Amy was due to come and see us yesterday, but she has a bad cold and couldn’t come. Sad for us, but worse for her: she is having a hard time at the moment. We put some money in her account and will send her other presents separately.

Today has been quite busy. I got up early and walked to Morrisons to buy bread for our lunch. After helping Dot to prepare I then had a bath. It was not too cold outside but seemed colder because of quite a strong wind. Dry here, but plenty of rain in the west and north. The Bowers arrived just after 12.30, and we had a really good time with them. Dot’s meal was lovely, and we had an interesting conversation on various topics. They’re planning to go back to their flat in South Africa in the new year for a few weeks.

Now Dot is at orchestra, and I’m…well, I’m writing this. So, to go back a bit…

On Saturday we hardly went out: it looked uninspiring and rather chilly. Not a good day. Had a further e-mail from Phil K , to which I replied. Fear we may not be on same wavelength, but I expect we’ll revert to not talking about it and getting on fine. Depressing feeling was not helped by City losing 7-0 at Chelsea. We watched on BT Sport. Not much happened the rest of the day. We watched a couple of episodes of Angela Black, a thriller. 

Sunday was dry and not too cold; in fact quite warm in the sun later in the day. Decided to go to church in the end – persuaded by Dot. Between 30 and 40 in the congregation because it was a joint service with St Luke’s. Well over 90pc of them masked, but I wasn’t. No-one said anything. Phil didn’t come, but Adrian made a rare appearance on bass guitar, much to the consternation of Martin Wyatt! (Adrian is a bit erratic, to put it mildly.)

Graham preached in the absence of Martin Smith with a bad cold (lot of it about). Oodles of food gifts for harvest service. We took in a boxful – mainly cans from the cupboard. In the afternoon Dot and I walked round the back of Carrow Road and home along riverside path. Quiet for the rest of the day. We watched Guilt again and the rest of Ridley Road, which was excellent (it’s about fascism and antisemitism in London in the 60s). Also at some point we saw an excellent documentary on the River Clyde. Weekend beautifully wrapped up by Liverpool winning 5-0 and Spurs losing 1-0. Aargh!

Monday was not cold, but it was grey and there were showers, one of which I got caught in while walking to St Augustine’s Hall (from the car) in an  attempt retrieve Dot’s lost sunglasses, which she eventually found at home. Had to borrow Stuart’s key to get into the hall. Earlier I finished my Parish Pump articles while Dot visited Anne: Philip is in hospital and not at all well. Later she went to Morrisons while I caught up with e-mails and walked up and down a lot (to increase my steps total).

Howard cycled round to get me to sign a couple of financial documents. Had a phone call from Amy early on to tell us about her cold. I forgot to listen to a talk about the Thorpe Rail Disaster, for which I had a Zoom link. Bit worried my mind is going. Watched the Grand Prix, plus quite a few other programmes, including Paris Police 1900, which is pretty good, Angela Black, which is excellent, and The Outlaws, which is also top class – a very unusual comedy by Stephen Merchant. 

Tuesday was quite cold, especially in the cinema, where we went to see the latest James Bond film ion the afternoon. I wore an extra jumper and a coat and was still uncomfortably cold, and so was Dot. Other than that the film was good. Dot rearranged the utility room, and Amy FaceTimed us: she didn’t seem at all well. After watching the film we walked to Morrisons to get food for tomorrow’s visitors, then home for a light supper of a kipper and a lollipop. Watched Help, a quite harrowing drama about care homes during Covid. Only watched it because it starred Stephen Graham and Jody Colmer, and it was very good.

Dot got pinged because she’d been to a DSSO meeting attended by someone subsequently diagnosed with Covid. She is quite well, has recently had a booster jab and her lateral flow test proved negative: she was also nowhere near the guy in question during the meeting. So we carried on as usual.

Feeling pretty down this morning for various reasons. Had our booster jabs yesterday – perhaps it’s that. Some e-mail exchanges over mask-wearing in church didn’t help either. Then I wrote this blog, tried to get a picture and lost everything I’d written. I know it’s there somewhere, but I’ve no idea where. So here we go again.

Last Monday was dry in the morning, slightly cool. Rain in late afternoon lasted into evening. Dot went to a DSSO meeting, and I went on a tour of military graves at the Rosary, led by someone called Marriage on behalf of the Dragon Hall group. He was getting on and moved very slowly. Adrian O’dell was there, as was Andrew Mitchell, the viola player from Sillars, who I eventually recognised. About ten of us all together.

Afterwards I walked down to Riverside to check on the Riverside Road traffic fiasco: one-way for several weeks while they mend the pavements, or at least think about it. In the evening we hosted a DCC meeting. Full complement, including Elwira and Debbie. Matt expressed his usual worries about CofE managerial ambitions, but Graham handled it quite well. Just over two hours. Watched University Challenge and an episode of Friends. 

Tuesday was quite warm, but a bit breezy. Got up relatively early and went to post Amy’s birthday card, then continued up into the Rosary. Found the Thorpe Station railway disaster graves again. (Keep losing them.) Dot went to Taverham school in the afternoon. I cut the hanging basket back. Judy came and picked up her car about 5pm – she’d left it in our drive about 8.20am to go to London to visit her friend Mavis, who’s in a bad way. She stayed for a cup of tea.

Dot and I had been to Morrisons earlier: she walked both ways, and I filled up with petrol. In the evening we had a couple of fish cakes that had been delivered earlier from Cley (with other stuff), and watched The Outlaw Josey Wales, which remarkably was just as good as I remembered, with a superb performance by Chief Dan George. Norfolk Record Office have found a record of my grandparents’ grave at Earlham. I have the number: just need to find it now.

Wednesday was a mixture of heavy rain and blue and white skies. Not too cold. There was a surprise in the morning when Dot took a phone call while I was in the bath: it was David Kett, ringing from North Walsham, where he’d been staying in the Beechwood Hotel. He and his wife Shirley came for coffee – he looked very much like his father. Annoyingly I forgot to take a photograph.

Dot had to leave for lunch at the Cozy Club with three other heads – Sue Eagle, Sandra and Pam. She was late back, arriving just before the rain. She had to write reports, and so I made dinner. Spoke to David on FT – his app has gone live: Discover your WHO. Pretty impressive. Dot went to orchestra, and when she got back we spoke briefly to Amy on FT. It’s her 17th birthday, but I can’t persuade either her or her father to give me her bank details. Watched an episode of The Chosen before going to bed. 

There was a cold wind on Thursday, but occasionally the sun poked through. It rained first thing. Watched the last episode of The Chosen over breakfast, then I went out for a shortish walk, mainly along the river, which was very high. There was flooding on the coast – at Blakeney, for example. In the afternoon we watched part of Shetland. Bridget came round and swept, and a dispute arose by e-mail over wearing masks in church. I was against it, but many others want to. Went into the street with Des, Chris, Mary and Bob to sing Happy Birthday to Phoebe. She is a year younger than Amy. Kim came round for meal, and I cooked salmon, and Dot did blackberry and apple crumble. Had quite a good evening and discussed various things.

Friday was still quite cold, but not so windy. Some rain, which we avoided. Dot went to Wreningham in the morning, and I had a phone call from Phil Kerrison, who was worried about what he’d said in an e-mail about vaccines etc. After lunch walked up to Lionwood, where I had my booster jab (Pfizer again) despite dire warnings from Kim. Well organised as usual. Dot drove up later and arrived just as I left. Walked round while she waited (15 mins after jab), then she walked home while I drove. Paul called in at 4pm for a cup of tea on the way to his jab at the same place.

At 5.30pm we ventured out for a drink, though it was a bit chilly (Des, Chris, Mark, John, Mary). Some visitors to Norwich asked for advice, and Dot went with them to help them reach the lane behind Aspland Flats, where they were staying. Difficult because of the one-way on Riverside Road. After supper watched Guilt, but both felt very sleepy and lost track. Only other side-effect so far is sore arms (both of us).

It’s Sunday again. and Dot and I have just been for a walk on Mousehold, followed by an ice cream – so it’s obviously not too cold. Slightly earlier we went to the garden centre at Sprowston to purchase a squirrel-proof peanut feeder: our local grey had cracked the “lock” on our standard one by bending the wires. Earlier still we had been in church for a service led by Phil, with Carrie preaching. I did the prayers, and Dot read the Gospel: we were also in the music group, so we were pretty involved. Howard was not there because he was mending a tenant’s lavatory, and Anna is in Rye with her sister, and not just coming through it. Ray and Christine were away too: Ray has a severe cough, which is apparently not Covid but nevertheless very unpleasant and kept him awake all last night, he told me on the phone. Debbie and Harriet had colds but were there anyway, because hey, it’s not Covid and no-one minds catching a cold, do they?

Last Tuesday was cool, and not in a good way, with showers around lunchtime. A very nice guy from British Gas finished installing our new boiler just after lunch. He was from Ipswich, sadly. The boiler is looking good. I worked out a new compline for the next day and chose some hymns for Sunday. Also managed after much effort to connect Dot’s printer to the new WiFi. David FTd to ask questions about seals and cream teas (on behalf of Vicky).Didn’t feel like going out, so did some walking inside and got up to 4000+. Finished watching Lupin, plus England v Hungary, which was appalling – no imagination, everyone passing sideways or backwards. Scraped 1-1.

Wednesday was chilly to start with, becoming mellower. The road kept filling up with cars for some reason. Had a call from Lily in the morning while boiling an egg and went to see her in the afternoon. She seemed much better than I expected but has to walk with a stick now and wants to move to Norwich in a one-bedroom place with no stairs. Watched an NRO talk by Rob on heritage wellbeing, whatever that is. In the evening we had Cake and Compline at our house. Showed them the first episode of The Chosen, and only Eleanor went to sleep – but it was past her bedtime. Vicky, isolating with non-Covid (IMHO), joined us via WhatsApp for the Compline. All others present.

Thursday was also coolish but quite pleasant walking. Dot and I both went to the dentist’s, and I just had a clean before walking home via The Walk, London Street and The Close to notch up over 5000 steps, partly because I’d posted a birthday card to Maryta at the sorting office earlier. In the afternoon Dot went to Verena for a massage but was back in time for Bridget’s cleaning slot. Watched Cold Comfort Farm, which is a brilliant film. There was something nasty in the woodshed, apparently.

Still quite cool on Friday, but sunny at times, and I quickly got too hot while walking with an extra layer! Dot went to two schools – Hethersett and Cringleford – and in the latter case got entangled in a traffic snarl-up on Eaton Road.  I went to Morrison’s, and so did she (later). Drinks in the street at 5.30 – Des, Chris, Mark, Sarah, Mary, Angela, Matthew. Think John was away. Watched Notorious in the evening. Pretty good, but bit of a sudden pull-up ending, as is often the case in old movies. 

Saturday was chilly again, but with some sun. Went to Morrisons early on to buy pizzas for match day visitors. Then Dot walked into the city to get her face waxed at Jarrolds, but was home in time to greet Fred, Mark and Tom from Banbury. Mark and Tom (father and son: Mark is Kate’s husband) used two of Jonathan’s tickets. I used the other one. Fred had obtained his own. After pizzas, we saw Norwich draw 0-0 with Brighton. Should have won, but they still can’t shoot – Sargent (who I like) missed a completely open goal.

Paul parked his car in our drive and walked down with us, but had gone when we returned. After tea and coffee the Banbury gang left about 6pm. In the evening we watched Guilt and the third episode of Paris Police 1900 before part of MOTD. Earlier we had a shortish FT with David and Amy, during which we learned that David’s App has been accepted by Apple. Yes!

Viewing tomorrow with some trepidation because the council in its wisdom is shutting Riverside Road going south for a few weeks while it fixes the pavements. No parking there either, which means that everyone will try to park up here, and getting back into our road will mean going round the houses. Still, it’s essential work; so that’s all right. Almost no road works are essential, are they?

Feeling decidedly chilly today, but that’s because we have no heating. The British Gas man is busy replacing our boiler and is hard at work in the garage. He seems quite happy. A case of wine from Naked Wines also arrived this morning, by way of compensation for the inconvenience. Or was it a coincidence? Yes, it was.

Back last Friday we had a long chat with David on FaceTime about his work, which sounds as if it has reached an exciting stage. After that we watched Ted Lasso and the end of The North Water, which could have been worse, I suppose. I love the frozen north, but it doesn’t seem to make for very good drama.

Saturday was warm when the sun was out, otherwise average. Caught up with e-mails while Dot prepared prayers. After lunch we got the garage ready to receive the new boiler on Monday – which consisted mainly of putting away the table tennis table. Then drove to Morrisons to do shopping: Dot walked back. I edited my pictures, which took quite a while, and Dot made another great apple and blackberry crumble. Watched England beat Andorra 5-0 – or most of it, because it was a bit tedious. Then a programme on Princess Michael of Kent. They were trying to make her look bad, but I quite liked her. Also watched an episode of Lupin before catching up on some football highlights, including Scotland’s 3-2 win over Israel.

Sunday started damp with very light drizzle  in the air, but later it got out and was fairly warm and dry. Went to church as usual: Carrie leading with Graham preaching on the evils of being rich. Not quite how I’d have put it, but in the right area. Anna is doing well, and so is Phil – rang him later. Also Andrew rang, and we had a brief chat. He seemed OK.

Dot and I went for a walk up to the Cathedral and the top lawn. Later watched the Turkish Grand Prix, won by Bottas. Also the first episode of Ridley Road and the first episode of Paris Police 1900, both of which featured anti-semitism. Watched an episode of Friends to cheer ourselves up, and had a brief chat with Amy. She and Vicky hope to come up in the first week of half-term.

Yesterday was quite cool, but dry.  Wrote a website piece in the morning after getting up early to receive our new boiler, which actually arrived about 10.15am. Then Linda came to do our hair at noon. Afterwards I took Des back his keys and then posted a birthday card to Birgit. Dot went up to the chemist’s to get pills and then to the garden centre to buy a small greenhouse thing, which we put together after I’d had a bath. At some point Jonathan dropped in spare tickets for Saturday. Watched second episodes of Ridley Road and the French police thing – both pretty well done. Dot had a long phone call with Carrie about the state of the Church of England, which is looking at branding and management courses. Oh dear. Watched a couple of episodes of Lupin to put things in perspective.

First point of the season for Norwich City last Saturday, drawing 0-0 away to Burnley. Rather less than inspiring, and it seems a long time ago now. In tune with the general feeling, it rained all afternoon and evening. We watched a lot of TV – The Chosen, Lupin, Ted Lasso and MOTD. Bed late. But things looked up after that.

Sunday was dry, but still cool, relatively speaking. Preached at church, mainly on Hebrews 1 and 2. Dot and I sang Stretch out your hands before the service. Only 11 there: Ray and Chris away because Ray had diarrhoea, and Phil was walking the Peddars Way. After lunch we went to a Blofield Church concert : St Gregory’s, with Vicki Ellis starring as soloist in Mozart’s flute concerto. Rodney and Angela there, and so were Bridget and David, and Bridget’s friend who is teaching her maths. Spoke to David and Barbara Pilch, who said she was getting lots of help from Karen. As usual excellent food from church organisers at the interval.  Tickets £8 each. Watched North Water, Ted Lasso and Match of the Day. Spurs won 2-1. Haven’t heard from Andrew for a while.

Monday was cool but dry, and rather blowy. Walked up to the sorting office to post back my old BT hub, then finished packing. Left just before 2pm and arrived at Snape at 3.15pm – three quarters of an hour early. Nevertheless we were able to get in – a really nice cottage (Malt Cottage) with steep stairs to the bedrooms. We’d brought quite a lot of food, but we went to the nearby Food Hall and bought some rather esoteric local stuff anyway, then took a brief walk round the site. Very fond of this place. 

Tuesday was not a bad night for us, but loads of rain outside and especially in London. We’d been a bit cold in the evening, and I hadn’t worked out how to turn the heating on; so I rang the office and Sue came round and fixed it: there was a flap on the thermostat that I hadn’t spotted. Dot drove to Sutton Hoo, which was as bit like Dippy the Dinosaur in that it wasn’t as dramatic as I thought it would be. Basically it was just a number of mounds in a field, plus a viewing tower which was quite good, because you could see Woodbridge. On the other hand, if you went to Woodbridge you could see  Woodbridge.

However, the setting was beautiful, and towards the end – after two exhibitions and lunch in the cafe – we went for an excellent walk recommended by one of the receptionists, which took us into the valley and then up into the woods, with a view of the river. At the end clouds were gathering and we climbed over a gate to get back to the car a matter of seconds before it started pouring. Drove back to Snape, and after a cup of tea Dot went out for a “walk”, which I think means she visited some shops. Later we went to the Plough and Sail for a delicious meal. I had sausages and mash, which was really good, followed by blackberry and apple crumble, which was even better. Had a carafe of Malbec and finished with whisky, in Dot’s case Drambuie. Back at Malt Cottage, about a hundred yards a way, we watched the final episode of Silent Witness. Earlier I spoke to Gill Stedman on the phone and arranged visit on the way home on Friday.

It rained overnight again, but we had a good sleep. After a latish breakfast Dot drove to Shingle Street, with me directing her, following Robin’s instructions. Lots of shingle. unsurprisingly, and a very cold and strong wind from onshore. Walked to the sea and then drove on and walked a little more. Too cold to hang about. Then I drove to Bawdsey Quay – very exposed, with the water splashing over the edge. Took a few photos and then drove to the Ramsholt Arms, where we had a starter-and-sweet meal: very good. Second crumble in two days, and both excellent in different ways.

Still cold and blowy, but we drove up to the church, which was beautiful and had a good view back down to the river. Then followed satnav to Orford, where the weather improved somewhat. Parked in car park unnecessarily and walked up into town in search of tea shop: eventually found one in church hall. Lovely people, and Dot could go to the loo. Walked back and drove on to the quay for a while. The sun even came out. Dot drove back to Snape. Watched three episodes of The Chosen in the evening. Posted birthday card to Fred, and then we both took short walk to look at the stars. Clear skies, and almost no wind.

Thursday (yesterday) was warmer but overcast and quite still. Drove to Aldeburgh in the morning. Bought two tops for Dot and walked along the seafront, then drove up to the end of the road and back to Snape, filling up with petrol on the way. Yippee! No queue. In the afternoon we walked down the beautiful river path to Iken Church – longer than anticipated because the last bit was on the road. Bit of a trek, but a nice church. No view from there, though – surrounded by private property. Very tired when we got back, but it only took us an hour. Another very good meal at the Plough and Sail: another excellent waitress, another fine crumble. Watched two more episodes of The Chosen and sent a postcard to Andrew.

Today started very misty and therefore rather cooler. I located the bins and the bottle bank and deposited the rubbish while Dot packed her stuff and washed her hair. We had to be out by 10am and left at roughly 9.59, driving to Framlingham by way of Great Glemham: winding country roads. Found The Mowbrays easily, but number 44 was more of a problem. Had tea and biscuits with Gill and Mick Stedman, who said the numbering system seemed to have consisted of throwing all the numbers in the air and allocating them as they fell.

We had a long chat: they both seemed quite well, and their family was in a healthy state. Nice to see them. Mick was our vicar back in Yelverton in the 1970s and 80s. At about 1pm they offered lunch, but we declined and drove back to Norwich via Harleston and Hempnall – a good route avoiding all the main roads. Unpacked and had a late lunch. House seemed pretty cold, because it was.

So here we are in October, and it’s more wintry than autumnal. Steady rain, quite cool and a forecast of rain for the rest of the day. Happily we saw it coming and went out for a walk this morning, up to Carrow Road and back along the riverside path. Chatted with Sean, who was working on his windows, on the way back. We’re now listening to Norwich playing away to Burnley and desperately trying to get a point or three for the first some this season.

Last Monday was already cooler, with rain in the morning. Pretty disastrous day, really: the frustration involved in having Full Fibre installed was worse than not having it installed. We ended up with three redundant phones, one new digital one, improved Broadband speed which didn’t seem to make much difference except to the Apple TV, and no obvious improvement to normal TV, which apparently didn’t connect to Broadband and so was very irritating. Tried to sort it out but ended up in bed with a cushion over my head. The Open Reach guy wasn’t very helpful because he wasn’t our provider, as he kept pointing out. I was so fed up that I had fried eggs and bacon for the first time in well over a year. Sent off my new poetry book to be printed. Watched Endeavour, the last episode of Vigil, which was OK, and an episode of Ted Lasso.

It was tipping down with rain again on Tuesday, and very windy in late evening. Earlier we dodged the showers when we went to see Dippy the Dinosaur at the Cathedral. Rather underwhelmed, but at least we avoided the queues. Afterwards walked up into the city and had tea and raspberry tart at Patisserie Valerie. Good chat with David on FT: Oliver is having up-and-down first week at uni (as David did), but Amy is recovering from her cold. Discussed chess.

In the morning we went to Archant coffee morning at Oaklands and chatted to the usual suspects, including David Wakefield and Bill Woodcock. In the evening watched The Last Mountain, a documentary about a woman and (much later) her son who died on high mountains. Accessed it via my phone and screen sharing – went well. Also watched a couple of episodes of Ted Lasso.

Wednesday was coldish but dry. Went to North Walsham in morning to pick up Doreen’s cross from the Church. Chaos in town because of cars queuing up for petrol at Sainsbury’s. Snuck in the Exit, walked to the church and then back to the shop, then to the cemetery. Managed to get out of Sainsbury’s by the Mundesley Road exit, then on to the bypass. Called in at Lucy’s on the way home. Brief visit because she was going to watch Paston talk. She and Rob are a bit at odds about what will happen to the Paston Heritage Society.

Started on my sermon later and watched the Ryder Cup as well as the first episode of Silent Witness. Bridget came and did some cleaning. I contacted BT online and got a new WiFi disc, as well as the promise of a bag to send back the hub. Dot went to orchestra in the evening and got cold. I tried for an hour to convert Dot’s printer to new Wi-fi but gave up.

Thursday was the last day of September. Wet and windy with some dry spells. I finished my sermon in the morning, and in the afternoon we drove up to the chemist’s to pick up my pills, and then to Nick’s to collect my new books. We then moved on to the NRO to see the fabled Paston exhibition, which was pretty good, and even better when we got them to tell us the Wi-fi address (which meant we could use the QR codes) and turn on the videos. Called in at Morrisons on the way back for a small number of purchases. They were out of fuel, but a tanker seemed to be delivering. No-one queuing.

Later walked up to Bill’s restaurant in the rain to meet Kim for a meal. Food very good, as was the waitress. Interesting conversation as usual. Quite an uplifting evening. Ended it by watching Silent Witness. Received instructions for Snape.

Friday started very grey and damp. Anne came round for a chat and managed to get petrol on the way back. The sun came out later, and I went for a walk in the afternoon, visiting Morrisons (still no petrol) and coming back by King Street. Drinks in the street – had quite a chat with Mary. Dot had fish and chips; I had kipper. Watched a couple of episodes of North Water, which is not particularly good, and then a couple of Lupin on Netflix, recommended by David, which was excellent.

Full Fibre seems to have sorted itself out. A new WiFi disc arrived this morning, and I’ve set it up. Bags for returning old equipment have also arrived.