Last Sunday (10th) was damp and cold. In the evening we drove to Lowestoft for Seagull poetry. Ian seemed a bit less than 100%. Quite a number there, including Lynne (bought her new book), Kaaren, Elizabeth, Ivor, Peter, Joan and her friend Bridget plus some others. Read five poems – Soil and Sea, Strathyre Honeymoon, Looking for Narnia, The Space Between and Underground – and had a look at refurbished theatre seats. Ian seemed quite down about church – diminishing congregations. Tortuous drive home behind people who thought 45-50 in 60 limit was perfectly reasonable. 

Monday was a bit overcast; not too cold. In the morning I drove to Dereham to drop off card, present and wine for Phil, who had just returned from doctor’s after blood test. Quite an easy drive, and a good conversation. Back for lunch. Dot went to Riverside shops in the afternoon and bought two pairs of shoes (one later returned) as well as some food. I had a look at my sermon for Sunday, but didn’t get far. Later watched some football, a programme about Henry VIII, and the last two episodes of Prisoner (Danish), which was pretty dark. Dot getting a bit of vertigo today, but has e-mailed doctor. Spoke to roofer next door, who said it would take another couple of days. Mary apologised for noise, but there hasn’t really been any. 

Tuesday was drab and damp, but fairly mild. Wrote quite a bit of my sermon for Sunday and looked at hymns. Dot lunched with Sue Eagle and Sandra in Swainsthorpe. In the evening Cake and Compline, with the Archers, Judy, Eleanor and Vicky. Claire was absent with a cold, and Phil was on his way to Provence for a holiday. Dot and I both felt under the weather – she with minor cold symptoms and me with tiredness and headache: possible recurrence of UTI or effect of blood thinners. Took paracetamol and was ok for C and C. 

Wednesday was dry and quite mild but dull. Bad day for both of us, healthwise. Dot had quite a bad cold and cancelled orchestra. I felt pretty lousy, but managed Bible study. However I decided against Halesworth poetry. Requested antibiotics for what I thought was a UTI, and had to go to surgery to provide a urine sample. Was expecting a call back in the afternoon, but nothing happened. As usual felt better in the evening, and we watched Howard’s End, a very good film. Too tired to do anything useful in the afternoon. 

Bit of sun on Thursday, and pretty mild. Kidney stones clinic rang over an hour late, but we had a short conversation, and he reassured me that my stones were very small, and there was no need to do anything except drink three litres of water a day(!) and have a day without meat or fish a week. I tried to find out what caused the original bleeding, but he said it might have been caused by the self-catheterisation, which would have been tricky as I hadn’t self-catheterised for years. He basically didn’t know. However, he said they were sure there wasn’t anything serious in the kidney. Didn’t feel as reassured as I might.

Later went to see Mike Read, who returned the chess articles he had borrowed. He has annotated a few of my games to go in En Passant! We also agreed to go out to see Owen and Kathy Hindle in April. When I got home I rang the surgery, who had no information on my urine sample and suggested I ring tomorrow afternoon. Finished my sermon and chose hymns. In the evening watched two-hour documentary on missing Malaysia flight. All very suspicious. Dot has not been particularly well but insists she’s getting better. I’m not too bad.

It’s a damp and rather dismal Sunday. Dot and I went to church as usual this morning. We played in the band, and she did the prayers. Afterwards we took Ray home – he wasn’t feeling too happy – and then had lunch. There had been a packet of flowers on the doorstep waiting for us when we got home – it was from David for Mother’s Day. He later FaceTimed us, and we had quite a long chat about a book he’s writing. I rang Ian Fosten to check the poetry session was on at Lowestoft this evening, and spoke to his wife, Bridget. It was.

Last Sunday (March 3) was dry and still fairly cold. David FaceTimed us then too, and we had a long talk about pictures for Diderot and one or two other things. Watched a lot of TV, finishing off Alice and Jack and watching Death in Paradise. Slight TV problem, but it was ok after I restarted the BT box. 

Monday was dry, and a bit chilly. Dot cleaned the house while I caught up with e-mails and a few other things. Still feeling tired and heady; ears under pressure. Amy started work at Whipsnade. In the afternoon Dot and I walked up to Castle Meadow for the “under streets” tour, starting from what used to be the old Ponds shoe shop. We were guided by Holly, who was brilliant, full of information. The “streets” themselves were not so impressive, but the history was. Afterwards we had tea and cake at Harriet’s tea shop until it closed (about 15 minutes), then walked home. In the evening we watched the final episode of Trigger Point, which was very clever, and rewatched the final episode of Alice and Jack on stream, because I realised the version on our BT box had somehow lost about 20 minutes. The whole thing was quite impressive, really: unusual. I wrote a poem inspired by it. Had a message from “David Kett” which was a scam trying to extract money. 

Tuesday ‘s weather was variable – sunny in the morning but overcast later. We drove to the Archant pensioners’ breakfast. In the absence of Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia, we sat at the “main table” and had our usual breakfast – quite crowded restaurant , other than in the Archant area. Spoke mainly to Bill, Richard and David Wakefield. Afterwards went to Morrisons for a fairly big shop: Dot got some unusual stuff for  a meal on Thursday with Kim and Kai. In the evening she went to PCC and I spent a couple of hours catching up and writing another poem.

Wednesday was quite warm in the sun as I walked up to the dentist – my appointment had been brought forward because my new crown had arrived. All went quite well despite my trepidation, but the £1300 bill seemed a lot for a half-hour appointment, which included repair of another tooth. Said goodbye to receptionist Alison, who is leaving at the end of the month, and walked up to Bonds, where Dot picked me up and took me to Bible study. I had expected to be late, but in fact we were on time. We looked at a booklet on the reliability of the New Testament and discussed some Aramaic comments on the first five verses of John. Quite helpful. Decided to switch to looking at John’s Gospel again, having got as far as the first five chapters of Revelation. Several thought it was hard going… which I could understand.

Dot stayed for Taizé, and I drove home. She got back (walking) just after 3pm and a bit later had a conversation with Anne on the phone. Later I drove Dot up to orchestra rehearsal. Bit chillier then. Cleared up and watched an episode of The Chosen that Judy and Dot had watched earlier. About the woman at the well, among other things. Extremely moving.

Thursday – Chilly but dry. Had skipped a day with blood thinner and felt better yesterday, but about lunchtime today it returned (I had taken blood thinner this morning). Dot went to chemist for pills and called at M&S on ring road, plus garden centre. Spent rest of day preparing for visit of Kai and Kim in the evening. I cleared up my room as well as helping Dot. Ben Price (Green. Party) called – must be an election soon. Bridget arrived at about 4.10 and did cleaning. At 6pm Kim and Kai arrived for supper. Dot did really nice meal. Lovely evening; cleared up and rather late in bed. 

Friday was quite a pleasant, dry day, but still pretty cold. Nevertheless Des, Chris, both Johns and for a while even Sarah joined us for our street meet, following which we ate up the remains of yesterday’s meal and much later FaceTimed both David and Oliver. Oliver’s presentation seems to have gone very well. Earlier Anne came round, and she and Dot went to the Cathedral refectory for a coffee while I tidied up. I have my room pretty well organised now. After lunch I did our regular charity giving and walked up to the post office to send some cheques. Sadly I seemed to be getting mild cold symptoms, almost entirely nasal. Dot has trouble with her head, foot and back. Nothing too serious, but annoying for her. 

Saturday – Sunny; quite pleasant, but with a chilly wind. Dot drove to Morrisons to pick up a bit of grocery while I cleared up. After lunch we walked to Carrow Road, picking up my ticket from Jonathan when we arrived. Great match – Norwich beat Rotherham 5-0 and moved into the play-off places. Watched rugby: England beat Ireland by a single point. In cricket England lost badly to India, 4-1. Feeling a bit better. 

Here we are at Sunday again (March 3) – still a bit chilly but dry, and almost in sight of spring. Just back from leading the service, with Carrie preaching, sort of off the cuff but pretty good. Congregation boosted by a family of five who I’d like to say were black, if that’s not racist. Very nice people, and they seemed to enjoy the service, though they arrived very early and had to sit around for quite a while, seeing as most of our congregation arrive within a minute or two of the start. Slight exaggeration, but not much…

A week ago, the heating at home was still playing up. Had long FaceTime chat with Amy and David, spending quite a bit of time exploring Diderot. Watched a bit of rugby highlights: Italy just missed beating France. Then Death in Paradise. Tongue hurt for some reason. 

Monday was very cold but dry. Early phone call from Carrie saying she was ill and could I go up to the hall in case A turned nasty (hasn’t been taking his medication). I was waiting for the gas man, but said I’d go later. Gas man (Barry) came almost immediately and fixed the problem as well as doing a service. Valve had apparently been adjusted before but needed replacing, which he did. Nice guy. Then the scaffolders arrived for next door and put scaffold up at the front of the house, but left before finishing because they had an “emergency”.

Dot went to Morrisons and I walked up to the church hall. A had already been and was refused entry by Debbie, much to his annoyance. I stayed for lunch, which was unusual and very nice – prepared by Addy (also black and lovely) in Carrie’s absence. Tuna cooked in pepper with potato, egg, cheese, courgette and salad, followed by large fruit salad. Had long talk with Steve, as well as with other men on our table. Dot picked me up around 2pm. We did clearing up for tomorrow and then watched quite a lot of TV, including new Danish noir, Trigger Point, Call the Midwife and the end of the Shuttle documentary: usual problem – aloof management, no flexibility. 

Tuesday – Still cold but dry. Roger and Debbie came round for lunch and stayed till after 6pm – so had a really good chat. I cooked chilli con carne, and Dot did a starter and bought tiramisu for sweet. More scaffolding went up round the back early on, disrupting arrivals at NWT.  Not much effect on our garden. In the evening watched a few things, including Jack and Alice, which has improved, and the film Robin and Marion, which was OK. Mouth seems ok, which was just as well as I was going to the dentist the next day. 

Wednesday was dry and not too cold. Not a very good night, but felt better at around 5pm. Also felt Dot’s head (vertigo) was better. Dot drove me up to dentist, where I discovered from Charlie that Alison was retiring next month. Then underwent long and uncomfortable removal of crown, and preparation for new one. Walked home and took paracetamol. Bridget round to clean. Dot went to Morrisons, then I helped her to repair the big mirror, which fell down off chest of drawers. She went to orchestra in the evening, and I wrote another poem. We then watched the end of The Challenger, about the space shuttle. Very good.

Thursday – Very wet all day, but not too cold Amy arrived with Vicky and Matt, who were staying at the Ship Inn at Mundesley. They went straight on and we had lunch; then I felt very tired and had to lie down. We watched a couple of things after that, including songs, and then walked up in light rain to the Ivy through the Close. Had lovely meal. I had duck liver parfait and then sirloin, both excellent. Good service as always. Waiter took pic and we sent it to Oliver, who had been in touch. Walked home by more direct route – still raining. Watched some songs, and I went to bed. Dot and Amy stayed up a bit. Earlier a meeting at St Augustine’s about gate locks ended unexpectedly well. We weren’t there, of course. 

Friday – wet in morning; dry rest of day. Very cold throughout. After late breakfast with Amy we all walked up to the Castle, where we looked at an exhibition of old industrial paintings of Norwich which included some interesting stuff on Caley’s and some fascinating films on driving through Norwich in 1950. Could remember a lot of it, especially a short lights-governed one-way section in Rampant Horse Street, and of course Stump Cross. Walked home and had late lunch, then instead of a street meet, because it was so cold, Des, Chris and John came round for drinks. Des got fish and chips for us, and Amy had a sausage. Then watched a film – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which was pretty good. Also a couple of episodes of Schitts Creek. I went to bed while Dot watched Gilmour Girls with Amy. 

Saturday – Not a great day healthwise. Two lots of paracetamol. Very unusual. Felt shivery and heady. Weather a bit less cold and mainly dry, but severe hail mid-afternoon. Chrissy’s birthday – Amy set up FaceTime with Canada. Had sent Chrissy chocs and two books. Before breakfast drove up to chemist to get pills, but it was shut! Kettle broke; so Dot drove to Morrisons to get new one. Amy and I watched F1 Bahrain while Dot went to football. Norwich beat Sunderland 1-0. Earlier Naomi  came round for football tickets. She looked well, but isn’t. She can’t eat anything at all at the moment. Arranged to play chess with her in a couple of weeks.

I cooked evening meal – salmon. Dot was going to go to her concert at St Stephen’s Church by taxi , but it failed to turn up (Courtesy Cars), so I drove her (with Amy) and then returned to find Vicky and Matt had arrived to pick Amy up – as anticipated – and as they were all getting into the car, the taxi arrived – over half an hour late. So I got the taxi to take me up to the concert, where Kim and Kai had been saving me a seat in the front row. Also there – Bridget, David and their goddaughter; Sue and Roger and two friends;  Neville; Graham. Spoke to Ros and Mary. Good concert, full house. Dot and I walked home – part of the way with Kim and Kai – and were pretty cold and tired when we got there, carrying violin and stand. Watched football and went to bed. 

Forgot to mention last time that I’ve just read Matthew Williams’ book on The Masterful Mr Collins – a former city engineer who transformed Norwich between 1890 and 1920. Very short but interesting – at least to someone who lives in Norwich. Last Monday (19th) was a bit cooler but dry. Spent most of the day writing four Parish Pump articles – on Bach, Byron, ABBA and Boko Haram.

Also went to Morrisons with Dot. Minor car crash at junction into shops complex, and police showed great restraint in not closing the road. Watched football and the second episode of Jack and Alice, a TV drama which is a bit strange. Thought it had finished today, but apparently not. Also watched a Panorama documentary on where Hamas gets its money, which was surprisingly balanced. 

Tuesday  was a bit windy but dry, and not too cold. Wrote piece for website on flooding in Norfolk and used ten-year- old flood poem linked loosely to an owl and Godfrey Sayers. Anna came to give Dot a violin lesson. In the evening we walked to the Greens’ for a DCC meeting: Graham, Howard, Jude, Debbie and Carrie there, but not Phil, who forgot. Wine from Howard. Quite a long meeting, mainly about safeguarding and community issues, plus finance. Carrie’s last DCC meeting, and she made the most of it… Jude gave us a lift home and we watched a programme about walking in the Peak District, with Bill Bailey and Alan Davies. Radiators very warm again, but everything off. Suspect erratic thermostat. 

Bad night. Had to get up in night to turn central heating off – again. Seemed OK on Wednesday , though. Bit of a miserable day, weather wise: very damp. Jude came round to watch an episode of The Chosen, and Dot and I then drove to church for Bible Study. Went reasonably well, but Dot had to leave halfway through to go to chiropodist – more work on her ingrowing toenail, which was a bit painful. Jude, Debbie, Stephen and Ellie  present. When we finished I walked home; didn’t seem too bad at first but got wetter and wetter.

Called in on Mary to see how they were, following a roof collapse in one of their bedrooms. They’re OK, but apparently they have to have the whole roof replaced, which might impact on us through scaffolding in our garden. Not quite sure how that’s going to work. After Dot arrived I had a bath because I was so wet and obviously having a bath would help. We did some puzzles afterwards, and in the evening I drove her up to orchestra rehearsal because her usual lift couldn’t get her there in time. Wrote a couple of poems, and she got a lift home. Watched first part of a documentary on the Columbia shuttle disaster. 

Thursday – Very wet, though it was fairly dry to start with, and Dot went up to Jarrold’s for a chin wax, having initially had doubts because her head was a bit dodgy. Went all right, though. However, she got very wet walking home (I had driven her up there), having bought cheese and  lingered in the White Company. Watched episode two of the Shuttle documentary and later rang up my cousin Barbara, who seems OK. Said I would go and see her soon. Monday? Bridget came and did cleaning. Watched How to Marry a Millionaire, which was brilliant except for a totally pointless, prolonged and tedious piece of orchestral music at the outset. Dot washed her foot and then did an exercise to put right her dizziness. 

Much better night, and Friday was pleasant, weatherise, with some blue sky. Quite chilly, though. Wrote another poem and fiddled about with the study, tidying things up and looking for talks I’ve done, so that I can make an offer to Bridget, who wants someone to talk to her church group. Found a couple of plays I’d written and can hardly remember. In the evening we met outside with Des, Chris, Jonathan and Matthew and talked with Mary for a few minutes after she got out of a taxi, Des suggesting that she ought to get a few quotes for her roof work. Very  cold weather; mashed potatoes were terrible, and the TV went wrong again. 

Saturday was coldish but not too cloudy. In the afternoon we went out and pruned the roses: earlier Dot had cleaned the front path and the patio while I did the prayers for tomorrow. The TV seems to have put itself right – watched quite a bit of rugby (Scotland beat England, and Ireland beat Wales). Dot listened to City drawing with Blackburn 1-1 away. Meanwhile the heating, which had been ok for several days, seems to have gone wrong again: think it’s the thermostat. Green Party want to hire church hall to talk about climate change. We voted against it, but I think everyone else is in favour. 

Today has been busy, and I haven’t been feeling that great. It’s been cold, too. Had to turn the heating off last night, which meant I had to get up early this morning and turn the boiler on. Now I’ve booked a service for tomorrow morning, when I hope the system will be put right. Had a bath, turned the heating off and drove to church. Not the smoothest music ever, but I think the prayers went OK. Afterwards moved the car to the end of Sussex Street and walked to Kim’s, where we had lunch. Felt very tired. Kai was also there and talked an awful lot, though he was quite entertaining and we had a good time, despite my feeling as if I was slipping downwards. After we got home I turned the heating on again, and now I feel better.

Up fairly early last Tuesday (13th) to turn boiler on. Gas man came about 10am and didn’t seem sure what the problem was. Reset the power switch on the utility room and by the end of the day it all seemed to be working normally, though Dot, in contrast, wasn’t: she had a problem with her ankle, especially when going downstairs.

Nevertheless, and in spite of very wet weather, we went to Carrow Road with Des and saw Norwich beat Watford 4-2. An odd game – very easy for City during first half hour, reaching 2-0, then losing confidence both sides of half time (2-2), then came back to win 4-2. Not sure why. Some kind of problem at Carrow Bridge afterwards – apparently woman on wrong side of safety fence. Earlier we had pancakes (it was Shrove Tuesday) and soup, but not in that order. Very tasty. Got an F F Bruce book on Kindle because I couldn’t  find my copy, and researched NT documents, then started work on sermon. Sent quotes to Oliver and Amy. Feeling better on the whole. 

Wednesday’s weather was not bad: fairly mild and mostly dry.  Jude came round in the morning, and we watched another episode of The Chosen with her: brilliant as usual – neither Dot nor I intended to watch it, but we couldn’t tear ourselves away. As a result we had to rush a bit to get to church: Jude gave me a lift again. Discussed the New Testament documents – how reliable they are and when they were written. Couldn’t find my copy of The New Testament Documents by F F Bruce; so downloaded it on Kindle. It was very helpful. Debbie didn’t make it, but Ellie, Steven, Jude and Dot did. Leanne apologised – she had an appointment. As usual I drove home and Dot stayed for Taizé and then walked, despite her painful foot. Apparently it was OK while she was walking.

Amy FaceTimed while we were watching The Chosen; so we FTd her back later, while she was cooking some Valentine’s Day sweet thing. She has got the job she wanted at Whipsnade and was clearly feeling very perky. We were really pleased but not surprised. Had quite a chat with her. Dot did some more practising, then we had a Valentine’s Day meal – steak followed by strawberries. Not bad. Then she went to orchestra rehearsal, which was switched to Nolan school because St Mary Magdalene was being used; so she drove herself, and gave a lift to Nova (from Hong Kong), who turned up on time against the odds. Dot had quite an interesting conversation with her. I read some of LeGuin and a piece by Keiron Pim in the London Review of Books, which was excellent. Before going to bed we watched an episode of Silent Witness. 

Thursday’s mild and dry, but we didn’t really take advantage of it. Finished sermon, based on one from 2015. Mike Read came round to look up some old chess games, and eventually I took him home with a crate full of all my old stuff – cuttings and games. Bit risky, but better he has them than they just get thrown out. He says he’ll return them. Dot spent a little time in the garden, but her foot is still giving her a bit of trouble. Nevertheless while Bridget was here she walked to the shop. Offered to pick her up, but she walked back. Decided to have a go at sorting out my urinary tract naturally. Dot bought some cranberries and I started using probiotics. Already take loads of Vitamin C. On the evening finished watching After the Flood, which was excellent except for the cop-out ending, And Trigger Point, which is just tension on tension. 

Friday was overcast but dry; not too cold. Linda did our hair: Dot had highlights. I then had a bath and finished The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin. Quite a clever book focussing on different kinds of communities. After lunch we visited my aunt and took some flowers: She was pleased but clearly uncomfortable (physically) and we had to get someone to take her  to the loo. This involved a hoist; so we left. Gave her a couple of our photo books, one of Switzerland; one of Orkney.  Then went to the Robinsons with more flowers. Philip was coherent but a little hard to follow. Had tea and biscuits. Later we had street meet with Des, Chris, Matt and John, followed by fish and chips. Watched Two Way Stretch, an old film that was very funny. 

Saturday was fairly mild and dry most of day, but very wet in the evening. Got a call from Carrie early on explaining why she hadn’t replied to my emails. She’s been very busy as usual. After lunch Dot, Des and I went to the football (Jonathan was ill) and enjoyed Norwich beating Cardiff 4-1 after going 1-0 down. Felt pretty well apart from some soreness in urethra. Don’t think I have UTI.

Sunday’s weather was a bit mixed. Started off very wet after overnight rain, but some dry periods later. Went to church and played in music group, then gave sermon which most people seemed to like, although Matt and Phil didn’t seem keen on the supernatural elements. Ellie asked me to send a copy! Carrie gave me a book on the saints from Phyllis’s house. After lunch Dot and I drove to Lessingham via very flooded roads to see exhibition on Happisburgh. Lots of old photographs – many of them illustrating increasing erosion.

Had cake and tea, then drove on to Happisburgh, where we had a short walk to edge of cliff and I fell over – not over the cliff, fortunately, but over a gate that was lying on the ground. Not hurt, just made trousers muddy. Drove home and watched a bit of TV. Later David FaceTimed us and we had a long talk about football and government, among other things. Dot’s foot seems a lot better.

Last Thursday (8th) was wet and overcast. Quite cold. Second lot of antibiotics, and after bath felt totally exhausted; couldn’t stop yawning and had to lie down for quite a while. Bridget came round to do some cleaning – she was a bit down; so we had to cheer her up. I chose some hymns for Sunday and lay down again while Bridget did some cleaning and Dot get ready to go up to Jarrolds. Sh left just after 5pm: it was one of this evenings with special offers: Bridget drove up after she’d finished and joined Dot for a meal. I made myself sild on toast and felt a bit better. Dot and Bridget had good time: Dot bought me a sweater and cheese. 

Friday was quite damp and mainly grey, but the odd bit of blue sky – and it was dry enough at 5.30 for us to meet in the street: Des (Chris had a bad cold), Mark, Jonathan, John for a few minutes and Ciara, plus Matt and Angela. Earlier had a brief but meaningful chat with Michael about near-death experience. We’d stayed in bed quite late – both of us – I was still feeling effects of antibiotics.  Read quite a bit of Ursula K LeGuin’s The Dispossessed. In the afternoon went to Morrisons and after seeing Des in car park we went for the wine offer, which went wrong and we got in a complicated sort-out with a nice guy on customer services. Later had a long FaceTime conversation with Amy on various topics including food and make-up. She looked very well. Saw last two episodes of The Chosen in Series 3. Still impressive. 

Saturday’s weather was not inspiring, but we walked down to the Nelson to look at the exhibition giving details of construction plans. Just in time – they started taking it down while we were looking at it. Seems quite good though: I think Dot’s attack of diarrhoea was coincidental. Felt pretty ropey most of the day, but better towards evening. Norwich drew 2-2 with QPR away, and Scotland would have beaten France at rugby if they’d had a decent referee. In the evening watched Living – a brilliant film starring Bill Nighy. Beautifully directed and highly recommended. On Amazon Prime. Afterwards Jonathan dropped off tickets for next Tuesday. Naomi is in hospital and not at all well. Amy has got on to her course at Southampton. 

Sunday – If it’s not one thing, it’s another. My UTI seems to be clearing up, but now we have another central heating problem – or probably the same one again. The system wouldn’t turn off and we had very hot radiators, despite my turning the boiler off and opening a couple of windows. So it was a warm night. It’s been a mainly dry day, fairly cool (outside). Went to church this morning and managed to do the new version of Amazing Grace to end with. Went quite well. Discussion with Anna about Phyllis’s estate – bit worried about the way she filled in a form for stonemason… Missed the refreshments. Howard was supposed to lead service but didn’t: Graham did. Dot had long and convoluted discussion with Debbie about Taizé. Spent most of the day watching TV because we were tired, but had a good conversation on FaceTime with David. Also read a bit – LeGuin book very interesting, sociologically speaking. 

Yesterday was sunny but with a chilly north wind. Dry. Juggled with heating to get house at reasonable temperature and booked gasman to come tomorrow morning (which he did, but am not totally convinced he has sorted it out). Wrote to solicitor after yesterday’s conversation with Anna, and later dropped off signed document re Probate. This was part of a walk with Dot up through the Close. After drop-off we called in at the Refectory for tea and doughnut (great jam) and bumped into Graham Drake. Walked home, but Dot went further, down to Riverside and lingered in Boots. Earlier I had driven up to chemist’s to get statins: all went smoothly. Took last antibiotic pill – feeling better. In the evening we took Jude to Claire’s for Cake and Compline (Phil and Eleanor had family commitments) and we had a really good evening. Claire did pancakes, and there was a nice loving feeling all round. House was coldish when we got back, but we went straight to bed with a hot water bottle. 

Saturday (3rd) was fairly mild, with a few drops of rain. Walked with Dot to Carrow Road, then back along the river. Norwich beat Coventry 2-1. Back home, I watched Ireland beat France at rugby. Good game. Had stopped taking two pills (blue and red) because they seem irrelevant and I suspect they were making me feel ill. FaceTime with David in the evening: talked about memories of Yelverton and environs. Watched another episode of The Chosen. Very moving. 

On Sunday it became a bit windier but mainly dry. Went to church in the morning and played in music group: did a song requested by Carrie, with Steve leading – it went surprisingly well, and Ray said he liked it! Carrie preached a very good sermon. Spent most of the day watching TV, and feeling pretty rotten. Cooked pies for supper. Oliver FaceTimed us, and we had quite a long chat. After watching Death in Paradise (new series) I felt a bit better. Funny, that.

Monday was dull, becoming windier. Dot drove me to the dentist’s in the morning – bit of a headache, but felt better than I had during the night, when I took the two tablets I had discontinued and also paracetamol. Dentist took out one of my teeth (top left) after quite a struggle, during which he was at pains to reassure me that it was all “normal”. Dot picked me up, and I rested most of the afternoon (more paracetamol, as advised). Not much to eat rest of the day – a banana and a couple of boiled eggs. Watched another episode of The Chosen and various other things – Silent Witness, a documentary on Blencathra, football and Trigger Point, a bomb thriller. Not feeling too bad. 

Yesterday was windy but not too cold. Dry till late afternoon, but lots of rain in the evening. Dr Hampsheir rang me unexpectedly just after 8am, while I was making tea, to ask how the removal of my catheter had gone.  It soon transpired he was working from a hospital letter dated October 31st: I had had a catheter inserted and removed twice since then – and had an operation. Amazing: still, he’s a nice guy and anxious to help. He ended up writing a prescription for antibiotics because we thought I might have a UTI. I think he’s right. He also said there was no real need to take the blue bladder tablets. We’ll see.

Later we drove to the Town House for our monthly Archant breakfast. My mouth was fine, and I had the usual meal. Tricia was there, but not Brian, or Jenny Downing, who I believe is quite ill. Peter F and David Newham also put in an appearance.

After lunch Phil and Joy came over, and I took them up to their solicitor’s in KIng Street, then picked them up again an hour later. We then had a cup of tea and biscuits till about 4.30pm, which went very well. Feeling a bit under par, but not too bad. Spent most of evening watching television , including an old adaptation of a book by Vita Sackville West – All Passion Spent. Deleted an otherwise promising comedy drama series because of genuinely offensive language (about Jesus). I have never done that before.

Today has been very busy, as Wednesdays often are. It’s been a bit overcast, but dry and not too cold: however, rain is forecast and snow elsewhere in the country, apparently zeroing in on our favourite sports, namely (in this case) Corwen and Buxton – and almost certainly Ballater too. Judy came round to watch an episode of The Chosen, then she took me to church, where I led a Bible study (Steven, Debbie, Judy, Ellie): Dot turned up before we started. Went reasonably well, but drifted off on to historical queries which I said I would look up for next time.

Afterwards I drove home and Dot stayed for meditation and Taizé. Got myself some fried potatoes and toast and set fire to the hob (very briefly), then drove to chemist to pick up antibiotics to combat the rumoured UTI. Went smoothly. Dot went to café after church and then walked home. I did some clearing up, and did quite a lot more when she went to orchestra rehearsal in the evening. Sorted out the drawers in the bedroom and also did a bit in the bathroom. Quite tired afterwards.

We’d had soup for supper, interrupted briefly by Harriet, who called and had a cup of tea. We were watching the last episode of All Passion Spent (very good , incidentally), and she mentioned that her grandmother had been part of the Bloomsbury set of whom the author of APS (Vita Sackville West) was a part. She had, too – we looked her up later.

Sunday (28th) was dry and much calmer, with a bit of sun. Drove to church  – Candlemas – and gave sermon. Went quite well. Didn’t play in music group. Good congregation. Afterwards took Ray home, then watched football on TV. Norwich lost 5-2 to Liverpool in FA Cup. David FaceTimed, and we had longish chat.  Wanted to watch Vera but were disappointed that it had finished; so watched Wilderness documentary instead, on Patagonia, marred as usual by climate alarmism. Then the same thing on BBC news as usual. Apparently it’s the warmest January day in the history of the universe. Or Kinlochewe, anyway. 

Monday’s weathers quite pleasant: dry and relatively mild. We drove to North Walsham and bought some flowers from Sainsbury’s, then put them on graves: it was Dot’s mum’s  birthday. Afterwards drove to Gunton Arms and had a drink and sandwich (Dot was driving). Very pleasant. Then called at Erpingham to see Rosie’s grave. Also looked in church –  nice.  On way home felt more and more tired. Started watching football highlights, and Amy FaceTimed. Felt totally shattered. After we spoke to Amy I lay down upstairs. Eventually read the rest of my book (The Return of the God Hypothesis – very good, disposing of Dawkins and Hawking), with Dot reading her book in bed beside me. Had very late meal – salmon with bread and butter – and watched Call the Midwife and Silent Witness. Earlier Roger Mason rang and had a conversation with Dot while I cleared up and put bins out. 

Tuesday was not such a nice day. Very overcast, much cooler and with occasional drizzle. Caught up with e-mails in the morning. Got two books from Kristine as a Christmas present – both by Meister Eckhart. After lunch drove to the Rosary and put flowers on the three graves as well as telling a guy he shouldn’t be walking his dog there. He ignored me. Had a rest before lunch and then cooked some lamb chops , which weren’t so great. Afterwards I drove Dot up to the theatre – again – where she went with Kim to see an Agatha Christie play. I wrote a poem and cleared up. She walked home. Apparently it was cold in the theatre and hard to hear. 

Wednesday was very cold. Woke early and got up ready for nurse (Katy) to remove my catheter. She arrived around 9am and did the deed, which was very easy. Not much coming out for the rest of the day, which made me a little nervous, but it turned out OK. We went to Morrisons to stock up on food, which was fine. In the afternoon Paul H came round for a chat, and later Bridget to do the cleaning. Had long conversation with the Evetts and made a date for going to Buxton – March 19, if I remember rightly. In the evening Dot went to orchestra rehearsal. 

Thursday was quite a pleasant day, though still chilly. Dry. In the morning drove to Helen and Chris’s for a sugar collection celebration. Not too many of us, which was good. Sue and Roger there, plus Louise and the two Americans. Good chat, some fizz and some lovely food – so much that we took some home and finished it at the end of the day. Started watching Trigger Point –  very exciting. Cooked some breast of lamb that yielded very little lean but tasted delicious.

Walked up to Vue, where we met Eleanor and Kim and watched the first two episodes of Series 4 of The Chosen. Excellent. Had a little to eat afterwards and did some newspaper puzzles together. Actually did more than 5000 steps today – first time over 4500 for weeks. Possibly for that reason woke up halfway through night with severe cramp in foot – had to go and sit in the loo for about 15 minutes to straighten it out. 

Friday was a pleasant day, though cold. Street meet in evening with Des, Chris, Mark, John, Jonathan, Matt and Angela. Fish and chips. Watched a couple of episodes from Series 3 of The Chosen. Dot’s head funny. I had a bad night: not sure why. Red wine?

Pretty annoyed by Notes feature, which deleted my last three days of diary for some unknown reason. It is now (at time of writing) Burns Night (Thursday), and three days after my operation. Have been feeling extremely tired the last couple of days, but paracetamol eased the situation today, and while Dot has been at the theatre I wrote part of my sermon for Sunday. Earlier I also sent out a rota. 

I drove her there after Bridget had done the cleaning, and Dot and I had meat balls for supper. David picked up Bridget, and they went off to celebrate Burns Night, though David didn’t know that when he left. Earlier Dot had driven to Alburgh and picked up a cake for Bridget: the usual spectacular confection by Marion. 

Lucy rang: as always she is in far worse a state than me, with a kidney infection. 

Yesterday (Wed) Dot drove me to the doctor’s, where I left my hospital letter for Dr Hampsheir and picked up a reserve specimen jar. Afterwards we went to Morrisons for some food, which was probably a bit much for me, as I had to go and lie down for a while. In the evening Dot went to orchestra rehearsal, and David FaceTimed me. We had a long and very interesting chat on books, infrastructure and technology. At some point earlier the community nurses rang me (after I had got in I touch earlier) and arranged to take my catheter out next Wednesday, which could be worse. 

Have had a couple of baths with catheter in. No problem. Harriet came round and knocked a bit off the front door, which I eventually managed to replace. I also managed to get the washing machine going again: had turned off the input water by mistake a few days earlier when trying to stop the sink tap dripping.

On Tuesday, the day after the op, I felt more or less OK. The weather was dreadful; so we stayed in. Sorted out night bag etc and responded to loads of inquiries as to my health. I have read quite a bit of Return of The God Hypothesis, a science book that is very interesting but quite dense at times. I guess other things happened on Tuesday, but I can’t remember what they were. Dot has just arrived home – she walked from the theatre because the weather was quite benign. 

Friday – Quite pleasant weather, though windy. Plenty of blue skies. Felt a bit grotty after bath, but again much better towards the end of the day. Dot walked into city and bought a toaster while I did a bit more of my sermon. Then charging connectors and Vitamin C arrived from Amazon, and Dot got back just in time to drive me up to the chemist’s to pick up my pills. Bit of a queue, but mainly because of customers’ ineptitude. Bit cold for street meet and Des and Chris away, but invited Mark and Sarah over, plus John. Had good discussion. Afterwards had pizza and watched third episode of After the Flood – quite good thriller – and a bit of Michael Portillo walking South-West path. 

Saturday – Wind dying down: not too cold. Dry. Fixed bathroom sink and finished my sermon. Ray rang – also Kim, who’s in London but wanted me to book tickets to see The Chosen series 4 at Vue next Thursday, which I did. Watched Ipswich lose 2-1 to non-League Maidstone in FA Cup (second half), cooked venison steaks and did big crossword in Telegraph, which was quite satisfying. Watched film Mean Girls, which was good, especially the first half. 

Yesterday (January 22) was much warmer than recently, in the aftermath of a storm that was far worse elsewhere in the UK. Bit stormy for me too – my long anticipated cystoscopy took place under general anaesthetic. Dot took me to hospital, and the preamble took about three hours, during most of which nothing happened. I was first of the three in our room to be operated on. Seemed to go ok, but I now have a catheter again – for a week. Sounds familiar. No pain yet, but we’ll see. Everyone involved was helpful. Got some input from the surgeon afterwards. He sounded confident.

While I was in the Arthur South Day Care Centre, where it all took place, I wasn’t able to contact Dot, and as it got towards the end of the afternoon, she became a bit worried. However she eventually got a call and I was picked up. Felt more or less OK during the evening, much of which was spent letting people know I was still alive, after David FaceTimed and we had a long chat. This morning I am a bit uncomfortable, but everything seems to be working. However, I had the second of two very bad nights. Couldn’t stay asleep.

On Wednesday just over a week ago (17th) it was pretty cold, but nothing compared to the Highlands, where it was reportedly minus 14, or Ontario, where I’m told it was minus 25. Dot got back from church before 3.30pm and in the evening was at orchestra rehearsal while I did some clearing up. We had chicken, which wasn’t very impressive. Can’t remember the last time I cooked chicken I liked, unless it was roast. Haven’t been feeling too great today, but as usual better in the evening. Never managed to get any response from the hospital.

Thursday was still very cold, with a few spots of snow. As always, felt much better in the evening than the rest of the day. Wrote a piece for my website and have also written another poem, which is encouraging. Idea for another one, too, based on the second half of a brilliant documentary on buffalo, which we’ve just seen. Also enjoying a new TV thriller called After the Flood. Earlier on Leanne and Nikki came round for refreshments. Had a good chat, and I drove Leanne home and Nikki to pick up her daughter from school. They both had a very hard upbringing but are really inspiring. Dot bought food for our party tomorrow, and as an experiment I cooked some lightly smoked salmon, which turned out really nice.

Friday was cold again, but dry. Linda came round late morning to cut our hair, and in the afternoon we prepared for our party, which turned out to be very successful. No one wanted to go home, and we didn’t get to bed till midnight after clearing up. Present: Des and Chris, Mark and Sarah, Jonathan, Sean, Ciara, Phoebe, Matt, Mary. Angela is in Scotland and Bob has a bad cold. Dot did some lovely food. I supervised the heating up and helped serve drinks. Some really good conversation.

Saturday too was cold, and windier. Somebody has left a jacket at ours, but I don’t know who. Dot went to football with Des: I didn’t feel like sitting in the cold, which is ironic, because I later had tingling in my nostrils and was worried about my op. While Dot was out, Kim came round and we had a good talk about her difficulties and mine. She is constantly on the move and is heading north again soon. City beat West Brom 2-0, which made Dot very happy. While she was out I put the extra chairs in the garage, emptied the bins and cleared up generally. Watched a bit of light TV in the evening.

Sunday was less cold but becoming very windy and wet. Gave Ray and Heather a lift to church this morning. Nice service led by Liz C, and “sermon” by Heather. Had to rush off afterwards to George Hotel off Mount Pleasant for winter lunch with CNS survivors. Long wait for food but very good: sat with Tony F, Peter B and Neville and Mary. Did quite badly in Norwich quiz. Excellent talk by optician. Home around 5pm – felt quite tired. Bridget called in to pick up her car. Watched football, something about the Thames floods of 1928 and then Vera. David FaceTimed – encouraging messages from many others for op.