Saturday afternoon, October 26 – Rather dull, but not too cold. Still. Dot is at church, attending a talk/discussion on a theme by Brian McLaren. I drove her there and on the way back called in at the Rosary to check on Andrew’s grave, which now has a neighbour – Claire somebody. Also looked at Mum and Dad’s grave and his parents’ of course. Earlier we had Colin and his son Jordan round to cut our hedge and trim back the ivy. They also cleared the gutters for Mary next door, and in doing so had to cut back our roses pretty severely.

Years ago, last Monday, it was cool and a bit windy. Was expecting to be able to pick up my car from the garage, but it needed extra work, specifically a wheel bearing; so it had to stay in overnight. Looked at Scotland photos in preparation for Cannons’ visit tomorrow. Caught up with computer stuff and watched various things on TV, including another episode of Leonard Cohen drama. Good in many ways, but too many irritating adverts – and Cohen is presented as being much more depressive than I feel he was. Maybe I’d just like him to be more like me. Running out of food – had intended to go to shop tonight, but no transport. 

Tuesday – Mild: quite a bit of sun. Phone call from garage around 11.30 to say car would be ready at 1pm. So walked up through Close and caught the 36 to Reepham Road, walking through to the garage and arriving just before 1pm. Car was ready, and Ingress went through details. Drove home in good time to welcome Liz and David Cannon for 2pm. They came to look at our pictures of Scotland, and Dot cooked a couple of cakes – one fruit cake and one sponge. Fruit cake delicious! Probably the other was too. Cannons stayed till 5.30 and caught bus home. Then after I’d cooked chilli, Eleanor and Judy came round for a lift to Claire’s for cake and compline. Bridget and David also there. Watched next episode of The Chosen after problems getting into it. Wanted me to sign in and then wouldn’t let me. Bed late. 

Wednesday – Mixture of sun and cloud: dry. Usual Wed morning: had a bath before watching a bit of The Chosen with Judy. Then headed off to church for Bible study – Debbie and Steven, but no Ellie. Dot and Jude, of course. Before that, though, finished reading Steeple Chasing, bought for me by my grandchildren and really interesting. After Bible study, Dot stayed for Taizé, but I picked her up after 2.30 for a big shop at Morrisons. Also filled up with petrol. Later of course Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet.  

Thursday – Dry and quite a bit of sun. Fred got in touch and suggested we meet up; so we’ll be going over to Beeston Regis tomorrow. Loss of a rare free day, but it will be nice to see them. Chose hymns for Sunday. In the afternoon went to memorial service for Rik, who lived in The Lathes and died suddenly. About 20 in hall. Dot and I played for the only hymn – Lord of the Dance. Some interesting occasional music, including Pink Floyd and Adam and the Ants. Stayed for tea and sandwiches, then took Dot round to Anna’s for violin lesson and went home, where Bridget was cleaning: she had had to borrow Des’s key to get in!

After she left I walked up to meet Dot but didn’t get very far : met John Drake at bus stop. Later cooked fish and watched some TV: football, cricket, a documentary on the Cairngorms and a new crime series – DI Ray. I say new, but as usual it was about drugs gangs and not only that, one of the characters was an actor from another series with an identical role. Eventually we’ll have one big all-encompassing crime series about a massive drugs gang, which never ends. 

Yesterday – Lovely day: mild and sunny. Woke up fairly late and had a bath. Dot drove us to Beeston Regis by main Cromer Road, partly because entrance to Spixworth Road was blocked at lights. Arrived marginally early – would have been earlier but followed selfish tractor for miles. Had tea, cakes and chat in Fred and Sue’s caravan, then walked up Beeston Bump. Beautiful – new railings and improved steps. Back a bit late. I drove and we arrived home about 15 minutes late for street meet. Held up on Riverside Road; so Dot walked last bit. I put duck legs in the oven then joined them : Des, Chris, Ciara, Mary, Matt, Angela, Jonathan. Afterwards watched another episode of So Long Marianne, as well as cricket and The Cleaner. David FaceTimed and we had talk with him and Oliver. They had been canoeing and golfing on driving range. Amy is apparently doing well and enjoying university. 

Today (Monday 21st) is a little better than yesterday, in that it’s dry, though very overcast, a little windy and not too cold. I have just taken the car in for servicing and MOT, and had a chat with Ingress, the receptionist, who we’ve known for a long time. She’s aways very helpful. Walked back past the Boundary and then caught a 38 to Tombland. Dot saw me walking down Prince of Wales Road, and got up before I arrived.

Back to last Tuesday, when it was dry and mild. Up quite early to have breakfast with Brian and Tricia at Un Café on N Walsham Road. Good food and service and had quite a long chat: Brian on good form. Dot bought steak pie from farm shop, and we had it for supper.  In the afternoon she went to take Joyce’s watch back and had another longish chat with her. I was feeling a bit shivery; so had a bath. Felt a bit better afterwards.

Had paracetamol before going to Theatre Royal in evening to see Come from Away, a brilliant musical based on the people stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, when planes were diverted after 9/11. Beautifully done by a cast that sounded largely Irish. Standing ovation. Highly recommended. We took the bus up there and walked home. Before going to bed we watched the rather disappointing ending of Joan. Could have been carried off better. 

Wednesday was sunny, dry and even milder. Judy came round to see the first episode of the fourth series of The Chosen, which is still excellent. As usual I left early for church and met up with Steven on his way. Eventually we had Dot, Jude, Debbie, Steven and Ellie for Bible Study, which went very well. Afterwards Dot and I left for Fakenham, which should have been an easy journey, but encountered loads of slow traffic on the Fakenham road, and arrived on the dot for James Knox Whittet’s book launch at the Library, after working out how to use the parking machine.

James did an interesting talk on how he had written his memoir, and Dot and I both asked questions. This followed some beautiful Gaelic singing by Anna McCrae, who I had heard before: couldn’t remember where, but she remembered me, as did a couple of other people, including Kay Hathway. I wish I could remember names – I got them off the programme. Also there was Mike Bannister, now 88 and suffering from heart problems. Had interesting chat with him: we get on very well. He’s a good poet and read three of his poems. I read one of my Orkney poems – Westray – and I think it went down all right. Three or four people said they liked it.

Forty or fifty there altogether, I should think, but not James’ wife, Ann, who had an appointment with the Bishop. Drove home after an encounter with Fakenham town centre, from which I began to think I would never emerge. Road home was slow again, with long queues, until we reached the NDR. Discovered (via text) – that Bridget had come and cleaned – thought she was coming the next day as usual.

Des and Chris are in Suffolk for a few days. Had a fairly “easy” tea of eggs and mushrooms before Dot left with Janet for orchestra: we’d discovered on the way home that Silver Road was partially closed, but thought we’d worked out a way of them getting there.  In fact it did work, but they had to come back via Mousehold Avenue and Gurney Road. Watched Ludwig, which continues to be excellent. 

Thursday was again dry and mild. Wrote my sermon for Sunday while Dot went into the city to buy a present for Bridget and David’s 20th wedding anniversary. Got a call from her some time later to ask whether she should buy a coat. She tried FaceTime so that I could see it, but it didn’t work – signal not strong enough. So I went into the city by bus to have a look. Didn’t like it at first, but it looked so much better on that we eventually decided to buy it. Also bought a heart-shaped dish for B&D and some fruit from the market, then walked home together. Was quite tired afterwards and lay down after I’d finished the sermon. Felt a bit cold and discovered the window was open. Contacted Oliver earlier to get Amy’s address, and have sent her a birthday card. After supper watched a fascinating documentary called Helljumper about individuals evacuating people from the front line areas of Ukraine, and one in particular who died doing it. 

Friday – Bit cooler, but still dry and quite pleasant. Sue and Roger Eagle came with us for lunch at Gem. We met them in the station, because Sue’s legs are a bit dodgy – she’s waiting for an operation in a couple of weeks. Dot walked to Gem with her, and I went with Roger in car to park at ours. Very nice lunch – we all had cocktails, then I had battered prawns followed by pork belly. Turkish tea to finish. Restaurant pretty full. Had quite a long chat at home about books and other things.

After they had gone we had street meet – Des and Chris back from their Suffolk break, Jonathan, Mark, John and Mary. Lot of talk about solar panels and such things, which wasn’t very interesting. Later had cheese on toast and watched quite a bit of TV, including first two episodes of The Tower and a good Sounds piece on the song Diamonds and Rust. Also end of cricket, losing to Pakistan. 

On Saturday it rained at first, but was dry by the time we went out – caught the bus and then walked to Salvation Army Citadel on St Giles to hear St Gregory’s Orchestra play to raise cash for Ukraine. Dylan Latham (again) played violin – this time Beethoven’s Concerto in D. Saw Graham and Janet, Neville and Mary, Matt and Amanda and Les Pye and his wife, as well as Mary Cozens and the dreaded Georgina. Nice venue: good view from upstairs.

Walked home and bought a sandwich (among other things) from Tesco Express. Dot walked down Prince of Wales Road and I walked through the Close. Needless to say, she got home way before I did. In the evening we gave Eleanor a lift to the RC Cathedral narthex for Bridget and David’s 20th wedding anniversary. It was a ceilidh with buffet food. Sat with Claire and spoke to one or two other people , including Ros, the woman training to be a priest at Christ Church, who seemed pretty anxious. Watched a bit of Match of the Day, including Spurs’ 4-1 win over West Ham. Earlier City drew 1-1 away to Stoke after being all over them in the first half. I rewrote the end of my sermon. Sent Amy an electronic card and transferred her some money. 

Sunday was Amy’s 20th birthday. She is at Southampton and very quiet, though she sent a message thanking us for her card and gift. Pretty miserable day in Norwich, weatherwise. Very grey, with rain showers, which we largely avoided. Drove to church as usual. Bit of a panic when Carrie, who was leading, arrived very late. Was about to take over… anyway, did a sermon which got a lot of favourable comments. Took Ray home as usual. watched a fair bit of TV including last two episodes of The Tower, which were very good. Later some football and the first episode of Leonard Cohen drama, So Long Marianne, on ITVx, which was ok but spoiled by too many adverts. Also another documentary on the Yorkshire coast which had quite a lot on Scarborough and Whitby.

In the evening went to Taizé service at St Luke’s which was a bit disappointing in terms of the music, which was too complicated. But that’s just my opinion. Had long chat with Debbie Sands, whose husband died not long ago. Also Vicky and her mother. They didn’t die; they were just there. Also Ros from Christ Church, who I keep running into.

Last Thursday (Oct 10) was a pretty dull day, and damp too. Janet left her car in our drive to go and visit the set of Call the Midwife in South-East London – returned around 10pm. Later Bridget came to clean, which was a bit complicated because we were transferring the rug from the kitchen into the study, and in the process (if that wasn’t hard enough) sorting out all the stuff that had accumulated in there.Almost finished the heavy stuff but need to sort out a pile of papers, as well as putting my old Paston stuff into the garage. Should probably just throw it away.

Strenuous work because it involved getting on to floor and reaching stuff under the main tops. Ironically I achieved less than half the steps than I had managed on any other day this month, though the energy expenditure was much higher. Meanwhile England scored over 800 against Pakistan, with Harry Brook hitting over 300 – not quite matched by our footballers, who lost 2-1 to Greece at Wembley – a record of another kind. Oliver is now in Canada – staying at Kingston, presumably with Sophie. Meanwhile Captiva has been hit by the hurricane, with the Mucky Duck apparently badly damaged. 

Friday – Weather much improved. Bright sunshine, though temperature down slightly. Apparently impressive northern lights last night.Missed them. Finished sorting out stuff from my room with help from Dot, though Thelma’s box is still in the living room. Not all that much in it except for some jewellery and photos. Dot went to shop for food while I waited in for Amazon, delivering a music book for Dot and some cleaning liquid. Oliver now in Waterloo. Street meet as usual: Des, Chris, Jonathan, John, Matt, Mark (for a while, till he went out for meal with Sarah and his son). Sean and Ciara confined to barracks with bad colds. Tara in quite a bad way, according to John. Mark may be getting solar panels. Angela mended Dot’s jeans for free (allegedly because I let Matt have some cassettes for nothing). 

Saturday – Dull but dry at first, then heavy rain in afternoon. Dry again in later evening. Coolish. Dot spent much of day cooking and preparing for visit of Mary and Neville in the evening. Cooked fish pie. I did a bit to help here and there. Put Thelma’s stuff in the spare room wardrobe and wrote a bit for Diderot based on a couple of T’s photographs. Then converted a boxful of slides into pix and imported them on to Photos. Felt a bit shaky but took paracetamol and was much better for rest of day. Neville and Mary arrived about 7pm, bringing very nice red wine. Dot had cooked a fish pie, and we also had starter and pavlova. Very enjoyable evening. They left about 10.15, and Dot and I did our usual lightning clearaway.  

Sunday – Light cloud; dry; a little cool. Felt a bit fragile but managed to complete a normal day! Drove to church in the morning – Communion service, which I led, with Graham preaching and presiding. Good attendance, including Nikki and Phoebe: average age coming down a bit! Took Ray home as usual. Angel Road remains thankfully open.

After lunch we dropped a couple of birthday cards off for Heather and had a brief chat. She seems to have a type of long Covid or ME. Very frustrating. We continued through The Close and Dot did the part of the treasure trail she missed last weekend when she went to the football. She was pretty good at it. In Queen Street we met Paul Henderson – and at first neither of us recognised him! Just out of context, I think. He was on his way to Cathedral Evensong. After finishing the trail we walked down the rehashed Haymarket, which looked ok but not spectacular. Then we called in for tea/coffee at the Cornish Bakery… and walked home. Watched Finland v England, which finished 1-3 and was less than compelling. Later finished yesterday’s fish pie.

And watched the penultimate episode of Joan – after chatting to David and Oliver on FaceTime. They both seem fine, but Amy is not too well and is lying low. 

Monday – Wet start, but improving. Uneasy night. Linda arrived slightly early for haircut. In afternoon quite bright so walked by a circuitous route to Morrisons to buy some tea. Very tired when I got back. Watched The Big Sleep and a documentary about finding the wreck of a U-boat and a Q-boat that sunk each other off the Channel Islands during the First World War. Oliver and David at Palmer Circle, then later Oliver was in Toronto. Mysterious. Amy texted to ask how to cook tender roast chicken, as she and her flatmate were having a Thanksgiving Dinner in Southampton. Happily she’s feeling better. 

Friday evening (Oct 4) was not too cold for the time of year. Des was visiting a grandchild so wasn’t at the street meet. Instead Mark, Jonathan, Matt, Angela. Quite a long talk. Bin still not emptied and nor was Matt’s. Watched documentary about sinking of superyacht. Needless to say this was linked to climate change. 

Saturday was sunny and warm, becoming cooler later. Day of the cake and compline trail. Dot and I walked to Eleanor’s, where we all had a cup of tea and a biscuit, plus a bit of a chat. Left just after 11am and took them all to the start, paired up: David and Dot; Judy and Claire; Bridget and Eleanor; Phil and Vicky. I went back and forward, giving encouragement and assistance. Dot left about 11.40 to go to the football, where City beat Hull 4-0. Glad she went – I had to encourage her to.

Proceeded with trail. Several people went badly astray in the middle, but we all eventually got to the Assembly House, where I gave the results. Most of them got most of the clues. We all walked back to Harriet’s in London Street, which Bridget had booked. I had a breakfast and some Darjeeling. We shared the room after about half an hour with some nurses celebrating someone’s retirement. Quite loudly.

Walked home through crowds emerging from match. Dot already there. Had a rest while Dot went to shop and then cooked salmon. Watched two of three episodes of Reginald Perrin and a documentary on Wild Arabia (third episode). Also a bit of football. Steps exceeded 10,000 for day. Wore Christmas socks Chrissy bought me a while ago, and they helped my feet quite a lot! Meanwhile Oliver is in Boston, Mass. 

Sunday was mostly dry but cooler, especially in church! Rain towards evening, but not too heavy.  Drove to church in morning. Played guitar: Phil led and Anna did lectio: Dot led prayers. We gave Ray a lift home, and Angel Road was open – at last. Had a fairly quick lunch and then picked Kim up to take her to Blofield for concert by St Gregory’s Orchestra, conducted by Martin Wyatt.

Spoke to Barbara and David Pilch. Excellent performance, including a madrigal sung by orchestra and a piece conducted by one of the violinists. But highlight was Bruch violin concerto with young local soloist, Dylan Latham, who was superb. So was orchestra. Outstanding  refreshments at interval. After dropping Kim home we didn’t need full meal. Watched three episodes of drama Joan and one of a thriller we have been following. Also a bit of football: Spurs threw away game against Brighton. David FaceTimed. He seems well. Oliver is in Boston, visiting Harvard, among other places. Apparently he prefers Boston to SF. Just managed 4000 steps. 

Monday – Mainly sunny and seeming warmer, but perhaps that’s because I had too many clothes on when I walked up to the dentist for a “review”. Appointment less than ten minutes, including an x-ray, and either free or someone forgot to ask me to pay. Called at St Julian on the way back. Very still. Oliver flying to New York today. Tired after my walk; so lay down for a while after watching the rest of last night’s football. Dot practised violin, then walked to shop. Later watched the last three episodes of Irving Welch Crime series, which was quite good but a little contrived. When we went to bed looked at where Oliver was on Google Earth: 44th Avenue on Long Island. He gets around. 

Yesterday was showery, but still reasonably mild. In the morning I walked up to post a birthday card to Birgit. Afterwards Dot drove up to Hellesdon to visit Joyce: she seemed to be making good progress. Meanwhile, I had a bath. Dot did quite a lot of household cleaning, plus violin practice, and I caught up with stuff. We both watched a fair bit of TV , including the drama Joan, a bit of cricket highlights and a film, Strangers on a Train, which was excellent. Also another, quite long, episode of The Chosen. Had a bit of trouble getting it on screen from Dot’s phone, but eventually managed it from mine. 

Today was overcast, not too cold, except in the church hall, and with occasional rain. Judy came round to see the last episode of Series 3 of The Chosen, and I  left early to get to church, carrying a curtain, neatly ironed, which Dot was giving to Steven. Met Steven at church hall door and we returned to the car to transfer the curtain to his house (I was parked more or less outside). Met Dot and Judy as we were doing so. 

Had quite a good Bible study session on Acts 5 (mainly). Present were Debbie, Phoebe, Steven, Dot and me. Dot stayed for Taizé and on her way home called in at a jeweller’s on Magdalen Street to pick up Joyce’s watch, which had been left for repair. I watched a couple of programmes (or part), during which I had fallen asleep when we first watched them! Cooked chilli, and Dot was picked up by Janet for orchestra rehearsal. Cleared up  and attempted to tidy room. It is Fred’s 80th birthday. I guess I was being conceived just before he was being born. Oliver is still in New York.

Late on Sunday (Sep 29) it was still pretty cold. Watched the end of Nightsleeper, which was very good, then Spurs beating Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford. Also very good. FaceTime with David – sadly he couldn’t get visa to meet Oliver in Las Vegas, where he arrived today. 

Monday was quite wet, and windy later. Bad night for some reason. Drove to Helen and Chris Banks’ house for sugar charity meeting. Sue and Roger also there of course. In a weak moment I offered to write a letter to the EDP about it the charity’s work, which I did and sent it to Helen later. Very pleasant couple of hours. Chris and Sue both having mobility problems after hospital operations but both cheerful and optimistic.

Later wrote piece for website on positivity re speed limits! Cooked meal and then we watched first two episodes of new crime series, which is a big grim. Then after clearing up and putting bins out we watched a nice documentary on the Yorkshire coast, with special reference to Whitby, Bempton cliffs, Bridlington and Scarborough. 

Tuesday was very wet. Rang Jenny Downing to see if she wanted a lift to Archant coffee morning, but she decided against it. I had my usual breakfast, but Dot and Tricia had a bacon roll. Robin and Shelagh on way to Dartmoor, I think. Present: Bill, Batso, Eric, Linda, Ann, and about three others. Plus Andy Russell, who we spoke to quite a bit near the end. Afterwards drove to Morrisons and bought a few things we needed.

Rather tired during afternoon – slept for about half an hour. Dot cooked bream and we watched an episode of The Chosen. In the evening we went to watch Norwich City draw 1-1 with Leeds. Both sides very good. Jonathan was there: both Lucy and Naomi quite ill. Man sitting next to me annoying – couldn’t stop commentating. A living cliché. Oliver has flown from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Expected Mark home today, but he didn’t arrive. Garden waste not collected. 

Wednesday – Showers never quite dying out. Mark home. Council made usual false claim that bin wasn’t out. Jude came round to watch The Chosen, and we went to church for Bible Study as usual: Dot, Jude, Stephen and Debbie. Went pretty well, and Dot stayed for Taizé: she chose the songs.

Later she went to orchestra rehearsal as usual with Janet. I cleared up and lay down for a bit, then got my steps up to over 5000. Played through latest En Passant games. In wider news, Israel has launched big attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran has fired missiles at Israel. Government evacuating UK citizens from Beirut. When Dot got home watched most recent episode of Slow Horses, then checked whereabouts of Oliver on Google Earth: he was on Mason Street, San Francisco. Long way away.

Thursday – Sunshine! Dot rang her allocated schools to persuade them to take part in the sugar collection for charity. I checked out the Cake and Compline trail (at home). In the afternoon I drove Dot to Anna’s for her violin lesson, then returned while Bridget cleaned the house. Des returned from his holiday and got fish and chips for us, and after we’d eaten that Dot drove us to St Luke’s for a discussion about Christmas services. Not all that inspiring as far as I was concerned – mainly technical things like how, where and what. Graham wants us to get involved in a thing called Being With, stemming from St Martin in the Fields. 

Friday – Oliver leaves San Francisco today for Boston – told Nana he enjoyed SF. I took Dot to do some gardening at Carrow House to help June at church: Dot is not sure on whose behalf. However, she was very happy with her weeding. I left the car at Carrow House and walked the. length of King Street to meet Kim at the Cathedral, where we trialled tomorrow’s C&C trail. We had a cup of tea at the Refectory after doing the first bit, and after a while Kim got the hang of it (the trail, not the tea), and it didn’t take as long as I thought it might. I was pretty tired at the end, though.

We watched the first episode of Life on Mars from 2006 (it’s being repeated, and is surprisingly good), and Des came round to say he was going to see his grandson and wouldn’t be coming out for our usual drink. Mark, who was passing, said he would. I had a half-hour sleep while Dot had a shower, and then I cleared up the kitchen. Dot potted some stuff in the garden.