Monday, 21 July – Not quite so warm; bit of a breeze and later some rain, most of which we avoided. After breakfast we walked into town by a different route through  Victor Hugo gardens. Ended up in a couple of shops – Accessorize, where Dot bought earrings, and Eternity (said Frankie Lee), where we got her a yellow cardigan. Then on to the bus terminal, where we squeezed on to a bus to Jerbourg.

This turned out to be a rocky promontory with great views. A few drops of rain; so we went into the hotel coffee shop for tea and strawberry tart/bakewell tart; then as the rain eased off we headed down the road to a clifftop walk (after advice from passers by), which proved really good. Then back to the bus, which we managed to catch because it was late. Bit more rain, but it eased and by a stroke of strategic brilliance we managed to exit the bus at a point where we could walk across to our hotel without plunging into town and having to climb up again. After a rest we did the packing but couldn’t locate Dot’s watch charger. Had a one-course supper (me steak, Dot chicken burger) then repaired to our room. 

Tuesday – Clouds, cooler, rain in evening. Bad night: woke about 5.20 for the last time and made a cup of tea. We had packed the night before. Got down to Reception in good time for transfer 6.30: picked up at another hotel (Great Western) but made good time to airport and checked in after they’d got the luggage roll-on working. Then ate our breakfast bag contents (Dot gave yoghurt to information desk) and went through security. Not too long a wait before boarding: good seats near back: left at 8.30. Stayed on plane when it stopped at Jersey: many got off and more got on. Easy flight to Norwich – impressed by Irish pilot. Seemed very quick, even the taxi-ing. Luggage came through with no problem and we got a taxi from the local booth. Driver Simon full of complaints about closed roads. Charged £17.20 and I gave him £20. Bridget was cleaning – seemed pleased to see us. Had cup of tea with her. Watched Tour de France and then unpacked.  Very tired, unsurprisingly. Cooked salmon, watched a bit more TV, and then went to bed. Well before 10pm. 

Wednesday – Dull, with spots of rain. Drove to church, where we took part in Bible study, finishing James. Present were Debbie, Jude, Steve and Morgan, back from the USA, where his proposal of marriage was accepted. Not sure who to. He’s young and interesting. Leanne popped in with Evelyn, who has grown quite a bit. They were going out blackberrying and popped in again on their way back. New garden at church is complete and looks good. Dot and I drove from there to Thorpewood, where I had a doctor ‘s appointment. Apparently my liver is rather less than perfect, but more investigations needed. Blood tests next Tuesday. Doc rang me later after he had spoken to specialist. From surgery we came home for lunch, then went to Morrisons. Managed just on 4000 steps today. At some point Mark has weeded our drive. Dot got in touch to thank him. He is very kind. Basic supper, then watched cricket and cycling. I put the luggage in the loft before going to bed. 

Thursday – Rain most of day, but dried out around 5pm. Dot had spent much of the day preparing a meal for Anna and Howard, who arrived at 6pm – walking. Howard did repair to our door while the rest of us chatted, then we all ate the meal. Very good. After they left we watched cricket, then cleared up. In bed around 11.30. Earlier I did a bit of clearing up in the bedroom and study and chose hymns for Sunday. David is in British Columbia. Des brought over Private Eye. 

Friday – David now in Calgary, presumably with Jackson. Warm and dry day here. Spent most of day on Parish Pump, interspersed with cutting ivy (not much) and watching a bit of TV – cricket and Tour de France, mainly. Street meet at the usual time – Mark, Sarah, Matt, Mary, Joe and Sam. Provided red wine for Mark to thank him for doing our drive. Good long talk. Des and Chris at Lichfield. Call from Stuart McLaren mid-evening to say tree branches had fallen in church hall garden, and he couldn’t reach anyone. Couldn’t go myself because I’d been drinking, but got through to Graham, and he went over. Don’t know what happened but he sent a picture. Quite dramatic. 

Friday, July 11 – Very warm. Drove Dot up to Asda to get an eye check. Pretty tired all day. Cancelled papers. Light lunch, then went to Morrisons to get some champagne and other stuff. Watched some TV – Wimbledon and Tour de France – and David FaceTimed. Had quite a long chat, which was really nice. He has been doing quite a bit of cycling.

Special street meet with champagne for my birthday next day. And nibbles. Mark, Sarah, Matt, Angela, Jon, Joe and Sam. Had quite a talk with Sam, but also with others. Outside in shade for a couple of hours before I came in and cooked salmon. Watched cricket and more Tour. Was very tired; so Dot cleared away. 

Saturday – Very warm. Again. My 80th birthday. Felt quite dizzy much of the day. David sent me some writing books and a mini-pen. Books from Dot and Joy, who has sciatica and is feeling pretty bad. David and Oliver and Amy wrote some lovely things about me in Diderot. Anne got me some champagne and Kim got me a small mouse with a guitar. David and Oliver both FaceTimed, but Amy is in Scotland. Watched a bit of Wimbledon and Tour de France, then cricket when we returned from a meal at Bishop’s, which was my main present from Dot. Really nice there as always. Walked back through Close and as a result just reached 4000 steps for day. 

Sunday – Somehow failed to record this, but went to church, then went to North Walsham to celebrate Roger’s birthday with him, Debbie, Judy and Don. Nice afternoon with snacks. Pretty warm still. 

Monday – Not quite so warm. Very small amount of rain in evening. Sent birthday cards to Stephanie and Audrey. Spent day preparing for holiday – packing, etc. Didn’t feel too great. Head was very fuzzy. Thought at first I was getting UTI, but no. Decided not to go to Cake and Compline. Would have been a squeeze, timewise. Booked taxi for 9am. Cooked Chicken Kiev and watched England lose narrowly to India at cricket, then a couple of days of Tour de France. 

Tuesday – Cooler; very windy in Jersey with tiny amount of rain. Picked up by taxi just before 9 and at airport in good time. Irritatingly long wait before we could book in: some kind of system problem. However, left on time after thorough going over in security. Flight was a bit bumpy; no food or drink (we had had a bun/Danish pastry before we left). Jersey airport exit very quick: picked up by minibus and taken to Radisson hotel by waterfront in St Helier.

First impressions not great; loads of traffic on unexceptional roads. But hotel was very good (though room had no sea view) and when we walked out by the marina, I was overwhelmed by the scenery as well as by the boat names (Sea Esther and Just Add Water, for example). Tide low and water dancing at entrance to marina, as well as castle out in the harbour being accessed by amphibious vehicle. Paintings in arches by the marina really good: in Britain would be covered with graffiti.

Later booked a couple of tours – one with hotel and one with Premier rep, who came to see if we were ok. Impressive. She also gave us a rundown of the area and what we could do, including bus routes. Evening meal in hotel very good (mussels starter big enough for main). We walked out afterwards to watch incoming tide. Remarkable difference. Earlier we had bought ice cream and walked through Jardin du Mer. Very early to bed. 

Wednesday – Grey with some light rain. Coolish. Good breakfast at hotel, then on board bus to War Tunnels. It arrived a bit late, and the Tunnels were crowded but fascinating, giving a step-by-step scenario of the occupation of the Channel Islands by the Germans. Not impressed by Government’s failure to defend them and reluctance to help them after D-day. Then bus took us to the Glass Church, which was full of Lalic glass and very impressive , though not to a guy from Rotherham, who said he would rather have a beer. Had to get a minibus back to Radisson (we were only two from there out of 33 in bus).

Free afternoon tea, which was so lavish that I couldn’t eat anything for rest of day. We both slept for about an hour afterwards, then walked into town to buy snacks and get our bearings. Felt shattered, but it was all very beautiful, especially Liberation Square. Later had two free glasses of wine in bar (part of deal). Tide coming in – lovely view of sunset. Somewhere in there caught second half of Tour de France highlights. 

Thursday – Started grey with very slight drizzle, but by mid-afternoon became very warm and sunny. Earlyish breakfast, then tour of island by minibus, driven by witty Scotsman. Went round Jersey anti-clockwise (21 of us), stopping at Gory, then for very nice lunch (best prawns I ever tasted) at an inn, Les Fontaines, on the north coast. After that continued round to Corbière lighthouse and a beach on the south coast, where we stopped for ice cream.

Quite a restrained group, but I chatted to a woman who think was quite upper class but very nice. Driver had amazing series of stories about who lived where etc etc and why Jersey society was so calm (no litter, graffiti etc). Interesting – bit like England when I was growing up. Lots of traffic at end but back at hotel by 5pm. Tired. Watched Tour de France then had meal in bar area – I had beef burger and Dot Caesar salad. Beautiful sunset which I managed to get on camera after being alerted by Dot. 

Friday – Quite warm. After biggish breakfast walked into town, but I wasn’t feeling great. We walked around various shops – all very picturesque – and Dot bought some stuff in Boots while I sat on seat. We then walked some more and had drink in Costa, where I went to the loo. On again, and bought Dot a bracelet from a jeweller who was retiring. Back up to hotel, and I  lay down for a while. Also took paracetamol, which worked quite well. We decided to take DUKW ferry out to castle in the bay , which proved quite exciting. Climbed to the top, where we saw some aerobatics from a Spitfire flying over – had the feeling he was doing it for us: the two of us were standing alone on top of the tower. Got last ferry back at 5pm. Early supper at 6.30pm in hotel bar – both had Caesar salad followed by really nice light cake and a Cointreau. Strolled out to look at sea but then went up to our room. Managed 12400 steps today. 

Saturday – Dull, spots of rain later. Amazing waste of time. Ready for transfer to Jersey airport after breakfast; specified time 10.30 am. Our transfer man arrived ten minutes late and drove like a bat out of hell to get to the airport by 11am. then discovered our flight had been put back 90 minutes. Incidentally check-in and security were fast and friendly. Anyway we sat in the departure hall, did a bit of eating and drinking, and I was feeling really rough. Bought a couple of books. Eventually while I was in the loo we were called to our gate, where we waited another 20 minutes or so before boarding.

When on board there was another hold-up because of a problem with luggage. Then took off behind Spitfire and took about 15 minutes to reach Guernsey. At the airport we waited another 20 minutes or so for our transfer to arrive, and got to our hotel in St Peter Port about 4pm. So that was about six hours to get about 27 miles, or from Norwich to Blakeney. Weather worsening: very grey; light rain in the evening. Before meal we walked down to viewpoint over harbour, and afterwards a short distance in the other direction. Hotel Duke of Richmond quite posh.  They had done me a  small birthday cake. Nice meal in evening. Slept afterwards, then wrote blog. Felt a bit better. 

Sunday – Well away from pop-up DCC meetings, sunny with occasional light showers and wind (but not cold). Breakfast with terrace view. Met Mr Bennett, who found the stairs hard to deal with. Walked into town (very steep downhill) and looked round old parts before having a cider in Terrace Garden. Then down to seafront and eventually to bus terminus, where we met a couple who often cycle in North Norfolk. Very nice. They were heading back to Manchester but recommended a beach area we might bus to tomorrow. After making some inquiries we caught a 91, which basically did a circumnavigation of the island, dropping us off halfway at Vazum Bay, where we had lunch in a beachside cafe; Dot had sweet potato chips and I had mackerel pâté.

A few drops of rain, but we walked out to a bunker on the cliff, with sky looking threatening. Dot climbed to sea wall but didn’t make it to the beach. Eventually walked back to bus stop and waited about 20 minutes for 91. This was packed, and we had to stand for a bit. While we were on board there was a really heavy shower. Back in town, where it was dry, we tackled the steep walk back up to our hotel – hard going!  Watched Tour de France and then had another £100 supper.

Saturday July 5th – Still warm but a little windy and cloudy, especially in the evening. Changed the bedclothes with Dot – not one of my favourite jobs. After lunch drove to Cromer for Dot’s concert. Dropped her off at church and parked in usual place. £4.50.  Back at church assisted Neville in preparing programmes and tickets; then we went over road to Huckleberry’s and had tea and biscuit. Back at church for a while then walked with him part of way to his hotel. Concert was very good. Sat with Angela and Rodney. Angela had a bit of a problem with vertigo. Chatted with Catherine at interval about Florida. Eleanor and her friend were there; also Claire, surprisingly. Afterwards chatted with Vikki on way back to car park. She seemed quite happy. Drove home in quite good time and watched cricket highlights: England on brink of defeat, but you never know…  

Sunday – Grey but mild with a heavy shower about midday. We were in church at the time – St Luke’s, that is. The original plan was to have a parish barbecue in the vicarage garden, but there was a forecast of thunderstorms; so this was aborted. Quite a sizeable band, but I played anyway, and so did Dot of course. Quite a good meal, nice to have a chance to talk. We gave Ray a lift home afterwards. For some reason felt very tired and lay down for a while. Did our packing for Scarborough and watched some tennis (Cameron Norrie winning), the first two stages of the Tour de France (highlights) and the last day of the Second Test against India, which India won – the right result. During the afternoon Anne came round to bring my birthday present. Two others had been delivered to Mark! Later David FaceTimed, and we had a chat. He had been on a long cycle ride. 

Monday – Cooler, cloudy, windy. Some rain the evening. Walked over to station to see if the bus replacement was running and discovered it was leaving five minutes earlier than scheduled. So we put on a bit of a spurt. It actually left seven minutes early and made good progress, landing us in Peterborough in time to catch the 12.01 to York. Quite crowded: sat in reserved seats and I started writing a poem. Arrived in York at 1.30pm    and relaxed a bit until boarding the Scarborough train, which was likewise crammed with reserved seats. A nice lady gave us a couple of seats which turned out not to be not reserved after all. Julia met us outside the station and we waited a while for Dave to find his way through the traffic and pick us up, taking us up to the apartment for refreshments. Spent rest of day there – bit of sleep, lovely meal and quite a bit to drink. Then watched some Wimbledon and Death in Paradise, during which both Dot and I went to sleep. 

Tuesday – Cool to start with, becoming much warmer. Dry. Not a good night, sleepwise. Drove to Thornton le Dale, one of my favourite villages. Then to Cedar Barn, which wasn’t as good as usual – waitresses not very wecoming. Bought some wine for our hosts. Had Sally Lunn (a kind of teacake). Drove back to Thornton and did shortish walk round lake, then upriver and round the back: very beautiful in the sun. Into café for lunch – much better service – had sandwich and chips. Diana George from Paston was at nearby table. She and her husband on the way to Scotland. Afterwards bought some chocolate and then back to car park. Dot and I both went to sleep on drive back to Scarborough. Later Dave and I got fish and chips. Had to pay with cash. Afterwards watched an episode of McDonald & Dodds that featured Delta blues from Robert Johnson and the crossroads story. Quite well done. 

Wednesday – Warm and dry. Sunny after early cloud. After another mediocre night (for me) we had breakfast and walked down into Scarborough. Stopped before reaching main town and had tea/coffee in promenade café. Then into seashore area which was highly populated with dogs and wheelchairs. Stopped at Bayview Café for lunch. Dot and I shared a ham and cheese sandwich and crisps. Dot and the other two shared a bottle of white wine, but I had a Coke. Owner (female) had really nice trousers. Afterwards Dave and I went for long walk down into the harbour, where we saw the Regal Lady, among other things. Then back to the funicular, up into town and caught the bus back to the flat. Home well before 4pm. Meanwhile Dot and Julia had gone to M&S among other things, and got back around 4.40pm. After having trouble earlier with iPhone, but it seemed to be back on an even keel. Had fruit and cup of tea and we all lay down for a while. Back in the land of consciousness we left at 6.30 to walk to the Italian restaurant, where we had a really good meal before getting a taxi back. Had some whisky and chatted about the past before going to bed. 

Thursday – Very warm and dry. Bad night — cramp in leg and worried about train seats. Breakfast as usual – toast, marmalade and cheese. Dave and Julia dropped us at station and we caught the 11.54 to York. Got home just before 6pm. First part was easy, except for difficulty of finding railcard on Trainline. Quite a delay in York before catching 1333 to Peterborough. Thought we’d have to stand, but nice member of LNER team found us seats – not together, though. At Peterborough discovered the Norwich train was late, but nice café on the relevant platform, and another helpful lady found us a cold white wine. When train arrived it was pretty full, and we were split up again, but we got together again at Ely. By now very warm, even more so at Norwich. Very tired but unpacked and cooked pie and potatoes. Watched cricket, some Wimbledon and some Tour de France.

Monday, June 30 was very hot and dry. Heatwave, one might almost say, as the BBC did ad infinitum, when not apologising for broadcasting Glastonbury hate speech. Wrote a reply to one our friends’ messages about Israel, and then Dot wrote a better one. We haven’t sent either yet. Went to Morrisons, then in the afternoon rang to get the results of my most recent water sample. I was told it was abnormal and I would need to see a doctor, but as I already have an appointment with a doctor in three weeks’ time, they weren’t keen to give me another one. I queried this but was told that although the results were abnormal, they weren’t urgent. So either it’s something relatively trivial or something they can’t do anything about. No worries. In three weeks I might know.

Mark is home. We watched a chunk of Wimbledon (Katie Boulder scraping through) and I cooked some cod which wasn’t as tasty as Dot hoped it would be. I quite liked it. 

Tuesday was also very hot. Strange day. Drove to Archant pensioners’ meeting in the morning, but it was very poorly attended. Robin had fallen over again, but Tricia was there, and the three of us were joined by the printer guy who I know well but whose name I forget, plus Andy Russell, Alan George and Ann Crane. We all sat together and actually had a pretty good chat. Later Dot and I got a bus into the city and got some corrections done to our travel documents for both Channel Islands and Canada (mainly Mr Dorothy Lenton). She then walked on towards Jarrolds for her nails appointment with Hannah; I went halfway with her then circled back to get bus back.

Really uncomfortably hot. Went to sleep for an hour (didn’t mean to), then drove up to chemist to get catheters I had ordered on prescription – except they didn’t have them. Checked in surgery, who were nice but not all that helpful: gave me the number of the place that supplied them. Back home I gave them a call (after Dot had arrived home with a present for Roger) and had a difficult time explaining exactly what had happened. Eventually I got someone who made sense, and it seems that the prescription was for ten, but they only supplied boxes of 60, which would last me for well over a year. So I had to bring the surgery back, and had difficulty explaining to them what the problem was. In the end I think they are now on order, but no-one knows whether they’re being delivered to the chemist or to me. Oh dear. Dot spent a long time the afternoon doing puzzles. Sent the Israel messages. Had pizza for supper and watched some TV, including an old episode of Vera. 

Wednesday – Startling reduction in temperature with the bonus of some light rain. Finished reading The Magician’s Nephew in the bath. Drove to church for Bible study with Steven, Debbie and Jude. James 3 and 4 – went quite well. Graham put in appearance in background. Not sure what he was doing. Planters still doing stirling work. After lunch I posted  birthday card to Joan and then we bought train tickets for Scarborough next week. Nice man in ticket office: £98 return each with Railcard. Then watched a bit of Wimbledon – win for Cameron Norrie against 12th seed. Cleared up while Dot went to orchestra with Janet and Nova. Checked hymns for Sunday. When Dot got back we watched an old episode of Yes Minister, as true as it always was. 

Thursday – Warm and dry. Watched cricket while eating breakfast and got an unexpected phone call from Paul, who invited us round for coffee. We went on the bus, which worked well, and we stayed for quite a while before getting the bus home. Got Holly’s new address from Paul: she is still in Bath but has moved to a bigger house with her boyfriend, Rich. So I was able to re-address her birthday card before posting it at the sorting office later. Cooked a Thai curry (in a box) and while we were eating it watched some Wimbledon (Draper being knocked out by Cilic) and then the cricket – Gill scoring a huge double century for India. After clearing up we watched a new murder mystery series. 

Friday – warm and dry. Linda came round and did our hair: she now lives at Guist with her new partner. Had bath and read more of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Everyone should read the Narnia series. After lunch my catheters arrived: I am now OK till the end of next year! We then went to Silver Road to buy some stamps and Morrisons to get some food for Sunday’s barbecue. Adapted my flash fiction Samaire for Bridget’s competition and submitted it. Sorted out my out-of-date catheters etc and bagged them up for disposal. Freed up quite a bit of space. Street meet with Des and Chris, Matt and Angela, Joe and Sam, Mary and Ciara. Felt quite odd and was glad when Angela offered me a seat. Result of haircut? Seems silly, but I often feel odd after having my hair cut.

Des got fish and chips and I managed to eat a fair chunk of it while watching cricket and Wimbledon – Emma Radicanu playing well and just losing to top seed. My cousin Sandra sent me a voicemail message about how she’s getting on in South Africa, which needs a reply.