Last Tuesday (Sep 24) was showery, but mainly dry. We drove to Beeston Garden Centre café first thing and met Brian and Tricia. Had breakfast with them. Brian seemed quite a bit better than last time I saw him, and Tricia was OK too. Had bacon and egg sandwich.  After about 80 minutes drove home, and Ellie arrived a few minutes later for long talk about life, the universe and everything. She is probably moving to Wales, but there are lots of imponderables. She wanted advice. Became a Christian fairly recently (she is about 60, I guess) and is keen to do the right things. We reassured her!

After a light lunch I walked into the city to test the C & C city trail we’re doing in less than a fortnight. Made a few adjustments. It now has 39 questions, which is a multiple of 13; so that’s all right. When I got home we watched an episode of The Chosen and then I finished editing my photographs. Wrote up blog. After meal (duck) watched What We Did on our Holidays, which is a brilliant film in the style and by the authors of Outnumbered. Also watched the second episode of Zelensky documentary. 

Wednesday was cooler, showery with more persistent rain later. Chose hymns. Wrote card for Cresta Care Home. Discovered where Kim was – on train to Bath. Judy came round to see The Chosen – the episode we’d seen the day before – and we watched most of it with her. It’s pretty. compelling! Then I drove to church for Bible study, and Dot and Jude followed. Quite cold in church. Afterwards Dot stayed for Taizé.

I wrote to Oliver and Amy sending quotes: O was still in Vienna and Amy is no doubt immersing herself in student culture. I drove Dot to orchestra in evening: she found rehearsal hard because quite a few people were away, including her section leader, Janet. I picked her up with Nova in the rain. Dot and I watched Ludwig – new series with David Mitchell as puzzle-solver impersonating detective brother. Good stuff. 

Thursday was overcast at first, then very wet. Spent quite a long time sorting out charity money! Then walked up to sorting office (before the rain) to post cheques and the card to Cresta Lodge, thanking them for looking after Thelma.  Later on watched the final episode of Zelezny: he comes over very well. Bridget came to clean. In the evening we watched the first episode of Nightsleeper, which is much better than I thought it would be. Also the latest episode of Slow Horses. 

Friday – Sorted out Mail file. Oliver was home from Vienna. Windy with rain at first, then showers. Bridget left her car in our drive about 9.30 and went by train to Ely to see her sister. We drove to St Luke’s around 11.30 for Andrew Partridge’s funeral. Parked but left car window open, and seats got pretty wet. It was pointed out to us after the service, which was pretty big. Lots of people from the post office, where he worked. He was 57 – died of sepsis brought on by cellulitis, brought on by diabetes. Lots of nice things said about him. We sat near the music group: Nicky, Steve and a couple of women whose names I ought to know. A guy named Graham (Irish) sat next to us. Couldn’t place him in my mind, but apparently he used to worship at St Luke’s. No-one from St Augustine’s apart from us.

Food and drink afterwards. Spoke to lots of people: Val Kibble, who is in a bad way; John and Jean; Elizabeth, who I sort of recognised – very nice; Karen Wimhurst; Sam Pittam-Smith; and a guy called Steve from Evesham, who was in a wheelchair but amazingly self-contained – has his own van, which he drives and where he can sleep and look after himself. He had driven down from Worcester and is married (though his wife can’t drive because she’s visually impaired). He knew Andrew from Norwich (Witard Road Baptist) and is very positive about life. Now worships at Evesham Salvation Army, and it is growing – he feels that churches generally are growing. Uplifting sort of time: Graham K-S led very well.

Later Bridget called in as I was cooking supper and had a cup of tea. Stayed while we ate it. Always good to see her. After she’d gone we watched Nightsleeper – have now seen two thirds of it – plus Death in Paradise. 

Yesterday was quite chilly – summer seems to be over – but dry. Watched England win at cricket, then Dot did a lot of meal preparation, with a bit of help from me, and Kristine arrived on the 12.44 train. I met her and took her the ”pretty way” so that Dot had time to change. Had a cup of tea, then a lovely meal – salmon tart and pavlova, plus a very tasty avocado starter prepared by Dot.  Talked a lot during afternoon, and I showed some of our pictures on screen. Meanwhile Norwich beat Derby 3-2 away, with the help of a dodgy goal (ball out of play). About time we had a bit of luck. Kristine missed the train she meant to catch because of a phone glitch – it ran out of charge after she showed the ticket on arrival – so had to buy a new ticket and left on the 18.32. We cleared up before she reached Ipswich, and I wrote the prayers.

Today it is still chilly but the wind has gone. Bit cloudy. Drove to church – it was a joint service led by Graham (Michaelmas). I did the prayers, and as music group we had Matt, Dot, Steve Fiske and me. Felt good. Apparently Anna has migraine, and Howard is in London. About five people from St Luke’s. Had quite a good chat afterwards, while eating food left over from the funeral. Gave Ray a lift home as usual. Angel Road shut as usual.

Last Thursday (Sep 19) was dry and mainly sunny. Didn’t sleep too well. Wrote most of sermon, based on an old one from 2006. Julia and Allan came round for lunch. Dot did salmon and pavlova (not together), plus a pear starter. Had a good talk and showed them some photos on screen. Later Anne came round, and she and Dot walked up to a Jarrolds open evening. She bought a jumper, some underwear and a ring, and two Barbour jumpers for me. She also had a Caesar salad. 

Friday – Mainly sunny and warm. Spent all day writing four pieces for Parish Pump – on Clive of India, Far from the Madding Crowd, Gabriel Fauré and the Vatican II decision to abandon Latin for the Mass. Then went out for street meet with Des and Chris, Matt and Angela and Jonathan. Bob’s older brother has just died, quite suddenly, at 76. Mark has 11 days to go in Norway. Watched last two episodes of Sherwood, which had its points but had some pretty unpleasant people in it. 

Saturday was extremely warm and sunny. Did rota and dealt with e-mails. Walked to Carrow Road with Dot and back along the river. Norwich beat Watford 4-1, and I met Dot coming back, running into Clive as I did so. Denise has a slight problem, but nothing serious. Find Friends not working properly (temporarily), but earlier saw Oliver and Amy get to Southampton. She is now a university student! Dot did ironing while I got washing in and cleared up kitchen. Phil rang to say his printer wasn’t working and could I print off his liturgy sheet for tomorrow. I did. Leanne’s daughter (18) has an ectopic pregnancy and ins in a great deal of stress, as is Leanne, of course. In the evening had only a light supper. Watched City highlights on YouTube, then an interview with Lauren Bacall (didn’t like interviewer). Finally latest episode of Slow Horses and today’s ODI cricket – another loss to Australia. 

Sunday – Showers, but mainly dry. Still quite warm. We drove to church in the morning, and I preached and played guitar. Think it all went quite well. Nikki was there, and Leanne popped in at the end. Sophie back after having shingles badly. Drove Ray home by very difficult route: Angel Road completely closed after half a mile, and Denmark Road also closed. Council hopeless. Edited nearly 100 pictures in the afternoon after watching football, then went out for walk with Dot up to Bishop Bridge and back via Recorder Road. Cooked lamb shoulder and then watched Grace. Not bad. David FaceTimed: not much news from Amy apparently. David is planning to meet Oliver in Los Angeles. 

Monday – overcast but mainly dry. A bit cooler, but still ok. I’ve nearly caught up with editing my photos. Nikki came round for a couple of hours and had a long talk about herself and about Leanne and her daughter. Can’t go into detail here, but we feel very close to them both and would like to help them wherever we can. Later Ellie texted and also said something nice about us; so we’re feeling quite encouraged at the moment. In the afternoon we went to Morrisons and stocked up – probably the most we’ve ever paid for a food shop! About £179. Of course that included stuff like dishwasher tablets and water filters. Dot cooked very nice salmon tart but I couldn’t eat it all. Felt very tired. Watched interesting programme on Zelensky. First of three. Des and Chris have left for Sicily. 

Today marked the end of Oliver’s visit with us – a really enjoyable week, marred for me only by a two-day bout of diarrhoea. Happily, it did not occur on key days, and we had a great time overall. It was cloudy at first this morning (Wed 18 Sep), but it became much sunnier and a bit warmer, as per forecast. I drove us to Houghton Hall, where we spent nearly four hours, starting in the grounds, looking at Anthony Gormley’s figures and some of the permanent sculptures, then moving back into the stables for a delicious sandwich and cup of tea, then back to the house itself, the gift shop and finally the walled garden, where the flaming fountain startled us at first by not showing any flame, but then performed as it should.

We drove back by a very slightly different route (Kettlestone) and after a cup of tea for Dot and Oliver went down to Gem for a final meal. I had chicken thighs again. Excellent. Dot left with Janet for orchestra at the same time as Oliver departed, and as I write he is on the Newmarket bypass.

It all started last Thursday with showers – some quite heavy.  Felt tired, but no more tooth problems. Adjusted my eulogy and answered some e-mails. Postponed hospital appointment on Monday. Cleared up while Dot went to Morrisons and Bridget did the cleaning, and rearranged my Reminders. Oliver arrived around 4.15pm, and I booked tickets for Houghton Hall on the Wednesday, because they’re not open on Monday.

We all walked up to the Ivy for a meal at 7.15pm, just after what looked like part of a wedding reception. Oliver and I had steak. Very good food and wine. At home watched Slow Horses episode two again (Oliver for first time). Oliver told us about a planned trip to Hamburg (with friends) and then on his own to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York and Toronto. 

Friday – Showers; a bit chilly, but mainly sunny. Long day. Had to get up early to get to the crematorium for 9.30 service. Traffic bad – hold-ups at Sprowston Road roundabout and on road between Spixworth and Horsham – but reached crem at 9.15. Other four were waiting: Sheila, her friend, her daughter and a bloke (not sure who). All went smoothly, including my eulogy and poem) and afterwards Dot and I found her aunt Jessie’s “grave”, then joined the others for tea and coffee in the Black Swan. I paid for that and left a donation for Cresta  Lodge. Very pleasant chat – simultaneous rain and sun outside.

Then drove home and prepared for Dot’s talk at Christ Church. Oliver had meanwhile been into city. He drove us to the church after a salad lunch, and we spent a long time setting up. Fortunately Oliver had the necessary connectors. Dot’s talk was really good. There were at least 20 people there, and everyone engaged with the questions and moving around. They also spent time afterwards looking at the display items. Matt and Amanda came from church and Mary from next door. Bridget was organising, of course. We gave Mary a lift home after a cup of tea and extensive clearing up. Dot was very pleased – almost everyone complimented her. She deserved it after all the work she’d put in. David FaceTimed after we got home and got the feedback!

We then went outside for street meet: it was sunny and not so cold. Des, Chris, John, Matt, Mary and the three of us. Des got us fish and chips, and afterwards we went upstairs to watch Memento, Oliver’s favourite film. Sadly I slept through most of it, and Dot missed quite a bit too. Will try again when we’re less tired! 

Saturday was warmer, and dry. Calm. Woke up quite a bit later than the day before and had croissants. Paul Henderson came round at 11, and we had a good conversation. He is heading for Vienna soon: he is also looking for possible interviewees for Chatteround – a new bit of Chatterbox, the newspaper for the blind. Possibly Dot on Sillars. He’s waiting for scan results on his coughing, but the hope is that it’s not too serious.

In the afternoon Oliver drove us to North Walsham, where we put flowers on the graves and then visited Roger and Debbie. Their house now looks really good with a new patio and pool. Later walked with them to the King’s Head for a meal. I struggled because  I wasn’t really hungry but everyone else enjoyed it. I enjoyed it, but couldn’t eat much. Walked back to pick up car and drove home via Wroxham. Felt heavy headed. Watched T20 win over Australia and then three YouTube videos: Ken Robinson’s brilliant TED talk on creativity, one recommended by Oliver which consisted of a guy saying absolutely nothing but making it sound very important, and the one about the father and daughter cyclists that Dot uses in P4C.  

Sunday was sunny, with a little rain in the evening. Diarrhoea prevented me from going to church: so Dot and Oliver went together. Holy Communion and quite long, apparently. Nikki was there. Afterwards they went over and church-sat for Heritage Day. I had hoped to go but was still afflicted. Also developed a temperature; so took paracetamol. And went to bed when they got home. Slept for a while and felt a bit better, though I had another smaller attack. However was able to go down and eat a very small amount of supper – one of Dot’s chicken dishes. Definite improvement after that, though my head was hurting a bit. Meanwhile Oliver was arranging a trip to Vienna with his friends. Hamburg turned out to be too expensive (Oktoberfest).  

Monday was dry with some sun. Still feeling a bit groggy, so stayed at home while Oliver went to shops and later met Dot for meal in Jarrolds wine bar. He bought some trousers and one or two other things. I felt well enough to walk up and meet them in The Close, and we did first section of compline treasure trail. Very tired afterwards. Dot did very nice salmon and spinach tart with mustard, then pavlova. Later watched last two episodes of Sambre, which were quite satisfying. Also MOTD2. 

Tuesday brought cloud and sun. Cool wind, but not cold. Hair cut in there morning: Oliver went to gym. Had bath. In the afternoon he drove us to Fairhaven, where we had a walk and a 20-minute boat ride on South Walsham inner broad, with brief excursion to main broad. Saw kingfisher, some cormorants and a couple of herons. Walked back to car park by different route, then drove to St Benet’s Abbey. Brief walk there, then home. I cooked chilli and then we watched some of Milan v Liverpool. Sadly, Liverpool won. Watched a bit of Outnumbered, then went to bed after Oliver gave me some advice on computer. Felt better and better during day after early paracetamol. At some point I played Oliver at chess, and he beat me twice – once on time and once with a genuinely good attack.

The weather has changed quite a bit over the last few days. On Sunday (September 8) it was dry, with some cloud, some sun. Parked our car in Chalk Hill Road overnight because the Norwich Run was closing Riverside Road between 9 and 11. Took a bit longer than usual to get to church, but no real difference. It was Holy Communion, with vicar Graham making a rare appearance and doing a good sermon. Carrie is now back and volunteered to take Ray home. Not sure why.

Caught up on a bit of stuff in the afternoon until I was interrupted by D on the phone, in a bit of a state about NCNC website. Problem is she gets other people to do things and then wants to change everything. I tried to advise her, but not sure how much I helped. Later went to a performance at Chapel in Park Lane by a string trio who were really good: Anna gave Dot tickets because they couldn’t go. Sat behind Peter Bright and had a chat with him: former EN sub. Invited him to Archant breakfast. Yesterday we saw Jenny Downing in Morrisons and said we’d take her next time. Bit rash.

Cooked mussels and started watching Grace, which was quite good. Halfway through David FaceTimed briefly. He seems well. Even later got message from Oliver saying he would try to get here next Thursday so that he could hear Dot give her talk on Friday. 

Monday was overcast; some rain, but reasonably mild. Finished off Order of Service for Thelma and sent it off to Sheila and Jill, who seem happy. Dot spent a lot of time on her P4C documents, but we walked down to Carrow Road and bought a shirt for Oliver for his birthday, then a card on the way back. Oliver FaceTimed late afternoon, and we worked out details of when he was arriving  (Thursday afternoon) and how long he’d be here (probably till next Wednesday).

Later we went down to Gem for a meal. We both had cocktails, and I had chicken thigh and chips in Mediterranean style, then Turkish tea, and half a baklava. Dot had a moussaka. We watched the end of the cricket – nice to see Sri Lanka win – and the next two episodes of the French true crime drama, Sambre, which is fascinating.

Tuesday brought quite a lot of rain, though not heavy. Dull and chillier. Felt below par in the morning, but had a sleep in early afternoon and by the time we went to the theatre in the evening – to see The Unexpected Guest, by Agatha Christie, at the Maddermarket, I felt much better. Saw several people I knew there, primarily Bridget and David, but also Pye, from CNS, and Colin, from EN. Note that I know only half the name in each case. I should also mention that I knew two of the principal actors very well – Trevor Burton, in the title role, and David Newham, as the Liberal councillor, which must have been tricky for him. Good play. We drove to the theatre because of the rain, which ruined my intended steps plan. Earlier I wrote a bit for my website on Thelma being the last of her generation. Dot did a lot of catching up, communication wise.

Wednesday was fairly chilly, with showers. I went to an appointment with a nurse practitioner at 9am, and she said my cholesterol was so low that I could experiment with stopping taking statins. Yippee! This could improve my feet: we shall see. Judy came round at 10.30 to watch 3:5(2) of The Chosen, which I have now seen three times, and cried each time. There you go. Afterwards we had a Bible Study with Dot, Debbie, Judy, Steve, Rachel, and it went quite well, I think.

After lunch Dot and I went to Thorpe St Andrew church to see an exhibition on the Thorpe Rail Disaster: it was pretty poor, really, just words and blurred pictures, not even well lit. Afterwards Dot and I walked down to the scene of the crash, but this was similarly underwhelming, until we went round the back of the Rushcutters, which revealed the bridge from the other side. I had (very nice) lamb chops for supper while Dot had egg, bacon and baked beans. She was then picked up by Janet to go to orchestra rehearsal. Arrived home fairly early, and we watched the latest episode of Slow Horses. Sudden repeat of a tooth problem I had a few days ago. Feels like an exposed nerve – sharp pain, but then goes away. I hope. 

Today is Saturday, September 7, and it’s still warm and dry, though much of the country has had loads of rain. There are plenty of clouds, but also some very warm sun, as we found this afternoon, when we went to Mautby church for a reading from a new book on Margaret Paston by the author, followed by questions from Rob Knee. The main session wasn’t so great –  I was feeling on the brink of sleep – but had some interesting conversations afterwards, not least with Rob, Penny, Peter and Brenda. Also with a woman who was the PhD student of the author and seemed to know all there was to know about Richard Calle’s family. Good refreshments: we donated, and bought the book.

Earlier we’d been to Morrisons for some vital shopping and then had a quick lunch in order to get to Mautby by 2pm.

Last Sunday (Sep 1) was also warm and dry. Drove to church and parked in old spot at entrance to The Lathes. I was leading, and Liz did one of her Godly plays – not one of her best, to be honest. Several extra people there – 31 in congregation. Had DCC afterwards, but had to drive Ray home first in case he heard what was going on – according to churchwarden. So did that – delayed by road closure on Angel Road, which has been closed for ages. DCC meeting was fairly brief and we had a late lunch.

Chilli for supper in time for me to go to Seagull. Fewer than a dozen people there; so no repeat of last time’s late finish. Sat with Julia and Doug Duke, and Kaaren, who forgot her poems and had to read from her phone. Before readings I walked up to clifftop because I was early. Read six poems –   Thelma, Sermon, Grandparents’ Grave, The Crowd, Snape to Iken, Living in Shadow (from Mist and Fire). Drive home went quite well. As I arrived home Dot was having FaceTime with David and Chrissy. I joined in for about 40 minutes. 

Monday was quite warm and dry, but plenty of cloud. Got up at 7.40 and took car to be done at New Image. Was given a Kia courtesy car with no instructions – but it drove quite well. Back home for breakfast and puzzles as usual. then watched England stroll to another cricket win and went to Morrison and Boots. Sean and co just back from Ipswich celebration – amazing, apparently. Later we walked up to Bishop Bridge, across and back down the riverside path. Felt very tired. Met Mary Cozens and a friend of hers and had a brief chat. Later Des offered to lend us his four-hour permit if we needed it, because we couldn’t put our courtesy car on the road. Dot made a blackberry and apple crumble. 

Tuesday was overcast, but dry. We drove up to the Archant breakfast event and sat with Tricia. Brian seems pretty bad and is not keen to come out. Robin had laryngitis; so they didn’t come. Had a chat with David Newham, and as a result booked to see the Christie play he’s in at the Maddermarket next week. Felt strangely lethargic most of the day, but the two of us went for a walk round the block about teatime. Dot cleaned up in case the Altmans come round tomorrow, but they rang very late and said they wanted to meet us at the Theatre Royal at 10.30m.  So cancelled Bible study. Watched Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh, which was pretty good. Earlier we had a longish Facetime with Oliver, who told us all about his time with friends in Greece, which sounded great.

Wednesday was overcast much of the time, with rain threatening, but none actually arrived – in Norwich, anyway. We got the bus up to Orford Place just after 10am and then walked up to Theatre Royal, where we were scheduled to meet Peter and Joan Altman, our friends from a Swiss holiday in 2016. Their coach arrived just after 10.30, and we walked down to Jarrolds (Peter and I losing Dot and Joan on the way), where we had coffee in the small area downstairs. Talked for quite a while about health and other things, then walked over to the Exchange restaurant, where we paid for lunch. I had an Italian sandwich. All of us had a lot of rocket. We then walked back up to the Theatre Royal by a slightly different route and said goodbye. Really nice time with them.

Dot and I went to M&S, and she bought some new jeans, and then we got some fruit from the market and walked home, by which time I was very tired. Still, I’d had a call from New Image, and so I went to pick up our car, which had been done – looked very good. I had only done about 11 miles in the courtesy car, which cost us about £140 (three days) – clearly stupid. But then so was the accident. 

Back home we watched the first episode of the new series of Slow Horses – very good, of course – and then went and lay down for a while. In the evening Dot was picked up by Janet for the first orchestra rehearsal of the new term. Oliver got in touch to say he’d seen Slow Horses too.  I transferred some more slides; Dot was a bit late home, and we watched a French real life police thing (first of six). Dot is now reading the Mick Herron book The Secret Hours. 

Thursday – Overcast again, but quite warm and no rain, unlike the south of the country. Drove to chemist to pick up my pills. In the afternoon we got a bus into the city and walked up to the Theatre Royal to book tickets to a musical based on the welcome Canadians gave to plane passengers stranded after 9/11. Very nice ticket office woman. Then walked down to Jarrolds, where Dot booked a table for her and Anne for open evening, then stayed on to get her lip/chin thing. We had a pear and ginger tea each before I left and walked home through The Close.

In the evening after I cooked basa we watched Jailhouse Rock, delightfully interrupted by Amy FaceTiming: she is very busy and received her uni timetable while talking to us. She seems happy, though. Told us about concert she went to. Her degree is Biology with Marine Biology. While she was on, Dot got call from Roger about going out to see them. She rang him back and heard about an accident he’d been involved in some time ago in North Walsham. No one hurt, but car a write-off. 

Yesterday was warm and dry again, unlike London and southern England. Drove to Poringland in the morning to see Sheila Crisp and a cremation celebrant – Jill Yaxley – about Thelma’s funeral. Spent about two hours on it, choosing music, reading etc. They liked my poem and wanted me to use it. After Jill went, spent another half hour or so discussing the eulogy with Sheila. In the afternoon wrote the eulogy, which I sent to Sheila: she liked it. Quite tired after all that. Out for street meet: Des, Chris, Sarah, Mary, Bob, John, Jonathan, Matt and Angela. Out there for about a couple of hours. Very busy day, but not many steps. Gave Des advice on Air Transat: his cousin has died, and he wants to go to the funeral.