Pretty busy week. Today Dot went to visit a school at Tasburgh and I walked up to church (with my guitar on my back – a first) to help Phil practise guitar with Matt on piano. We did quite a lot (90 minutes), including a lot of ceilidh music. Dot arrived for the last half hour or so and joined in. I think we sounded pretty good! Earlier on the way up I bumped into Rob and Penny, and we had a quick chat.

Later Dot walked up to the dentist because she broke a bit off her front tooth yesterday. They fitted her in immediately, and it’s all sorted at a cost of £200. We went on the street for a drink and chat at 5.30, and Des bought us some fish and chips – first time for months I’ve dared to have them. Meanwhile I think I’ve finished my sermon for Sunday, we’ve watched Death in Paradise (good) and a bit of West Side Story, which as far as I’m concerned is pretty awful, and we’ve just finished chatting to David on FaceTime about days gone by. The Murrays were visiting them.

Last Sunday was very cold but dry. Went to church, and it was extremely cold inside. Wore three layers plus anorak and had my hood up, except when I was doing prayers. Everyone in masks but me. Simon Stokes preached – good as usual. Debbie/Carrie were complaining afterwards about old hymns (picked by Martin) – I can see what they mean, up to a point. Spoke to David on FT – children Ok. Watched a lot of TV – Around the World in 80 Days (brilliant), The Green Planet (Attenborough irritating, but good photography), Call the Midwife (just the right side of twee most of the time) and The Tourist (very weird but compelling).

Monday was cold and dry again. Dot went to Brooke in the morning, then discovered the head had cancelled it. Meanwhile I sorted out a compline for tomorrow and copied some liturgy for church (some pages keep going missing). Later Dot picked up coats from cleaners and bought a new, rather nice mustard-coloured one for herself from Go Outdoors. Have halved my dose of beta-blockers and started taking my blood pressure, which turns out to be low (101/69 tonight). Remembered my mother’s blood pressure was very low – maybe it’s why I feel so cold all the time. Watched a lot of TV again – including You’ve Got Mail, in which Meg Ryan is superb: you can see what she’s thinking. Also a couple of episodes of Hidden Assets, which continues to be excellent, the first episode of Trigger Point, a bomb disposal thriller that’s highly promising, and the final episode of Only Connect. E M Forster would have been proud.

Tuesday was very cold again, but dry and still. No sun. In the afternoon walked with Dot up to the Ear Care Centre and had my wax vacuumed out in roughly 5 minutes. Cost £55. She walked home, but I arrived not much later. In the evening Eleanor came round and we went to Judy’s for Cake and Compline. All there except Claire. After arriving home we watched a really good documentary on T S Eliot (Sky Arts). Earlier we watched The Responder, about a street-level policeman set in Liverpool. Not over-impressed. 

Wednesday was brighter and not quite so cold. Dot had a DSSO meeting at the Showground, and I walked up to the Maids Head for a chat with Paul Dickson, who may publish my Princess book.He was also interested in my poems – very encouraging. Have sent him Houseago and Little. Wrote part of sermon and chose hymns for Sunday. Drove Dot to orchestra at St Mary Magdalene because parking there is at a premium, and picked her up afterwards. Watched Part Two of The Responder, which was better, and a documentary on Jay Blades learning to read, which was very interesting. Saw photographer Denise Bradley In the Maids Head; she seemed pleased to see me.

Thursday was Sheila’s funeral: requiem mass at North Walsham RC Church. Arrived in NW early, bought flowers in Sainsburys, put some on graves and took a lovely bunch to the church and handed them to the funeral directors. Dot was nervous about reading the lesson but eventually checked with the priest, who was very nice. I found her a Bible at the back of the church. Very large family gathering, plus friends: church was pretty full. Walked to cemetery afterwards with Dot and got there before anyone else except funeral directors and priest.

Fortunately the weather was good, mainly sunny but with a chilly wind. After the burial we walked to the Shambles restaurant for the wake. Very nice buffet. Spoke to quite a few people – Bridgett didn’t come to the wake because the sisters don’t get on.  Don’t know why. At Shambles spoke to Diane Velhagen (NW heritage person), Annabelle (friend of Martin Kirby),  plus Sheila’s sister and her husband, and some others. Got back home (via Spixworth road) before Bridget the cleaner was picked up by David. In the evening watched The Bay and Screw (both very good). Am feeling quite a bit better on lower beta blockers, and blood pressure is good too.

Monday was cold but walkable. Got quite a lot done, including booking a windscreen job and booking an e-consult with the surgery.  Also worked out another six-week rota for church. In the evening we watched a really good new Irish-Belgian thriller called Hidden Assets and another episode of the excellent The Tourist. 

Tues was not quite so cold. Wrote two articles for Parish Pump. Went for walk with Dot to Rosary. Felt very tired on return – in fact not particularly well all day. Dot took clothes up to cleaners before walk. Paul Dickson liked my Lost Princess story, and I’m meeting him next week to talk about it. Watched Remains of the Day, which was superb but very sad. Then a bit of a documentary on why ships crash, which was unexpectedly interesting..  

It was dry but quite windy on Wednesday, and therefore very chilly. Saw the end of the above-mentioned documentary, but before that the guy from Autoglass came to replace  my windscreen, which he did in about an hour. Impressive expertise. Cost me £75 excess on my insurance, but very pleased to have it done. After lunch we drove to Morrisons, and Dot and I went for a walk round behind Carrow Road before doing the shopping. She walked home. Later Teresa rang up to talk about the funeral – Dot will be doing a reading.

Watched several episodes of Only Connect, and I got one question right that no-one else did. Needless to say I got everything else wrong. The council at last picked up the recycling and I think dumped my non-recycling rubbish in with it. Great news on the national front: all Covid restrictions ending in a week’s time. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and I played through En Passant chess games. Have booked an ear appointment; still feeling very cold. Finished Saving Einstein – bit hard going at times, but lots of fascinating information. 

Thursday was cold and showery. Stayed indoors, but Dot walked up to get her watch with its new battery from Dipples, who unexpectedly reduced the price from £50 to £35. Bridget came to clean. Watched last two episodes of  Rules of the Game, which was an industrial thriller well acted but in a singularly unattractive urban setting, beset with wind farms and electricity pylons. Am reading a book on Leonard Cohen’s mystical lyrics. Managed 4500 steps indoors.

Yesterday (Friday) was very cold again, but dry. Norwich beat Watford 3-0 away, but NOW tv wasn’t working; so we had to put up with Chris Goreham. Floodlights failed for ten minutes when we were 1-0. Sargent scored twice – both excellent goals. NO doubt invigorated by birth of his child. Earlier Dot walked up to city to buy bereavement cards and trousers, and I walked to the Rosary via Cotman Road, then home through the cemetery. Over 6000 steps today.

Doctor rang for consult in the morning and agreed to cut my beta blockers by half as an experiment. Later the receptionist rang and booked me in for a blood test, which I was very pleased about. Des and Chris came over for drinks instead of standing in the street, which was nice. Watched Death in Paradise after the match.

Today is sunny and cold. Got a text message saying my pills were ready at about 12.15. So Dot and I drove up to get them, and then went for walk in Harrison’s Wood. After lunch we read for quite a long time. This evening we watched A View to a Kill, which must be one of the best Bond films.

Well, it’s not getting much warmer, although it’s a mite chillier in Ontario: David has just FaceTimed with huge amounts of snow in the background. None of that here, but we’re getting some sun, and today I noticed that the afternoons were getting longer, as far as the light is concerned. I went out for a walk too, up to the Rosary, after Dot had done an earlier solo walk down by the river, to buy a new bobble hat from the Carrow Road shop to commemorate Norwich’s recent win over Everton.

While she was doing that I was e-consulting my surgery, and am now expecting ca all from them some time on Friday, because I threatened to stop taking my beta blockers, which I suspect are making me cold and achy. I also rang up Autoglass, who are coming to fix my car windscreen on Wednesday. Before doing my e-consult I also did another lateral flow test, just in case.

Our vicar now has Covid, though mildly. He posted on Facebook warning people to test every day, because he had had several negative tests before getting his positive one. I guess that’s fine if you’re determined to get it. Worrying how many people thought that was a good idea.

Anyway, last Thursday was sunny and cold. In the afternoon Sean came round to try out an old cassette on our machine, but it was quite muffled. As a result I played a very clear The Lion and Albert to Bridget, who came round to clean, and David, who came to pick her up. In the evening we watched a new series of The Bay, and Screw, a very good series set in a prison. Excellent characters. 

Friday was very cold, but sunny. Had a haircut in morning, followed by a bath. Felt quite ill most of the afternoon: stomach felt wrong, shivery and my head was swimmy, with lots of popping. Took paracetamol, which helped a bit. Dot thought it was the beta blocker, but I wasn’t so sure. However, I’m now giving it a shot. Anne came round for a couple of hours, then I went out for drinks on the street while Dot went to Morrisons. Des brought her fish and chips: I had kipper and leeks. Watched the film Rita, Sue and Bob too, which was funny but quite odd: think I liked it more than Dot did. Then Death in Paradise. 

Felt rotten on Saturday morning after a bad night and took a Covid test, but it was negative. Went back to bed and got a little more sleep while Dot practised violin. After lunch she went to the match with Matt and Amanda: Norwich beat Everton 2-1. After doing a number of things, I had a bath. In the evening was well enough to go for a meal with Des and Chris – curry-centric. Very nice too. Felt full and tired, but much better than earlier.

Sunday was very cold but dry. Not walking weather, especially as I still don’t feel right (though not as bad as Friday). Went to church in the morning, and I gave a sermon I did almost exactly 20 years ago. Well received. Dennis, a new member of the congregation, then gave a mini-sermon during news time. Carrie was leading. Only 13 there. Had longish FT with David in the afternoon, mainly on politics. Suggested he wrote a book. Glad to hear that Amy is apparently much better. Watched a lot of TV, including football, The Green Planet, Around the World in 80 Days (which is brilliant) and Vera. 

The last couple of days have been refreshingly sunny, and we’ve taken advantage by going for walks. I’ve just got back from a walk up the Close, past the Adam & Eve and home by the riverside path. I dropped Dot off at the Refectory to see Janet Bower, and she is now returning by the riverside path. Meanwhile, I’ve had a bath, during which the window cleaner turned up, though happily not in the bathroom.

Last Friday was cold too, but not so inviting. I didn’t go out, partly because I wasn’t feeling too good, but Dot did manage a longish walk. Afterwards we had curry and Christmas pudding (not simultaneously) and then watched Death in Paradise. David FaceTimed and we walked about Sheila’s recent death, among other things.

Saturday was miserable: cold, wet and windy, and very dark too. Dot posted a card in the morning and came back exhausted. Fortunately we’re both feeling rather better after a long sleep. Spoke to Phil K  on the phone – he was in A& E for hours with blood in his urine, but the doctor thinks it’s the after-effects of his operation, and he’s back home on antibiotics. Dot had a longish conversation with Teresa, and I caught up with e-mails and other things, such as editing pictures. Walked 4500 steps indoors, and made the evening meal – salmon and fruit salad, again not simultaneously. Finished watching Friends – a disappointing ending, with Rachel lumbered with pathetic Ross. Watched I’m All Right Jack (1959), which was pretty good, and some FA Cup football.

Sunday was sunny but pretty cold. Went to church: Liz leading and Graham preaching. Played guitar – went quite well. Still most people wearing masks, and a window open, but bearable. Rhianna came, but I didn’t recognise her (mask). After lunch listened to Norwich City beating Charlton 1-0 in the Cup. Dot cleaned out a couple of cupboards and cooked blackberry and apple crumble. Then watched Heavens Above! – a very good film that lost its way a bit. Watched Around the World and a couple of Christmas University Challenge episodes. Another long talk with David on FaceTime. 

Monday was cold but dry. Did quite a longish walk with Dot down the riverside path and round the back of Carrow Road. Bought a new beard trimmer from Boots on the way back. Other than that, quite a quiet day. Watched Vera (a new series), the next episode of The Tourist, and Call the Midwife. Started reading the new Leonard Cohen book that Kristine gave us. 

Tuesday was wet, cold,  grey and miserable. Stayed in. Odd day. Received Cley Smokehouse stuff and some kippers from Amazon, within seconds of each other. Submitted some tanka to The Bamboo Hut. Had a phone call from Mike Read. Managed to walk 4000 steps, sorted out sermon (recycled) for Sunday, and hymns. Caught up with e-mails and watched quite a bit of TV, including several episodes of University Challenge, a Norwegian thriller (first episode) called The Outlier and a new home-grown drama called Rules of the Game. 

Yesterday was sunny, but cold. Wine arrived. Went for walk with Dot after lunch – part of tree trail. Met a guy called James who was clearing gutters at St Peter Hungate. Interesting chat. Bumped into Anna, who leaves for Mexico tomorrow. Dot stayed in town to do shopping, and I went home. Over 7000 steps. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and Norwich lost 2-0 to West Ham away, though apparently they played quite well. Healthwise a bit of a mixture: sometimes felt really ill, but most of the time OK. 

All very strange today. I haven’t been feeling too well for the last few days, and have just sent off a Covid test, though I’m pretty sure I haven’t got it. In fact, I fluctuate – some of the time I feel OK, and then I feel pretty awful for a bit. Still, it doesn’t stop me doing things. Most of today I’ve been editing Karen Smyth’s Paston project evaluation, which is 95 pages long and, come to think of it, might be making me feel ill. Still, nothing compared to Dot’s lovely Aunt Sheila, who died this afternoon in hospital, aged in her early 90s. Quite peaceful, apparently. We didn’t see her often, but we’ll miss her. Teresa rang to let us know.

Earlier I finished reading The Snowdonia Killings, which was pretty exciting and a very easy read. Today is cold but dry: yesterday was cold too, with rain later in the day. Felt quite bad at different times, but especially after having a bath late afternoon. This was after posting my Covid test in the rain. Earlier Dot and I went for a walk after parking at Morrisons, then did quite a big shop. Both of us did over 6000 steps, but not all of them together. Did some Paston editing and quite a bit of reading. Watched Dr Who and Screw, a drama series set in a prison. Dot was not feeling particularly well either: she has a scratchy throat. 

There was mixed weather on Sunday: dry at first, but rain later. Church in the morning. I led and Carrie “preached”, with Dot doing the prayers really well. We seem to have settled on a new layout in the hall, but really it’s the reinstatement of an older layout. Eleanor came round in the afternoon to pick up presents from the Compline group and stayed for tea and cake. In the evening Dot and I went to the cinema in the rain and saw The House of Gucci , which was quite well done but, being true in the main, didn’t make too much sense. Lead characters changed their personalities for no apparent reason. 

I was already feeling a bit off, and so on Monday I took a lateral flow test in the morning, but it was clear. I also had no Covid symptoms; so after dropping in at Morrisons, we drove to Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, where we met Dave, Julia, Vicky, Oliver, Oliwia and Amy. the car park was packed: eventually found a spot and guided the others in. Went to the restaurant; Amy, Julia and I kept tables while the rest of them queued about 45 minutes for food, which was however quite good. Afterwards we went for a walk in the grounds: beautiful winter walk – got some good pictures. Weather was sunny and not too cold: very pleasant altogether. Talked to everyone. Oliwia is lovely. Dave seemed a bit tired. I had taken paracetamol; so felt OK. Easy drive home. Cooked chilli con carne and watched football, then two episodes of The Tourist, an Australian thriller which was excellent and easy to follow. Walked 8000 steps – similar to Saturday.

On Tuesday it was back to grey and wet, and much colder from late morning. Drove up to Oakfields for our (probably) last Archant coffee morning there. Widespread absenteeism, including Robin, Brian and partners. Present: Eric, Bill Woodcock, Jennie Downing, Dot and me. Had a very nice scone and some tea. Dot had scone and two coffees, all for under £10. Good conversation. Left promptly to be home in time for the visit of Anna for violin lesson and lunch. Felt a bit tired and headachy in afternoon. Did some reading and watched the first two episodes of Around the World in 80 Days, which was really well done. Also saw new season start of Call the Midwife. Managed to get up to 4500 steps indoors. 

On Wednesday there was a lockdown in Toronto, apparently. Cold here, but went out for a walk, mainly to buy more lateral flow tests. No one had any, so I ordered some from the Government. They arrived this morning. I tried to get an e-consult with Thorpewood but but unsuccessful: they wanted me to ring up, but by that time I’d lost the will to live. Dot was feeling a bit unwell after helping Bridget to take down decorations. We also put them up in the loft later. Watched a couple more episodes of Around the World. Strangely, I seem to have plenty of energy. Maybe since I started taking Vitamin D. 

Well, here we are in 2022, and it looks kind of familiar. Dot and I took a longish walk this morning – about three miles – and there were plenty of people about, quite a few of them in masks, which always seems to me pointless in the open air. But perhaps they don’t want to be recognised. We walked round the riverside path, crossed Coslany bridge and came back through the city and the Close. Very pleasant weather for a change – high cloud, some sun and pretty mild. Apparently the warmest new year’s day since records started a couple of years ago.

We were due some decent weather. Until yesterday the week had been deep grey, wet and extremely unpleasant. On Tuesday I only went out once – to take three of my latest books to Joy McCall, placing them carefully in her bin. Joy is one of my greatest admirers and a huge encouragement, but she’s been having a hard time. Her daughter died last year, and Joy herself has continual health problems, of course, being paraplegic.

Back home I managed to write my two Parish Pump pieces and a short blurb for one of Joy’s books, among other things, then watched Norwich play Crystal Palace on Amazon Prime and lose 3-0. It’s getting pretty disheartening. Then England lost the third test and the Ashes series against Australia. Pretty inept all around. Watched an episode of Vienna Blood – very good – and the Christmas special of Call the Midwife, which just teetered on the right side of sickly. We are on the penultimate season of Friends.

Wednesday was – guess what? – grey and wet again. Amy started her journey home: all seemed to be going well. We FTd David, but Amy was in the shower. Played through some chess games from En Passant while Dot went to Morrisons.

Thursday was – yes – damp and grey yet again. Amy’s journey home went well, though she apparently slept for 18 hours after getting there. Kristine came up by train: I met her at the station at 11.45 while Dot finished getting ready. Dot cooked a salmon tart and a pseudo-pavlova, both of which were delicious. Carrie came round while we were talking and had a coffee: Kristine seemed to like her. When she went, we moved upstairs and watched The Chosen, then Kristine caught the 17.30 train home: we both went to the station. In the evening we watched the last Vienna Blood, which was excellent again, as well as the film Paddington and a surprisingly good documentary on Prince Philip.

New Year’s Eve yesterday surprised everyone by being mild, with some sun. I walked up to the Rosary in early afternoon after posting books to Philip Butcher and a letter to Mike Read, who coincidentally rang just as I was about to go out. He wanted to bring me a copy of his latest book, which contains four of my games (+2-2), but Dot had already bought it for me for Christmas, and I had mentioned it on my website. Wrote a number of thank-you e-mails before going over to Des and Chris’s for tea and nibbles in the afternoon. This was followed by drinks in the street (or under the garage) and our evening meal, which was lamb chops. We watched TV after that, ending with the usual Jools’ Hootenanny, which was pretty predictable. Went to bed about 12.20am. 

So Christmas is receding into the distance, under a grey and soggy sky. There was lots happening in Canada, as David’s excellent pictures revealed, but not quite so much here, though Boris resisted the temptation to shut everything down. I suspect there would have been mass civil disobedience if he had.

Last Thursday was another grey day, with some rain which we largely avoided. We went to Paul’s for a pleasant Christmas get- together, much of which I spent speaking to Philip Butcher and to Jo and Robert Conway, neighbours who are left-wing cycling fanatics. Also Holly and Joe: talked a lot about their jobs. Liked the sound of Holly’s boyfriend. 

Christmas Eve was grey and damp. My Pinsentry gave up the ghost; so I downloaded the Barclays app and sent money to Oliver and Amy, plus a card to Oliver and made another couple of payments. In the afternoon I dropped off a card and book for Joy, then drove to see Thelma – bit of a wait for her but stayed for about 50 minutes. Home for huge Christmas meal. FTd Canada, where all were gathering at Palmer Circle. Des and Chris brought nibbles round. Didn’t go to Midnight Communion. Watched Carols from Kings and end of The Girl Before, which was quite interesting.

Happily Christmas Day was a bit brighter: dry but very cold. Woke late (9.20) but squeezed in a bath before we went up to the church to help with lunch for about half a dozen droppers-in, including Harriet, and Carrie’s off-piste granddaughter Jasmine. Went pretty well. Had quite a chat with two or three of the men. We opened our presents to each other before that, but when we came home we opened the rest. Cleared up and watched some TV, including Vienna Blood, a very good thriller set around 1900 or earlier. FaceTimed David and Chrissy, but Amy was speaking to her mum. Got lots of books and an excellent bag from David, plus a really nice pen and notebook. 

The greyness returned on Boxing Day – with plenty of rain. Woke late again. Dot went to watch Norwich lose 5-0 to Arsenal, spending quite a lot of time sorting out her Covid passport. I stayed at home and cleared up. Another big meal in the evening, then David and Amy FaceTimed us and showed us their presents. Watched Death in Paradise Christmas special and then Norwich on MOTD.  No church. 

Yesterday, not much change weather-wise. Grey with lots of rain, but not too cold. After doing lateral flow tests we drove to Coventry with Andrew’s presents from Phil and Joy. Traffic very bad on the way there: we left at 10.35 and didn’t arrive till 2.15. Huge queue at Barton Mills, a bit on the A14 and much more at the entrance to Cambridge Services. Very wet after Thetford. Andrew seemed well; we took videos of him opening his presents and helped him to look at the DVD we’d sent him. Stayed for 90 minutes. Journey back wasn’t so bad. Stopped  at different services (Brampton?) for croissant and tea/coffee. Dot drove first and last. Bought petrol in Norwich, then were too tired to do much else. Watched a bit of TV. David sent some great pix of Christmas in Canada. Did I mention that?

Dot has just discovered that Paul’s get-together this evening is two hours earlier than she thought; so she has hurtled into the shower. She spent some time in the city earlier, doing last-minute shopping while I went up to the Rosary to put flowers on graves, and in the process wrote a new poem – the first I’ve done for some time. Now Bridget is here doing the cleaning. Covid news decidedly better today – Ferguson accused of bad science.

Going back a bit, last Friday was grey and damp, but not too cold. Spent most of the day indoors. I finished the rota and the preparations for the carol service. Dot wrapped presents and went to Morrisons. There was no Friday drink in street, because people were being very careful and cancelling attendance at the Monday get-together with neighbours. Dot and I posted cards, then went to Jude’s for drinks and nibbles. Really enjoyed it. Her neighbours Chris and Becky were there: very pleasant. They left at 9 but we didn’t go till about 10.30. 

Saturday was damp and grey. Stayed in, except for posting cards in the afternoon. Dot worked very hard, and I gave her a hand with decorations and so on, though there times when I felt tired out and not really with it. Choked when I fell asleep watching TV – quite frightening. Rehearsed the script for the carol service. Paul came round in late morning and brought presents. Amy’s flight was still on, and everyone was on the edge of their seats. All football matches except one were postponed because of Covid, which is spiking again. Boring.

Sunday – and Amy is in Canada! She arrived at David’s house after an exhausting but quite trouble-free journey, apparently. We had been tracking her flight just about all day. Admire her greatly for going through all the annoying paperwork and tests. She has come of age!

In the morning we had the much-anticipated alternative carol service, which went very well. It included a song from Graham which was excellent, and some pretty good performances. Kim came sans mask and was not kicked out. I gave everyone a copy of my latest poetry book. Just nibbles afterwards, instead of the usual meal, because of the Covid risk. Finished article for EDP on the CNS Christmas lunch, but was not sure they’d use it. It was very late and the picture was not very good. (In the end they did use it as an Opinion piece, which is mystifying.) Watched the first episode of a new thriller, The Girl Before, which was pretty good. We’re now on the eighth series of Friends (out of ten).

Another grey, damp day, as was Monday. Went for a big shop at Morrisons early on – and came through it surprisingly easily. Got petrol. Back in time to receive cake from Marion. then had haircut and bath. We’d invited several neighbours round for the evening, but in the  end only John, Tara and John’s two younger children came. Had a really nice evening with them. FTd David and Amy, and forgot to put the bins out till I was in pyjamas. Got to 4000 steps with ten seconds to spare. Did O Antiphon – a kind of meditation – while writing this. Did lateral flow test. Negative. 

Tuesday was cold but still. High cloud. Early exit to Dereham, where we dropped off presents at  Phil and Joy’s, then proceeded to Angela and Rodney’s for tea/coffee and biscuits. Very nice. Drove home via Lenwade because the A47 was very busy, then after lunch I drove Dot up to St Augustine’s, where she picked up Carrie and a box of goodies for Sophie and Alex. I walked home while they drove to Spixworth, then wrapped Dot’s presents and made the bed as well as clearing up.

Felt shattered: eventually took paracetamol and acidophilus, but also noticed ears were pretty blocked (left one quite painful when I pushed at it). When I cleared them a little I felt better. Prepared Compline for the evening. Present: Eleanor, Kim, Vicky and Amy, Claire, David and Bridget. Watched The Chosen (children episode), then ate food Dot had prepared (and others had brought), and did the Compline. Really nice evening: halfway through Judy and Carrie showed up for exchange of presents. Earlier Dot did lateral flow test: negative.

Wednesday was very cold: ice on windscreen. But fairly bright and dry. Busy day. Drove to North Walsham for tea/coffee with Roger and Debbie, who have transformed their bungalow. Then to Sainsbury’s and the cemetery, where I got wet feet (wrong shoes, long grass), and thence to Paston, where we left Jonathan’s parcel. On to Rob and Penny’s to drop off present and card, then to Lucy’s to drop off her present and Naomi’s and have a brief chat: she has a chest infection, though apparently it’s not infectious..

Back home for soup and a short break, plus a brief FT with Amy and David, then to church for carols and nibbles. Started with handbell-ringing, but I was too late – having trouble parking the car. Walked around for a while, then went back for chat with Ellie and others. Ellie looked well. Then played carols with Dot and Anna on violin and Martin on piano for everyone to sing. Helped to clear up: did washing up. Back home watched second episode of The Girl Before. 

Lovely weather today – blue sky and very mild. Posted cards while Dot took parcels to post office; then we walked up through the Close to the Hostry exhibition and bought a couple of items of jewellery for Dot for Christmas from Hazel Davidson’s collection. Quite a palaver paying for them, but I chatted with a chair maker – beautiful stuff – who had recently lost his wife. Then walked up to meet Dot at Jarrolds after buying some acidophilus and a Norwich magazine we’d seen advertised.

Later had a long chat with David, mainly about whether Amy should travel to Canada in view of the worsening Covid situation, with the Government showing signs of panicking. Then later Carrie called and had a long talk – mainly with Dot – about her Covid problems. Bridget came and did the cleaning, and we had a chat with her about what was likely to be happening at Christmas – all rather disheartening. Meanwhile Phil K is in hospital having a second bladder cancer operation.

Meanwhile I finished off the alternative carol service and printed congregational sheets. Earlier I read a brilliant piece about the Transfiguration which cheered me up considerably: the idea of being filled with light.

Watched the final parts of courtroom thriller You Don’t Know Me, which were very clever but a bit of a cop out.

Last Saturday turned out to be a very mixed bag. Fred, Kate and two boys arrived at about 3pm and had snacks as arranged. I then walked them down in the rain to Carrow Road, and Kate to the Odeon, where she was meeting a friend.  I arranged for Fred to use a key I lent him to open the door afterwards, drop off the ticket and take his present and cards. Norwich lost 0-1 despite playing well, and I walked up to Dot’s concert in the rain, which was now much heavier. Meanwhile the match finished and Fred & Co returned to the house, but didn’t go in, thus missing the cards and present. More importantly, Fred didn’t put the ticket through the door, which left Dot distinctly unimpressed. He now had to get it back to her for Tuesday’s evening game.

Meanwhile the concert was excellent. Angela, Rodney, Chris, David and Bridget were there, and I sat a table with the first three. Afterwards walked home with Dot and Chris, and watched Match of the Day.

Sunday was dry and much milder. I was unable to park anywhere near the church and eventually drove up to St Luke’s and parked there, which is obviously not ideal. Preached a sermon that I think was OK, though it appeared to upset Carrie, but I think this was in addition to some comments some other people had made to her. Most people were wearing masks (now mandatory), but Kim and Dee weren’t, and I don’t think they’ll come while we’re wearing them. I wore it on and off, as did Dot.

Quite a nice communion service despite that, with Graham presiding. Decided not to have a Christmas meal, just nibbles and tea/coffee next week. Think we’ll probably go ahead with the Alternative Carol Service.

After lunch watched the Abu Dhabi grand prix, which was as close to a fix as you could make it. Hamilton was set to win easily; so they had a safety car and then moved all the intervening cars out of the way. How they can get any satisfaction out of that I don’t know. No respect for Verstappen. I won’t be watching F1 next season. Pity: if this had been a fair race I would probably have been cheering him on in 2022. Anyway, got some nice comments about my sermon from Matt and Kim. Had an evening meal at Gem with Elwira and David – went very well. I had three good mezzes. 

Monday was dry and fairly mild. Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and I did quite a bit of work on the computer, especially Christmas-related. In the evening walked up to Prime on Tombland – part of the Edith Cavell pub – and had a really good meal with Howard and Anna. My duck was superb, and so was the rest of it. Drank two thirds of a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. Talked a lot about church and other stuff: Howard was excellent.

Tuesday was quite warm and dry, though overcast. Had quite a bad night but recovered. Did a lot of card-writing and present-sending , both online and in real life. The ticket arrived from Fred, to great relief all round. Dot posted some cards and bought some stamps. Went to football with Dot in evening, using Jonathan’s ticket. Awful match. City lost 2-0 and played very badly. McLean missed an open goal.

Yesterday was relatively mild and dry, with sun in the morning. I walked up into the city, had a look at the Hostry exhibition, then bought cards at Revelations. Spoke to Michael and Margaret on the way home. Spent most of the day after that writing Christmas cards. Drove Dot to orchestra get-together at church hall in Old Catton (took her own meal) and she spent some time talking to Vicky. Janet drove her home. Omicron figures very high and Whitty panicking. Again.

Quite an exciting day in prospect. Dot is busy practising for her concert this evening (for which she given up her football match) and is spending just about as much time on it as she did choosing her skirt. I exaggerate, of course. It’s a dry day at the moment, with some sun, but still pretty cold. I am catching up with a number of things on my computer, including writing this. Fred and members of his family are on their way from Banbury: he will be taking advantage of Dot’s ticket to watch Manchester United beat Norwich.

Meanwhile a “new study” states that there will be a huge increase in Covid cases in January. We need to stamp out new studies.

Monday was pretty miserable, sending with a DCC meeting at Graham’s house, at which I expressed my views about Covid restrictions. Ended up with a “compromise” about closing the door but opening windows, plus a headache, which is very unusual for me. Possibly a result of frustration. And of course it will all be worse now.

Horrible weather again on Tuesday. We had intended to walk to the Town House (Stonehouse) for the Archant Christmas lunch, but it was about to start raining, and it was very cold. So we drove instead and got a spot in the car park because we were early. Had a carvery (excellent turkey and beef) and some profiteroles containing ice cream, which were not so good. Nice group of about 15, including Brian and Tricia, Robin and Shelagh, Su Lee, Eric and Linda, and Bill. Pouring rain as we drove home, and it kept on during the rest of the day. Windy too. Wrote most of my sermon for Sunday. The window cleaner arrived just before the rain. David FaceTimed, and we had quite a long conversation. 

Not much improvement in the weather on Wednesday, though I didn’t go out. It was mainly dry, admittedly. II wasn’t feeling too well, actually, and not sure why. Seemed to be the stomach area, and I was worried during the night that I might have gall bladder problems again. But I think it was just an upset stomach – possibly those profiteroles. Dot went to a DSSO meeting followed by another Christmas lunch, and I sorted some stuff out and updated my Alternative Carol Service, which is now about finished. Will it be held, though?

Also wrote a short piece to go in some Christmas cards or Christmas e-mails. Dot came home about 3.30pm and we watched a couple of episodes of Friends. Janet came round shortly before 7pm, and she and Dot walked up to St Stephen’s Church for their orchestra rehearsal. Meanwhile I more or less finished my sermon, wrote some Christmas cards, did some Paston editing and then wrote a piece for my website, as well as transferring a recent poem there.

Oh, I also walked up and down the kitchen until I had amassed 4000 steps. They are now on their way home (10pm) and I’m feeling quite tired. Bet they are too.

Thursday was cold. We drove over to Philip and Anne’s for a visit. Philip didn’t seem too bad. Then on to Hempnall, where we picked up a considerable amount of sugar that Roger had collected from schools for charity. Sue has had a bad fall outside the dentists’s (ironically) and broke some teeth as well as injuring her wrist. She was surprisingly cheerful. Had another drink there. At 4pm I took the car up to the garage to have mirror glass fitted (£83); meanwhile Bridget had arrived to do the cleaning. In the evening we went to Gem with Mark, Des, Chris, John and Tara – our neighbours – for a meal. On the way we ran into Eleanor, who seemed quite perky, considering. Very pleasant time at Gem. Rained a bit on the way home. Idiots at Westminster have instigated Plan B, with more mask-wearing, etc etc Amy told us she hadn’t been too well for some time and was awaiting the result of tests

Fri day was very cold but dry. Quite a strenuous day, actually. Started by driving to Worstead School to pick up some bags of sugar (less two they forgot to give us, it turned out later). Then on to Swafield, where we unpacked all our sugar and put it in the bin at the farm, to the great relief of our suspension system. Then to Sainsbury’s in North Walsham, where we did some food shopping and Dot bought a top for her concert tomorrow. Then home.

In the afternoon I swept up quite a lot of leaves, then ran hot water over my hands to thaw them out. Amy FaceTimed us for quite a long time about her medical results, which were good: she just needs more Vitamin D. She also spoke a lot about pupil-teacher relationships. We sorted out our present list and watched the second episode of a very good thriller, You Don’t Know Me. Read the diocesan guidance on the new Covid restrictions, which was depressing. Changed my sermon a bit as a result.