One of those weeks that catches you unaware, just when everything seems mapped out and organised. On Friday I had paid one of my visits to my aunt Thelma, who is in her 90s and lives at a care home just outside Poringland. She is hard to talk to because she is quite deaf and forgets things you’ve just said. As always, I updated her on the family, including our recent visit to Andrew at the beginning of the month. I think I said he seemed reasonably well.

A couple of hours later I received a phone call from Minster Lodge to say that Andrew had died, after choking and suffering a cardiac arrest. Nothing since then: no-one will answer the phone (except Minster Lodge); so I can’t make any progress. All very sad.

The previous day had been miserable as far as the weather was concerned: thick mist all day, light rain and very grey – just when the days are supposed to be getting longer. Drove to Phil and Joy’s to leave presents. Phil seemed a bit worse, but not drastically so. Joy seems to be shrinking. Afterwards went to Angela’s and had sausage roll and mince pie. Feeling a bit under the weather today – stomach funny. Suspect I may be a little allergic to eggs.

On the way home called at my cousin Mark’s and returned a photo album I’d had since Paul’s funeral. He seemed happy but much older – reminded me of his father. Bridget was here when we got back. Managed to finish the four Parish Pump articles – on St Clare, the patron saint of television; Crick and Watson; the Munich air disaster; and the Columbia shuttle disaster. I am tempted to say NASA are a waste of space, but that would be too funny. Watched football, a documentary on Holkham Hall at Christmas and an Inside No 9 that, unusually, didn’t really work. 

Friday, appropriately enough, was dark grey and very wet day. After receiving the news about Andrew I rang Phil and David to let them know. Rest of the day was a bit of a blur, but we went to Morrisons in the afternoon, and in the evening we hosted the Cake and Compline crowd (less Vicky, who is ill) for a Christmas party: David and Bridget, Eleanor, Judy and Claire. Earlier had paid house insurance for Phyllis. 

Saturday was cold but mainly bright. A long day. First attempt to contact funeral director failed. Dot walked into the city, and I walked up to Rosary with flowers for parents’ grave, then down Gas Hill and into city, meeting Dot, Kim and her daughter Kavana in Jarrolds, where we all had a glass of Prosecco. Dot bought a long cardigan and got her boots fixed. Walked home. Felt very tired. Cousin Ann rang from Liverpool, and later David FTd – but before that we went to Paul’s for nibbles – Holly and Jo there: really nice kids. Spoke a bit to the Foxes, who are train fanatics; he was Maryta’s doctor.  At the end of the evening went to church for midnight communion. Gave Nikki present for her daughter India. Quite a full church: very cold – no heating. Home around 1am. Nice service. 

Sunday – Christmas Day! – was cloudy but dry; bit of sun in the afternoon. We went to church at about 11 and helped serve lunch to an extended family from The Lathes, including some very young children. Had some ourselves of course, and it was very good. Carrie did most of the work, assisted by us, Jude and Elaine, from Sprowston, who we didn’t know but who just volunteered. Very nice woman. Good atmosphere all round. Home just after 3pm. Very tired. Opened presents – some excellent books, as well as other things. FaceTimed with David and Oliver – bit tricky because WiFi pretty awful at Caledon. Quite surprised they travelled there, because roads were bad (some closed) in the aftermath of the storm. But of course Chrissy is very experienced in Canadian winters. Watched television quite a bit, including Four Weddings and a Funeral (still brilliant), an episode of Slow Horses (likewise), and the first part of the very last Doc Martin ever. Andrew’s death still doesn’t seem real.

Monday  – Boxing Day. Chilly but dry. Didn’t go out. Had the full Christmas dinner, which we cooked between us. Very nice. FaceTimed with David and Chrissy and Amy (Oliver out at gym with Sophie). Also had longish chat with Phil and decided (we thought) on cremation for Andrew. Read quite a bit of Pim book and caught up a bit on emails. Watched end of Doc Martin and Death in Paradise. 

Tuesday was not too cold.Dry at first; ran from mid-afternoon. Not getting any further with Andrew. No-one answering phone except Minster Lodge, who said Andrew wanted a Christian burial. So that’s the cremation plan out of the window. Told Phil. Took presents for Vicky (from C&C group) up to Archers so that Bridget could transfer them to Vicky via Janet. Had cup of tea with them; and with David’s mum, who was quite perky.

On the way back tried to call in at Geo Bush funeral director, but no one there. Also called in at Phyllis’s house to check that all was in order, as per insurance demands (every 15 days). Rest of the day mainly watched television and read. Had full-scale Christmas meal in evening again. Watched Detectorists, which was absolutely first class: great script, brilliant ending; and Call the Midwife, which is one of the few dramas that has an idea what Christian love is about. Dot had a very bad night on Monday and was feeling under the weather all day, but this morning (Wednesday) she feels better after we both had a much better night.

Incidentally, I put Andrew’s death on Facebook and received (at the time of writing) 70 sympathetic comments. Aren’t people nice?

Signs of improvement last Saturday, but still very cold. Walked into city to buy a few more cards and some sweets. City was heaving with people – escaped quickly. Dot spent most of the day writing cards and preparing stuff for Christmas lunch at church tomorrow. We both decided not to go and watch Norwich City, mainly because of the cold, but they played abysmally, lost 2-0 to Blackburn and were booed off. FaceTime with David and Oliver. Amy should be joining them tomorrow. They have a little snow, but more on the way, apparently.

Checked over Alternative Carol Service and practised carols. Impending doom. Haven’t been feeling too good today, but I probably had too much to drink, if that can give you cold symptoms. Watched last episode of Granite Harbour: not very good. Oh, and I put together my Canadian poems into a kind of booklet to send to the Murrays and David. 

Sunday was cold to start with, but became slightly less cold in the afternoon, and it rained from late afternoon into evening. Amy flew to Canada and is now in Waterloo. All a bit hectic first thing: got to church early and sorted out who did what in the Alternative Carol Service. Graham took over on piano; so I didn’t have to play guitar. Dot and Anna on violin. All went pretty well; got lots of compliments. Several people from St Luke’s. Afterwards had the Christmas meal – about a couple of dozen for that. Pretty good, but I had a dodgy stomach later in the day. Come to that, I was feeling pretty odd generally, but there’s nothing new in that. Missed first quarter of an hour of World Cup final, which Argentina eventually won on penalties after drawing 3-3 with France after extra time. Watched final of Young Chorister of the Year, which was impressive, and a documentary on Quentin Blake, which was pretty good. 

Dramatic change in temperature on Monday. Up about 12 degrees or more. Also rain, unfortunately, but not too bad. Dot dropped me off at church in the morning – plenty of people there, but not Nikki or Leanne. Had long chat with Steve. Dot picked me up and we got Bibles from Phyllis’s house.  Then dropped cards off at Fiskes’. Chris looked very ill. After lunch watched Strike, which was good, and an episode of Slow Horses, which was brilliant. Caught up with a few presents and electronic messages. Walked to Kim’s for supper. Her partner Kai was there – nice bloke,  Norwegian of course. Lovely meal and chat. Arrived home just after midnight. Had been raining for about ten minutes. 

Tuesday was slightly cooler with a breeze, but sunny. Finished wrapping presents after driving to North Walsham  and putting flowers in cemetery. Bought a few things in Sainsburys, including a turkey breast, but appalled to find no trace of lentil crisps. Lots of traffic at Wroxham coming back.  Watched last episode of Strike, which was very good indeed, and the next two episodes of Slow Horses, which were brilliant. Caught up with e-mails.

Yesterday it rained till mid-afternoon: reasonably mild. Very busy, but managed to write two Pump articles and watch another episode of Slow Horses – still brilliant. Started day with hair cut, then after lunch Anne came round, and later Roger and Debbie. Meanwhile Carrie called in to pick up a music book, and Jonathan to drop off a present. Got an e-mail from solicitor asking about insuring house: had to deal with it because Anna is away. Spoke to Sophie and Kim on phone.  Copies of my poetry book I ordered on December 1 (and posted the same day) finally arrived. 

It’s still very, very cold; so I won’t repeat that every day in this post. Just assume it is. Hardly any snow in Norwich, but loads of frost – white roads, the sound of frantic scraping, car engines running to heat the screens and the occasional scream as someone falls over.

On Sunday, Dot had a cold to go with the cold, and that’s continued as well, although after Sunday she was not disabled by it. However, I went on my own to church after much window-scraping. Played guitar, with Matt on piano – went quite well. Went to play one of my songs during Communion, but they saw me coming and started singing Ubi Caritas. So I waited till the end and sang it then. Don’t think anyone noticed.

Quite cold in church. Stuart said at the end that the temperature inside hadn’t got above 13C. Gave out Christmas cards. Car had iced up again while I was in church!! After quick lunch (soup) took Dot to practise handbells at Great Hospital church, then returned home, did some quick jobs and returned for the concert at 3pm. Dot also played violin with Anna, and Bridget read a poem. Had tea and mince pie afterwards. Walked home and arrived home before Dot, who got a lift with Bridget. Cooked elaborate meal of duck legs, courgette, mashed potato, yorkshire puddings and gravy(!). Afterwards watched some football and then a film, Anna – complex story about a KGB assassin, very well done. Bed early.

On Monday there was snow over much of country, but not here. Oliver managed to get to   Gatwick for his flight to Canada. I gave Blofield and the church a miss and took the sugar to Swafield – a lone journey because Dot’s cold hadn’t improved, and I was worried I was getting one and might not otherwise meet the deadline (Fri). Very sunny out N Walsham way and unloading sugar proved straightforward. No one about. Drove home – Dot was getting up. Later I cleared up some leaves – with care, as pavement was icy in places. Dot was doing her DSSO paperwork, but I helped her get some Christmas stuff out of the loft.  Sent out most of the electronic Christmas messages after cooking sausages, mash and leek. Watched a couple of episodes of Lucy Worsley on Agatha Christie, which were really very good, and two episodes of Strike, likewise. Oliver has arrived in Canada and reached Waterloo.

By Tuesday Dot’s cold was gradually improving. Thought I was succumbing, but rallied later, and we both eventually went to the DCC meeting with refreshments, giving Howard a lift. Earlier finished off writing the Alt Carol Service with a few adjustments and even put an order of service together. Watched a documentary on Big Ben reconstructed – fascinating – after listening to a Radio 4 programme about bells, produced by Kristine’s company. Also filled up the car with petrol and did a mammoth shop at Morrisons – about £200! Short FaceTime with Amy. 

Wednesday saw a sprinkling of snow in the evening. Paul came round in the morning looking rather tired. He coincided with Bridget, and shortly before she left Dot went to the shops to buy a few presents. I printed off some stuff and sent off a few more electronic cards. Postal strike again today and tomorrow. Phone call with Lucy about possible Julian project: she’s been in touch with Howard. Rather alarming. In the evening Dot and I drove to Bowthorpe for Sillars Christmas meal. Excellent food. Chatted to Vicki and Janet and Graham. Also briefly with Catherine about Florida devastation. She has property in Fort Myers, but had only minor damage. Watched an old Christmas special of One Foot in the Grave, which was very clever. 

Hard frost all day on Thursday, like 1963.  As so often nowadays, felt under the weather during morning and early afternoon, then improved. Naomi came round at 10.30 with football tickets: brought dog, but it was well behaved. Walked up to Maids Head to buy books from Paul – had whisky in the bar. Pavements icy. Prepared some presents and cards. Watched some football and accidentally Escape to the Country because it was in Norfolk. In the evening thought we’d ordered a taxi to go to the Greens, but it didn’t turn up. Started to walk, but Dot fell over – fortunately nothing broken. So defrosted car and drove. Jaya’s birthday, and to celebrate we read through The Importance of Being Ernest. I was Algernon, and Dot was Cicely. Perfect! Great play – really enjoyed it. Had veggie Indian, which was ok, but meat would have made it so much better. 

Pavements lethal yesterday. Slipped three times on way down to post office to mail parcels, but fortunately didn’t fall. Also posted a few cards and bought a few things. Most of the day was spent preparing for our neighbours’ party in the evening. Had phone call from Ray to say he and Chris both very bad. Then later call from Carrie to say she was being overwhelmed, having organised so many things and helpers all going down sick. Meanwhile Phoebe came round  because she had forgotten her key and couldn’t get in – Sean and Ciara were on their way back from London. Party went very well – people brought lots of wine and one of two other things. Present: Des (Chris had a cold and didn’t come), Angela and Matt, Mary and Bob, Sean, Ciara and Phoebe, Mark and Sarah, and Jude Sayer. John didn’t come because his father was in hospital with a broken ankle. Most left by 9.30, but Des, Sean & co hung on till the bitter end – roughly 11pm. Cleared up in about half an hour. Pretty tired. 

This has been a cold week. Monday started with showers, but I managed to walk to church and actually did a Bible study: Leanne turned up, and Alison and Steve were quite keen. Lots of people around, preparing for some kind of Christmas thing. Bought some cards from Alison and had a serious talk with Steve, which I hope helped. Dot came and picked me up, then after lunch she went to Taverham, getting caught up in quite a lot of traffic. Realising rather belatedly that our Mazda European Assistance had lapsed, I arranged roadside assistance with Green Flag, starting tomorrow. Felt very tired in the evening. Sent electronic cards and Christmas cash to Oliver and Amy, and birthday card to Joe. Getting quite a lot of low-grade pain in my teeth, for some reason: ears popping too.

Tuesday was again cold with showers. Dot went to Worstead School quite early: I was planning to walk to the Archant Christmas meal, but in fact Dot arrived just as I was about to leave; so we went together. Very good meal. Chatted to Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia, plus a few others. Bill, David and Richard all there. Carvery. Later Dot wrote up her reports and I lay down, not feeling  too good. Think I went to sleep. Watched a bit of football, Morocco beating Spain on penalties and Portugal slaughtering Switzerland 6-1. Watched another episode of Slow Horses: very good. Then a good episode of Motherland. 

Wednesday was very cold but mainly dry. Dot went to a DSSO meeting followed by their Christmas lunch. Safeguarding meeting for 4pm postponed, but she went to orchestra in the evening. I stayed in but racked up 5000 steps. Also reworked alternative carol service and printed out sheets. Chose hymns for Sunday.  Read a bit and did a few Christmas cards. Watched final episode of Slow Horses, season one. Very good except for  language. 

On Thursday we woke up to a dusting of snow. Had to de-ice car for Dot, who was off to the Yarmouth school with the brilliant head teacher. I decided to have a bath after she went and read quite a bit of Keiron’s book. We had soup for lunch because Dot was cold. In the afternoon I wrote a Christmas message which I hope to send to a number of people after I run it past Dot. Still waiting for copies of my poetry book, which were posted to me on December 1. Bridget came to do cleaning after Dot had left for Catfield for an Ofsted feedback. I gave her some questionable legal advice as we had a coup of tea and biscuit. Dot got back just after she left, having been held up by traffic between A47 and home. We had eggs, and watched Grand Designs before I drove her to the Greens for handbell practice. I read some more of Keiron’s book; felt very tired. David and Bridget brought her home. Watched another episode of The English.

Yesterday was very cold, but dry. Wrote a lot of Christmas cards and finished off the Christmas message, which Dot seems happy with. Read a bit more too. Dot picked up more sugar from Brooke, and I helped her sort it. She also went to Thurton school. When she got back she spent a long time compiling her Ofsted feedback report, but finished just in time to go over to Des and Chris’s for wine and talk. Too cold to drink outside. He got us some fish and chips later and we watched Argentina v Netherlands, which the former won on penalties after the Netherlands got back from 0-2 to 2-2 with almost the last kick. Despite Messi, Argentina succeed mainly by falling over every time an opponent goes near them and relying on the referee being hopeless. He was. Most of them are. Earlier Brazil had gone out on penalties to Croatia. Watched second episode of Granite Harbour, which continues to be badly acted, directed or scripted – possibly all three. I was itching all over at end of the evening – possibly because I had drunk a lot of Merlot. 

Today was also very cold but dry. Ice on birdbaths. Got up quite late. After lunch I walked into the city and Dot took the bus, because she’s not feeling 100%. She has a slight sore throat, and is feeling tired. We went to Adnam’s shop in Westlegate and then to Lakeland, and bought several presents. I walked home via City bookshop and bought a book for Andrew. Dot took the bus again. Before this we had talked about a gift list and more or less got it sorted out. Then Dot packed a lot of the presents while listening to Norwich beat Swansea 1-0 away, just as Morocco beat Spain 1-0. Later England lost to France 2-1 but played very well. Sadly for Harry Kane, he missed a penalty. Dot practised her violin for tomorrow, and I bought a few items online.

Wednesday was dry and fairly cold. The head of Brooke school rang while Dot was in the shower, asking her to come to see him a bit later than planned, which she did. I did quite a bit of work during the day, including our charity giving and putting together a Christmas card list, deciding which to send online, and which to stay traditional. Also put rota in diary and online, prompting Anna to e-mail and change three Green dates, which was really helpful. Watched a bit of Poland v Argentina and some University Challenge and Grand Designs.  Earlier Dot practised violin and did a report on Brooke. While she was at orchestra in the evening I walked up to post office to post cheques and put some more books in the little library. Managed 5000 steps a day during November.

Thursday was chilly but quite pleasant: dry with some sun. It was the day of Phyllis’s funeral. Dropped Dot off at church and had trouble finding a parking spot – eventually found somewhere on Oak Street. Dot was playing violin during the service with Anna (Martin Wyatt on organ). I gave a tribute, Anna read from Psalms and Sophie gave an excellent account of her friendship with Phyllis. Graham did the service very well. Sylvia Ford, Phyllis’s niece and Davids’ former primary head teacher, came with her daughter. About 35 in all.

Afterwards took Howard and Anna up to the cemetery – off the ring road – for burial. Phil brought Sophie, Matt came by bike, and both he and Sylvia arrived too late. Afterwards drove back for refreshments at the hall and spent some time talking to Nikki about her feeling inferior. Tried to encourage her: she is really lovely and quite talented. After lunch watched a bit of football and chose a Compline for the evening. We walked to Cake and Compline, which was at Eleanor’s and very enjoyable. Excellent mince pies from Bridget, who had come and cleaned our house while we were out – Dot had forgotten to leave a note. 

Friday was very grey, with some rain. Sorted out a few Christmas cards and wrote to Oliver. Window cleaner came, but it just seemed like more rain. In the afternoon Dot went to Alpington School while I went to Revelations, but their selection of Christmas cards was nowhere near as good as usual. Bought some anyway. Later met Dot at Morrisons and bought considerable food. I put it away while she did her school report. No meet in street because of bad weather and absence of D’Souzas. Watched new Aberdeen police series – not brilliant but ok. 

Dry and chilly on Saturday. Drove to Mulbarton for brunch with the Gazleys, American style. Very nice. From there drove to Coventry, stopping at Cambridge Services for sandwiches etc to eat later. Also had croissant and cup of tea. Bought Andrew a photography magazine with some great pictures in it. Arrived at Baginton just after 5pm after going astray because of roadworks and finding ourselves on the A46 instead of the A45. Very nice room, and excellent bath, but  BBC1 on TV packed up half way through Argentina v Australia. Watched the rest on iPad, but after Argentina went 2-0 up switched to watching programme about Scotland on BBC 2. Final result 2-1. Went down to bar for glass of wine each, which was very pleasant. Bad night for both of us.

Sunday was overcast but mainly dry or with very light drizzle. Had good breakfast at the Old Mill, then drove to see Andrew. He is having real trouble standing up straight but says he is not in pain. Responses very slow and he is forgetting more. We left him with a video playing after Dot managed to find the connection.

Then on to pick up Oliver: again had problems finding our way – this time went down wrong road, and Oliver came and found us. We drove back to the Old Mill using a new route and had a really nice lunch together – roasts. I found it hard to eat it all after the big breakfast!  Afterwards walked round the back, then drove back to Oliver’s house, where we had a look round: looks comfortable and well situated.

Drove home, stopping at Cambridge Services for a toilet break, and for some reason I took the wrong turn at Barton Mills, and in trying to retrieve the situation found myself in a MacDonalds drive-through queue from which I couldn’t extricate myself without waiting for quite a while. Drove on and stopped for petrol at Thetford; got home around 6.30pm. Watched England beat Senegal 3-0. Mixture of very boring play with exciting attacks – mainly the former. Watched the first episode of Slow Horses, which I think we’d seen before.