Arrived back very late last night from Switzerland, after 17 hours on the road – or in this case on the tracks. Left Wilderswil hotel at about 7.40 Swiss time, and arrived home about 23.40 Norwich time. Journey was as follows:

Train from Wilderswil to Interlaken East, then Interlaken East to Bern, then Bern to Lausanne, TGV Lausanne to Paris Gare du Lyon, bus to Gare du Nord, Eurostar to St Pancras, Circle Line to Liverpool Street, train to Norwich. In between we had a croque madame (or in Dot’s case monsieur), at a cafe outside the Gare du Nord with our friends Peter and Joan Altman, from Hertfordshire.

The whole enterprise had started just over a week before, after Sunday Communion and lunch, when we got the rather full train to Cambridge, where we changed for King’s Cross – equally full. But we got seats OK. Our hotel, the California, was very close to the station and the room was comfortable, though at the top of three flights of stairs.

We walked across to St Pancras to check the meeting place for the following day and had a meal at Carluccio’s. Watched Poldark and went to bed by 10.15pm. Didn’t sleep particularly well, as usually happens when anticipating an early start next day.

On Monday morning we were up at 6, had quite a good breakfast at 7 (scrambled egg, bacon, sausage) and happily  found that not only could we check out, we could also leave. We were at St Pancras by about 7.50 and met our manager Richard Johnson, who started as he meant to continue by being vague about where we should meet at 8.30. It turned out to be the other side of the check-in, which meant we were about last through. Eurostar check-in is much like an airport, without the liquid obsession, and the travel conditions are not much better than an aeroplane: very little space and no window (in both directions).

At the Gare du Nord Richard had another bad moment, not being able to find the way to the Gare d’Est and having to receive help from other members of the party (18 of us). Still, we made it, and Dot and I had a drink and sandwich in the Starbucks and spent 70 cents each on the loo. Afterwards, spoke to Marian, an oldish woman from Wimborne, who’s travelling alone (and who later proved to be pretty nippy on her feet).

The TGV to Strasbourg was brilliant, travelling at nearly 200mph. We were upstairs (with a window) but very tired. Reached Strasbourg in two hours and booked into Le Grand Hotel. Nice room. Temperature outside 23C, a trend that was to continue. In the evening the group walked 15 minutes to a restaurant which was pretty average. Heavy rain overnight.

Tuesday was again dry and warm. We had the morning to look round Strasbourg, which is a beautiful but very dangerous city for pedestrians, with cyclists (and in rare cases cars) appearing from all directions, or toutes directions, as the French have it. Anyway we visited the Cathedral, walked by the river and had a snack in a cafe before taking the train to Basel and then Interlaken and Wilderswil. From the station we walked gradually uphill for about ten minutes to the Hotel Alpenblick. We were upgraded to a room with a balcony because our large case had arrived courtesy of Baggageman and they needed somewhere to put it. Excellent meal of meat fondue in the evening. One of our group complained at having to cook his own food; he also thought our starts were too late, because he usually gets up at 5.30am. We had a good conversation with Peter and Joan, who were more on our wavelength and, interestingly, Jewish.

Another beautiful day on Wednesday, when we were again free to do as we liked. Eventually decided on the Schilthorn, a high point with a revolving restaurant famous for its use in the 1968 Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, starring (for once only) George Lazenby. Met Nigel and Angela from Devon on the station and travelled with them: train to Lauterbrunnen, cable car and train to Mürren, walk through the village, then two more cable cars to the top. Stupendous views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Had tea and coffee in the revolving restaurant and ventured out onto the mountain, where we ate our sandwiches (packed lunch every day). Stopped off at Birg on the way back (Nigel and Angela had gone one ahead), to do the “Thrill Walk” around the mountain, part on metal, part cable, part glass. Not as death-defying as it sounds, but you had to concentrate. Bumped into our Devonian friends again on the way back, and bought some postcards from an Australian. On our return we took aperitifs on the hotel terrace to celebrate the owners’ 25th wedding anniversary. They were very welcoming, and so were their staff. The food was uniformly excellent.

Thursday was another sunny day – cooler at first but later very warm. On an organised excursion we took the cog railway from Wilderswil for a 7km journey steeply upwards to the Schyninge Platte (shining plateau). Great views again. Had drink with Peter and Joan, then went for a walk (Joan’s back is a bit dodgy, so they had to avoid steep walks). Met Marian, who walked further and faster than us, though she looks about ten years older.

Sat and ate lunch and thought we saw climbers on the Eiger. Bought sunglasses in case of fierce sun on Jungfrau as warned by company, then caught train back at 2.21. Eight of our party had left early, and we had a good conversation with a Swiss couple who had spent some time living in Toronto. Back at Wilderswil Dot and I decided to go to Interlaken East for a coffee and beer (we had free travel within a prescribed area, and there were no cafes in Wilderswil). Wrote postcards by river after emerging from station by wrong exit and taking a table at a hotel.

Had a really bad night with diarrhoea, so decided as it was another free day on Friday to start with a walk round the village, which proved very enjoyable. Ended up down by the  river and went to Interlaken East by train again, this time finding a cafe on a tree-lined street. Returned to the hotel for lunch, and although I was still feeling groggy (though my stomach had settled) we took the train to Grindelwald, where Dot bought a few presents while I took it easy, mainly in the Tourist Information Centre, watching ice hockey training.

Afterwards we had wine in a cafe and watched the mountains, which were very close here. The town is completely dominated by the Eiger, and I was able to see that what we had taken for climbers previously were two large upright rocks. BY the time we arrived back at Wilderswil on the train, I was feeling better. Had bath. At dinner had longish talk with Joan and Peter, mainly about synagogues and churches. Another good meal, but I cut back to get my stomach back on track. It seemed to work.

Saturday, October 1, was the big day. Needless to say, there was rain as forecast, but only a few drops on the way to the station. We caught the 9.10 to Grindelwald, where we changed to a rack and pinion  train up to Kleine Scheidegg, a magnificent viewpoint. From here we took the Jungfrau express – a 50-minute journey up through tunnels in the Eiger and the Mönch (a couple of five-minute stops to look through viewing windows at the Eigerwand and the Eismur) to the Jungfraujoch station, known as “the summit of Europe” at 3471 metres (11,388 ft). By way of comparison the cable ride up the Aiguille du Midi eight years ago took us to 3842 metres. Of course, that’s in France.

It was quite cloudy on the top, but we got some reasonable views. There was a middling Eispalast and a lift to the very top, plus opportunities to get out on to the snow, which was very slippery. We were lucky enough t o see the clouds lift so that we could get a view of the Aletschgletscher. We stayed for three hours and returned by a different route, via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, which was if anything even more spectacular. A guard took a group photo at the top, using Peter’s camera. Peter is a photo-phanatic.

At supper we were on the table of death: two Bournemouth supporters, the tour manager and Ronald, who has absolutely no conversation. Bad night sleep-wise too.

Sunday was our last full day, and it was raining quite convincingly as we headed for the station. After the trip to Interlaken East, we went up the Harder funicular (disdaining the easy one), which was extremely steep. As use rose through the clouds we got some great views, and there was no rain at the top. We had a drink in the restaurant with Peter and Joan and another couple, then Dot and I did a 100-minute Rundgang that turned out to be pretty steep in places, particularly descending at the end. Saw very few others.

When we got back its was sunny, and we had another drink before heading back to the hotel earlier than usual so that we could pack. Quite an exercise deciding what should go in the big case that would not arrive home till some time after we did. Another nice meal ended in a whip-round for the excellent waiter (we had collected for his assistant the night before: it was her last night at the hotel).

Today we have been recovering. We arrived home to find our new shower installed and other jobs done, but the house was full of dust, which Dot has now expunged, and in some disarray because we had had to leave room for the workmen to do their stuff. All is now well and we are about to have supper (7.30pm). We have just been to the shop. Earlier this morning I went up to the pensioners’ coffee spectacular, and then came back.

Feeling a lot better, though not 100%. Weather is still quite pleasant, and we’re completing our holiday preparations following a visit to Carrow Road. I sat with Philip Robinson and Dot sat in her usual seat; so we were at opposite ends of the ground. Norwich won 3-1 after making hard work of most of the game.

Earlier today I was up with the lark (assuming it was a fairly tardy lark) to speak at the Hub Church breakfast meeting at Cringleford. I was standing in for Heather – no easy task – and I was a bit worried about precisely what form the event would take. It turned out to be quite a small gathering of agreeable people. I decided at the last minute to talk without notes, which was a bit hair-raising, but I think it was the right decision. I spoke on living water (John 4), and one child of about three definitely tuned in, asking if the water in his bottle was living. Karen was leading, and we had breakfast first.

Afterwards Dot and I went to Homebase to buy some taps for the bath, replacing the mixer tap with shower attachment which is now redundant (and dripping).

Last night we had Jessie, Roger, Debbie and Philip round for a meal, which was of course a whole-day event, though they didn’t arrive till 6pm. Dot put everything into it, including the house and garden. Excellent meal, and a nice evening.

On Thursday (working backwards) we were at Angela’s again, mainly looking through Ethel’s old pictures, which came mainly in the form of slides. The process was therefore time-consuming. We had another pleasant meal in the George halfway through, but didn’t get home till about 7pm. Still, we have just about completed the task.

Wednesday was just as full. Glenn and Colin (plus his son Billy) came to put in the bathroom electric shower, which required quite a bit of drilling and cable-running.  I thought they would continue the next day with the rest of the work, but no – this will be done while we’re away in Switzerland. In one sense, this is good. In another, it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

Our big suitcase left us on Tuesday via Baggageman. Big too big really, but the next size we had was too small. Now we can’t remember what’s in the big one. In the afternoon Dot went for a walk with Anne and her grandson Charlie, who is not lacking in confidence. In the evening Judy took us to Cake & Compline at the Archers’.  Delightful as always.

Got a nice letter back from the other churchwarden at Harlestone, saying she’d see what she could do about  the aggressive bush (see last post). In the meantime the hot weather has vanished and I’ve been feeling pretty under the weather with head pains, a bit of shivering and sore eyes. These all come and go, and paracetamol works pretty well; so I am  keeping going with no trouble. Annoying, though.

Needless to say, the starting date for our shower installation has been put off – till tomorrow. This means that Glenn plus one will be working in our house while we’re away, which is not ideal, but I think we can trust them. At least they should have finished by the time we get back.

On Friday a goodly number of ex-CNS pupils  celebrated the 60th anniversary of our first month at the school. This was the day the weather broke, and there was a great deal of light rain peppering us as we were shown round the school by a few Year 8s. Less than ideal, but it was worthwhile, and Rod Kemp gave a very good speech while presenting the Top House trophy to Blakeney House (270 of them, in the Arc building).

Later the rain got heavier, and Dot and I got a taxi up to the St Andrew’s Brew House, where we had a good meal, plus a talk on Cyprus and a film on Norwich in the 50s. I had seen the latter before, but it’s a good film. Had a chat with Steve Chadwick, who also went into journalism, and Richard Watts and his wife. Richard had some interesting stories about what happened at sixth form dances.

Afterwards I had a few stomach problems and didn’t feel well enough to go to Pinky’s, which was a pity. The drive in very wet conditions would not have been much fun, but I do enjoy reading there.

On Saturday the rain abated a little, and in the evening we went round the Hendersons’ for a meal with their Saxlingham friends, Neil and Harriet, who are very nice and extremely green in an innocent sort of way. Lovely meal.

On Sunday I preached on a very difficult parable (Luke 16), but it seemed to meet with general approval. St Augustine’s is very good for my self-esteem. They are really a lovely group of people.

Yesterday it was warm again, but mainly cloudy and a bit frustrating. Dot and I went to the supermarket, then after lunch she went to the dentist’s and I went to pick up my pills, which were not there. So, after some prevarication, I went up to get our Swiss currency and a few euros – and forgot my debit card PIN number. I have never done this before, and I remembered it a few minutes later, but it meant I had to use my credit card, which means there will be a charge. Annoying.

After this I went up to John Lewis, which was where Dot had got herself entangled after the dentist. She bought a frying pan and come rather nice textiles. We walked home via St Julian’s bridge.

In the evening we had intended to walk or bus up to Holy Trinity  to hear a talk by Dr Peter Bussey (a former CNS colleague) on Quantum Spirituality – the evidence (or lack of it). In the end we went by car. It was an excellent talk on a subject (quantum physics) which I find quite compelling. Dot really enjoyed it too. Usually feel quite intimidated at things like this, being surrounded by a crowd of people I assume to be scientists. But the first question was idiotic, and most of the rest I could have answered myself. Felt better.

Dot is at a DSSO meeting at Letton Hall, so I can catch up on a few things. I have just written to the churchwarden at Harlestone in Northamptonshire about my great-great-grandparents’ gravestone which, as you can see by the picture, has been attacked by a bush and is practically invisible. Disappointingly, even when it’s uncovered, the writing is almost indecipherable. Ten years ago it was crystal clear.

I have also fixed the kitchen strip light by purchasing a new one for £15 and using its brackets, which are probably worth about 10p each. Apparently you can’t buy the brackets on their own.

The last few days have been hot. Yesterday, after walking into the city (to buy the light) I went to the cinema with Dot to make use of a two-for-£12 voucher given us by our neighbour, Des. As it happened the tickets came to £6 (Silver Screen); so I still have the voucher, and I believe it runs out today. We saw Florence Foster Jenkins, a heartwarming story about a woman who thought she could sing but couldn’t.  Hugh Grant and Meryl Streep were both brilliant (as were the rest of the cast), but it was hard to believe someone could deceive herself so thoroughly. It was based on a true story, but I suspect some liberties were taken.

On Tuesday I posted a lot of stuff, bought our rail tickets to London for our Swiss holiday and later accompanied Dot on her walk to Carrow Road (Norwich 2 Wigan 1). It was really hot, as it was on Monday, when after having our hair cut by Linda we went to the DCC, arriving late because the vicar gave out the wrong time on Sunday. He said he didn’t, but he did, because I remember thinking it was different from the usual time. I shouldn’t have listened. The meeting was very quick, probably because the vicar will be leaving us – though no-one knows when.

Sunday was busy (and hot). I led the service in the morning, after which we ate a sandwich in the old church (open for Heritage Day) and sped off to Jessie’s for a cup of tea and apple and blackcurrant crumble pie. Oh, yes. This gave us time to get back to Norwich, eat a small evening meal and drive to Lowestoft for a session at the Seagull. Phil couldn’t come, but Dot and I played one new song, Love you anyway, and an older one, Afraid of falling. I also read a couple of poems, Luskentyre and Jokes about Penguins. We both thought it went really well. Ian was on top form, reading two excellent poems.

Very rainy day today, pinpointed precisely on a birthday party arranged by Philip and Jane Coomes for Oliver’s 14th. It was going to be a barbecue, but although it was dry and warm all last week, and promises to be again in the coming week, today was very, very wet. So the party was indoors.

On the way there Dot and I were obstructed by a closed section of the A120 and found ourselves on a 20-minute detour, which I followed on Apple Maps while Dot drove. Interesting countryside – and we were still first at the Coomes’.  An extra guest was Jennie, who we had not seen for some time. She seemed much better. Lovely lunch.

Earlier in the week I got my new reading glasses (Monday). Against expectations this went without a hitch. though I had to have both sets of glasses tightened later in the week.

Tuesday was much busier. Following the Archant pensioners’ lunch, Dot and I met Bill and Judy Spencer, who had arrived on a coach from Lowestoft, where they were staying for a week. Had a coffee with them in Presto, then while Dot went to UEA for her diabetes research project, I took them on a tour of the city – mainly by car, as Bill cannot walk very far. We did get out at Elm Hill, though. I worked with Bill on The Christian in the mid-1960s.

In the evening another Judy (Reynolds) took us to the Julian evening at Howard’s. This was combined with our Cake and Compline evening; so the Archers came as well. All good.

On Coventry I went by train again to Coventry, this time making sure I did not incur extra costs by impinging on Virgin Trains’ “peak period”, which starts at 3pm. As a result I had time to stroll into the centre of Coventry and catch a bus from Pool Meadow to the hospital. Andrew seemed relatively unchanged, though a bit dishevelled. I took him for a short walk, partly to get some cash from the hospital cash point so that they could buy him some shoes/slippers. We also bought him some apricots.

I stayed for about 90 minutes and caught the 1810 to Euston, which was delayed en route for nearly 30 minutes by a train having trouble at Milton Keynes. Apparently. On the train to Norwich I got into conversation with a woman bridge player who lives at Eaton.

On Thursday we went to Angela’s again for more sorting through of Ethel’s leavings. We took some stuff to a charity shop and had lunch at the new Prezzo in Dereham. Meanwhile Charlotte (Vicki’s stepsister) was very ill in hospital with some kind of infection – probably kidney stones. Her husband dropped in and was obviously and understandably very worried. No news since, so I guess she’s recovered, but she had a temperature of nearly 106 at one point.

On Friday I took some Paston Volunteer Handbooks to Rob at North Walsham, and some more to Lucy, where I stopped for a cup of tea with her and Diana, who had dropped in fortuitously.   Very pleasant. The rabbits are doing well.

Last Wednesday I took the volunteer handbooks to Karen as planned, having a chat with Heather C while I was there about a talk I’m doing at her Saturday group in a few weeks’ time. Even Colin came round in the evening as planned, and it’s not often you can say that. However, he did promise to let us have a quote by Friday, and it’s now Sunday…

After that, things (as opposed to Colin) moved quickly. On Thursday we drove to Northampton to meet the Evetts and Oliver and Amy at Coton Manor, where we had lunch and a walk round the very beautiful gardens. It was still pretty warm, but we did have to wear jumpers for lunch, which was outside and in the shade. There was a parrot. I don’t know why.

On the way home I showed the children their great-great-great-great grandparents’ grave in Harlestone churchyard. Since my last visit 11 years ago a bush had grown up in front of it and had obliterated most of the writing. I am thinking of complaining to the PCC. Happily I have a photo from my previous visit.

After this we drove into Northampton and left Dot at a hotel with Barbara. They were delivering some P4C at a nearby school the next day. It went very well. The children meanwhile were in my tender care, or vice versa, and we had a good time the following day, shopping at M&S and visiting Phil and Joy, taking Joy her birthday presents. And a big plus – Oliver fixed our Broadband and WiFi, with a little help from his father.

In the evening after supper we drove to Scole to meet Dot and Barbara, but were delayed at every turn: first by a huge traffic jam at Tasburgh, then by a combine harvester, then by taking the wrong road on the diversion and finally by road works traffic lights on the outskirts of Scole. We were about 15 minutes late, which was annoying. Still it showed the children some parts of the Norfolk countryside they would never otherwise have seen. Oliver said it was the second most adventurous drive he’d been on. The other one involved the centre of Paris and Grandad Evetts.

Yesterday I had a morning meeting at the UEA introducing volunteers to the Paston Footprints project. Not as bad as it sounds: I had some interesting conversations and even learnt a bit about John Fastolf’s house in Norwich. Had to leave fairly promptly to take the children back to Vicky: we met at Cambridge Services in pouring rain, and Vicky stayed for a coffee before heading pack. Dot and I bought a pizza and some other stuff from M&S Food.

Today Dot stayed at home doing preparation while I went to church and played guitar so that Phil could leave the service. Howard played piano for the same reason. After lunch Dot headed for London and her second P4C of the weekend. She reached her hotel on Seven Sisters Road all right – only a mile or two from where we used to live on Bethune Road.

The weather has remained gratifyingly warm and dry these past few days, though some rain was promised for Saturday, when we went to visit the Coomes in Leyton. In the end we did not see a drop, though other parts of the country had downpours.

We were a bit late setting off and feared the worst when we came across a queue on the slip road off the southern bypass – it was, after all, a bank holiday weekend. But I slid round the queue and after that there was no real problem, except for Leytonstone High Street, which is always a problem.

Had a really nice lunch and conversation with David and Kristine, with David not really seeming any worse, though apparently it is becoming more of a struggle for him. The council have installed a banister and a device which heightens his chair, so that he can stand up more easily. They are looking at chairlifts; they were looking at ground-floor flats, but the expense involved would be huge.

We were back in Norwich by about 7.30pm, and the next day I was preaching (on living water). The worship band was almost bigger than the congregation. We had Phil and me  on guitar, Adrian on acoustic bass, and Dot and Anna on violins.

On Monday I got some new glasses, but I am a bit suspicious, as they turned out to be the computer ones, and not the reading ones as anticipated. No-one knew where the reading ones were. I am returning next Monday, when I hope they will have arrived – and that they are not a second computer pair.

Went for the shortest dentist appointment in recorded history on Tuesday. He checked the laser work he’d done and found it had improved matters considerably. This took about half a minute, though we chatted for a while afterwards. I then popped down to M&S to buy fruit and vegetables and took a bus home, because the bag was heavy. In the evening we went to the cinema and saw Bad Moms, which was very funny in parts, though I have to say I would not recommend it to anyone of tender sensibilities, or my grandchildren.

Today is warm again and I am about to go to Karen’s with some volunteer handbooks. Later Colin is due to come round. I am not holding my breath, but it would be nice if we could get the shower fixed. Meanwhile I have written a new song. This happened yesterday, while Dot was practising violin duets with Anna at her house, instead of painting everything in sight.

Yesterday I got so fed up with trying (and failing) to sort out the TV / Broadband / WiFi system that I went up to the cemetery for a couple of hours. It was very peaceful.

David is in Canada, where apparently it’s quite warm, and it’s been a warm week here too. On Sunday – the day David left – I led the service, and then Dot and I went to Su Lee’s 70th birthday surprise party, which took place at her daughter Alex’s house in Brazen Gate, a new town house development behind Sainsbury’s on what used to be the goods yard at Victoria Station, and now isn’t.

We parked on Southwell Road and took what turned out to be a circuitous route via Sainsbury’s car park. It turned out that there was a much quicker one the other side of the bridge, which led directly into Brazen Gate. We came back that way. I used to know Norwich pretty well.

I was a bit nervous about the party, but it turned out to be really enjoyable. Su’s daughters, Becky and Alex, were both pleased to see us and we chatted to most of the people there, including Su’s former and current boyfriend, Brian, and legendary court reporter Grizelda Graham. Alex’s daughter made some excellent cakes. I think it was Alex’s daughter. I spoke at some length to Charlotte, a friend of Becky who works in the same office at Norfolk County Council as former colleague John Birchall.

I played what is normally my annual game of chess on Monday, but something went wrong, and I won – so I will have to play another one. It’s a knockout competition. Quite a nice game, actually, against David Hughes (121). Later in the week I was asked to play for one of the club teams, but declined.

On Tuesday it was very warm, and Dot and I went to the Sainsbury’s Centre at UEA for an exhibition of photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Extremely interesting, but I wonder if his fame results from his adoption of a rather esoteric philosophy behind what he does, which makes it seem more profound than it is. He is not alone in that. Nevertheless, it was a good exhibition, and so was the baguette and cup of tea.

On Wednesday we had the long-awaited visit of Glenn, to look at our shower and suggest the best way forward (it’s broken, and we want a new one). Nice bloke. I stressed the urgency of the situation, and he seemed to get it. But of course Colin is involved… While Glenn was here he fixed the door of our kitchen cupboard, which I had been unable to sort for a while. Easy when you know how, which I usually don’t.

In the evening we went to the cinema and saw the new David Brent movie, which was very funny in places. I think Ricky Gervais is under the misapprehension that Brent is basically lovable, when in fact he’s basically stupid, which is hard to love. The band was good.

Today I have picked up the books from the printer, and I’m about to go and take Phil to the doctor’s in the rush hour…which was quite interesting and also circuitous . Read quite a bit while waiting for him, and Dot is cooking dinner.

I’ve just realised the Olympics end tomorrow. We’ve spent quite a long time looking at them, but seem to have seen hardly any athletics, probably because it takes place in the early hours. What we need is an athletics catch-up programme every morning… Last night the British women won hockey gold despite being undeniably the worse team but having the best goalie and winning the penalty shoot-out.

Back at the beginning of the week, Dot and I went to see Jessie on Monday – though Dot drove via Holt, and I went by train because I was finishing off the Volunteers Handbook for Paston. We coincided at Jessie’s about 2.30, and after our visit called in at the cemetery.

On Tuesday, a bit more editing and a haircut, and Fred and his grandson Tom (Kate’s son) called to park here before going to the Norwich-Bristol City match, which happily we won 1-0. They had a bite to eat before leaving and afterwards returned to West Runton.

On Wednesday the gas man came to service our system, which turned out to be fine except for the shower, which has been running cold for some days. He said it needed a new cartridge, but I suspect we’ll be having a new shower instead. Colin Moore will be coming on Wednesday at 10 – probably. Very hard man to pin down, or even contact. I also took the handbook to the printer, together with the Poetry/Walks book. I thought it was all over, but it wasn’t.

On Thursday I went by train to Coventry to visit Andrew, who is still in Hearsall Ward at the Caludon Centre and not making much progress. I travelled via London, and at Euston was surcharged £33 because I was “not off-peak”. This was at 3.03pm. Apparently Virgin Trains operate a different off-peak from everyone else. Yesterday I complained at Norwich Station, who were sympathetic; I await the result.

This rather soured the journey, but everything else went smoothly. I got a bus to the hospital (a journey of about 40 minutes) and spent about an hour with Andrew, as well as speaking to a nurse and a couple of helpers, who were all positive without being able to be specific. I took Andrew a couple of magazines. The journey back was straightforward. I chose to stay in a very hot carriage on the first leg because I was practically the only one in it, and I don’t mind being hot. Ate my sandwiches and drank my tea in peace and quiet. A swift transfer via Tube got me to Liverpool Street for the 8.30pm, and a comfortable seat in the front carriage. Home about 10.30pm, having read almost an entire book – The Gun Room, by Georgina Harding, which I can recommend.

Yesterday we managed to catch a bit of rain as we travelled to Holt to get a lamp mended. Had lunch in a cafe and bought some fruit before getting a bit wet on the way to the car. Later I returned to the printer, who had spotted a problem with the handbook. We managed to sort it out (some pages needed blanks behind them because they were designed to be ripped out).

Meanwhile I have ordered some new glasses to replace the ones I lost, and will have to order again to replace the computer ones, whose frames have just given up the ghost. Dot has some new violin strings. Everything seems to be breaking.

Will the excitement ever end? Well, it may do now, because David, Oliver and Amy have gone back home after a week of unexpected activities. Or activities at unexpected times…largely because the sailing which was scheduled originally for Monday at Morston was postponed twice because of windy conditions. It eventually took place yesterday in glorious sunshine, and went really well – especially for Dot and me, who got soaked. We reached the seals and got some good sailing in on the way, with everyone taking part, if it was only hauling in the sheets and coping with a dodgy cleat.

Afterwards Dot and I elected to walk to Blakeney while David drove Amy. This was largely in the hope that our clothes might dry out, which indeed they did, except in certain key areas. Happily David and the children, seated towards the stern in the Oyster dinghy, were not so badly affected. At Blakeney we all had lunch at the Manor before sauntering up to take a look at the “cottage” booked by Barbara for next year.

Earlier in the week there was even more excitement, beginning with David fixing our WiFi. This was followed quite closely by a trip to Thetford, where we elected to try the cycling (mountain bikes). We all did pretty well round a ten-mile trail that included some unstable ground, with Dot and I bring up the rear about 20 minutes behind the others. We all enjoyed it, though. Afterwards we had  Prezzo takeaway.

On Tuesday Adrian, Clarissa, Gareth, Nicky, Gracie and Max arrived on their boat at the bottom of the road. We went down for a visit: only Adrian and Clarissa there at this point. Later Dot, David, Oliver, Amy and I went to cinema to see Star Trek: Beyond. This, it has t be pointe out, is not Adrian’s cup of tea. We liked it, though.

On Wednesday the Caddington trio went swimming, and Dot and I went along to watch. Oliver had a bit of a cold; so we took it easy  in the afternoon before going to Yarmouth circus in the evening.  After bit of a crisis when it looked as if we wouldn’t be served in time at the fish restaurant (we cancelled), we really enjoyed the circus experience, which was like nothing else. The building (Hippodrome) was very old and basic, and at first I thought the performances were not going to be so hot, but in fact the whole thing turned out to be brilliant, including some superb trapeze artists and other great balancing acts. The ring turning into a pool was a tour de force – much more impressive than expected.

Afterwards we heard there were going to be fireworks on the beach (every Wednesday, apparently); so we wandered over and had some excellent  hot dogs while we waited. Big crowds for the fireworks; took us a while to get out, as we were parked on the jetty.

Thursday was quiet and not very nice weather, though we were able to say goodbye to all the Roberts around 2pm, not quite early enough to avoid being charged an extra £5, though Adrian did his best to get out of it. (He was supposed to have been gone by 10am.) The ticket man proved surprisingly convivial and had his picture taken with us all. Later we stayed in and played Monopoly, which I won. I mention this because I hardly ever do. During the visit Oliver got a new table tennis bat and eventually beat everyone.

Back before their arrival we had a good service at church, where I delivered an especially short sermon because of an after-church session with the rural dean about the future of the church. We all liked the rural dean.