Monthly Archives: December 2008

30 December 2008

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Granddaughter Amy on the phone at Nottingham to great-aunt Ethel, thanking her for her Christmas present. Tomorrow we will all be together again!

The weather has turned very c0ld – freezing by late afternoon, and the car did not defrost all day. We used Dot’s car to go to the supermarket this morning and paid what I believe to be a record amount for grocery shopping: over £140. Took a bit of time to get it all loaded in the car, of course. The rest of the day we’ve spent in preparation of one sort or another. I put together a quiz for tomorrow night and a bolt on one of the doors. Dot finished the house-cleaning she started yesterday and cooked the meal for tomorrow night, as well as various other tasks.

On Sunday night we had a family meal here, with Phil, Joy, Sam and Lucy joining the three of us. All went well, despite the oven playing up at a critical moment. (It’s still not right.) Then yesterday Phil drove Andrew back to Coventry with me as a passenger. We stopped again at Thrapston, and it was back on form, with the usual staff returned and the food and service quite reasonable. Traffic was fairly light throughout, and we took the direct route both ways, apart from my patent excursion via South Kilworth on the way back – not because it was necessary, but because it’s pleasant, especially the last few miles on empty roads across country.

Now we await half a dozen of the Tuesday Group, who should be providing some food (bring and share). The first one has arrived without any. Hope this is not an omen. Or something.

28 December 2008

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Grandson Oliver takes a break on the way round the Attenborough walk on Boxing Day, which was brilliantly sunny but with a fair ol’ chillin’ breeze, as they might say in Norfolk if they spoke Norfolk as badly as I do. It had got gradually colder as Christmas week went by, and this morning it barely crept above freezing, though there was only a light frost on the windscreen.

Andrew is here for a couple of days. We picked him up on the way back from Nottingham, where we’d spent a very calm and peaceful Christmas with our family at Julia and Dave’s home. Spot the deliberate error in that sentence: yes, it wasn’t calm and peaceful, because Oliver and Amy were there. But it was a lot of fun, and there were far too many presents for everybody. The journey up to Nottingham was very good, but there was a lot of traffic on the way back yesterday, and we eventually diverted off the A14 just after Huntingdon, and Dot navigated a new route through the southern Fens via places like Earith and ending at Mildenhall. We’d stopped earlier at the Thrapston Little Chef, which is usually good, but the service was appalling and the food only passable.

This morning I led morning worship at St Augustine’s. There were nine of us and two children, which is rather more than I expected. Mark Heybourne did a really good talk on Mary, and on bringing light into a dark world. Called at Phil and Joy’s afterward to pick up Andrew, and after a light lunch I took Andrew for a walk via the Rosary (put some winter plants on mum’s grave) and on to St James’ Hill, then back by the river.

23 December 2008

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That was just to fool you. In fact it’s reasonably mild for the time of year, and the days are getting longer, though as yet it’s undiscernible. The footprints are undoubtedly of Father Christmas, but where is it? No-one knows. I’ve just been into the city to get a final one or two things and forgetting one or two others that we will certainly need, though we don’t know it yet. Fairly quiet in the city, except in HMV, where there was the longest queue I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, it was also the quickest because their system was so superbly organised: a whole row of cashiers, with an additional guy directing the next in queue to the next cashier available (shoppers are usually too dim to see this for themselves, or possibly too short). Anyway, great planning: well done, HMV.

Dot has meanwhile decorated the house and actually painted part of the bathroom ceiling. We got a promise from City Hall that the binmen would come tomorrow after they came yesterday without telling anyone, and so we didn’t have out bags out. Discovered from our neighbour Ailsa that she too has been in contact several times over the intermittent service. I think City Care have a lucky dip on which day they’re going to do Aspland Road each week.

Yesterday I took part in the Christmas chess event and managed to beat the club’s top player on his final day before moving to Kent. OK, he had three minutes and I had seven, but who’s counting? Managed to lose my last game of six when a win would have tied me for first place, but that’s par for the course. An enjoyable evening, though I had one ginger beer too many. That’s a total of two, in case you were wondering. And yes, they’re non-alcoholic.

The alternative carol service went well on Sunday, with appreciation from many of the 40 or so present. Used a couple of old sketches revamped slightly, and they got some laughs. This was followed by a splendid Christmas lunch cooked by Vicky and friends, and in the evening by yet another meal out – Eugenia’s 40th birthday bash at the York Tavern. This turned out to be really good; it was in a private room at the top of the pub, and we met some interesting people, as well as eating some interesting food. In Italian style, plenty of children present, including her own baby, Francesca, who is a lovely little thing. Sat with a Japanese PhD student from UEA and Lisa, formerly in environmental education but now at a day centre for people with varying degrees of disability. Also met a German GP, with whose views on red tape we strongly sympathised. She is married to a Frenchman who is also at UEA – something to do with pharmaceuticals. I think Dot would like me to have been Norwegian, or Uzbekhistani or something.

The previous night we had another meal out, at the Higbees, which was also a lot of fun and very relaxing. Since then I have been down to Alburgh to pick up the Christmas cake from Marion while Dot was at Park Farm / picking up parcels from the Post Office / buying food from Waitrose / visiting her aunt Ethel. I also called in at Burston to leave Annette and Mike’s gift, but they were out. I hid it by the door, then wondered if Annette was at Bally, which would have been much easier. Now we’re just about ready to crash out before cooking a smallish meal for our much depleted Tuesday Group.

Another Aspland Road wall has been knocked down, this time by someone unknown. It must have happened while I was out this morning. The house turns out to be owned by Mrs Hicks’ daughter Janet, who is renting it out and called to see if we’d heard anything. Unfortunately Dot had The Messiah on high and was oblivious. Nice to meet Janet, though.

20 December 2008

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This is my second cousin Jeanette with my uncle Paul (her grandfather’s little brother), when she visited Norwich recently. She is now at Yate, near Bristol. He is still in Norwich, as am I. Meanwhile my son, his wife, her parents and our grandchildren are about to return from Lapland, where I understand they have met Santa Claus, some huskies and some assorted reindeer. Oh, and some Finns, I should imagine, as they are staying at Yllasjarvi, which as everyone knows is in the north of Finland. To be slightly more accurate, the flight tracker informs me that they are about to take off from Kittila airport. They should be back in England at about 9.30pm.

The days still go by quickly, and not just because we are approaching the shortest day. Everything now seems to be wrapped up, but I suspect this will prove to be a delusion. Dot and I were in the city today (she considerably longer than me), finishing off certain purchases. Tonight we are off to the Higbees’ for the evening. Yesterday was our Italian evening at Menita and Regis’, which turned out to be very pleasant. It started at 9pm and consisted of quite a lot of sweet food and an Italian version of bingo, followed by a sort of auction game involving cards. We made a pound or two, I think. No skill was involved at all. About ten to a dozen of us – all good company. We left at about 11.30 and still managed to stay up till about 12.30am. I blame my wife.

Earlier in the day we had been out to visit Lucy, who seemed a lot better following her visit to hospital at Cambridge. She is on a lot of antibiotics, I understand, and the doctors are worried about her immune system. After that we visited Dot’s Aunt Sheila, who had psychically prepared a very nice lunch for us involving jacket potatoes, ham, salad and boiled eggs. We also went to the cemetery and bought a new ink cartridge. Wonderful what you can get from cemeteries nowadays. They used to be a dead loss.

On Wednesday we had the monthly hair-cutting ceremony, this time supplemented by Linda’s partner Michael finishing off our shower room with some astonishingly tricky tile work on the windowsill. He was not on the windowsill; the tiles were. Eventually.

Dot got an inquiry from Teddington about P4C courses, which is a bit worrying. This whole thing could escalate out of all proportion. I have just finished preparing tomorrow’s alternative carol service, and making a card for Eugenia’s 40th birthday tomorrow. We hardly ever seem to be eating at home nowadays.

16 December 2008

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Just back from a North Walsham day – starting at the printer’s, where we discussed printing of material for Dot’s P4C folder with the owner, who happened to be the organist at our wedding in 1968. Then on to Elderton Lodge for truly wonderful sandwiches in a picturesque setting, then to Dot’s cousin Rosie’s, where I took the picture above and where we met her five new dogs for the first time. I am not desperately keen on dogs, but these five would have to stand on each other’s shoulders to give me any trouble. Had further sustenance there in the form of tea and cake, and from there we went the short distance to Jessie’s for more of the same – except that this time it was mince pies, which I could eat for England, unfortunately. It all took the edge off a very slight recurrence of flu symptoms, which I am sure will quickly subside.

Very cold day today, but it was milder yesterday, when (working backwards) I won a game of chess for my club against the aptly named Johnny Danger: mine was the only win in a 2-2 draw. Some consolation for last week’s fiasco. Earlier Barbara had been up to help Dot choose P4C folders, and we all had lunch at Caffe Italia, where I ran into the Mercury elite having what was presumably their Christmas lunch. Warm greetings ensued: Julia, Terry Redhead, Ivan, Jane, Terry Reeve, Tim Warner and the chief reporter, a charming girl whose name I have forgotten. I expect it will come back to me.

Much present-wrapping and card-writing over the past few days, but it’s mostly done now, except for close family. The City Council binmen have again failed to materialise, but phone calls seem to get nowhere. On Friday we had a “completely certain” assurance and “guarantee” that they would come, but of course they didn’t, and still haven’t. This time I was told it would definitely be Wednesday (tomorrow). I said I didn’t believe the council spokesperson, and she seemed unsurprisingly unsurprised by this.

Last Thursday’s Ambient Wonder event was hard to assess. Not many people came into the church, but I guess numbers aren’t everything. I’m still not sure it’s the right thing for the right place. Quite a cold night, both inside and outside the church.

On Friday a double whammy, starting with Archant pensioners’ lunch at the Jarvis hotel, which was as usual pleasantly nostalgic. I failed to win a place at the former subs’ table because of the press, as the King James Version might put it, and landed up with the cleaners but between Frances Burrows and Frances Pearce, which was a definite plus. In the evening (second whammy), former colleague Ian Bullock came round for a chat which extended almost to midnight.

On Saturday, after a bit of book shopping in the afternoon, we went to the Robinsons’ for a Moroccan meal, which was very pleasant. Philip is worried about the Russians turning off the gas, which I suppose is possible. I am worried about meteorites.

On Sunday evening we went for a curry with Heather, Simon and Sam at the excellent Ali Tandoori in Magdalen Street, and had an excellent time. En route from pre-Indian drinks at the King’s Head we ran into Dot’s cousin Roger and his son Philip. After the meal we had a further drink at the Maid’s Head, where Dot has discovered a cosy snug. Heather was suffering a bit from a bone at the bottom of her spine which she damaged years ago but has suddenly played up again for no apparent reason.

Now we are waiting to see how many people turn up for our Tuesday group, at the same time wondering how David and Vicky and family will get on on their flight to Lapland tomorrow, where they apparently have an appointment with Father Christmas. He had better be on the ball, or Amy will have something to say to him about it.

10 December 2008

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Winter sunshine shot of St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, taken from outside the Forum during my swift guided tour of the city for Jeanette and Graham, who are now in Liverpool, or possibly Southport, and thinking of buying a car, which is hardly surprising, given the size of their suitcases and their lack of any permanent hall to leave them in. They sent us a nice message thanking us for our hospitality and inviting us to Cornwall when they (a) get there and (b) find a house. They seemed quite happy with out cold winter weather: apparently Jeanette, at least, “likes the cold”.

Meanwhile things have quietened down a bit. Today I spent quite a lot of time making Christmas cards and then addressing envelopes. I surmounted the problem of replacing two ink cartridges while Dot was away with Barbara working on P4C in Metfield, though I did lose it momentarily while trying to use of one of those cheaper cartridges where you have to switch the electronic tag, or whatever it is. Definitely not worth saving the money. Incidentally the P4C website designed by David with content by Dot and Barbara is now up and running. Proof-read by me, so any mistakes are my fault. I’m hoping there aren’t any.

Dot finished her inspection at Carleton Rode on Monday morning. I took some stuff up the tip. That pretty much sums up our different roles. In the evening I played a really good game of chess against Colin Payne, then lost it through one bad move late in the evening. Unaccountably, I have been feeling down ever since, though I don’t think it’s entirely the chess. I’m not sure what it is.

Dot went to the dentist yesterday and apparently needs some work doing, despite the dentist’s admiring both the quality of her teeth and her general fitness and stunning appearance.. Apparently she would never be taken for a woman of 63. Tell me about it. We had a mammoth number of people round in the evening, and Dot and I ended up sitting at the breakfast bar. Still, the carrot soup didn’t run out, and we had a good session. I may not have mentioned (yes, I could check) that we also went to Ambient Wonder planning on Sunday, and tomorrow we have the big AW adventure, when we take over St Stephen’s Church just outside Chapelfield Mall and try to entice passers-by into talking to us and seeing what we have to offer. There is some excitement about this (quite rightly), but I find it difficult to cope with the chaos of it. This is a character defect. I have just been reading Jack Earl’s autobiography (he is in his late 90s), and it is amazing what he has done in his life – on a purely geographical level, apart from everything else. I put this down to his enjoyment of camping, which I could never get enthusiastic about. Oh, and the war.

7 December 2008

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Granddaughter Amy in her ballet outfit, performing a few pas de deux ou trois while staying with us last weekend, and looking stunning while doing so.

My second cousin Jeanette and her husband Graham left us on Friday by train for Liverpool, arriving at my first cousin’s there by early evening. Before they left we had fish and chips after a visit to the Rosary to see some family graves. The previous day we visited Paul and had a really good 90 minutes with him. He had a lot to tell Jeanette, most of which I’d heard before, but I did discover that my mother had been desperate to have a child (I was born eight years after they married) and made herself ill over it. I had always thought that they deliberately put off having me till the war was over. Jeanette was impressed by Paul, who is in his mid-eighties and still extremely fit and healthy.

I also took Jeanette and Graham for a drive round a few key spots, including our cottage at Yelverton, taking in my grandmother’s former homes at Queen’s Road (demolished), Hall Road (still there), Caistor Lane (changed out of all recognition) and Poringland (hardly changed at all).

I stayed in yesterday, writing a sermon on John the Baptist for this morning. I think it was too long, but three or four people said they liked it. In the afternoon yesterday I proof-read Dot’s website and completed the Ambient Wonder material – or would have done if the laminator hadn’t wrapped film around itself. Tried to fix it this afternoon, but couldn’t even get it open. I think it’s had it. I will get a new one tomorrow.

4 December 2008

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This is Jeanette and Graham, her husband, who are staying with us at the moment. Jeanette is my second cousin, from South Africa (near Pietermaritzberg) – the first daughter of my cousin Howard, my uncle Leonard’s son. They are coming to live in England – possibly in Cornwall, where they have a arranged a three-month rental of a holiday cottage near Tintagel while they sort themselves out. The rental doesn’t start till after Christmas, however. They arrived on Tuesday and are leaving by train tomorrow for Liverpool, where Jeanette’s aunt Ann (my cousin) lives. Yesterday I gave them the tour of Norwich, including lunch at Caffe Italia. It was a bright day but got colder and colder, and we were glad to get home in the end. Dot cooked lamb steaks. The previous day we directed them to Prezzo’s while we had our usual Tuesday gathering, and they also had a walk round. They are very easy to get on with and have plenty to tell us about the family in Africa, which has been fascinating.

Today is quite different: dull and wet. Dot has just taken her car to fill it with petrol prior to a trip to Ipswich this afternoon for a meeting to do with her Philosophy4Children project. She’s also showing Graham how you get petrol in England! Later I’ll take J & G round for a drive round a few significant spots, such as Howard’s birthplace in Queen’s Road.

At the weekend David and Vicky and the children came up, and we bought Oliver a Norwich City football kit for Christmas. Technically I didn’t, because I was cooking roast chicken at the time, but I was there in spirit. In the evening we all watched Hot Fuzz after the children had gone to bed. On Sunday I had to go to church owing to a shortfall in the music group, and all went well. We all went out to lunch at Prezzos, and when we got home Eddie, my cousin from Ilford, called in with his wife Christine and saw the grandchildren for the first time. Might also have seen David for the first time, come to think of it. Oliver became rather unwell during the day, with asthma affecting his chest. He was away from school a couple of days but is back today and improving. Hate to see him unwell. Amy showed us a few of her ballet moves and was generally adorable.