Monthly Archives: January 2015

Snow down

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View from the window of the Lee Wood Hotel
View from the window of the Lee Wood Hotel

Here we are in Buxton again, having defied numerous adverse weather forecasts and enjoyed a relatively trouble-free journey, calling in to see A Ethel on her birthday before heading down the A11. No free-falling snow at all on the journey, but plenty on the roadsides as we got beyond Leicester, and more than plenty as we neared our destination.

Buxton itself has had a great deal of snow, but  the roads are clear and the sun was shining as we arrived. We will see how the weekend goes. Manchester has been mentioned. We have just had a cup of tea and chat with Dave and Julia and will be going down to dinner soon.

The wintry week began with my leading the service on Sunday and continued on Monday with a visit to James Knox Whittet at Heydon, where we were joined by Rob and discussed the future of Chronicle, settling on a project focusing on Norwich and the decade 1460-70. Caroline is too involved in her new home in the Lake District and matters arising to be involved, but she remains on the Chronicle website as a full member.

On Tuesday I received a letter from the Inland Revenue, asking me to access a form online and change St Augustine’s bank details. Accessing it proved tricky, but I managed it eventually and completed it – ringing up Anna to get Howard’s NI number. Later I called in for Howard’s signature on the way to cake and compline at the Archers’. Anna and Niki were there. Not at the Archers’: present there were Claire and Vicky, with Judy unavoidably absent.

Arctic blasts late on Wednesday failed to deter me from going to the Maddermarket while Dot was at orchestra. I saw Boeing Boeing, a French farce about an American juggling three airline stewardesses. Good stuff, but the theatre was half empty, and I saw no-one I knew.

Yesterday we tried to beat the forecast snow in Norwich by hastening to the supermarket, washing the car, racing to North Walsham cemetery with flowers and then calling in on Jessie for tea and shortcakes – all before lunch. In the event no snow materialised.

Just had a very pleasant meal and have retired to bed. Heavy snow shower while we were eating, but only about a centimetre or two deposited. All had long chat with Polish waitress.

Historic pump brought in from the cold

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Happily, Linda did turn up and we had our hair cut. Pretty exciting. The next day we drove down to Burston to have a very nice lunch with artists Annette and Mike: excellent bread cooked by Mike, among other tasty things. It was a bit of a rush, as we then had to drive into Diss to see their shop – Designermakers21 – before racing back to Brooke, where Dot had to attend a feedback session at the school, earlier than expected at 3pm.

The shop was impressive though a little chilly, and Dot bought a cushion and candle shade. It was even colder outside. We dropped Mike off at his home and then Dot drove up to Brooke, arriving about eight minutes late, but only a minute or two after they’d actually started. However, she was in such a hurry that she left the car with me right outside the school gates, forgetting that I had had wine for lunch. Magically, I managed to park it without committing an offence.

On Friday Dot was out much of the day, but returned in time to greet the Hendersons at about 6.30pm. We had a drink, then supper at Prezzo’s, which we finished just in time, as Maryta walked out in protest at the language from an adjoining stag do. They came back to ours for coffee.

Yesterday I walked Dot to Carrow Road, where she was disappointed to see Norwich City lose to Brentford (1-2) and afraid of being labelled a bad-luck charm. She has certainly not been fortunate in the matches she’s seen this season. She now has to decide whether to continue to have a season ticket next year.

The day was not spoiled, however, as we then travelled to the Banningham Crown for an excellent meal with Roger and Jessie. The pub has been much extended, with new car parking and paths, and the staff are as pleasant and welcoming as ever. The pump where Dot’s mum used to sit and eat crisps in the 1920s while her father was in the pub is now incorporated in extra eating space, where we happened to sit. I had Guinness and steak  pie, followed by a superb pavlova, which had a predictable effect when I went to bed, and made for an uncomfortable night. Lovely evening, though.

Today is slightly milder, but not a huge amount. I took the morning service, with Howard preaching, and we had four children present: Beatrice and Benjamin, with their mother Ruth; and Amy and George, with their mother Vicky and her mother Helen, down from Yorkshire. All good. We had thought of going for a walk this afternoon, but in the end it didn’t happen.

Sands of time singing

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Josephine with Paul in 2008
Josephine with Paul in 2008

A cold few days, but happily my feeling of impending doom last Friday turned out to be a false alarm – either that or my precautions took effect. Either way, I was well enough to travel to Pinkys at Halesworth  to read three poems for the assembled throng. Well, maybe not a throng, but it felt like one, because the room was full. More than 20 people, and all aching to read.

Got a good reception, but not quite as good as that for a youngish guy new to the scene who performed in Luke Wright fashion and almost as well. His name is Oliver; so of course I looked on him favourably and complimented him.

The next day we braved a sprinkling of snow as we left and drove to London to see the Coomes, where we continued a hectic day by enjoying a large lunch, then travelling by car and tube to Lambeth to see a painting  exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. Some new names to me, and some excellent stuff among others not so exciting. Particularly liked a guy called Nevinson. Also a superb large canvas by John Singer Sargent.

We lingered so long here that we had to continue straight to the Indian restaurant we normally visit, without returning home. Thanks to the large lunch already mentioned, I was not feeling particularly hungry, but the food was quite reasonable.

On the Sunday Dot and I went with Kristine to Mass at the local RC church while David stayed at home and mused on life, the universe and everything. Afterwards we had another largish lunch, rejecting the opportunity to go shopping in favour of starting back for Norwich while it was still light, in view of the forecast of snow in Norfolk. In fact the journey was quite easy, and no snow materialised at all.

One reason I had been nervous was my fear of not being able to get back to Norwich for the funeral on Monday of my Aunt Josephine, who died on December 30 at the age of 99. I had arranged to take my uncle Paul (91) to the burial at Cringleford at 10.30am, followed by a thanksgiving service at Hethersett Methodist Church at 11.30pm, with refreshments. Paul managed to keep track of what was going on, and sang enthusiastically, particularly the (very) old favourite, The sands of time are sinking, which I had to admit I enjoyed too.

Phil, Birgit and Dot were there too, with Joe joining us for the thanksgiving service. While getting more sugar for Paul (he took five spoonfuls in his tea), I ran into Melanie Cook, a homeopathist and nutritionist who had helped me some years ago and who is really nice. We introduced her to Birgit, who is having a lot of problems with various obscure afflictions and could probably benefit from a more holistic approach than is afforded by the NHS.

Yesterday Dot was quite busy, and so I had a good opportunity to get things done. Needless to say, I didn’t. But I did walk up to the sorting office and then the Rosary in what seemed the coldest weather for a long time. Not unpleasant, just very cold.

Today we await the arrival of Linda to cut our hair, having already been out to North Walsham to help Jessie celebrate her birthday with a selection of sausage rolls and mince pies (supplied by her, of course). I gave her a copy of my Iona book: we also popped one through Teresa’s door. She had requested one via Facebook.

New poetry book published

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Trying to ignore the fact that I suddenly feel quite congested, heady and tired. It’s probably   just an an instinctive attempt to postpone tomorrow’s visit to London in the time-honoured fashion, but I’m hoping it’s no more. I am also due to read some poetry at Pinkys in Halesworth tonight.

This came on after I walked up to the church hall with some Communion wafers that I’d obtained for Sunday. At the same time I dropped off a copy of my new book, The Road Ends, for Stuart, who wanted to purchase one. My first sale! I also popped a complimentary copy through the Greens’ door.

So far 20 of the 50 copies I got earlier in the week are accounted for, including the compulsory copy to the British Library and five to other libraries. Got a good response when I mentioned it on Facebook.

On Monday Dot arrived back earlier than expected from Rayleigh; the weather was also extremely wet. So instead of going to the 20 Group Private View I cooked a meal for her. I visited the exhibition on Wednesday instead, and it was pretty impressive, though I have to say that the standout pieces IMHO were by people I already know and love (Martin Laurance, Kate Coleman, Sandra Rowney).

On Tuesday I picked up Dr Karen Smyth from the UEA and took her to a PHS trustees meeting at North Walsham. Straightforward enough on the outward journey, but not so easy coming back, when we coincided with the rush hour. Still she was a pleasant passenger, and we talked about Northern Ireland and our respective upbringings with reference to church. She is a Presbyterian Protestant but not affiliated to Mr Paisley.

The meeting was delayed slightly by Lucy’s thinking it was at hers, but was otherwise unremarkable. Karen gave an outline of the grand plan to create a Digital Paston Museum, but it’s dependent on our getting a mammoth grant. However, this is not impossible.

David phoned on Wednesday to say that his boiler had finally bitten the dust but was safely and quickly repaired by British Gas. I have resumed a tanka dialogue with Joy, who apparently woke up in the night and read my book. It’s good to have at least one enthusiastic reader.

Getting to see a Hobbit

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By our front door
By our front door

Dot is now on her way to Rayleigh, in Essex, for a P4C session. She took the train to Diss, where I hope she was met by Barbara. Unfortunately the weather is windy, wet and cold: so not the ideal day to travel. I was intending to go to a private view of the 20 Group – and may still – but the outside world is not inviting.

Both Dot and I have been affected by some sort of virus. I was feeling pretty bad on Saturday, but was partially revived by Norwich beating league leaders Bournemouth away.  I was worried about not being well enough to go to church on Sunday, which would have been awkward, as I was both leading and preaching. In the event I got there. I wasn’t on top form physically, but it all seemed to go well enough.

However, I decided not to go the Seagull. I could probably have made it, but I think it was the right decision. I drove Dot up to Castle Meadow for a girls’ night out at Jamie Oliver’s, which she enjoyed. Meanwhile I watched a bit of TV and then composed the bones of a couple of tunes for my Julian songs.

On Friday we saw the final episode of The Hobbit (3D) at the cinema and found that it was much better than its reviews. Quite a full house and a bit more expensive than usual (we rarely go on Friday evenings), but some excellent CGI and some good acting too.

Resisting the abyss

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Amy, David and Oliver, catch some of the light at the Hendersons' house
Amy, David and Oliver catch some of the light at the Hendersons’ house

The days ticked by, and eventually I got to go to the dentist with my broken back tooth. By the time I got there, it felt perfectly natural to have a broken tooth, but Ross quickly (and for only £130) sorted out the problem, cementing the broken chunk back into place. As there was not nerve in the tooth, it didn’t hurt.  Great idea: teeth without nerves.

To accomplish this, I had to get to the dentist’s at 8.45am – a time I had forgotten existed. I had to plough my way through a whole bunch of commuters and schoolchildren. Afterwards I recycled some Christmas cards, courtesy of M&S, then popped down to the bank to pay in a cheque. This took longer than expected, because on this one day of the week the bank opened at 9.45am. I browsed a bit in Jarrolds, then chatted to a couple of people who were also waiting, and a chirpy little mortgage adviser who wasn’t due to start till 10am but had turned up anyway. I was first in, first out. On the way home I paid the newspaper bill.

While Dot was in town supping coffee with Anne, our friend D from church came round to borrow £10. He had to go to Diss to try to get a job, but couldn’t afford the fare. In the evening Dot and I had a meal at the Bicycle Shop café in St Benedict’s with a couple of sickly Greens. The tapas were excellent, as was the wine and the ambience, and we took a look at the room where we’re planning to do some Julian music later in the year. Not entirely sure about its suitability, but we’ll see.

Anna was getting better, and Howard was getting worse. I myself am feeling decidedly below par and slightly achy but hope I can resist plunging into the abyss, especially as I’ve just written a sermon for Sunday. Was perked up somewhat by sorting out the Apple TV with David’s guidance. It is now functioning well on all cylinders.

Yesterday was a beautiful crisp and sunny day (unlike today, which is gloomy) and we drove out to visit Rosie, who claimed to have a bad cold, but it was undetectable to normal senses, or at least ours. She was chirpy and made us tea and provided us succour in the shape of a touch of brandy and some Christmas cake. Very pleasant visit: we resolved to go more often and to keep in closer touch with people this year.

Crawling into another year

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Amy helping Daddy to relax in Prezzo's
Amy helping Daddy to relax in Prezzo’s

Feeling very down and tired, which is not the ideal start to a new year. Slept very little last night, stirred myself just enough to get Dot a cup of tea at 7.20am before she left for a P4C session at Heather Avenue, then lay awake till after 9.30. Eventually had a bath and crawled downstairs about 11.30am. Cannot work up enthusiasm for anything.

We did have a lovely time with David and the children, managing to do something every day. Last Tuesday (the 30th) we visited Jessie, and on the way there I dropped off and delivered a cheque to Rob Knee, having a brief chat with him and Penny before walking the rest of the way. Cold but moderately invigorating, I seem to remember.

On New Year’s Eve we had a pizza and drink at the Hendersons’ at lunch time. In the evening Roger came round for a meal, and the festivities included the mandatory quizzes – including two very hard photo quizzes from the children which took us up to midnight. There was a brief concert from Queen on TV, with their new (very good) lead singer.

On New Year’s Day, after something of a lie-in, we all went to see The Penguins of Madagascar at the cinema, and I only dozed off once or twice. It was actually quite reasonable, and the children enjoyed it.

The next day Birgit and Joe came round in the morning, and after a light lunch we headed for the Maddermarket to see The Borrowers, which was really excellent, making light of the obvious problems in staging. The actors were superb, and it was just the right length. By accident we got five seats behind each other downstairs, and this caused some concern until it became clear that the adjacent seats were not going to be filled, and so David and the children were able to sit together.

On Saturday Richard, Maddy and Darcy came round both before and after lunch at Prezzo’s, and when they departed in late afternoon, David and the children packed and headed home while we did a bit in the house.

On Sunday we woke to a frozen street, and it took me some time to get the car going. Even when it did it insisted on telling us that the tyre pressure was wrong: not sure yet if this was a result of the cold, or if there is indeed a genuine problem. A visual check revealed nothing obvious.

Rather an odd morning at church, or maybe it was just me. Eleanor, who was presiding at Communion, had a bad cough and so Dot distributed the bread while I sang. Phil was away, as were several other people, but we got a few from Carrie’s group there, plus a Latvian couple who wanted to have their baby baptised. When we left, Anna and a helping group were solving a problem with one of the curtains.

I had a quick look for a stopcock, which Stuart has been writing e-mails about, but couldn’t see anything obvious. Back home I tried to get the new Apple TV to work (David kindly bought it for us at Christmas), but after some partial success failed almost completely. On the plus side, we can now watch YouTube and see Flickr on the TV.