Last Tuesday it was still warm in the evening. The Murrays were safely in the Heathrow Hilton. I worked out the rota, and we FaceTimed with David. The next day it was warm again. I walked up to the church (feeling very tired) and did a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13 with Steve, Judy and Stacey (after a while). Went quite well, I think. Walked back home and had lunch; then rested on bed. Dot walked to Morrisons, and I picked the shopping up in the car while she walked home.

After supper (mussels) we watched world athletics from Budapest: Josh Kerr won a surprising gold in the 1500m. Also saw a couple of short programmes about island people (Hebrides and Welsh). Amazingly, Dr Hampsheir himself rang me up in the early evening about my blood pressure results; apparently the lower readings were a bit too high. He is putting me on new, improved beta blocker tablets at a very small dose for a month’s trial. The Murrays got in touch to say they were home.

Thursday was sill warm, but cloudier. Humid. Walked up to funeral director’s for 10am – on my own because Anna had migraine again, though she recovered enough to give Dot a violin lesson when I drove her down there in the afternoon. Spoke to Glynn and sorted out what the headstone wanted, but have to drop off the deed of burial rights that Anna had. Dot picked it up for me in the afternoon. She walked home. Both of us feel exhausted for some reason. Des and Chris also not fully recovered from “cold” after two weeks. Bridget came and did cleaning. Watched two episodes of The Chosen and some athletics.

Friday was (you guessed it) still pretty warm. Mixture of cloud and sun. Kim came round for lunch and we had a long talk: she is going away on Monday until the beginning of October. Spoke of devious goings on in Hawaii concerning the fires there. After lunch took the certificate to Glynn at the funeral director’s so that he could proceed with Phyllis’s gravestone. Street meet with Des and Chris, Mark, Matthew, Jonathan. Drank Barb’s Prosecco. Watched athletics again. 

Saturday was a bit cooler. Lunch date with the Gazleys was cancelled because Phil has a stomach upset. Caught up on editing pictures (quite a few of them) and wrote a new poem. Norwich beat Huddersfield 4-0 away. Watched more world athletics – surprise bronze for Ben Pattison in 800m, and less surprisingly for 4x100m women. Started watching a very weird thriller called Wolf.

Yesterday was definitely chillier, but warmer in the sun. Went to church and played in worship group and gave sermon, which I think went over quite well. It made me think, anyway. Watched football over and after lunch. Wrote another poem and a bit, then – after an omelette – the last day of World Athletics and another episode of Wolf, which I wish we hadn’t started watching. Now of course we have to see what happens. 

It’s warm and sunny with a nice breeze, and the Murrays departed on the 1pm train, which was about a quarter of an hour late because Greater Anglia had to replace it for some reason. Pretty annoying, because we were at the station nearly half an hour early, which meant they had a lot of hanging about. Still…I think we all had a pretty good and busy time apart from that.

Going back to last Wednesday, it was again warm and dry. Dot felt a bit better, but we both  felt very tired. The carbon monoxide alarm went off during the night, but of course it was just because it was getting old – why does this always happen in the early hours? Was awake quite a long time. I went up to the chemist to fetch my pills and found it eerily quiet. Also they had the pills. Odd, Holmes. Walked to church (and back) to do Bible study with Steve, Stacey, Debbie and Judy – went quite well. Had a light lunch in view of what was going to happen later.

Dot felt increasingly better through the afternoon, and we left just after 4pm for Blakeney, where we picked up the Murrays and went to Morston Hall. Being the driver, I couldn’t indulge myself, but I had one glass of wine as well as a non-alcoholic gin and tonic, which tasted exactly the same as an alcoholic one. We arrived at 6pm and left about 9.30pm. There were seven courses, plus canapés, which sounds a lot and is – especially as I wasn’t feeling very hungry to start with, for some reason. Obviously the courses were very small, but they were pretty intense. By the fifth and sixth I was flagging, but the seventh (greengage and almond tart) was excellent. Altogether a memorable evening. A young couple sitting quite close to us had clearly just got married, which was nice. Afterwards we dropped off the Murrays at Blakeney and drove home. Nice to have nearly empty roads. I tried a diversion near Norwich, but it didn’t really work. Straight to bed. 

Thursday – Seemed a bit cooler; mixture of sun and cloud. Felt decidedly better. Amy got her place at Southampton with an excellent A, A and B. Spoke to her briefly on FaceTime. So pleased for her – she deserved it. Wrote a positive piece for Square One – not on Amy’s A-levels, but on other matters – but I wasn’t sure how good it was! We went to Waitrose to buy some stuff for the next few days; but it was a trial getting there. Not sure the shop is as good as it used to be. Bridget came round to clean, especially guest rooms! Watched another French thriller. They’re really rather good. 

Friday was mainly dry, though very cloudy and spitting a bit; so when we picked up the Murrays at just after 10am, we decided not to go to Felbrigg but drove straight home. Barb wasn’t feeling too good but improved during the day. Stayed in, except that Dot took me to Anglia Square to meet Steve and give him a pep talk. Then ran into Anna and her grandchildren. At home, the TV went wrong and I couldn’t fix it despite numerous attempts. Frustrating. Went outside for the street meet, by which time the weather was warm and sunny. Des not well, but Chris came out: also the four of us, Mark and Sarah; John; Jonathan; Matt; Ciara. Then walked to Delia’s and had nice meal, which Roger paid for. Shattered by the time we got home. Straight to bed: felt a bit sick. Heavy rain during the night. 

Saturday was warm and dry. Spent much of day walking round town, starting along the riverside path and having lunch at Jarrolds. Met Stephanie Caine in Bedford Street and Adrian the busker in London Street. Called at market and Forum, where I began to feel very tired. Back to the Cathedral, where we caught a bit of Evensong, then home. Brief chat with John’s partner Tara, who’s also Canadian. Des seems better. Had to lie down for a while. Various attempts to fix TV failed until Roger restarted box. Now seems OK. I cooked salmon and we watched a few episodes of Outnumbered. 

Sunday was warm again, unless you’re Canadian. Spent most of the day at Houghton Hall, home of the Cholmondeleys and built by Robert Walpole, the UK’s first prime minister. One of my favourite places, and not too many people there, possibly because the Lionesses were in the world cup final (losing to Spain). Norwich were beating Millwall 3-1. Saw the house and grounds (including the famous Sky Space), and enjoyed food from the cafe, then explored the walled garden and the brilliant flame fountain. Saw the deer. It’s a marvellous place. Highly recommended, though I wasn’t too impressed by the Scully exhibition – but that didn’t matter.

Drove home and had Prosecco in the garden; then I cooked chilli con carne, which we ate with the rest of the blackberry and apple crumble from yesterday. Finished the evening by watching another couple of episodes of Outnumbered, and (after the Murrays had gone to bed) West Ham beating Chelsea 3-1 on MOTD2.

Yesterday I walked more than 12000 steps; it was pretty warm. Had early lunch at about 11.30, and after clearing up drove to Strumpshaw Fen. Walked the full circuit , stopping at both hides. At the first, ran into Ken McEwan and his wife – top Norfolk chess player of many years standing. We were  waiting for Dot, who had left her phone in the car and had gone back with Barb to fetch it. Slow progress round main path – very tired at the end. Dropped Dot and Barb off at Rosary, and they walked home. In evening walked to the Ivy for our last meal together. Excellent meal – I had superb duck pate, sirloin and crème brûlée and the service was excellent. Quite expensive, though. About £250 altogether. Outside gave a man £10 to buy food and suggested he come to St Augustine’s. Walked home and watched another two episodes of Outnumbered. 

An odd week, alternating between very busy and very quiet days. Mainly warm and dry. Have been watching a series of French thrillers with subtitles (obviously), which are very good. Last Thursday I was not feeling great – very tired – but managed to finish four Parish Pump articles – on Landseer, the Marshall plan, Beatlemania and Paddington Bear. Dot went to Morrisons in the morning, and had the car cleaned. Afterwards a warning light came on in the car, but I think I’ve sorted it. Seemed to be something to do with the battery.

After lunch drove up to the Rosary and did a cleaning job on the two main graves – quite strenuous – as well as putting flowers on both of them and on Andrew’s. Then filled car up with petrol. Watching some old episodes of Outnumbered – really very good. At bedtime thought I might be feeling better, but next morning I was not so good again. Warm weather, though, and dry.

Roger and Barbara arrived about 12.30. We put luggage in our car, and I travelled with Roger to the airport while Dot drove Barbara to the airport hotel. After we dropped off the car (handily ran into Avis guy in the car park – not literally) Roger and I walked to hotel, and I drove us all to Blakeney in painfully slow traffic. Parked in Blakeney Hotel car park and located their flat, then had snack at Two Magpies. Afterwards unloaded luggage and drove home. Street meet at 5.30 – usual four plus Johnathan, Mary and Bob, who are selling the Bongo. Des bought us some chips. Watched a bit of TV until Oliver and Amy arrived about 9.30. After snack and chat, went to bed. 

Saturday was mainly dry, but a cool wind in the evening. Dot did a special breakfast, and we walked into the city, then split up. Oliver bought me a book as a birthday present – The Outsider, by Camus. Great choice. Amy had already given me blackberry jam and whisky marmalade! Amy got us some charcuterie as a snack before we left for Blakeney, Oliver driving. He is very good. Arrived about 3.45, and Oliver and I parked at village hall. Chatted and had cup of tea: rained for about half an hour. After it stopped, we walked to the Moorings for an excellent meal. I paid for wine. All of us walked out on to the marsh, but Roger and Barb turned back because they were cold. We looked for a promised meteor shower, but no success. Even tried at St James Hill on way home. Watched highlights of Norwich City’s  4-4 draw at Southampton, then a couple of episodes of Outnumbered. Bed late: 9736 steps. 

Sunday saw a mixture of sun and cloud. Mainly dry. After breakfast Oliver drove us to Winterton, which was unexpectedly attractive. The old cafe which had been falling off the cliff was replaced by three wooden stalls. After we walked down on to the beach and back Oliver bought us drinks and an ice cream for me (probably a mistake). We drove back on Acle road (the A47 outgoing had been very busy), and that turned out to be very pleasant. Dot cooked exotic lunch, but by then I wasn’t up to eating much – finished it later. O & A seemed to like it. They left about 4.30 and I went and lay down because I was feeling very tired. Dot watered the garden. Checked O & A progress, which was good. Watched Becoming Elizabeth (two episodes) and a bit of comedy and football.

Yesterday was mainly dry. Anna called in to talk about music at church: we were pretty much in agreement. Watched last two episodes of Clean Sweep, which as anticipated had an unsatisfactory ending, largely because there was no way to end it well. Finished off yesterday’s fish and then watched A Spy Among Friends and a follow-up documentary. 

Today has been another quiet day. Dot was not feeling too well; so we didn’t too much except change the bed in preparation for Barbara and Roger coming at the end of the week. The weather was quite mild and dry. Mark is home. The Bongo is gone: sold by Mary and Bob to an academic couple. Quite pleased: it’s a bit of an eyesore. Managed at last to cancel my BT Sport, and also rang the surgery about my urine test: no problem, apparently. Think I’m feeling a bit better, but still heady and tight-chested. Finished The Outsider: liked the style a lot, even though the narrator clearly has something missing in his personality – hence the title. All-round very readable.

Last Friday was a sort of return to normality, without the feeling well. Dot’s college friend Jacqui and her husband Brian came for a cup of coffee and stayed for lunch, which included rosé wine – possibly a mistake. Held it together while they were here, and we got on really well, but at about 4pm felt awful. Lay down for an hour and managed to go out for street meet – with water. After that gradually improved, but still feel very clogged up and delicate, if that’s possible. Spoke to David briefly on FaceTime, which was nice, and watched some TV. Three drunks were sprawling all over our wall earlier; Dot had to clear up litter.

Saturday – Rain all day, and I mean all day. Cooler too. Dot drove over to Poringland in the morning early to pep up Anne – successfully. I caught up with e-mails and other jobs. She went to match in afternoon with Des. I wasn’t really feeling up to it, though quite a bit better. Airways still not quite clear: some frightening coughs. Norwich beat Hull 2-1, scoring in 96th minute. Earlier we watched a bit of downhill cycling, which was pretty amazing in dreadful conditions (Fort William). David FTd as I was cooking mussels, and we had another brief chat. Watched a bit of football and Becoming Elizabeth. Dot prepared prayers for tomorrow, and I looked at leading the service. Nikki still in labour.

Sunday – Much better day: almost entirely dry. Still feeling far below par, but was able to lead service. Woke at 5.30 with I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine in my head. Felt I needed to use it in the service; so started by reading it. By then I knew Nikki had given birth to Hope at around 2am. Great relief, but still much sadness of course. Also read a bit from Water into Wine about the black lamb. Good service generally, with a lovely sermon from Liz about struggling with God. Leanne organising a basket for Nikki. Cut a few branches of ivy in afternoon, and we remade the bed. Not feeling great but cooked some fish. Watched a bit of netball and a couple of episodes of Clean Sweep, an Irish thriller, and one of A Spy Among Friends.

Monday – Woke about 6am and eventually got up at 7.30am and had a drink. Drove up to surgery for blood pressure and urine test. Apparently blood pressure too high (early in the morning) and apparent blood in specimen – but I think there may be a reason for that. Pricked my finger on needle just beforehand…? Anyway, drove home and woke Dot up. Had a bath and sent e-mail complaining about family history company retracting £229 from my account. Got call back attempting to sell me special five-year deal for large amount… ended up getting an extra six months. Have cancelled automatic renewal… Phone call from Howard to say Anna has another migraine. Still feeling very stuffed up. Have to do blood pressure tests for a week. Later Howard came round and fixed hole in door. I had a rest after lunch then went outside and hoed all along the front wall: got rid of quite a lot of weeds. Message from Joy, who is in High Wycombe, that on the way there Phil had an attack – possibly a TIA or something Parkinson’s related. Ambulance called. Recovered and could remember nothing about it. Meanwhile Leanne is ill…

Tuesday – mainly dry, but quite cool. Wrote one of my Parish Pump pieces. On Landseer. Dot went to see diabetes nurse and pick up pills, then garden centre. Again. I walked into city, and Boots woman mended my glasses. Then went to market and bought rather a lot of fruit. Tried to help an oldish couple find a pub near the river – the Mischief, or possibly the Ribs of Beef. Very nice people, staying at Dunston Hall, offered to buy me a drink, but I declined – got home for lunch. In the afternoon felt very tired and cold. Turned heating on. Later watched last episode of Dr Death – very well done and quite frightening. True story about arrogant incompetent surgeon who killed people. In the evening walked to Eleanor’s for compline. Everyone there except Phil.

Wednesday – Mainly sunny. Still feeling shaky but walked to church to do Bible study with Debbie, Judy, Steve and Stacey. Went quite well. Leanne popped in and didn’t seem too bad – saw her again afterwards when she was talking to police about drug use outside her flat. On way home saw Carrie and Nikki, who was still very down of course but wanted to come to church (Taizé). Bridget was still finishing off cleaning when I got back. Felt so tired after lunch that I lay down on bed and slept for some time. Dot is still working her way down a long list of house-related tasks.

If the Earth was flat, cats would have pushed everything off it by now. Rather more upbeat than I’m actually feeling, for various reasons. I’m getting toward the final throes of a really bad head cold or other virus, and a lovely friend of ours has had some really bad news. To start at the beginning, which wasn’t so bad….

Friday was reasonably warm; bit of a breeze toward evening. Dot has developed quite a bad cold, almost certainly as a result of visiting London. I thought I was getting one too, but I’m not so sure (hah!). She didn’t do much today; so I had free rein. Cleared the decks a lot; tidied the study and the bedroom in a minor sort of way. Got some cash from ATM in order to pay Colin tomorrow. Dot did manage to get to the surgery for the results of her blood test and was given a prescription for pseudo-statins. By the time she got back the street meet was in progress, with quite a few attending: Des, Chris, Sarah, Ciara, Mary, Jonathan, Matt and Angela, who has gone blonde. Looks good. Des got us fish and chips. We watched a couple more episodes of Dr Death and of course the Test Match highlights.

Saturday – Warm again, but with the odd shower.  Colin came early with his son Jordan to cut our hedge. Dot was feeling pretty bad with a streaming cold; so stayed in bed till mid-morning. i made several cups of tea! In the afternoon I drove to North Tuddenham to take some second-hand clothes to the O’dells for their charity fete next weekend. Adrian was in Ipswich; I had a cup of tea with Jane, and we discussed gall bladder surgery; our histories were strangely similar. Also reunions. Cooked lamb steak. Watched Test highlights (England in the driving seat) and Becoming Elizabeth. David and Chrissy’s third wedding anniversary.

Sunday – Mild and dry until evening; then persistent rain. Dot has been ill all day, staying in bed this morning while I went to church for a joint service which attracted a huge number of people – must have been about 50. Played in band with Steve, Simon Snell, Matt and Anna (who arrived late and changed everything – Steve and I could have done it on our own). Good service, but I wasn’t feeling great, and I felt less great as the day went on. Lay on the bed for a while. Have an odd feeling in my throat and a bit of a cough, but it’s hard to pin down what’s wrong. Dot is coughing a lot but says she’s improving.

I cooked meal as usual.  On the plus side I finished reading Dominion, which Paul had given us for Christmas. Very dense and long, but fascinating overview of history from pre-Christian times. Excellent research generally, but how can you discuss Christianity in the 20th century without mentioning C S Lewis? Didn’t agree with the conclusions, but lots of good stuff. Frustrating end to the day when we tried to watch a programme on itvx, but it kept cutting out and then lost sound.

Monday – Felt lousy all day. Dot improving slightly. Had a bath and read a bit of Borges. Managed to cook meal but made peculiar mistakes – wrong oven, wrong time. Fortunately it was edible. I may be cracking up, but how would you tell? In bed most of day. 

Tuesday – Another rotten day. Dot was feeling a bit better and did some cupboard cleaning. I felt bad and didn’t even have a bath. Not easy to sleep. 

Wednesday – hoped I’d feel better, but didn’t  really, though I did have a bath and got a little sleep. Eyes watering , headache. Weather quite good- sunny – and Dot did a lot of work in the garden. Our lovely friend Nikki has had terrible news: her baby is dead in the womb. Dot wrote her a lovely message on WhatsApp. She already has a little girl, India, who is wonderful. Her fiancé was delayed getting to her because his electric car ran out of charge on the way from London. Eyes stinging. Just like the colds I used to get. Hope I feel better tomorrow. 

Thursday – Managed to get some sleep late yesterday and felt I was improving. Mainly sunny today, but the threat of rain. Dot went up to city for pedicure and a couple of other things. I had a bath and got up, but had a bit of a relapse, though it’s not as bad as yesterday. Bridget came to clean. I was confined to my room but very pleased to be quiet. Cooked evening meal but felt very full afterwards, though it wasn’t much. Gunge in stomach. Still feeling far from well.