Last day of August, and the Murrays and Vanderkooys return to Canada. We have seen nothing of them since Sunday, but we spoke to Caddington on FaceTime last night. We had kept today free in case David and Chrissy needed extra help to get everyone plus luggage to Heathrow, but apparently everything is in hand.

The weather has turned chillier, but today is vastly superior to yesterday, when it rained fairly hard most of the day. We had arranged to meet the Redgraves at their holiday hideaway just outside Lyng, but took ages getting out of Norwich. Still we would have made it by noon if we could have found it, but one wrong turning took us round in circles. Postcodes cover such a wide area in rural parts.

Eventually we met up, had a cup of tea, chatted and then went for lunch at the Fox in Lyng, generously paid for by the Redgraves. Very good lunch – I had a burger and Eton Mess. The Redgraves had Archie with them – he’s now 15 – plus a small dog called Bear, which was much too lively for my liking. Libby was doing summer work at home. We left after delivering them back to Holly Cottage because it was getting late and we had a hair appointment with Linda (postponed from the day before).

Back in Norwich the traffic was just as bad, this time going down Prince of Wales Road, which must have taken about 20 minutes. It seemed to be caused mainly by the usual blockage in Riverside (and the rain) but someone said on Facebook that there was also a burst water main. Don’t know where. Must have been hard to tell with all the precipitation.

Anyway we made it back in time for Linda, and I had a bath afterwards and went to sleep in it. It was a very wet day altogether.

The day before had been overcast and muggy, but dry. Dot and I went for a longish walk through the Rosary, Lion Wood and down to Thorpe Green, where we had tea and coffee  in the cafe before walking over in the marshes, where the neighbourhood has deteriorated badly. Some extremely scruffy boats are moored by the path, and Norfolk Wildlife Trust has taken it on itself to stop people accessing the smaller Broad after the recent drownings. This has been done by creating a stagnant ditch and dumping assorted foliage so that  it is not only inaccessible but looks awful.

We got a bus part of the way home. Later I picked up some bowls from Anna. We had lent them for the recent speaker event, which took place while we were away. While knocking on Anna’s door, I was accosted by Andrea Cope from St Luke’s, who appeared to live next door. I couldn’t remember her name, but was rescued from too much embarrassment by Anna, who said I was her friend and Andrea couldn’t have me, which made me feel quite good. Yes, it was a joke.

The previous evening (Monday) we went to the Hendersons for a meal, which was very nice, though it’s hard to relax there.

David, Oliver and Amy arrived on Wednesday 16th in preparation for holiday with Murrays. Dot went to the football match that evening, and the following day she did some interviewing at Diocesan House in the morning. In the afternoon Amy accompanied her into the city to get her (Dot’s)nails done and buy some food. At some point I went round Phil’s to return his keys and took Oliver with me.

The Murrays arrived at the station at about 3pm on the Friday, and after greetings we packed up the cars for Blakeney. David had borrowed Vicky’s car, and Dot went in her car with Barbara and a case in the boot. Every corner was occupied. I went with Roger and most of the cases in our new car. We all arrived at Blakeney at about the same time, sorted out the rooms (nice four-poster bed and ensuite, but rubbish mattress), and Dot and I walked out to the houseboat. There was a fair on the quay, and Dot and Barbara rather unwisely went on a ride. Fortunately the fair only stayed a couple of days: not really suitable for Blakeney. Dot spilled bright red nail varnish on bathroom tiles, which took two or three day to clear up. (5.7 miles)

On the Saturday we walked to Morston and had lunch at the Anchor Inn. Excellent. Walked a bit out one to the marshes, then back to Blakeney. Chilly wind, but warm sun. Very tired afterwards, probably because of bad night. Walked down to quay at sunset.  (8.3 miles)

The next day Sophie was sick, but she soon got over it. Dot, Tim, Barb and Roger walked to Cley with Oliver, had drink at Antibes, looked at quay behind mill, then walked through town and back to fruit farm, then on to Blakeney.  Eventually all congregated at house with assorted food. Sophie better. Barb and Dot drove to Holt and Amy completed the Treasure Trail I had put together. I wrote a poem, and Dot and I attempted to book a seal trip, but abandoned it after lack of interest from others. Evening meal in. Then watch film comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon and Geoffrey Rush. (7.1)

Monday was warmer, with less wind. I drove Dot, Barbara and Roger to Burnham Mkt, calling at Stiffkey marsh, Wells quay and Burnham Overy Staithe on the way. While they looked around town I drove to Burnham Deepdale and walked into a rather muddy marsh,  then part way along path to Brancaster Staithe. Picked the others up at noon and drove back to Blakeney. Unsuccessful stop for cake at Stiffkey. All walked to Morston for excellent late lunch at Anchor Inn.  Afterwards Dot and I walk out across marsh to quite near Point. Watched tide turn as people waited for seal boats, then walked back to Blakeney. In evening watched average film, Hunt for the Wilder People, The Big Lebowski having been rejected. Bed latish after discussion about church. (7.7)

On Tuesday Dot and I walked out on the Cley path and into the marsh – very wet underfoot. Lunch in The Moorings. Best steak I’ve had for years. Took pictures of high tide. (6.2)

Got up early on Wednesday to get pictures of 9.1 tide at 8.30am. Then walked to Blakeney Point – Dot and I from Cley beach car park (free), others from house. Jackson and Seth not at all. Very long but stunning walk – Dot, Oliver and I reached lifeboat house, others stayed on beach. Exhausted at end. Bath. Oliver quite ill with allergy at evening meal (poss sesame in bread), but recovered. Completed watching five episodes of Normal for Norfolk. (11.3)

Yet another high tide on Thursday: grabbed breakfast croissant and went and took pictures. Later with Dot took bottles to recycling, bought a few things and posted Uncle Paul’s birthday card. Lunch at Anchor Inn, Morston, again (Dot and I took car, and I had to return to lock up because walking party took both keys). Failed to get Amy to maize maze before it closed. (3.7)

Left at 10am on Friday, missing another high tide; home by 11. Chrissy and David fetched her cousin and his wife and two children from Rose Lane car park. They had travelled up from Stowmarket and were staying near Fakenham for the weekend. After photos, all except Barb and Roger went into town. Dot and I took luggage to Caddington. Traffic pretty bad. Bought snack at co-op and had a cup of tea, then returned. Passed C, D and children near Duxford. They didn’t see us. Called at Waitrose in Wymondham and arrived home around 7pm. R and B waiting patiently.  They had been in town for a while. (1.6)

Had been in touch with Redgraves for several days, as they were coming up to Norfolk and wanted to meet. Eventually made an arrangement for next Wednesday. On Saturday I rang Phil and Carrie to sort out some details on the new rota. Dot spent much of the day in Norwich with Barbara, trying to get their nails done. I took Roger for a walk down riverside path to New Mills. We were heading back when contacted by girls and diverted to meet for snack and cocktail (in my case) at Cafe Rouge. Afterwards bought chocolate for Joy – had earlier sent off for a couple of other items for her birthday. Walked home and had some time on my own. Others eventually returned. In evening walked up for brilliant meal at Bishop’s. At home looked through Harris Tweed book, then played a couple of songs on YouTube. Feel so near and Caught in the Middle. (6.3)

I have barely mentioned the weather, which is because it was pretty much ideal for the whole week: not too hot, sometimes sunny and almost no rain. Yesterday we were up early to take Barbara and Roger to Colchester to pick up their car. This went smoothly, and we returned to call at church after a brief snack and say hello to the attendant company. After much clearing up in the afternoon we walked to the Greens for a meal with them and Elwira and Jarek Zwolinska, the Polish couple at church. Very entertaining – and nice food too. Avoided rowdiness on way home by cutting through St Faith’s Lane. Watched some football. Late in bed, but had a really good sleep.

The weather has improved a bit. However, Dot’s car had started making loud noises, and so I took it round to Kwik-Fit last Thursday after cancelling my round of pitch-and-putt with Paul because I wasn’t feeling too well. I’m still not feeling too well, but last night we decided it was a reaction  to my blood pressure pills; so I haven’t taken them today. Anyway, the car was fixed at a cost of £400 (exhaust and silencer) and I went to the dentist for even worse damage (in money terms, that is).

I was in the chair for an hour while my tooth was prepared for a temporary crown. This did not make me feel any better, but on the other hand it didn’t make me feel any worse.

On Friday, with Dot still busy rearranging the house, I drove to Blakeney in the afternoon and finished gathering data for the Blakeney Quiz. While doing so in warm weather (I had an ice cream) I encountered Peter Bright of the Evening News subs’ desk (ret) with his grandson. I also put together a lot of interesting questions and photographs. I hope I’m not the only one interested in them.

On Saturday I put it all together into a booklet, which took some time. Looks good, though. I’ve also put together a church rota for the period up to Christmas, and on Sunday I led the service. We had to leave fairly quickly afterwards because Dot was going to Carra for Norwich City v Sunderland, which NCFC managed to lose 3-1.

Afterwards Debbie House came round to pick up some dishes to use at her Speakers’ Programme event this coming weekend, and stayed while I cooked dinner, though she didn’t have any. Discovered quite a lot about her background, which was really interesting.

Have been watching a lot of World Athletics Championships in London. Far too much studio chat, but some quite interesting events. Our 4×100 team won the gold medal, which was certainly unexpected and exciting. The girls got silver.

Not a pleasant day today. It’s been pouring with rain for hours. Dot had been intending to go for a walk with Anne, but although she actually drove to Poringland, I suspect the walk was abandoned. I have been in front of my computer most of the time, feeling a little bit better than I have for the past few days. The dentist rang me up earlier (at least his temporary receptionist Lindsey did) to remind me of my appointment tomorrow. I was on the brink of cancelling but really want to get it out of the way. I don’t want to have an hour in the chair hanging over me. Not sure what has been wrong. I’ve certainly had a bit of a temperature and some peculiar pains in the head, plus something wrong with my stomach, but I can’t pin it down.

Meanwhile, Dot says her car has been making odd noises. It may be the same thing I have wrong with me :-). I would have got it sorted it out today, but it’s really too wet.

On Sunday we did go to see Andrew, however. We went to church first, had lunch and started out at about 1.30pm, sharing the driving. We wanted to get petrol at a BP station for reasons too complicated to go into, but we didn’t want to get it too soon. So we eventually stopped at the services near Kettering. As there were no food and drink facilities worth having there, we continued to near Naseby and then turned off, looking for an advertised cafe which proved elusive. After some diversions we ended up at a nice pub in Thornby, where we had a starter only. It was delicious, if a trifle expensive.

We ended up at Warwick about an hour early (visiting was 6-8pm); so we parked in the cemetery and went for a walk by the canal, then attempted to gain entry to the hospital. But we were rebuffed and had to do a further walk before returning at 6pm. Andrew was quite good, and were able to give him his birthday presents. We were also given tea and coffee, which was unexpected. After a while we went and sat in the garden.

On the way back we stopped at Cambridge Services for a bit to eat and drink. The eatery we selected closed at 9pm, so we only just made it. We were home around 11pm.

On Monday, after Dot had spent a long time doing work in the garden and I had been catching up with e-mails and a few other things, we drove to Blakeney to check up on a few things in preparation for our holiday with the Canadians. I am trying to put a quiz together, but I wasn’t feeling great, and it started raining; so I gave up. Dot, however, made some interesting finds, including a delicatessen and a place that sold crabs. We also went to Bakers and Larners in Holt to get food for the next day…

…when the Eagles landed. Or to put it another way, Sue and Roger came for lunch. Dot did a rather nice meal, but before that we sat in the garden for drinks, and afterwards we had a very long talk upstairs, with coffee, etc etc. They didn’t leave till early evening, which was fine, because they’re so easy to talk to and we get on very well.

Meanwhile, the Redgraves have been in touch. They are coming up to Norfolk at the end of August, staying at Lyng – or as they call it, Ling – and we aim to meet up with them. It’s a very long time since we last met.

After much consideration, Dot and I have decided to visit Andrew on his birthday tomorrow; so we’ll be leaving Norwich after church and aiming for a 6pm visit. He has been to Minster Lodge a couple of times and should be going back there soon.

Dot is in the garden, doing extensive repositioning work. She has been doing a lot of that recently. We have also been doing quite a bit of visiting: on Thursday we drove down to see the Coomes, and yesterday we went with Chris Denton to see Anne in her care home.

The London visit went well, though I was feeling a bit odd in a head-and-stomach sort of way that I have now put down to eating some bread that was a bit mouldy: more of a guess than a diagnosis, but it fits the symptoms. Feeling better now.

Kristine was quite bouncy and now has a better prognosis, in a relative sort of way. She has taken a year off work to look after David, who actually seemed frailer, and his voice was softer. Kristine has bought him SkySport. She is also looking for a new flat, because he will soon need to be in a wheelchair, and their present flat cannot be adapted to suit it.

The visit to see Anne Travis was also successful. We picked up Chris and drove there (it’s in Cringleford). Chris seems much younger than her age (64) and was wearing a dress, which is most unusual: like Dot, she usually wears trousers. While Dot spoke to Chris, I had a long chat with Anne, looking at the memory book that Chris had made for her. We brought  some extra old photographs, but she has trouble remembering names, if not faces.

The day before, I played another game of pitch and putt with Paul, this time at Mousehold. Again we were lucky with the weather. We played in the morning, and it poured in the afternoon. My game has improved, except for little chips around the greens, which are extremely erratic.

Working backwards, on Tuesday we went to the Archant coffee morning, where Dot made the mistake of mentioning Paul’s book to Maryta. Apart from that, everything went smoothly. Afterwards, Anne came round for lunch, and then walked into the city with Dot. I walked into the city yesterday to get a few presents for Andrew and ended up tired out, for some reason. Had to sit down twice on the way back.

I am now about to install Dot’s new hanging basket at the front of the house. If you don’t hear any more from me, you’ll know it went badly.

It’s the last day of July, and summer is edging forward rather quickly. Dot has been discharged from her annual hospital appointments and been told she will not die of bowel cancer, because there is no sign of it and it takes years to develop. Cause of rejoicing. The same evening (last Wednesday) we went to the cinema and saw Dunkirk, which was rather chaotic – therefore true to life, I guess – and pretty effective, especially in the last third.

The following three days we saw a great deal of Colin Wright, who came to lay Astroturf in the garage and smarten it up generally with the use of wood where the walls meet the ceiling. Dot and I bought a spotlight and assisted slightly. The filing cabinet had to be emptied and refilled yet again, which was obviously fun.

In the midst of all this – and coincidentally on our 49th wedding anniversary – the HIgbees came to lunch, and we had toad in the hole, as well as quite a lot of wine.

Colin finished the garage work on the Friday but returned on Saturday to cut the hedge and a few other things. Dot spent a very long time sorting out the garage and the garden, and at lunchtime on Saturday we walked up to Phil’s to check that his garden was OK. I had watered it a couple of times, but we had also had plenty  of rain; so it looked fine. In the evening we had no food in the house suitable for a dinner; so we went down the road to Prezzos. I had a pizza and didn’t sleep too well, though the pizza was fine. I think.

We were very fortunate with the weather for Colin’s work. It was dry all the while he was here, but at night we had one thunderstorm and plenty of additional rain. As all the stuff from the garage had to be put outside while he did his work, rain would have been awkward, as it would for the hedge-cutting.

Yesterday after a particularly long morning service and a quick lunch we went to North Walsham, visiting  Sainsbury’s and the cemetery before descending on Jessie for a cup of tea and cake. As I write, Linda is doing Dot’s hair and will shortly be cutting mine.

Quite a bit of confusion about Andrew this week. First I had a call from the hospital to say he needed clothes. Helen at Minster Lodge said all his clothes had been sent to the hospital  and she would be investigating. Meanwhile it appeared that Andrew was about to be discharged, but no-one knew when. This is still the case. I have sent him a parcel with underclothes and a couple of tee-shirts and am awaiting developments.

The grandchildren are in Minorca.

Dot did a lot of reorganising on Thursday and Friday last week, with my study at  the centre of her efforts. Much of it has been repainted, and it’s now much more aesthetically pleasing. We also moved the main filing cabinet into the garage – a very tiring exercise, as we not only had to take all the files out, but all the drawers too. And then put them back.  We took a trip up to the tip and the charity shop yesterday to dispose of certain items that had been cluttering up the garage, which will be refurbished tomorrow (our wedding anniversary). Adrian O’Dell has been round to collect some books for a charity event he’s running.

Also last Friday I popped round to see Phil and Joy in anticipation of their trip down to Southampton, receiving instruction about keeping the garden watered and also exchanging presents. In the evening I drove to Halesworth and Pinky’s, where I duly read three of my poems, including one I’d written the same day.

On Saturday we met the Robinsons at Café Rouge to celebrate my birthday. It was a good meal, but the service was slow, which always annoys me. Afterwards they came round for coffee.

On Sunday we went round the Greens’ after Holy Communion and a certain amount of music-making, mainly in ceilidh vein and mainly involving Anna, Dot and Phil. As a result of the visit (for lunch) and various discussions, I drove Dot and the Greens to a lute concert in the evening at Park Lane.

On Monday I had been intending to walk into the city, but it rained, despite what our weather apps said.  Yesterday started damp, but after I’d had a cup of tea with Paul, the weather brightened and we played pitch and putt at Eaton Park. I was pretty much as inconsistent as usual, except that I putted left-handed, with a considerable degree of success. Afterwards I had another cup of tea with Paul – and Maryta, who had been doing walking netball with a woman who shouted.

In the evening we had Cake and Compline with Jude, Bridget and Claire. Dot had cooked an anniversary chocolate cake, which was delicious. During the day my tooth had come out again; so this morning I went and had a temporary filling. In a couple of weeks I will have a crown put in – at first temporary, then (in September) permanent. So that’s another load of cash out of our account. Good job we’re not pensioners. Oh, wait a minute: we are.

I have just watered Phil’s garden; so it will almost certainly rain soon. Amy has sent pictures of Menorca – they are only a few miles from where we stayed at Migjorn, and the beach we frequented at San Tomas.

Feeling tireder, but we walked over six miles altogether on Tuesday, starting at Holkham after a road closure took us on a detour through Binham and Warham – not too far out of the way really if you know the road. We had drinks at the Victoria, then parked on Queen Anne’s Drive and walked down to the beach before turning right towards Wells. As it was approaching high tide, I had to persuade certain members of the party not to go right to the water’s edge, though on reflection it might have been fun to watch.

As it turned out the high tide was not impressive (I believe the correct term is “neap”) and we were able to get fairly close to the edge of the sea during the latter stages of the walk, past the famous Wells beach huts, where I assisted a small girl chasing a large ball. There was quite a wind, and she was failing to catch it. It might have ended up at Thornham.

We stopped for refreshments at the new beach hut at the beach end of the Wells straight. This is now run by the Holkham Estate and is quite smart apart from an obsession with dogs. Afterwards we walked into Wells town, and Dot bought a couple of tops while Dave and I took a stroll. After the obligatory ice cream we all caught the Coasthopper back to Holkham. It was full, and we had to stand, which was tricky.

I got some petrol at Blakeney, and we tried to book lunch for the next day at Wiveton, but fortunately couldn’t.

We left the hotel after breakfast yesterday after financial arrangements masterminded by Dave. I gave an additional tip to the serving staff, who had been very good. We gave a joint tip to the staff in general. Rosemary was not feeling too well: we said goodbye and then joined the Evetts at Wiveton for tea/coffee after a nasty encounter with a refuse lorry, which I just about got away with.

We raided the shop for fruit and  couple of gifts for my brother and his wife on their anniversary, then headed home, stopping to buy bread on Silver Road. After lunch Jude (Sayer) dropped in for a cup of tea and a chat in the garden, which was nice.

In the evening we drove to Horning Ferry Inn for an orchestra get-together meal, where I found myself, embarrassingly, the only non-orchestra member present. Wasn’t too bad, though, as I know most of them. We had a carvery meal, which was quite reasonable. Still not sleeping too well.

Today I caught up on a lot of “paperwork” while Dot went to buy paint to redo the study. After lunch I took all the contents out of the four-drawer filing cabinet, including the drawers, transferred the filing cabinet to the garage (with Dot’s help), reinserted the drawers (ditto) and put all the files back. At the end I was exhausted. I do not recommend this to anyone, but Dot is redesigning study, hall and cloakroom. This has absolutely nothing to do with the Murrays coming over.

Yesterday I took too little notice of the forecast rain and ended up with soaking socks and shoes. However, most of the day was pleasant, starting at the Felbrigg cafe, which had quite a queue, and then proceeding to the church, where there was an interesting flower festival on TV themes. My favourite was the weather forecast.

We walked from the church across a field and then to a track which turned left through Marble Hill Lodge and on to the Metton  road (with extra triangle). By this time the spots of rain had turned into something serious, and someone had the bright idea of stopping at the Wizard Maze for refreshment. As we were only passing through, we weren’t charged the entry fee.

The rain eased off a bit then but unfortunately we had to cross fields soaked by the rain – not to mention several stiles. After more refreshment at Felbrigg cafe we headed back (Dave driving because he has an NT sticker on his car). I took advantage of the very hot bathroom tiles to dry the shoes overnight.

I had by now managed to adjust my Steps app to give a truer reading. It now gives almost the same as Dot’s Fitbit. Very satisfying – 6.2 miles that day.

Today was quite a contrast: very warm and sunny. We started at Burnham Overy Staithe, where we parked on the hard. As the tide was coming in I was a little worried, but I consulted a couple of local experts and was reassured.

After checking a few things as part of a kind of treasure hunt, we had refreshments in The Hero, which is a lovely pub/restaurant. Then on to Holkham, where we had an esoteric lunch in the Victoria (a kind of Ploughmans shared between us).

Then Dot drove us to Wells, where we took the light railway to Walsingham. Walked into a shop and met a talkative Barnsley man, then did a circle of the town, ending up at the cafe attached to the Anglican shrine, which is very nice. Popped into the renowned farm shop before getting the train back and driving back to  Blakeney. Got a reputation for being romantic by presenting Dot with two flowers I picked from the train.

Continue reading Disregarded rain and a reputation for romance →

The Julian evening was successful, thanks to Dot’s preparations. There were some lovely nibbles and some prosseco. Anna arrived first (off the train), followed by Howard, Judy and Elaine. We eventually got round to discussing Julian and completing the book. I loved the idea of the soul as a city.

The next day, despite a forecast of rain and despite the predicted absence of his doctor, I visited Andrew, taking the train again – first class. I say first class, but the Chiltern Line doesn’t have that. Greater Anglia does, though. The journey went smoothly, but by the time we approached Warwick, it was starting to rain.

Beacuse of an oversight, I failed to change at Leamington Spa and had to go on to Warwick Parkway, then get a train back to Warwick. That was Ok, though. I walked in the rain with my umbrella to the hospital, and found Andrew improved – rather more peaceful and responsive.  The nurse in charge was very nice, but not even a junior doctor was available.

Quite heavy rain all the way home, but of course I wasn’t out in it much, and  by the time I got to Norwich it had stopped. Dot walked over to meet me.

On my 72nd birthday Dot got me a new guitar case and baked me a cake. We drove to Blakeney to start a week’s holiday at the Manor Hotel with the Evetts and the Towns. Dot ordered prosseco for supper!

On Thursday we drove to Burnham Deepdale, had a drink in the cafe and then walked along the coast path and then inland to Burnham Market, where we refreshed ourselves in a lovely little cafe before looking round some shops and attempting to catch the Coasthopper back to Burnham Deepdale. This eventually arrived over half an hour late and almost failed to stop to let us off.

Yesterday we abandoned Blakeney temporarily to attend a CNSOB reunion in Norwich: first a meal at Cote Brasserie in Exchange Street, then three talks (two on a French theme) at the Charing Cross Centre. The last, by Rod Kemp, was a fascinating account of his time at Kodak, including Russian counterfeiting of their photographic paper. Fred and Sue were there, as were most of the usual suspects. We were back in Blakeney for the evening meal.

Today, with rain in the forecast, we walked to Cley, had a drink and then caught the Coasthopper  back after chatting to a young woman from North Carolina at the bus stop. Rest of day stayed in Blakeney for lunch, then a kind of fair on the carnser, including old films and a decent band. Dave and I walked out to the derelict houseboat, then found the girls and had some Pimms. In the end there was very little rain.