Rain at first but dry from mid-morning on Saturday, October 25. Strange day. Felt pretty ill a lot of the time, till I had a bath in late afternoon – during which David FaceTimed. Wrote most of an article on Jane Austen for Parish Pump. Dot went to Morrisons to stock up and then cooked sea bream. Did hardly any walking and just watched TV for most of evening – couple of documentaries on trains and Bulgaria, the end of Grand Ol Oprey (mediocre) and a bit of Match of the Day: Liverpool lost to Brentford and Chelsea to Sunderland. Norwich lost 2-1 to Swansea and are now bottom of the table. While Dot was out Nikki rang and we had quite a chat, which Dot  joined in with when she came in. Had e-mail  from David Cannon. Remembered to put clocks back. 

Sunday – Not feeling great, but ignored it. Leanne came round about 11.20 and stayed till 3, when Dot took her home. Very interesting conversation: she has some fascinating theories about life, the universe and everything. Is not sure space exists. Really nice woman and a good mother in difficult circumstances. When she left (and before she arrived) I put together my three Parish Pump articles – on Jane Austen, the Stone of Scone and Coronation Street. Not my choice, but turned out to be quite interesting. Don’t think I’ve ever seen an episode of Coronation Street. Cooked salmon, and we watched a bit of football and a very good wildlife programme. Elsewhere, Spurs beat Everton 3-0 and Aston Villa beat Man City.  Very few steps. 

Monday – Felt pretty well. Mainly dry and not too cold, though windy. Drove car in for service and MOT. All went smoothly , except for slight oil leak, probably from gear box, that we think they’ve fixed. Got bus back from opposite garage to Tombland, then walked home and had a bath. Too much info about baths? Started reading Exit Music by Ian Rankin. After lunch caught up on computer and eventually spoke to garage again before heading up there. Despite intensive research I got the 38 from Tombland, which only took me as far as the Boundary. Still, I’m sure the walk did me good.  Bit of delay picking up car, but home well before 5pm. Over 7000 steps today. Dot cooked lovely chicken dish and blueberry/blackberry crumble. Watched football and another episode of Riot Women, which is very well written (and acted). 

Tuesday – Windy, but some sun. Dot drove to pick up Joyce and take her to meet Sandra in North Walsham. They had lunch again in the garden centre there after negotiating pretty horrendous traffic at both ends. I did some sorting out of files , largely concerning the car, and chose the compline for our Cake and Compline in the evening. Vicky and Phil away, but the Archers, Judy and Claire all came, and it went well, with Dot’s chocolate cake an outstanding feature. DA said it was the best he could remember eating. Prunella Scales died today; so watched a bonus edition of Fawlty Towers before going to bed. 

Wednesday – Rather gloomy with some rain. Got up early to drive with Dot to Un Café at Beeston to meet Brian and Tricia for breakfast at 9.30, which was very good: I had egg, sausage and mushrooms. I made the mistake of taking my coat off while eating (I also had an apple tea), and was cold for the rest of the day, especially after going to Morrisons, which was freezing. Got some green tea at a new Barrett and Holland section, which may not survive because it’s so expensive compared with the rest of the shop.

Felt quite fragile after getting home and tried to sleep, but was still cold. Eventually I found that Bridget (who was cleaning when we got home) had left the bedroom and bathroom windows open. Later had some tea and cake and watched the end of Blue Lights, about police in Ireland, which was really excellent. Had egg and avocado on roast for tea, then Dot left with Janet and Nova for orchestra rehearsal, by which time I was feeling better. I also have an appointment for a head scan at the hospital next Wednesday, which is sooner than I thought. Don’t know if that’s good. Cleared up and had a bath, after which I was feeling hot. You can’t win. Ended evening by watching last episode of current series of Slow Horses. Brilliant as always. 

Monday, October 20 – Mainly rain. Usual cold symptoms had gone, but I had a headache all morning. Managed a bath, though (too much information about baths?). Very quiet day. Later in the afternoon Dot went to Morrisons to buy something for Fred and Sue when we visit tomorrow (I hope). I caught up with computer stuff. Got amessage from Amy thanking us for presents and card, and a series of photos showing her life – presumably from David. Can’t believe she’s 21. Sent her poems I’d written in Canada…

Naked Wines delivered about lunchtime. Put out rubbish and managed to download an NHS app that works. (There are all sorts of different kinds.) Watched quite a bit of TV. 

Tuesday – Cloudy, but dry. Bad night  – as usual when I have an early appointment. Drove up to surgery by just after 9am to see Dr Victoria Bellamy at 9.20. She was excellent – very thorough – and has put me in for a head scan. Drove out to Beeston Regis late morning to meet Fred and Sue.  We walked with them to a pub on the outskirts of Sheringham, where we had a meal (scampi in my case). Then we walked back by a slightly different route. Lot of reminiscing. Eventually left just before 5pm  –  it was raining in Norwich. Miraculously Amy’s package arrived at the “wrong” address and she picked it up. But my pending payment disappeared from my Barclaycard account; presumably they’ll get in touch; I have sent a couple of e-mails off. Had a very light supper while Norwich lost again to slip into the relegation spots. Apparently they played quite well but just can’t score. During half time Amy FaceTimed us and we had a long chat (she also sent us some photographs of her party! ) Afterwards watched another episode of Murder before Evensong. it ‘s not bad, but then I don’t suppose it’s meant to be. 

Wednesday – Quite pleasant weather; rain late evening. Felt quite ill in early part of the day – actual pain in stomach. But it went by evening.  At lunchtime Dot and I walked down by riverside path, now extended almost to rail bridge. Nearly 7000 steps today. Dot did a lot of practising, but we watched an episode of Blue Lights and after she came back from orchestra the latest Slow Horses. Always brilliant. Replied to letter from Karen Smyth, who is now housebound, about a Paston walk experiment she wanted me to take part in. But it’s when David and Oliver will be here – rather relieved!

Dot said rehearsal hall was cold. No doubt some idiot was trying to save heating money by pretending it was still summer. Leanne was supposed to come and see us today, but she cracked a front tooth and had to go to the dentist. Excitement at lunchtime when road was full of police, apparently arresting someone lower down for blackmail. Dogs, forensics etc – all appeared on our WhatsApp group! As we walked out Charlie (Des and Chris’s grandson) waved from window and apparently said: “Hello, Dot.” He’s 2 tomorrow. 

Thursday – Wet and windy. Storm Benjamin, or Ben, as his friends know him. Much heralded on forecast, but absolutely nothing on national or local news about its effects, which presumably means it couldn’t be blamed on climate change. I drove Dot up to Anna’s for her violin lesson and then did quite a lot of indoor walking. Rang garage to check that I could discuss a protection deal on Monday (it’s a way of paying for work monthly over two years, with some other benefits). Meanwhile my payment for Amy’s present has now gone through. Not sure how that happened, but I’m glad it did. Picked up Dot after long session, said hello to Anna and then Dot and I watched international football till Bridget arrived to do cleaning. Bridget then left car while having anniversary meal with her husband at Gem. Meanwhile we had a second lot of chilli and watched a murder puzzle drama, Grand Designs and before going to bed a particularly brilliant episode of Outnumbered. 

Friday – Still windy, but dry. Linda came round to cut our hair, and as usual I had a bath afterwards. In the afternoon Dot went into the city with Anne and visited the travel agent, as well as buying a couple of tops. Got back just in time for street meet, but the only person joining us was Matt. We eventually went into his house (Angela is in Scotland) and had a look around as well as listening to some music – although the latter was not to his satisfaction because of a problem with the turntable. Earlier I rang Ray and got a call from Joy Wright, whose husband Graham has just died. I used to play chess with him, and Joy worked in the library at Eastern Counties Newspapers. 

Wednesday – Had a bath; then Dot drove me up to the hospital for my ultrasound. Got called as soon as I got there – well over ten minutes early. Pretty thorough scan, but nothing new. Apparently my liver is higher up in the body than normal and therefore hard to see behind my ribs. Anticyclonic gloom persisting; so I walked up to the UEA and caught the second bus, which took quarter of an hour to leave the bus stop. Quick journey after that. Dot practising hard on violin. Caught up with e-mails eventually. Cooked meal, and then Dot drove herself (and Nova) to orchestra rehearsal because Janet couldn’t come. On her return we watched latest episode of Slow Horses. Wednesday treat. Earlier Fred rang and we arranged to meet next Tuesday. 

Thursday – Mainly cloudy again. Drove Dot up to get her pills from chemist. For some reason wasn’t feeling great most of day: delicate stomach. Don’t know why. Had bath later and read quite a bit. After lunch helped Dot in garden by trimming ivy, and managed to detach dead ivy from wall to left of front door. David rang about arrangements for his visit, and we “clarified” position about Amy’s presents. Chrissy went by train to Kingston to see Sophie. Bridget came round to clean, and later her husband popped down to get a lift home from her. Cooked salmon and watched some TV. Attempted to purchase present for Amy but inserted wrong shipping address and wrong billing address too. Trying to cancel. 

Friday – Still overcast. Quite chilly – wore third layer. Anne came round late morning as I was looking through old pictures with Diderot in mind. We all had drink and chat. Then (after she left) a rather hurried lunch before driving to Christ Church for the last Talk at Two  – this one by D J Taylor about Mary Mann, a forgotten Norfolk writer. Excellent talk. Spoke to him and his wife, Rachel Hore, afterwards – I’d done some stuff with her at UEA many years ago, and she remembered me. So did he, which is worrying. Afterwards drove to Morrisons to stock up. Not many people about. Des and Chris away, as was Mark, and no sign of Jon or Ciara; so thought street meet might be non-event, but it was very good: Matt and Angela, Mary, Joe and Sam all came out despite gloomy weather. Cooked pies and discovered at end of evening that my lansoprazole was still performing a useful function. I got acid reflux and remembered I hadn’t taken it this morning. 

Saturday – Cloudy. Had a bath and we caught the bus up to Red Lion Street, then walked to St Giles, where we went to a concert for Ukraine in the Salvation Army Citadel. Very good – all Mozart. Met quite a few friends but missed Mary next door and Nikki, largely because we were upstairs and they were down. Did meet Adrian O’dell and his wife, who was not too well, various members of Sillars and Carrie, Judy, Bridget and David among others – plus Eleanor who was passing by on the other side on her way to football. Dot and I walked home via The Close, where we bought croissant and pain au chocolat, then at them and a bit more before Dot walked to Carrow Road. I had a rest. Norwich lost 1-0 to Bristol City, continuing their bad run. In the evening watched all four episodes of The Intruder, a French noir that was excellent. 

Sunday – Clear morning with sun, but rain began in mid-afternoon which has continued. I have managed to get what seems to be a cold, which is very annoying. Went out for walk, though. David FaceTimed and we had a chat about Andy Burnham, among other things. Have been in touch with Amy about her present: no news from company; so I sent her a book and some chocolates and put some cash in her account. Dot and I also sent her an e-card. Had a lie-down late afternoon then cooked supper with help from Dot. Watched some football and other TV but I came to bed early because TV was hurting my eye (affected by cold). Sadly Spurs lost, but on the plus side, so did Liverpool.

Friday, October 10 – Dry and not too cool. Sunny at first, cloud later. Dot did a lot of work in the garden and some violin practice. I went out for walk in the afternoon (along river and up to Cathedral) and reached well over 4000 for the day. Watched the goals from Scotland match and later first two episodes of Frauds, a thriller set in Spain. Paid vehicle tax. Street meet included Des, Chris, John, Matt, Angela and Sam. Fish and chips courtesy of Des. Mark is away. 

New lights in shower room and kitchen: first job for Saturday after shave and bath. Eventually found the right bulbs and right elevation to get them fixed. Wrote to Paul and Colin – the latter to try for a less drastic repair of the front wall. After lunch went for a walk, perhaps unwisely gave some cash to a couple of guys – one of them Rumanian with very little English  – then met Dot at Morrisons to stock up again. Spoke to David on FaceTIme to avoid duplication of present for Amy: he is going to talk to Oliver, who has been playing baseball today. Cooked fish Kiev – a first for me: we weren’t  sure it quite worked. Then watched the film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which is brilliant. The fact that we had been to Guernsey recently gave it something extra this time (we had seen it before). Dot has done more in garden: it looks terrific. 

Sunday –  Overcast; a bit chilly in Norwich but warmer on the coast. Listened to a couple of things on radio – mainly about conversions in prison, and then a service where the Bishop of Chelmsford spoke about Christians in Iran (Persia). In the afternoon drove to North Walsham and put flowers on the graves, then continued to Walcott, where we walked along the seafront and on the beach, cunningly avoiding dogs. Took a few pictures, including a couple of some birds that may have been ruddy turnstones. Then drove home via Wroxham. In the evening had pies, then quite a long conversation with Oliver on FaceTime. Told him all about Canada flight. He may come up next month. He’s also getting quite involved with baseball at Finsbury Park. 

Monday – Overcast again, with very light rain early on and in the evening. After lunch drove up to the Rosary with Dot and put flowers on the graves. While Dot was arranging flowers I had long conversation with a guy complaining about grass cutting  on the gravestones. He took it on himself to wash a lot of it off  and also put crosses on war graves on Remembrance Day. He was quite pleasant to talk to – obviously loved the place. Left car outside and walked to Ketts Heights, which seemed a long way. Definitely getting old. Dot’s ankle was a bit sore on the way back. At home watched the final of Young Chorister of the Year. Got the junior right, but not the senior. Dot cooked a blackberry and apple crumble with added blueberries and plums. Quite big. I got a call from urology at the hospital arranging a phone appointment for Thursday. It will soon be quicker to note the days I don’t have appointments. Earlier had unexpected call from Nikki, who’s coming round tomorrow. Today Jewish hostages were released by Hamas, and Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Combination of joy and uncertainty about the future. After cold mackerel fillet watched various TV programmes, including a brilliant one on wildlife photography in UK by Hamza Yassin. Great shots of bitterns. Only once, of course (twice shy). 

Tuesday – Still overcast with a few drops of rain. Anticyclonic gloom. Hardly went out but managed 4000 steps indoors. Nikki came round this morning and said lots of nice things about us and about St Augustine’s. Just time for quick lunch before Paul H came round, and we told him probably more than he wanted to know about Canada (with pictures). He told us about his recent solo trip to Algeria, which turns out to be much bigger than I thought it was. They also hate France, apparently. In the evening I cooked sausages and we watched England beat Latvia 5-0. David has booked his flights to and from England next month. He is in the diary! 

Sunday, October 5 – Sun and cloud. Must be fairly warm, because Dot spent an hour or two gardening in the afternoon. Meanwhile got a quote for rebuilding wall that was a bit larger than I thought (the quote, not the wall). Earlier we listened to a radio programme about near-death experiences and watched the service from St Luke’s on YouTube. The latter included some candles catching fire; so it was quite exciting. Also good sermon from Graham. Dot listened to Ipswich v Norwich (3-1 ) while I had a bath. Afterwards we discovered it had been live on TV. Aargh! Actually spent quite a bit of time watching TV. Mopped up Masterchef – the right winner, Harry Maguire, but the other two were also very good. Greg failed to appear in last two or three: likeable Irish woman chef stood in. Watched a police procedural called Ellis, which was not bad. Managed 4000 steps indoors: late in bed. 

Monday – Dry and quite warm. Managed well over 4000, much of it indoors – but I did post a birthday card to Fred, who is 81 on Thursday. Dot spent quite a bit of time on the garden, which is looking really good, and David and Chrissy FaceTimed us. They have been on a car trip – a kind of game that sounds exciting. Also this afternoon I got a call from Dr Hampsheir, who said I would be getting another scan shortly. Most of the afternoon we spent talking to Steven – I picked him up about 2.20pm and took him back just before 5. Good chat. He knows quite a lot about Canada. Had message from Howard about various things which revealed we were on the same wavelength on most areas. Watched a couple of episodes of Welsh-based new thriller  – The Guest – which was pretty good. 

Tuesday – Dry and fairly warm. Woke early and had a bath, then we went to the Archant Pensioners’ coffee morning at the Town House. Quite a few there, including Robin and Shelagh, and we had breakfast as usual – quite nice, though my stomach doesn’t deal with that sort of thing very well at the moment. Had to lie down afterwards, but not before we’d driven up to Thorpewood and got my pills from the chemist. Watched the last two episodes of The Guest, which worked well. Dot did some violin practice. Later in the afternoon Des came to chat with Dot about the sugar runs, which he would like to get involved with. He suggested we could teach English to refugees: not sure I’m up to that!  Then Dot and I walked to Morrisons for a few things and came back by river. Quite tired as we got home. Watched a couple of other things, including first episode of Murder before Evensong, which was better than I thought it would be. 

Wednesday – Overcast at first, with some drizzle, but by the time we went out (just after lunch) to go to the dentist’s it was dry. I went first, taking the bus to Red Lion Street, and Dot followed, because her (routine) appointment was after mine. I was quite early in fact. We both had to fill in a form which was quite detailed. Not feeling great in the morning, but improved a bit later. As is becoming more frequent, I got rather tired towards the end of the walk back, but still managed over 4000. On the way we walked through John Lewis and bought a pillow for Dot. Posted birthday card to Birgit and Brian Caldecott. Dot did a lot of practising during the afternoon, I cooked some salmon and mashed potato and then Dot went with Janet and Nova to orchestra rehearsal. I watched songs on YouTube after clearing up, and we watched the latest Slow Horses episode when she got back. Brilliant. 

Thursday – Dry. Mixture of cloud and sun. Had bath after checking with Dot that Bridget was coming in afternoon. As soon as I got in bath, Bridget arrived! Wrote article about Canada after checking with David about the Canadian spelling of humourist, which is apparently like that. Later I found a video explaining how the heating controls work (not easy, because it had been renamed) and managed to get them back under control. In the afternoon drove up to surgery, posting letter for Dot on the way, and went for walk after parking. Had a blood pressure test administered by Olga, who was charming, and it came out pretty normal; so she’s obviously good at it. Fixed a phone appointment to review my medication on November 5, just to add a bit of spark, then called in at the Rosary, where everything seemed pretty dead, but neat enough.  Later cooked duck, which was cracking, and we watched England beat Wales 3-0 in a friendly, and the tail end of Scotland beating Greece 3-1 in the real thing (Euros).

Tuesday, September 30 – Fairly warm and dry. Woke up at roughly civilised time and had a bath. Caught up with computer backlog and finished blog. After lunch went for walk with Dot and took in Boots and Morrisons. Carrying milk back made me very tired, especially as I had unnecessary jacket on. Had to lie down for a rest while Dot did violin practice. Helped Dot with salmon meal, and we watched various things, including Songs of Praise, start of new series of Blue Lights and an episode of Masterchef, as well as a bit of the news. Lost bathroom waste basket and found it outside, waiting to be emptied. I know the feeling. 

Wednesday – Overcast but not cold. Dry. Had to wake early to go up to doctor’s about my recent blood test, which showed a huge jump in liver whatever-it-is. suspect it may have something to do with the fact my blood was tested just after the overnight delayed flight from Canada, but anyway I have to have it tested again. Have another appointment with Emma on Friday, and this will be the key with consultant if it’s still as high. Don’t have any liver pain, but still lacking in energy and have a funny head. Oh, you knew that.

Dot went to visit Anne, and I put cases in loft and tidied up generally. Amazon sink protector delivered. Looks good. Played through EP chess games for July and August. Tried to ring Dot as she got home ( I was trying to book the car in for a service and needed the mileage), and we discovered that she had left the phone at the Garden Centre. She rang, and they had it; so I drove her out there (Hellington Corner), and we picked it up, filling the car with petrol on the way back. Watched some Masterchef on TV, then had mackerel fillets and toast before Dot went to the football, and I walked there with her (in the dark!!) I tidied up again, and then played through chess games for September. Meanwhile, we had sent  flowers to Chrissy and booked appointments at the dentist. Norwich lost yet again at home (1-0 to West Brom), which was very disappointing. 

Thursday – Dry, slightly cooler. My brother Phil came round shortly before 11 and had three coffees. During these I took him up to the fishmongers on Fishergate so that he could collect his order. And after that we had a long talk, during which he became very emotive – clearly brought on by his Parkinson’s and other  difficulties. He will have to give up his car, and I have said we will do what we can to see him just as often, if not more. Later Bridget came round to clean. We had a light supper of scrambled egg and smoked salmon, then went to  Claire’s for Cake and Compline. Took Judy and Bridget, and Vicky came independently. Nice pie – quince crumble. Good chat. Shooting today – Yom Kippur – at Manchester mosque. 

Friday – Overcast, rain, becoming windy (Storm Amy). Had bath then went to see Emma, my favourite nurse at Thorpewood, who took my blood for another test. Lots of traffic – suspect because NDR was shut following accident. So came home via back roads. Brought EP chess games up to date and tidied up. Dot practised violin. Felt very strange off and on – head and stomach. Not painful but a lot of blocking in ears and hiccoughing in stomach. Paracetamol helped. Rang Ray and sent message to Steve, but he didn’t reply. New Archbishop of Canterbury is woman. Because of bad weather street meet was in our house: Des and Chris, Ciara, Mary, Matthew. Had quite a long chat and then I cooked pies for supper. Watched Masterchef and new Alan Partridge – not bad. Managed 4000  – mostly in house. 

Saturday – Dry but very windy in the morning: rain later, on and off. Happily Colin was able to come and cut hedge: he arrived at 7.30, he said, though I didn’t wake till 8.15. He was on his own but did very well. Cost £160 + tip. I had been over to station ATM earlier to get cash. Spent a long time in afternoon distributing charity cash, then walked up to post cheques while Dot got ready – she was delayed by dripping cistern, which I think I’ve now fixed. Then went to Morrisons to stock up. Later I cooked sausages, potatoes and leeks, which were quite nice. Had ice cream afterwards, which I think made me start yawning. Not sure ice cream is good for me. Dot got new watch strap from shop in Morrisons. Watched more Masterchef, plus a couple of other things, including MOTD. Spurs won and Liverpool lost! Perfect. Late in bed.