So here we are in our beautiful HIgh Tides apartment at Blakeney, with our two excellent grandchildren, delighting in the chaos on the carnser at high tide, when the water encroaches on carelessly parked cars. We arrived almost simultaneously on Friday, when the weather was very warm. It remained warm until this morning, when it dawned windy and a bit cooler. This did not deter Oliver from getting our breakfast croissants from the shop up the HIgh Street, where he has struck up a friendship with the woman who serves there and also organises seal trips.

Last Tuesday Oliver was still in Sweden. We went to Morrisons to stock up on food, then to Colney Woodland Burial Park for Ellie’s funeral. Lovely setting, service a bit unorthodox but quite nice. Spoke to Dale (her son) and Michael and Heather. Debbie and Sharon were there from church. Afterwards to the Village Inn at Little Melton for drinks, where despite going the wrong way, we arrived first. Spoke to Jeanette ( who worked for Dale at Yarmouth and took Ellie out for trips) and also to Sharon. Tired out at home: lay down for over an hour, and so did Dot. Later Bridget and David came round and we watched the Pirates of Penzance DVD, in which David appeared. B & D brought Indian takeaway.

Wednesday was very mild again. Fixed the label machine, which had run out, and contacted BT about the malfunctioning phone. After much discussion – I spoke to a woman who was very hard to understand, and then a man from Northern Ireland, who was slightly easier – they agreed to send a new handset, which arrived after we’d left and was delivered to Mark. Posted birthday card to Julia. Dot went to Taize at church after Bridget had done cleaning. Later Dot went to Rushcutters with some of the orchestra for a meal. I had soup. We watched Shetland. Very worried Tosh may have been killed. 

On Thursday it rained and was cooler. Stayed indoors. Rang Lily – she’s much the same. Had FT with David, mended Roger’s picture, and Dot wrapped Joy’s presents. Did most of the packing for Blakeney. Watched the rest of Clarkson’s Farm. Do not want to be farmer. 

Friday was warm and dry. Finished packing in morning. Left for Blakeney after lunch, called in at Holt to buy food from Bakers and Larners and bought Canadian gilet on impulse. Also socks, for no good reason. Arrived at Blakeney at 3.45 and parked on carnser. Dot got key and I drove round into parking space for High Tides. Oliver and Amy arrived shortly afterwards and parked on carnser (Matt’s car). Spent some time unpacking both cars.  Eventually parked Matt’s car at the village  hall. Walked around and did some reminiscing. Salad. Looked through some pictures. Read Build Up Logically, one of my favourite short stories, to Oliver and Amy. 

Unexpected heavy rain first thing on Saturday, but it soon cleared. Norwich beat Sunderland away 1-0 and we bought meals from van on the car set at half time. Hard to carry back to flat. Bit of a mess. England beat South Africa by an innings. Later walked up to the car via Blakeney Hotel path and drove to Holt. Bought food from Bakers and Larners and had tea and tea cake in cafe at back of main street. Then got pizza from Budgens for next day. Drove back to Blakeney (Oliver doing all the driving) and turned down High Street by mistake and saw Sophie and Rich and their children. Dot jumped out to speak to her. We met again when Oliver and I went to the car to retrieve my binoculars. Oliver helped me with ArriveCanada app. Had tea (too much). Played poker. Amy and I won. They FTd David. 

Yesterday there was some high cloud, but it was largely sunny and warm. Had quite a good night. Oliver ran to Cley and back, then bought croissants. Dot, Oliver and I went for a short walk (out by coast path and round back to garage, calling at shop) and met Rich and children – Iris and Charlie – crabbing. Later all four of us went to the Manor  for tea/coffee in courtyard, then walked through Blakeney Freshes to the coast path and back home. Watched a bit of F1, and later Spurs beating Notts Forest 2-0. Later still watched an animated film, Up, supplied by Amy. Very unusual and well done. This was after we’d driven to Morston and done a short walk out along creek. Earlier we’d seen Sophie and family with Charlotte and family from our balcony and said hello. Bit worried about my abdomen, which is sore. I feel fine, though, and did over 10,000 steps.

Quite a busy day today. Overcast, and a little cooler. Promised rain did not materialise. Dot took me to church this morning as usual: a smaller attendance. I answered some theological questions from Steve. Graham back from holiday, but otherwise only Stacy, Carrie and Jude until Dot came along to take me home. Later Anne came round – Philip has been having more medical difficulties, and I think she needed a rest. Had a good long conversation. When she went, Des came round to discuss his piece about an aspect of his family history. Only two pages, but I tried to give him some advice, though it may come back to haunt me! In the evening watched Van der Valk – excellent – and another episode of Clarkson’s Farm, which was amusing. Earlier Dot spoke to Amy briefly about coming weekend. Oliver is in Sweden.

Last Tuesday was humid. Mainly dry in Norwich, with just a little light rain. Elsewhere in the county heavy rain and flooding. Paston, for example, as Jonathan revealed when we met him at Carrow Road. Put rota together for church while Dot was having a violin lesson at Anna’s. She walked there and back. Played a few LPs and looked at old videos. In the evening saw Norwich beat Huddersfield 2-1, though they should have beaten them about 5-0. Played really well in first half. Later watched Euro swimming and athletics. 

Wednesday was a bit cooler, but pleasant. Quite a bit of rain, but nothing heavy. Spent much of the day at Kim’s. Dot broke off halfway through to go to Taize event at church. Home just before 5pm. Sorted out compline, then Judy came round and we took her to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. No Vicky or Eleanor. Home quite late – Dot lost earring. Watched Shetland and bit of athletics: too late in bed.   

Thursday was mild: quite humid at times. A little rain. Finished sermon. Bridget came and cleaned. Dot sorted out two other bedrooms. Showed Dot some of the old films. She went to handbell ringing at Greens’ in the evening – I walked with her to top of Close. Listened to a few old vinyl LPs and then David FTd to talk about children’s  visit, which seems to have gone really well. Think he’s missing them. They are now back in Aylesbury, probably jet-lagged. Dot walked home with Jaya, and was also tired out. Watched some athletics. 

Friday was dry and fairly warm, but mainly overcast. Got up early and watched cricket. Sorted out travel insurance and got discount by mentioning Dave Evetts. Total £350 not bad. In afternoon Dot picked up her pills and did a bit of shopping at Boots. David FTd around 5pm to show us the pictures of Amy and Oliver’s visit. Excellent. I went outside for drinks at 5.30pm so that he and Dot could have a  chat. Then I came back in and cooked chilli while she went out. Later she went to see Norwich beat Millwall 2-0. I met her halfway, and we watched a bit of Euro athletics. 

Saturday was mild and dry. Robin Bloomfield came to do a few plumbing jobs – new tap in utility room, new plugs in shower room and bathroom, securing loo seats etc – £242. Cleared up after he left and did some other outstanding jobs. Played through En Passant games. Sorted out charity money. Watched some Euro athletics and England getting hammered at cricket by South Africa. 

Yesterday was a little cooler but still quite mild. Church in the morning. I preached on freedom from fear and was congratulated by Harriet on my sense of humour. Swedish woman and her husband came. Three people wanted a copy of the poem I used. Was inspired to write three new poems in afternoon. Drove Ray and Chris home – first time she’s been to church for a while because of chemo effects. As we arrived home Mary asked us to pray for Oscar, who has been threatening the police and may have to go to prison. Watched last day of Euro championships and a bit of Match of the Day 2. Pen y Pigyn featured on a walking programme we follow. 

Last Tuesday, after a good morning, not such a good afternoon. I  booked hotel and parking at Gatwick, but with some difficulty, especially when I tried to install ArriveCan app. Got very stressed and had to lie down. Later Dot listened to Norwich beating Birmingham in the League Cup (on penalties), and we watched the first episode of the new Van der Valk, which was excellent. Good script  – and a good team. 

On Wednesday I wrote two and a half articles for Parish Pump, partly while Dot was at a Taizé service at church. Very warm but not unpleasant. Did some food shopping in the afternoon. Later watched When Harry met Sally, which is a brilliant film, and the first episode of the new Shetland, which didn’t disappoint. 

Thursday was warmer. Almost uncomfortable. The start of a new trend. Finished off Pump pieces. Anna called in with a book from Tony Ward (former vicar now resident in Derby), and later Bridget came to clean. Most of the time she was here we were watching Casablanca, a great film of course. At 6pm we did a Heygo tour of Niagara on the Lake while I cooked duck à l’orange. Later watched the rest of the Runrig DVD, which was brilliant. Then David FTd us, accompanied by Amy, who doesn’t want to come home. Oliver in room too. Later watched Clarkson’s Farm on Prime. Really quite good. 

Friday was hot. Dot went to Morrisons early, and Kristine arrived on the 12.25 from London. Dot did really nice food, and we had a good chat. Introduced her to Runrig, which she seemed to like a lot. Felt very tired late afternoon and lay down for a while, but we all went out for drinks in the street at 5.30. Kristine got the 7pm train home: we took her to the station. Later watched some football, Witness Number 3 and Sanditon. Salmon Rushdie has been knifed on stage.

Saturday was hot. Didn’t go out at all; quite bearable indoors. Posted on website – article and poem – updated various things and then booked a cottage for Ballater next May. Norwich lost 2-/1 to Hull away despite being better in all departments except shooting. Now bottom of table. Watched a bit of Euro rowing and cycling, plus most of Rio Bravo and the second edition of Clarkson’s Farm, which is very funny. How can anyone make a living out of farming? 

Sunday was hot. Church in the morning as member of congregation – odd. I usually have something to do. Long Holy Communion with long chat afterwards. Heather has bad hip. Steve very down. After lunch spent most of day watching TV – bit of Euros, last 3 episodes of Witness Number 3 (3 and 4 much better than 1 and 2). Carrie called in with figs. Oh yes.

Yesterday was pleasantly warm, but overcast. Picked up Anna at 10 and drove to Woodbridge: traffic bad and painfully slow. Found car park and violin shop with no trouble, and parking app worked beautifully.  Dot had a choice of six of eight violins and bought one which sounded pretty good: £2500, less £500 part exchange on her old one. Anna bought a new bow, which was £800. Amazing shop, very pleasant owner and assistant.

Afterwards had lunch in the square outside the shop: really nice food and tea from the Wild Strawberry Cafe. As I was feeling pretty tired, Dot drove back. Watched some cycling and athletics (great finish to marathon) and another Clarkson’s Farm. No rain yet, but promised for tomorrow. I believe Oliver, Amy, David and Chrissy went to Niagara Falls, though there was an attempt to make me believe the picture was photoshopped.

Very pleasant day today – sunny and warm. Walked up into the city with Dot, who had an appointment at Jarrolds, then along and back down through the Close. At least, that was the idea, but as I was resting on a bench I was approached by a very nice woman from Beccles who wanted to know where the Great Hospital was. I started to direct her, then decided to go with her. Surprisingly I didn’t feel too tired, and after showing her the GH, I also showed her the pub at Bishop Bridge, because she was half an hour early for her tour and she thought she might like a coffee. So I walked further than I meant to, and felt surprisingly OK. I even hung the washing out.

Last Thursday I eventually managed to book flights to Canada, using Dot’s computer.  Bridget came to clean, and I cooked dinner (lamb steak). Then Dot walked up to Howard’s for handbell ringing: Bridget gave her a lift back. Meanwhile I played through some En Passant games. And sorted out the dishwasher. 

Friday was a bit cooler but quite pleasant. Plumber Robin came at 11 to look at a couple of jobs, and Kim arrived at the same time. She stayed for a light lunch, and we had a long chat. In the afternoon we watched a bit of Commonwealth Games, and Dot did some cleaning. Had drink outside with Des and Chris’s relatives, plus Mark, and Jonathan for a short time. Then went in for soup, and a few odd jobs. Feeling tired on and off. Watched more Commonwealth Games. Bit of constipation. Children have arrived in Canada. 

After a better night, Saturday was pleasantly warm –- not too hot. Dot went to the match with Matt and Amanda, who left their bikes in the garden. City managed to avoid losing, but drew 1-1 with Wigan. Not tremendously inspiring. I spent ages on a research questionnaire for Imperial College that didn’t seem to ask any of the right questions and ended up with brain games that I wasn’t too good at. Fred called in after the game: he’s staying at Beeston Regis and got the bus in. Nice to see him.

Also had a FaceTime with Andrew: it was his 74th birthday. He seemed much the same and appeared to have received his presents, though one can never be quite sure. In the evening we went to Des and Chris’s ruby anniversary celebration at Silver Rd community centre, and gave Sarah a lift. Nice evening: spoke a lot to Sarah, but also to John and Tara, who were just back from Cornwall, and Sean, Ciara, Phoebe and Freddie, plus Jessica and her husband and Charlie, Des’s best man, from Macclesfield; he and his wife Carol were a nice couple. Ceilidh band were ok, and plenty of people danced. We left at 9.30 because I was very tired, and so was Sarah. Watched a bit of football and Commonwealth Games.

Sunday was pleasantly warm. Led morning worship, with Heather preaching: 27 in the congregation. Nice atmosphere. Watched  a bit of Commonwealth Games and football. Lay on bed for a while – quite tired. Cooked duck legs – very nice. 

Yesterday was mild; quite pleasant. Dot dropped me off at church: the girls were not there, but had good chat with Steve, Alison, Jude, Debbie, Stacy etc. Dot returned later and stayed a while. After lunch Dot went to see Anne, who is having trouble looking after Philip: very hard for her. I trimmed back the ivy and finished Richard Balls’ Shane McGowan book. Felt very tired after looking at insurance, visa and parking. Emptied the dishwasher and cooked the evening meal. Watched last episodes of Everything I know about love, which was quite good, and  The Newsreader – ditto. Also watched MOTD2. That was quite good too.

Last Saturday was mild; mainly overcast. Anne came round and brought me some lovely Provence rosé as a late birthday present. After she left we watched some of the Commonwealth games, plus an episode of Sanditon, which is pretty good. Wrote prayers forSunday and felt better until mid-evening, when I felt very tired; Dot also developed a mysterious rash and was not feeling too good; so we went to bed early. Earlier we listened to Norwich losing 1-0 to Cardiff (A) in the first game of the season; saw highlights on ITV4. Dot had a long phone call from Debbie about Taizé service.

Rain overnight and off and on during Sunday. Quite mild. Went to joint service at St Aug and led prayers : 36 people there. Very nice atmosphere. Felt a bit shaky most of the day – hadn’t slept well. However had a proper meal – Moussaka. Dot still under the weather with a rash. She got some antihistamine pills and went to the Team Ministry service in the old church in the evening. I gave it a miss and watched some Commonwealth Games and England women winning Euro final 2-1,against Germany. A lot of people seemed quite pleased to see me this morning. 

Monday was mild but overcast. Felt quite a bit better, which was just as well, as Dot was under the weather with her rash and lacking in energy. Drove (first time since operation) to church and had pleasant chat for over an hour. Nikki and Leanne didn’t turn up so didn’t do Bible study. Howard and Matt were there doing repair work on end of hall. Had proper lunch and evening meal, which I cooked : haddock, potatoes and peas. Dot did fruit salad. Watched some Commonwealth Games swimming and the next two episodes of The Newsreader, which was good. Earlier Linda came and cut our hair, and I took over some papers to Des, who is back from Lichfield (and Commonwealth Games hockey). Oliver and Amy home from Corfu.

Bad night and a very warm day on Tuesday. Went to Archant Pensioners’ breakfast; Richard Batson came for first time. Too tired afterwards to go to shop, but went later in the afternoon to stock up on food. Watched an awful lot of Commonwealth Games, and had two long FaceTime chats with Amy and David. Amy showed us pictures of Corfu.

Wednesday was still very warm, but overcast and a bit windy. Des called to check on parking for his ruby weekend. Dot seemed to be improving –rash much less, and she perked up towards the end of the day. Watched some Commonwealth Games, including superb win by Eilish McColgan in 10,000 metres. I feel quite a bit better; wrote to Andrew and Thelma and walked up to post. Also ordered some stuff for both of them and for us. Naked Wines delivered before I was out of bed. 

Today (Thursday) is still warm, with some sun. Was feeling better until I attempted to book tickets to Canada, which went ok till I tried to pay. After six attempts (two valid credit cards and one valid debit card) gave up. Got as far as “Confirm it’s you” but no way of doing so. Aargh!!!! After lunch tried again on Dot’s machine, and it went through. Weird. As I write Bridget is here doing some cleaning. I am more than halfway through a book on Shane McGowan: great songwriter but almost impossible to be around. My chess game with Oliver is ongoing.