Friday was cold but dry, with bits of blue sky. Walked to B & M, where we bought fasteners to fix pictures on the wall, plus some lentil crisps. (Interesting combination.) Dot got eye cream from Boots. Wrote to Thelma to let her know about Andrew. Dot ordered food for funeral from Morrisons. Later, drove up to Ray and Chris’s with a meal for Ray: went in after a while waiting, and found Chris in a very poor state, but peaceful, looking on the point of death. Ray was in quite a state, unsurprisingly: tried to comfort him. Lyndsey and a neighbour were there.

Back just in time to go over the road for drinks: Des went and got fish and chips at 7pm. Quality very good this week. Bridget left car here during day while she went to Ely by train. Watched several things on TV, including Death in Paradise, which is top of my comfort viewing list. Kim arrived home by train from Aberdeen at 11.15pm. Toyed with going to meet her, but in the end she got a taxi, which probably made sense. 

On Saturday Lucy rang about her Julian project, in which I am somehow involved. Not sure how. Dot went to North Walsham to put flowers on her mum’s grave (her birthday tomorrow). Brought home some flowers that I took up to my parents’ grave later. I did a lot of clearing up, especially in my room, sorting out Andrew’s stuff, Christmas stuff, files of paper and envelopes, plus other things. Wrote prayers for tomorrow and practised hymns. In the evening watched some football – Spurs winning in FA Cup. Also some episodes on Netflix of Bad Sisters, which is very good, strangely.

Sunday was an exhausting day, though the weather wasn’t too bad. Enjoyed church in the morning – Steve joined us, and Phil played too. Did a couple of songs during Communion and also led prayers.  Nikki’s boyfriend Daniel came for the first time. Seemed a really nice guy. Unfortunately had to shoot off early to get to the George Hotel for lunch with CNS reunion group. Sat with the Throwers and Bussey. Very good food. Quiz afterwards not quite so good.  Question master Tony Friedlander had too much info, a couple of answers were dubious and another he didn’t know. Ho hum. Only home for 45 minutes before we were off again to St Luke’s for a farewell service for Simon Stokes. We were in the music group again. Organised by Nikki – very well. Led by Graham excellently. Bunfight  afterwards, but still too full to eat much. Crashed out at home and watched Vera, which was OK, and a bit of football. 

Yesterday was quite cold, but dry. Dot drove me up to church in the morning as usual, and eventually I did a Bible study with Jude and Debbie (and Graham momentarily) which turned out to be quite interesting. After lunch Dot worked on her philosophy stuff for a talk next week and I wrote a couple of poems that I submitted for a Julian anthology. Also checked some Paston letters for Peter Stibbons. David FTd with Chrissy. In the evening we went with Graham and Carrie to the Fiskes for a “preparation for death” service for Christine. Also Holy Communion. Had a really good time despite what was happening. Daughter Lyndsey was really nice: gave us tea/coffee afterwards. Got petrol on the way home, and watched Happy Valley and Call the Midwife.

This seems a long time ago, but late last Thursday (19th) I picked up Dot and Jaya from Greens, where they had been handbell-ringing – and drove Jaya home. Watched Marie Antoinette, which is pretty good. The Greens leave today (27th) for India. I do not envy them, except that it should be warmer.

Last Friday was still very cold, with some rain. Quite unpleasant, really. Dot’s DSSO school interview was cancelled via phone at 7.45; so Linda came earlier to do our hair. Had time for a bath afterwards before Phil arrived to take me to the funeral director’s, where I paid £4000 deposit for the funeral and saw Andrew’s body. Strange experience. Long time since the three of us had been together. Wrote a poem about it later.

Phil came back for cup of tea just as the plumber (Evan) arrived to fit a new shower pump. This one seemed to work ok – and no extra charge! Message from Joy that meeting had been arranged at Eckling Grange next Tuesday with Surrey Chapel reps re funeral service. Managed to write a Parish Pump article on Christopher Wren, then went to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. Got a lift from Phil Kerrison: Jude and Eleanor went with Dot. Afterwards watched Death in Paradise. 

Saturday was cold. What’s new? Up fairly late – watched  Norwich beat Coventry 4-2 away on NOW Tv, on my iPad – couldn’t get it on television.(Oliver was there, but we didn’t see him.) I felt very tired afterwards and lay down for a while. Dot wrote prayers for tomorrow after having a long conversation with Carrie on the phone. Practised hymns. Watched walking programmes. Des and Chris came over for drinks for a couple of hours, which was very nice. Then started watching Bank of Dave on Netflix. David FTd us and we had quite a long chat, partly about the funeral. He said he might come over! 

Sunday was bright but very cold. Windscreens bad. Drove to church and played guitar. Pretty cold in church. Good sermon from Graham on unity as opposed to uniformity. Played one of my songs in Communion (All will be well) and got some good response. Also to Dot’s prayers. I felt pretty cold all day. Dot reorganised the airing cupboard and her room – great job. Watched a bit of football but not much else.

In the evening drove on my own to Lowestoft for Seagull poetry. About a dozen of us. Got complements from Sue and others about my poetry book: Lynne said she had a copy by her bed! Read two new poems – Unfinished and Last Men Standing, plus four from my book: the fish dock one, Anne Boleyn’s Window (which Sue said made her cry), Liturgy and Failing Fire. Late finish: got home about 10.40pm despite clear run. 

Monday was busy. Cold night, but up a few degrees during the day. Dot dropped me at church. Had interesting Bible study /conversation with Judy and Steve. When Dot picked me up we dropped stuff at dry cleaners, then did a massive shop at Morrisons – £150. Still, we were about to run out of just about everything. Dot also picked up pills – went to chemists twice because they “didn’t have time” to check them first time.  Also got eye drops from pharmacist for her red eyes. I cleared up leaves – pretty tiring – and we watched the first episode of Silent Witness, which is getting a bit obsessed with a side character who does sign language. Other than that, good as usual. After supper I finished off my address for Andrew’s funeral, then watched an early Transatlantic Sessions. Amusing how young they all look – some almost unrecognisable. Guest appearance by Rufus Wainwright, who looked about 12, if that.

Tuesday was slightly less cold; quite pleasant in fact, but still a bit icy between Lenwade and North Tuddenham. Drove to Dereham to meet Andy Rees, pastor of ex-Surrey Chapel, and discuss forthcoming funeral. Nice bloke, but he left his coat behind. We took it with us and I returned it to his house in the evening. Spent quite a long time with Dot looking at pictures and discussing frames. Later watched Silent Witness and Call the Midwife, which was a bit mawkish. Ended the evening with Detectorists, which is brilliant. Wrote second one of three Parish Pump pieces.

Miserable weather again on Wednesday. Misty, damp and cold, with the bonus of actual rain in the late afternoon and early evening. Have managed to put together an order of service for Andrew’s funeral, and finished Parish Pump articles. Dot went to Taize at church, and I picked her up and we took several pictures to get framed. Quite expensive, but they’ll be well done. David FTd while Dot was at orchestra, partly to discuss his bank card. Lots of snow and wind in Waterloo, but everyone is well. Geoff Jary has died, and so have Jane Flatt and Linda Brady, commonly known as Brady. Both the latter worked at Prospect House. Watched Happy Valley, which is tense. Me too.

Yesterday we both woke up very late. I was still in the bath when Dot went into the city, partly to check about funeral food at M&S and partly to buy some boots. I had a phone call from the funeral director about order of service and established that Phil and Joy wouldn’t need a limousine. Later spoke to Jenny Baxi on the phone about the funeral – they hadn’t seen a text message I’d sent a few days ago. Death notice in Coventry Telegraph yesterday (can be viewed online).

Finished Phantastes, an amazing book like nothing I’ve read before. Really deep fairy tale, praised by C S Lewis. Dot arrived home with Nikki, who she’d bumped into, and we/they spend a long time talking about how she was feeling about the future. During this Bridget arrived and did the cleaning. Posted a letter to Jenny Baxi and a card to Debbie Sands from Dot (Debbie’s husband Neil died recently). Felt very tired for some reason and went to bed early, but not before watching a couple of episodes of Bad Sisters on Apple TV, and Marie Antoinette on BBC. Former outshone the latter, despite what I said at the beginning.

Thursday 19 Jan – still, and hovering just above freezing. Today we travelled to Hempnall for lunch with Sue and Roger Eagle. As always it lasted a long time, because we had lots to talk about. Delicious meal from Sue , especially the soup and paratha. Had to go a long way round because of roadworks in The Street at Saxlingham Nethergate: my avoidance system was better going than coming, and we ended up in rush-hour traffic too. Still, after a break we were off again, picking up Jaya and taking her to handbell ringing at the Greens. After dropping them I filled up with petrol, using Dot’s precious voucher. After writing this I shall fetch them.

Last Friday was also dry, but with a cold wind. Up early because Barry came to touch up paintwork in the kitchen. He arrived at 8.30. I had late bath and Dot went to Morrisons. Hospital rang about 12.15 with news that Ray would be ready for collection after his eye operation by about 1.15.  Bridget was here cleaning, and Barry had left by the time we went. We picked Ray up around 1.20 and took him home. He was rather nervous. Saw Christine and Derek and Lindsay.    

Dot dropped me at Kett’s Hill roundabout and went up to Dunelm. I walked home and then to Morrisons to pick up Amazon parcel – vitamin pills – from locker. Got a call from the funeral director, but no date. Everything else ok. At 5.30 we went over to D’Souzas for wine and chat. John also there: Tara still very poorly – long Covid or reaction to vaccine, or something else entirely? At 7 Des got fish and chips, and we took them home to eat. Watched Marie Antoinette and Death in Paradise. 

The Saturday weather was not very inspiring – lots of rain again – but the day was inspiring in that we had our granddaughter with us. Vicky and Matt dropped Amy off (and had tea/coffee) before going on to Reepham to see Kerry. Dot did a complex salad, and raspberry cake dessert, which was delicious. Afterwards we watched Local Hero after I told Amy about the book I’d been reading. Happily she really liked it. We also looked at her Canadian pictures and some others. She was picked up about 5.30pm. We cleared up and watched football and another film, King of Thieves. Norwich beat Preston 4-0 away under their new manager, David Wagner, and Liverpool lost. No message from Adrian. 

Sunday was damp and cold, but with dry spells. Took Heather to and from church. Played guitar. Anna did lectio. Chatted quite a bit afterwards, then dropped off Water into Wine book to Leanne, who was barely up. She said she would come tomorrow. Spent much of the day watching TV, I’m afraid. Saw quite a bit of football, both episodes of Mayflies, a rather good drama about ending life, then the first episode of a new series of Vera – very well done as always. 

Monday was cold, wet later with a dusting of snow. Dot drove me to church in the morning. Discussion with Judy and Graham about music on Sundays. No Bible study because Leanne’s daughter has tonsillitis, and Steve wasn’t keen. Dot picked me up later and we called in at the picture-framing shop to get an idea of what was on offer – very wide selection. Watched a lot of TV again, I’m afraid. Football, Call the Midwife, Happy Valley, Mayfair hotel reconstruction. Plumber came in afternoon to replace the pump. Everything works now, but the pump was not as strong as previous one – Dot rather disappointed because shower not as powerful. She has now rung the plumber, who will replace it.

Tuesday was very cold. Dry. Barry came to finish off the kitchen painting. While he was here Dot and I walked to Morrisons to buy food for specific events. Barry finished about noon, and Anna arrived shortly after 12.30 to give Dot a violin lesson, but we spent half an hour discussing the music “problem” at church. Anna is going to talk to Carrie. Ho hum. Felt tired in afternoon and went to sleep for a while. At 5 Dot cooked a ready meal for Ray, and we took it up to him. I had to scrape the car windows first (had already made a start earlier). Lots of traffic on the way home. Watched the first episode of Silent Witness but didn’t join in poetry Zoom. David FTd us for a chat, and I was able to tell him that Andrew’s funeral is tentatively scheduled for February 15 at 12.15pm. Earlier I wrote a piece for my website on the need to listen to minorities. 

Cold again yesterday, but car windscreen was OK. Bad night. Paul Henderson came round at 11am and stayed till just after noon. He is heading for New Zealand next month. Dot was due to go to North Elmham for Ofsted feedback at 3.45pm, but at 1.20pm Paul Dunning rang to say it had been brought forward to 2.15 – so she left immediately, but still managed to get there in time, and all went well. Meanwhile I had another call from the funeral director, giving the funeral date definitely as February 15 at 12.15pm. At last! Then a call from Phil to say that an elder had e-mailed him, giving the date as Feb 22. I suggested he put him right.

Later I rang Barbara to tell her Andrew had died. She seemed quite perky (generally, not at the news: I have the “happy” knack of making her laugh loud and long). Dot got home before the original time for the feedback, happy that she had avoided driving in the dark. In the evening she went to orchestra, and when she got back we watched the next episode of the excellent Silent Witness. I am reading Phantastes, which is very, very unusual but compelling.

Sunday was cool, windy. Dry in the morning, but very wet from mid-afternoon. Went to church and did sermon and prayers as well as playing guitar. Seemed to go well. Chatted with Steve and Nikki afterwards, as well as Carrie, who is not physically well – may have hernia – as well as worried about other things. Vicky was there: children not doing too well. Phil there but not playing guitar.

Latish home: football traffic. Norwich under new manager David Wagner lost 1-0 to Blackburn in the FA Cup but had 20 corners! Felt a bit under the weather. Watched some football and Call the Midwife. Longish FT with David interrupted initially by call from the Baxis in Coventry. I had left a message that Andrew had died, and they were deeply shocked. Also e-mailed Central Hall and Hearsall Baptist in case anyone there knew him. Rang Phil and Sylvia Ford to fix visits tomorrow and Tuesday respectively. 

Monday was quite pleasant, but chilly. Dry. Dot dropped me at church in morning, and I did a Bible study with Steve, Judy and Debbie – Acts 1. Not too much trouble with Debbie. Cold in hall and I didn’t feel particularly well, though I suspect this may have been something I ate. After lunch we drove to Phil’s with some of Andrew’s stuff and discussed the funeral arrangements. Home, watched some football and Happy Valley, plus Far from the Madding Crowd, a very good film.  Felt considerably better. 

Very wet on Tuesday. Rained quite hard for much of the day, which made transferring Bibles and pictures to Sylvia Ford in Framingham Earl quite difficult. Dot and I went together, and we had quite a nice chat, not to mention scones and tea. Lots of water on the country roads. Didn’t feel particularly well in the afternoon – head clogged up and pressured. Lay down for a while. Funeral director rang up and said Andrew was in Norwich; will be seeing him (FD, not Andrew) on Thursday. He said the funeral would not be till February in all probability. Passed this on to Phil. In the evening watched Silent Witness: excellent as always despite the odd improbability. Des came round and invited us over to his on Friday if the weather was too bad to be out, as seems likely. Mark has left for Mobile, where he will be stuck with the Memphis Blues again, until the ship sails to Europe.

Wednesday was an odd day. Mixture of rain and dry, but pretty grey all round. Finished reading Local Hero, which is excellent, but then I think the film is my all-time favourite. Dot went to Taize at church at lunchtime, and I caught up on computer, preparing for my visit to the funeral director tomorrow. Phil called in about 3.30 after having his hair cut: brought a card with notes I’d left at his. Had a brief chat. In the evening I started off to go to Swan Poets at Halesworth, but traffic in Norwich was bad and there was a road closure at Saxlingham Nethergate. Ended up on several country lanes and then road works traffic lights near Bungay before taking the wrong turn. All felt wrong; so I went home – had been on the road for 90 minutes. Meanwhile Dot went to orchestra. Watched final episode of Series 2 of Slow Horses – really good. 

Drizzle at first yesterday, then dry in a wet sort of way. Chilly breeze. Plumber came to look at shower pump – is going to replace it. Dot drove me to funeral director’s and I spoke to Debbie, Glynn’s deputy, for about an hour. Nice woman. Walked home, partly by riverside path, where I had a chat with a litter picker. Watched football, then Dot realised her planned meal for Ray couldn’t be cooked from frozen. So she got a new one from Morrisons, which she cooked just in time. I drove her and she took it in. Christine seemed very peaceful. 

Came back for our own meal and then watched all three episodes of Stonehouse, which was amusing but left questions unanswered, like how he could be so stupid and why women were attracted to him. 

Monday was a pleasant day, though a bit on the chilly side, with a cool breeze. Walked to church in the morning, but very few people there, and nothing much happening. Chatted to Steve and Judy, and eventually Dot picked me up around 12.20pm. We had lunch, watching a bit of an old film, then I walked her to Carrow Road for Norwich’s match against Watford. Spoke to Steve Fiske on way back: he has a jaw infection, and his parents are in dire straits. So are Norwich, who lost 1-0.

I played through En Passant games, put blog on this website and read some more of the Local Hero book, which is extremely interesting – on how that great film got to be made. Transferred chunk of Andrew’s money to Phil (similar amount transferred to me). Watched Alice through the Looking Glass, which is quite something, and the final episode of Vienna Blood, which is well done, but I don’t like one of the main characters. 

Miserable weather on Tuesday – wet, cold, windy and grey. Went to the Archant “breakfast” as usual, but had only tea/coffee as the normal breakfast was not available. Egg and bacon sandwich was, but we didn’t realise that until too late. Afterwards went to chemist to pick up prescriptions, which took ages: they were supposed to be ready on Saturday, but the place is clearly understaffed and hanging on. Had to wait about 15 minutes. After lunch went to Morrisons to restock, which went reasonably well. No phone call today re Andrew (or anything else), which was a bit disappointing. Watched  a very good two episodes of Silent Witness and some football.

Wednesday provided much better weather. Quite mild, dry and some sun. Had another really bad night, but managed to get some of my sermon written, though not much else – however, I was looking after Dot, who was feeling very dizzy. After much trying, got a helpful response from both the doctor’s receptionist in Coventry and the coroner’s office (replying to an email I sent after hanging on for 20 minutes).  It seems that there will be an inquest, but I will know more tomorrow. I hope. Felt pretty tired all day. Spurs beat Crystal Palace 4-0. Watched more episodes of Tinker, Tailor, which is really good, and the opening episode in the new series of Happy Valley – also pretty good. 

Thursday – Dry and fairly mild. Guess what – 2022 was the warmest year in living memory. Apparently. Ho, ho. Got a call from the coroner’s office in Coventry – Georgette, very nice. She asked me a lot of questions and asked me to send a statement about Andrew, which I did straight afterwards. Apparently there will be a formal inquest which we don’t need to attend, where the coroner reads out his findings, which are recorded.  This will happen fairly soon, they will register the death and be in touch to tell me where I can get a death certificate. Rang Phil  to let him now. Finished my sermon. Bridget came and did some cleaning. Decided to go to Coventry tomorrow to clear Andrew’s stuff. Watched the end of Tinker, Tailor, which was terrific, and the first episode of Marie Antoinette. Earlier watched some football. Notoriously pro-Liverpool BBC put Liverpool last on MOTD because they lost 3-1 to Brentford. FTd David at the end of the day to let him know about progress on Andrew. He had pictures of Amanda – allegedly.

Friday was a really nice day – mild and dry, which was good because we spent much of it on the road. Left about 10.15 and called at Cambridge Services, where Dot met Anandi in the loo: quite a coincidence. Phil rang to say he had spoken to the pastor at Surrey, and it was ok to hold the funeral there.  Then on to Coventry, where we sorted out Andrew’s room, leaving all the books and records, plus the clothes. Brought home pictures etc, much of which will no doubt be thrown away. Dot sorted out CDs – but many were missing either the sleeve or the CD itself. We were given his money and his watch by Joanie (in charge) and Chantelle.  Little Arthur said he missed Andrew – apparently they spent quite a lot of time together. Journey home went well: stopped at Cambridge again, this time for KFC, which was ok but not nearly as good as it used to be. Got home just before 7 and watched TV – Marie Antoinette, Death in Paradise and a couple of others. 

Yesterday was cool and damp, especially later on. Very tired, and both of us had a lie-in. Worked out the state of Andrew’s money and applied for Pension owing. Wrote prayers for tomorrow.  Amy FTd – she may visit us next Saturday. Has gone for Southampton University and seems quite enthusiastic about what she may do in her gap year. Watched some FA Cup football as well as a film, Pawn Sacrifice, about Bobby Fischer. Reasonably accurate, but didn’t like the portrayal of Fischer. Also a very moderate and over-long programme about the big snow in 1982. A couple of maps indicating the extent of it would have helped enormously. Got Andrew’s stuff in, ready for sorting. Christmas decorations now in loft apart from fairy lights above fireplace. 

The Wednesday after Christmas was pretty wet and miserable. Again failed to contact hospital, but did speak to Geo Bush about a funeral. Phil is speaking to Surrey Chapel about the service. Caught up with emails and started writing an article about Andrew. Watched Enemy of the State, which was compelling and rather well done, but it requires belief in the impossible. In the evening we went over to Des and Chris (and her brother Steve) for cheese, wine and their Canadian photos. Also finished Keiron Pim’s book today.

Thursday was dry, fairly cool but with some sun. Made some progress with Andrew eventually. Got through to the hospital and established that he wasn’t there. Checked again with Minster Lodge and eventually tracked him down at a funeral director’s. Still haven’t established where his death certificate is, but had a mysterious call from a doctor this evening. Only rang a couple of times, but she left a message saying she would ring tomorrow morning. Meanwhile registry office said they would ring back but didn’t, and Glynn from Geo Bush rang to see if I’d found out where Andrew was. Gave him the phone number of the Coventry funeral director. Aargh! Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and Bridget came to do the cleaning as usual. In the evening watched a thriller, Vienna Blood, and a documentary on the making of Doc Martin.  Both very good. David FTd to say Oliver and Amy were back in England. I sent him a gift card and The Radetsky March. Oh, Dean Smith has been sacked as City manager. Did I mention that?

Friday was mIserable and rainy till midday, though mild. Dry later. Dot went out to do more shopping, and after lunch I spoke to the Pensions people, telling them Andrew had died. Had to hang on for a long time, but it was worth it. Phil is making arrangements with Surrey Chapel, and everyone is waiting for the coroner. Earlier – when I was in the bath – I got a call from Dr Newbold in Coventry, whose colleague had tried to save Andrew. She told me that the papers were going to the coroner, who would contact me in due course. Not much for me to do, as far as I can tell. Dot went to the match in the evening. I walked with her and posted a letter, then walked to meet her. Norwich drew with Reading 1-1 and played well. 

Saturday was another miserably wet day. In the morning we visited Anne and Philip, the latter definitely showing his age, mainly through what he said. Nice time with them, though. In the afternoon Des came over and showed us a couple of guitars he had been left: he wants to find good homes for them, possibly at a school. We’re going to ask Vicki. While he was here Kim rang to say Kai and Kaian were on their way but might be ill with a cold or something, and did we want to cancel? After some discussion we decided to go and see Kim and Kavana and leave when the others arrived; so that’s what happened.

Very wet: had to find a parking space, which cost me £3. First time we’d met Kim’s son: he seemed very nice. But of course we were just passing in the night. Had fairly quiet evening after that; watched most of Yesterday – brilliant film – then football and a bit of Jools Holland, which is not as good as it used to be. FTd David briefly and went to bed by 12.30am. Drank most of the Prosecco the Evetts bought us. 

Sunday was mild, mainly dry, but here we were in 2023. Tiptoeing in because of fears of what might lie in store. Finished off Prosecco, but before that went to church, feeling a little tired after last night. Played guitar and chatted to various people, including Anna about Phyllis’s grave.  Howard did a rather academic sermon on Ecclesiastes  which turned out to be quite interesting. At home, did a lot of clearing up, as did Dot – in her case jewellery – otherwise very quiet. Watched Vienna Blood, which is bit weird, and Call the Midwife, which went a bit self-righteous but turned out OK.