Tuesday 18 Feb – Quite a pleasant start, with sun. Cold, though. Caught glimpse of new neighbours heading out! Dot still spring cleaning – saw another episode of Unforgotten – really very good. Renewed car insurance and filled in health survey. Ordered wine. Anne came round about 5.30 and went by bus with Dot to Ask Italian for a meal, then on to the theatre for a performance of The Nutcracker. Home a bit earlier than I expected – before 10pm. I had cooked lamb steaks, sprouts and potatoes, then cleared away, set off dishwasher and finished a poem – Am I Nearly There? which came to me after I briefly lost consciousness (ie went to sleep). 

Wednesday – Still cold, with a bit more wind, but some sun. Had a bad night and felt a bit odd towards the end of the day. Suddenly realised we should be at church by 11.30am to meet a man from PMT who we’d like to fix our sound system. Phil, Debbie, Judy also there. More complex than I thought it would be, but a very nice and helpful man (Jim). After he went we had our usual Bible study in Acts – bigger group than usual, because Phil stayed and Ellie and Steve turned up. After lunch Dot and I walked up to the sorting office to post a card to Sandra (King) and then we drove to Morrisons to buy some food, which all went well. Was emptying dishwasher when Harriet turned up. Dot had just started practising violin; so I made Harriet a cup of tea and had a chat. Haddock for tea, then Dot went to orchestra – driving herself and Nova because Janet couldn’t come this week . I lay down briefly and then put the next rota together. Quite hard work, for some reason. When Dot got home watched Amandaland, an episode of Outnumbered and Real Madrid beating Man City 3-1 (6-3 on aggregate). Felt better by bedtime. Why!???

Thursday – Markedly milder, but some rain, though mainly dry. Dot and I caught bus up to bus station via All;

Saints Green (Castle Meadow is closed for roadworks) and walked up to the Assembly House, where we had tea with Kim. Dot and I had a fruit scone each : very good. Chatted for about 90 minutes, then Kim went into concert. Met Andy Russell and had a chat – he had his prostate out three weeks ago. Then Dot and I went to Chantry Place to get some trousers, but they didn’t have the ones so wanted; so progressed to Slaters at bottom of St Stephen’s, where I got some Dockers, similar to the ones I bought in Canada. Not quite so good, though. Quite upmarket shop. Dot called at a different shop, where she bought handkerchiefs.

It had been raining, but by the time we exited Slaters it had stopped, and we walked home. Expected to see lots of road works on Castle Meadow, but practically none, and only two workmen. Tired by the time we got home and lay down for a while. Then Bridget came round to clean: she is thinking of writing a humorous book on her cleaning adventures. Watched a Lauren Bacall film in evening – Designing Woman – then the first half of Bridget Jones’ Diary. 

Friday – Quite mild, but wind getting up a little bit. Started on Parish Pump but watched a lot of TV, including more Bridget Jones and in the evening Death in Paradise. Just about all our neighbours are away, having visitors or under the weather; so Dot and I went outside for a few minutes and drank some wine on our own, and caught Sarah  coming back from a funeral near Wisbech. Dot did quite a lot of violin practice. Felt OK most of the day, but my head was a bit funny in the evening. However, got a letter from the hospital to say I had no significant kidney stones. Yippee!!

Saturday – Mainly sun with some cloud, and mild. Finished my Parish Pump pieces, on Turner, Einstein and Madame Tussauds. Quite interesting. Walked with Dot to Carrow Road, where she saw City beat Stoke 4-2. I was exhausted by the time I walked back and lay down for half an hour before clearing up and making the bed. Made a large portion of salmon for supper and noticed that Oliver was en route to Canada: sent him best wishes. Watched second half of Calcutta Cup – a lucky win for England by one point. Watched the third Bridget Jones film but missed it on Channel 5 and had to pay to see it on Prime. Saw City highlights on YouTube. 

Weather more of the same, with small variations. Last Thursday (Feb 13) Dot dropped me at the dentist: no problems, but had an x-ray and a clean. Walked through Back of the Inns to Leathes Prior in The Close and managed to see someone who wasn’t Louisa: she promised to get me an interview with her. They sound very overworked.

Walked back to the station and on the way took a look at the new Paddington statue on a bench. Took a photo. Intended to buy flowers for Dot in the station, but they were ludicrously expensive; so I didn’t. Instead, when she went up to Jarrolds for one of their evenings with Kim and Kavana, I took the car to Morrisons and bought some flowers there, as well as a few other things, including petrol. Meanwhile Dot managed to get her money back on her broken necklace and bought another one: very nice. Earlier Bridget came to clean and guessed what my favourite soup was, which is a bit alarming. It’s pea and ham, in case you were wondering. Watched football and went to bed. 

Friday – Valentine’s Day. Miraculously, we bought cards for each other, and I received another Barbour jumper, light brown, which is very nice. Dot was pleased with her flowers. Lingered in bed awhile, as it didn’t look very inviting outside. Caught up with e-mails and so on, and thought about leading on Sunday, which I am doing unless Howard makers a sudden recovery. Apparently he hasn’t got malaria, but what he actually has is still not known. Rather worrying. Feeling chilly and quite itchy, especially later. Went over for drink at Des’s with Chris, Mary and John (who moves on Monday). Des fetched fish and chips. Later watched Dr Zhivago, which we saw at the cinema (Leicester Square) the first time we went out. 

Saturday – Grey; dry at first but wet later, with sleet and a bit of snow. Lots of snow in Canada. In the morning Dot went into the city for a minor cosmetic assignment. After lunch I dropped her at church after she’d posted a card through Howard’s door, and she went to the Peace Catalyst last meeting, which apparently went well. I picked her up on her way home, as it had started raining and was very cold. As I was making supper she went to Morrisons for a few things. Later watched football and a real life murder trial documentary. David FaceTimed us while we were clearing away, and we had quite a long chat, partly about peace. Watched a bit of football before going to bed. Howard hasn’t got malaria, but he could have anything else. 

Sunday – Cold but dry – some sun in the afternoon. Went to church but did not play in the band, as Steve was there – with an electric bass! (I have nothing against Steve; it’s a numbers thing.) Uplifting service led by Howard “I haven’t got malaria” Green. No fever, but he seemed a bit unstable. Good sermon from Carrie and prayers from June. Took Ray home. Road works still much in evidence.

Watched a lot of TV, much of it football. Spurs beat Man Utd 1-0 and Liverpool were lucky to beat Wolves 2-1. Dot and I drove up to Ketts Heights in mid-afternoon and walked up to the top and then round the perimeter. Bit dog-heavy but very pleasant. Later Oliver rang – he is going to Canada instead of Sophie coming here and changed his date for visiting us, which means we need to change Kristine’s date. In evening watched first two episodes of Hebridean murder mystery The Island – quite good, especially the scenery. John has been spending weekend emptying his house into large van and transferring stuff to tip and/or new house. 

Monday – Again quite pleasant and quite cold.  New neighbours moving in – Dot introduced herself while pruning roses.  Felt quite shivery today for some reason – better in evening as usual. Watched too much TV including a new Apple film, The Gorge, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Very good but a bit horrific. In response to a message from Dot, NWT have adjusted their light so that it doesn’t glare into our guest bedroom. Late on, plane crashed at Toronto airport in snow. No one killed but three badly hurt. Very cold and stormy in Canada and USA. Hopefully less so when Oliver goes there soon.

Not very nice weather recently. Last Saturday (Feb 8) was still cold but mainly dry. Went with Dot to football: Jonathan also there. Norwich not at all impressive but went 1-0 up in the second half. Still no urgency, though, and they managed to give away a penalty and only drew. Adrian: “That’s an hour and a half I’ll never get back.” Watched rugby and one or two other things later. Oliver rang us earlier: he had been on a run at Finsbury Park. Spoke about where we lived in London and sent him the addresses. Later he went to see the Bob Dylan film and texted to say he really enjoyed it. 

So – he is 22, living in North-East London, travels by tube to work in central London and loves Bob Dylan. Sounds familiar – though of course he has a much better job (and home) than I did in 1966-67.

Sunday – Now Kristine too has enjoyed the Dylan film! Quite a cold day, but dry. Drove to church and played in worship band. Graham gave excellent talk on Isaiah 6, and we sang my favourite hymn – I the Lord of Sea and Sky, which is obviously linked to it and more or less changed my life at one point.

Took Ray home as usual. His legs are quite bad, but he still gets around. Watched football in the afternoon, and went to a concert at the Theatre Royal in the evening. It was Dot’s Christmas present! Prague Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and Dvorak’s Symphony No 9, plus three other pieces, two of which were encores. Brilliant violinist. Ran into Kim before the concert and had a chat, before and at interval (+gin and tonic) then walked a little way back with her afterwards. At home, watched Ski Sunday. Howard and Anna back from Guatemala; Anna had stomach upset while they were there, and Howard now Ill – not sure what with, but feverish and in bed.  

Monday – Grey and rainy. Quite cold. Dot cleaned out cupboards in kitchen and utility room. I put out bins. Caught up on computer work. Did rota e-mail.  Watched a bit of football, plus Call the Midwife and Miss Austen, both of which were OK. In the evening Judy came round, and we took her to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. Guinness cake – very nice. Vicky’s mum has cancer of pituitary gland. Howard still ill. General Synod has voted to insist on alcoholic wine and non-gluten-free bread at Communion. Everyone except us outraged!

Tuesday – Grey and still a bit rainy. Not very inspiring. Hair cut in morning, and finished my excellent but weird China Miéville book this afternoon while Dot did some more cupboard clearing in the kitchen. Forgot to contact solicitor, but sent birthday card to Dave Evetts. Cooked separate meals – I had lamb, which was delicious – saw first two episodes of new series of Unforgotten (very good) – and then we walked to football. Cold and a terrible match, City losing 1-0 to Preston. 

Wednesday – Weather grey and cold but dry. Drove up to church – had a bit of trouble parking after being held up by bin lorry. Bible study went quite well, and Dot and I then went round Steven’s for a chat and to give him a bit of advice. He is doing a degree course but having trouble with part of it: he had an option to change, but we advised him to persevere, because of the time factor (he’s 45). Drove home via city centre and had a late lunch. Dot went to orchestra rehearsal in the evening with Janet and Nova. I tried several times to sign in to chess.com but failed. David FaceTimed and we eventually got his and Oliver’s game on screen – a win for David, but quite close. Trump has made no executive order on chess yet, but I expect him to ban Freestyle and Blitz.

Saw second part of Katya Adler on the Balkans. Just as good as the first, and just as scary.

Monday Feb 3 was dry and not too cold. Actually went outside in the afternoon to clear up a few leaves and put bins out. Tried to get small tree out of ceramic container, but too difficult – ended up very tired and had to lie down for a bit. Generally feeling a bit better, I think. Watched quite a bit of TV including a couple of Wessex Tales from way back – 1973, I believe. Good stuff. Young versions of actors we know well. 

Tuesday was again dry but mostly dull – clear sky in the evening. Dot drove me to hospital in the morning for an ultrasound on my kidneys and bladder. All seemed ok. Bit of a wait, but the process didn’t take long. Got a 26 bus home. Felt pretty chilly in the afternoon, for some reason. Tidied up my room and got bins in. Quite interesting end to the season for Silent Witness, but a bit smarmy. Very interesting piece on the Balkans by Katya Adler, who I discovered is half German. Really well done , and frightening. 

Wednesday –  Sunshine, a bit chilly but not too bad. Bridget came to do some cleaning about 11am, but at about 11.45 we left her to go to church for Bible study (Acts 18), which went pretty well.  Then home for a quick lunch and walked up to Vue cinema to meet Leanna, Nikki and Luke for a viewing of A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. Comfortable chairs (an innovation) and a good film, very well acted, about the outset of Dylan’s career up to Newport 1965. Chalamet was brilliant at Dylan’s singing style (and guitar playing). L, N and V loved it too. On the way home we called in at the travel agent to show them Dot’s passport, then caught a 25 bus from Orford Place. After supper Dot went with Janet as usual (and Nova) to orchestra rehearsal. Chose hymns for Sunday. Felt quite a bit better today. 

Thursday was sunny but cold. Frost in the morning. Drove to charity shop, deposited some jumpers and bedlinen and then moved on to Morrisons, where I met Dot, who had walked it. Stocked up fairly heavily , then I drove home and she walked. Took some time to unpack. After lunch watched a documentary on Mary I with Lucy Worsley, which was quite interesting in terms of phantom pregnancies. Felt very tired afterwards for some reason, and lay down for a while. Better in the evening: had some mushroom soup, which is not my favourite, but it was ok. Then watched Top Gun: Maverick, which was surprisingly good. So two first-class films in two days. 

Friday – Pretty cold, often overcast but mainly dry. Drove to Swaffham for lunch with the Higbees – really nice: haddock pâté starter, variation on cottage pie with chicken and ham; and pears and yogurt. Journey both ways fairly straightforward, though a big stretch of the A47 is now closed for the weekend. Not tour fault.

Street meet in our house, with Des, Chris, Sarah, Mary. All told stories of how we met our other halves! Afterwards watched a Yellowstone documentary and Death in Paradise: not sure which was harder to believe. As we were going up to bed David FaceTimed and we had a chat with him and Chrissy. Very cold over there, but they seem fine. John and Tara moving into new house at Stoke Holy Cross today. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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