A very strange Christmas for me. Because I had a cold I missed all the out-of-house festivities, and it’s almost as though nothing happened apart from our own private celebrations. I missed the Alternative Carol Service, the Neighbours’ Party, the Christmas Eve Service, the Christmas Day dinner. I wasn’t desperately ill, but I didn’t want to infect anyone and spoil their Christmas!

Last Sunday (22nd) was cold but mainly dry, I think. I didn’t leave the house, feeling fairly grotty. Dot was in charge of the Alternative Carol Service with some assistance from a still-less-than-100% Graham, and by all accounts did brilliantly. I wish I had been there to see it. She stayed for lunch and brought me some home. I had a bath in the afternoon on Kim’s advice, and we later watched Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V, which was excellent. I also learned from it that the Battle of Agincourt was won by Catherine of Valois, though she wasn’t there. She married the conquering Henry V and was mother to Henry VI, then grandmother to Henry VII (by marrying Owain Tudor after Henry V died), and thereby, I believe, an ancestor of generations of English kings. Not bad for a bystander.

Later we watched a documentary on the Bernina Express, which brought back many memories. I went to bed about 9pm because I felt tired out, despite not having done anything. Heartburn earlier in day seems to have disappeared. 

Monday was cold but mainly dry. A little light rain in the evening. Good night, but felt pretty awful on waking up – cold and stomach symptoms. After another sleep, improved. Anne came to see Dot after being delayed in M&S. Philip worsening. Then discovered John Digby’s father has just died. After Anne left, Dot went to get food shopping for the evening. Traffic very bad. Bit of a rush for her: I wasn’t very helpful. David FaceTimed while I was in the bath: had a word with him after I got out.

Had neighbours round in the evening, but I kept out of the way – was coughing a lot. Bob and Mary, Mark and Sarah, John, Tara and children, Matt and Angela, Jonathan, Ciara, Phoebe and Freddie. No Des and Chris – they have yet another cold – grandchildren?! Sean lying on floor at home with bad back. Dot had interesting conversation toward end of evening with Mark, Ciara, Jonathan about Christianity. I sat on stairs towards end when nearly everyone had gone, then helped Dot clear away – put out bins etc etc   Both of us in bed after midnight. 

Tuesday was Christmas Eve – still feeling a bit grotty most of the day, but better towards evening. Mainly dry but damp. Spent a fair amount of time putting a quiz together: encouragement from Oliver. To my surprise, walked up the hill to top of Thorpe Hamlet, then in Ladbrooke Place discovered lovely new entrance to Ketts Heights and new paths inside. Had a look and met attractive blonde woman coming in as I was coming out. An angel?  Wrote a poem about it later.

Walked down to Ketts Hill and put football tickets through Naomi’s door before walking home. Felt tired by bottom of Gas Hill. Later Naomi left presents outside our door while I was in the bath and Dot was at Paul’s house, talking to my goddaughter, who has got engaged! Watched end of Strike, which was a bit convoluted but ok. New Death in Paradise was good. Streets quiet. Neither of us went to Midnight Communion. 

Wednesday / Christmas Day was dry. Very odd day for me. Woke latish and exchanged presents. Surprised Dot with tickets to orchestra at Theatre Royal in February. Not feeling great: tired and occasional coughing but I think gradually improving. Dot went to church to help with lunch (she did bread sauce) but I stayed home to avoid infecting anyone. However Carrie did much of the cooking with a cold… Dot  spoke to cellist and to Nikki.

I spent quite a while putting together quiz with 50 questions which worked fairly well, though I’m not sure who won when we ran it at 4pm. Barb and Roger took part with David and Chrissy, plus Oliver and Amy in Aylesbury. Lot of interference from Barbara. Felt exhausted afterwards. Opened the rest of our presents and had food: bit odd not having a Christmas meal (Dot had of course). Cooked turkey for tomorrow. Watched both final episodes of Gavin and Stacey, which were quite satisfying. Lot of clearing up. Very tired around 6pm but better later. 

 Thursday – Boxing Day – Damp and grey, but no rain. Sixty years ago I would have headed for Eaton Park for the twice-yearly game of football between Surrey Chapel and Park Church. Not this year. Had a bath after preparing potatoes and parsnips.  Read first section of The Ultimate Christmas Cracker, a commonplace book David sent me.  Fascinating, especially if you know French and German…

Dot went to football after we had both done some preparation on tonight’s meal. Jonathan and Lesley there. Norwich beat Millwall 2-1, but that was about the only good result today. Liverpool won, and Spurs and Chelsea lost. Had our main Christmas meal, which was pretty good – but have enough meat for another week. Watched Downton Abbey film we’d seen before for reasons too complicated to explain, but I blame Carrie. Then the Christmas special of Outnumbered, which was pretty good considering the children were now adults (same actors). 

Monday, December 16 – Some sun: dry. Graham and Debbie both ill. Exhausting day with very few steps. In the morning drove up to Thunder Lane post office to post parcels, after posting cards at sorting office. Then on to Ellie’s to put a thank you note through the door. Then home for lunch. Dot went to Morrisons, mainly to buy food for Cake and Compline event tomorrow. I wrote some cards, then did a large number of electronic ones. Dot got lights from loft and put them up, including the tree. Watched Strike first episode, went to sleep and knocked tea on to floor, breaking mug. Mysteriously, no tea on me at all. Still have bit of pain in my head, and got a severe pain in my upper left leg for a while. Last night had severe cramp In left leg, which took a long time to get rid of. Still, it’s better than having a cold. Ha!

Tuesday – Dry till evening. Chilly wind, but temperature not too low. Hair cut by Linda, then bath.  Spent much of day writing cards and sending electronic Christmas letters, also trying to find addresses etc. Sorted out a few presents but haven’t sent for them yet. Took Dot to Greens for violin lesson and met her when she walked home. Dot prepared room and food for Cake and Compline Christmas do. Lots of work. Paul dropped in a present and card. Everyone came to C&C, though Eleanor was a little late and David very late. Good evening. Shattered. 

Wednesday – Dry during day, windy; quite cool. Ordered most of presents from Amazon. Posted invitation cards to neighbours and ordinary cards to Michael and Margaret; and June. Then decided to go into town for lunch at Jarrolds, followed by buying boots and shirt for Dot and present for Kim. Was tired out, and left leg was painful again for a while. Then got bus home; in by about 4pm.  Felt very tired, and thirsty for some reason. Had a bottle of cider, which is unusual. Managed to just about finish all the cards and answer a few e-mails. Tidied up and after a light meal watched the second episode of Strike, plus some of a documentary on the Yardbirds, during which I realised I preferred Eric Clapton to Jeff Beck. Actually I already knew that. Graham still ill, and Philip Robinson seems to have had a heart attack and is in a bad way in hospital. 

Thursday – Very cold, partly because of northerly wind. Dry after rain overnight. Dot had big tidy-up, with loft entry (by me). We dropped off presents for Naomi and family, then went to shop. I left Dot at Morrisons after helping to gather food and walked home via King Street, dropping off Jenny Downing’s card on the way and Maureen’s (at No 6 ) after I got home. Still got home before Dot, who had stopped for petrol and extra mulled wine. Think we’ve now really completed our cards and presents, except of course some of the Amazon ones haven’t arrived yet. So have to arrange visit to Phil and Angela. Had long chat with Amy on FaceTime, concluding it was wiser not to try and meet on New Year’s Eve but to have a quiz on Christmas Day instead (and meet later in the New Year). Mark arrived home late in the day from America. Philip Robinson still very ill. Dot had long chat with Anne. Frustratingly, I have cold symptoms. 

Friday – Cold, with rain later. I have a cold.  Grrrrr.  In the afternoon I drove Dot up to Kim’s, then posted card in Heather’s, and three others at sorting office. Then home for a rest while Dot visited Kim. I picked her up about 4.30, by which time it had started raining. Graham got in touch, saying he was getting better and letting me have his additions to the Alternative Carol Service, which are mainly OK, though I may not make it. At 5.30 the neighbours decided not to face the “grim” weather for street meet, and instead several of them went round Des and Chris’s, including Dot. Another present arrived, four days early. Des got us fish and chips, as he does fortnightly, and Dot and I watched Return to Paradise. I went to bed early, feeling gradually worse and hoping that by some miracle I would be Ok tomorrow. 

Saturday – Dry but cool and not very bright. Felling quite bad with cold at beginning of day; slightly improved later. Rang Joy and discovered that they wouldn’t be seeing either Joe or Sam this Christmas, so new present logistics problem. Discovered John Beales’ wife Margaret has died suddenly. Watched second episode of Dalgleish, which was very good – considerably better than The Listeners, a four-parter about a mysterious noise. Dot cooked me a fried egg sandwich and I had a bath while she went to Ann Curran’s 90th birthday party (former Tuckswood head). She only knew one other person there. Have developed a bit of a cough, but not too bad. David FaceTimed around 10pm, and we had quite a long chat. Very few steps, obviously. Still not sure whether I’ll be going to church tomorrow. (I didn’t.)

Tuesday, December 10 was dry but quite cold. General clearing up in the morning, then went into the city after lunch to buy charity Christmas cards from St Peter Mancroft. Pretty poor selection, but… then on to Jarrolds to buy one or two presents. Lost Dot in shop, but then found her. Walked home on my own. Very tired. Chose hymns for Sunday and started on sermon. Tidied kitchen up while Dot listened to Norwich drawing 0-0 with Portsmouth away. She made a lot of cards and wrapped up some presents. Watched one of the old Wessex Tales. Bit depressing, but that’s Thomas Hardy for you.

Wednesday – Dry; not quite so cold. Big grey. Missed Bible study and went with Dot to pick up sugar from Wreningham, where she had done an assembly. Very nice secretary helped us load up. Drove to Morrisons and did some shopping, then home for lunch. In the afternoon I wrote my sermon while Dot did some clearing up, then she had a shower and (a bit later) I had a bath. We were intending to get bus to Oaklands for Sillars Christmas do, but decided at the last minute to drive, and I restricted myself to Coke. Food delayed but quite good, except not enough gluten-free. Sat next to violinist Stella and discovered a common interest in Blofield Church and poetry. Also spoke to a number of others, including Janet and Graham, Catherine, Vikki, Penny, Neville and Mary …. Gave Nova a lift home (Rosary Road) and watched the last episode of Shetland. Not bad, but not brilliant. 

Thursday – Grey, damp day with water hanging in the air. Not cold. Described by BBC as anticyclonic gloom, but as they also thought it would be dry, that’s probably meaningless, like most things coming from the BBC. This was our first main sugar day. We drove to Long Stratton, where we met a very nice head teacher, Laura, and loaded up with sugar; then Tasburgh, and a helpful secretary who assisted us in loading a considerable number of bags; followed by Newton Flotman, where we had been expecting 17 bags but received three. Drove home in time to see the window cleaner and Bridget, both of whom seemed a bit unwell. B is recovering from her teeth drama but has a husky voice, which her doctor says is a virus. Tried to keep clear.

After lunch drove to North Walsham and left today’s and yesterday’s sugar at the Benjamin Foundation, next to the Orchard Gardens on Mundesley Road. Woman in charge and a couple of lads took the sugar off our hands. Drove into town to buy 40 stamps at Post Office: very pleasant assistant. That area of North Walsham now nearly always jammed with traffic. Came home via Wroxham and checked that Lion Wood Junior was where we thought it was. It was. Coq au vin for supper. Watched last two episodes of documentary on Sirius cult, then an episode of Dalgliesh, which is really good. 

Friday – Anticyclonic gloom continues, though marginally less gloomy. Another sugar day – went first to Lion Wood Junior School, who had collected almost 200 bags, apparently by requiring them as entry fee to a play or something. Fortunately the secretary and her assistant put them on a trolley and wheeled them out to us. We returned home to count them and then proceeded to Worstead, to pick up a rather smaller number and then take them all to the dropping off point in North Walsham. Unfortunately the helpful gang from yesterday weren’t in evidence, but we got some assistance from the rather slender girl in charge. Nevertheless we had to heft most of the bags in ourselves, either in carrier bags or small boxes.

Home in time for lunch.  Dot cooked a blackberry and apple crumble and then went to Riverside, where she bought some presents from Next, Boots and the charity shop while I cleared the house up and disposed of a pile of e-mails. Went out for street meet, but Des and Chris have colds and Mark is still away. In the end only Ciara came out, but we had a lovely chat. Later I cooked smoked haddock and we had some of the crumble. Watched a couple of episodes of Black Doves on Netflix – very good – and the second of a two-episode Dalgliesh. Shoulders quite sore – realised it was from carting sugar about earlier.  

Saturday – Blue sky! Dry but colder. Dot prepared her prayers. I was feeling a bit dodgy, but improved during the day after having a lie-down after lunch. Marion came round with two Christmas cakes – one for Kim. I had earlier taken some money out of the ATM at the station to pay for them, and on the way to the station had a long chat with Michael, who had been collecting sticks for Christmas decorations. Dot went to mysterious shop to get me an unknown present. In the evening we went to church for cocoa and carols. Bit early really but had a chat with a few people and dropped in at the Stage, where we saw Leanne and Nikki, Sharon and Alison, Sophie and her daughters. Also saw Stacey at church. I walked home to prepare meal, and Dot left early with car to eat it. Watched several things during day, including cricket, Dalgliesh, Return to Paradise and Moonflower Murders. 

Sunday – Dry. Milder most of the day, becoming colder in the evening. In worship band at church, then preached on living in the light. Dot led prayers focused on joy. After brief refreshments took Ray home; five of us in car because we also took Mike and June. Traffic horrendous: police closed a section of Riverside Road, apparently because of an unexploded bomb. Any excuse… Went through back streets to deposit Mike and June at top of St Matthews Road. Ray a bit down because he’d been told his cancer was getting worse.

After lunch Amanda came down (Matthew brought her by tandem) and the three of us went to Norwich v Burnley. Took lead in first minute, then lost 2-1. Not much attacking nous. Bit later walked up to Old Library Wood for carols and mulled wine with loads of people we didn’t know plus Des, Chris and Ciara, and the Anglia TV newscaster who lives up in Old Library Mews.  I left a bit early to put the meal on, but the whole thing  only lasted about an hour and I met Dot coming back. Did a few Christmas cards. Watched a bit of football, the end of Wolf Hall and a couple of other things. FaceTimed Oliver, and Amy was also hooked in. Both seemed well (as did Chrissy) though Amy bumped her bottom when she fell while ice skating. Late in bed again. 

Not very pleasant weather on Thursday, December 5. Heavy rain and wind developing. Didn’t go out, but managed 4600 steps indoors. Dot spent quite a bit of time preparing for tomorrow and making Christmas cards. I wrote a piece for my website about the curse of managers and sorted out tax and Apple Music cancellation. I think. Bridget came round to clean – she has a big day at dentist looming. Des got us fish and chips for supper as he won’t be able to fit it in on street meet day. Earlyish in bed because Dot has to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. Harriet called while Bridget was here but went away and said she would call tomorrow. But didn’t.

On Friday Dot had to get up at an unearthly hour to drive to Wreningham and lead an assembly featuring Sugar for Shelters. As a result neither of us slept well, but she got to the school in good time with no problems, and the presentation went smoothly. She spent some time chatting to the head afterwards. I had a bath but didn’t achieve much else: I’m trying to put together a kind of Christmas letter to friends, but probably looking for too much detail through past blogs.

Weather quite pleasant, but the forecast is worrying: lots of wind and rain in the west already and heading this way tonight. Storm Darragh, whatever that means. Dot went to shops to buy envelopes for cards she’s making. Out for street meet: weather ok, but only Matt came out except for a brief appearance from Ciara and Phoebe when Phoebe arrived home for Christmas. Des and Chris having early meal with their grandson. Watched documentary on Sirius cult in the 90s (vague memories of that) and the second episode of Dalgliesh, which was pretty good. 

Saturday was very wet and windy, though not as bad as elsewhere in the country. Fairly mild, considering. Finished the Christmas letter for general consumption. Also prayers for tomorrow – second Sunday of Advent. Dot played in Sillars Christmas concert today; so spent quite a while rehearsing. Drove her up to St Peter Mancroft just after 3pm – surprisingly easy on roads.

Before that we managed to free a drawer in the utility room that was jammed: Dot’s  smaller hands critical. Later I sorted everything out that was in the drawer. Not connected, but one of the saucepan lids came unstuck from its handle; tried hard to fix it, but failed. Made myself egg and bacon for supper with fried potatoes. Walked up to church for concert. Arrived early but not early enough to get a good seat. Sat with Bridget and David and Angela and Rodney. Also spoke to Neville and Adrian and Jane. Concert not particularly good IMHO because of choice of music, which was rather ordinary (though difficult to play, apparently).  Vicki asked her parents to give us a lift home; so they did – happily, because it was raining quite hard when we  got home. Watched Moonflower Murders. 

Sunday – Grey, often rainy. Not too cold but with a dead feeling to it. Drove to church, and Dot and I played in the band, and I led prayers. Phil away because his dog was sick. Graham led and Carrie preached. She seems improved, health wise. Worryingly, Graham said he’d made some changes to the Alternative Carol Service. I hope he was joking, but he probably wasn’t. Afterwards had quite a long talk with Nikki and Marie-Lyse, while most people were sorting out the room to have lunch, which was a jacket potato. Don’t quite understand how people can eat the skins, but nearly everyone does.

Matt repaired a puncture for Phoebe, who turned out to be a fanatically keen worker when it came to cleaning and decorating the old church afterwards. Many others helped: Ray and I sorted out the stable with models, but no doubt that will be changed. Bit of concern because a lot of valuable stuff was left in the hall, but I think we had it all covered. Eventually I put all our stuff in the car and came back to get Dot and Ray, for Ray’s lift home. Lot of dust in the church – bit worrying, healthwise. Felt shattered in afternoon: watched a programme on the winter of 1947 and the football (that’s two programmes). After scrambled egg we watched another episode of Wolf Hall but also a first episode of Black Doves on Netflix – a spy thriller which is very promising. Also saw highlights of England cricket win over New Zealand. David and Chrissy FaceTimed at end of evening, and we discussed air fryers, among other things! 

Monday dawned cooler but largely dry, with occasional light showers. My mother’s birthday (see right). In the latish morning I drove up to the Rosary to put on her grave the flowers that Dot bought from the station yesterday. They looked really good. Branches across the cemetery revealed the recent windy weather. At midday we drove to Heigham Grove, where we had lunch with Ellie: roast pork and a lovely starter of avocado and smoked salmon. Afterwards talked and played cards – a game called karma which I lost resoundingly twice. This to the accompaniment of a couple of gasmen – old and young – engaged in establishing that her two gas fires were not powerful enough to require a flue by law. Success!

Lovely terrace house beautifully furnished. Sad that she will have to leave it soon (she is moving to Wales).  Drove home through rush-hour traffic and Dot was so tired that she lay on the couch and slept while I finished reading God’s own Gentlewoman: The Life of Margaret Pastor by Diane Watt, which would have been even more enjoyable if the author, her “wife” and three dogs had not kept intruding. Anyway, watched football before going to bed. Meanwhile Assad has been ousted from Syria and Israel has taken Mount Hermon, which gives it a good view. 

Saturday, November 30 – very full day, mainly bright; dry and not so cold. Dot spent the morning sorting out music for ceilidh in the evening at St Luke’s. Finished soup for lunch and she walked to Carrow Road, where City beat Luton 4-2. Naomi was there, surprisingly after her recent illness, and so was Jonathan. I cleared up house and wrote blog, among other things. Chose hymns for tomorrow.

We had a bit to eat and then went to St Luke’s amid football traffic. Thought we’d be late, but in fact only Phil of the group was there when we arrived. Music was a bit tricky, mainly because the light was dim, but it all went well: Matt, Anna, Alison, Dot, me and Phil. Some of dancers a bit weird and pretty young too (compared to us). Carrie and Judy there, but left early. Band members got a rose each. Home just after 10pm with aching legs. Watched a bit of football. Most steps month of the year, and today walked over 4000 steps, which I did every day this month. This is a first…

… and a record I have already failed to maintain for December, having achieved only about a mile today (Sunday). Ended up the day itching all over, for some reason, and with my feet hurting quite a bit. Nothing too serious, but annoying. Not a very pleasant day, with plenty of rain in the afternoon and evening, though not too cold. Went to church in the morning: Advent Sunday. I led the service, which went quite well. Liz Cannon did a sermon-slash-Godly Play. Dot did prayers at the last minute because Anna didn’t make it (arranged last night). Chat with Matt about incoming cash from Phyllis: revenue v capital. He thought C of E might be collapsing, which is a point of view. Gave Ray a lift home as usual: Angel Road open, but more road works. Sent quotes to Oliver and Amy, and David FaceTimed us: they all seem fine. Also caught up with editing pix. Watched a couple of things on TV, including football, Mayflower Murders and Wolf Hall. 

Monday – Wet. Relatively mild. Grey. Finished off Alt Carols blueprint and sent it to Graham. After lunch went to Morrisons with Dot and did extensive shopping – Dot got additional stuff for her assembly at Wreningham on Friday. Cleaned out freezer drawers in main fridge to give more space. Watched a bit of TV, including two train journeys – one in New Zealand South Island and the other from Bergen to Oslo in Norway. Excellent, both. Started watching a New Zealand serial but disliked central character so much that we abandoned it. Highly unusual. Oliver’s first day at work. 

Tuesday – Quite cold but dry after a wet night. Went to our first Christmas meal this year – with Archant pensioners at the Town House, where they are very welcoming, and the food is good. Carvery and Christmas pudding. Sat with Tricia and Jennie. Ian Bullock put in an appearance. About 15 in all. Robin is in hospital following a severe chest infection and delirium following a holiday on Dartmoor. Spoke to Shelagh at length afterwards.

For some reason very tired after meal – we started watching a rail documentary.  but both went to sleep. Eventually drove to Graham’s house for mulled wine and snacks – members of PCC and DCCs. Spoke to most people , including Graham’s mum, the Wimhursts, the Pittam-Smiths and Judy and Carrie. Not sure why Carrie was there: she’s not on the DCC or PCC. She didn’t seem too well. Absent: Howard, Phil, Sharon, Debbie. Watched programme on Royal Scotsman when we got home. Dot looked up price for trip – cheapest ticket £4500 each for two nights. Decided to give it a miss. 

Wednesday – Cool but mainly dry till late evening. Judy came round as usual to see The Chosen, and we progressed to church for Bible study with Debbie, Steven and Ellie. Went very well: Ellie – soon to leave for Wales – was quite emotional about what the group meant to her. Afterwards I dropped Dot in Tombland and she walked down to Jarrolds to get her chin done, then took my glasses in for a slight mend. Chose hymns for Sunday.

Cooked salmon and then, while Dot went to orchestra rehearsal,  I caught a bus up to Unthank Road, then walked to Hilary’s. She was in a very bad way: confined to lower floor with broken hip (screwed together) and breast cancer – treatment of which has left her with leg fluid problems and a few other things. We spent a lot of time trying to find obscure pix on her iPhone, which she seems a bit frightened of. Walked home just in time to be there for Dot, who had a long final rehearsal for Saturday. Watched Shetland.