Odd start to the week. Dot got a phone call when she was still in bed from Caroline, Surrey-dwelling daughter of Maureen at No 6, who was worried that she couldn’t get through to her mother – it turned out largely because someone refitting a shower had cut her phone line. Maureen had apparently been “a bit odd”, and Caroline had fixed up a doctor’s appointment for her, but was worried she wouldn’t go, which she wouldn’t because she didn’t know about it.

Are you following this? Caroline rang Mary next door, who is somewhere up North but gave Caroline Dot’s number. So Dot got dressed and went to see Maureen, who was indeed confused. Dot phoned a taxi, which eventually turned up – Dot kept getting updates, because it had been booked on her phone. Eventually she went down and made sure Maureen got in the taxi. And so the story ends – so far.

Getting back to Tuesday last week (Jan 28) – Quite a bit of rain; not too cold. Drove  Dot up to dentist, and she walked home via several shops; later she cleaned out her airing cupboard. Strange mixture for me, healthwise. As usual I was worse in the afternoon, and went to sleep after a while, then had a bath and cooked salmon. Was feeling pretty low but took paracetamol and felt much better. Eventually watched second episode of Silent Witness, which had an interesting plot but finished too early: you really wanted to see the aftermath. 

Wednesday – Beautiful day, though it rained during the evening. Not too cold. Felt well enough to drive Dot to North Walsham to put flowers on grave: it’s her mother’s birthday. Big hold-up at Coltishall – road up for no apparent reason. Knew it would be chaotic in centre of North Walsham so took circuitous route to get to Sainsbury’s, where we bought a few things, including flowers, and then drove to cemetery. Sat in cemetery and ate sandwiches, then put flowers in graves. Nice feeling in cemetery. Drove home: cleared up and sorted out newspapers. Dot did quite a lot of violin practice, which must have paid off because evening rehearsal went very well, apparently. We had pizza for supper, then some jelly and fruit when she got home. I caught up with computer stuff while she was out. Felt quite tired; watched a bit of winter rescue progs, then David FaceTimed, and we had a chat about where we wanted to be buried, among other things. 

Thursday – Much colder, but blue sky and dry. Anne came for coffee, and then she and Dot walked into the city to book a holiday in Rhodes together, plus have champagne lunch at Jarrolds and visit a few shops. I was feeling a bit chilly and tired, but could be worse. Had a bit of trouble with the TV, but it seems to have sorted itself out. Chose hymns for Sunday. Bridget came and did cleaning. Dot and Anne got back about 5pm. I had a bath and Dot went to Morrisons. Had really nice pea and ham soup – one of my favourites. Think I’m feeling better. Much less tired, and coughing seems slightly productive. Watched a bit of TV.

Friday – Grey and cool. Quite a bit of rain. Felt ok to get about, but a bit shivery and heavy.  Drove to Dereham in morning to exchange Christmas presents (!) with Phil and Joy. They seemed ok. Had a nice time with them, discussing health and other things, including our families. Then moved down the road to Angela and Rodney’s, where we had a snack lunch and a couple of teas. Stayed till about 3.30 – again a very nice time. Weather too bad for street meet (anyway Mark in America, Sarah in bed, Mary  and Bob in Hull – John’s father’s funeral at Stoke). So the two of us went round for a drink with Des and Chris, and Des got us fish and chips, which we ate while watching a documentary on Yellowstone. Felt quite ill afterwards and went to sleep, but then recovered to watch the start of a new series of Death in Paradise, which went quite well. Went to bed after news while Dot watched a bit more. 

Saturday –  Not too bad. Not too cold. Feeling a bit better, though ended day with heartburn, possibly because I didn’t take lanzaprosole this morning. Dot was going to go to Peace Catalyst talk at church but got involved in buying insurance for her holiday, then listening to football, which was on unexpectedly early. Norwich beat Watford 1-0 away. Before that Amy FaceTimed and we had a chat about holidays and things that were coming up. She seemed well. After the football, caught up with my e-mails and while Dot was taking stuff to charity shop I cleared up the kitchen and packed up broken glass. Not shivery today (hadn’t taken pills!) cooked oven-ready cottage pie with extra dauphinoise potatoes, which were good. Dot stewed some apples. Watched end of Dead and Buried thriller, which was unsatisfactory because the unpleasant lead character didn’t really get comeuppance. 

Yesterday (Sunday the 2nd) was Candlemas. Mainly sunny: had to scrape ice off car. Decided not to play guitar, because PhIl and Steve F were both there. Wouldn’t say I was 100 per cent by any means, but was able to function OK. Liz Cannon led, and Liz Day gave rather off-the-wall talk which was more of a lecture and extremely abstract. However, it had its good points. Steve B did prayers, gaining in confidence. Afterwards took Ray home. Road works beginning to seem permanent. Watched football in afternoon (Spurs beat Brentford 0-2) and watched a particularly depressing Midwife and then a new series about Jane and the other Austens. David FaceTimed us when we got in bed, and we had a chat about politics, mainly. I was a bit distracted because I was getting a muddle with my pills. He and Chrissy seem well. Took pills late, which was probably a mistake, because I didn’t have a very good night.

What a murky year so far, in so many ways. Today (Tuesday 28 January) it is grey and wet, and Dot is on her way back from the dentist’s. I drove her up, but she wanted to have look a round the shops on the way back. I cancelled my appointment because I still have a cough – not frequent, but apt to come on without warning, which is not what you want when you’re at the dentist’s.

Going back over a week, Monday 20th was also grey – and cold. Got in touch with Joy to arrange a meeting: eventually settled on the 31st, because they have a lot on this week. Just as well, as it turned out. Still feeling bit chesty. Plus pains in lower right side off and on. Feels like gas. After lunch drove to Morrisons, bought food and other supplies and put petrol in car. Inauguration of President Trump. Biden determined to prove he was no better by pre-pardoning members of his family plus the notorious Faucci. Ho hum. Watched quite a bit of TV but nothing too significant. Put bins out. Cooked salmon. Dot very tired – slept a bit in afternoon. 

Tuesday’s weather pretty much the same. Bit of an upset stomach in a minor way: felt better towards evening. Earlier sorted out charity money – quite a big job – and walked up to post office – bitterly cold. Brought bins in when I got back. Cooked pizza, and we had some Christmas pudding. Let Oliver know our latest situation, and he decided to put off coming up here, especially as there were colds going round at work. Sad not to see him but I think it’s the right decision. Will see him soon, I hope. 

Wednesday – More of the same, but slightly wetter. Wore raincoat to go to church in morning after Judy had come round to see last episode of The Chosen. Quite warm in hall, and we covered quite a bit of Acts 16, 17 – I think. Cooked salmon en croute and then Dot went with Janet to orchestra rehearsal. No Nova. I watched a documentary on Jack the Ripper (Lucy Worsley) but went to sleep. Don’t know why I was so tired. 

Thursday – Bit of rain, but not too bad for Philip Robinson’s funeral. Church pretty full. Saw several people we recognised from the area, including Sally Morris, who we gave a lift to the Annesley Hotel on Newmarket Road for the wake. She seemed very unhappy. Also saw Mary and Bernard Pitt, Mrs Barter, Bernadette – and Sylvia was there too.  Plus the family of course. At the wake sat with Francine and her son Simon, a really nice guy and an IT specialist, of course. Both live in Northampton. Also chatted with Anne and the girls, plus David (Louise’s husband). Nice food at the hotel. One or two photos that I’d taken! Felt fine while all this was going on, but when we got home I felt cold and tired. Had to lie down. Had omelettes for evening meal and watched another episode of Patience. Plot a bit far-fetched, but enjoyable. Dire  bad weather warnings for tomorrow, but mainly somewhere else. 

Friday – Cold, windy, mainly dry. Avoided worst of storm that brought rain, high winds and snow to more northerly and westerly parts of the country. Too much cold wind to meet in street. Earlier went with Dot to chemist and then Morrisons – after getting up late and choosing hymns. Couldn’t eat much lunch and had to lie down. Felt cold and very tired. Later chest was very tight. Had small supper, watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which wasn’t quite as good as I remembered, but had its points. Felt better towards the end of the evening and helped Dot clear up in kitchen – she had been making a birthday cake for Nikki. 

Saturday – Weather similar. Very unwell during night: pain side and back – had to take paracetamol. Dot prayed for me for quite a while. Eventually got to sleep but not all well during the day. Stayed in bed. Had a bath. Took more paracetamol. Dot went to match: City beat Swansea 5-1. She went back to shop to get me some white fish. Got up to watch TV and felt gradually a bit better, possibly because I went to loo. Dot said she also had pain in similar place (not the loo): possibly we ate something. Watched final two episodes of Crá – Gaelic thriller. Quite good. 

Sunday was a strange day. Pain much less. Dot went to church with cake for Nikki. I stayed in bed. Took more paracetamol, which helped. Started coughing quite a lot, which also helped, I think Slept a lot later. Though not quite as much as I thought I had. Felt very tired. Church went well – Dot did prayers, and everyone was concerned about me. Lots of advice, including ringing 111 or going to A&E. Decided I felt bad enough already. Des and Chris back from Lichfield. Spurs lost to Leicester. 

Yesterday there was some rain. Landmark morning: I went down to make a cup of tea (just after 8am) and didn’t need to put the light on. Rang dentist to cancel my appointment . Still felt very heavy, with the greatest desire really to go to bed or, if already in bed, to go to sleep. As you see, I’ve got behind with my blog. Watched a bit of television in the evening, including the first episode of Silent Witness, which wasn’t really helpful because it was about a man dying of an unknown virus/pathogen on a plane. Very exciting, though. Also saw a documentary on the Loch Ness Monster. There’s definitely something there. I can feel it.

Last Wednesday (Jan 15) was grey and damp, but warmer. Neither of us felt well, but well enough to leave the house. I did a bit of catching up on the computer, and in the afternoon took Dot to the podiatrist, which is just as well as there were no parking spaces. While she was in there I drove up to the Earlham cemetery and found Mum’s parents’ grave again. (I had mislaid it for a while.) First walk for a while – no great distance, but I felt OK.

Afterwards we watched a fascinating documentary on the Sistine Chapel, the Franciscans and the Waco massacre. Not an obvious link, but some really interesting research about the influence of the Franciscans and various Scriptural interpretations. Even more interesting after seeing the programme on the Renaissance. Later Dot went to orchestra rehearsal, which went quite well. Afterwards we watched another episode of Patience and a bit of football, in which for the second big match in succession the result was influenced by the referee giving a corner when it wasn’t one. This time Spurs lost 2-1 to Arsenal. Last time West Ham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa. 

Thursday was grey and damp again. Had a bath, chose some hymns, rang David by mistake. Sorted out some Parish Pump stuff that looks do-able. Dot went to the shop, got some flowers for Sarah and a plant for Bridget, who came to clean. Her husband came at the end and they went home together. Cooked some kippers, and Dot made a blackberry and apple crumble. Watched some football and a programme by Monty Don that ended up at the Houghton Hall walled garden – without mentioning the flame fountain. Totally unbelievable. Then watched North by North West – realised we’d seen it before fairly recently but watched it again anyway. Very good film. Felt a bit sick afterwards. Nothing to do with the film. 

Friday – more anticyclonic gloom, and quite cold too. I wrote an article for my website at last and made a start on the Parish Pump stuff. Dot went to see Anne and had quite a long talk with her about the funeral and also a possible holiday for the two of them. Dot and Anne, that is. Despite the chill we all decided to street meet, and there was quite a group: Des, Chris, Ciara, Mark, John, Jonathan, Matt. Des got us fish and chips. We watched a highly praised but very weird story about a taxi driver, called Person of Interest. Not impressed. Also watched a Lucy Worsley programme on the gunpowder plot. Impressed. Denis Law died. My favourite footballer. Ever. 

On Saturday the weather was much the same. Wrote prayers for Sunday and finished Parish Pump pieces on Patrick Henry, Alexander Fleming and Dave Allen. Drove Dot to church in afternoon for Peace Catalyst session, which she quite enjoyed. I picked her up afterwards. Norwich lost 2-0 away to Sheffield United. Watched a couple more episodes of Cra, the Gaelic thriller, and I cooked some sausages. 

Yesterday (Sunday) was cold and dry. Went to church in the morning, and we were warmly received, which was nice. I played in the worship band and led the prayers. Long chat with Amanda about Pastons. After lunch we watched football.  All results going wrong at the moment. Spurs even managed to lose 3-2 to Everton. Oliver FaceTimed and arranged provisional date for him to come up here. Showed us round his flat – great view and surroundings. Cooked fish for supper, then watched All About Eve – an excellent film with George Sanders and Celeste Holm great characters.  David FaceTimed to check on our condition. We are both improving but not quite there yet.  Wherever there is.

Very strange year so far. It’s the 15th, and Dot and I are still feeling quite ill, clogged up and lacking in energy. Just had a call from the vicar, who’s had something similar but was worrying about us. Keep thinking we’ll be all right tomorrow, but then we’re not. Dot has been practising for orchestra tonight, but we’ll have to see whether she’s well enough to go. At least we haven’t had a high temperature; so it’s not flu. Something to be thankful for.

This is how it’s gone over the last week:

Thursday, the 9th, was sunny and dry. Very cold. Still up and down healthwise. Same old symptoms most of the day, improving slightly in evening. Dot improving very slowly. Mark got us some oranges. Wrote quite a few e-mails and read meters. Dot paid tax. Watched Cat Ballou in evening and the second episode of Patience, a police series featuring an autistic puzzle-solver, which was very good. Still feel quite cut off from real life. Weird. 

Friday the 10th was again sunny and dry. Very cold. Both of us feeling well below par, but Dot has energy to do things, whereas I haven’t, most of the time. No appetite. Heaviness. Bad head, but can carry on at the moment, though the temptation is to stay in bed. Tonight chest and head don’t feel good. Mark brought us a bit more stuff. I had a bath and finished reading John Julius Norwich book – very good – then read short Alan Bennett book Kristine gave us for Christmas. Also excellent. Bit of sleep. Watched two episodes of three-parter on the Renaissance, which were quite revealing. Also FA cup match between Aston Villa and West Ham, which the latter won because they were given a corner which blatantly wasn’t one. Quite worried about my slow progress and random pains in head and rest of body. 

Saturday – extremely cold: fog and ice. Paul came round to see us in the morning, and I felt well enough to go down and have a drink with him (at opposite side of room). Dot improving but not well enough to go to first of a series of meetings at church on peace – part-led by Phil Gazley. We listened to Norwich lose 4-0 to Brighton in the FA Cup. I definitely felt a change, as if I might have turned a corner – so much so that I cooked a meal that Mark had got for us: moussaka. Very nice. Discovered Graham still unwell, and Liz will be taking baptism tomorrow. Watched quite a bit of TV, including final episode of Renaissance documentary, which was excellent, and another documentary, on Yellowstone, which had nice pictures but was written as if for a class of not very bright ten-year-olds. David FaceTimed: he and Chrissy seemed perky and well. 

Sunday – No change in weather and not much change in health, though managed to cook meal again. Watched quite a lot of TV – including Spurs making heavy weather of beating Tamworth. Watched a couple of episodes of new Gaelic thriller – in Gaelic. 

Monday – still very cold. Dot went to Morrisons and I almost went with her, but didn’t feel quite well enough. Then we almost went to Cake and Compline at Eleanor’s, but again both felt worse just before – so I got Bridget to call in and pick up the compline I’d chosen. Elaine said her iodine recommendation may have been a bit too radical. Ho hum. Did manage to put the rubbish out. 

Tuesday – Becoming warmer and dry. Very gradual improvement for both of us, slightly delayed in my case by having my hair cut. Dot had hers cut too of course, but it doesn’t seem to affect her in the same way. Felt very tired after lunch. Read a bit. Cooked chilli con carne for supper and watched Silent Witness, which was pretty good. Then an old episode of Outnumbered, which was brilliant. Long interchange with various people (mainly Debbie) on DCC issues  ended with meeting being moved back to February. Reading The City and the City – vague memory of seeing it on TV years ago. Very clever. 

Friday – Mainly sunny and cold. I went out twice – once to post Dot’s sympathy card to Anne and later to take the football tickets to Naomi. I didn’t feel too bad doing that but I do seem to have taken on Dot’s cough, though in a rather less virulent form  – I hope. Ellie brought us round some Vitamin C and iodine, which apparently kills germs and viruses.

I finished writing my sermon, and had to cope with the house alarm, which kept going off despite not being set. Eventually Wilf came at about 5pm and seems to have fixed it. He says there was a loose connection. Jonathan gave me a Daily Mail for some reason, and Des got us fish and chips. Everyone is very kind.  Steven rang, concerned about his aunt, who is dying. (She later died.) David FaceTimed us around lunchtime to see how we were. 

Saturday – Cold but dry. Felt lousy. We both stayed in bed most of the day: listened to football: Norwich losing 1-0 till 90th minute. Then sub Forson scored twice. Wild scenes. I got up to cook pies for supper , which we ate while watching documentary on Vera. Arranged for Liz C to read my sermon tomorrow. Dot rang up Ray, who is quite ill with stomach problems. Had bath and went to bed. Chest very tight. Not feeling good. 

Sunday and Monday – Not much improvement. Apparently only 11 at church and only two in music group – Matt and Phil. We missed the taking down of decorations and Neville and Mary’s drinks gathering. Dot still has quite a bad cough, and we both feel that we’re carrying a huge weight. Struggle to do anything really, and not sure if taking iodine is a good idea. Mark and Sarah kindly bought us some soup and a ready meal (very nice) on Monday. We watched a fair bit of TV.

Last night I couldn’t sleep till about 4am. Felt lousy when I woke up, but improved after going to loo – bit of a stomach upset. Grim weather on Sunday, but Monday was cold and sunny. Lots of snow and flooding elsewhere in the UK. Happily Oliver’s flight back home went OK – as far as I know. He is now at home in Walthamstow, and Amy has returned to Southampton. 

Tuesday – Sunny, dry and cold. Feel we may have turned a corner after a bad night (for me). Very strange semi-dream involving cubes of textiles and half-remembered places. Dot and I got up latish morning and cleared up the house – I did the kitchen and Dot did the decorations, then I put the stuff Dot had gathered together into the loft. Put the bins out. I had a bath, shaved and did my nails, then went to sleep. Felt fragile after that, but we had venison grillette sandwich, and I began to feel better. Watched a double episode of Silent Witness, which was excellent, and by bedtime I thought I was making progress. 

Wednesday – Sunny, dry and cold. Dot seemed quite a bit better, though there was plenty of stuff floating round her head and chest, as there was round mine (try not to picture it). Late up again. I came down to say a brief hello to Bridget, who came to clean. I had already brought the bins in and moved the car for her. While she was here I didn’t feel at all good (we stayed in the living room to keep out of her way). After she’d gone I felt even worse and went up to lie on bed: Dot came up to pray for me. She left me for half an hour – I dozed and then suddenly felt better (lighter).

Came down for chicken soup and fruit, and we watched Paddington 2 again. Brilliant film – lifted us both.  Then watched Songs of Praise, which ended with two inspiring songs, one of which was new to me. Also saw good little documentary on Culross, a village in Fife. Dot missed orchestra rehearsal of course, but Janet kindly came round to deliver her folder of new music. New venue – Sewell Centre – seemed good. Graham in bed with cold and cough, and Debbie panicking about the DCC. I just want to go to sleep.

It’s Friday, January 3, and we’ve just had another really bad night. Dot was coughing very severely on several occasions, and we got little sleep. Eventually I prayed for Dot in tongues and the coughing eased. It certainly hasn’t gone completely, but she seems better. Obviously we’re both very tired, and the alarm went off for no apparent reason – it wasn’t even set. But the sun is shining, though it’s very cold.

Last Saturday was a rather dull day, but dry and chilly. Slept late and had a bath. Feeling tired still, and heavy-headed. Oliver has arrived in Waterloo. After turkey sandwich lunch, Dot took bus into the city to meet Anne in Jarrolds. I caught up with various things like bank account, picture editing and e-mails. Did quite a few steps but felt very tired. Checked out Dot’s car gifts, especially brilliant absorbent sponge. When Dot got back had another turkey meal! Afterwards watched a good ghost story, a quite pleasing Call the Midwife and an excellent Dr Who: Joy to the World, by Steven Moffat. His stuff is always good. 

Sunday was very weird. Had a stomach upset in the night – not too severe, just annoying. So decided not to go to football with Dot. Still have an irritating cough. Had message from Des to say they’re improving. Dot went early to Carrow Road to get free drink again – they found the scarf she left behind last time! Norwich drew with QPR 1-1 by scoring in the last few minutes. More importantly, got a message from Anne to say that Philip had died at 10pm last night. End of an era. Very sad, but at the same time a relief. Watched all four episodes of The Serial Killer’s Wife, which was pretty good really. Also saw a bit of football and (pointlessly) the last bit of The Sound of Music, because it happened to be on. 

Monday was quite pleasant: mainly sunny and not too cold. Dot went to see Anne in the afternoon and stayed for a while. I cleared up, then walked up to the Rosary and back. Checked graves, of course. When I got back, made turkey soup – should have done dumplings, but didn’t. We ate a lot of it later. Have had better. Dot did Christmas pudding, which was delicious. Watched quite a bit of TV, including some football and The Split: Barcelona, which was average, despite a good cast. Dot started feeling ill; hope it’s a passing  thing. Earlier David FaceTimed as they were having a Christmas dinner at Waterloo. Full table. 

Tuesday was dry but windy. Dot has a really bad cold and is on paracetamol. Did quite a bit of clearing up, wrote some thank you e-mails  and kept an eye on Dot: cooked cheese on toast for lunch and battered haddock in the evening. Watched a lot of classical music on TV among other things, including a couple of episodes of Black Doves, which is very violent. 

Wednesday the 1st – Not a good year so far. Rained almost all day, though it wasn’t too cold. Dot’s cold is still bad, and we didn’t get up till lunchtime: Dot didn’t get dressed all day. My filing cabinet jammed, but I managed to unjam it. Chose hymns for Sunday and gave my sermon a thought. Cooked salmon for evening meal. Wind overnight smashed over Dot’s greenhouse. I’ve stood it up, but it needs sorting out. Watched penultimate episode of Vera, in which Brenda Blethyn was as good as always. Also the final episode of Black Doves, which was good but violent. If that’s possible. Getting a bit of exposed nerve trouble from one of my teeth.  

Thursday – Sunny and dry, but much colder, which I prefer, because it feels warmer to me. Dot still very bad – lot of coughing during the night; sore ribs and some coughing during the day. Got up late and sat in living room in night clothes. After lunch (leftover salmon) I drove to the shop. Felt really odd when I got out of the car and for some time afterwards, as if I was in some other head. Quite tired. Again. Managed 4000 steps largely by working in house and walking round shop. Repaired the structure of the greenhouse, but the plants are in disarray. Watched wildlife prog, part of a film and the last-ever Vera. Wrote part of my sermon for Sunday. Cooked egg, bacon and mushrooms. Dot coughing less by end of day but is very sore. 

A very strange Christmas for me. Because I had a cold I missed all the out-of-house festivities, and it’s almost as though nothing happened apart from our own private celebrations. I missed the Alternative Carol Service, the Neighbours’ Party, the Christmas Eve Service, the Christmas Day dinner. I wasn’t desperately ill, but I didn’t want to infect anyone and spoil their Christmas!

Last Sunday (22nd) was cold but mainly dry, I think. I didn’t leave the house, feeling fairly grotty. Dot was in charge of the Alternative Carol Service with some assistance from a still-less-than-100% Graham, and by all accounts did brilliantly. I wish I had been there to see it. She stayed for lunch and brought me some home. I had a bath in the afternoon on Kim’s advice, and we later watched Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V, which was excellent. I also learned from it that the Battle of Agincourt was won by Catherine of Valois, though she wasn’t there. She married the conquering Henry V and was mother to Henry VI, then grandmother to Henry VII (by marrying Owain Tudor after Henry V died), and thereby, I believe, an ancestor of generations of English kings. Not bad for a bystander.

Later we watched a documentary on the Bernina Express, which brought back many memories. I went to bed about 9pm because I felt tired out, despite not having done anything. Heartburn earlier in day seems to have disappeared. 

Monday was cold but mainly dry. A little light rain in the evening. Good night, but felt pretty awful on waking up – cold and stomach symptoms. After another sleep, improved. Anne came to see Dot after being delayed in M&S. Philip worsening. Then discovered John Digby’s father has just died. After Anne left, Dot went to get food shopping for the evening. Traffic very bad. Bit of a rush for her: I wasn’t very helpful. David FaceTimed while I was in the bath: had a word with him after I got out.

Had neighbours round in the evening, but I kept out of the way – was coughing a lot. Bob and Mary, Mark and Sarah, John, Tara and children, Matt and Angela, Jonathan, Ciara, Phoebe and Freddie. No Des and Chris – they have yet another cold – grandchildren?! Sean lying on floor at home with bad back. Dot had interesting conversation toward end of evening with Mark, Ciara, Jonathan about Christianity. I sat on stairs towards end when nearly everyone had gone, then helped Dot clear away – put out bins etc etc   Both of us in bed after midnight. 

Tuesday was Christmas Eve – still feeling a bit grotty most of the day, but better towards evening. Mainly dry but damp. Spent a fair amount of time putting a quiz together: encouragement from Oliver. To my surprise, walked up the hill to top of Thorpe Hamlet, then in Ladbrooke Place discovered lovely new entrance to Ketts Heights and new paths inside. Had a look and met attractive blonde woman coming in as I was coming out. An angel?  Wrote a poem about it later.

Walked down to Ketts Hill and put football tickets through Naomi’s door before walking home. Felt tired by bottom of Gas Hill. Later Naomi left presents outside our door while I was in the bath and Dot was at Paul’s house, talking to my goddaughter, who has got engaged! Watched end of Strike, which was a bit convoluted but ok. New Death in Paradise was good. Streets quiet. Neither of us went to Midnight Communion. 

Wednesday / Christmas Day was dry. Very odd day for me. Woke latish and exchanged presents. Surprised Dot with tickets to orchestra at Theatre Royal in February. Not feeling great: tired and occasional coughing but I think gradually improving. Dot went to church to help with lunch (she did bread sauce) but I stayed home to avoid infecting anyone. However Carrie did much of the cooking with a cold… Dot  spoke to cellist and to Nikki.

I spent quite a while putting together quiz with 50 questions which worked fairly well, though I’m not sure who won when we ran it at 4pm. Barb and Roger took part with David and Chrissy, plus Oliver and Amy in Aylesbury. Lot of interference from Barbara. Felt exhausted afterwards. Opened the rest of our presents and had food: bit odd not having a Christmas meal (Dot had of course). Cooked turkey for tomorrow. Watched both final episodes of Gavin and Stacey, which were quite satisfying. Lot of clearing up. Very tired around 6pm but better later. 

 Thursday – Boxing Day – Damp and grey, but no rain. Sixty years ago I would have headed for Eaton Park for the twice-yearly game of football between Surrey Chapel and Park Church. Not this year. Had a bath after preparing potatoes and parsnips.  Read first section of The Ultimate Christmas Cracker, a commonplace book David sent me.  Fascinating, especially if you know French and German…

Dot went to football after we had both done some preparation on tonight’s meal. Jonathan and Lesley there. Norwich beat Millwall 2-1, but that was about the only good result today. Liverpool won, and Spurs and Chelsea lost. Had our main Christmas meal, which was pretty good – but have enough meat for another week. Watched Downton Abbey film we’d seen before for reasons too complicated to explain, but I blame Carrie. Then the Christmas special of Outnumbered, which was pretty good considering the children were now adults (same actors). 

Monday, December 16 – Some sun: dry. Graham and Debbie both ill. Exhausting day with very few steps. In the morning drove up to Thunder Lane post office to post parcels, after posting cards at sorting office. Then on to Ellie’s to put a thank you note through the door. Then home for lunch. Dot went to Morrisons, mainly to buy food for Cake and Compline event tomorrow. I wrote some cards, then did a large number of electronic ones. Dot got lights from loft and put them up, including the tree. Watched Strike first episode, went to sleep and knocked tea on to floor, breaking mug. Mysteriously, no tea on me at all. Still have bit of pain in my head, and got a severe pain in my upper left leg for a while. Last night had severe cramp In left leg, which took a long time to get rid of. Still, it’s better than having a cold. Ha!

Tuesday – Dry till evening. Chilly wind, but temperature not too low. Hair cut by Linda, then bath.  Spent much of day writing cards and sending electronic Christmas letters, also trying to find addresses etc. Sorted out a few presents but haven’t sent for them yet. Took Dot to Greens for violin lesson and met her when she walked home. Dot prepared room and food for Cake and Compline Christmas do. Lots of work. Paul dropped in a present and card. Everyone came to C&C, though Eleanor was a little late and David very late. Good evening. Shattered. 

Wednesday – Dry during day, windy; quite cool. Ordered most of presents from Amazon. Posted invitation cards to neighbours and ordinary cards to Michael and Margaret; and June. Then decided to go into town for lunch at Jarrolds, followed by buying boots and shirt for Dot and present for Kim. Was tired out, and left leg was painful again for a while. Then got bus home; in by about 4pm.  Felt very tired, and thirsty for some reason. Had a bottle of cider, which is unusual. Managed to just about finish all the cards and answer a few e-mails. Tidied up and after a light meal watched the second episode of Strike, plus some of a documentary on the Yardbirds, during which I realised I preferred Eric Clapton to Jeff Beck. Actually I already knew that. Graham still ill, and Philip Robinson seems to have had a heart attack and is in a bad way in hospital. 

Thursday – Very cold, partly because of northerly wind. Dry after rain overnight. Dot had big tidy-up, with loft entry (by me). We dropped off presents for Naomi and family, then went to shop. I left Dot at Morrisons after helping to gather food and walked home via King Street, dropping off Jenny Downing’s card on the way and Maureen’s (at No 6 ) after I got home. Still got home before Dot, who had stopped for petrol and extra mulled wine. Think we’ve now really completed our cards and presents, except of course some of the Amazon ones haven’t arrived yet. So have to arrange visit to Phil and Angela. Had long chat with Amy on FaceTime, concluding it was wiser not to try and meet on New Year’s Eve but to have a quiz on Christmas Day instead (and meet later in the New Year). Mark arrived home late in the day from America. Philip Robinson still very ill. Dot had long chat with Anne. Frustratingly, I have cold symptoms. 

Friday – Cold, with rain later. I have a cold.  Grrrrr.  In the afternoon I drove Dot up to Kim’s, then posted card in Heather’s, and three others at sorting office. Then home for a rest while Dot visited Kim. I picked her up about 4.30, by which time it had started raining. Graham got in touch, saying he was getting better and letting me have his additions to the Alternative Carol Service, which are mainly OK, though I may not make it. At 5.30 the neighbours decided not to face the “grim” weather for street meet, and instead several of them went round Des and Chris’s, including Dot. Another present arrived, four days early. Des got us fish and chips, as he does fortnightly, and Dot and I watched Return to Paradise. I went to bed early, feeling gradually worse and hoping that by some miracle I would be Ok tomorrow. 

Saturday – Dry but cool and not very bright. Felling quite bad with cold at beginning of day; slightly improved later. Rang Joy and discovered that they wouldn’t be seeing either Joe or Sam this Christmas, so new present logistics problem. Discovered John Beales’ wife Margaret has died suddenly. Watched second episode of Dalgleish, which was very good – considerably better than The Listeners, a four-parter about a mysterious noise. Dot cooked me a fried egg sandwich and I had a bath while she went to Ann Curran’s 90th birthday party (former Tuckswood head). She only knew one other person there. Have developed a bit of a cough, but not too bad. David FaceTimed around 10pm, and we had quite a long chat. Very few steps, obviously. Still not sure whether I’ll be going to church tomorrow. (I didn’t.)

Tuesday, December 10 was dry but quite cold. General clearing up in the morning, then went into the city after lunch to buy charity Christmas cards from St Peter Mancroft. Pretty poor selection, but… then on to Jarrolds to buy one or two presents. Lost Dot in shop, but then found her. Walked home on my own. Very tired. Chose hymns for Sunday and started on sermon. Tidied kitchen up while Dot listened to Norwich drawing 0-0 with Portsmouth away. She made a lot of cards and wrapped up some presents. Watched one of the old Wessex Tales. Bit depressing, but that’s Thomas Hardy for you.

Wednesday – Dry; not quite so cold. Big grey. Missed Bible study and went with Dot to pick up sugar from Wreningham, where she had done an assembly. Very nice secretary helped us load up. Drove to Morrisons and did some shopping, then home for lunch. In the afternoon I wrote my sermon while Dot did some clearing up, then she had a shower and (a bit later) I had a bath. We were intending to get bus to Oaklands for Sillars Christmas do, but decided at the last minute to drive, and I restricted myself to Coke. Food delayed but quite good, except not enough gluten-free. Sat next to violinist Stella and discovered a common interest in Blofield Church and poetry. Also spoke to a number of others, including Janet and Graham, Catherine, Vikki, Penny, Neville and Mary …. Gave Nova a lift home (Rosary Road) and watched the last episode of Shetland. Not bad, but not brilliant. 

Thursday – Grey, damp day with water hanging in the air. Not cold. Described by BBC as anticyclonic gloom, but as they also thought it would be dry, that’s probably meaningless, like most things coming from the BBC. This was our first main sugar day. We drove to Long Stratton, where we met a very nice head teacher, Laura, and loaded up with sugar; then Tasburgh, and a helpful secretary who assisted us in loading a considerable number of bags; followed by Newton Flotman, where we had been expecting 17 bags but received three. Drove home in time to see the window cleaner and Bridget, both of whom seemed a bit unwell. B is recovering from her teeth drama but has a husky voice, which her doctor says is a virus. Tried to keep clear.

After lunch drove to North Walsham and left today’s and yesterday’s sugar at the Benjamin Foundation, next to the Orchard Gardens on Mundesley Road. Woman in charge and a couple of lads took the sugar off our hands. Drove into town to buy 40 stamps at Post Office: very pleasant assistant. That area of North Walsham now nearly always jammed with traffic. Came home via Wroxham and checked that Lion Wood Junior was where we thought it was. It was. Coq au vin for supper. Watched last two episodes of documentary on Sirius cult, then an episode of Dalgliesh, which is really good. 

Friday – Anticyclonic gloom continues, though marginally less gloomy. Another sugar day – went first to Lion Wood Junior School, who had collected almost 200 bags, apparently by requiring them as entry fee to a play or something. Fortunately the secretary and her assistant put them on a trolley and wheeled them out to us. We returned home to count them and then proceeded to Worstead, to pick up a rather smaller number and then take them all to the dropping off point in North Walsham. Unfortunately the helpful gang from yesterday weren’t in evidence, but we got some assistance from the rather slender girl in charge. Nevertheless we had to heft most of the bags in ourselves, either in carrier bags or small boxes.

Home in time for lunch.  Dot cooked a blackberry and apple crumble and then went to Riverside, where she bought some presents from Next, Boots and the charity shop while I cleared the house up and disposed of a pile of e-mails. Went out for street meet, but Des and Chris have colds and Mark is still away. In the end only Ciara came out, but we had a lovely chat. Later I cooked smoked haddock and we had some of the crumble. Watched a couple of episodes of Black Doves on Netflix – very good – and the second of a two-episode Dalgliesh. Shoulders quite sore – realised it was from carting sugar about earlier.  

Saturday – Blue sky! Dry but colder. Dot prepared her prayers. I was feeling a bit dodgy, but improved during the day after having a lie-down after lunch. Marion came round with two Christmas cakes – one for Kim. I had earlier taken some money out of the ATM at the station to pay for them, and on the way to the station had a long chat with Michael, who had been collecting sticks for Christmas decorations. Dot went to mysterious shop to get me an unknown present. In the evening we went to church for cocoa and carols. Bit early really but had a chat with a few people and dropped in at the Stage, where we saw Leanne and Nikki, Sharon and Alison, Sophie and her daughters. Also saw Stacey at church. I walked home to prepare meal, and Dot left early with car to eat it. Watched several things during day, including cricket, Dalgliesh, Return to Paradise and Moonflower Murders. 

Sunday – Dry. Milder most of the day, becoming colder in the evening. In worship band at church, then preached on living in the light. Dot led prayers focused on joy. After brief refreshments took Ray home; five of us in car because we also took Mike and June. Traffic horrendous: police closed a section of Riverside Road, apparently because of an unexploded bomb. Any excuse… Went through back streets to deposit Mike and June at top of St Matthews Road. Ray a bit down because he’d been told his cancer was getting worse.

After lunch Amanda came down (Matthew brought her by tandem) and the three of us went to Norwich v Burnley. Took lead in first minute, then lost 2-1. Not much attacking nous. Bit later walked up to Old Library Wood for carols and mulled wine with loads of people we didn’t know plus Des, Chris and Ciara, and the Anglia TV newscaster who lives up in Old Library Mews.  I left a bit early to put the meal on, but the whole thing  only lasted about an hour and I met Dot coming back. Did a few Christmas cards. Watched a bit of football, the end of Wolf Hall and a couple of other things. FaceTimed Oliver, and Amy was also hooked in. Both seemed well (as did Chrissy) though Amy bumped her bottom when she fell while ice skating. Late in bed again. 

Not very pleasant weather on Thursday, December 5. Heavy rain and wind developing. Didn’t go out, but managed 4600 steps indoors. Dot spent quite a bit of time preparing for tomorrow and making Christmas cards. I wrote a piece for my website about the curse of managers and sorted out tax and Apple Music cancellation. I think. Bridget came round to clean – she has a big day at dentist looming. Des got us fish and chips for supper as he won’t be able to fit it in on street meet day. Earlyish in bed because Dot has to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. Harriet called while Bridget was here but went away and said she would call tomorrow. But didn’t.

On Friday Dot had to get up at an unearthly hour to drive to Wreningham and lead an assembly featuring Sugar for Shelters. As a result neither of us slept well, but she got to the school in good time with no problems, and the presentation went smoothly. She spent some time chatting to the head afterwards. I had a bath but didn’t achieve much else: I’m trying to put together a kind of Christmas letter to friends, but probably looking for too much detail through past blogs.

Weather quite pleasant, but the forecast is worrying: lots of wind and rain in the west already and heading this way tonight. Storm Darragh, whatever that means. Dot went to shops to buy envelopes for cards she’s making. Out for street meet: weather ok, but only Matt came out except for a brief appearance from Ciara and Phoebe when Phoebe arrived home for Christmas. Des and Chris having early meal with their grandson. Watched documentary on Sirius cult in the 90s (vague memories of that) and the second episode of Dalgliesh, which was pretty good. 

Saturday was very wet and windy, though not as bad as elsewhere in the country. Fairly mild, considering. Finished the Christmas letter for general consumption. Also prayers for tomorrow – second Sunday of Advent. Dot played in Sillars Christmas concert today; so spent quite a while rehearsing. Drove her up to St Peter Mancroft just after 3pm – surprisingly easy on roads.

Before that we managed to free a drawer in the utility room that was jammed: Dot’s  smaller hands critical. Later I sorted everything out that was in the drawer. Not connected, but one of the saucepan lids came unstuck from its handle; tried hard to fix it, but failed. Made myself egg and bacon for supper with fried potatoes. Walked up to church for concert. Arrived early but not early enough to get a good seat. Sat with Bridget and David and Angela and Rodney. Also spoke to Neville and Adrian and Jane. Concert not particularly good IMHO because of choice of music, which was rather ordinary (though difficult to play, apparently).  Vicki asked her parents to give us a lift home; so they did – happily, because it was raining quite hard when we  got home. Watched Moonflower Murders. 

Sunday – Grey, often rainy. Not too cold but with a dead feeling to it. Drove to church, and Dot and I played in the band, and I led prayers. Phil away because his dog was sick. Graham led and Carrie preached. She seems improved, health wise. Worryingly, Graham said he’d made some changes to the Alternative Carol Service. I hope he was joking, but he probably wasn’t. Afterwards had quite a long talk with Nikki and Marie-Lyse, while most people were sorting out the room to have lunch, which was a jacket potato. Don’t quite understand how people can eat the skins, but nearly everyone does.

Matt repaired a puncture for Phoebe, who turned out to be a fanatically keen worker when it came to cleaning and decorating the old church afterwards. Many others helped: Ray and I sorted out the stable with models, but no doubt that will be changed. Bit of concern because a lot of valuable stuff was left in the hall, but I think we had it all covered. Eventually I put all our stuff in the car and came back to get Dot and Ray, for Ray’s lift home. Lot of dust in the church – bit worrying, healthwise. Felt shattered in afternoon: watched a programme on the winter of 1947 and the football (that’s two programmes). After scrambled egg we watched another episode of Wolf Hall but also a first episode of Black Doves on Netflix – a spy thriller which is very promising. Also saw highlights of England cricket win over New Zealand. David and Chrissy FaceTimed at end of evening, and we discussed air fryers, among other things! 

Monday dawned cooler but largely dry, with occasional light showers. My mother’s birthday (see right). In the latish morning I drove up to the Rosary to put on her grave the flowers that Dot bought from the station yesterday. They looked really good. Branches across the cemetery revealed the recent windy weather. At midday we drove to Heigham Grove, where we had lunch with Ellie: roast pork and a lovely starter of avocado and smoked salmon. Afterwards talked and played cards – a game called karma which I lost resoundingly twice. This to the accompaniment of a couple of gasmen – old and young – engaged in establishing that her two gas fires were not powerful enough to require a flue by law. Success!

Lovely terrace house beautifully furnished. Sad that she will have to leave it soon (she is moving to Wales).  Drove home through rush-hour traffic and Dot was so tired that she lay on the couch and slept while I finished reading God’s own Gentlewoman: The Life of Margaret Pastor by Diane Watt, which would have been even more enjoyable if the author, her “wife” and three dogs had not kept intruding. Anyway, watched football before going to bed. Meanwhile Assad has been ousted from Syria and Israel has taken Mount Hermon, which gives it a good view.