Just for a change, here’s a picture of me and Dot, taken with the IMac’s Photobooth facility. I know the quality’s not high, but I really like it.

It should have been a picture of my nephew Sam and his bride Lucy, who got married on Saturday, but I don’t have one handy. Maybe next time…

The weather was a total contrast to the wedding the previous Saturday between Richard and Debbie: then it was really hot and sunny; on Saturday it was coolish and raining steadily most of the time, as well as windy. The wedding was at Dereham Baptist Church, a massive building set so far back in the middle of the town that I had never noticed it, despite its being visible from the EDP offices, which I visit regularly.

We were fortunate to find on-street parking before getting right to the middle of the town, and it was a five-minute walk to the church. So instead of being late as I anticipated, with difficulties finding parking and heavy traffic, we were almost half an hour early. Very upbeat service in semi-charismatic, bouncy style. Dot and I nipped into the Sticky Bun cafe for a superb rhubarb crumble and cake while photos were being taken (cafe recommended by assistant in Dipples), then set off for reception at Norwich High School.

Because of the weather, photos were taken inside the school entrance, where there’s a rather splendid staircase. This was followed by a very good meal. I sat next to Adam Crothers, who stayed with us at 22 for three nights. He was one of the ushers (Joe was the other) and he came from Belfast; he is a bit of an expert on Bob Dylan. He is also extremely entertaining in a laid-back style: amazing dry wit. He spent most of the meal charming the bride’s grandmother, who I have to say looked terrific and was also pretty sharp.

Sam gave a very generous speech, largely off the cuff, which was fluent and well received. It did reveal, however, that he had not mastered the art of understatement.

Afterwards there was music from Sam’s laptop – carefully selected to ensure maximum dancing. Needless to say , there was only a small amount as usual. Dot and I were about to dance to I Got You Babe, when it was deleted from the playlist, together with Bohemian Rhapsody. So we went home. Not in a fit of pique, but because it was getting late and I had a splitting headache for some reason.

Now we are awaiting the arrival of the Murrays from Canada – well, from Essex, actually. The house seems pretty much perfect after six months of preparation, and it remains to be seen what we forgot. I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep.

We keep getting text messages from the family in France, which is nice. They seem to be having a good time. Dot tries to reply but can’t handle predictive text (nor can I) and can’t work out how to turn it off. Her last message ended: nun. Apparently predictive text won’t accept Mum.

Another picture of Dave, rather more recent, although there’s some dispute between my wife and myself about where it was taken. I thought it was at Aspland Road, but she thinks it was in his house at Hastings. She’s probably right. It gives an idea of his stature!

Yesterday we went to his funeral, which was small and private – only about 50 people! It took place at Hastings Crematorium. The vicar was from Christ Church, Ore, and knew Dave, and the eulogy was given by his friend Anne Gaye, wife of Stan Nicholls, the fantasy writer and another close friend of Dave’s. Another friend and best man, Steve, flew over from New Zealand to read a section from Sword in the Storm which was extremely moving. The opening and closing music, chosen by Stella, were Lay Down your Weary Tune, by Bob Dylan, and Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen. Readings were from Isaiah 43 and 1 Corinthians 13, Dave’s favourite passage.

Afterwards there was champagne at Dave’s house. Many people we didn’t know, but some old friends too, like Val, his first wife, and their children, Luke and Kate, with Kate’s daughter Jordan, who is six. Also Val’s parents and sister Jenny, with Jenny’s children and Simon’s wife, who is a police officer. (Steve is also a police officer, so we felt very safe…) Also Dave’s sister, Linda, whom he’d only discovered in 1999, and her husband and two daughters – all of them lovely people. And Mary, who gave me a massage at Dave’s instigation many years ago.

Many others also present; some of them had brought pictures of Dave, and there was a collection of obituaries in the library. The one by Stan in The Times was excellent, and it was also interesting to read Russell Claughton’s in the local paper, the Observer.

The web has been full of praise for Dave:
http://www.thealienonline.net/blog/2006_07_01_tao_news_archive.asp
has most of the references.

We stayed until about 4.30 and then headed home, pausing only for some food at a Little Chef on the A21 that looked as if it was on its last legs. Food was OK, but that was about all. Arrived home at about 8.30pm.

As I write we’re having the carpet cleaned, following which we’re off to Blickling for the opening of the sitooterie – Annette and Lisa’s project. I forgot to RSVP, so I hope they let us in. We will then continue to North Walsham and probably pop in on Jessie. Weather is much cooler; hope it doesn’t go completely off the rails for the Murrays.

Incidentally, there’s a big alert at airports today after a terrorist plot was uncovered – there are fears that more people may be involved. No hand luggage is being taken on to the planes between America and the UK, because the aim apparently was to explode planes using a liquid explosive that could pass as shampoo. Fighting gets more and more extensive in the Lebanon, but we all carry on as normal. Is the world falling apart, or does it just feel like it?

An early picture of Dave Gemmell with his first wife Val and Dot on a boat on the Broads. His death seems to have hung over the last couple of weeks, and I’ve been very on edge. Tomorrow is his funeral. We are driving down to Sussex today, staying overnight with Stella and going to the funeral from there, returning here tomorrow evening. Happily everyone has rallied round Stella, the publishers being particularly helpful, and his friend Steve is flying in from New Zealand for the funeral.

Here in Norwich things have been very hectic, preparing for the visit of Roger and Barbara from Canada. We had three new doors installed last Friday, and Dot spent yesterday painting them while I caught up with administrative matters. I need to write another column by the end of the week.

On the up side, we’ve spent some lovely days with Oliver, who stayed with us on his own for the first time last week. We took him to Sheringham on the train, and the next day on the Bure Valley railway. He is a real delight to be with. If only we could keep up with him! He has now departed these shores and is in France, where the family are on holiday with Vicky’s parents.

We went to Richard Beales’ wedding to Debbie Smart last Saturday at Attleborough – very hot, and the children had a good time, I think. Excellent food. On Sunday we spent the afternoon and early evening at Yelverton – Denise and Peter’s ruby wedding celebration. Had a really good time talking to old friends, to the people who now own Holly Bank (Christine and her boyfriend Paul) and to Elaine and her new baby Oliver (!). Spent quite a time chatting to Marilyn and her new husband Philip – well, not that new, but we’d never met him. They live at Shelton. Excellent food and we felt really at home.

Meanwhile, I have a new computer, installed courtesy of my son a couple of Sundays ago. A real joy to use: my Dell had done well, but it was getting to be a real pain. This one has many features I have hardly glanced at, but it also does the normal things well, quickly and prettily. Wonderful. Much like Dot, now I come to think of it…