a walk to show her the rail bridge over the river that I had found recently. Unfortunately, the way was blocked by a locked gate; so we had to turn back. We had parked our car in Morrisons car park because we didn’t want to walk too far. In the afternoon we had two Zoom services – the first was Sarah’s licensing at Carlton Colville and the second our last Augustine’s Morning Worship at 6pm. Bit strange. Talked to David on FaceTime in the evening, Amy on a separate occasion and Andrew in the middle of Sarah’s service!

Saturday was rather grey and offputting, but I eventually went for a walk in the dark to St Helen’s Bishopgate and back. Have been having a few twinges in my left side, but I now think this may have something to do with slightly mouldy bread. In the evening we watched The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which is as good as everyone says it is. I also wrote a very abridged autobiography for Tony Friedlander’s CNSOB project: 1000 words, which is twice as long as he requested. That’ll teach him.

In the evening on Friday we watched Seven Psychopaths, a Tarantino-esque film which was brilliant in many ways, though (of course) a bit over the top in both visuals and language.

Not sure if I’m going to achieved 4000 steps today, but I have done for the last 13 days and managed an average of over 4000 a day for the month – my best since May. I must be feeling better.

Fog first thing this morning, but by mid-morning the sun had come through, and I took Dot to see my recent Thorpe walk. We did the main bit, which was enjoyable, but had to cut it short because Dot needed to get home. Still, we did well over 3000 steps and met some friendly people. Amazingly, since I had been there a few days ago, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust had put up two notices on the muddy paths, claiming the marsh for their own. Are they reading my blogs? Probably not.

At lunch time the Mazda garage rang and said they had to shut on Saturdays and would I ring them about my appointment. This was a bit mystifying as my appointment (for a service) is next Wednesday, but I rang anyway. When they rang back it turned out to be a general message, but it certainly didn’t read like one.

It has been getting colder. Yesterday I went out at about 2pm to try and catch a bit of sun, but it was mostly behind buildings even at that time. I had to come back early because I got a message saying my Amazon package had been delivered, and Dot was not answering the phone. However, it turned out she had received the package, part of which was a microphone to assist her in recording her violin for a couple of projects she’s engaged on. I went out again for another short walk, across to Riverside.

In the evening we had our Compline on Zoom. Everyone except Vicky turned up: she had a problem with Amy, but Amy seems OK now. I have started to dictate my early novella, Realm, to my computer: not perfect , but better than I thought it would be. Dot and I have started praying together at lunchtime. There is no obvious connection between these two things.

We are now in Tier 2, which is marginally better than being in Covid lockdown, but we will probably have to cancel our meal with the Robinsons at Delia’s, though we may go on our own. The only real problem is not being able to meet who we like at home (or their home). Meeting outside is OK, and most shops will be open. The economy is a disaster area, of course, and I’m not sure all this is necessary.

On Tuesday I walked to the shops with Dot and walked round the car park while she browsed Boots. It was cold, but as always lower temperatures in still conditions don’t seem nearly as unpleasant as temperatures five degrees higher in a bit of a breeze. I think we need a different way of measuring temperature.

Wednesday was grey and damp – one of those really unpleasant autumn days – but we went to the Blofield Farm Shop at Oaklands, which was superb, and then on to Morrisons, because Des has damaged his ankle and so couldn’t do our shopping. This brought our steps up nicely. Dot’s new “Fitbit” is working well. In the evening we watched The Medusa Touch (1976), which was pretty impressive.

The weather has settled down a bit: it’s been cold but mostly calm and sometimes sunny over the last four or five days. As a result I’ve put together a whole week in which I’ve walked over 4000 steps a day. This may not seem much, but it’s quite satisfying as it appears to mean I’m recovering from my illness.

It did rain in the evening last Thursday, but by then I’d walked my 4000 steps, and we had chili con carne in the way I’ve always done it. I have to say it tasted very good, possibly because it’s a long time since we’ve had it. But there’s not all that much fat in it; so why not? We’ve been watching The Crown, which seems to get worse as it approaches the present. There’s been a lot of criticism in the media: I’ve never been a fan of Prince Charles, but I’m sure he can’t have been so consistently bad. Gillian Anderson sort of had Mrs Thatcher’s voice, but she was the wrong shape (head and body), making her look a bit top heavy and weaker than she was. Prince Philip and Princess Margaret came off best, perhaps, and Princess Diana looked the part. Got the impression that the writer, Peter Morgan, didn’t really like anyone involved, which is not helpful for a writer.

On Friday we drove up to Sainsbury’s to get some soup and one or two other things, then I walked quite a way back along Yarmouth Road, noticing a track to the river that I hadn’t been aware of before. I returned to it the following day and discovered a whole world I didn’t know existed. Reached the river and could have got on to the marsh if the path was a bit drier. For a fuller description, see my website. In the afternoon Phil came round with presents for Dot and stayed for a cup of tea. He walked both ways; so can’t be too bad.

It was cold again on Saturday, when I did the Thorpe walk. I Had just left when the Archers came round with birthday presents. Dot spoke to them outside and got pretty cold. Received letter from the NHS urging us to book a flu vaccine and scan ourselves into a digital hub to save them the expense of sending out letters. Needless to say, Dot rang about the vaccine and was told there wasn’t any. I tried to scan into the hub, and the system was down. No wonder the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed.

This was a good day in other ways. Norwich beat Middlesbrough 1-0 away to go top of the table, and Spurs beat Manchester City 2-0 to go top of the Premier League. We bought a day from NOW TV to watch Norwich, but then discovered it wasn’t on; so we watched the Spurs match instead. Very high quality stuff from both teams.

Earlier Anne had come round with presents and stayed for a couple of hours. I tried to stay well clear of her. An extremely large poinsettia was delivered from Julia and Dave, and we rang them and had a chat.

Sunday was Dot’s 75th birthday! She received quite a lot of presents, considering the lockdown, and spent some time organising her new Fitbit, which isn’t a Fitbit but something very similar. Despite present-opening and fizzy wine, we got to the 10am Zoom joint service just in time. It was led by Richard Turk and featured a sermon by the Archdeacon. It was her visitation Sunday, but of course she couldn’t do all the admin things she should have done. Lucky her.

After lunch we went for a walk at Fairhaven, which was very enjoyable. South Walsham Broad was beautiful in the sun. They had a one-way system in operation, but surprisingly there weren’t many people there. At the end Dot had a takeaway Chelsea Bun, which she pronounced the best she’d ever had. Also hot chocolate. I drove, and we got home in time for a FaceTime with Oliver and David. It was snowing in Canada. I cooked a special Lasagne that we’d bought at Sainsbury’s, and Dot had sticky toffee pudding. We watched The Apartment – a classic film.

Yesterday I spoke at some length to Phil Kerrison on the phone while he was walking his dog on Earlham Park. He seemed a bit down; so I’m glad I rang. Then Minster Lodge rang me to talk about David’s care plan. He seems to be doing pretty well. I’ve finished selecting a number of poems as candidates for a new book, but may have to thin them down further. I’ve only looked at the last ten years. In the afternoon we walked up to the Rosary, which was very pleasant, and in the evening we watched The Nice Guys, an excellent, witty film that would have been near-perfect without the offensive swearing.

This morning the window cleaner came and asked for possible audio material; so I’m sending him a link to Veronica Mary Rolf, which I hope he finds interesting!

Friday the thirteenth turned out to be quite pleasant, and I went for a walk round the Cathedral area. Dot had problems contacting one of her heads (Aziza) on Zoom, but she sorted it out eventually. The weekend was very unpleasant – wet and windy. We spent far too much of it watching TV: two films – The Magnificent Ambersons, an Orson Welles product that I thought was better than Citizen Kane, and Wagon Master, an old John Ford Western that was rough at the edges, but very entertaining. We also saw the last two episodes of DNA, an excellent Danish thriller with a thoughtful ending. On Sunday we caught the first two episodes of the new season of The Crown on Netflix – fascinating in many ways, but I’m not sure how accurate the script is. Mrs Thatcher was portrayed rather badly by Gillian Anderson, though it may have been the fault of the script/direction.

Before that we had Zoom St Augustine’s, which for some reason was at 6pm. Howard hosted it and preached, but I led it. I have put a rota together for December and January, but of course if we’re still locked down we’ll be zooming again. The Turkish Grand Prix was really good, on a wet track with Lewis Hamilton showing how good he is by coming from sixth on the grid to win it and take all-time top spot over Schumacher. Lance Stroll led for a long time but fell apart at the end. I’m not sure why. His teammate Perez held on for second.

Monday was a much nicer day – dry, but cold. I would have gone for a walk but Dot was in the back garden most of the day, making it look good in its new incarnation, with pebbles and crazy paving where once there was gravel. As a result I felt I needed to be around to answer the door, because we were expecting a number of parcels. It is Dot’s birthday on Sunday. I also have two new jumpers.

In the evening we watched a Science and Faith lecture on Zoom. Good content, but poor delivery. It was by a theologian who has a new book out with the word “Ramified” in the title. In my feedback I pointed out that this was not a word that anyone used, and the organiser wrote back, agreeing with me. I think theologians produce books for each other, in a language of their own. We avoided the discussion group, but went back for the questions at the end.

I was on Zoom again yesterday (third day running), when I decided to take part in the Jurnet’s poetry group meeting. Quite interesting – I read a poem called This Is Not It – but I recognised very few people, except Hilary Mellon and one or two others. It turned out that we had three people from the United States (not Jurnet regulars), one from Ely and another from somewhere else outside Norfolk. Some quite interesting poems, and it ran the full two hours.

Weather-wise it was quite a mild day, though rather overcast. Good for walking, and I ended the day with over 7000 steps. I walked round the outside of the riverside path (past Zaks) and noticed a young couple swimming from the opposite bank, which I thought was a bit reckless, though they seemed to be having fun. A bit further on I passed Trevor Burton, a former EDP colleague, and said hello. On to Whitefriars, via a new path through to Barrack Street and a look at the city wall at the bottom of Silver Road. I was looking for Ship Yard, which used to be off Cowgate, but I think all trace of it has disappeared, and it is probably underneath the NCB factory.

I came back by the other side of the riverside path and over Bishop Bridge, after which I happened on Jude Sayer sitting on a bench almost opposite her house on Riverside Road, and we had quite a long chat – so long, in fact, that Dot rang me to see if I was all right. I said I was with a woman. Dot was in the front garden when I returned, doing more excellent work, and Bob and Mary were talking to her, in masks. They were arriving home from a walk.

I’m happy to say that the new phones are working well. It certainly helps to have one in the living room. I am trying to choose poems from my last ten years to include in a new book, but am having difficulty thinning them out. Today is sunny, and Dot has just gone up to the sorting office to post a birthday card to Bridget. She is going to Alpington School this afternoon, and I intend to take another walk.