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Unexpected grace

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pelican
A pelican in Pine Island Sound

It’s now Thursday at 4pm. An odd few days. I was laid aside by a bad cold / sinus infection for a couple of days, and others did their own thing, which as far as I can make out was mostly shopping or eating. As I came round groggily, full of Benedryl and antibiotics, Dot went down with a cold. Since she is more resilient than me, she kept going, and last night we drove to the Mucky Duck for a meal. Normally this would be a ridiculous thing to do, since it is only a couple of hundred yards away, but the weather was so bad – cold and windy – that we bet on few people being about and the car park having vacancies. Both proved true, and they also started serving early. Had a grouper with some french sauce, preceded by nice little salad. Too much wine, unfortunately, which made my battered head swim. Still, we sat through two films: the appalling Cape of Good Hope and the rather good Definitely, Maybe. Earlier, somewhere in the mists of time, we saw Gran Torino, which was excellent. I also bought Randy Wayne White’s latest two Florida thrillers, which I’m looking forward to reading.

Today it emerged that both Roger and Barbara are going down with colds. As I write Barb is lying on the sofa, flaked out and coughing intermittently. Roger has a sore throat. Am I to blame for all this, gentlemen of the jury? Yes, probably; definitely; maybe. Despite our various states of health we drove up for breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe, which is rather like driving from Norwich to Blakeney for breakfast – about 45 minutes each way. Still they do a delicious breakfast: my first time this year – everyone else had already been twice. Afterwards we got gas and various drugstore items, then called in at a very large house on Captiva Road that had an Open Day (it was for sale: $4.5 million). Pretty impressive. I think I could stand living there.

Dot and I walked up to the post office to send postcards, and on the way back Dot purchased shorts and trousers. It is bitterly cold, with the wind biting and everyone saying Florida is never, ever like this. The beach is impossible, so we tried the dock, but it was really too cold there too. Apparently even the manatee have moved elsewhere, though the pelicans persist. Really graceful birds in flight – breathtaking because it’s so unexpected.

Road movie

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icicles
Icicles lining the highway in Kentucky

We’re now safely in Captiva, at 15098 Urchin Court, the place we stayed last time. Very comfortable and relaxing – at least I would be comfortable and relaxed if the cold I’ve been fighting off since the plane flight hadn’t eventually broken through. I was coughing a lot in the night, and I’ve persuaded the others to go off to breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe and leave me here. The temperature is warm, but not as warm as last time.

The journeying has gone well. We left six days ago at 10am in much different weather conditions: around freezing, but not unpleasant. Took the train to Liverpool Street and then decided on a cab to Paddington, which was the right decision, though it cost $20 (that’s pounds, but I’ll sort it out eventually). The Heathrow express was brilliant, landing us very quickly at Terminal 5, with which we were extremely impressed. Dropped bags and got through Security with no trouble. The flight was uneventful, though a bit chilly, and the food was surprisingly good. Curry for main meal, egg and spring onion sandwiches just before Toronto.

Met by strange waving couple who turned out to be Barb and Roger. They drove us back to Palmer Circle. Not much snow on the roads, but a nice aesthetic covering there. To bed after small supper at 10pm (3am UK). Not a good night – in fact sleeping proved to be quite a problem for several days – but went into Bolton with Roger in the morning. Sunglasses had got broken on the way, so replaced them with $9 pair from Walmart, much to Barb’s disgust. She and Dot were elsewhere. Not quite sure exactly where that was. In the evening we watched Mr & Mrs Smith, which was clever, funny and pseudo-violent. Just managed to stay awake for denouement.

Next day was just above freezing, and there some early swirls of snow. Drove into Toronto for lunch at Serra (goat’s cheese followed by pasta special) and then to the King Tut exhibition. Pretty impressive, especially the huge statue of Akhanatem, his father. Wrote poem about it. Three most ridiculous items in King Tut shop: 1 Tutchoo tissue box cover; 2 inflatable mummy; 3 baseball. Two most ridiculous rules: Roger had to go back and queue up to get the tickets redated, which then proved to be unnecessary; we weren’t allowed to sit on the steps. No, really. Back home through rush-hour traffic, then packed ready for 9am start the next day (Thurs 18th).

Left almost on the dot. Weather dull, but it brightened up as we neared Detroit. Stopped at Windsor for quick refreshment, then were held up for 40 minutes or so at border, but everyone was very pleasant. Then headed south through Michigan and Ohio to Cincinnati, where we stopped for a delicious lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. On to Williamsburg, Kentucky where we arrived after 10pm at the Columbia Inn. Splendid setting, but the room was a bit noisy (facing highway), and they seemed a bit understaffed. In America, everyone assumes you drink coffee.

Getting a bit warmer as we headed south again on the I75 through mountainous country (the Columbian Plateau), with spectacular icicles on the rocks, but not much snow. Lunch at the Buckhead Diner in Atlanta, Georgia: again superb food (veal meatloaf and mashed potatoes) and service. Very long last leg south after this. Barbara drove out of Atlanta in heavy traffic, and I did a three-hour stint taking us from south of Macon into Florida – the last part of it in the dark. Roger then took over, and we arrived in Sarasota after 11pm. Superb hotel – room was a suite, and it was quiet. And I could get a cup of tea.

Better night, and after a leisurely breakfast we left just after 10am. Temperature really warm now, and we watched it creep up to a maximum of 24C as we neared Captiva. Dropped away from that slightly, but very pleasant as we arrived at the house around 1am, but found it wasn’t quite ready for us. So went up to Starbucks and did a very little shopping. House excellent as expected: unpacked and Barb and Dot disappeared down the beach. Roger and I went to American Realty to get an extra key, then walked along the beach and over to the dock. In the evening we went to Traders, and I had the filet mignon special, which was special. Bought a baseball cap and called at video shop on way home. Watched State of Play, interrupted by frequent coughing from me. Had very disturbed night.

Ready for the journey

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Lucy
Our friend Lucy Care, who we visited this week.

All ready for departure and about to go to bed. I did write the piece for the Drivers’ Alliance, and I did give Sam some comments on his novel. My mouth is still not what I would call perfect – probably still feeling battered and a bit painful off and on. I am quietly confident that it will calm down. We have the currency and just about everything else needful: in the end I bought the tennis shoes here and found my sandals, which I’d forgotten about. Checked in online this afternoon, so what can possibly go wrong?

Had  a Valentine’s Day meal this evening at Prezzo’s, which was very pleasant, as was our meal with the Higbees on Friday evening. Tim M came round after church today to receive instructions, and we’ve given him a guest account on Dot’s computer so that he can get his e-mails. Canada, here we come.

Knockdown crown

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Buses
Castle Meadow, Norwich, today: most of the city's buses seem to be sheltering from the snow and have achieved an almost total gridlock.

Mouth has been thoroughly battered on the right-hand side, and I have now taken possession of a temporary crown at a knockdown price of just under £300. If you think that’s expensive, wait till you hear the cost of the actual crown, which will be inserted on my return from Canada. Or rather, don’t wait, because I shan’t tell you. Lying with your mouth open for over an hour is not a lot of fun, especially when your total tooth area is being drastically reduced. I exaggerate slightly, but I can still feel the after-effects, which is not surprising. No doubt it will soon calm down. I did manage to eat an evening meal afterwards – one of Dot’s specials for the Tuesday Group. A reduced group on this occasion: only five of us. It’s nice to have a smaller group sometimes.

Blizzard
Small blizzard at Paston: the garden of Dayspring

Have just returned from a visit to Lucy’s. She is in the last lot of chemotherapy and feeling good at the moment. Our arrival there coincided with a small blizzard. Several hefty snow showers today, but the only lasting effect is on our road, which is very slippery. However, we did make it down and up again, using the “traction control off” technique. Lucy’s father is not at all well.

Before going north I went into the city to get my second lot of currency – Canadian dollars this time – and got myself a pair of waterproof walking boots from Venture Sports on Westlegate. Wore them today. Quite pleased with them: they’re Scarpa – waterproof with Vibram soles. Bought them after consulting with Roger on what footwear would be needed. May buy some white running shoes while I’m over there. After my first (diagnosis) visit to the dentist yesterday morning did a longish walk round Lakenham (Brian Avenue, Hall Road, City Road, Meadowbrook Close) visiting houses I or relatives once lived in. Meanwhile Dot was in the city with Sue Eagle.

Have been asked to write a piece for the Drivers’ Alliance website. Must give it some thought soon. Am also due to look at some writing my nephew Sam has done and give him feedback.

Keeping it all going

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Potters
Kevin, Lisa and Matthew Potter with grandson David. Not a great picture.

Bit of a delay there. A lot going on: amid all the preparation for our holiday, I’ve written a new poem, entered poems for two separate poetry competitions, updated my website with quite a protracted piece and written up lengthy minutes from the DCC meeting last Wednesday. That’s quite apart from real life, which has included another ground-out chess win, this time in 66 moves, and taking my car to be serviced, MOTd and have its rear brake pads replaced: it turned out to be the most expensive service, and with the renewal of Mazda Assistance came to well over £400, just when I didn’t need the expense. I say “real life”, but of course that’s open to dispute.

The DCC meeting included much about keeping the church hall going: our new cleaner had several suggestions, some of which we have adopted. Howard was a key figure: he worked with the cleaner on the suggestions and also with a guy who surveyed the hall for longer-term work required. Unfortunately for some reason Howard didn’t turn up to the meeting and couldn’t be contacted, which hampered us somewhat. Still don’t know what happened.

On Thursday Mark and Naomi Tuma came round for a meal. I knew Mark a bit, but Naomi hardly at all, so it was a time for life stories. Discovered Naomi was Scottish, from the west coast near Oban. Good conversation: I don’t have to say Dot’s food was excellent, so I won’t. But it was. Incidentally, while on the subject of mouths, one of my teeth has been giving me a bit of trouble, so I’ve booked to see the dentist tomorrow. Not painful, but feels as if it could become painful, which is unsettling when you’re about to go to Canada.

On Friday had lunch with Keiron Pim at the Wine Cellar on Guildhall Hill. A while since I’d seen him; he is a former of trainee of mine who has recently won a well-deserved award as East Anglian feature writer of the year. He is a beautiful writer and is interested in the same things as I am: he plays blues guitar and is also books editor at the EDP. He has a little girl of 16 months and is married to another of my trainees, Rowan. Wine Cellar a very nice spot; had an excellent Spanish omelette which, together with a substantial meal at home in the evening, got me rather worried about my weight. On discovering that it was indeed up a few pounds I went for a three-mile walk on Saturday morning before meeting Dot in the city and buying a suitcase. This seemed to help (especially the suitcase), as I have now lost a bit, despite having David and the grandchildren up from Saturday evening till Sunday evening. Or maybe because of… Oliver and Amy in very energetic mode; we were joined by Kevin, Lisa and Matthew for the Sunday afternoon, and it was good to see them again. All seem well, and the grandchildren have had good school reports. Amy making excellent progress on writing and reading, and Oliver doing well at his times tables, coached by Dot. (The difference between professional coaching and what I would have done was all too apparent and good to see.) David switched Dot’s photos to my machine so she has some space on her laptop. We spent some time looking at old Lenton family photographs on Apple TV. Some of them were new to both David and Dot. Not sure how that happened.

On the Saturday Dot had had coffee with Anne, who has invited us to a celebration meal for Philip’s 70th birthday at the Swan in Southwold on April 24. This is a disaster, as it is the same weekend that we are seeing the Coomes, in a much-postponed London visit. Not sure what to do about it.

While walking on Saturday I visited the Rosary and noticed that Dorothy’s gravestone was missing. After much hunting around I realised it must have been removed to have Thelma’s name put on it. Either that or Dorothy was a double agent and all traces of her existence are being removed. I favour the former explanation. Now into our final week before leaving the country and still waking up in the night and thinking about what needs to be done.

Vigorous days in Derbyshire

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walkers
Dave, Julia and Dot climbing back on to the ridge between the Dove and Manifold valleys, taking advantage of a rare track.

Calves aching after a fairly strenuous weekend in Derbyshire, staying at the excellent Lee Wood Hotel in Buxton, where the food is just as good as they say it is and the service was first-class. We were there with Julia and Dave Evetts, who are not ones to sit around. Hence within a short time of arriving (we had lunched in Nottingham and travelled with the Evetts in their new sparkling red Audi) we were down in the town for a look round. Main discovery was that it was absolutely freezing, in the most freezing of freezing ways, and it was a big relief when we reached a coffee shop. I was a bit worried about the planned walk for Saturday, but it turned out to be nowhere near as cold. Icy, yes; snow, quite a bit on the ground; but bright sunshine and very good for walking, especially after we realised we were going the wrong way and retraced our steps slightly. Walked from Longnor down into the Dove valley and across to Crowdecote. where we had a warm baguette break at the Packhorse Inn. Then across the river (again) and across grassy fields back up to the ridge. Happily the ice had made the mud walkable, and we were able to climb a fence avoid some rather large-looking cattle, which may or may not have been bullocks. From the top we walked down into the opposite valley of the River Manifold and then back up again to Longnor. At each end of the walk we stopped for tea/coffee at the former town hall, which is now a teashop and purveyor of art, craft and a few books. I bought a nicely produced book about Wainwright, the fellwalker. Bit out of his territory, but never mind. While we were unbooting at the car, we watched a local cat perform an amazing trick of jumping up at a front door, hanging on by its front paws and knocking lower down with his back paws. Obviously a special Derbyshire skill.

After another superb meal in the evening (steak for me) we checked out of the hotel the next morning but left car and luggage there while we did a shorter but quite strenuous walk (three miles instead of five) ending at the summit of Corbar Hill. Quite a bit of snow around, so Julia and Dave (who had climbed it before) decided on discretion while I – quickly followed by Dot – scrambled the final fifty feet or so. Wonderful view from the top, with a lot of snow patches on the high ground all around.

On the drive back to Nottingham we stopped at The Miners Arms near Carsington Reservoir, where we had a very good carvery meal. Then after pause for tea/coffee at Toton we headed home to Norwich. Part of the A14 was closed, but we diverted via St Neots and avoided the worst of the hold-ups. No snow on the way, but when we got to Norwich it had obviously been snowing, and our road was icy, though not difficult to negotiate.

Giving full attention

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Cley
Julia and Dot during a previous get-together at Cley. This weekend's walks will be considerably less summery.

Bit of internet activity on the family tree front, but nothing of any substance yet. Tomorrow we’ll be heading into – or at least passing close to – the area where my paternal grandparents came from: Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Nottingham, Mansfield, Sheffield. According to some sources,my grandfather worked on the Nottingham tramlines at one point; and my grandmother was born in Sheffield. We’re having lunch at Nottingham with the Evetts and then heading into Derbyshire with them for a hotel weekend, based at Buxton. It’s very cold here in Norfolk, and not likely to be any warmer in Derbyshire, but the forecast is for some brightness.

Dot is out in the city somewhere, staying much longer than she intended. This morning I introduced my brother Phil to a friend in the refectory at Norwich Cathedral and left them to chat while I delivered Dot to Carrie’s, then went up to the garage to book the car in for a service and MOT next week. Got a new battery for Dot’s car keys, but it still doesn’t work. Maybe there’s something wrong in the car.

Very good Tuesday Group at the Archers, with tasty vegetarian food including a nice curry sauce, followed by good discussion on not giving full attention. Or to put it another way, putting the Kingdom of God first. Yesterday Dot went by train to Ipswich for a P4C meeting and was half an hour late after the first train was randomly cancelled. Wet, cold and horrible day. I discovered that the large amount of money I had withdrawn from a Norwich Union bond to pay for Andrew’s fees had been held up for lack of a form which I didn’t know they wanted. They hadn’t bothered to call to me to tell them they wanted it, so I am now stuck with either paying the fees late or finding nearly £2000 temporarily from elsewhere. Usual Norwich Union lack of interest in the customer. I shall be glad when the whole Bond is withdrawn, and even gladder when his fees are paid for by Coventry social services department.

Have discovered that if British Airways cabin staff do vote to strike, it won’t be before March 1, which means we can get to Canada, but might not be able to get back. Much the better option. Also discovered that there shouldn’t be any trouble reaching Heathrow by train on the day we go, which is a relief.

Burns back with cold sun

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From the archive, not long ago: a technological Christmas

After a series of dismal, grey days, sun and ice return. Well, not quite ice, but it’s very cold, though much nicer to be out in than it has been recently. Yesterday a north-easter cut through us as we visited North Walsham cemetery, and although we were there only a few minutes, it took a long time to get warm again. Earlier we had visited FM at Wroxham: he didn’t look too well, mainly because he had a huge, bloody bruise on his eye. No-one knew how he got it, and of course he couldn’t remember. He had been found in someone else’s room, and his glasses were broken. Afterwards we took J to Wroxham Barns restaurant, and I had a pie while the other two were more moderate. After the cemetery we returned to J’s and had a cup of tea. In the evening I won my first game of chess for weeks, which was one way of celebrating Burns Night.

I’ve booked what looks a rather exciting cottage on the slopes of Snowdon for July. Oliver and Amy are keen to get there as soon as possible. The rest of us are pretty keen too, but Dot and I have Canada, Florida and Italy first. This is turning into a year of holidays. I’ve also written a couple of poems, so (although the poems are rather downbeat) my mood is improving. One of the poems is about January,and the other is about Haiti.

Among other exciting news, I’ve had a swingeing haircut, and the battery on my car went dead. No connection. (See what I did there?) The latter happened on Sunday morning, so we had to unload the musical instruments and cram everything into the MX5. It was a tight fit. The battery went dead because the boot was not shut properly – a familiar problem. A music stand had jammed in there after I brought Dot home from a meditation and chanting violin rehearsal at St Julian’s on Friday. Still, Mazda Assistance didn’t take long to fix it, though I had to take it for a longish drive to recharge it. The actual event was on Sunday evening – went very well, apparently, though I resisted the temptation. Well, you’ve got to resist some temptations.

Man is Man are women

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In memory of our friend Rosemary: mementoes in the church hall

Have been looking back again – well, glancing back. Discovered a Lenton Priory of Cluniac monks founded around the 12th century in the Nottingham area. Also a connection with Buckinghamshire, and there are a Scottish branch of Lentons from the Peebles area. I wouldn’t mind a Scottish connection, but the furthest back I can reasonably go is still Peterborough-Northamptonshire and the 17th century. All those agricultural labourers.

Back in the 21st century, and time keeps slipping by, far too quickly for the most part. In 16 years I shall be 80. How scary is that? I shall have to make the most of the present day. Last night spent three hours of it watching Man is Man by Brecht at the Playhouse. Fascinating stuff, beautifully put together on the whole,and yet an audience of only about 60. I can only put it down to having no-one famous from TV in the cast. Is that all people want nowadays: either famous-from-television or high culture like Shakespeare, ballet and opera? There doesn’t seem much room for cutting-edge theatre – even cutting-edge theatre that’s over half a century old. The cast was entirely female, as it happens – the kind of joke Brecht would have enjoyed. At least I imagine he would: I have my own image of him.

Earlier in the day I had some blood removed from my arm – part for the hospital to test my PSA level, and part for a research group looking at prostate cancer. For them I also had to fill in a lengthy questionnaire packed with unanswerable questions like “How many x-rays have you had, and how old were you when you had the first?” Really! I also discovered I didn’t know what hardly any of my relatives died of. Even my mother… On the way home I kept giving way to other traffic and stopped for a woman crossing the road very slowly. Got a very pleasant feeling from being in harmony with my fellow-humans. Am I cracking up?

We had seven at Tuesday Group, which is a nice number. I revealed a little of the research I had done on the Amalekites and Dot revealed her cooking expertise again. The latter was probably  – and quite rightly – appreciated more. She has been quite busy in the educational world this week. On Monday she spent a whole day on Philosophy at a Norwich school, while my contribution to the day was yet another loss at chess. Sunday was a good day: controversial sermon by Howard in the morning, followed by enthusiastic discussion about self-esteem and the nature of sin. Some frightening ideas on the latter (not from Howard). In the evening we went to an Ambient Wonder social event at the Workshop cafe-bar on Earlham Road which turned out to involve a certain amount of planning, which I was unable to put a stop to. Good time, though.

One thing I forgot to mention: yesterday a guy from the Statistics Office called and interviewed us for about 20 minutes about our lives, work, health and so on. Part of a random survey. Very pleasant guy – just right for the job. Today I finished The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry, which is a beautifully written and poignant book which left me once again despairing at what my fellow human beings do to each other. Same sort of feeling from Dances with Wolves, which we watched a few nights ago. The Guardian typically described Barry’s book as an attack on the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, but it’s actually a revelation of what happens when small-minded people get power they shouldn’t have. And there are too many small-minded people about.

After the Lord Mayor’s snow

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A very rare coach-and-horses Christmas card: recorded for posterity and especially for Bruce Robinson, who takes a special interest in such matters.

At the last the snow has gone, to be replaced by a really dismal day, with heavy cloud and heavy rain. It may not be as cold, but it feels colder, and inside St Augustine’s Church this morning it was icy indeed for Rosemary’s funeral, despite the warmth generated by a packed church. She had asked for bright-coloured clothes to be worn, so I wore my blue-white jacket, and I was not snug. But as I was representing the church by giving a eulogy for Rosemary, I thought I had better resist putting my windproof jacket on. It went quite well, I think, because no-one came up to me afterwards to remind me of things I had omitted. The music group had a shot at I am a new creation, and that was OK too, but Howard wielded the organ for the other hymns, chosen by Rosemary. Afterwards everyone repaired to the much, much warmer church hall for food and drink provided by the congregation, while clergy and family went up to the crematorium at Horsham St Faith. Altogether I think Rosemary would have approved.

Yesterday, before the rain, we went to see Avatar in 3D at the cinema with Annette and Mike, after they came round for a light meal. Slightly mixed about the film, but technically it was very impressive indeed. I think it worked well: not sure quite what I wasn’t sure about, and I won’t discuss it here in case anyone who reads it hasn’t seen the film. Definitely worth a visit, I’d say. Earlier in the day Dot got a chip in her car windscreen fixed by a mobile unit in Morrison’s car park and picked up some more fuel for the fire. I disposed of some paper and bottles in the recycling area as no recycling truck has been viewed in our vicinity since well before Christmas.

Earlier in the week I lost my fifth chess game in a row, then talked about poetry to some 7-11-year-olds at Costessey Junior School. That went quite well, though I feel I haven’t quite got it right yet. Still, the children produced some interesting stuff. Anne C postponed her visit because of thick snow in Derbyshire, so I’ll have to continue with preparing editorial training material without her input. May have to resort to emailing. I could probably manage that.

On Tuesday had a unique Tuesday Group at Howard’s, during which we read through about half of King David’s life story. This provoked some controversial debate, largely centering on the Amalekites, so I’ve done some research as a kind of follow-up for next week. They seem like a pretty unpleasant bunch. The debate aside, the food and wine from Howard were as always excellent. This was followed by an emergency DCC meeting at the vicarage on Wednesday to discuss matters arising from Rosemary’s death. Basically she did just about everything, and we’ll need about six people to replace her. In the absence of one or two key members I took the minutes, which proved quite challenging, but the atmosphere and co-operation was good. Vicky has put in an awful lot of work sorting out papers and money matters. Everyone’s worked pretty hard and without a word of complaint. Not that I’ve heard, anyway. They may all be complaining about me, of course.