Pretty busy week. Today Dot went to visit a school at Tasburgh and I walked up to church (with my guitar on my back – a first) to help Phil practise guitar with Matt on piano. We did quite a lot (90 minutes), including a lot of ceilidh music. Dot arrived for the last half hour or so and joined in. I think we sounded pretty good! Earlier on the way up I bumped into Rob and Penny, and we had a quick chat.

Later Dot walked up to the dentist because she broke a bit off her front tooth yesterday. They fitted her in immediately, and it’s all sorted at a cost of £200. We went on the street for a drink and chat at 5.30, and Des bought us some fish and chips – first time for months I’ve dared to have them. Meanwhile I think I’ve finished my sermon for Sunday, we’ve watched Death in Paradise (good) and a bit of West Side Story, which as far as I’m concerned is pretty awful, and we’ve just finished chatting to David on FaceTime about days gone by. The Murrays were visiting them.

Last Sunday was very cold but dry. Went to church, and it was extremely cold inside. Wore three layers plus anorak and had my hood up, except when I was doing prayers. Everyone in masks but me. Simon Stokes preached – good as usual. Debbie/Carrie were complaining afterwards about old hymns (picked by Martin) – I can see what they mean, up to a point. Spoke to David on FT – children Ok. Watched a lot of TV – Around the World in 80 Days (brilliant), The Green Planet (Attenborough irritating, but good photography), Call the Midwife (just the right side of twee most of the time) and The Tourist (very weird but compelling).

Monday was cold and dry again. Dot went to Brooke in the morning, then discovered the head had cancelled it. Meanwhile I sorted out a compline for tomorrow and copied some liturgy for church (some pages keep going missing). Later Dot picked up coats from cleaners and bought a new, rather nice mustard-coloured one for herself from Go Outdoors. Have halved my dose of beta-blockers and started taking my blood pressure, which turns out to be low (101/69 tonight). Remembered my mother’s blood pressure was very low – maybe it’s why I feel so cold all the time. Watched a lot of TV again – including You’ve Got Mail, in which Meg Ryan is superb: you can see what she’s thinking. Also a couple of episodes of Hidden Assets, which continues to be excellent, the first episode of Trigger Point, a bomb disposal thriller that’s highly promising, and the final episode of Only Connect. E M Forster would have been proud.

Tuesday was very cold again, but dry and still. No sun. In the afternoon walked with Dot up to the Ear Care Centre and had my wax vacuumed out in roughly 5 minutes. Cost £55. She walked home, but I arrived not much later. In the evening Eleanor came round and we went to Judy’s for Cake and Compline. All there except Claire. After arriving home we watched a really good documentary on T S Eliot (Sky Arts). Earlier we watched The Responder, about a street-level policeman set in Liverpool. Not over-impressed. 

Wednesday was brighter and not quite so cold. Dot had a DSSO meeting at the Showground, and I walked up to the Maids Head for a chat with Paul Dickson, who may publish my Princess book.He was also interested in my poems – very encouraging. Have sent him Houseago and Little. Wrote part of sermon and chose hymns for Sunday. Drove Dot to orchestra at St Mary Magdalene because parking there is at a premium, and picked her up afterwards. Watched Part Two of The Responder, which was better, and a documentary on Jay Blades learning to read, which was very interesting. Saw photographer Denise Bradley In the Maids Head; she seemed pleased to see me.

Thursday was Sheila’s funeral: requiem mass at North Walsham RC Church. Arrived in NW early, bought flowers in Sainsburys, put some on graves and took a lovely bunch to the church and handed them to the funeral directors. Dot was nervous about reading the lesson but eventually checked with the priest, who was very nice. I found her a Bible at the back of the church. Very large family gathering, plus friends: church was pretty full. Walked to cemetery afterwards with Dot and got there before anyone else except funeral directors and priest.

Fortunately the weather was good, mainly sunny but with a chilly wind. After the burial we walked to the Shambles restaurant for the wake. Very nice buffet. Spoke to quite a few people – Bridgett didn’t come to the wake because the sisters don’t get on.  Don’t know why. At Shambles spoke to Diane Velhagen (NW heritage person), Annabelle (friend of Martin Kirby),  plus Sheila’s sister and her husband, and some others. Got back home (via Spixworth road) before Bridget the cleaner was picked up by David. In the evening watched The Bay and Screw (both very good). Am feeling quite a bit better on lower beta blockers, and blood pressure is good too.

Monday was cold but walkable. Got quite a lot done, including booking a windscreen job and booking an e-consult with the surgery.  Also worked out another six-week rota for church. In the evening we watched a really good new Irish-Belgian thriller called Hidden Assets and another episode of the excellent The Tourist. 

Tues was not quite so cold. Wrote two articles for Parish Pump. Went for walk with Dot to Rosary. Felt very tired on return – in fact not particularly well all day. Dot took clothes up to cleaners before walk. Paul Dickson liked my Lost Princess story, and I’m meeting him next week to talk about it. Watched Remains of the Day, which was superb but very sad. Then a bit of a documentary on why ships crash, which was unexpectedly interesting..  

It was dry but quite windy on Wednesday, and therefore very chilly. Saw the end of the above-mentioned documentary, but before that the guy from Autoglass came to replace  my windscreen, which he did in about an hour. Impressive expertise. Cost me £75 excess on my insurance, but very pleased to have it done. After lunch we drove to Morrisons, and Dot and I went for a walk round behind Carrow Road before doing the shopping. She walked home. Later Teresa rang up to talk about the funeral – Dot will be doing a reading.

Watched several episodes of Only Connect, and I got one question right that no-one else did. Needless to say I got everything else wrong. The council at last picked up the recycling and I think dumped my non-recycling rubbish in with it. Great news on the national front: all Covid restrictions ending in a week’s time. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and I played through En Passant chess games. Have booked an ear appointment; still feeling very cold. Finished Saving Einstein – bit hard going at times, but lots of fascinating information. 

Thursday was cold and showery. Stayed indoors, but Dot walked up to get her watch with its new battery from Dipples, who unexpectedly reduced the price from £50 to £35. Bridget came to clean. Watched last two episodes of  Rules of the Game, which was an industrial thriller well acted but in a singularly unattractive urban setting, beset with wind farms and electricity pylons. Am reading a book on Leonard Cohen’s mystical lyrics. Managed 4500 steps indoors.

Yesterday (Friday) was very cold again, but dry. Norwich beat Watford 3-0 away, but NOW tv wasn’t working; so we had to put up with Chris Goreham. Floodlights failed for ten minutes when we were 1-0. Sargent scored twice – both excellent goals. NO doubt invigorated by birth of his child. Earlier Dot walked up to city to buy bereavement cards and trousers, and I walked to the Rosary via Cotman Road, then home through the cemetery. Over 6000 steps today.

Doctor rang for consult in the morning and agreed to cut my beta blockers by half as an experiment. Later the receptionist rang and booked me in for a blood test, which I was very pleased about. Des and Chris came over for drinks instead of standing in the street, which was nice. Watched Death in Paradise after the match.

Today is sunny and cold. Got a text message saying my pills were ready at about 12.15. So Dot and I drove up to get them, and then went for walk in Harrison’s Wood. After lunch we read for quite a long time. This evening we watched A View to a Kill, which must be one of the best Bond films.

Well, it’s not getting much warmer, although it’s a mite chillier in Ontario: David has just FaceTimed with huge amounts of snow in the background. None of that here, but we’re getting some sun, and today I noticed that the afternoons were getting longer, as far as the light is concerned. I went out for a walk too, up to the Rosary, after Dot had done an earlier solo walk down by the river, to buy a new bobble hat from the Carrow Road shop to commemorate Norwich’s recent win over Everton.

While she was doing that I was e-consulting my surgery, and am now expecting ca all from them some time on Friday, because I threatened to stop taking my beta blockers, which I suspect are making me cold and achy. I also rang up Autoglass, who are coming to fix my car windscreen on Wednesday. Before doing my e-consult I also did another lateral flow test, just in case.

Our vicar now has Covid, though mildly. He posted on Facebook warning people to test every day, because he had had several negative tests before getting his positive one. I guess that’s fine if you’re determined to get it. Worrying how many people thought that was a good idea.

Anyway, last Thursday was sunny and cold. In the afternoon Sean came round to try out an old cassette on our machine, but it was quite muffled. As a result I played a very clear The Lion and Albert to Bridget, who came round to clean, and David, who came to pick her up. In the evening we watched a new series of The Bay, and Screw, a very good series set in a prison. Excellent characters. 

Friday was very cold, but sunny. Had a haircut in morning, followed by a bath. Felt quite ill most of the afternoon: stomach felt wrong, shivery and my head was swimmy, with lots of popping. Took paracetamol, which helped a bit. Dot thought it was the beta blocker, but I wasn’t so sure. However, I’m now giving it a shot. Anne came round for a couple of hours, then I went out for drinks on the street while Dot went to Morrisons. Des brought her fish and chips: I had kipper and leeks. Watched the film Rita, Sue and Bob too, which was funny but quite odd: think I liked it more than Dot did. Then Death in Paradise. 

Felt rotten on Saturday morning after a bad night and took a Covid test, but it was negative. Went back to bed and got a little more sleep while Dot practised violin. After lunch she went to the match with Matt and Amanda: Norwich beat Everton 2-1. After doing a number of things, I had a bath. In the evening was well enough to go for a meal with Des and Chris – curry-centric. Very nice too. Felt full and tired, but much better than earlier.

Sunday was very cold but dry. Not walking weather, especially as I still don’t feel right (though not as bad as Friday). Went to church in the morning, and I gave a sermon I did almost exactly 20 years ago. Well received. Dennis, a new member of the congregation, then gave a mini-sermon during news time. Carrie was leading. Only 13 there. Had longish FT with David in the afternoon, mainly on politics. Suggested he wrote a book. Glad to hear that Amy is apparently much better. Watched a lot of TV, including football, The Green Planet, Around the World in 80 Days (which is brilliant) and Vera. 

The last couple of days have been refreshingly sunny, and we’ve taken advantage by going for walks. I’ve just got back from a walk up the Close, past the Adam & Eve and home by the riverside path. I dropped Dot off at the Refectory to see Janet Bower, and she is now returning by the riverside path. Meanwhile, I’ve had a bath, during which the window cleaner turned up, though happily not in the bathroom.

Last Friday was cold too, but not so inviting. I didn’t go out, partly because I wasn’t feeling too good, but Dot did manage a longish walk. Afterwards we had curry and Christmas pudding (not simultaneously) and then watched Death in Paradise. David FaceTimed and we walked about Sheila’s recent death, among other things.

Saturday was miserable: cold, wet and windy, and very dark too. Dot posted a card in the morning and came back exhausted. Fortunately we’re both feeling rather better after a long sleep. Spoke to Phil K  on the phone – he was in A& E for hours with blood in his urine, but the doctor thinks it’s the after-effects of his operation, and he’s back home on antibiotics. Dot had a longish conversation with Teresa, and I caught up with e-mails and other things, such as editing pictures. Walked 4500 steps indoors, and made the evening meal – salmon and fruit salad, again not simultaneously. Finished watching Friends – a disappointing ending, with Rachel lumbered with pathetic Ross. Watched I’m All Right Jack (1959), which was pretty good, and some FA Cup football.

Sunday was sunny but pretty cold. Went to church: Liz leading and Graham preaching. Played guitar – went quite well. Still most people wearing masks, and a window open, but bearable. Rhianna came, but I didn’t recognise her (mask). After lunch listened to Norwich City beating Charlton 1-0 in the Cup. Dot cleaned out a couple of cupboards and cooked blackberry and apple crumble. Then watched Heavens Above! – a very good film that lost its way a bit. Watched Around the World and a couple of Christmas University Challenge episodes. Another long talk with David on FaceTime. 

Monday was cold but dry. Did quite a longish walk with Dot down the riverside path and round the back of Carrow Road. Bought a new beard trimmer from Boots on the way back. Other than that, quite a quiet day. Watched Vera (a new series), the next episode of The Tourist, and Call the Midwife. Started reading the new Leonard Cohen book that Kristine gave us. 

Tuesday was wet, cold,  grey and miserable. Stayed in. Odd day. Received Cley Smokehouse stuff and some kippers from Amazon, within seconds of each other. Submitted some tanka to The Bamboo Hut. Had a phone call from Mike Read. Managed to walk 4000 steps, sorted out sermon (recycled) for Sunday, and hymns. Caught up with e-mails and watched quite a bit of TV, including several episodes of University Challenge, a Norwegian thriller (first episode) called The Outlier and a new home-grown drama called Rules of the Game. 

Yesterday was sunny, but cold. Wine arrived. Went for walk with Dot after lunch – part of tree trail. Met a guy called James who was clearing gutters at St Peter Hungate. Interesting chat. Bumped into Anna, who leaves for Mexico tomorrow. Dot stayed in town to do shopping, and I went home. Over 7000 steps. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and Norwich lost 2-0 to West Ham away, though apparently they played quite well. Healthwise a bit of a mixture: sometimes felt really ill, but most of the time OK. 

All very strange today. I haven’t been feeling too well for the last few days, and have just sent off a Covid test, though I’m pretty sure I haven’t got it. In fact, I fluctuate – some of the time I feel OK, and then I feel pretty awful for a bit. Still, it doesn’t stop me doing things. Most of today I’ve been editing Karen Smyth’s Paston project evaluation, which is 95 pages long and, come to think of it, might be making me feel ill. Still, nothing compared to Dot’s lovely Aunt Sheila, who died this afternoon in hospital, aged in her early 90s. Quite peaceful, apparently. We didn’t see her often, but we’ll miss her. Teresa rang to let us know.

Earlier I finished reading The Snowdonia Killings, which was pretty exciting and a very easy read. Today is cold but dry: yesterday was cold too, with rain later in the day. Felt quite bad at different times, but especially after having a bath late afternoon. This was after posting my Covid test in the rain. Earlier Dot and I went for a walk after parking at Morrisons, then did quite a big shop. Both of us did over 6000 steps, but not all of them together. Did some Paston editing and quite a bit of reading. Watched Dr Who and Screw, a drama series set in a prison. Dot was not feeling particularly well either: she has a scratchy throat. 

There was mixed weather on Sunday: dry at first, but rain later. Church in the morning. I led and Carrie “preached”, with Dot doing the prayers really well. We seem to have settled on a new layout in the hall, but really it’s the reinstatement of an older layout. Eleanor came round in the afternoon to pick up presents from the Compline group and stayed for tea and cake. In the evening Dot and I went to the cinema in the rain and saw The House of Gucci , which was quite well done but, being true in the main, didn’t make too much sense. Lead characters changed their personalities for no apparent reason. 

I was already feeling a bit off, and so on Monday I took a lateral flow test in the morning, but it was clear. I also had no Covid symptoms; so after dropping in at Morrisons, we drove to Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, where we met Dave, Julia, Vicky, Oliver, Oliwia and Amy. the car park was packed: eventually found a spot and guided the others in. Went to the restaurant; Amy, Julia and I kept tables while the rest of them queued about 45 minutes for food, which was however quite good. Afterwards we went for a walk in the grounds: beautiful winter walk – got some good pictures. Weather was sunny and not too cold: very pleasant altogether. Talked to everyone. Oliwia is lovely. Dave seemed a bit tired. I had taken paracetamol; so felt OK. Easy drive home. Cooked chilli con carne and watched football, then two episodes of The Tourist, an Australian thriller which was excellent and easy to follow. Walked 8000 steps – similar to Saturday.

On Tuesday it was back to grey and wet, and much colder from late morning. Drove up to Oakfields for our (probably) last Archant coffee morning there. Widespread absenteeism, including Robin, Brian and partners. Present: Eric, Bill Woodcock, Jennie Downing, Dot and me. Had a very nice scone and some tea. Dot had scone and two coffees, all for under £10. Good conversation. Left promptly to be home in time for the visit of Anna for violin lesson and lunch. Felt a bit tired and headachy in afternoon. Did some reading and watched the first two episodes of Around the World in 80 Days, which was really well done. Also saw new season start of Call the Midwife. Managed to get up to 4500 steps indoors. 

On Wednesday there was a lockdown in Toronto, apparently. Cold here, but went out for a walk, mainly to buy more lateral flow tests. No one had any, so I ordered some from the Government. They arrived this morning. I tried to get an e-consult with Thorpewood but but unsuccessful: they wanted me to ring up, but by that time I’d lost the will to live. Dot was feeling a bit unwell after helping Bridget to take down decorations. We also put them up in the loft later. Watched a couple more episodes of Around the World. Strangely, I seem to have plenty of energy. Maybe since I started taking Vitamin D. 

Well, here we are in 2022, and it looks kind of familiar. Dot and I took a longish walk this morning – about three miles – and there were plenty of people about, quite a few of them in masks, which always seems to me pointless in the open air. But perhaps they don’t want to be recognised. We walked round the riverside path, crossed Coslany bridge and came back through the city and the Close. Very pleasant weather for a change – high cloud, some sun and pretty mild. Apparently the warmest new year’s day since records started a couple of years ago.

We were due some decent weather. Until yesterday the week had been deep grey, wet and extremely unpleasant. On Tuesday I only went out once – to take three of my latest books to Joy McCall, placing them carefully in her bin. Joy is one of my greatest admirers and a huge encouragement, but she’s been having a hard time. Her daughter died last year, and Joy herself has continual health problems, of course, being paraplegic.

Back home I managed to write my two Parish Pump pieces and a short blurb for one of Joy’s books, among other things, then watched Norwich play Crystal Palace on Amazon Prime and lose 3-0. It’s getting pretty disheartening. Then England lost the third test and the Ashes series against Australia. Pretty inept all around. Watched an episode of Vienna Blood – very good – and the Christmas special of Call the Midwife, which just teetered on the right side of sickly. We are on the penultimate season of Friends.

Wednesday was – guess what? – grey and wet again. Amy started her journey home: all seemed to be going well. We FTd David, but Amy was in the shower. Played through some chess games from En Passant while Dot went to Morrisons.

Thursday was – yes – damp and grey yet again. Amy’s journey home went well, though she apparently slept for 18 hours after getting there. Kristine came up by train: I met her at the station at 11.45 while Dot finished getting ready. Dot cooked a salmon tart and a pseudo-pavlova, both of which were delicious. Carrie came round while we were talking and had a coffee: Kristine seemed to like her. When she went, we moved upstairs and watched The Chosen, then Kristine caught the 17.30 train home: we both went to the station. In the evening we watched the last Vienna Blood, which was excellent again, as well as the film Paddington and a surprisingly good documentary on Prince Philip.

New Year’s Eve yesterday surprised everyone by being mild, with some sun. I walked up to the Rosary in early afternoon after posting books to Philip Butcher and a letter to Mike Read, who coincidentally rang just as I was about to go out. He wanted to bring me a copy of his latest book, which contains four of my games (+2-2), but Dot had already bought it for me for Christmas, and I had mentioned it on my website. Wrote a number of thank-you e-mails before going over to Des and Chris’s for tea and nibbles in the afternoon. This was followed by drinks in the street (or under the garage) and our evening meal, which was lamb chops. We watched TV after that, ending with the usual Jools’ Hootenanny, which was pretty predictable. Went to bed about 12.20am.