A Christmas to remember – but I suppose I’d better start with Saturday the 20th and keep things in order for posterity, whoever she is. The 20th was dry; quite pleasant but chilly. Both of us had a bad night and so got up late. I finished off cards and delivered the ones for Aspland Road, then posted three at sorting office. Had chat with Jon, who was sitting in his car after cleaning the inside of his windscreen. Don’t ask.

Dot drove to Morrisons , mainly to get flowers for Angela. Later a parcel from David was delivered. I cleared up some leaves and put them in the bin, but felt tired out as a result. Spoke to Mary: Bob is not too well. She invited us round on Monday but don’t think we’ll make it, as we’re at Anne’s. (Or are we? – ED) Later helped Dot get Christmas decorations out of the loft, and she put most of them up, with not much help from me because I was washed out. Did cook dinner, though, and cleared away afterwards. In soccer news City drew 1-1 after conceding in the 96th minute and Spurs lost to Liverpool 2-1 after having two men sent off. 

Sunday – Damp and cold. Leanne had an upset stomach, so couldn’t visit. After lunch, we drove to Dereham via NDR and arrived exactly on time (1.30) at Phil and Joy’s, where we had tea and quite a long chat, and exchanged presents. Then on to Angela and Rodney’s for afternoon tea and more chat and present exchange. Good to see them. Angela’s brother, John, seems in a bad way. We left around 6pm and went back via NDR. Quite misty, but not too much traffic. We had to be careful on back roads, though. Back home, Dot cooked an excellent chicken meal, and we watched cricket and football. Both pretty tired. 

Monday – Dry but chilly. Bit of a blur from here, because I only got three hours’ sleep on Monday evening.  Carrie came round in the morning, but I can’t remember why – I think it was primarily to pick up eight packets of sugar that had failed to make the Roudham cut.  After she left and we had lunch, Jonathan arrived to bring and receive presents. While he was here disaster struck: laden with presents, Dot fell down two or three stairs. She screamed several times and had diarrhoea. Jonathan left fairly quickly, because he is a solicitor. I got Dot up to the bathroom, and she sorted herself out, but was clearly in a lot of pain. Eventually we rang 111  – a suggestion from Anne when we warned her we might not be coming to see her –  and they said it would be passed on to ambulance if a clinician did not ring her within an hour.

After a couple of hours I rang Carrie for advice (she’s a nurse), and when the doorbell rang, I assumed it was her. But it was the ambulance. They examined her and were concerned enough to take her to hospital with gas and air. Carrie and I followed in my car. We transferred to the ambulance while they went to check her in – took some time, but we eventually got to the amusingly named Rapid Response unit, and some time after that to x-ray, at which point I took Carrie home. When I returned, Dot was in what I thought was the Trolley Park, but was in fact a temporary “ward” – still part of the A&E. People there very kind, which was just as well, because she was there for a long time waiting for the orthopaedic surgeons, who were apparently dealing with a serious road accident. One of the nurses was a grandson of the head teacher who Dot had worked with at Surlingham.

I was eventually encouraged to return home at some point (can’t remember when), but returned after a few hours because there was no communication possible, which was not very helpful. I returned home again in the early hours and got to sleep between 3.30 and 4, waking again about 7.40 and not feeling well rested. 

Tuesday – Cold wind but dry. Up at the hospital Dot had had no food because they thought they would have to operate (nil by mouth) but in fact they decided that the broken bones were sufficiently aligned to heal on their own (hopefully). I received this news at home, because no-one knew when the surgeons would turn up. I returned to hear advice from physios on managing at home. I was also given a commode, crutches  and walking frame. Very difficult to get commode in car, but was assisted by A&E male nurse.

The idea was that I would go home and be ready for when the ambulance arrived with Dot. So I went home, and after many hours I (and Oliver) noticed she was on the move, and they arrived around 10pm. After reconnoitring they managed to get her into the chair and into the house, depositing her on the bed. She was in surprisingly good spirits. Or maybe it was the painkillers.

All this time I had been communicating with various people, including David, often with conflicting information. The outcome (no surgery) was good, but she has to go to fracture clinic on the 29th (if she can move) to make sure everything is OK. I don’t even want to think about what happens if it isn’t. 

Wednesday (Christmas Eve) – We both woke at about 8 and everything proceeded as expected, except that I was still exhausted. Sorted out loads of stuff to get Dot comfortable and thought we were getting somewhere. She has decided against the commode – it is very awkward. The walker is very good. Breakfast and lunch as usual, and did some washing as well as having a bath and rearranging various objects. Dot has written more texts than she can count; so most of Norfolk now knows what happened.

Watched Beyond Paradise on Dot’ s computer, interrupted by Howard on phone, who is very keen to help. I cooked Dot  (and me) meal of fried egg, bacon, fried potatoes and tomatoes. She is trying not to take too many painkillers. At 6.15 I went to Paul Henderson’s Christmas Eve event and chatted with Joe, as well as Paul and Holly. Couple of other people there. Had been very difficult to park. Paul gave us plant and another present. Drove home and got Dot some tea, then we had quite a long FaceTime with David and Oliver. 

Sunday, 14 December – Colder but dry and mainly bright.  Dot and I went to after-church refreshments to take Christmas cards in and had quite a few chats with those present, including Ray. Offered him a lift home but he is being looked after by Harriet. People seemed pleased to see us. Did some more cards in afternoon and some Amazon parcels arrived.

At 5pm we went over to Library Wood for carol singing and mulled wine. Talked to Des, Chris, Joe, Sam and Cleo; also Jude, who is shortly off to Bahrain to spend Christmas with her son. Had soup for supper and watched Dimbleby programme about Royal Family’s wealth. Finished my cards, I think. Saw Winter Walk programme in Wensleydale by Kate Bottley, who came over very well. Just under 3000 steps. Me, not Kate.

Monday – Dry and mainly bright. Dot took Ciara up to Lionwood Infants to pick up sugar. I finished most of the cards and sorted out most of the presents. Earlier had our feet done: mine got high praise from Aidan, and Dot’s were fine too. Posted a couple of cards through doors near us (the Webbs and Jude) and posted another. Felt very tired, perhaps not surprisingly as I did over 5000 steps for the first time for several weeks. Then Jude invited us for nibbles in the evening with three of her neighbours, which was very pleasant. On returning home watched a bit of football, then bed. 

Tuesday – Very damp and grey. A little rain. Dot went up with Des in his car to collect sugar from Lionwood Junior, and after counting it, we headed for Roudham. Dot came with me, and Ciara went with Des. They were following us, and they managed to stay in sight through the city and up the A11 roadworks, which weren’t as bad as I thought they might be. Everything went as anticipated, and we reached Roudham, with its magnificent ruined church, without trouble. Went the wrong way round the farmyard, but soon found the right spot to unload.

Then had food and drink – quite a few people there, some of them a bit high society, such as Lord Leicester, plus many members of the farming family – the Buckinghams, from Swafield – who started the charity. I spoke to several random people, including a bus driver from Thetford, Helen and Chris Lamb and Billy Buckingham, a grandson who works in sports media and enjoys getting live sport on to the screen.  Had a very long talk with him, discussing living in London and travelling to various parts of the world. Dot meanwhile got an insight into storing onions.

Drove home through misty rain. Then packed presents and I had a bit  of a panic when I couldn’t trace letters I’d sent, but eventually realised Search distinguished between ‘from’ and ‘to’. Weird.  Sent Bev letter on Facebook when I was trying to send it on WhatsApp; so put that right.  Cooked salmon, and we watched some TV, including another episode of Down Cemetery Road, plus Motherland and Kingdom (wildlife).

Wednesday – Dry but quite cold. Bridget came round to clean, and I typed out a quiz for her (and added a couple of questions). Dot drove up to the surgery to see the pre-diabetic nurse, Julia, who turned out to be very sensible and reassuring, actually advising Dot not to take any more pills and saying she was in good health. After her appointment Dot went to post office on Thunder Lane and posted parcels and cards, as well as buying a couple of presents. Later Dot and I bussed up into the city and went to Boots to choose some new glasses for me: they will be ready in the new year! Then we went to Jarrold’s and I got her a couple of things, and I left her to browse presents for other people.

Dropped in at Waterstones and bought a couple of books, then walked home through the Close. Very tired, but not as tired as Dot was when she finished. We had a drink, and Dot did some wrapping and packing. I would have done more, but she likes doing it. Oh yes, she does. I then cooked some duck legs (90 mins in oven), which turned out quite well, and we watched another episode of Down Cemetery Road. Facetimed David to tell him about his cheque and to discuss briefly what to do about Oliver and Amy’s presents – very briefly, because he was shopping. Dot did some more wrapping and packing while I cleared away. 

Thursday – I would say wet and windy, but that sounds too much fun. Actually windy and wet, and very dark. Drove Dot up to surgery at midday. Her scheduled doctor was ill; so (20 minutes late) she saw Dr Hampsheir, who seemed delighted to see us and even more delighted that Dot looked many years younger than 80. He reviewed her blood measurements, but seemed even more interested in a spot on her wrist, for which he has referred her to a hospital appointment. Yippee.

We then went to the post office in Thunder Lane, where we sent off Amy’s parcel and bought a few more stamps. Then home, but passing Lionwood by chance, we picked up some extra sugar, after Dot had managed to force entrance. Only eight bags…. After lunch Dot was  preparing to go to a violin lesson, but got a message from Anna saying she was in agony from knee arthritis; so instead she went on wrapping presents. I tidied and also wrapped a bit, but felt very tired; so lay down for a while. Had pizza for supper, then watched the last episodes of Down Cemetery Road, which was pretty good. Rather late in bed. Only 1600 steps, amazingly. Oliver has arrived in Waterloo. 

Friday – Colder but dry. Busy day. Linda arrived at 8.45 to give us a haircut. Afterwards I had a bath as usual, and Dot went up to The Chantry to met Julia and Allan for coffee in Costa. I followed them up there and joined their chat for about half an hour. Turns out Allan doesn’t like Costa coffee. When they left we went to Sketchers and bought some slip-on sneakers for Dot, then progressed to Slater’s, where we unexpectedly bought some trousers and socks for me.

Thence to M&S, where we got some Christmasy food, partly for Kim. Got the bus home and had a few crackers before driving to Kim’s house for afternoon tea and cake. Kai  was also  there, and we all had quite a long talk. Parked in a neighbour’s garage. Got home just after 5.30: Des was already in the street; so we put something warmer on and poured ourselves some wine. Matt and Angela  also out there. Pretty cold; so eventually went into Des’s house. Have just realised Joe may have come out and wondered where we were. Anyway cooked pies later and we watched the cricket, plus the end of a documentary on what the monarchy is for; wondered what David Dimbleby was for. Over 4000 steps. 

Tuesday, 9 December – Started very damp but improved to become bright and dry. Took bins in, then Dot and I drove to Worstead school to pick up sugar. Took it and what was already in our boot to North Walsham, where a very nice lady helped us unload it. Then went to Sainsbury’s to buy flowers and worked as a team to insert them in the Cousens graves – bit wet, but not enough to be a problem. Then drove back to Norwich and posted parcels in Thunder Lane before going to Rosary to put flowers in Lenton graves.

Today was my mother’s 114th birthday: put it in Facebook and got a couple of responses. After lunch (boiled eggs), sorted out card and present lists together and then sent off stuff separately – mainly my Christmas letters. And Dot’s cards. Cooked salmon and then Dot listened to evening match between Sheffield United and Norwich, which ended 1-1. I finished my Colm Toibin book while that was happening. Agreed with Dot it was a bit of an odd ending. The book, not the match. Afterwards watched a winter walking programme and University Challenge. Scraped over 4000 steps – first time for ages. 

Wednesday – Cool but not unpleasant. Bridget came to clean, arriving a couple of minutes before Dot got back from surgery, where she had pre-diabetes tests again. After lunch I walked up into city for an eye test, which lasted over an hour, partly because I had to have one of the. tests repeated. Unsurprisingly, my prescription has changed and I need new reading and driving glasses. Will get them some time soon, when both Dot and I are free. Wine arrived. I was very tired after walking up Rose Lane, and met Dot in M&S for a cup of tea. She had been unable to get what she was after, and so we got a bus home.

In the evening of course Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet and Nova. I did some more cards, and when she returned we watched the last episode of Shetland and a bit of European football. Dot was feeling “a bit weird” because she forgot to take her pills for two days (especially thyroxin). Her blood pressure is high, probably for the same reason. Somehow I reached over 4000 steps again – nearly 5000 in fact. 

Thursday – Relatively mild and dry. So much for the good stuff. Dot drove us to Wreningham in late morning, and we picked up a moderate amount of sugar, then headed for the chemist to pick up Dot’s late-ordered pills. They had the pills, but gave her a blood pressure test which came out very high (192), and she was told to go to the doctor – so we did. However the doctor wanted nothing to do with her and sent us to A&E, which is just what we needed. Meanwhile our Amazon parcels arrived.

I returned home for lunch, while Dot went through a pretty exhaustive examination in A&E, which showed she was in pretty good shape but didn’t really explain why her blood pressure was so high. So they gave her some pills with instructions to contact her doctor the next day. They say that as if it’s straightforward! I travelled through nightmare traffic in the rush hour to pick her up, literally inching forward down Ipswich Road after failing to reach Newmarket Road. Fortunately the journey back wasn’t so bad. I did some sausages, and we watched a bit of TV; Dot did some of her puzzles. 

Friday – Mainly dry and not too cold. Very busy day. Dot managed to get an appointment with doctor late afternoon. So she, Des and I picked up sugar from Long Stratton (glimpse of new bypass), Tasburgh and Newton Flotman, then continued to Diocesan House via the southern bypass, which had road works on it. Dot was able to chat with Paul Dunning, who is retiring and who she worked closely with. Then the three of us crossed via Ringland to the NDR and then to North Walsham via a small diversion to Worstead to show Des where the school was. Dropped off sugar at Benjamin Foundation, then drove home via bad congestion on Riverside Road.

After lunch drove Dot to surgery, where we  saw an excellent doctor (Dr Suraj Ranasinghe), who reassured her and prescribed pills, immediately available at chemist opposite (to which Dot has transferred). From there we went to Morrisons, bought petrol and a substantial amount of food. Back at home it rained a bit, but after unpacking we sheltered under Des’s garage for our street meet. (Des, Chris, Angela and Mary with us.) My legs ached a lot and I eventually sat on Chris’s folding chair. Felt aged. Des got us fish and chips, and we watched Return to Paradise – or at least I did: Dot went to sleep. Afterwards spent some time trying to put right a syncing issue for Dot. Felt very itchy. Just over 3000 steps.

Saturday – Bright, dry and not too cold. Walked Dot up to Carrow Road, then came back via sorting office. Exhausted. Had to lie down for a bit. Amazon guy rung me up from Leyton asking what he should do with Kristine’s present. Told him to put it behind the bin. I’ve left her a message: hope sh’s not in Germany. (She’s not, and retrieved the parcel later.) City beat Southampton 2-1, much to delight of Dot. Late lunch and caught up with cards/presents.  FaceTime from David. After supper watched some TV, including lucky wins for Liverpool and Arsenal. Just over 4000 steps. 

Thursday, December 4 – Cool and damp, but avoidable showers. Had bath, and Bridget came round to clean. Felt quite cold during the day, but better later on. Watched football on TV and read a bit. Also looked at family tree. Later we drove Jude to Cake and Compline at Claire’s: good session with Bridget, David, Vicky and for the first time Nikki, who found us after first going to Magdalen Street instead of Magdalen Road. Advent compline, of course. Nice food from Claire. 

Friday – Cold: had to de-ice screen. But fine until evening, when it rained hard. Dot came with me to surgery in morning – check on medication; “no problem” with head scan. Refused to take blood thinner. Doc a bit hard to understand but very pleasant. Afterwards changed next appointment and got pills. Then went to Morrisons and stocked up: also got petrol. Had bath in afternoon. Went out for street meet but was too cold: came back in. Dot stayed out with Des, Chris, Matt, Angela, Mark (who leaves tomorrow) and Joe and Sam. Drove to Sillars Christmas do with Dot and Nova. Tried to pick up Dave the viola player from Bullard Road, but  when we tracked him down he was clearly ill and Dot persuaded him not to come. Got lost finding the venue (Roundwood Bowls Club in Taverham) and so were quite late. Sat with Nova and Penny and later with Vicki and Anthony plus one or two others. Took a few pix and drove home quite successfully. Watched highlights of Day 2 of Ashes Second Test: not doing too well. 

Saturday – Stayed in again, though weather largely dry. Compiled the bones of Christmas card/present list and started on what would eventually turn out to be a Christmas letter. Still felt rather chilly and itchy, but am eating all right: Dot did some nice cod. Dot listened to Norwich match, which was on at 12.30. Did well to start with but lost 3-2. On the plus side Spurs won 2-0 and Liverpool drew 3-3 at home to Leeds. Watched some snooker, then later a couple of episodes of The Night Manager, plus an odd Motherland and Return to Paradise. Too much, I hear you say. You’re probably right, but I don’t have much energy.  Have noticed occasional dizziness too, which is a bit odd. But then I am a bit odd. Steps getting very low – under 1000 today. 

Sunday – Bright sky to start with but turned wet and miserable. I felt a bit better, even after having a bath and reading quite a lot. Dot spent a lot oof time on cards and presents, including going to Morrisons. I managed to finish a Christmas letter with pictures, which I checked with David when he FaceTimed in early evening. Chrissy seems to be quite a lot better. Watched quite a bit of football and the Ashes (lost 2nd Test, of course), then another episode of The Night Manager. Cooked meal (salmon) and cleared away. Joe has put some Christmas lights out. Watched Match of the Day before going to bed. 

Monday – Milder and mainly dry. Went with Dot to Brooke schools to pick up some sugar. Discovered water in boot again. Drained it and put in tarpaulin, plus sugar waiting in the garage. Ciara came round in afternoon to hear about sugar machinations: she will probably come with us one day next week. Booked an eye test for Wednesday and had another look at the Christmas cards/presents list. Also put bins out.  In the evening watched the end of The Night Manager, which turned out to be surprisingly satisfying. Cooked lamb, which wasn’t bad, but then it wasn’t meant to be. 

Saturday, November 29 – Plenty of rain, though perhaps not enough to qualify for the forecast warning. Stayed in bed during the morning, but later had a bath and got up. Felt better but still fairly fragile. Dot went to football of course and was rewarded with a 3-1 win against QPR. Played pretty well, she said. Watched a couple of episodes of The Black Swan (Danish) and a couple of Return to Paradise. FaceTimed David: Chrissy improving though still with little energy. She was lying on the couch. Spurs lost 2-1 to Fulham. Dot did me avocado and egg on toast, followed by fruit. Have lost quite a bit of weight but now eating well. Still rather shaky, which probably isn’t surprising. 

Sunday – Advent, hope. Weather bright and dry but cool. Still quite reluctant to return to reality, though after a bath I went down to kitchen to chat with Dot and Des. Cooked myself some avocado, toast and egg with truffle oil. Gradually refuelling, though aspects of gut still a bit worrying. No pain, though. In the evening Dot went for a meal with Anna and Howard, plus Matt and Amanda, Phil and Clare  and had a good time …. I stayed at home, watched the end of the Danish documentary, The Black Swan, and some other bits about villages by the sea, plus some football. Also cooked myself some soup with sourdough, and had jelly and biscuit. 

Began reading Long Island by Colm Toibin. Dot home around 10.45, and we watched a couple of matches before bed. 

Monday – Very damp again, but some dry periods. Grey. Both slept late. Felt a bit shaky but improved as day went on, especially after Dot cooked me lovely fish meal (I did potatoes). Drove Dot to violin lesson at 4pm and picked her up at around 5.20pm. Apparently she did well. I caught up a bit on e-mails. We put rubbish out in evening after watching a couple of episodes of Edge of Darkness, set in 1980s. 

Tuesday – Quite pleasant, with some sun. Happy to be able to get to Town House at lunchtime for the Archant pensioners’ Christmas meal. Practically everyone was there when we arrived early, but fortunately Tricia had saved us seats. Meal very tasty, though it could have been hotter. Had no trouble in eating a fair bit.

Afterwards drove Dot to Boots, then went home to rest while she shopped there and at Morrisons. Picked her up around 3pm. Felt very tired but improved during rest of day – kept nibbling. Watched final four episodes of Edge of Darkness, which was very well done, though I would have liked more people, especially in suits, to get their comeuppance. Also a bit green at the end. Interesting piece by Ian McNeice  commenting on it. Des has reported another drug dealer. Think I’m feeling better. 

Wednesday – Dry; still chilly. Bit more energetic but felt cold in the afternoon. David FaceTimed; glad to say Chrissy is improved and looking much better. Did quite a lot of practical things; caught up on e-mails, wrote some things for Diderot, checked bank account etc. Sent some quotes to Amy. While Dot was out at orchestra rehearsal (she drove herself and Nova) I went into the loft to look for last year’s Christmas list but couldn’t find it. Still, got rid of suitcases. Earlier went out and checked the tyres because of repeated dashboard warnings. As expected, they were fine. (Same thing happened last time it was serviced.) Dot worked out  sugar list for schools. Watched penultimate episode of Shetland.

Wednesday, November 14 – ten days ago – Showery and cold. I left at 10.40 to take Mike Read to Graham Wright’s funeral. Lots of nice things said (rightly), but a complete absence of the supernatural. Also the civil celebrant spoke too quickly. No singing or prayers, but some good music – Hey Jude, Albatross, Whiter Shade of Pale… Also there was Frances from the ECN library (where Joy Wright worked), and we sat with her, because she didn’t know anyone else. Afterwards left Mike with some chess friends and rushed back to join Bridget’s birthday party at the Maids Head. 

Bit of a struggle to get there (walked from home), especially as I couldn’t find Bridget & Co (including Dot) in the hotel – had to ask. Lovely refreshments of sandwiches, chips and tea. Dot had been given a lift up by Colin Wright (no relation), who is fixing our front wall. Also there were the Cake and Compline group (except Phil and Vicky) and some people from Christ Church who I’d met. Oh, and David (Archer) of course. Took some nice pictures. Dot and I walked home afterwards, and I took the opportunity to lie down – feeling cold and tired. Later cooked some eggs and baked beans, and Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet and Nova, at a temporary venue off the ring road near Sprowston. I spent hours trying to work out how to pay for scratch card parking (largely because I  had to upload a utility bill, which is not as easy as it sounds). Managed 5000 steps. Heavy rain evening and weather warning of possible snow in Norfolk tomorrow. Had FaceTime with David: he had a good journey back.

Thursday and Friday – Ill. Thursday was very wet, and I had felt so bad during the night with stomach pains etc that I never got up. Should have gone up to walk-in centre, but thought I’d give it a chance to sort itself out. Mistake, obviously. Woke at 7 the next day and discovered the walk-in centre was already open. Dot heroically drove me up there, and I was seen in about ten minutes. Not too impressed with nurse, who reminded me of Philip Robinson (Sorry, Philip). He prescribed a different antibiotic, and we drove down to Boots at Riverside to get it – had to wait a quarter of an hour for them to open. Went back to bed. 

Antibiotics had to be taken with food, which was awkward because I wasn’t hungry. Discovered later in the day that I’d forgotten to take my usual pills both yesterday and today. Colin is making progress with the wall, and Dot had a long visit from Nikki. Lots of nice messages from others, and Des also came over, together with Mark and Sarah with flowers, drink and chocolates for her birthday. Really kind. Later Dot went over for indoor street meet at Des’s, and I found a card to give her. Not exactly what I’d planned. Put off Parish Pump, thank goodness, in view of what followed. 

Saturday – Again very wet, but I didn’t venture out. Dot made arrangements to get Anne and Kim to her concert, and spent a long time receiving gifts, visits and messages for her 80th birthday. She is very popular, unsurprisingly. She is lovely, after all. She left for rehearsals at about 3 and gave me a ring halfway through. Rehearsals very good. And so was concert. At end Dot was singled out for having a significant birthday and everyone applauded and sang Happy Birthday. Wish I could have been there. She got back just after 10, accompanied by a woman screaming in the distance (no idea). David, Oliver and Amy wrote lovely things on Diderot about her. There was probably more: I was in a bit of a haze. 

Sunday – Slight improvement in afternoon, both in the weather and my condition. Had long bath, ate soup and jelly – oh, and a round of toast earlier. Finished reading Exit Music – pretty good – in bath. David checked in by FaceTime and Dot wrote many thank you notes. I caught up on e-mails. Felt quite a lot better but still very tired. 

Monday – Lovely in Norwich, but very wet by the time we got to Blakeney. Bit of a miracle we did, as I was still feeling well below par. Some kind of miscommunication with Evetts meant we did not meet till cocktails. I wasn’t really with it. Dot did most of packing and organising, checking with Colin and neighbours. I ate some soup and jelly and a few biscuits, and watched a bit of football on TV. I am now not really in pain, but have a sore chest and am hoarse, as well as heavy-headed. 

Tuesday – Mainly sunny, but with some heavy showers. Not that I would know, as I stayed in bed after joining the others for breakfast. Managed to eat boiled egg, croissant and a bit of fruit. Thought I was on the up… but got very tired and had to sleep while Dot drove others to Jarrolds Letheringsett and then Holt. She got back mid-afternoon, and I finished lots of puzzles in the paper, including tough sudoku. Felt a bit down before supper, but managed a small plate of Binham Blue fries, plus rather too much drink. Afterwards we joined the Evetts in their remote room for a splash of Jack Daniel’s and some chat, before making our way precariously back to our room. Meanwhile after leading Oxford 1-0 for a long time, Norwich conceded in the 96th minute, a fact noted by Dot’s cousin Adrian. 

Wednesday and Thursday – Weather mixed. Think the previous night’s drinks didn’t go down well, because I had a bad night followed by a bad day. Dot took Dave and Julia to Wells, and they seemed to have a good time. Dot was almost complimented on her driving, which is in fact excellent. I was brought some soup by room service – cauliflower soup, very nice. Seemed to have a better night and was able to get to breakfast (boiled egg) and then help with packing and paying. Left about 10, just after Julia and Dave. Journey back no problem, and watched some football with Dot for about an hour +.  Then stomach hurt a lot (gas); tried bath but had to go to bed and slept for 2-3 hours, after which I felt better. David FaceTimed: Chrissy has flu, and so has Roger. We had quite a long chat. Dot went to shop, and on her return I took my last tablet with biscuits, cheese and jelly. Stayed in bed. 

Friday – Sunny. Looked nice, but I didn’t go out. Felt decidedly better, though I had to take paracetamol. Ate a bit – Dot did me boiled egg. I helped sort out newspapers, and then she drove to the Marsh Harrier for lunch with Julia and Allen.  They had asked her a couple of days ago whether she wanted to postpone, but she hadn’t seen it. While she was out I shaved and had a bath, which made me tired for some reason. Brown bins haven’t been emptied despite protests from Mark.

Later street meet was in our lounge because of rain: Des, Chris, Mark, Matt, Ciara and Dot. I was in bed after having eaten some soup. When they went I went down and watched two episodes of Shetland with Dot. After she’d watched the end of a Vera she’d been looking at, she brought me a cup of tea. Earlier David FaceTimed: Chrissy still quite ill, and so apparently is Roger.

Friday November 14 – Very wet all day. Feeling quite bad, too, until evening. Still on paracetamol and of course antibiotics. Dot and David went to Morrisons to stock up with food, including vegan stuff for Amy. Then David showed me some new features of Diderot, which was exciting. Can’t wait to get more on there. Slept a bit in afternoon. Oliver and Amy arrived just before 7.30pm, both on good form. Dot had just got food ready, and so we ate almost straight away. Some mild political discussion. Cleared up with Dot while Oliver went to bed in living room, Amy in Dot’s study and David in spare bedroom. We were in bed just after 11. David had spent some time earlier looking through old photos, often with hilarity. 

Saturday – Less rain, but plenty of damp in the air, sometimes escalating into drizzle. Felt groggy in the morning, but much better by evening. Dot and I took bus up to Castle Museum, and the others walked. Had a good look round, but were somewhat underwhelmed by the changes. View from battlements very wet and misty. Oliver bought us a scone and tea/coffee. Dot, Amy and I walked back via Bookshop and The Close. Quite tired. Had evening meal at Gem at 5pm: very good, especially the Turkish tea. David very kindly paid. Back home watched Scotland lose narrowly to Greece. Over 6000 steps. 

Sunday – Still mainly overcast but dry. Chilly. Felt pretty rotten most of the day  – prawns? alcohol? – but improved late evening. Didn’t eat too much, though Dot did a nice salady afternoon lunch. Earlier David and Oliver went out for walk and picked up croissants for breakfast. Later I had a lie-down, and the other four went into the city visiting various shops, including Waterstones. Dot got home first on her own and we watched part of Songs of Praise. Saw Oliver off on the 1703 via Cambridge because main line wasn’t running. Later we watched the goals in Albania 0-2 England. Later Kevin and his girlfriend Tracey came round and we had a chat before leaving them to it. Watched an episode of Shetland while Amy did university stuff online. David went to pub for an hour or so with K and T. Cleared up: quite late in bed. Only about 2000.

Monday – Cold with very occasional rain – notably when Dot and I walked over to the station with David and Amy for them to catch the 11am to London. They were in good time, and we think Amy got to Southampton in time for her lecture. Afterwards I had a bath and eventually felt better: the antibiotics seem to be working, unless it’s the prayers. Helped Dot to clear up and get rubbish together, then went to lie down, just as Kim rang and asked if she could come round, which she did (she was at the station). She’s still in a bit of pain from her fall but is planning to go to Aberdeen for Christmas. Ho, hum. Watched a bit of TV in the evening (no surprise there). Put rubbish out and went to bed. 

Tuesday – Cool. Small amounts of rain. Dot and I drove out to Catfield school to pick up sugar. On the way had a look at how they were progressing with dualling the A47. Quite a lot of sugar to pick up from the school, and on the way home we called in at the surgery to pick up some specimen jars (unrelated). Later in the day we tidied up the house, and then Harriet and her boyfriend Paul called, but halfway through I had to take a call from Nikki, who needed some advice. Had quite a long chat, and she is popping round again in a couple of days’ time. In the evening we both cooked the meal and watched an episode of Edge of Darkness, an oldish thriller.  Very good so far. Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 in time added to qualify for World Cup. Kenny McLean, the Norwich skipper, scored from near the halfway line to wrap it up. We watched David’s progress across the Atlantic until he was safely home. 

Remembrance Sunday seemed quite mild and dry, but I didn’t go out because I was feeling lousy. Got up quite late and had a bath, but then lay down again. Eventually wrote blog and an e-mail or two. Had a light lunch and watched quite a bit of TV. Gradually improved. Found my head test results online which seemed to indicate I didn’t have anything serious. But who knows? Watched football (loss by Liverpool) and various other things like Grand Designs and University Challenge, plus the next episode of Trigger Point. Before that, cooked salmon and cleared dishes away. Meanwhile David is in England and staying with Lorraine at Bromley. 

Monday – Miserable day. Heavily overcast with quite a bit of rain. In bed most of day, feeling down. At least I’ve stopped shivering, but have headache and now a cough! Signs of UTI too. Am drinking water. Dot is looking after me: she had to put bins out. Had a bath in afternoon and watched a bit of TV. David is now with Oliver in London. Got up a bit in evening to watch final episode of Trigger Point – very good. 

Tuesday – Weather slightly better. Some blue sky, but rain in the evening. Still felt pretty bad in the morning and stayed in bed while Bridget cleaned. Got up and had lunch with Dot, but then went back to bed while Dot went to Morrisons. Mike Read rang about Graham Wright’s funeral, and I said I’d take him if I was well enough. Helped Dot unpack food, then had another lie-down. Felt better in evening and helped cook meal. Ate it together and watched TV for much of evening, including documentary on Rhodes that brought back memories for Dot. David is at Peterborough for his conference. Watched him approach Norman Cross on A1(M) and sent message, but it wasn’t delivered. Earlier Barry came round and did a little painting, while I retreated upstairs!

Wednesday – Variable weather. Some rain. Not too cold. Woke up early feeling awful but took paracetamol and improved. Later had a bath and watched a little TV. Barry came back and finished the painting, then had a cup of tea with us. Put some new photos of family in frames, which was quite tricky as far as size was concerned. Wrote a couple of pieces for Diderot – one on my first journey to America and another on a really nice pic of my parents and me. Took some more paracetamol and gradually felt better, though tired. Went over to meet David at the station (he arrived about 7.15), while Dot made really nice supper of salmon and roast potatoes, plus fruit and cake. Had chat as we ate, and he went to bed early. We followed soon after. Again, very low on steps. Dot has pain in her back – probably muscular. 

Thursday – Lovely day – not too cold and mainly sunny. Feeling groggy at first: took two doses of paracetamol, then decided to go on antibiotics, which I was prescribed some time ago. Felt better having made the decision, but still had mild headache.  Dot and I went up to St Stephen’s on bus (long wait) and into Apple, where we were put into queue to buy her new iPhone. Went and had lunch at Costa, returned at 2pm, about the same time that David got there. He had been working (UK colleagues realised he was in the country and available). 

She bought the phone – young man and woman very helpful – plus a cover for it and a new protection sheet for my phone. Took a while. Then Dot and I walked home via Boots while David took a look around town. Chat with Mark as we arrived. Later cooked chilli con carne for three. Dot added fruit salad (afterwards, not together). We all watched a great episode of Outnumbered where no-one can get through on the phone, then after a chat, went to bed early. I took my second antibiotic tablet. Feeling a bit better. Started raining late evening – severe rain warning for tomorrow. 

Tuesday, November 4 – weather quite pleasant. Up fairly early to drive to Archant Pensioners’ Breakfast. Lot of ordinary (ie non-Archant) people there: so had to wait for eggs and mushrooms. They were also short of coffee. Lot of pensioners there too, including Robin, Shelagh and Tricia. Also present Peter Franzen and others. Quite late home. Decided to clear up some leaves at home – bit of a mistake, because I was exhausted afterwards. Lay down and eventually had a bath while Dot went up to Jarrolds open evening. On the way she fell over, but not badly, and while in the city ran into Jude (Sayer) and later Kim, who was on her way home from a funeral.  She bought cards and gifts and got home about 9pm, by which time I was feeling better. We watched Murder before Evensong and then went to bed. Fewer than 3000 steps. 

Wednesday – Officially mild, but with an argumentative wind. Drove Dot to her violin lesson in the morning and then walked up to post a wedding card to Holly and Rich.  They are marrying on Saturday. During lunch got a call from the surgery about reviewing my medication. Think it went ok, despite my refusal to take blood thinner which I believe caused a problem which led to cystoscopy. Later Dot dropped me at hospital for a CT scan, which went well – that is, it was very quick and painless. No results of course. Walked to bus after sheltering from shower in the car park. Bit of a slow run because of road works: went to Tombland (it was No 11) and walked home through Close. Met Michael and Margaret in Aspland Road and had a chat: they seem disgustingly well. Had pizza for supper, and Dot went with Janet to orchestra rehearsal. Bonfire night but cloudy: fireworks in distance but no sign of promised super moon. When Dot got back we watched the first episode of a new series of Shetland. 

Thursday – Alarm set for 7.30 – got tea. Dot got going quickly, and even more remarkably, Anne arrived early. They caught the 9.30 train and arrived in London about 11.15. Meanwhile I made much slower progress and had a bath. Eventually I put some slides on my computer and made a jelly. Had mysterious message about possible fraud that I thought was a scam – even after consulting with Dot on the phone – but it turned out she had had her purse stolen, together with four credit cards. She did not discover this until she had got home – I had met them at the station at about 10.30. Chaos ensued: the thief had taken £250 + £100 from a Barclaycard account and the same from M&S. Eventually managed to contact Barclays and cancelled both of their cards. By morning had also reached M&S and John Lewis; so now awaiting new cards. Neither of us slept very well, but other than that Dot had a really good day in London, with afternoon tea at The Ivy on King’s Road. Probably. 

Friday – Still quite mild and dry. Woke late and sorted out John Lewis after Dot had problem contacting them initially. Felt tired most of day but better in the evening. Between them Jon and Mark have got rid of some of the remaining leaves. Answered a question on Diderot and showed Dot the pictures I had transferred from slides yesterday. Went to Morrisons about 4pm, which seems like a good time, because not many people there. Mark had gone earlier and it was packed. Street meet with Des, Chris, Matt, Jon, Mary…. Left a little early to cook pies for our supper. Bed early – just managed 4000. 

Saturday – Pretty mild and dry. Busy day: had a bath, then Annette arrived just before lunch by car (instead of bus/train as anticipated), and after some talk with Dot she and I set off for Fakenham. Traffic very bad and couldn’t park at first; so around 20 minutes late for Caroline Gilfillan memorial, which turned out to be really good. Lots of nice food and a surprising number of people I knew – eg Rob and Penny Knee, Dave and Kay Riggs, Su Lee (not in a good state healthwise), James and Ann Knox Whittet, Dave and Liz Radley and others known only by sight. Plus of course Alex Grose (Su’s daughter) who organised it with her sister. Spoke to all. Good songs from a couple of young lads, plus a video of Caroline performing. Among other things.

Annette and I left about 5 and had a good journey, arriving home at about 5.45. Dot had been at Carrow Road – saw City lose 2-1 to Leicester, setting a new record for run of home losses, leading to sacking of manager not long after wards. After Annette had left, Dot and I drove to Stoke Holy Cross for bonfire party at John Digby and Tara’s new house in Poringland Road. We were the only members of Street Meet to make it – Des and Chris had a cold and others had different reasons.

Really nice evening – John and Tara and others very welcoming. That was after we found the house – unbelievably there was a 41 on each side of the road (road name change) and it took a while to find the right one. Dot rang door bell on wrong one: lady very kindly gave directions. Spoke to John’s oldest daughter Isabella, who is doing Eng Lit and Philosophy at Durham. Lovely bonfire, setting and good food, though they had said there wouldn’t be much. Home about 9.45pm. Meanwhile David was on his way to the airport. 

Thursday, October 30 – Dry and quite pleasant. Blue sky over Cringleford in the morning, when I dropped Dot at the hospital for a mouth appointment. She has a small polyp which will eventually be cut out. I went and parked by the Willow Centre after popping into Tesco express, then walked around for about 20 minutes. Very pleasant. After I picked her up we went into Tescos again and bought some flowers for Mary – our next port of call, mainly because Neville has had a stroke and is struggling a bit. Happily he was at his best today, according to Mary. Stayed for a while then drove home for lunch.

Afterwards rang Ray and, after Dot and I had a lie down, he rang back to say we could go round at 3.30 – which is what we did. He didn’t seem too bad, though of course his legs are a problem for him. Home around 5pm and I cooked salmon a bit later. We were both feeling pretty tired (perhaps because of two early mornings in a row). Nevertheless we watched the first two episodes of the new Trigger Point, which is about bomb disposal and very well done. Dot lying down well before 11, which is most unusual. 

Friday – Dry but windy. Up a bit late. Caught bus to Unthank Road. Late, slow and lots of passengers; so arrived between 5 and 10 minutes late at Eleanor’s. Fortunately I had forewarned her. Her dog was no trouble. Had lengthy talk about Canada and New Zealand and (later) church developments. She gave us carrot soup plus bread rolls with cheese, ham and sausages. Oh, and wine  – which meant our alcohol total was way up for the day, because we had street meet later – after again having to wait for a bus.

Quite a few outside – Mark is home for six weeks, plus Des, Chris, Matt, Sam and (briefly) Joe, who then went trick or treating with Cleo. Angela still in Scotland. Much talk of Norwich restaurants.  Later had toast and watched a few things, including Murder before Evensong, which isn’t really very good. Don’t really like clergy assisting with murder investigations, because it would never happen. 

Saturday – Bright and dry; not too cold. Rain in the evening. Bit windy from the west. Probably last decent day for a while. Walked with Dot to Carrow Road, where Norwich contrived to lose yet again – this time 2-0 to Hull. I walked home by river and was hot and tired when I got there. Lay down for a bit. Watched quite a lot of TV, including the first episode of the new Mick Herron series, Down Cemetery Road. Very good, as you might expect. Cooked salmon for late lunch (with baguette) and chilli con carne for evening meal. Did a hard sudoku and a few other puzzles. Sadly, Liverpool won (Villa played so badly in front of their goal that you suspected they wanted to lose), and Spurs lost at home to Chelsea. 

Sunday – Started with a bit of rain but became quite sunny and pleasant. David gave us a FaceTime call, and we talked about his upcoming visit, among other things. Sadly BlueJays narrowly failed to win World Series. Intended to go for walk at Sweet Briar marshes, but it was shut; so ended up at Earlham cemetery for a very pleasant walk. Visited my grandparents’ grave and then Phyllis’s. Had late lunch and watched a lot of TV, including football, Hamza wildlife programme and another episode of Trigger Point, which manages to be brilliant at the same time as impossible in the situations it constructs. Finished yesterday’s chilli. 

Monday – Dry and not cold, but a bit windy. Felt strange all day, but a bit better in the evening. Dot did a lot of cleaning and re-arranging, and as usual we watched too much TV, including football and Trigger Point. Cooked sausages and put out rubbish. Very little energy, but managed 4000 steps, nearly all indoors. Couple of entries in Diderot – Adelboden and Andrew in Northumberland.