Last Friday (22nd) – the final day of our Derbyshire break – was a bit of a nightmare, but dry. It took ages to drive home from Buxton, firstly because a fatal crash closed the M1, then by funereally slow traffic on the A52, our escape route, then by hold-ups on the A1, the Newmarket bypass, the A11 and the Norwich southern bypass. We were both exhausted by the time we got home.

One bright spot was afternoon tea at the lovely village of Corby Glen, off the A1, in a tea shop recommended by a cleaner in McDonalds, where we’d stopped under the impression it was general services and then used its loos. An earlier stop at Trawell services on The M1 was a vision of society falling apart. We left quickly. Later we stopped at Cambridge Services, which were at least civilised. We got home at 5.30pm and almost immediately were street-meeting with neighbours – Mark, Jonathan, John and Ciara. Des and Chris are in Egypt.

Back indoors we watched a little TV until Dot suddenly got vertigo again. She hasn’t had it at all on holiday. Couldn’t work out why this should be. After a quick bite she went to bed, and I did some clearing up before joining her. To cap if all I got a ticket for speeding – my first ever. Aaargh! 

Saturday was very cold, but mainly dry. Some rain in the evening. Both of us felt below par. Dot had a bad attack of diarrhoea and was feeling very delicate generally. Nevertheless she came with me to Morrisons in the evening, as we were nearly out of food. I spent most of day writing four articles for Parish Pump – on Beethoven’s 9th, Rock Around the Clock, G K Chesterton and two mile-record holders – Roger Bannister and Diane Leather. Took a blood thinner, which I think made me feel worse – cold and achy. 

Sunday was dry but still fairly chilly. Drove Dot to church and then had to park on Oak Street – getting to be normal.  Didn’t play guitar; quite a nice Palm Sunday service. Nikki and Luke there. Interesting chat with Nikki afterwards. Took Ray home; held up by traffic on Riverside afterwards, which meant I had to hurry lunch before rushing off to Beccles for Lynne Nesbit’s concert at the Hungate Church. Very enjoyable though not my usual thing. Operatic songs and poetry (hers, read by someone else). Met Ian Fosten afterwards and had a chat: Lynne introduced us to her son – nice bloke. Drove home – held up by traffic on Riverside. Getting to be a theme. David FaceTimed shortly after I got home and talked about his new car. Seems very pleased with it. Later did most of church rota and watched a bit of Schitts Creek, which we’re watching for the second time. 

Monday was cold but dry. Had a bad night and felt rather below par all day. Dot woke before me and made a cup of tea, mainly because the landing clock was slow and I thought it was much earlier. After finishing reading Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny in the bath, I drove Dot to Anna’s for her violin lesson, then progressed to the chemist’s by way of two long hold-ups on Salhouse  Road. The chemist gave me some antibiotics which it transpired the doctor had prescribed for a UTI that I didn’t have. Had to go back for the pills I really wanted, but hung on to the antibiotics just in case.

Later walked up to Jarrolds to meet Kim, and we were joined later by Dot and had a cheese/paté board and some wine, followed by coffee/tea. Good talk with Kim, as always. Walked home in very cold wind, then finished church rota while Dot wrote letters. Very tired. 

Tuesday – Dry most of day; not quite so cold. Rain in the evening. Have what I suppose is a cold, though it’s nowhere near as bad as the ones I used to get (yet). Despite that we drove to Swaffham for lunch with the Higbees. Inevitably Julia said I was looking well. Very nice meal – moussaka. Their daughter Alex popped in afterwards. I thought she looked quite a lot like Chrissy, but Dot didn’t. Earlier Dot had driven up to the surgery to get her pre-diabetes tests, which were all good. I didn’t feel too great in the evening, but we watched a fair bit of television, including a really good BBC4 documentary on Warsaw by Dan Cruickshank. On the plus side, Dot has not had vertigo again.

Last Friday was still fairly mild but windy. One or two heavy showers.  Dot had lunch at Gem with Paul Dunning, her former boss at Diocesan House, who seems really nice. Was worried that she wouldn’t be well enough, but she seems much better. Nothing for me from the surgery all day. Forgot to ring them in afternoon because I was distracted by Dot coming back and luring me upstairs – to watch TV. Went outside at 5.30 and stood in our drive out of the wind for drinks. Present – Des, Chris, John, Jonathan, Matt, Ciara. Rained about 6.30, which cut it short. Des got me fish and chips, and Dot had some of my chips. We watched Mothering Sunday, an excellent 2021 film. 

Saturday was the first day that really felt like spring, especially in the cemetery at North Walsham, where we put flowers on Dot’s parents’ and sister’s graves. We got the flowers – and one or two other things – from Sainsbury’s, where they were having trouble with their computer system and we could only pay in cash. Fortunately, we had enough. Naomi had been supposed to come round at 11 for some chess practice, but she was feeling unwell.

After North Walsham we went to Irstead staithe, which was lovely and quiet, and then called at Neatishead shop, where we bought spelt bread and cheese : we ate it when we got home – delicious. While Dot listened to City beating Stoke 3-0 away I drove up to the Rosary and put flowers on the three graves.  Also managed to watch two more rugby matches- Ireland just beating Scotland and Italy beating Wales in Cardiff. Later England just lost to France, which makes up for some of their earlier luck. Later spoke to Oliver and arranged to meet him for supper on Monday. So I booked a room at Baginton, after almost getting the date wrong. Oliver went to Silverstone today and drove a rally car – a late birthday present, apparently. 

Sunday was an odd day. Not cold, but for some reason I felt very tired, and so did Dot. Picked up Ray (Judy and Carrie were away). Music rehearsal was quite difficult; so I sat most of it out. Then one of the songs went wrong, which almost never happens. Anna got timing awry, which confused everyone. I did the sermon, which a couple of people seemed to like, but it felt awkward. Nikki brought Indie, which was nice: she’s very sweet. In the afternoon Dot took the car to be cleaned, and we did quite a lot of packing. David FaceTimed in the evening, and we had another long chat: he is about to get a new electric car delivered. Hope it works out well. 

Monday was pleasant – dry and not too cold. Had our hair cut by Linda and then finished packing. I had a bath, we had lunch, and we left about 1.40pm after being interrupted by scaffolders, who were inquiring about putting a ladder in our garden to complete work on next-door’s chimney in a couple of weeks. They also took scaffolding down in front of house. Dot drove to Cambridge Services, where she had a coffee and I took over. Rest of journey mostly straightforward. Oliver arrived in Coventry, finished packing up his stuff for Easter and came over to Baginton, where we were staying, for a meal, which turned out to be delicious – and we also had a good talk, before he drove back to Aylesbury. 

Tuesday was wet at first in Coventry, but the rain stopped just as we left, after a nice breakfast and a bath. Dot drove most of the way, but we changed over quite a bit north of Ashbourne, just in time for me to fall foul of a mobile speed camera. Arrived at Buxton around 2pm, shortly after the Evetts, and were able to book in early, courtesy of the lovely Jenny. Then all four of us walked down to the pavilion, where we had lunch (shared egg mayo roll) and then walked round the park and the town. I bought a new Peter May book cheap and some pen refills. Then had tea again in chocolate shop before Dave and I trudged back to the hotel, followed some time later by the two ladies. Pretty tired and not all that hungry at supper time. Steak nowhere near as good as yesterday. Chatted with waiter, who we knew.  Dot had cramp in her legs but managed to make it up to bed. 

Wednesday was damp but not too cold. After a very pleasant breakfast we made for the station, suitably attired, and bought tickets for Manchester Media City. Ticket office man very helpful. Train takes an hour to get to Manchester Piccadilly, where we transferred to the excellent metro, and in a further half an hour reached Media City at Salford, where BBC and ITV have big buildings. Our goal however was The Lowry, where we used the toilets, much to Julia’s relief, and had lunch. Staff very helpful. Then on to the Lowry galleries, where we saw an excellent 20-minute film about him, followed by a good short talk from one of the young assistants.

Looked round the galleries, which were very good, and then went to the shop, where we bought some cards and some tea – the latter because it was in some Lowry-illustrated tins. Then returned to Buxton by same route. Train very busy, and we sat near a tiresome woman who was on the phone just about all the way to Whaley Bridge, speaking loudly about her business dealings. Walked back to hotel. Heard from David that his new electric car had been delivered after an earlier scare about a minor battery fault. Evening meal was again too large but quite pleasant. 

Thursday started wet and continued that way till the afternoon, when it turned dry, but colder with a brisk wind. Dave drove us to Quarry Bank mill at Styal in Cheshire, where we had been before, but we lost our way quite differently. Got there eventually, had tea/coffee in main café and then looked round the mill-owner’s house before walking up to the garden café, where we had lunch. Then to the workers’ cottages, where we were given a tour by a guide who was slightly left of centre but very interesting. The Engels-Marx connection was quite striking. Getting quite cold as we visited the garden shop again, and then took the road home. Or one of them. 

Last Sunday (10th) was damp and cold. In the evening we drove to Lowestoft for Seagull poetry. Ian seemed a bit less than 100%. Quite a number there, including Lynne (bought her new book), Kaaren, Elizabeth, Ivor, Peter, Joan and her friend Bridget plus some others. Read five poems – Soil and Sea, Strathyre Honeymoon, Looking for Narnia, The Space Between and Underground – and had a look at refurbished theatre seats. Ian seemed quite down about church – diminishing congregations. Tortuous drive home behind people who thought 45-50 in 60 limit was perfectly reasonable. 

Monday was a bit overcast; not too cold. In the morning I drove to Dereham to drop off card, present and wine for Phil, who had just returned from doctor’s after blood test. Quite an easy drive, and a good conversation. Back for lunch. Dot went to Riverside shops in the afternoon and bought two pairs of shoes (one later returned) as well as some food. I had a look at my sermon for Sunday, but didn’t get far. Later watched some football, a programme about Henry VIII, and the last two episodes of Prisoner (Danish), which was pretty dark. Dot getting a bit of vertigo today, but has e-mailed doctor. Spoke to roofer next door, who said it would take another couple of days. Mary apologised for noise, but there hasn’t really been any. 

Tuesday was drab and damp, but fairly mild. Wrote quite a bit of my sermon for Sunday and looked at hymns. Dot lunched with Sue Eagle and Sandra in Swainsthorpe. In the evening Cake and Compline, with the Archers, Judy, Eleanor and Vicky. Claire was absent with a cold, and Phil was on his way to Provence for a holiday. Dot and I both felt under the weather – she with minor cold symptoms and me with tiredness and headache: possible recurrence of UTI or effect of blood thinners. Took paracetamol and was ok for C and C. 

Wednesday was dry and quite mild but dull. Bad day for both of us, healthwise. Dot had quite a bad cold and cancelled orchestra. I felt pretty lousy, but managed Bible study. However I decided against Halesworth poetry. Requested antibiotics for what I thought was a UTI, and had to go to surgery to provide a urine sample. Was expecting a call back in the afternoon, but nothing happened. As usual felt better in the evening, and we watched Howard’s End, a very good film. Too tired to do anything useful in the afternoon. 

Bit of sun on Thursday, and pretty mild. Kidney stones clinic rang over an hour late, but we had a short conversation, and he reassured me that my stones were very small, and there was no need to do anything except drink three litres of water a day(!) and have a day without meat or fish a week. I tried to find out what caused the original bleeding, but he said it might have been caused by the self-catheterisation, which would have been tricky as I hadn’t self-catheterised for years. He basically didn’t know. However, he said they were sure there wasn’t anything serious in the kidney. Didn’t feel as reassured as I might.

Later went to see Mike Read, who returned the chess articles he had borrowed. He has annotated a few of my games to go in En Passant! We also agreed to go out to see Owen and Kathy Hindle in April. When I got home I rang the surgery, who had no information on my urine sample and suggested I ring tomorrow afternoon. Finished my sermon and chose hymns. In the evening watched two-hour documentary on missing Malaysia flight. All very suspicious. Dot has not been particularly well but insists she’s getting better. I’m not too bad.

It’s a damp and rather dismal Sunday. Dot and I went to church as usual this morning. We played in the band, and she did the prayers. Afterwards we took Ray home – he wasn’t feeling too happy – and then had lunch. There had been a packet of flowers on the doorstep waiting for us when we got home – it was from David for Mother’s Day. He later FaceTimed us, and we had quite a long chat about a book he’s writing. I rang Ian Fosten to check the poetry session was on at Lowestoft this evening, and spoke to his wife, Bridget. It was.

Last Sunday (March 3) was dry and still fairly cold. David FaceTimed us then too, and we had a long talk about pictures for Diderot and one or two other things. Watched a lot of TV, finishing off Alice and Jack and watching Death in Paradise. Slight TV problem, but it was ok after I restarted the BT box. 

Monday was dry, and a bit chilly. Dot cleaned the house while I caught up with e-mails and a few other things. Still feeling tired and heady; ears under pressure. Amy started work at Whipsnade. In the afternoon Dot and I walked up to Castle Meadow for the “under streets” tour, starting from what used to be the old Ponds shoe shop. We were guided by Holly, who was brilliant, full of information. The “streets” themselves were not so impressive, but the history was. Afterwards we had tea and cake at Harriet’s tea shop until it closed (about 15 minutes), then walked home. In the evening we watched the final episode of Trigger Point, which was very clever, and rewatched the final episode of Alice and Jack on stream, because I realised the version on our BT box had somehow lost about 20 minutes. The whole thing was quite impressive, really: unusual. I wrote a poem inspired by it. Had a message from “David Kett” which was a scam trying to extract money. 

Tuesday ‘s weather was variable – sunny in the morning but overcast later. We drove to the Archant pensioners’ breakfast. In the absence of Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia, we sat at the “main table” and had our usual breakfast – quite crowded restaurant , other than in the Archant area. Spoke mainly to Bill, Richard and David Wakefield. Afterwards went to Morrisons for a fairly big shop: Dot got some unusual stuff for  a meal on Thursday with Kim and Kai. In the evening she went to PCC and I spent a couple of hours catching up and writing another poem.

Wednesday was quite warm in the sun as I walked up to the dentist – my appointment had been brought forward because my new crown had arrived. All went quite well despite my trepidation, but the £1300 bill seemed a lot for a half-hour appointment, which included repair of another tooth. Said goodbye to receptionist Alison, who is leaving at the end of the month, and walked up to Bonds, where Dot picked me up and took me to Bible study. I had expected to be late, but in fact we were on time. We looked at a booklet on the reliability of the New Testament and discussed some Aramaic comments on the first five verses of John. Quite helpful. Decided to switch to looking at John’s Gospel again, having got as far as the first five chapters of Revelation. Several thought it was hard going… which I could understand.

Dot stayed for Taizé, and I drove home. She got back (walking) just after 3pm and a bit later had a conversation with Anne on the phone. Later I drove Dot up to orchestra rehearsal. Bit chillier then. Cleared up and watched an episode of The Chosen that Judy and Dot had watched earlier. About the woman at the well, among other things. Extremely moving.

Thursday – Chilly but dry. Had skipped a day with blood thinner and felt better yesterday, but about lunchtime today it returned (I had taken blood thinner this morning). Dot went to chemist for pills and called at M&S on ring road, plus garden centre. Spent rest of day preparing for visit of Kai and Kim in the evening. I cleared up my room as well as helping Dot. Ben Price (Green. Party) called – must be an election soon. Bridget arrived at about 4.10 and did cleaning. At 6pm Kim and Kai arrived for supper. Dot did really nice meal. Lovely evening; cleared up and rather late in bed. 

Friday was quite a pleasant, dry day, but still pretty cold. Nevertheless Des, Chris, both Johns and for a while even Sarah joined us for our street meet, following which we ate up the remains of yesterday’s meal and much later FaceTimed both David and Oliver. Oliver’s presentation seems to have gone very well. Earlier Anne came round, and she and Dot went to the Cathedral refectory for a coffee while I tidied up. I have my room pretty well organised now. After lunch I did our regular charity giving and walked up to the post office to send some cheques. Sadly I seemed to be getting mild cold symptoms, almost entirely nasal. Dot has trouble with her head, foot and back. Nothing too serious, but annoying for her. 

Saturday – Sunny; quite pleasant, but with a chilly wind. Dot drove to Morrisons to pick up a bit of grocery while I cleared up. After lunch we walked to Carrow Road, picking up my ticket from Jonathan when we arrived. Great match – Norwich beat Rotherham 5-0 and moved into the play-off places. Watched rugby: England beat Ireland by a single point. In cricket England lost badly to India, 4-1. Feeling a bit better. 

Here we are at Sunday again (March 3) – still a bit chilly but dry, and almost in sight of spring. Just back from leading the service, with Carrie preaching, sort of off the cuff but pretty good. Congregation boosted by a family of five who I’d like to say were black, if that’s not racist. Very nice people, and they seemed to enjoy the service, though they arrived very early and had to sit around for quite a while, seeing as most of our congregation arrive within a minute or two of the start. Slight exaggeration, but not much…

A week ago, the heating at home was still playing up. Had long FaceTime chat with Amy and David, spending quite a bit of time exploring Diderot. Watched a bit of rugby highlights: Italy just missed beating France. Then Death in Paradise. Tongue hurt for some reason. 

Monday was very cold but dry. Early phone call from Carrie saying she was ill and could I go up to the hall in case A turned nasty (hasn’t been taking his medication). I was waiting for the gas man, but said I’d go later. Gas man (Barry) came almost immediately and fixed the problem as well as doing a service. Valve had apparently been adjusted before but needed replacing, which he did. Nice guy. Then the scaffolders arrived for next door and put scaffold up at the front of the house, but left before finishing because they had an “emergency”.

Dot went to Morrisons and I walked up to the church hall. A had already been and was refused entry by Debbie, much to his annoyance. I stayed for lunch, which was unusual and very nice – prepared by Addy (also black and lovely) in Carrie’s absence. Tuna cooked in pepper with potato, egg, cheese, courgette and salad, followed by large fruit salad. Had long talk with Steve, as well as with other men on our table. Dot picked me up around 2pm. We did clearing up for tomorrow and then watched quite a lot of TV, including new Danish noir, Trigger Point, Call the Midwife and the end of the Shuttle documentary: usual problem – aloof management, no flexibility. 

Tuesday – Still cold but dry. Roger and Debbie came round for lunch and stayed till after 6pm – so had a really good chat. I cooked chilli con carne, and Dot did a starter and bought tiramisu for sweet. More scaffolding went up round the back early on, disrupting arrivals at NWT.  Not much effect on our garden. In the evening watched a few things, including Jack and Alice, which has improved, and the film Robin and Marion, which was OK. Mouth seems ok, which was just as well as I was going to the dentist the next day. 

Wednesday was dry and not too cold. Not a very good night, but felt better at around 5pm. Also felt Dot’s head (vertigo) was better. Dot drove me up to dentist, where I discovered from Charlie that Alison was retiring next month. Then underwent long and uncomfortable removal of crown, and preparation for new one. Walked home and took paracetamol. Bridget round to clean. Dot went to Morrisons, then I helped her to repair the big mirror, which fell down off chest of drawers. She went to orchestra in the evening, and I wrote another poem. We then watched the end of The Challenger, about the space shuttle. Very good.

Thursday – Very wet all day, but not too cold Amy arrived with Vicky and Matt, who were staying at the Ship Inn at Mundesley. They went straight on and we had lunch; then I felt very tired and had to lie down. We watched a couple of things after that, including songs, and then walked up in light rain to the Ivy through the Close. Had lovely meal. I had duck liver parfait and then sirloin, both excellent. Good service as always. Waiter took pic and we sent it to Oliver, who had been in touch. Walked home by more direct route – still raining. Watched some songs, and I went to bed. Dot and Amy stayed up a bit. Earlier a meeting at St Augustine’s about gate locks ended unexpectedly well. We weren’t there, of course. 

Friday – wet in morning; dry rest of day. Very cold throughout. After late breakfast with Amy we all walked up to the Castle, where we looked at an exhibition of old industrial paintings of Norwich which included some interesting stuff on Caley’s and some fascinating films on driving through Norwich in 1950. Could remember a lot of it, especially a short lights-governed one-way section in Rampant Horse Street, and of course Stump Cross. Walked home and had late lunch, then instead of a street meet, because it was so cold, Des, Chris and John came round for drinks. Des got fish and chips for us, and Amy had a sausage. Then watched a film – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which was pretty good. Also a couple of episodes of Schitts Creek. I went to bed while Dot watched Gilmour Girls with Amy. 

Saturday – Not a great day healthwise. Two lots of paracetamol. Very unusual. Felt shivery and heady. Weather a bit less cold and mainly dry, but severe hail mid-afternoon. Chrissy’s birthday – Amy set up FaceTime with Canada. Had sent Chrissy chocs and two books. Before breakfast drove up to chemist to get pills, but it was shut! Kettle broke; so Dot drove to Morrisons to get new one. Amy and I watched F1 Bahrain while Dot went to football. Norwich beat Sunderland 1-0. Earlier Naomi  came round for football tickets. She looked well, but isn’t. She can’t eat anything at all at the moment. Arranged to play chess with her in a couple of weeks.

I cooked evening meal – salmon. Dot was going to go to her concert at St Stephen’s Church by taxi , but it failed to turn up (Courtesy Cars), so I drove her (with Amy) and then returned to find Vicky and Matt had arrived to pick Amy up – as anticipated – and as they were all getting into the car, the taxi arrived – over half an hour late. So I got the taxi to take me up to the concert, where Kim and Kai had been saving me a seat in the front row. Also there – Bridget, David and their goddaughter; Sue and Roger and two friends;  Neville; Graham. Spoke to Ros and Mary. Good concert, full house. Dot and I walked home – part of the way with Kim and Kai – and were pretty cold and tired when we got there, carrying violin and stand. Watched football and went to bed.