Monthly Archives: February 2010

Battle of Redfish Pass

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Typically colourful seating on the beach

At the end of the day on Thursday Dot and I went up to the Bubble Room for desserts, and we then all watched 3.10 to Yuma, which is as good as I remembered. Makes you think a lot about why people behave as they do, and what really corrupts.

Yesterday Roger was feeling really bad, and today he’s worse, and staying in bed. Barb not too good either, but she and Dot went shopping yesterday as the weather got warmer. Dot bought a really nice skirt and some tops. Meanwhile I was doing a lot of walking. Started at the dock while there was still a chill in the air and saw three or four dolphins about 100 yards away. Watched closely by pelican, which seemed to think I had food. Then Dot and Barb dropped me off at Tween Waters on their way to the shops, and I walked back along the beach, taking in the chapel and cemetery (not morbid: both are picturesque). After a quick lunch of biscuits, cheese and blueberries, I embarked on a hike up to Redfish Pass, the most northerly point of Captiva. Outward part by beach, then back through the South Seas resort that annoyingly owns all the tip of the island. The last stretch is a quite wild bit of road between the bay and the Gulf, which I had forgotten was so long: mildly concerned that a large alligator might leap out of a roadside pond, or a deadly snake lurk in the grass. But no: in fact snakes and alligators rarely make an appearance, though I’m told there are lots of them. Passed hardly any pedestrians in final mile and a half. Whole walk (about six miles) took a couple of hours. In the evening we went to Doc Ford’s Sanibel Grille and Bar, which is a restaurant owned by R W White, the top local thriller writer whose main character is (of course) Doc Ford. The books are good, and so was the food. I had a delicious large rib-eye steak with mashed potato-and-parmesan and other goodies. Plus a couple of Tropical Breezes, which are rum-based cocktails. Amazing. Back at the house we watched the Olympics – mainly curling, which the Canadian women should have won, but didn’t.

Now it’s pouring with rain, and it will probably continue most of the day. Seems quiet without Roger, and there is only a very remote chance of Dot making it downstairs before noon, though to be fair she made me a cup of tea earlier. Barb is tackling bookfuls of bridge problems, Dot is reading a brilliant book called Blink, and I am roughly halfway through the compelling Black Widow, by the aforementioned RWW. If I am not mistaken, we have reached the halfway point of our holiday.

Unexpected grace

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A pelican in Pine Island Sound

It’s now Thursday at 4pm. An odd few days. I was laid aside by a bad cold / sinus infection for a couple of days, and others did their own thing, which as far as I can make out was mostly shopping or eating. As I came round groggily, full of Benedryl and antibiotics, Dot went down with a cold. Since she is more resilient than me, she kept going, and last night we drove to the Mucky Duck for a meal. Normally this would be a ridiculous thing to do, since it is only a couple of hundred yards away, but the weather was so bad – cold and windy – that we bet on few people being about and the car park having vacancies. Both proved true, and they also started serving early. Had a grouper with some french sauce, preceded by nice little salad. Too much wine, unfortunately, which made my battered head swim. Still, we sat through two films: the appalling Cape of Good Hope and the rather good Definitely, Maybe. Earlier, somewhere in the mists of time, we saw Gran Torino, which was excellent. I also bought Randy Wayne White’s latest two Florida thrillers, which I’m looking forward to reading.

Today it emerged that both Roger and Barbara are going down with colds. As I write Barb is lying on the sofa, flaked out and coughing intermittently. Roger has a sore throat. Am I to blame for all this, gentlemen of the jury? Yes, probably; definitely; maybe. Despite our various states of health we drove up for breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe, which is rather like driving from Norwich to Blakeney for breakfast – about 45 minutes each way. Still they do a delicious breakfast: my first time this year – everyone else had already been twice. Afterwards we got gas and various drugstore items, then called in at a very large house on Captiva Road that had an Open Day (it was for sale: $4.5 million). Pretty impressive. I think I could stand living there.

Dot and I walked up to the post office to send postcards, and on the way back Dot purchased shorts and trousers. It is bitterly cold, with the wind biting and everyone saying Florida is never, ever like this. The beach is impossible, so we tried the dock, but it was really too cold there too. Apparently even the manatee have moved elsewhere, though the pelicans persist. Really graceful birds in flight – breathtaking because it’s so unexpected.

Road movie

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Icicles lining the highway in Kentucky

We’re now safely in Captiva, at 15098 Urchin Court, the place we stayed last time. Very comfortable and relaxing – at least I would be comfortable and relaxed if the cold I’ve been fighting off since the plane flight hadn’t eventually broken through. I was coughing a lot in the night, and I’ve persuaded the others to go off to breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe and leave me here. The temperature is warm, but not as warm as last time.

The journeying has gone well. We left six days ago at 10am in much different weather conditions: around freezing, but not unpleasant. Took the train to Liverpool Street and then decided on a cab to Paddington, which was the right decision, though it cost $20 (that’s pounds, but I’ll sort it out eventually). The Heathrow express was brilliant, landing us very quickly at Terminal 5, with which we were extremely impressed. Dropped bags and got through Security with no trouble. The flight was uneventful, though a bit chilly, and the food was surprisingly good. Curry for main meal, egg and spring onion sandwiches just before Toronto.

Met by strange waving couple who turned out to be Barb and Roger. They drove us back to Palmer Circle. Not much snow on the roads, but a nice aesthetic covering there. To bed after small supper at 10pm (3am UK). Not a good night – in fact sleeping proved to be quite a problem for several days – but went into Bolton with Roger in the morning. Sunglasses had got broken on the way, so replaced them with $9 pair from Walmart, much to Barb’s disgust. She and Dot were elsewhere. Not quite sure exactly where that was. In the evening we watched Mr & Mrs Smith, which was clever, funny and pseudo-violent. Just managed to stay awake for denouement.

Next day was just above freezing, and there some early swirls of snow. Drove into Toronto for lunch at Serra (goat’s cheese followed by pasta special) and then to the King Tut exhibition. Pretty impressive, especially the huge statue of Akhanatem, his father. Wrote poem about it. Three most ridiculous items in King Tut shop: 1 Tutchoo tissue box cover; 2 inflatable mummy; 3 baseball. Two most ridiculous rules: Roger had to go back and queue up to get the tickets redated, which then proved to be unnecessary; we weren’t allowed to sit on the steps. No, really. Back home through rush-hour traffic, then packed ready for 9am start the next day (Thurs 18th).

Left almost on the dot. Weather dull, but it brightened up as we neared Detroit. Stopped at Windsor for quick refreshment, then were held up for 40 minutes or so at border, but everyone was very pleasant. Then headed south through Michigan and Ohio to Cincinnati, where we stopped for a delicious lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. On to Williamsburg, Kentucky where we arrived after 10pm at the Columbia Inn. Splendid setting, but the room was a bit noisy (facing highway), and they seemed a bit understaffed. In America, everyone assumes you drink coffee.

Getting a bit warmer as we headed south again on the I75 through mountainous country (the Columbian Plateau), with spectacular icicles on the rocks, but not much snow. Lunch at the Buckhead Diner in Atlanta, Georgia: again superb food (veal meatloaf and mashed potatoes) and service. Very long last leg south after this. Barbara drove out of Atlanta in heavy traffic, and I did a three-hour stint taking us from south of Macon into Florida – the last part of it in the dark. Roger then took over, and we arrived in Sarasota after 11pm. Superb hotel – room was a suite, and it was quiet. And I could get a cup of tea.

Better night, and after a leisurely breakfast we left just after 10am. Temperature really warm now, and we watched it creep up to a maximum of 24C as we neared Captiva. Dropped away from that slightly, but very pleasant as we arrived at the house around 1am, but found it wasn’t quite ready for us. So went up to Starbucks and did a very little shopping. House excellent as expected: unpacked and Barb and Dot disappeared down the beach. Roger and I went to American Realty to get an extra key, then walked along the beach and over to the dock. In the evening we went to Traders, and I had the filet mignon special, which was special. Bought a baseball cap and called at video shop on way home. Watched State of Play, interrupted by frequent coughing from me. Had very disturbed night.

Ready for the journey

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Lucy
Our friend Lucy Care, who we visited this week.

All ready for departure and about to go to bed. I did write the piece for the Drivers’ Alliance, and I did give Sam some comments on his novel. My mouth is still not what I would call perfect – probably still feeling battered and a bit painful off and on. I am quietly confident that it will calm down. We have the currency and just about everything else needful: in the end I bought the tennis shoes here and found my sandals, which I’d forgotten about. Checked in online this afternoon, so what can possibly go wrong?

Had  a Valentine’s Day meal this evening at Prezzo’s, which was very pleasant, as was our meal with the Higbees on Friday evening. Tim M came round after church today to receive instructions, and we’ve given him a guest account on Dot’s computer so that he can get his e-mails. Canada, here we come.

Knockdown crown

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Castle Meadow, Norwich, today: most of the city's buses seem to be sheltering from the snow and have achieved an almost total gridlock.

Mouth has been thoroughly battered on the right-hand side, and I have now taken possession of a temporary crown at a knockdown price of just under £300. If you think that’s expensive, wait till you hear the cost of the actual crown, which will be inserted on my return from Canada. Or rather, don’t wait, because I shan’t tell you. Lying with your mouth open for over an hour is not a lot of fun, especially when your total tooth area is being drastically reduced. I exaggerate slightly, but I can still feel the after-effects, which is not surprising. No doubt it will soon calm down. I did manage to eat an evening meal afterwards – one of Dot’s specials for the Tuesday Group. A reduced group on this occasion: only five of us. It’s nice to have a smaller group sometimes.

Blizzard
Small blizzard at Paston: the garden of Dayspring

Have just returned from a visit to Lucy’s. She is in the last lot of chemotherapy and feeling good at the moment. Our arrival there coincided with a small blizzard. Several hefty snow showers today, but the only lasting effect is on our road, which is very slippery. However, we did make it down and up again, using the “traction control off” technique. Lucy’s father is not at all well.

Before going north I went into the city to get my second lot of currency – Canadian dollars this time – and got myself a pair of waterproof walking boots from Venture Sports on Westlegate. Wore them today. Quite pleased with them: they’re Scarpa – waterproof with Vibram soles. Bought them after consulting with Roger on what footwear would be needed. May buy some white running shoes while I’m over there. After my first (diagnosis) visit to the dentist yesterday morning did a longish walk round Lakenham (Brian Avenue, Hall Road, City Road, Meadowbrook Close) visiting houses I or relatives once lived in. Meanwhile Dot was in the city with Sue Eagle.

Have been asked to write a piece for the Drivers’ Alliance website. Must give it some thought soon. Am also due to look at some writing my nephew Sam has done and give him feedback.

Keeping it all going

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Kevin, Lisa and Matthew Potter with grandson David. Not a great picture.

Bit of a delay there. A lot going on: amid all the preparation for our holiday, I’ve written a new poem, entered poems for two separate poetry competitions, updated my website with quite a protracted piece and written up lengthy minutes from the DCC meeting last Wednesday. That’s quite apart from real life, which has included another ground-out chess win, this time in 66 moves, and taking my car to be serviced, MOTd and have its rear brake pads replaced: it turned out to be the most expensive service, and with the renewal of Mazda Assistance came to well over £400, just when I didn’t need the expense. I say “real life”, but of course that’s open to dispute.

The DCC meeting included much about keeping the church hall going: our new cleaner had several suggestions, some of which we have adopted. Howard was a key figure: he worked with the cleaner on the suggestions and also with a guy who surveyed the hall for longer-term work required. Unfortunately for some reason Howard didn’t turn up to the meeting and couldn’t be contacted, which hampered us somewhat. Still don’t know what happened.

On Thursday Mark and Naomi Tuma came round for a meal. I knew Mark a bit, but Naomi hardly at all, so it was a time for life stories. Discovered Naomi was Scottish, from the west coast near Oban. Good conversation: I don’t have to say Dot’s food was excellent, so I won’t. But it was. Incidentally, while on the subject of mouths, one of my teeth has been giving me a bit of trouble, so I’ve booked to see the dentist tomorrow. Not painful, but feels as if it could become painful, which is unsettling when you’re about to go to Canada.

On Friday had lunch with Keiron Pim at the Wine Cellar on Guildhall Hill. A while since I’d seen him; he is a former of trainee of mine who has recently won a well-deserved award as East Anglian feature writer of the year. He is a beautiful writer and is interested in the same things as I am: he plays blues guitar and is also books editor at the EDP. He has a little girl of 16 months and is married to another of my trainees, Rowan. Wine Cellar a very nice spot; had an excellent Spanish omelette which, together with a substantial meal at home in the evening, got me rather worried about my weight. On discovering that it was indeed up a few pounds I went for a three-mile walk on Saturday morning before meeting Dot in the city and buying a suitcase. This seemed to help (especially the suitcase), as I have now lost a bit, despite having David and the grandchildren up from Saturday evening till Sunday evening. Or maybe because of… Oliver and Amy in very energetic mode; we were joined by Kevin, Lisa and Matthew for the Sunday afternoon, and it was good to see them again. All seem well, and the grandchildren have had good school reports. Amy making excellent progress on writing and reading, and Oliver doing well at his times tables, coached by Dot. (The difference between professional coaching and what I would have done was all too apparent and good to see.) David switched Dot’s photos to my machine so she has some space on her laptop. We spent some time looking at old Lenton family photographs on Apple TV. Some of them were new to both David and Dot. Not sure how that happened.

On the Saturday Dot had had coffee with Anne, who has invited us to a celebration meal for Philip’s 70th birthday at the Swan in Southwold on April 24. This is a disaster, as it is the same weekend that we are seeing the Coomes, in a much-postponed London visit. Not sure what to do about it.

While walking on Saturday I visited the Rosary and noticed that Dorothy’s gravestone was missing. After much hunting around I realised it must have been removed to have Thelma’s name put on it. Either that or Dorothy was a double agent and all traces of her existence are being removed. I favour the former explanation. Now into our final week before leaving the country and still waking up in the night and thinking about what needs to be done.

Vigorous days in Derbyshire

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Dave, Julia and Dot climbing back on to the ridge between the Dove and Manifold valleys, taking advantage of a rare track.

Calves aching after a fairly strenuous weekend in Derbyshire, staying at the excellent Lee Wood Hotel in Buxton, where the food is just as good as they say it is and the service was first-class. We were there with Julia and Dave Evetts, who are not ones to sit around. Hence within a short time of arriving (we had lunched in Nottingham and travelled with the Evetts in their new sparkling red Audi) we were down in the town for a look round. Main discovery was that it was absolutely freezing, in the most freezing of freezing ways, and it was a big relief when we reached a coffee shop. I was a bit worried about the planned walk for Saturday, but it turned out to be nowhere near as cold. Icy, yes; snow, quite a bit on the ground; but bright sunshine and very good for walking, especially after we realised we were going the wrong way and retraced our steps slightly. Walked from Longnor down into the Dove valley and across to Crowdecote. where we had a warm baguette break at the Packhorse Inn. Then across the river (again) and across grassy fields back up to the ridge. Happily the ice had made the mud walkable, and we were able to climb a fence avoid some rather large-looking cattle, which may or may not have been bullocks. From the top we walked down into the opposite valley of the River Manifold and then back up again to Longnor. At each end of the walk we stopped for tea/coffee at the former town hall, which is now a teashop and purveyor of art, craft and a few books. I bought a nicely produced book about Wainwright, the fellwalker. Bit out of his territory, but never mind. While we were unbooting at the car, we watched a local cat perform an amazing trick of jumping up at a front door, hanging on by its front paws and knocking lower down with his back paws. Obviously a special Derbyshire skill.

After another superb meal in the evening (steak for me) we checked out of the hotel the next morning but left car and luggage there while we did a shorter but quite strenuous walk (three miles instead of five) ending at the summit of Corbar Hill. Quite a bit of snow around, so Julia and Dave (who had climbed it before) decided on discretion while I – quickly followed by Dot – scrambled the final fifty feet or so. Wonderful view from the top, with a lot of snow patches on the high ground all around.

On the drive back to Nottingham we stopped at The Miners Arms near Carsington Reservoir, where we had a very good carvery meal. Then after pause for tea/coffee at Toton we headed home to Norwich. Part of the A14 was closed, but we diverted via St Neots and avoided the worst of the hold-ups. No snow on the way, but when we got to Norwich it had obviously been snowing, and our road was icy, though not difficult to negotiate.