I’ve been getting around: Warwick, Bacton, Stowmarket and Old Catton in the last four days, and mostly the weather has been good: warm and mainly sunny.

I hesitated a bit about going to Warwick but in the end decided it was worth it, because I won’t be seeing Andrew again for at least three weeks, which would have made it two months without a visit. For all that he loses track of time, I think he still notices when I haven’t been for a while. He was not as good as last time I saw him – he apparently had a stomach upset – but still much better than when he first went in there. We talked for about an hour, and I took him into the garden for a while.

The journey went quite well. As I hadn’t been feeling so good, I decided to go first class, and it was a good decision – even though the Chiltern Line appears not to have a first class. There were not many people on the two trains between Marylebone and Warwick, and it was very comfortable. I walked from the station to the hospital, which was about a mile. I had intended to take a taxi, but I would have got there too early.

The whole journey went slightly quicker than I had anticipated, which meant I had to hang around to make sure I got an off-peak train out of Liverpool Street. I had a quick snack at Marylebone (Upper Crust), watching the many, many cyclists taking their bikes on to the trains, then waited a while at Liverpool Street.

There were no seat reservations marked, and when the train had almost filled up, a couple decided that I and another guy were sitting in their reserved seats. It was too late to move, because the train  was pretty full; my companion pointed out that no reservations were marked, and they went off quite quietly. I have a feeling that train seat reservations should be abandoned altogether, because they cause so much trouble. People with reserved seats often sit elsewhere, and it’s easy to remove reservation cards and dispose of them (not that I would do this, but I bet some people do).

There should no doubt be exceptions in the case of those with special needs. On the way down I gave my seat to a woman with a disabled child because apparently her reservations hadn’t  been marked (or had been removed). This is not as heroic as it sounds: I was able to sit elsewhere quite easily.

On Friday the Paston Heritage Society had arranged a visit to Bromholm Priory, and I was due to act as guide for a couple of women while Lucy looked after a group of schoolchildren. However, when I arrived there was no sign of anyone. The school had cancelled because of an organisational problem, and only one of the women turned up. So Lucy, with her greater expertise,  was able to guide her, and I waited by the gate in case the other woman turned up. She didn’t, but a random couple named John and Jane did; they were about to turn away because the priory is private, but I suggested they join our “group”. They did – their lucky day. Peter was also there taking photographs, and we were all able to have a good look round.

The next day Dot and I went to Stowmarket to the Suffolk Poetry Festival, where I was reading on behalf of the  Seagull group. So was Dot – she and I did a selection of tanka that I am writing with Joy McCall. It was sunny and warm when we got on the train, but by Diss it was unexpectedly pouring with rain. Happily by Stowmarket ( a quarter of an hour later) it was sunny again. We got a teacake in the Lime Tree Cafe and then nearly got some shoes for Dot – but not quite– before the afternoon session started.

The poetry went well, I think. Dot and I started, followed by Sue, then Ollie Watson and ending with Kaaren. Quite a good balance. We listened to some other groups, then took a break, watching some students recite in another building while eating tea and cake. Following that we decided to go home, arriving in time for the Cup Final, Arsenal beating Chelsea 2-1, I’m glad to say. Good game.

Yesterday we had a rather distracted Communion service, partly because we heard just beforehand that Chris Fiske had had a very bad night and might have to be rushed into hospital. She didn’t in the end, but is not at all well. Then Dot got a phone call in the middle, went outside to take it and spent some time comforting Elvira, who was upset over recent family tragedies. Afterwards I spent some time trying to fit too many things into the too little space afforded by our replacement cupboard.

In the evening Dot was playing in a concert at St Margaret’s Old Catton, and so of course I went along. It was pretty full, and an  enjoyable evening. David Archer turned up at the last minute. As we left, there were a few spots of rain, and it rained harder overnight, though not so far today, despite the forecast. This evening I’m playing chess against a grandmaster. So are quite a few other people.

Summer seems to have arrived. Today is warm and mainly sunny, and I’ve already been out to Mundesley for a meeting of the Paston Heritage Society trustees – the first, amazingly, since last December, though there have been plenty of Footprints meetings in between. Happily I have already done the minutes, despite suddenly getting some floaters in my eye to go with my slight headache, uneasy stomach and heavy legs.  I have also booked a first-class ticket to Warwick to see Andrew tomorrow, after checking that he would be there.

Yesterday was a mixed day. The highlight by a mile for me was taking Jessie to the crematorium at St Faith’s to mark her wedding anniversary. We took a rose for Frank and viewed his entry in the memorial book. We then sauntered round the gardens, which were much more extensive than I thought, played Poohsticks and then sat by a lake before returning to North Walsham for tea and egg custard. Lovely.

Afterwards I went to Northrepps by several circuitous routes and delivered some pictures to Brigette, avoiding her partner and dog. Meanwhile, Dot was in London with Anne, celebrating the latter’s birthday by visiting the Shard and drinking champagne, among other things. They arrived back just before 11pm with makeovers from Harrods.

Earlier in the day I had been to the doctor’s – a highly unsatisfactory visit to a female doctor I hadn’t seen before and who wanted to give me statins, which I declined, and then more or less insisted I upped my blood pressure pills. She wasn’t interested in any of the things I wanted to raise with her (see first paragraph), and I left feeling pretty depressed, though my spirits were raised by a conversation with my neighbour Mary, and later with my son – until I discovered I’d booked a holiday in Scotland when he and the children might otherwise have come up to see us.

In other news, we had another meeting on Monday of the inter-church group which discusses the similarities and differences between the three congregations in our parish, and on Sunday I preached at church. The day before we spent mainly at Bury St Edmunds, partly trying to park and partly enjoying Matthew Creber’s wedding to Lynda Davies. Matt used to play piano in our group at church and lived with us for a month. He is now training for ordination. Also there – Heather Cracknell, preaching, and her family: Paul, Rhianna (13) and Finnan (10).

Those who know Matt will not be surprised to hear that there was a chaotic element. The service went so slowly that we were afraid we wouldn’t meet our afternoon engagement with Audrey and Bent at Côte Brasserie, but in the end it worked out (after a phone call), though we missed refreshments at the church afterwards. We had a nice meal with Audrey and Bent and then went to their house for a cup of tea. We weren’t invited to the wedding reception, but to the evening do, which started at 7pm. We got there at 7.45pm to find that the Reception was still in full swing, the best man’s speech was in progress and there were too many people in the barn.

Happily we entered close to where the Cracknells were sitting, and there were spare seats at their table because a family with young children had left. We even got some drink and a dessert, plus a cup of tea/coffee.  We left not long into the dancing, though, and encountered a small deer by the side of the road on the way home. (We were on our way home: I don’t know where the deer was going.)

We’re back in Norwich after a busy week, the highlight of which was David’s 45th birthday yesterday. We arrived at Caddington from Scarborough, booked into the Premier Inn on the A5 (Horse and Jockey) and then got lost trying to find our way through Caddington past the road block at the top of Chaul End Road, where they’re inserting raised tables for pedestrians to cross more safely (theoretically). Eventually we went back to the Slip End road, with a little help from David on the phone. Turns out there is no way through Caddington village other than the main roads.

Anyway after we got there we had a good time (Amy hadn’t known we were coming and seemed very pleased). David and I walked up to the Indian to get a takeaway. Bit of rain, but not too bad at that point. Got David a couple of books (one by Harold Evans and a newly discovered one by Dave Gemmell) and a small cake, plus a bottle of wine. Revised some French and maths with Amy while David and Oliver played Fifa (I think).

Drove back to the Horse and Jockey around 10pm. Left after breakfast this morning, and I dropped off Dot at Forncett St Peter School before heading home and buying petrol. I had been home for only half an hour before she rang me to come and fetch her. Just had a chat with Des, who spoke about a couple coming to our door while we were away. Can’t imagine who that could be…

Way back in the mists of time, on Friday last week, Dot and I took Howard and Phyllis to visit Ann Travis at her residential home on Colney Lane, meeting her daughter Chris there. This went really well, and Chris was very appreciative.  On the same day, we had our piano tuned. Joe is getting on a bit. But then, who isn’t?

Saturday was another big day. After having our hair cut by Linda we travelled to Louise Robinson’s new house at Stoke Holy Cross, where we met her partner Dave and were joined by her mother and father, and her sisters and their husbands – also Charlotte’s three-week-old baby. From there we drove to Stoke Mill, where we had a private room and an extremely pleasant meal. Yes, it was Anne’s xxxxth birthday. The number that dare not speak its name.

On Sunday we had a meal at church and discussed St Augustine’s Way before heading out to North Walsham to go to the cemetery before dropping in briefly on Jessie, who was about to go to Roy’s with her son and his girlfriend. I had been scheduled to go on to the Seagull, but I decided I wouldn’t, as I was already tired and had to drive to Scarborough the next day.

Which we did. It was quite a pleasant journey, and we arrived about 3.30pm. After a cup of tea we went out for a short walk part way down the cliff, where there were bluebells and wild garlic.

On the Tuesday we drove to Rievaulx Abbey (after the obligatory coffee stop at Cedar Barn). The Abbey was a beautiful place, and we really enjoyed the tour of it, accompanied by audio info. Afterwards we had tea in the cafe – also very pleasant. The weather was overcast, but not unpleasant. The next day, however, it did not stop raining. Dave devised the cunning plan of calling at a different tea shop before making our way to Eden Camp, near Malton, a former POW  camp now a museum. We had to dodge the rain going from hut to hut, but it was a fascinating experience, and there was so much of it that we didn’t manage the complete tour.

On Thursday it dawned bright and sunny, but as we travelled south it became greyer and greyer. We decided not call on Andrew because of a shortage of time (we’d have had to go well out of our way), but we got to Caddington by 4pm and booked in to the Premier Inn. The rest is history (Back to top).

At last a bit of warmth for the East of England. And it came at just the right time for a trip to Swaffham yesterday to visit the Higbees. To confirm that summer was here, if only for a while, we had a barbecue – and ate Italian nibbles in the garden, though we decamped to the dining room for the main course.

Later, while Dot went to orchestra, my brother Phil and I went to the Cathedral for a talk on “Why God loves science”. This proved to be not quite as exciting as expected, largely because the speaker tried to get too much in and therefore spoke a bit too quickly. Nevertheless he had some interesting things to say about the book of Job and its references to scientific inquiry (though not in those words).

It was a mark of how much Phil has improved that he walked to the Cathedral (and back), and we met outside the statue by the west door. He pointed out that the statue bore a marked resemblance to Rowan Atkinson, which is true enough, though it is in fact Nelson. I walked halfway back to his house afterwards and then along Barrack Street and Riverside Road, thus exciting my Steps app.

Back last weekend Dot and I went to a Mozart Orchestra concert at Christ Church, Eaton, on Saturday. We went mainly because Bridget had had a hand in organising it, and in fact introduced it and thanked everyone afterwards. But it was an excellent concert, featuring Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and his 100th symphony. Neville and Mary were also there.

On Sunday I led the service, and in the absence of all musicians, including Dot, who – shockingly – was at Carrow Road for the final game of the season, I played guitar too. I also led the prayers. By mistake Carrie, who had had a very bad week because of the probably criminal behaviour of someone she had tried to help, had thought there was a church meal and invited four men from her Saturday group. As a result she had to fire up some quick jacket potatoes. I declined the opportunity to stay and instead delivered a bank card to the church treasurer, who lives on Colney Lane. It had been addressed to me in error.  At his house I noticed an electric car charging…

In the evening Dot and I went to Cley Wildlife Trust for a piano and art event (a pianist improvising to some art flashed on screen). We went because we knew both artists – Martin Laurance and Sarah Cannell – but surprisingly, they were not there and in fact the audience numbered only a dozen, where I had expected it to be packed. We had also hoped to combine the event with a short walk, but the weather was very cold, windy and grey, with a smattering of drizzle; so instead we sat in the cafe with a drink and watched a marsh harrier in the distance until the performance started. We felt the latter could do with a couple of poems.

On Monday, as our son arrived back from Canada, we journeyed north again, to the Paston agm at Mundesley Manor Hotel. Again a very small gathering, but with some excellent sandwiches. Weather still cold, grey and damp (although beautiful in other parts of the country), but the hotel was extremely comfortable.

On Tuesday, with the weather relenting somewhat, Dot and I walked up to Jarrolds in the afternoon to deliver some Paston books (they have now had 26), then had a cup of tea at an empty Presto’s, where Kathy and Roberto talked of opening for early evening meals, which sounds like a good idea.

In the evening Judy drove us to Howard’s for our monthly Julian evening. There was some doubt about what we should have read – I spent 90 minutes in the bath that morning reading chapters 41-63 – but we eventually zeroed in on Revelation 14 and had a good discussion. I’m getting a lot more out of it than I thought I would, and I don’t mean just wine and nibbles.

Anyway, today seems promising, and I shall go out for a walk in a minute. Dot is at a DSSO meeting with Paul. I had been thinking about going to visit Andrew today, but he has been at Minster Lodge overnight, and I’m not sure when’s travelling back to Warwick. By all accounts he’s doing really well. Glad not to go really, because my back is still not quite right, though not exactly painful.

Dot has had a day of uncluttering, but luckily I am still here. This is largely because she’s been in the garage, and I haven’t. Mind you, it’s reaching a stage when she might be getting rid of me and installing something more efficient. On Tuesday, shortly before the Archant coffee morning, I injured my back. I don’t know how, unless it was the way I got out of the bath, attempting to protect a cut on my leg. Very painful for a day or so, but then just sore. I am still very aware of it, my legs are quite stiff and I continue to feel very odd. My head is noisily fuzzy, as it has been for a while. However, I can walk OK; so I may survive.

Before that happened, on Bank Holiday Monday, we visited Jessie and had apricot-flavoured Swiss roll, which was interesting. Also went to Sainsbury’s and the cemetery, of course.

After the back injury we arrived late at the Archant coffee morning, where I had an interesting conversation with Brian. Later I took Phil and Joy to have their eyes tested. Dropped them near the Guildhall, and they walked to Specsavers. Phil is back to walking better than Joy. Later, I picked them up again.

Nothing much happening in Norwich on Wednesday, but in Coventry Andrew was visiting  Minster Lodge and making a very favourable impression, extending as far as a group hug.

Yesterday was more eventful than anticipated. I started with a scheduled blood test, then when I was asking the chemist if he had my renewed prescription pills (he hadn’t) I received a text from the surgery asking me to make an appointment to see a doctor. This was either the quickest blood test results in history, or a coincidence. Reader, it was the latter. I returned to the surgery, and the receptionist suggested it was to arrange a review of my medication. So I fixed a date later this month with a doctor I had never heard of.

Then, while Dot was having lunch with the lovely Juliet at Presto’s, I managed to break a tooth. I e-mailed the dentist and got a call back just after 2pm asking if I could come up immediately, if not sooner. I got a few yards down the road and realised I’d forgotten the broken-off bit of tooth, then while retrieving it thought it might be quicker to go by car. I ended up in John Lewis’ car park and arrived at the dentist to get the tooth fixed.

I was about to go home when I thought it might be helpful to Dot to use the car; so I gave her a ring at Presto’s. Surprisingly, she was not planning to do shopping; so we shared the ride home, dropping in at the polling station to vote on the way. Meanwhile (before the tooth broke) I had been moving the MX5 when I noticed the two suspect tyres were down. I took it to Keep-Fit, and they sorted it by the end of the day: apparently it was the seal between the alloy rims and the tyres.

Today I tried again for my pills, but they still hadn’t arrived; so the chemist gave me them anyway, planning (I presume) to replenish his stock when they arrived. I renewed on Tuesday; so you would have thought they’d had long enough at the surgery to sort it out.

While Dot has been decluttering I’ve done a bit of clearing up myself, mainly in the bedroom. Eventually I found the Voltarol, but it didn’t make much difference. Still, everything is now tidy. I’ve also booked tickets for a couple of concerts.

Bit of an end-of-an-era week in Aspland Road, as Sam and Ellie moved out on Tuesday. They are now living with Chris off Ketts Hill.