Monday Nov 25 – Bit cooler but dry and fairly still. Bad night, felt pretty tired all day. Evetts left around 11am and apparently had an uneventful journey. I spent much of day writing Parish Pump articles on Jan Breughel the Elder, T S Eliot and Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks. Also went out with Dot and cleared up the leaves: too much for our bin; so borrowed Sarah’s. Light meal of fried eggs, veg and tomatoes, then watched some football, Wolf Hall and Mayflower Murders. Late on Des rang to warn us of lorry dangerously close to our car. Went out and had a chat. Impossible for guy to deliver car in NWT without hitting our wall or a car. Put our car in the drive, but he eventually gave up. Electric car on flatbed was out of charge; so couldn’t unload it and push it because it wouldn’t move out of Park. Eventually manoeuvred out and went off to a charging point. Jonathan came out to watch. 

Tuesday – Lovely day, but quite chilly in the evening. Dot went to shop to buy food for Thursday, and I finished off my Parish Pump pieces with a bit on the millennium bug. After lunch we took the bus up to Boots for our glasses fitting – done by Tony or Toby, who was very pleasant. Quite like the glasses, though they don’t seem hugely different to the last ones.  Dot’s are nice. She did a bit of Christmas shopping in Boots while I walked home. Had chat with Chris, who delivered Private Eye as an excuse to find out what happened with last night’s lorry – on Des’s behalf. Dot arrived not much later. I cooked duck wings in hoisin sauce and Dot went to football. Norwich beat Plymouth 6-1. Meanwhile I cleared up and caught up on e-mails and added to my steps. When Dot got back we watched University Challenge. 

Wednesday – Very, very wet and dull. Judy came round as usual to watch The Chosen, and as usual I drove up to church for the Bible study – they followed. Just the three of us plus Debbie and Steven. Went quite well. Dot didn’t stay for Taizé, as she had a lot of cooking to do for the visit of the Bowers tomorrow. They are just back from Hong Kong. Nevertheless we watched Return to Paradise first: an Australian version of Death in Paradise, and in fact pretty good. I cooked a pizza, and then Dot went to orchestra. Poet Hilary got in touch: I had been thinking of going round, but will probably do so next week. She is confined to the ground floor, but she is fairly upbeat about it.

Thursday – Clear and dry. Quite cold. For some reason, felt tired most of day, and it did turn out pretty busy. Phil and Joy came round at 11 to bring Dot’s birthday present, and for tea/coffee and cake. Stayed till after 3pm, and we had a good talk, a lot of it about their family.  Bridget came round about 3.45pm to clean, and I did work on The Alternative Carol Service, getting it in some kind of order. The Bowers and Vicky were delivered by Jared about 7pm and we had a really nice meal, prepared by Dot. Soup, salmon and pavlova. We also had a good talk – I got on well with Derek especially. Jared picked them up about 10pm, and we spent an hour or so clearing up. I then ran through Alt Carols for Dot. Wrote this just after midnight.

Friday – Bright, dry and very cold. Drove to North Walsham for funeral of Pam Yarham. Parked in  Sainsbury’s car park, went to the service, which was good, and spoke to Jerry (Jeremy) and Andy (Andrew)., as well as a couple of other people who knew Dot. Went to the shop and bought flowers for Dot’s family, and by the time she got from there to the Chapel, she had missed the committal. Meanwhile I was parking the car in the cemetery (two-hour limit in Sainsbury’s). So we walked back and put flowers on the graves, then drove home: went the long way to avoid traffic hold-ups in North Walsham, but hit a minor one in Old Catton. Had some of last night’s soup for late lunch (delicious) and watched a programme on rail travel in Taiwan, which revealed some things about the island I didn’t know. Very high mountains, for instance. Dot started to prepare her talk about sugar next week. Went out for street meet in the evening despite cold: Des, Chris, Matt, Angela, John. Tara has pneumonia and John’s Dad has cancer of bowel and lung. Watched another episode of Return to Paradise.

Sunday Nov 17 – part two – Heavy rain in afternoon and evening. Marie-Lyse asked me to print a letter off for an asylum seeker and then came round to get it: she stayed for a cup of tea, which was nice but meant I was a bit rushed getting to Lowestoft for the Seagull poetry evening. Lots of people there. I read four poems: Pieces of Darkness, Bugsworth, Falcon on the Spire and A Friend from the Past. Sat with Sue, Joan and her friend Bridget. Lynne and Kaaren also there, as were several of the usual suspects. Finished late but had a remarkably clear drive home. Saw highlights of England’s 5-0 win over Ireland. In bed after midnight. David at Gatwick. 

Monday – Sunny and cold till late afternoon; then heavy rain. David is back in Waterloo. Up a bit late. Dot had call from surgery about her blood test: all ok. Later I had a blood test. Drove up early and walked half a mile, then in and out in less than five minutes. On the way home I walked out to St James Hill and took a couple of pictures. Beautiful day at that stage. After lunch Graham came round and discussed the alternative carol service with me: he is going to do a funny Gabriel but wants me to do a structure first. Ho hum. Started planning for Evetts visit with Dot – meals, visits etc. Watched documentary on 2004 tsunami and next episode of Wolf Hall sequel – really good. Also next episode of Mayflower Murders – good but convoluted. 

Tuesday – Very wet at first, but dry in the evening. Cold. Braemar -11 today. Snow quite widespread, including Aberdeenshire and Buxton, but not here. Anne and Philip came round for tea/coffee. Lovely to see them, but Philip’s conversation very strange, leaping from one thing to another. Anne keen to go on holiday with Dot next year. After lunch watched second half of tsunami documentary then adapted a compline Graham did at DCC for use at Cake & Compline tonight. Had an unusually complex meal – sausages, mashed potatoes, parsnips and Yorkshire pudding with gravy, largely thanks to Dot. Really nice. Walked to the Great Hospital for C&C. Bridget, David, Phil and Vicky absent, Bridget recovering from tooth extraction. Amazing cake by Claire. Watched news at home: big farmers’ demo against inheritance tax. 

Wednesday – Bright at first, then snow and sleet from lunchtime until teatime, then dry but very cold. Dot drove me up to church for Bible study, then went to Morrisons to get food for the next few days. I walked soggily home. In the afternoon we did some preparation – I caught up on the computer and tried to contact Anna about Phyllis’s will (again), but she didn’t answer. Janet rang after supper to say her car wouldn’t start. I’d had a drink; so I couldn’t drive Dot to orchestra rehearsal. Instead I went with her to make sure she could park and then walked back. Pretty chilly but dry, and no real problem until I got home, when my legs started aching a bit. Wrote some more e-mails and cleared up in kitchen, though not in that order. Dot drove home with Nova and we watched a bit of Shetland; then Oliver FaceTimed and showed us pictures of his new flat. Looks very nice. 

Thursday – Very cold but dry. Bridget came to clean, suffering from after-effects of having a tooth out – no hot drinks for two weeks! Sounds horrific. Put together new rota, but haven’t sent it out yet. Dave and Julia arrived at 2.30pm precisely, and we had a cup of tea and discussed what we might do, among other things. In the end we got a bus up to Castle Meadow at 5.15pm and walked down into the arcade. Not as exciting as expected, though we had our photos taken by a photographer from Norfolk magazine. Walked up to Haymarket and round the top by the Forum. Some lights, but nothing startling, except a picture of Dot and some of her colleagues advertising Sillars. Walked on down to Jarrolds, expecting to be able to access delicatessen area as advertised online, but it was shut. So instead went and had meal at Ivy. Very nice chicken dish, though I wasn’t particularly hungry. All had mains only, plus bread and wine! Walked back painfully through Close: extremely cold, below zero. Back home by around 8.30 and had some spirits followed by tea and coffee for Dot and me, and interspersed by stories, mainly health-based. Bed after 11pm. Earlier had spoken to Joy on phone to arrange present delivery, but hard to fix: nothing definite yet. Also brief chat with David on phone at lunchtime: websites being moved. 

Friday – Dot’s 79th birthday! Not quite so cold: dry and bright. Bought Dot some flowers that were supposed to arrive by 10.40am: they got here mid-afternoon while we were at Blickling. Fortunately I’d asked Chris to take them and left a note on the door, and when we got back about 5pm they were here, together with a couple of books from David. A plant from Oliver and Amy had arrived earlier. At Blickling had coffee in pub then walked to bookshop, where Dot and I bought two books for £5: a Shardlake one and a Slow Horses one. Then went on “highlights” tour of house – all with Dave and Julia, of course. Very interesting tour. Had late lunch afterwards then headed home. Had “street meet” at ours: Mary and Bob, Matt and Ciara. Des ill with cold and Chris preparing meal for visitors. Mark still away of course, and Sarah seeing her mum in hospital. Good chat. Then I drove Dot, Dave and Julia to Delia’s, drove home (I had abstained from drink earlier), then walked back. Anne arrived before me of course. Lovely meal: I had pâté, then steak, then ice cream with ginger in brandy basket. Had bad pain in leg as we walked home: not sure why. Home around 11.15pm. 

Saturday – Very wet and windy. Not quite so cold. Julia decided she needed Beaujolais Nouveau from Waitrose: so I volunteered to drive them there. Have never seen city so crowded with cars. Eventually reached Waitrose and found final six bottles: bought them all. I bought bananas and croissants and lost the dynamic duo, who I thought would have made their way to checkout. Instead I took my small purchases out to the car and returned to find them, after a phone call. Tried unsuccessfully to avoid traffic on road back by going round southern bypass and up Bracondale. But no good: had to turn round and go down King Street, then past Carrow Road before turning right and getting home via Rosary Road. Dot had been making lunch. Very nice: after it I stayed at home while others went by bus to UEA and Sainsbury Cenre. Had bath – mistake, because I felt tired afterwards. Read a bit. Norwich drew 2-2 away to West Brom. After return of the terrific three I made a meal of salmon etc which seemed to go down well. Whisky afterwards. My left leg started aching. Bed. In the middle of all this Liz Cannon said she couldn’t lead tomorrow because David had had a fall and was in pain; and Mike could not do prayers because he was ill following an operation. Eventually sorted – Carrie leading and Anna doing prayers. Should be interesting.  

Sunday (24th) – interesting day, as predicted. Mostly mild and dry till we returned from Gem around 10pm. Very windy, though. In the morning walked along river to Costa. Julia bought jacket in charity shop. I had sudden and very unusual attack of acid reflux/indigestion, which took a while to go away, with the aid of Gaviscon tablets from Boots. After small lunch (I had toast) we got bus up to Turner exhibition, which was very good. D & J tired a bit so we walked home – possibly a mistake, as Julia later had a diabetes issue, which delayed our getting to Gem. Dot went down to secure table, and I drove D&J down, then took car home and walked. Earlier both Dave and I had rest on bed – I slept for a bit. Very good meal at Gem – four mezzes  and a main each. Too much really. Home around 10pm and watched Spurs beat Man City 4-0 away after watching Norwich City goals. Earlier Graham’s grandmother died. 

It’s halfway through Sunday, November 17, and almost dark. Cold today, but quite bright most of the day. Now a few drops of rain, just after Des popped round with Private Eye, which he lends me regularly. He is just back from Lichfield, where his grandson is rather poorly. Here in Norwich we went to church this morning, and it was surprisingly mild inside the hall. Dot and I played in the band, and I preached: most people seemed to like it. Nice atmosphere generally: Nikki and Phoebe both there, as well as Alison, who hasn’t been well. Chatted with a number of people, including Amanda, who I told about last night’s film (see later on). Amy is back in Southampton, and David is in London. Heading back to Canada tomorrow.

Last Tuesday (12th) – A few showers but mainly dry. Some sun. Linda came round to cut our hair, but we got breakfast in first. Showed David some more pix, but he was doing some work before lunch, and immediately afterwards we went over to the station with him to watch him catch the 13.56 to Peterborough for his dinner and conference. He stayed not too far from Norman Cross, home of his great-grandfather and great-great grandfather.

I had a longish bath and went to sleep. Helped Dot clear up. Watched The Chosen before evening meal, after which we left for DCC. Only just quorate: Graham, Dot and me, Judy and Debbie. Went quite well: compline afterwards (except Debbie). When we got home I did a few steps, then we watched a documentary on Until I Kill You, which wasn’t much different to the series itself. Got e-mail from Louisa at Leathes Prior admitting they hadn’t paid any beneficiaries. Told her to do so. In the nicest possible way. 

Wednesday – Dry, not too bad. Judy came round to watch The Chosen (4:5), and as usual I went to church for Bible study, followed by other two. Had chat with Steven before they arrived. Did quite a lot of Acts with the addition of Debbie, who arrived late. Had disagreement with her at end over Israel and Palestine. Oh dear. Dot didn’t stay for Taizé. David messaged to say he was coming back for the night. I contacted solicitors and several other people. Didn’t get through to insurers. Dot made banana bread. Kim is having problems in Cape Town – stolen bag and poss money taken from account. David came home just after 7pm. I had cooked chilli con carne. Nice. Had expensive bottle of red between three of us. David enjoyed conference – he talked to us about it and it was quite encouraging, especially compared to average newspaper fare. Afterwards watched Shetland after David went to bed. 

Thursday – Bit chilly, but dry. Had breakfast with David but then we went up to Boots for eye tests while he got the 11am train to London, where he spent the day. Oliver appeared to be in London too, but their paths did not cross. David stayed in London, and Oliver returned late to Aylesbury. We had tea in Jarrolds and then I returned home, hoping for a call from the solicitors. In the end we had another exchange of emails. She (via an assistant) said she would make Phyllis payouts next week. I then wrote several essential emails, and Bridget came to clean. Dot went back up to Jarrolds later and bought herself some birthday presents – trousers and a jacket. It was a customer evening. Meanwhile I contacted the house insurers and managed to get the renewal premium reduced slightly. It’s now just under £1000! I then wrote to Judy about charities she might contribute to (she asked) and wrote most of my sermon. Oh, I had chosen the hymns earlier. Quite a busy day. Tidied room, and when Dot returned we had smoked mackerel fillets. We then watched some of England beating Greece 3-0 in Athens, and much less of a national parks documentary. Both very tired. 

Friday – Not unpleasant, but getting colder. At least mentally. Had a bath and finished James Knox Whittet’s book on Islay. Very atmospheric, but don’t think I’d have enjoyed his childhood. Finished sermon and helped Dot a bit with clearing up, making bed and redirecting stuff in preparation for Evetts’ visit. Eventually Dot went to shop while I awaited a call from Louisa at Leathes Prior that never came – though she did e-mail me later. I think we’re gradually getting there. Had longish phone call with Val Gemmell (Smith) about Luke and life generally. She’s having a hard time, and so is he. Saw Oliver, Amy and David have reached Aylesbury. Went out for street meet not thinking many would join us as Des and Chris and Mark were all away. However John, Ciara, Matt and Angela all came out, and we had a really good talk, despite the cold. Afterwards I cooked lamb chops for me, and Dot did the leftover mince with pasta for herself. Watched really good documentary on the Fens , and then one on another National Park, this time in Turkey (Cappadocia).

Saturday – Bit damp and grey. A little rain. Stayed in all day. Dot had been intending to go to church thing, and I was going to Yeomen of the Guard, but neither of us felt up to it. Instead we watched a film, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, which was brilliant, especially Anton Walbrook as a Prussian officer. It was beautifully directed by Powell and Pressburger, very subtle and emotionally compelling. Highly recommended. Later we watched Airplane!, which was not subtle at all, but very, very funny. Also Mayflower Murders, a series based on a book by Anthony Horowitz: also excellent, especially Lesley Manville. Somewhere in there I cooked salmon and walked over 4000 steps. Also prepared poems for tomorrow. David, Oliver and Amy went to Waddesdon Manor Christmas event and sent us some lovely pictures. 

Wednesday (Nov 6) was cloudy, quite mild. Judy came round to see The Chosen (4:4) as usual, then equally as usual I drove to church and they followed. Bible study reached Acts 9: Dot and Judy, Debbie, Steven, Phoebe. Went quite well. Drove home while Dot stayed for Taizé. I watched FA Cup football, then walked up to meet her in the Close. At Bread Source van, while Dot bought a pain au chocolat, we met a man who pointed out a peregrine falcon on the Cathedral spire.

Later drove Dot to podiatrist, where she was told her feet were good. Booked me in for a check-up later in the month, after I had taken a short walk round the block and bought some milk from the Co-op. Heavy traffic on way home. Cooked braised beef for supper, which was lunexpectedly good. Dot got lift with Janet to orchestra. I lay down for a bit, and then David  Facetimed and we discussed his forthcoming visit. Also a bit about politics and how we felt about life at different ages. (Trump won US election today.) He sent me one of his Diderot  entries – his first bike and learning to ride. I have been putting. a lot more slides on the computer. When Dot got home we watched a new series of Shetland. Very well done. 

Thursday was very grey but not too cold. Got up very late after writing a couple of poems and reading a lot of newspaper articles. Dot baked a couple of cakes. Bridget cancelled because she had a headache.  Kim’s birthday; so we took bus up to Castle Meadow and walked down to Jarrolds. Got a table in wine bar with Kim, Kavana and their friends Dick and Jenny. Dot and I shared a cheese and charcuterie board and we also had wine – two large glasses for me.    Walked round store afterwards – Dot and I bought cheese and some earrings, plus Milton and Brown shower gel. Met up again with K and K and walked to Dyers Yard – Dick and Jenny’s house – for a delicious cherry cake and drink. Walked home and watched a programme on Snowdonia, during which we went to sleep. Des and Chris seem to be away. 

Friday was still very grey and dry, but chillier. David and Oliver on way to airport. Dot spent much of day preparing for David’s visit. At lunchtime I walked to Morrisons via Boots, where I met Dot, who had driven there. We bought a lot of food – so much so that we couldn’t get it all in the fridge. Also filled car with petrol. Felt cold and tired during afternoon, and lay down for a while, then cooked evening meal – salmon. Afterwards we watched the first episode of a new thriller, Until I Kill You (based on a true story). Also a documentary on the making of Rumours, by Fleetwood Mac, which was really good, as was the album. In the middle of that went out for street meet: bit chilly but could have been a lot worse, and no doubt will be. Des and Chris were back from their trip to sort out a relative’s house; Mark, Matt, John and Jonathan also there. Mary popped out momentarily. I think Sean and Ciara are away. 

Saturday – no change in weather, though it was a bit colder. Hectic morning, working out when David would arrive and whether we should have lunch or cake, and who should go to the football match … Also got call from Sylvia Ford asking why she hadn’t had the money from the solicitors. Have written an e-mail to them after consulting Anna. Also saw an e-mail from Carrie to the diocese about Phyllis’s house that contained a couple of important inaccuracies re expenses incurred; so checked again with Anna and wrote back to Carrie pointing this out. Then got message from insurers saying our house policy was increasing from £394 to over £1100!! Have sent them a message asking why. 

Then I remembered I had to read the meter and put a new cartridge in the water purifier. And make the bed. Meanwhile Dot was preparing food and cleaning the bathroom, and Oliver was already in Aylesbury. Letter from Martin to diocese, copied to me, questioning the making of the will and suggesting that clergy shouldn’t decided on clergy housing. Not helpful. Not sure why he is so interested. David arrived just before 2pm, put on extra clothes and went to Carrow Road. Dot already there. City lost 2-0: bit of a slump. Had lasagne for supper, followed by pavlova. Watched a bit of football on David’s link, then the end of the Remembrance service. 

Sunday – Difficult night: indigestion. Had to get up and walk round for a bit. But reinvigorated by an almost forgotten weather phenomenon in the morning: the sun was shining. For a while. Rang Ray to remind him we weren’t coming to church: he seemed quite perky. All three of us (not Ray) did the C&C trail – quite successfully. Walked back through Close in time to watch football on David’s Canadian app: Spurs lost 1-2 to Ipswich. Aargh! Showed David some of the pictures I’d transferred to computer, then had dinner. For some reason I was not hungry and couldn’t even manage blackberry and apple crumble! Had it later. Went and lay on bed for about an hour feeling cold and a bit achy. Then came down and watched first episode of new series of Wolf Hall. Brilliant. David explained to me a bit about coding and the need to update constantly. Short FaceTime from Amy, Oliver and Chrissy. Amy arranged to come and see us in late December. 

Yesterday was mainly dry with some sun but also some occasional drizzle later. Dot drove me to hospital for a flow test. Usual nightmare. Drank pints of water but failed to produce much when asked. Fortunately the nurse didn’t seem worried and was quite happy with the ultrasound. Got bus home and just made it to the toilet: produced copious amounts of liquid during the afternoon. Grrr. Dot had been expecting a call from a nurse about her medicines – possibly while driving home – but it didn’t happen. She rang the surgery later and discovered she had the wrong week. My next interaction with the flow people is next July – on the phone!  Yippee.

After lunch David went into city to buy a bow tie for his dinner in Peterborough. We watched Episode 2, 3 and 4 of Until I Kill You, which is quite disturbing, partly because the victim is so obnoxious. In the evening David went to the Coach and Horses with Kevin, who is wearing well. Had a chat with them both when they returned. Felt cold during the day but better in the evening. 

Last Friday (November 1) was grey but dry. Dot went to see Anne for a walk and a chat. I used the opportunity to try to ring my cousin Barbara again, but still no reply. So I rang poet Hillary, and she did reply. I had thought she was at death’s door, but apparently she’s not so bad, though she does have cancer. She’s still giving workshops at Unthank Road.

In the afternoon I took a roundabout walk to get to Morrisons, where I met Dot and did some food shopping. TV is playing up, which is irritating. Street meet in evening: two of us plus Des and Chris, Mark, Matt, John and for a few minutes Sean and Ciara, who has a bad shoulder. Sarah has a slipped disc. Des fetched us fish and chips. Watched a programme by Brian Cox on the solar system, and The Cleaner. 

Saturday – Sunny at first, then greyer, but not too cold. Transport Day for Dot – she received her new driving licence and bus pass in the same post. She also did some more work in the garden, and after lunch I drove her to a church meeting and walked back. She stayed and then drove home in time to hear second half of football on radio. Sadly Norwich lost 2-1 at Cardiff after being 1-0 up. Both their goals scored very late after inadvisable substitutions.

While Dot was out I rang my cousin Barbara again, and for once she answered. Had a long talk, during which I discovered that her husband Roy had died. No notice in paper. Probate still not sorted, but her son Jason is looking after things. She has no mobile phone or computer. Cooked thin steak and then we watched a couple of episodes of Apples Don’t Fall, a rather odd crime mystery. Facetimed David and had a chat: getting cold in Ontario. Realised earlier that Waterloo is south of Minneapolis, which came as a bit of a shock. Oliver is staying with Sophie in Kingston, which is also south of much of North America. 

Sunday – Dry; cloud and a bit of sun. Bit of a chill in the air, but no real wind. We drove to church in the morning: I was leading, and Dot did the prayers. About 20 in congregation, including Nikki and Phoebe. Spoke to Marie-Lyse about her son at Warwick University. Liz did one of her Godly plays, this time about the Saints of the Church (it’s All Saints/Souls Sunday). Afterwards had a visitation from the Archdeacon, who seemed friendly enough. He came down with Graham after St Luke’s Church service. Took Ray home as usual – Angel Road closed again”: unbelievable.

After lunch Dot cleared up the Utility Room and the rest off the garden. Not sure where she gets the energy. Offered to take a few people to a Common Lot event because Carrie was incapacitated with post-viral frozen shoulders, among other things, but no takers. Bit of a relief, really. Watched two more episodes of Apples Never Fall; compelling enough to keep watching but without any likeable characters. Also a documentary about how much money the King and Prince of Wales have, plus a brief interview with new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. A good choice, I think. 

Monday – Mild and dry, but a bit overcast. Dot went into city to get birthday presents for Kim and Bridget, and after I had a bath I posted her cut-up old driving licence and caught a bus into the city.  Met her in Jarrolds stationery, and we then bought me some new shoes from Hotter. Completed present-buying and walked to Cornish bakery for tea/coffee. Then to Boots in Mall, where we both booked an eye test and Dot bought some shower gel.

After a late lunch at home we watched some football (Spurs beating Aston Villa 4-1) and then drove to surgery to book a blood test for me and pick up pills from chemist. Dot also got blood test results, which were good. Coincidentally saw Carrie at the surgery – driving, so she must be a bit better.

Earlier in the day Anna rang up about Phyllis’s house, which the Diocese has put on the market. Carrie and Debbie concerned about Phyllis’s wishes, and Anna will explore further. My feeling is that the will has been followed, whether or not it reflects Phyllis’s intentions. Howard wrote it for her. Ho, hum. My conversation with Anna was while she was on her way back from Belper by train and I was in the bath. Fortunately not FaceTime. After sausages and good mashed potatoes (first for a long time) we watched final episodes of Apples Never  Fall, which really wasn’t very good. Didn’t like anyone in it and the direction was clunky. 

Tuesday – Again cloudy, and it seemed chillier to me. Gave Jenny Downing a lift to the Archant pensioners’ coffee morning. Not such a problem as I thought it might be. Lots of people present; we chatted with Bill Woodcock and David Newham. I suggested Bill write a book about the London office of the EDP, where he worked for a long time; he has some interesting stories, but I don’t think he’ll write anything. Robin and Shelagh absent. I rang them afterwards and after a brief conversation with Shelagh I had a word to two with Robin, but he clearly didn’t want to talk and sounded really depressed. Cancelled his booking for the Christmas meal next month.

Mark’s new solar panels are now up, and I believe he has a device that monitors all the power in his house (and enable him to adjust use). Saw him showing it to Des and Jonathan this morning. I can see how it could become compulsive, which is why I don’t want one. Same gores for Sky TV. 

Quite a grey week. I posted about part of Saturday 26th last time, and that was a dull and damp day, but only a few drops of rain. Took Dot to church after lunch for meeting led by June – this one on domination of one group by another (first of a series). Then walked up to meet her as she walked home – met at top of the Close after I was delayed by an encounter with woman who parked across our drive. Turned out she was only dropping something off. Wrote first of my December Parish Pump pieces – on the origin of Dec 25 as Christmas Day. In the evening watched a couple of episodes of D I Ray – quite good really. 

Sunday was calm, with blue sky, mild until evening. Went to church as usual after waking early because of extra hour. Communion with Graham, who did a good sermon on the Bible (it was Bible Sunday, apparently). Played guitar. Left fairly soon after because I was a bit worried about football traffic – but there wasn’t any. Graham gave Ray a lift home.

Paul came round to use Jonathan’s ticket, and I used the other spare one. Pretty exciting game against Middlesbrough. We scored first, then conceded three, and were down 3-1 at half time and looking beaten. Then gave away dubious penalty, but it was saved by Long. Later scored two more, and despite McLean being red-carded (rightly) held on to draw 3-3. Dark by the end, of course, and quite cool on the way home. Paul came in for cuppa, then got bus home. I cooked chicken in port – very nice. Dot did parsnips. Watched some TV – including another episode of So Long Marianne, one of DI Ray and England losing at cricket. 

Monday was a very grey day with a little rain in the afternoon. Morning had a few bright periods, notably when we were putting flowers on Rosemary’s grave at Erpingham with Angela and Rodney. Met them there after buying flowers at Morrisons. Later we all went to the Gunton Arms for lunch. Brief walk there, then home as rain began to fall lightly. Had light evening meal and watched another DI Ray.

Tuesday – Another very grey day. I only went out to get the bins in, though Dot went to surgery for a blood test. Spent almost all day writing then other three pieces for Parish Pump – on Noël Coward; D L Moody; and the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, which killed about 230,000 people. Also watched the end of DI Ray, which was very satisfying, and another episode of So Long Marianne. Many good points, but I don’t like the way Leonard Cohen is portrayed. I can’t imagine him being petty. 

Wednesday – Still grey for the most part, but not too cold, except in the evening. Woke late, but got up fairly soon, and as usual Jude came round and watched The Chosen with us. We are now in uncharted territory –  Series 4, Episode 3. Found it very moving, although we had previewed it the night before. All very well done as always. Have a look! Left a bit early to get to church in time for Bible study: we are now up to Acts 8. Usual crew: Dot and me, Debbie, Judy and Steven. Had quite a good discussion. 

Afterwards I drove home and later, after Taizé ,Dot walked home (steps). By then Bridget had arrived to do the cleaning, and I’d had a cup of tea with her. Dot and I later had a discussion about the possibility of doing the Bible study in the evening so that more people could come. We’ll see where that goes. Had a call from Jenny Downing, to see if I’d pick her up next Tuesday for the Archant coffee morning, and we agreed that would be OK. In the evening I drove Dot to orchestra, because Janet was away, then picked her (and Nova) up after writing a piece for my website. Watched last episode of Ludwig. Brilliant. 

Thursday – Bit of a change: sunny with a bit of a chill in the air. Got up early for a bath, then after a brief chat to Mark we drove to UnCafé to meet Brian and Tricia. Had a nice breakfast and chat then bought some fresh fish from a van. Back at home I cleared up acres of leaves and helped Dot with some other stuff in the garden, as well as checking the tyres (which were fine) and turning off the tyre pressure warning (which wasn’t). Felt exhausted afterwards, but after watching a programme on the dark worlds in the solar system Dot went out for more in the garden, where I collapsed and slept a bit before making the bed. Then cooked salmon we’d bought from a van earlier – very tasty. I chose hymns for Sunday, then we watched another solar system episode and the final two parts of So Long Marianne. Quite good on the whole.