Last day of August, and the Murrays and Vanderkooys return to Canada. We have seen nothing of them since Sunday, but we spoke to Caddington on FaceTime last night. We had kept today free in case David and Chrissy needed extra help to get everyone plus luggage to Heathrow, but apparently everything is in hand.

The weather has turned chillier, but today is vastly superior to yesterday, when it rained fairly hard most of the day. We had arranged to meet the Redgraves at their holiday hideaway just outside Lyng, but took ages getting out of Norwich. Still we would have made it by noon if we could have found it, but one wrong turning took us round in circles. Postcodes cover such a wide area in rural parts.

Eventually we met up, had a cup of tea, chatted and then went for lunch at the Fox in Lyng, generously paid for by the Redgraves. Very good lunch – I had a burger and Eton Mess. The Redgraves had Archie with them – he’s now 15 – plus a small dog called Bear, which was much too lively for my liking. Libby was doing summer work at home. We left after delivering them back to Holly Cottage because it was getting late and we had a hair appointment with Linda (postponed from the day before).

Back in Norwich the traffic was just as bad, this time going down Prince of Wales Road, which must have taken about 20 minutes. It seemed to be caused mainly by the usual blockage in Riverside (and the rain) but someone said on Facebook that there was also a burst water main. Don’t know where. Must have been hard to tell with all the precipitation.

Anyway we made it back in time for Linda, and I had a bath afterwards and went to sleep in it. It was a very wet day altogether.

The day before had been overcast and muggy, but dry. Dot and I went for a longish walk through the Rosary, Lion Wood and down to Thorpe Green, where we had tea and coffee  in the cafe before walking over in the marshes, where the neighbourhood has deteriorated badly. Some extremely scruffy boats are moored by the path, and Norfolk Wildlife Trust has taken it on itself to stop people accessing the smaller Broad after the recent drownings. This has been done by creating a stagnant ditch and dumping assorted foliage so that  it is not only inaccessible but looks awful.

We got a bus part of the way home. Later I picked up some bowls from Anna. We had lent them for the recent speaker event, which took place while we were away. While knocking on Anna’s door, I was accosted by Andrea Cope from St Luke’s, who appeared to live next door. I couldn’t remember her name, but was rescued from too much embarrassment by Anna, who said I was her friend and Andrea couldn’t have me, which made me feel quite good. Yes, it was a joke.

The previous evening (Monday) we went to the Hendersons for a meal, which was very nice, though it’s hard to relax there.

David, Oliver and Amy arrived on Wednesday 16th in preparation for holiday with Murrays. Dot went to the football match that evening, and the following day she did some interviewing at Diocesan House in the morning. In the afternoon Amy accompanied her into the city to get her (Dot’s)nails done and buy some food. At some point I went round Phil’s to return his keys and took Oliver with me.

The Murrays arrived at the station at about 3pm on the Friday, and after greetings we packed up the cars for Blakeney. David had borrowed Vicky’s car, and Dot went in her car with Barbara and a case in the boot. Every corner was occupied. I went with Roger and most of the cases in our new car. We all arrived at Blakeney at about the same time, sorted out the rooms (nice four-poster bed and ensuite, but rubbish mattress), and Dot and I walked out to the houseboat. There was a fair on the quay, and Dot and Barbara rather unwisely went on a ride. Fortunately the fair only stayed a couple of days: not really suitable for Blakeney. Dot spilled bright red nail varnish on bathroom tiles, which took two or three day to clear up. (5.7 miles)

On the Saturday we walked to Morston and had lunch at the Anchor Inn. Excellent. Walked a bit out one to the marshes, then back to Blakeney. Chilly wind, but warm sun. Very tired afterwards, probably because of bad night. Walked down to quay at sunset.  (8.3 miles)

The next day Sophie was sick, but she soon got over it. Dot, Tim, Barb and Roger walked to Cley with Oliver, had drink at Antibes, looked at quay behind mill, then walked through town and back to fruit farm, then on to Blakeney.  Eventually all congregated at house with assorted food. Sophie better. Barb and Dot drove to Holt and Amy completed the Treasure Trail I had put together. I wrote a poem, and Dot and I attempted to book a seal trip, but abandoned it after lack of interest from others. Evening meal in. Then watch film comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon and Geoffrey Rush. (7.1)

Monday was warmer, with less wind. I drove Dot, Barbara and Roger to Burnham Mkt, calling at Stiffkey marsh, Wells quay and Burnham Overy Staithe on the way. While they looked around town I drove to Burnham Deepdale and walked into a rather muddy marsh,  then part way along path to Brancaster Staithe. Picked the others up at noon and drove back to Blakeney. Unsuccessful stop for cake at Stiffkey. All walked to Morston for excellent late lunch at Anchor Inn.  Afterwards Dot and I walk out across marsh to quite near Point. Watched tide turn as people waited for seal boats, then walked back to Blakeney. In evening watched average film, Hunt for the Wilder People, The Big Lebowski having been rejected. Bed latish after discussion about church. (7.7)

On Tuesday Dot and I walked out on the Cley path and into the marsh – very wet underfoot. Lunch in The Moorings. Best steak I’ve had for years. Took pictures of high tide. (6.2)

Got up early on Wednesday to get pictures of 9.1 tide at 8.30am. Then walked to Blakeney Point – Dot and I from Cley beach car park (free), others from house. Jackson and Seth not at all. Very long but stunning walk – Dot, Oliver and I reached lifeboat house, others stayed on beach. Exhausted at end. Bath. Oliver quite ill with allergy at evening meal (poss sesame in bread), but recovered. Completed watching five episodes of Normal for Norfolk. (11.3)

Yet another high tide on Thursday: grabbed breakfast croissant and went and took pictures. Later with Dot took bottles to recycling, bought a few things and posted Uncle Paul’s birthday card. Lunch at Anchor Inn, Morston, again (Dot and I took car, and I had to return to lock up because walking party took both keys). Failed to get Amy to maize maze before it closed. (3.7)

Left at 10am on Friday, missing another high tide; home by 11. Chrissy and David fetched her cousin and his wife and two children from Rose Lane car park. They had travelled up from Stowmarket and were staying near Fakenham for the weekend. After photos, all except Barb and Roger went into town. Dot and I took luggage to Caddington. Traffic pretty bad. Bought snack at co-op and had a cup of tea, then returned. Passed C, D and children near Duxford. They didn’t see us. Called at Waitrose in Wymondham and arrived home around 7pm. R and B waiting patiently.  They had been in town for a while. (1.6)

Had been in touch with Redgraves for several days, as they were coming up to Norfolk and wanted to meet. Eventually made an arrangement for next Wednesday. On Saturday I rang Phil and Carrie to sort out some details on the new rota. Dot spent much of the day in Norwich with Barbara, trying to get their nails done. I took Roger for a walk down riverside path to New Mills. We were heading back when contacted by girls and diverted to meet for snack and cocktail (in my case) at Cafe Rouge. Afterwards bought chocolate for Joy – had earlier sent off for a couple of other items for her birthday. Walked home and had some time on my own. Others eventually returned. In evening walked up for brilliant meal at Bishop’s. At home looked through Harris Tweed book, then played a couple of songs on YouTube. Feel so near and Caught in the Middle. (6.3)

I have barely mentioned the weather, which is because it was pretty much ideal for the whole week: not too hot, sometimes sunny and almost no rain. Yesterday we were up early to take Barbara and Roger to Colchester to pick up their car. This went smoothly, and we returned to call at church after a brief snack and say hello to the attendant company. After much clearing up in the afternoon we walked to the Greens for a meal with them and Elwira and Jarek Zwolinska, the Polish couple at church. Very entertaining – and nice food too. Avoided rowdiness on way home by cutting through St Faith’s Lane. Watched some football. Late in bed, but had a really good sleep.

The weather has improved a bit. However, Dot’s car had started making loud noises, and so I took it round to Kwik-Fit last Thursday after cancelling my round of pitch-and-putt with Paul because I wasn’t feeling too well. I’m still not feeling too well, but last night we decided it was a reaction  to my blood pressure pills; so I haven’t taken them today. Anyway, the car was fixed at a cost of £400 (exhaust and silencer) and I went to the dentist for even worse damage (in money terms, that is).

I was in the chair for an hour while my tooth was prepared for a temporary crown. This did not make me feel any better, but on the other hand it didn’t make me feel any worse.

On Friday, with Dot still busy rearranging the house, I drove to Blakeney in the afternoon and finished gathering data for the Blakeney Quiz. While doing so in warm weather (I had an ice cream) I encountered Peter Bright of the Evening News subs’ desk (ret) with his grandson. I also put together a lot of interesting questions and photographs. I hope I’m not the only one interested in them.

On Saturday I put it all together into a booklet, which took some time. Looks good, though. I’ve also put together a church rota for the period up to Christmas, and on Sunday I led the service. We had to leave fairly quickly afterwards because Dot was going to Carra for Norwich City v Sunderland, which NCFC managed to lose 3-1.

Afterwards Debbie House came round to pick up some dishes to use at her Speakers’ Programme event this coming weekend, and stayed while I cooked dinner, though she didn’t have any. Discovered quite a lot about her background, which was really interesting.

Have been watching a lot of World Athletics Championships in London. Far too much studio chat, but some quite interesting events. Our 4×100 team won the gold medal, which was certainly unexpected and exciting. The girls got silver.

Not a pleasant day today. It’s been pouring with rain for hours. Dot had been intending to go for a walk with Anne, but although she actually drove to Poringland, I suspect the walk was abandoned. I have been in front of my computer most of the time, feeling a little bit better than I have for the past few days. The dentist rang me up earlier (at least his temporary receptionist Lindsey did) to remind me of my appointment tomorrow. I was on the brink of cancelling but really want to get it out of the way. I don’t want to have an hour in the chair hanging over me. Not sure what has been wrong. I’ve certainly had a bit of a temperature and some peculiar pains in the head, plus something wrong with my stomach, but I can’t pin it down.

Meanwhile, Dot says her car has been making odd noises. It may be the same thing I have wrong with me :-). I would have got it sorted it out today, but it’s really too wet.

On Sunday we did go to see Andrew, however. We went to church first, had lunch and started out at about 1.30pm, sharing the driving. We wanted to get petrol at a BP station for reasons too complicated to go into, but we didn’t want to get it too soon. So we eventually stopped at the services near Kettering. As there were no food and drink facilities worth having there, we continued to near Naseby and then turned off, looking for an advertised cafe which proved elusive. After some diversions we ended up at a nice pub in Thornby, where we had a starter only. It was delicious, if a trifle expensive.

We ended up at Warwick about an hour early (visiting was 6-8pm); so we parked in the cemetery and went for a walk by the canal, then attempted to gain entry to the hospital. But we were rebuffed and had to do a further walk before returning at 6pm. Andrew was quite good, and were able to give him his birthday presents. We were also given tea and coffee, which was unexpected. After a while we went and sat in the garden.

On the way back we stopped at Cambridge Services for a bit to eat and drink. The eatery we selected closed at 9pm, so we only just made it. We were home around 11pm.

On Monday, after Dot had spent a long time doing work in the garden and I had been catching up with e-mails and a few other things, we drove to Blakeney to check up on a few things in preparation for our holiday with the Canadians. I am trying to put a quiz together, but I wasn’t feeling great, and it started raining; so I gave up. Dot, however, made some interesting finds, including a delicatessen and a place that sold crabs. We also went to Bakers and Larners in Holt to get food for the next day…

…when the Eagles landed. Or to put it another way, Sue and Roger came for lunch. Dot did a rather nice meal, but before that we sat in the garden for drinks, and afterwards we had a very long talk upstairs, with coffee, etc etc. They didn’t leave till early evening, which was fine, because they’re so easy to talk to and we get on very well.

Meanwhile, the Redgraves have been in touch. They are coming up to Norfolk at the end of August, staying at Lyng – or as they call it, Ling – and we aim to meet up with them. It’s a very long time since we last met.

After much consideration, Dot and I have decided to visit Andrew on his birthday tomorrow; so we’ll be leaving Norwich after church and aiming for a 6pm visit. He has been to Minster Lodge a couple of times and should be going back there soon.

Dot is in the garden, doing extensive repositioning work. She has been doing a lot of that recently. We have also been doing quite a bit of visiting: on Thursday we drove down to see the Coomes, and yesterday we went with Chris Denton to see Anne in her care home.

The London visit went well, though I was feeling a bit odd in a head-and-stomach sort of way that I have now put down to eating some bread that was a bit mouldy: more of a guess than a diagnosis, but it fits the symptoms. Feeling better now.

Kristine was quite bouncy and now has a better prognosis, in a relative sort of way. She has taken a year off work to look after David, who actually seemed frailer, and his voice was softer. Kristine has bought him SkySport. She is also looking for a new flat, because he will soon need to be in a wheelchair, and their present flat cannot be adapted to suit it.

The visit to see Anne Travis was also successful. We picked up Chris and drove there (it’s in Cringleford). Chris seems much younger than her age (64) and was wearing a dress, which is most unusual: like Dot, she usually wears trousers. While Dot spoke to Chris, I had a long chat with Anne, looking at the memory book that Chris had made for her. We brought  some extra old photographs, but she has trouble remembering names, if not faces.

The day before, I played another game of pitch and putt with Paul, this time at Mousehold. Again we were lucky with the weather. We played in the morning, and it poured in the afternoon. My game has improved, except for little chips around the greens, which are extremely erratic.

Working backwards, on Tuesday we went to the Archant coffee morning, where Dot made the mistake of mentioning Paul’s book to Maryta. Apart from that, everything went smoothly. Afterwards, Anne came round for lunch, and then walked into the city with Dot. I walked into the city yesterday to get a few presents for Andrew and ended up tired out, for some reason. Had to sit down twice on the way back.

I am now about to install Dot’s new hanging basket at the front of the house. If you don’t hear any more from me, you’ll know it went badly.