At the end of the day last Wednesday I walked up through the Library Wood to meet Dot coming home from orchestra. She’s dropped off by Janet in Rosary Road at the top each Wednesday, and planned this time to walk through on her own, as the light would be only just fading. However, I happened to look at where she was on my phone and decided on a whim to walk up and meet her. I was glad I did, because I found her avoiding a couple of suspicious looking guys waiting at the top of the path. Mind you, I wouldn’t have fancied their chances… in a fight with her, that is.

Thursday was warm but overcast. Dot had a long phone chat with Barbara Vidion. We went to church to practise some music with Phil – went quite well. Then dropped off a birthday card for  Paul Henderson. Popped over to Des’s to check up on plants etc – all ok. Took a bit more rhubarb. Watched two more episodes of Spreadsheet, which is very funny – pity about the unnecessary blasphemy. Walked up to St Andrew’s Hall in the evening for a concert by Steven Osborne – Debussy Etudes and Schubert sonata number three. He also played an excellent little Celtic tune as an encore. Discovered when we emerged that it had poured with rain during the performance. Happily it had become dry again, and we got home just after 10pm. Had brief FT with David, talking about his app.

Friday was breezy but reasonably warm. Went to see Thelma early in afternoon while Dot went into city. No lat flow test demanded, but they still ask for masks, though no-one objected when I took it off because Thelma couldn’t hear me with it on. Thelma seemed pretty well, but was muttering about her money again. Not sure what to do (if anything). After about an hour called in to see Philip Robinson, but they were out; so went to see the Wrights in Yelverton. Had a cup of tea: they both seemed reasonably well, though Pete is aging quite a bit. Had a chat – Geoff Jary is in care home with dementia; Barry not doing too well – hip problems.

Forgot to go out for drinks at 5.30pm.  Watched a three-part two-hander called State of the Union, which was good, and an old film called Angel Face (Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons), which we enjoyed, though it didn’t really have any tension.

It was sunny a lot of the time on Saturday, but with a cool wind. Dot went into city in the morning. From 2pm we were at Dayspring, primarily for a croquet game with Jonathan, his partner Lesley, his daughter Naomi and some guy who I would be happy never to see again. Dot and I started by playing against Naomi and Some Guy, who took so long to decide what to do with advice from J that I lost interest completely. Same theme continued, and just before 7 I’d had it, and we left. There were some sandwiches in the middle. Did a bit of music practice when we got home, but I was shattered. Watched Beck, which was good. 

Yesterday was cool with spots of rain. Dragged ourselves to St Luke’s by 10am and played in the joint service, which was quite good. Nicky held it all together, including the sound system. On the way home we went to Morrisons, as we were running out of food. Traffic at Foundry Bridge lights was terrible, but not as bad as today. Played through some En Passant chess games. Watched an excellent documentary about the Galapagos, which was remarkable in not mentioning climate change at all. Also a programme on the Queen as seen through her family photos and films. Listened to a YouTube talk by Charlotte Ashenden (the artist we met) about her recent life, and becoming a Christian, which was quite compelling.

Today is still quite chilly. Dot dropped me at church, but it was all a bit chaotic. The usual Bible Study group were mainly absent, and we ended up having a general discussion about various aspects of Christianity – including Dot, who had come back. Nikki brought her daughter Indie and Leanne eventually turned up with her daughter Evelyn. The two girls got on well. Phil came, but Debbie didn’t.

I had intended to go to see Lily this afternoon in Hickling, but when I rang she was not feeling good and was with other people; so we decided I would try later in the week. Later today we watched a documentary about the Wagner group, which was quite frightening, and then the film Desperately Seeking Susan, which was even better than I remembered. Then another episode of Silent Witness, which is good but has one Amanda Burton too many.

Friday evening turned sunny, and we went and stood in Des’s drive with a drink, eventually being joined by Mark, John, Ciara and (in passing) Bob and Mary – separately. Quite late on for supper, then watched a bit of TV, including Here We Go – quite funny – Inside No 9 – quite clever – and a train ride across Scotland – quite weak. 

Saturday was overcast but fairly warm. Finished off my sermon, and we practised the hymns. In the afternoon Dot went into the city. I completed the rota. Had a slightly rushed meal, then walked with Dot to the Greens for a bell-ringing rehearsal.  I sat it out, but it went reasonably well despite a couple of irritating people. Walked home and watched some athletics. 

Sunday was busy, warm and mainly sunny. Church in the morning. I preached, and Dot and I played one of my songs during Communion, which went down well with Nikki. Much appreciated by me. People seemed to like the sermon too. Nikki brought her daughter Indie, who is a little darling. Had a conversation with Andrew on the phone – he sounded OK. Then we went to football. Had a nice chat with a Spurs fan on the way. Norwich lost 5-0: didn’t really mind because it meant Spurs pipped Arsenal for 4th place. Afterwards we watched Beck – interrupted by a phone call from Debbie about a flier she was producing. Then MOTD: Man City pipped Liverpool for the title after coming back from 2-0 down to Aston Villa to win 3-2. Burnley relegated after Leeds beat nine-man Brentford. Late in bed. 

Monday morning was grey, followed by heavy rain in afternoon and evening. Dot dropped me at the church group, which was at The Stage because the hall was double booked.   Not all that wonderful – group too big, really. Nikki and Leanne still made it worthwhile, though. Dot came towards the end, having been to the shop for food – visitors tomorrow. In the afternoon I drove to the chemists to get pills, but they hadn’t arrived. Also got soaked in heavy rain and had to change when I got home. In the evening watched Grace and the first episode of a new Silent Witness, both of which were good. Went to bed feeling quite despondent, for some reason.

Tuesday was breezy; not so warm. Spent the morning preparing for the visit of Julia and Allan Higbee. They got here just before 12, and we had drinks , then lunch. Dot had done chicken salad and blackberry and apple crumble, among other things. Same thing for tea after Higbees left. Very full stomach. Watched the second episode of Silent Witness and a couple of other things. When we got in bed David FTd us, and we had a brief chat. Dot is reading Middlemarch. I may have invited the Higbees to Scotland with us next year.

Today was a little chilly, with quite a breeze and dark skies.It was a DSSO meeting all morning for Dot, during which I managed to write two out of three Parish Pump pieces – finished the fourth in the evening. Fred rang and asked if his daughter Kate and her daughter Anna could stay overnight on June 15, for an Elton John concert. I said yes, of course. Also heard that Andrew’s bedroom ceiling had sprung leak and had to have extensive repairs; so he was going to another home nearby for a week. Bet he’ll like that.

Later I went and got my pills, which had arrived this time. Bridget came round to do some cleaning, and in the evening Dot went to orchestra – picked up by Janet, who has recovered from whatever illness she had.

Cooler this morning, with quite a lot of rain. But sunny now, and Dot has gone to the shops. It’s about 5pm, and I redid some of my sermon this morning as well as catching up on e-mails and similar beasts. Still feeling fatigued but otherwise OK. At lunchtime we watched the first two episodes of an Australia-based comedy called Spreadsheet, starring Katharine Parkinson, which turned out to be surprisingly good in every aspect: script, direction, acting (including a couple of brilliant children).

Back on Monday, the second half of the day was still overcast but warm, though breezy. Dot came back from her interview panel at Brooke just after 4pm. In the evening we watched the rest of Queen of Katwe, which turned out to be a brilliant film about an African girl who was a chess-playing prodigy from a slum in Uganda. True story and superbly done – real depth. 

Tuesday was sunny and very warm. I finished reading Middlemarch  – 838 pages. Mixture of delight and occasional frustration. Wonderful book, funny but very dense. We ate lunch in the garden. Strangely quiet. Wrote poem to read at Jurnet Zoom session in the evening. Theme was work: poem was Poetry at Work. Also read another one – Walking at my own speed. General standard not high, I have to say – unless I wasn’t paying attention, which is possible.

Wednesday was overcast but warm, with a threat of rain overnight. David’s 50th birthday – he FaceTimed at lunchtime. He got our card. Dot feels he should be younger – and he certainly looks younger. Wrote sermon but in need of a bit of editing. Wine and Hello Fresh arrived. Dot did lots of washing, and in the evening I took her to orchestra and walked back. Felt extremely tired – on bed for an hour afterwards. Accidentally watched a documentary on Highland wildlife. 

Light rain at first yesterday, then sunny. Quite warm. Went to see the new Downton Abbey film, which was quite good, though I could have done with more of Tuppence Middleton. Got home just after Bridget arrived to do the cleaning. Earlier I had chosen hymns, and during the day I put a sketchy rota together and found a Compline to photocopy. Bridget had a ready meal with us (or at least in Dot’s study) while she revised for a maths test, and we had Hello Fresh sausages. Then we all walked up to Eleanor’s for Cake and Compline. Meanwhile David Archer was collecting Claire from Stoke (her parents’ place), where she has been recuperating from a broken ankle. All present for C&C.

Earlier David FaceTimed and sent us pix of his birthday celebrations – Cake and steak burgers, though probably not in that order. Watched last episode of Chivalry. Never really worked out what it was about, but it was mildly amusing. Mark is home.

Quite warm today, though overcast and with the threat of a few drops of rain. Dot is at Brooke School on an interview panel which is likely to last all day. I walked up to church for the weekly Bible Study, but felt very tired. However, I got a lift part of the way back with Judy; so no problem there. My post-Covid back/leg pains also seem to gave gone. We didn’t actually have a Bible study because Nikki didn’t make it – problems with her daughter – but we did have a long chat, and eventually Leanne brought her daughter Imogen (14) over, which was nice. Her son Caleb (13) went missing for part of the morning but turned out to be just having a bit of quiet time!

Last Tuesday was fairly warm and breezy. Went for walk in the afternoon after posting a card for Dot. Up to Rosary – tidied grave. Dot did a lot of work on the Brooke School appointment and had a Zoom meeting later in the afternoon. Tending to eat meals in kitchen and chat, which is quite nice. Watched a pretty poor documentary about John Stonehouse and then the final episode of Life after Life, a Kate Atkinson adaptation. Absolutely superb – script, casting, acting, direction. Discovered via Twitter that Karen has won a UEA Innovation and Impact award for Paston Footprints. So that’s what it was all about. Still she’s not well; so mustn’t grumble.

Light rain most of the day on Wednesday, which was unfortunate because Dot was meeting Anne, and they had been hoping to go for a walk (it was Anne’s birthday pon Thursday). Still they did have lunch together. Meanwhile I wrote a piece for my website and posted a poem too. Sunny in the evening. Quick FT with David about his correspondence.  Dot went to orchestra, and Norwich lost 2-0 at Leicester. 

Thursday was mainly sunny but with a chilly wind. Drove to Salthouse to see a Martin Laurance exhibition and bought a couple of prints, plus some cards. Then had mackerel pate at the Blakeney Manor and bought some bread, a sausage roll and a donut at the Two Magpies. Drove to North Walsham and bought some food, and flowers for the graves. Drove home through Wroxham, to find single lane at Foundry Bridge again. Aargh! Arrived home at the same time as Bridget. Felt so tired I had to lie down for about an hour. Spurs beat Arsenal 3-0, and we watched an excellent film called Going Out in Style about three guys who robbed a bank that diddled them. Beautifully done – really enjoyed it. Lovely little cameo by small girl at end. Shattered at end of day.

It was sunny and quite warm on Friday, but a breeze. The surgeon rang early afternoon, and we had a good discussion. Eventually I agreed to go ahead – my operation is on June 28.  Later we went to Morrisons for food, and I got some petrol. Feeling strangely tired, but doing something seems to help. Unpacked while Dot prepared birthday cake for Sunday. Watched Call Northside 777, an old film starring James Stewart. Pretty good. 

Saturday was sunny and warm. Felt a bit iffy in the morning, but much better later. After lunch walked up to the Rosary with flowers for parents’ grave. After arranging them I was about to read while waiting for Dot to pick me up when I was approached by a man who knew most of the history of Surrey Chapel. He knew about my uncle Frank. We had quite a chat but were interrupted by Dot, who was looking for me: she had come early. Showed him where Mr Wetherley’s grave was and then left with Dot (and Eleanor) to go to Carrie’s birthday party. There I had a long chat with Al and then with various people from church, including Nikki and Stacey, Ellie, Graham and others. Thai curry was surprisingly good. Took Eleanor back to ours to pick up jacket, and she walked home. Then watched Chelsea lose on penalties to Liverpool in Cup Final, and by way of compensation watched An Old Man with a Gun – a very good film starring Robert Redford. Had earlier decided against going to Suffolk Poetry Festival. Glad I did. 

Yesterday was much duller but still fairly warm. A few spots of rain. Church in the morning – I led, with Liz Cannon preaching. Dot, Phil and Martin in music group. Nice service. Felt tired in afternoon, but improved. Listened to Norwich drawing 1-1 away to Wolves. Then watched Beck – very good as always – and half of Queen of Katye, about an African chess prodigy. David Archer called in late afternoon and had a cup of tea. 

It’s about two weeks since we got Covid, and Dot is feeling more or less OK, while I’m still a bit groggy, off and on, with a bit of back pain. Nothing serious, though. While in the bath just now I had a phone call from the hospital telling me my operation was on June 28. This was a bit of a surprise, since I am having a phone interview with the surgeon on Friday, but I didn’t argue. Yesterday I had pre-op tests at the hospital which seemed to go well. Apparently my heart is fine.

It’s raining lightly this morning, and it rained a bit last Wednesday too, when I was still feeling pretty rough – my back was quite painful. Went to bed in the afternoon for a while. After supper we watched a two-hour documentary on Frank Sinatra. I recorded it for Dot, but in fact it was very interesting. He was undoubtedly a great singer, but I didn’t like many of his songs. He was certainly a very good actor.

Thursday was warm. I was still positive, but felt better. Drove Dot to Harriet’s, so that she could put a card and Maddermarket tickets through her door. We had been hoping to go to The Pirates of Penzance, but of course that was right out. It worked out very well, because it was Harriet’s birthday, and she really enjoyed it, managing to dispose of the second ticket to an elderly man who was a friend of the bar woman. Our friend David Archer had a role as policeman/pirate.

Then to Riverside, where Dot bought three Latflow tests in Morrisons at £1.75 each. Later she worked in the garden and I cleared up round the house. Des brought us fish and chips and we watched It’s a Mad Mad, Mad, Mad World followed by Masterchef, which was won by the right person – Eddie Scott, a marine pilot with a very friendly manner. All three finalists were excellent, though. Neither of us voted in the local elections. Spoke to Sarah over the road from a distance – she had been trying to contact us to see how we were, but used the wrong number. 

Friday was very warm, and I tested negative! Read quite a bit in the bath, then the fixings for the kitchen drawer arrived, and I spent some time repairing it. Quite tricky: recalcitrant screws. Then walked to Ashman Bank at Carrow Road and left a package that we’d had for over a week but couldn’t deliver because of Covid. Got very hot while waiting for Dot in the car and had to lie down when I got home. Later watched a French film called Portrait of a Lady on Fire: very arty, but well done. Spoke to Ciara, who wants to get hold of Angela to adjust Phoebe’s prom dress. (She did eventually.) Des and Chris are en route to Canada (Nova Scotia).

Saturday was not so warm, but quite pleasant. Met Kristine off the train at 12.25 and walked her home. Vicky, Matt and Amy arrived just before 1pm and unpacked David’s stuff into the garage. Amy’s coming was a surprise, but in fact she went with them to see Kerry at Reepham. This may have been because she had thought I was still positive, but it actually worked out well: they stayed for a coffee before heading on. This gave us the afternoon with Kristine: Dot did a great salad and Eton Mess, and we had lots of Pimms and lemonade. Did a short walk down to the river. She left on 5.30pm train. We had chilli in the evening and watched Dr Zhivago – a great film and the first we saw together. Spurs drew at Liverpool. 

Sunday was quite warm, especially in the sun. Church in the morning – played guitar and led prayers, but not simultaneously. Communion, lower on numbers than usual. Left quickly so that we could get to Carrow Road in time for the 2pm game. On the way got contact details for car parking for Jonathan. Norwich lost 0-4 to West Ham. Had FaceTime with David and Amy. Both seemed well. I improved as day went on: back pain seemed to be easing. Watched quite a bit of football plus Beck – a new series which was excellent. Bed late after watching MOTD 2. Oliver said he saw Dot at the ground on TV, but she didn’t make it on to the highlights. 

Yesterday was again quite warm. Still feeling a bit groggy from Covid after-effects. Nevertheless Dot dropped me at church around 10.30, and later I did a Bible Study with Leanne and Nikki outside. Dot came later to chat and then take me to hospital for pre-op tests – blood, urine, MRSA, ECG, height, weight etc. Very nice nurse – Kerry – took me through it. Got in early, and it didn’t take too long. Walked up Cantley Lane and met Dot near roundabout – she’d been to Notcutts to buy presents for Anne’s birthday, plus cards, which she posted later in the day. Quite tired in the afternoon. Watched an episode of Grace and later the film Shane, which was extremely good. Also the last episode of The Split, which i found a bit ponderous, but Dot liked it.

This morning Dot has been working hard on background reading for her latest job – helping to interview candidates for the next headship at Brooke.

It’s late afternoon on my eighth day of Covid. Dot is negative and seems on the way to full recovery. I am still testing positive and to be honest not feeling very good really. My head is swimmy and a bit clogged up, and I have muscle pains, especially in my lower back. I’ve just taken some paracetamol. My eyes are much better, and we’ve just watched The Manchurian Candidate – an excellent film, beautifully scripted. But to start at the beginning…

Last Wednesday I was not sure about the weather (it’s dull today, with a little rain), because both of us tested positive for Covid and were feeling pretty rotten, in a bad cold sort of way. We cancelled all sorts of things and received many messages from friends. I was sleeping in the guest room for a couple of days so that we didn’t keep each other awake.

We FaceTimed with David and Amy, and got a message from Oliver. Had a Hello Fresh meal and watched two films – an old black and white one called Lady of Deceit, and then Annie Hall. Both excellent. Managed to write Parish Pump articles, though I’m not sure about the quality. 

Thursday was pretty miserable. Didn’t go out, of course. Felt pretty rotten off and on, and so did Dot. Had a bath late morning. In the afternoon watched a documentary, largely in Russian, called Tango with Putin, about an independent TV station which had high hopes but eventually succumbed to Putin – though it’s still available on YouTube. Then after supper we watched Almost Famous, a really good film about a young guy trying to write about rock bands. Some excellent acting, particularly by Kate Hudson as Penny Lane. Bed early.  Eyes sore. Spoke to David briefly on FT. 

Friday was cool and Saturday quite warm – so I’m told. Didn’t experience much of it myself because I was feeling rotten – thought I was improving on Saturday morning, but then got worse again. Tried to let people know we wouldn’t be around on Sunday to fulfil our rota duties, and I think I eventually got through. Got quite depressed on Saturday – cold symptoms switching to other side. David keeps FTiming to check on us, and Amy got in touch too. She’s not too good herself, but tried to cheer us up. Norwich lost again. Saw Fort Apache, quite a good film with a crap ending. Yesterday saw The Bank Raiders, a good old film. Fed up.

Sunday – still indoors. However, by the end of the day I was feeling quite a bit better. We ate much of the chocolate dip that David bought  Dot for Mother’s Day. Watched quite a bit of football, plus all three episodes of the police drama The Tower, which I recorded last November. Turned out to be excellent: thoughtful and with a very good ending. 

Monday was mild. Very strange day. We both tested positive, but Dot felt quite a bit better than me. I had a dreadful night, felt depressed and quite ill. Kept trying to go to sleep but couldn’t. Walked a bit in the garden. Watched documentary on Dunkirk, an episode of The Split, which has improved, and an episode of Grace. Had long FaceTime with David and Chrissy, after which I felt better. Still had a very heavy head and a bit of a cough, but not so depressed. Oliver FTd while I was in the bath but had quite a talk with Dot. 

Yesterday I woke feeling better and thought it was all over. Dot tested negative, and I had a bath and then tested positive. Had expected call from delightful nurse (Cherry?), who told me I wouldn’t be able to have my gall bladder operation until at earliest midway through June, because there had to be a seven-week gap between onset of Covid and general anaesthetic – also a four-week ban on flying afterwards! However we had a long chat and I felt she really listened to my misgivings, especially as she looked at the ultrasound results and said there didn’t seemany urgent need. She is going to email the surgeon. I am going for preliminary bloods etc on Monday anyway, assuming I’m Covid negative. 

FTd David to tell him the news. Dot went to Morrisons and got us stocked up. I wrote a piece for the DCC objecting to new hymn books proposal, and Dot did likewise. She actually went to the DCC, which she handled very well, and I felt gradually worse, which was disappointing. Ended up with a very stiff back for no apparent reason. Prompted by a WhatsApp inquiry from Nikki, I had a longish chat with Ray and Chris. She has a catheter because of a kidney infection. There’s always someone worse off. Watched Masterchef.