Arrived back from Blakeney mid-afternoon and attempted to watch an episode of The Killing II over a cup of tea, but Dot went to sleep. So we emptied the cases (after she woke) and tidied up. Tiredness was not surprising, because we have walked over 9000 steps today.

Dave and Julia left Blakeney after breakfast – a bit later than usual, as Dave doesn’t have much energy at the moment. Dot and I walked into the town and visited a couple of shops before driving to Morston and walking out to the edge of the channel – pleasant under a blue sky despite the very chilly wind. After that we drove to Holt, squeezed into a parking place and tried to find a cafe for lunch. All had queues, however; so we went to Bakers and Larners, which has the air of a 1950s department store with a canteen (Dot’s word).

Nevertheless, I like it, and I had an egg and mayonnaise sandwich. Over the weekend it was brought home to me how difficult it is to eat out if you’re on a low fat diet. Fat gets in all over the place. I’m hoping my gall bladder doesn’t notice. We then bought Dot a necklace and drove back to Norwich, where it was cloudy but not quite so cold.

The weekend as a whole was very enjoyable, and the threatened rain did not really materialise, though it was cold for a summer solstice. We arrived at about 3.15pm on the Sunday, the room was excellent, and we went to the Two Magpies (a new cafe) for a pleasant tea and cake/biscuit. Dot had a substantial rocky road: she ate some of it and wrapped the rest carefully, then forgot to take it with her when she left. I had gingerbread folk. Not man, obviously. That would be sexist.

Both evening meals at the Manor Hotel were excellent. That first night I chose a cod loin on saffron rice with little shrimps in it – something I would never have considered pre-gall bladder incident. It was lovely, as was the apple crumble and mango sorbet. The second night I went for duck, which was a bit risky but similarly delicious, with blueberries and raspberries imaginatively mixed in with the potatoes and gravy. As usual we had a little too much alcohol, and I didn’t sleep too well. After the Magpies, Dot, Julia and I had walked along the front, round and down the Blakeney Hotel road. I added a little with a stroll out towards the sea while Dot and Julia went back to the hotel.

Earlier in the day on Sunday we went to Holy Communion – only 14 in the congregation including Liz, who was leading. Left quickly to have lunch and prepare for driving to Blakeney.  David FaceTimed just as we were about to leave to wish me Happy Father’s Day, and Andrew FaceTimed just after we got there. Wales lost to Italy 1-0 but went through. Saw the second half.

Yesterday, as today, I had boiled eggs for breakfast. We drove in separate cars to Cley NWT, but the few cafe tables there were all full, so we moved on to the Muckleburgh Collection near Kelling/Weybourne (£12 each), which turned out to be very interesting. We started in the cafe, then did the tour, then returned to the cafe for lunch. Fascinating visit – glad we got there at last: the models were outstanding and the instruments of death strangely beautiful, which can’t be right. We then returned to the hotel because Dave was feeling tired, but later we went with Julia for a walk along towards Wiveton then back out toward the sea– but not far because of the cold wind. 

Returning to last Wednesday, which was the final very warm day of a welcome series, we didn’t do much till 3pm, when we had drinks with Des and Chris in their garden. Later we watched Notting Hill, which is lovely, and I caught up with some with computer work. We also watched an episode of Before We Die. Very low step count today, but on the plus side we FaceTimed with Amy.

Thursday was cloudy, with rain overnight but mostly dry during the day, contrary to forecast. We drove to Blickling and met Dave and Julia.  Walked over to the cafe in the main building and had tea and scone, then walked round the lake. The notice said 1.9 miles, but it was nearer three; as a result Dave was on his last legs when we got back, so ate at the Buckinghamshire Arms instead of the cafe (it was nearer). Very nice, but a bit high in fat. I had wine; so Dot drove home. In the evening we drove Eleanor to Vicky’s for Cake and Compline round the fire pit. Watched an episode of Fargo when we got back, plus some football. Rebecca de Saintonge, who should know what she is talking about, said she loved my Lost Princess book, and I should get it published.

Friday was very wet. I caught up with Paston editing while Dot went into the city to meet Janet Bower in Jarrolds. She got very wet on the walk home. In the evening watched England and Scotland draw 0-0 at Wembley in a boring game. Des got Dot fish and chips from a place in Plumstead Road while I cooked chicken, potatoes and peas for myself. After football we watched Masked and Anonymous – a film with Bob Dylan. It wasn’t all that good because he can’t act. The others could, but there’s a limit to what you can do. Rob said he liked my poetry book. FaceTime with David about getting a keyboard for my tablet, which is very kind of him.

Saturday was overcast, with water in the air not quite turning into rain. We shopped at Morrison’s and filled up with petrol, then I sorted out some chess games from my cuttings for Mike Read, had a bath, and after lunch Dot dropped me near his house and I took them round. Had cup of tea with him and walked home. He is planning a book on Norfolk chess – may get a couple of my games in it! The games I took him were by Clive Cubitt. While looking for them I found a cutting of David winning a tournament with 7/7. Sent a pic to his children, who were impressed. Later watched a bit of football and a film, Days of the Bagnold Summer, which was quite good, despite the strange title.

Still pleasantly warm, but this could be the las day of it: the forecast is for rain over the next few days, which is bad luck for the Evetts, who should have arrived at Blakeney last night, though we haven’t heard from them. Lots to do today… but back to last Friday, when it was warm, though with a bit of warmish wind. I finished editing Dot’s p4c pack while she kept an eye on me. It has now gone off to David.

After posting a card to Phil K, we drove to North Walsham to put flowers on the graves (the next day being the anniversary of Dot’s mum’s death). Afterwards we walked by the North Walsham and Dilham canal and saw two herons and a wild swimmer. Back home after supper we watched cricket then Wind River, an excellent film that it turned out we’d seen before, set in wintry Wyoming. Dot had a long phone call earlier from Carrie concerning Robert, during which Dot sat on the toilet lid and broke it. Then the Evetts rang – Dave has quite bad heart problems resulting in tiredness. But they are still coming to Blakeney. We arranged to meet at Blickling.

Saturday was dry and very warm in the sun, slightly cooler out of it. I had a bad night. Walked up to the Rosary with Dot before lunch and left flowers we had bought the day before. I also “repaired” the flower-holder on my parents’ grave, then (at Dot’s suggestion) switched it fo the one on my grandparents’ grave, which I bought recently. After lunch watched the second half of the Wales-Switzerland game in Euro 2020, which ended 1-1. Wales were a bit fortunate. Dot spent some time in the garden reading. and I submitted some poems to the Crabbe competition. Watched Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, a very good film.

Another very bad night. Watched half of Notting Hill at 5am in a futile attempt to go to sleep. Dozed late and woke at 9.30, feeling shattered. Stayed in bed while Dot went to church. It was very warm. After lunch Debbie House called with a friend who was heading for the bus replacement service. Took her along the path and released her in the direction of the station. Then watched England beat Croatia 1-0. The pundits were much more excited about this than I was, though Phillips was excellent. David FaceTimed as we we were getting ready to go out and we had long talk, then walked to the Greens and had a lovely meal – smoked salmon, salmon, prawns, mussels, haggis and strawberries with lots of wine. Very interesting talk about church and Orkney, in the garden till 11pm. Walked home, not as tired as we should have been.

Monday was not quite so warm. Paul came round – didn’t seem at all well. Looking after M is getting him down.  Dot left at 3 to go to see Verena – a successful session. Later Des and Chris came round with bottle of white (as an unnecessary thank-you for watering flowers) and had a cup of tea.  Unsurprisingly, relaxation of restrictions postponed from June 21 to July 17. Getting very annoyed with Boris, or more particularly the gloomy scientists. Watched first three episodes of The Killing 2, which is similar to The Killing 1, but shorter. Short of steps. Watched cricket and football.  

Yesterday was warmish, but not excessive. Went to see Lily at Hickling: 45 mins each way, going through Ludham and coming back through Acle. Loads of traffic about. She seems fine, though surrounded by a fair number of unpleasant people, apparently. E-mailed Denise and Ella in Scotland. Dot and I walked up to the Rosary, and I FaceTimed Amy by mistake. We watched a bit of football, then three episodes of thriller serial Before we die. Quite good, actually.

The Killing came to an end for us on Sunday afternoon.   In this case it was not so much a spontaneous massacre of everyone who disagrees with me (though that’s tempting sometimes), but the Danish 20-episode series series that was actually pretty brilliant, though the ending could have been sightly better. It was definitely a lot better than Formula 1, where Hamilton contrived to throw away the 18 points that had been gifted to him when Verstappen’s tyre fell apart; and the Test between England and New Zealand was not particularly inspiring. Too much TV really – in bed after midnight.

High cloud on Monday: quite pleasant, very warm at times. Caught up with office backlog and spoke to Barbara and Lily on the phone. Also had an e-mail exchange with Phil K, who is on holiday in West Norfolk. Dot sorted out the garage, and we took a lot of stuff to the tip. Quite a queue. Put other stuff in car ready for charity shop, and the Paston banners ready to leave at North Walsham. Watched Inside No 9, which was brilliant as always. Then two episodes of Fargo – pretty weird. It’s set in Kansas City in the 1950s, and centres on gang warfare.

Tuesday was warm and dry. Dot walked to Anna’s for a violin lesson while I filled the car up with petrol and checked the tyres – to my astonishment they were almost fully inflated. Must be six months at least since I checked them. Also did half-hour walk along thee river and up the Close, then round by Recorder Road. 

After lunch we drove to North Walsham to look at Roger’s bungalow. He showed us plans for quite big changes: so it will be some time before they move in. Afterwards dropped off Paston banners at the Knees and stayed for a cup of tea. Had a longish chat about the Paston Heritage Society and agreed to do a final magazine. After supper watched Tea with Mussolini, with Cher, Judi Dench etc etc – very, very good. Lots of traffic around today, especially on Riverside Road because of a temporary Thorpe Road closure, and this continues as I write. Wrote to EDP about  western link and other road issues.

Wednesday was very warm indeed. I drove up to the chemist for pills, then to Sainsbury’s to recycle cardboard. Then to Postwick, but couldn’t find the river: many years since I’d been there, and lots of house-building. Last time I went you could drive right down to what used to be the ferry.

Dot was zooming Barbara, so I walked up to the Rosary, met a woman called Pam and had quite a long chat. She lives on Cintra Road and has a grandson in Canada. In the afternoon Dot walked to Morrison’s and I drove. Got lots of shopping because Des and Chris are going away. Had some drinks outside in the sun, and I felt a bit ill so went in after a while. Started cooking Hello Fresh while Dot went over to Des’s and was told which plants to water. Watched two out of three episodes of Anne Boleyn, with very good black woman in title role. Have now seen all of them: very well done. Philip R is in hospital with heart and lung problems. 

Thursday was humid, warm but cloudy a lot of the time. We drove out to see Anne in the morning, and I proceeded to see Thelma at Cresta Run, her care home, while Dot chatted with Anne. Philip is still in hospital: apparently the pacemaker operation nicked his lung. Thelma seemed well.

After lunch Freddie came round to wash the car for £10 – a project inspired by Des.  While he was bringing us change for a £20 note, David FaceTimed, and they had a chat. Bridget turned up to clean for us while Dot weeded in the front garden, apparently a job I should have done. I ordered fish and cheese from Cley and some jelly from Amazon. Later we watched The October Man, an old film which was good in many ways but as so often with old films, stopped before it should have done. Old films are not good on after-effects and implications.

Seems a long time ago, but last Monday we walked on Thorpe Marshes. It was a warm day. I left my glasses behind on a seat, but they were there when I went back, with a dark girl sitting next to them. “They’re not mine,” she said. Earlier we had a long FaceTime with David and Chrissy talking about good ,and evil (among other things). In the evening Amy FaceTimed to ask if she could come up for a few days from tomorrow! We said yes, of course. We were delighted. Watched last Call the Midwife, and did grocery list early.

Tuesday was sunny and warm again. We got up early because we were expecting Sam and family for a visit, but they didn’t turn up. After lunch wrote some of my sermon and chose hymns. Then drove to Cambridge Services to meet Amy and Vicky. Brought Amy home for a couple of nights after Costa coffee with Vicky and buying stuff for Amy’s meal at M&S. Easy drive both ways. After supper Amy projected some pictures for us, then we watched Fawlty Towers and Ocean’s Eight till after midnight. Good film, but missed out on 4000 steps.

Wednesday was still sunny and very warm.  Amy got up quite late and had brioche. Meanwhile Sam, Lucy and Elliott came round, and Elliott demolished the garden – or at least rearranged quite a large number of bricks. The piano tuner also came – looking older, it has to be said. Well, no, I suppose it doesn’t. I walked up to the Rosary while Amy talked to her dad and Dot restored the garden. Later I played chess with Amy: she is not bad at all. In the evening Dot went to Strings at St Cuthbert’s.  On her return we had marshmallows round the chiminea, played Cobra Paw and later Dixit. I went to bed while Dot and Amy watched Friday Night Dinner. Dot reached the bedroom rather after 12.30am.

Next morning we watched cricket till Amy got up, then had a cooked lunch – fish – for which Dot made rhubarb soufflés while Amy looked at references to her on my blog. Risky! Watched Mama Mia with Amy – very good. Bridget came to do the cleaning, and then we had a quick tea before leaving with Amy for Cambridge Services, where we met Vicky. On the way home the A11 was blocked near Snetterton, and the diversion was ridiculous, so we headed for East Harling, then across to the B1113. It added 20 minutes to the journey: we got home just before 9.30pm. Watched cricket and Yes Minister before collapsing into bed. 

It was duller on Friday but still quite warm and dry till mid-afternoon, when it started to rain, and continued for the rest of the day. I’d managed to get out for a short walk, during which I came across our female blackbird with a  baby which she seemed to be trying to protect. It later turned up in our garden, looking pretty bedraggled. Didn’t seem very mobile. Lot of interaction between adult birds and Dot, who got a good video.

Meanwhile I finished off my sermon while Dot wrote a blog for her p4c website. Linda had come to do our hair at 10am, by which time I’d emptied the dishwasher and tidied up a bit. After evening meal we had intended to watch Riding Lights’ Pericles, but the link didn’t work. Instead we watched the Call the Midwife ten years celebration, then the last Alan Partridge. Had quite a long chat with David earlier. Cricket at Lord’s was rained off completely.

It was warm and sunny again on Saturday after a dull start. Walked up to the Forum to see Sandringham House knitted by a 90-yr-old. Called in at Jarrolds to buy cards, then walked home via the Close. Rang Riding Lights: they had my email address wrong and had also had technical problems yesterday. Watched Pericles in the evening: it was really excellent. Earlier watched the last two episodes of The Pact. Quite good, considering the plot was pretty implausible. Had an e-mail exchange with Carrie about AWAs. We discovered Philip Robinson was in hospital having a pacemaker fitted. Meanwhile I mended the chiminea after Dot found a nut and bolt. Very late on some young lads came round with a baby bat they had found, thinking we were attached to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Sadly we were not much use to them, though I couldn’t really see why they didn’t just let it go. Perhaps it was too much of a baby to move.

Today has been dull but reasonably warm (it is now 4.30pm). I preached at church on God not issuing commandments, just telling the truth. Afterwards we had a DCC meeting in the absence of Howard, who was somewhere “beyond WiFi”, just in case we wanted to get in touch. Five present: Dot, me, Carrie, Matt and Judy.  Trying to resist Carrie’s drive to get everyone to become AWAs. Wrote up minutes before  Zoom Poetry (Walpole Old Chapel event online), at which I read March Hares and Walpole Old Chapel.

I think I’ve more or less finished my next poetry book, and the sun has been shining for several days. Pandemic? What pandemic? Well, Zoom hasn’t gone away. As I write on Bank Holiday Monday morning, the last day of May, Dot is Zooming with Barbara, putting the finishing touches to their P4C pack, and last Wednesday she also spent all morning on a DSSO Zoom meeting.

Later that day, Jude (Sayer) came for nibbles and wine at 5.30pm and left at 11.15pm. It was an interesting conversation, what with her being a pagan and having a goddess. Sadly it wasn’t quite warm enough to sit outside; so we sat on opposite sides of the kitchen table. For a long time. Dot had cooked bread and rhubarb soufflé. Separately.

Thursday thought about being warm, but kept veering into cool. Dot spent a long time at Long Stratton School in the morning. Unusually, we had a cooked lunch – kippers – and at intervals through the day watched Paris, Texas, a brilliant film with a slightly unsatisfactory outcome. In the afternoon we walked up to the Rosary… again, it was very still. Saw a little girl having a great time, couldn’t stop running. David FaceTimed to say he’d received our parcel, containing two poetry books (one of them mine, one requested). In the evening we gave Eleanor a lift to Vicky’s for Cake and Compline round her Fire Pit, which went pretty well. Had longish chats with Jared and Amy, who’s getting quite grown-up.

The next day it got markedly warmer, and for some reason a feeling of pessimism swept over me. Don’t know why. It went away quite quickly. I wrote a website piece on Bob Dylan and watched a TV programme on Dylan covers, which unaccountably omitted two of the best  – Jimi Hendrix’s All along the watchtower and Boots of Spanish leather by the Irish band, Dervish, which is worth a look IMHO.

Walked with Dot to Carrow Bridge along the river path and then back just in time to catch Bridget arriving to do the cleaning. Dot did a rather longer walk and got back about ten minutes later. Rained a bit, but despite threatening clouds it stopped in time for us to meet for wine in the street. Watched quite a good Mexican cartel thriller called Sicario2: Soldado.

Saturday was really warm. It might almost have been summer. Just in time for Anne’s birthday celebration in their garden at Poringland. We stopped at Morrison’s on the way to buy flowers. Also present at Anne’s: well, Philip, obviously (very quiet); Louise, David and Freddie; Charlotte, Chris, Daniel and Thomas; Sophie, Richard, Charlie and Iris. Lovely afternoon with sandwiches and cakes. Left about 6pm. Had kippers later. Charlotte and Chris are still suffering some effects of Long Covid.

Earlier Des and Chris came round so that we could witness some documents, and we had a cup of tea/coffee.Watched another mysterious episode of Fargo, plus a few of Cher’s songs (surprisingly mediocre) and an interview with Bob Dylan that I had never seen, plus the last-ever episode of A Question of Sport in the Sue Barker format. Quite sad. Amazingly, during the day I managed to notch up 4000 steps. 

Yesterday was warm again, with a touch of coolness in the wind. Had tea and biscuits outside after church, during which I spoke to Kim and Howard. Howard was conjuring up life 5000 years ago on Orkney, where they had just been on holiday, and Kim was revealing how difficult life was for her, though not in a poor-me way. She has lots of trouble with ME and migraines; her son is having problems getting a job (as a helicopter pilot) as a result of a series of unfortunate events and timings that were not his fault; and her daughter is having difficulties at university related to Covid restrictions which are preventing her doing her PhD in the way she had hoped.

After lunch Dot worked in garden and I went out on my bike (up and down the road) for the first time in years – discovering that I needed to get used to it again. Quite astonishing. Later watched three episodes of The Killing, which is still brilliant. Saw an Arena programme on Dylan’s Christian songs interspersed with so-called sermons. Songs very patchy, sermons also. Earlier we saw highlights of the Championship play-off final, Brentford 2 Swansea 0. The right result, especially as Brentford had finished third, seven points above Swansea.

We’ve had some pretty dreary weather recently; so it was nice to see the sun when I came down to make a cup of tea at 7.45am. It’s now 11am and has reverted to grey skies, but at least it’s not raining. Dot is engaged in a Zoom DSSO meeting, which will last all morning, I should imagine.

Last Saturday was a similar day weatherwise, with a bit less rain than the day before. Again stayed in and didn’t get much above 2000 steps. Saturdays have been very bad for walking this month. After lunch we called in at the Hendersons – first time for months. M was in a pretty bad state, kept relatively quiet by medication but repeatedly asking to go out. Holly and Joe were both there (with dogs) and in pretty good form, though Paul didn’t look all that well.

After supper we watched a one-man online play put on by Ancient House Museum at King’s Lynn, for some reason. It was actually very well done, based on two Sherlock Holmes cases. The actor answered some questions afterwards and came over very well. We then listened to another Radio 4 Bob Dylan programme, during which Tangled Up in Blue was voted by listeners as the best Dylan song ever, which is clearly absurd for so many reasons. Bob Geldof talked too much and didn’t make an awful lot of sense. A poet (can’t remember who) picked out Visions of Johanna and She’s Your Lover Now, which are two great songs. You can always rely on poets.

At the the other extreme we watched a few minutes of the voting on the Eurovision Song Contest, in which the UK got zero points. Happily we missed all the songs. Happily too Brentford and Swansea went through to the Championship play-off finals – they had finished third and fourth; so it was a good result. Sorry, Hilary. Sunderland also went out of their play-offs. Sorry, Paul.

Sunday was showery but not too cold, and we got to church and back in the dry. It was Pentecost Sunday, and Liz C did an inspiring sermon. I did the prayers. Had tea and biscuits after the service for the first time I can remember since normality reigned. While eating lunch we watched highlights of those football deciders I mentioned, then spent some time sorting out my songs – was somewhat surprised at how many I’ve written. We found a spot between showers to go for a walk round the back of Carrow Road – a route Dot has calculated as ideal, step-wise. Then watched another three episodes of The Killing, which continues to be first-class.

Andrew FaceTimed during one of the episodes, and we had a short chat. He was watching Frozen on TV, but I think his DVD player is working OK. He is very vague about stuff like that – and all other stuff. We also watched the deciding Premiership games on MOTD, though they worked out badly as always. Liverpool won (yawn) and Chelsea came fourth despite losing because Spurs chose that moment to come good and beat Leicester 4-2 away. The only good thing was that Spurs finished above Arsenal – oh, and Kane got the Golden Boot.

Monday started sunny; so we walked into the city early on, though I wasn’t feeling particularly well for some reason. Bought some marmalade in Jarrolds and then Dot got some new shoes in Shuropody. We had tea/coffee outside at the top of London Street, then walked home through the Close, arriving just before it started to rain. The afternoon was pretty wet, but it was sunny again in the evening. Spent some time in the afternoon on the computer and submitted a couple of poems. Poetry books – On a Knife Edge – arrived from Suffolk Poetry Society containing one of my tanka series.

David FaceTimed later and seemed very well: it’s pretty warm in Canada. Later still we watched Call the Midwife and The Pursuit of Love, during which I fell asleep. We also listened to another Dylan programme on Radio 4: Verbatim, which cleverly interspersed some of his own words from interviews with the odd song. Sometimes very odd. Put water in the piano, which I do every three months on the instruction of the tuner.

More rain yesterday, but Dot dodged it as she drove to Thurton School – got very confused trying to avid roadworks on the way back, but eventually ended up at Morrison’s, which is normal. Meanwhile I caught up on the bit I missed in The Pursuit of Love, which proved to be quite a long bit. In the afternoon Dot Zoomed with Barbara and then spent a considerable time finishing off her p4c pack. It looks pretty good, though I haven’t read it all the way through yet. I hope it’s successful – she’s put an awful lot of work into it.

I sent out some charity cheques, walking up to the post office during a lull in the rain and then taking in the Rosary, which was very green and lush, and also very still. Earlier I had rung Phil K to see how he was, and discovered that he may well have Parkinson’s as well as bladder cancer. Obviously he’s very worried, but the Parkinson’s is still to be confirmed: no obvious symptoms yet. The cancer may have been successfully removed – he is on precautionary chemo. So all results are possible.

Discovered I didn’t much care for Goan Tomato Soup, which was no surprise, and watched two more episodes of The Pact, which is intriguing and marginally ridiculous at the same time. The leading heroine would have to be insane to behave the way she does, and in real life all the sealed lips on which the plot depends would never happen.

Another weekend, and the weather is a slight improvement on yesterday, which was unremittingly awful: continuous rain, high winds, very dark skies. Happily we didn’t have to go out. I spent most of day writing five Parish Pump pieces and battling with tech problems. Word went haywire on my iMac and kept highlighting bits for  no reason, then sticking on CAPS. I managed to switch to Dot’s old laptop, but for some reason Mail  fell out as soon as it loaded and was unusable.

However, I managed to finish writing the Pump pieces there, and then sent them by text message to my iMac. Almost lost the document again there when it failed to save, but happily I had had the foresight to copy it first and was able to get it back. It has now gone to Anne. I hope it arrived. Parish Pump will probably end within a year, if not six months – so many churches cancelled their subscription during lockdown. Anne has done about 25 years; so she probably needs a break.

Meanwhile Dot was doing a meditation day with Jess online, which she really enjoyed. Afterwards we saw the end of Innocent, a four-day thriller on ITV which turned out to be very good indeed. Also listened to the end of a five-episode Radio 4 series on Bob Dylan, It ain’t me you’re looking for, which was pretty good, and another Radio 4 programme on his Christian period, which was even better. 

Back to Tuesday. David FaceTimed us at lunchtime and unwrapped his wine table and one of the books. I transferred money to pay for some wine. Other things still on the way. We watched Motherland, and it started raining. Watched  part of Jurnets poetry on Zoom, but the featured poet wasn’t particularly good. 

Wednesday was mainly dry and sunny, but with occasional rain. Antibiotics failed to make an impact, which is quite annoying. I finished off a rough version of my next poetry book, which Dot has found a few problems with; so I shall be revising it. I went for a walk after lunch – posted my driving licence renewal application and wandered round the Rosary. Saw a deer, which took fright as I reached for my camera. Dot was writing up reports and letters to her heads; she got a really lovely response from Yarmouth yesterday.

Later Bridget came to clean, Dot went out for a walk and I watched a Paul Dickson tour on Heygo – from Pull’s Ferry to the Adam and Eve. Had Bridget’s fish cakes for supper. Dot went for a strings rehearsal at St Cuthbert’s, and I took grocery lists to Des, who would like to be prime minister. Promised him my backing. Depressingly, Liverpool won again, and Spurs lost, due entirely to two incredibly bad mistakes by their left back – one bizarre own goal and one giving the ball away.

On Thursday Dot Zoomed with Barbara: apparently they’re nearing the end of their p4c pack restructuring. Not a very pleasant day – frequent showers and becoming windy and cool. Walked up to Boots around 3pm, just after David FaceTimed to say another book had arrived, and picked up my new glasses. Walked back over Julian Bridge. In the evening Dot was picked up by Anne and they went up to Jarrolds for a special evening, including a meal. I cooked myself kipper, courgette and potato. Feeling very tired for some reason. But then I often am. Perhaps it’s my age.

We spoke to Dave and Julia on the phone last Friday and found that Dave has been having hospital treatment for various things. Excellent that he has been able to get treatment, but a bit worrying that two of the treatments conflict with each other slightly. We also had a FaceTime with Amy, who has produced some really terrific pictures. She’s now finished her exams.

Oliver gave us some dates for summer so that we know where they are and can arrange one or two things of our own at an appropriate time. I walked Bishopgate, Cathedral Close and into the Cloisters – the first time for ages that I had seen them open. There was a dinosaur in the entrance, which may or may not be symbolic of the Church of England. Came back through Recorder Road. Watched Up in the Air, a very enjoyable George Clooney film.  

Saturday’s weather was pretty awful, and we hardly went outside. Spent a long time at an online Church Times five-hour poetry event called Send these Roots Rain – on YouTube, not Zoom. Pretty good on the whole, though I went to sleep during one session. Malcolm Guite was very good, though I prefer his speaking to his poetry, which is a bit academic. The rest of it featured a homosexual and two trans people, so full marks for diversity (though they were actually rather good). Afterwards we watched the Cup Final, where Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0, I’m delighted to say. Watched quite a bit of A Canterbury Tale, but abandoned it because it seemed pointless and watched MOTD.   Heard Caren has had her gall bladder removed, which is sort of encouraging. 

On Sunday at church I preached and led the hymns. Was encouraged by very positive responses to my talk. Rain started almost straight afterwards; so after lunch we watched three episodes of The Killing, by which time it had dried out a bit and we went for a walk. Can’t really walk more than two miles without feeling very tired at the moment. We walked along river to Carrow Road, round the stadium and then back along the usual after-match path.

Watched another episode of The Killing in the evening – now up to 10/20: it’s really excellent. At one point we were interrupted by a FaceTime call from Andrew, who seemed ok. We also watched Call the Midwife and The Pursuit of Love. Decided not to watch MOTD after hearing that Liverpool won 2-1 in the last minute. It’s not good to go to bed feeling depressed. Heard that Phil K is having chemo as a precaution, but the prognosis is promising.

Yesterday was quite warm and still most of the day, but it rained at teatime. Did an AWA 10-strong Zoom meeting at 11 for an hour, but it was not inspiring, and I didn’t say anything, much to Dot’s annoyance. She is much better at that sort of thing than I am. After lunch we drove to North Walsham and put flowers on the graves. We then proceeded to Worstead, where we sat in the car and listened to a 15-minute Bob Dylan programme, part of a series to celebrate his 80th birthday this week. Dot spent 75 minutes with the school head while I did a walk round some fields – quite enjoyable, very still. Saw red kites, I think.  Later we watched a couple of things: Fargo (TV version) and a new thriller called The Pact, which seems quite good. 

As I write Dot is in Yarmouth on another school visit, and I shall shortly be going up to the Rosary with some flowers. Weather isn’t bad, but rain is promised later. It’s David’s 49th birthday. We had quite a long chat with him on FT yesterday, and will probably do so again today. I know one or two of his presents have arrived, but not sure about others.

Monday was warmer and mainly dry. I got up fairly early and caught up on e-mails etc. Discovered that you could contact your surgery by e-mail for an appointment; so I did that. I had had a slight infection for a long time. I was told that I would get a reply by the end of Tuesday, but in the end it was Thursday before I had a response – not really a diagnosis but a prescription of antibiotics from a Dr Ward, who I don’t recall ever meeting. Fortunately our chemist is extremely efficient, and I was able to pick them up that afternoon. I’ve now taken three tablets, and there seems to be a slight improvement.

Also tried to renew my driving licence (as I’m over 70, I only get one for three years at a time) but after going right through the process I got rejected for no apparent reason. Will try again next week and if the same thing happens, I’ll send the form. It all seems so unnecessary.

Did some more Paston editing and watched The Killing, part six and later Motherland and Call the Midwife, which is a class act … really gets over the love at the centre of Christianity. Cooked chilli, then we drove to Mousehold Street and walked from there to St Luke’s for the annual parish meeting led by Simon Stokes, the rural dean, who is a good guy. Dot went up at the end and told him so. Most of the meeting was pretty boring, but there were some nice people there. Walked back to pick up car.

Tuesday was warm and dry. Dot went to Alpington School, followed by a visit to Anne and a short walk. She is a bit worried about Philip. I ordered some wine and wrote a sermon. Also finished watching Fargo (the film), which is marvellous and sends shivers up your spine over and over again. I was waiting all day for a call from the surgery, which of course never came. When Dot got back after lunch I posted a parcel to David, then walked in Cary’s Meadow, taking in the hidden bridge beyond, which I found was locked and private property. Terrific. Came back and read the sermon to Dot, then chose hymns while she worked in the garden. Listened again to Pancho and Lefty, a totally brilliant song as sung by Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band. It was written by Townes van Zandt, who is a great songwriter but rather a sad figure.

Later rang Phil (while Roger rang Dot) and watched the new TV Fargo, which is decidedly odd, and In Pursuit of Love, which is also rather strange.

Warm again on Wednesday, but quite windy. Dot Zoomed with a couple of heads, one at Cringleford and another one heading there. I played through the En Passant chess games for last month and bought a  DVD player for Andrew from Amazon. It has now arrived and has been fixed up with good results, I hear. Also did a little Paston editing and other office stuff. After lunch we drove to Thorpe Marshes and walked round until we were blocked by an impressive amount of water, then turned back and came back to the car via Bungalow Lane. Quite tiring. Watched When Harry Met Sally and For Your Eyes Only, both of which we’d seen before. The former is even better than I remembered.

Yesterday was cooler, and a bit windy. Dot visited Newton Flotman school. I looked at Jennie’s funeral again and sent a hymns e-mail to St Augustine’s musicians (no connection). After lunch I picked up my antibiotics from the chemist while Dot was Zooming with Barbara (it’d been raining for 24 hours non-stop in Devon), then walked in Harrison’s Wood and the plantation opposite (off Blue Boar Lane). Met Dennis from Archant pensioners in the chemist, but can’t really place him. Bridget came and cleaned upstairs, and I did even more Paston editing while Dot did a walk round Riverside. We watched Danny Boy, about a British soldier in the Iraqi war getting ludicrously accused of murder. Very well done.

This morning it’s quite a bit cooler, but dry. Dot is having a violin lesson at Anna’s. I have a feeling I’m putting too much detail into all this. Even Dot doesn’t read it.

Thursday was chilly, with showers. After lunch we drove up to vote, then I walked back via the Rosary. Later Bridget came to clean and gave us some fish cakes she had bought, which were excellent. Must have a word with her – she charges too little and then uses part of her proceeds to buy us food. Very sweet. We finished off watching the excellent Ted Lasso and The Blue Dahlia, an oldish film that was quite good, though I have doubts about Alan Ladd’s acting. Veronica Lake was much more restrained and therefore better. She also looked good. Dot rang Judy, who is better after a bad stomach day, and did some Paston editing, among other things. 

Friday was a very strange day. Martin Wyatt came round early to check the songs he is transcribing. He didn’t need to change much. Then we drove to Taverham for lunch in Janet and Derek’s garden. She cooked a lovely salmon dish, and the weather was just about warm enough, but it started to rain after dessert; so we went inside for tea and coffee. Derek reminds me of Basil Fawlty: we get on well.

Watched the end of The Bandwagon, which contains a truly stunning dance sequence by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. I don’t like musicals or men dancing, but I love Fred Astaire, who is synonymous with both. He is unique. We went into the street for a drink with Des, Chris, Mark, Jonathan, Freddie, Phoebe and Sabrina – a new woman in Number 3.  Afterwards we watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which turned out to be pretty good. Then watched Alan Partridge,  who is still almost funny.

Saturday was a miserable day – grey and with constant rain till evening. Caught up with some Paston editing and ordered some books for David, with whom we had a long FaceTime conversation, quite a bit of it on politics. Norwich drew 2-2 with Barnsley away and received the trophy on the pitch afterwards. Later we watched an interesting programme about Emmylou Harris and then a short Old Grey Whistle concert by her and The Hot Band, dating back many years. EH was beautiful when young, and, strangely, is even more striking now. Afterwards we watched most of MOTD, in which Spurs lost 3-1 after a wrong offside decision was given against Kane. This clearly took the heart out of them.

During all the rain and general unpleasantness, Phil and Joy made a successful move from 36 Anchor Street, where they have lived for 40 years, to Eckling Grange at Dereham. They got a lot of help from Surrey Chapel, and when Dot contacted Joy, she seemed quite happy.

Yesterday was a big contrast as far as the weather was concerned – much brighter and almost warm, though windy. Finished scanning some corrected Paston pages and sent them to Peter before church, where I was leading. Howard preached – he worries about strange things… After lunch I caught up with office stuff, then Dot and I walked to the Rosary, where we encountered a few drops of rain.

Watched a couple more episodes of The Killing, plus the Spanish Grand Prix, won by Hamilton. In between I Zoomed into Suffolk Poetry Festival for readings by Nicola Warwick and George Szirtes. I nearly dozed off during the former, which was totally lacking in spark or originality, but GS was brilliant. We got to bed late after watching some of MOTD2.