Rather a busy week in the offing. Monday, August 24 was a bit cooler, but not unpleasant. Drove to Diss to meet Barbara and Roger, who were on their way from Clacton to Heathrow and making a much bigger diversion than I realised. We had lunch at the Waterfront Inn, which turned out to be much less sophisticated than it had appeared online, but the food was actually very tasty and its position on the Mere attractive. I had a terrific steak and ale pie with mash, peas and gravy. Dot and Roger had fish and chips, and Barbara had scampi.

Parking in the Chapel Street car park was a nightmare. The machines didn’t work; so I rang the number provided and paid online by card. Good job we weren’t in a hurry. Roger had the same problem, so parked in Morrison’s car park. Really nice chat  over lunch and left quite late (roughly 2-4). Drove home and although we met queues of traffic coming towards us on Hall Road, our journey through Norwich was pretty easy. Didn’t need supper: had a snack later on. Watched what may or may not have been the last episode of Staircase, and Sunday’s Match of the Day. Also another old episode of Death in Paradise.

While looking up something to do with Dot as head teacher on the net, amazingly it brought up a reference to my aunt Dorothy (died in her 90s about 20 years ago) as matron head of boarding at Norwich School. You can die, but you can’t hide. 

Tuesday – Warm, a little windy. Not sleeping very well recently. Drove up to Dussindale for an appointment with Karen Earl, who may have been a nurse. She took my blood pressure and gave me the equipment to provide a urine sample some time soon. Also wanted me to monitor my blood pressure. I was 137/91, and 90 would have been all right. She also took some blood almost without leaving a mark!

Afterwards bought practically a tankful of petrol which gave me an alleged range of 450. Last time I filled up (not there) it was 370. At home I checked the tyre pressures, which seemed fine. Had lunch while watching University Challenge, and then headed – once Dot had decided what to wear – for Maryta’s funeral at Earlham. This went really well. Led by Philip Butcher, and Paul did a great tribute, as did Holly. Jozef also read something by Carl Sagan that Maryta liked. Music included Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and I vow to thee my country by someone else. Afterwards food and drink at the George. Spoke to several people, including Maryta’s friend Barbara, Paul’s sister, Colin Dowdeswell, Chris Brown, Holly and Jozef and their husband and partner, and of course Paul. (Maryta’s sister Terry was in China.)

Drove home, and Dot changed from dress to trousers. We then drove to Snape  and got there in good time for the baroque concert which was really interesting. The lead violinist was brilliant but needs to make up her mind whether she wants to be a violinist or an actress – or possibly a conductor. Home quite late and watched brief highlights of Norwich beating Cardiff 2-1 away in the Caribou Cup.

Learned today that John Digby and Tara got married on Friday and honeymooned for a few days in the Peak District. Delighted – they’re both really nice. 

Wednesday – Warm and mainly sunny. Felt pretty tired – did a lot of taxi driving. First took Dot to blood test, dropping my urine test off on the way. Then took her to Anne’s because we wanted to protect her leg for their holiday. She went for lunch with her and Anne drove her home. Meanwhile I drove home, where Bridget had been cleaning the house, and took her to her next job off Cromer Road. She too can’t drive at the moment. Wasted the rest of the afternoon but managed to get rid of some e-mails and answer one from Robin about the funeral.

Dot home just after 5pm, worried because her season ticket had disappeared from her wallet. Managed to sort that out and put her credit card in for her holiday. Then we went to Morrisons, noting that the council had put some yellow lines back on Aspland Road, but not very straight and not where Des would have liked them to be. Still none on our side. Bought some food and returned home. I cooked myself  steak and ale pie, and Dot had some odds and ends. Then we watched a bit of athletics and  an episode of Professor T, a detective drama with an unlikely hero. Unbelievable, of course, but sort of interesting in comparing empathy and compassion. My cousin Barbara rang up earlier: it’s her birthday. I had sent her a card, which I think rather pleased her. She gets lonely. 

Thursday – Feels like Friday. Some rain overnight  and more scheduled for tonight, together with a lunar eclipse.  Dot spent most of the day preparing for her holiday, though she hasn’t actually packed yet. She tried on quite a few dresses. I read a bit of the book of Enoch – one of several I’m aiming to get through while she’s away. Bit of pain on upper left chest, but I think it’s trapped wind. I tidied up a backlog in my room and the kitchen, and at 5.30pm went out for street meet – day early. Large attendance, including Jon, Mark, Mary, Ciara and Sean, Matt and Angela, Joe and Sam, plus Des and Chris, with a couple of AA men who were very slowly failing to fix their car. In the end left it to be towed early tomorrow. The small battery appears to be dead. Those of us with 15-year-old petrol cars refrained from gloating in a very mature sort of way.

Interesting conversation about Palestine and Israel with Ciara and Des. Ciara and I perhaps surprisingly very much on the same page. Came in after longish session for evening snack and watched cricket and Ludwig. Cricket was interesting: commentators said England had done well, and News at Ten said they hadn’t. Earlier watched Celtic throw away a four-goal lead and fail to qualify for European Championship. Horrific floods in Nepal. 

Friday – Feels even more like Friday. Mainly dry with the odd shower. Very heavy rain at Snape in the evening. Dot went into city in the morning to buy stuff from Boots and came back with new shoes for holiday. Meanwhile I was tidying up. After lunch we drove to Christ Church to hear Bridget talk about St Brigid (not herself: the Irish one) and her friend Julie on Cuthbert.

After cup of tea and biscuits we drove direct to Snape, if by “direct” you mean via Shotesham. Had plenty of time to spare – had a glass of rosé each and then Dot had a crab and I had a herb and veg concoction involving mussels, which was ok. Heard the London Symphony Orchestra do a rather obscure viola concerto, followed by an unfinished Brückner concerto that was quite vigorous though not especially tuneful. Had ice cream during interval.

At the end emerged into heavy rain. Fortunately (a) we had cushions to put on our heads and (b) didn’t have far to go because we had arrived early and got a good parking spot. Out of the Maltings fairly quickly, but roads were a bit iffy, with the odd bit of standing water. Got stuck behind a car whose driver gave the impression he couldn’t see anything; took the opportunity to go the Beccles route when he turned off to Halesworth. After that it wasn’t too bad, and we were home just before 11pm. 

Incidentally, last night about 4am we woke to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse. Quite unexpected.

Wednesday, August 19 – Quite warm but rain in evening. At 6.50pm BBC showed a lengthy piece on the Cromer Carnival, with the reporter and interviewees being drenched and pools of water everywhere, followed immediately by their weather forecast, which said it was still mainly dry, but one or two places had had a few drops of rain. Brilliant joined-up thinking.

Thursday – Cloudy. Quite a bit of rain, but I didn’t go out because I spent all day writing four pieces for Parish Pump – one on St Francis, one on the M25, one on the Jarrow March and one on Winnie the Pooh. Dot made some pavlova for tomorrow. I cooked duck legs for supper, which were very good. Watched cricket, and the start of the new series of Ludwig. Bridget came round late morning for a cup of tea but not to clean because her wrist isn’t quite good enough. 

Friday – Mild in Surrey, cooler here. Second very busy day in a row: ended up feeling extremely tired with a headache – not something I get often. That was because I drove well over 300 miles in over seven hours, quite a bit of it in awful traffic on the M25. That sandwiched about 4.5 hours at Sue and Bob’s house in Ashtead, Surrey, with others of Dot’s college friends for the annual reunion.

The middle bit was very enjoyable; the driving not so much, especially when it started pouring with rain south of Newmarket. Satnav took us via Baldock and the A1, going clockwise round the M25, then back via the Dartford Crossing. Not much difference in time – or in distance. Dot couldn’t help with driving because I suspected it might aggravate her leg problem. When we got back we watched the cricket – an easy win for England against Pakistan in three days. 

Saturday – Woke late after bit of a restless night. Spent most of day catching up on things like editing photographs and other admin. Dot did similar things in a different room. Weather dry and little movement from neighbours. Had a bath. Cooked cottage pie for supper, and we accidentally watched the Tour of Spain highlights, in which the usual suspect beat a Briton by a couple of hundredths of a second, which is beyond a joke. Norwich and Spurs both lost 3-0 to London clubs (Millwall and Brentford respectively), following which we had a FaceTime with David and commiserated with each other. Then watched a bit of Bergerac that we’d watched before but had forgotten, causing us to wonder why we watch such programmes in the first place. Then watched EFL soccer and Alan Partridge, which we’d also seen before. Ah well. 

Sunday – Warm after coolish start. Drove to church and found parking very conveniently and unusually on Sussex Street. Passed David Cannon on the way in and after getting tea had chat with him, Liz and Eleanor outside. Graham led service and preached – extremely well, as usual: this time about how we saw Jesus and how he sees us (in a positive and loving way). Afterwards dropped off Graham’s iPad, which he left at church and was retrieved by Anna.

After lunch Dot prepared material for her holiday and paid M&M credit card. Discovered Kim was arriving just after 6pm from Huddersfield; so after posting birthday cards to my cousin Barbara and Prof Julia I went to meet her (twice, because train was delayed). Some kind of police activity at station: guy being searched in waiting room and some loud bangs outside. Took Kim back home for cup of tea and biscuits and gave her baked beans to take home (we did offer her a meal). Eventually we drove her home with her stuff. She was very grateful.

Earlier I had long chat with Jon Sissons about medical issues – largely the way he’s been treated by the NHS over heart problems and spent a huge amount on private treatment. Cooked a fairly late supper of salmon, and we watched Match of the Day. Also listened to computer talk on history of Palestine and Israel – going back a long way. The Crusaders did not come across well. 

Signs this week that hot weather is coming to an end. But last Friday (14th) it was still hot. Dot went in to city by bus to return trousers, get out some euros and buy earrings. I read quite a bit of the Susie Dent book and we had mainly fruit for lunch, then watched a bit of the film Yesterday. Had lasagne for supper and watched quite a lot of athletics. Bit annoyed by commentators who pretty much ignore Jemma Reekie , who came fifth (almost fourth) in the 800m, but spent some time on Thompson-Johnson, who came last in the decathlon 200m. Sadly Keely Hodgkinson was pipped for gold by Werro, and Zarnel Hughes suffered a similar fate in the 200m.

David FaceTimed and we had a long chat, partly about the Cambridge professor who has just died. Earlier there was a big attendance at street meet: Dot, Tim, Sam, Joe, Ciara, Sean and Matthew, plus a quick hello from Mark and Sarah, arriving home from the airport. 

Saturday – Mild; cloudy but dry. Call from Fred to say he was going to football match; so he called in to see us on the way (having got off bus in Tombland) and we walked to Carrow Road together after Jonathan called in with spare ticket for me. Lost 2-1 to WBA, but their first goal was handball. Draw would have been a fair result. City still can’t shoot. Gerald not there. Fred has left his church in Banbury because of theological differences (I think). Found it hard to do. Cooked sausages for supper, and we watched European athletics. Some good results for UK, especially in sprinting. Watered Des’s flowers quite late and had chat with Mark and Jon, largely about the road. Saw brief highlights of Norwich match before going to bed. 

Sunday – Still no rain, but cloudy and not quite so hot. Went to church in the morning. Small congregation, Eleanor leading Communion. Absence of Ray palpable but unspoken, for some reason. Howard spoke on Revelation without benefit of projector , which seemed to have broken but hadn’t.

After lunch drove to North Walsham. Bought a few things from Sainsbury’s, including a new water filter jug and of course flowers for parents’ and Doreen’s grave. Drove back via Wroxham – always a busy road. Helped Dot with watering. Earlier saw guilty couple arrive back to find car on unmade chunk of road. Cooked pies and had trouble eating everything. Bit odd. Watched Songs of Praise from Royal Norfolk Show, then crime/comedy series called Murder in Benidorm, which made us determined never to go there – and not because of the murder risk. Rest of evening watched final day of European Athletics from Birmingham, which was really good. Over 5000 steps – me, not the athletes. 

Monday – Cloudy but pleasant. A few drops of rain. Drove up to Rosary and put some flowers on mum and dad’s grave, plus the odd one on Andrew’s and grandparents’.  Later Dot and I did quite a bit of work in the garden, cutting off old roses and ambitious ivy stalks (me) and cleaning up the drive (Dot). Turned on electricity in No 11 and later watered the flowers. They are due home tomorrow. Had light tea (soup) and watched an episode of Van der Valk and the last two episodes of Bergerac. Both worthwhile, though Bergerac can be a bit irritating. Good ending though. 

Tuesday – Dull but not cold. Some rain overnight, and a few drops during the day. Drove to the Foundry, near Tasburgh, and had a late breakfast with Robin, Shelagh and Tricia. Brian didn’t make it. Tricia is having a hard time with him and with her health. On the way home we stocked up at Morrisons. Later felt very tired and had to lie down for a while. Nevertheless managed to finish Susie Dent mystery – Guilty by Definition – which is very clever: serving intellectual circles in Oxford, but still accessible. Had smoked salmon on bread. Greeted Des on his return from Europe – he was very pleased with his garden, which we had been watering.

Then gave Jude a lift to Claire’s for Cake and Compline: Claire had cooked a rather dense brownie, but I managed to consume it. Nikki had said she would come, but didn’t make it, and I think Phil is still away. Quite a good evening, despite a lot of neurodiversity talk early on.

Sunday, August 9 – Very warm and dry. Again. Drove to church: had to park way up Oak Street, but dropped Dot off first. Graham led and preached: liked his idea of Jesus smiling when he called Peter “you of little faith”! Mysterious Scotsman in kilt at service – friend of Graham’s. Afterwards Steve came down and gave us long talk about what had been happening to his father, Ray. This and a later WhatsApp message gave us the impression he was on the brink. Anna did very nice blackberry and apple cake as a congratulation for Steve B for completing his degree: he got a 2:2.

Had quite a long chat with David on FaceTime in the afternoon, reminiscing about Yelverton days. I sent him a selection of photos from yesterday’s celebration at the Wheel. Mouth is still a bit annoying: may be part of the process, or may not.  Dot did some washing and after a very light lunch I cooked pizza for supper.  Watered for Des, with commentary from Jon, then watched the end of Bridget Jones’ Diary, plus Songs of Praise and Staircase, a True Crime drama. Then this week’s Van der Valk. Too much TV really. 

Monday – Warm again. Dot spent quite a lot of time tidying up the garden. I felt very tired at first but recovered later and walked nearly 5000 steps. Ray Fiske died about 7.30am – a huge loss. He’s always been part of St Augustine’s. A kind and funny man. Put a piece about Maryta on Archant Facebook page and got some responses. Her funeral is fixed for later this month. Cooked pies. Saw last two episodes of Ride or Die – very good if you can ignore the fact that it’s about killing people.  Am halfway through Susie Dent mystery, which is very unusual. Put bins out. 

Tuesday – Pretty warm, but cooler in the evening. Dot worked hard in the garden and did a long list of things, including violin practice and feeding the birds. We both went to Morrisons and stocked up, and later I went over to Des’s and watered the flowers. Got a note through the door saying the road would be resurfaced tomorrow, but judging by the number of cars parked on it as we came to bed, this might be tricky. Dot had a violin lesson with Anna at 5, and I went round at 7, parking on Sussex Street and walking in. Had a really nice meal and chat; then I walked back to the car and drove back to pick Dot up. Talked about church and our families. Their daughters are both under stress of different kinds. Earlier saw Oliver’s university score 300 in University Challenge. 

Wednesday – Very warm. The council did resurface the road; by the time they came, there was only one car parked on it – unfortunately outside Mark’s house, directly opposite. I think they should have removed the car,  but instead they went round it.

We got the bus up to the hospital for Dot’s physio appointment, which went well. (Had a drink in the café first.) Good bus driver, as opposed to the one waiting outside when we emerged, who pulled away just as we and another family were approaching it. Had to wait in the sun for some time, and then got an 11a instead. Got off at St Stephens and I walked up to the dentist while Dot walked down to get another bus – oddly, the same driver who took us up there.

Equally oddly, I was able to see the dentist, who had a look at my teeth and said the place he’d taken it out was still sensitive because of exposed bone. Also he put something on it, and just said it needed time. Apparently it could take three months to heal completely! Dot was also reassured by her physio. I walked home and managed nearly 5000 steps altogether. Had late lunch and felt very tired, but saw some of R E Grant’s Odyssey documentary –  though it was more like an advert for Sicily.

Anyway, later on we had a near-total eclipse of the sun. Very well advertised; so I was outside making sure we could get a view when Sam and family came out with some viewing equipment they’d made. Then I went round the back and saw one of the cleaners at NWT with her husband and son getting a good view from their car park. He had a welding mask that was great for looking through, and he was quite happy for us to try it. I sort of knew them from a previous passing encounter. Also tried dark glasses and shaded eyes, which sort of worked. Got quite dark around 7.30, and I went in and cooked salmon, and we watched European Athletics. Gold for Hudson-Smith, 400m, and a 400m hurdles silver for Emily Swainson. Reached 6484 steps in the end. 

Thursday – Very warm. Tea/coffee outside, then mended sink plug. Took card round to post office. Anne came round after lunch for a chat. I had a lie-down afterwards for some reason. Leftover salmon for supper – I had fried potatoes; Dot had salad. Watched European Athletics: Amy Hunt got 200m gold to go with 100m; Irish girl came second. Irishman Mike English won 800m. Amy L FaceTimed, and after I rang her back we had quite a long chat. She seems well. Resurfaced road looking a bit iffy. Several cars parked on it today when asked not to. Small fire on Mousehold Heath, apparently.

Monday, August 3 – Sunny and warm. Up early after a predictably bad night so that I could get to the dental consultant by 9am. In the end Dot came with me (in case I couldn’t park) and stayed in the car (I could park). I was 20 minutes early but spent most of that time filling in a form about my illnesses, medicine etc etc. Eventually saw the dentist, who may have been South African and was very good, not to say thorough. He eventually decided one of my teeth needed removing and has let Adam know (my actual dentist). I am seeing Adam tomorrow; so he may take it out then.

The receptionist ran after me as I walked back to the car in Sussex Street and made me come back to fill out the details again: something had gone wrong when transferring them to computer. Long time since an attractive young woman chased me down the road. Actually, probably never. After all this we drove up to the chemist to get my pills, and I made an appointment at the surgery for an annual  review of my flaky health in three weeks’ time. Then drove home and had breakfast. Watched second half of Van der Valk episode from yesterday, and it was satisfyingly good. Had a very quiet afternoon, lying down for some of the time and not feeling great for some reason; did an indoor walk up to 3000 by 5pm (ended day with over 4000), and Dot read quite a lot of her book. Put bins out too.

Supper was meat pies, which went down well, and we saw the end of the Commonwealth Games. David FaceTimed after that: he’s quite happy with the heat. Sophie is home. Watched a documentary about Odyssey settings – Malta and Turkey – by Richard E Grant, followed by University Challenge.  

Tuesday – Hot.  Not a very good night. Drove to Thorpe for Archant pensioners’ breakfast. Tricia there, plus a number of others. She wasn’t feeling too good – bruised feet – and Brian was also low in the heat. Afterwards drove to Morrisons to stock up and saw Janet Smith, whose grandson has been very ill with seizures etc. Really hot outside. As we were preparing to pay, got a call from dentist asking if I wanted my tooth out today. Obviously I said yes.

Unpacked at home but didn’t feel much like lunch. Dot dropped me off on Ber Street, and I walked down through Chapel Loke. Extraction was pretty straightforward, but uncomfortable for a few hours, while pad was on. Went to sleep. Was able to have a light supper – fruit and bread and cheese – and we watched first two episodes of Ride or Die on Apple – excellent, especially Hannah Waddingham – as well as a couple more episodes of A Man on the Inside, on Netflix, which is light but also entertaining. Bed fairly early after cleaning up. Helped Dot water flowers. 

Wednesday – Warm; some cloud. Recovering from tooth extraction. Not in pain; just uncomfortable and having to be very careful with eating and drinking. Stayed in bed late and then had a bath. Later watered Des’s flowers: tomatoes doing well. Forgot to take pills in morning; so took them in evening. Watched a couple of new Ted Lasso and a couple more episodes of Ride or Die – both very good. Dot had bad back last night, but it seems to have improved during the day. 

Thursday – Warm but a bit windy. Better night, but mouth still a bit uncomfortable. Got letter from dental consultant re what he had found/recommended. Basically, that taking my tooth out was probably a good idea. Hope it was. Walked over to bus with Dot, who had a meeting in Jarrold’s with Bridget and Janet. Then after clearing up drove up to Rosary and put some roses on Andrew’s grave, because it’s his birthday. Also tidied up parents’ and grandparents’ grave a bit and walked round for a bit of exercise. As I got home Mary arrived from visit to her friend’s in Recorder Road, and we had a brief chat.

Had a light lunch and received some Amazon chocolate. As usual my tracker couldn’t find Dot in Norwich; so I sent her a message. She didn’t get that either. Same old same old. Dot had met Eleanor in Jarrold’s: she must be tracking them. Dot bought a couple of tops which are extremely attractive. She got home shortly before her new plastic greenhouse arrived. Had an interesting time erecting it. Cottage pie for supper, and we watched a mix of Ride or Die (highly recommended), Ted Lasso and A Man on the Inside. Have started mouth healing thing, but it’s feeling quite odd in there without being particularly painful. Managed 5000 steps.  

Friday – Warm but with a refreshing wind. Tooth seems to be improving, but the other suspect one at the front is niggling. Have been doing approved rinsing. Organised poem and picture for Bridget – will see if she approves. Dot likes it. Basically an old tanka with pic of Outer Hebrides. Street meet included Matt, Mary, Dot, Ciara and me. Passer-by took pic which I posted on WhatsApp group. Cooked salmon and we watched an episode of Bergerac, plus a couple of other things, including Ann Droid. Watered Des’s plants. They are on the border of Poland and Slovakia. Des and Chris, not the plants.

Saturday – Warm. Busy day after a bad night with acid reflux after forgetting to take my pills. Got up late and had a bath, then drove to the Wheel of Fortune for Denise and Peter’s 60th wedding anniversary buffet. Sat with Pam Feeke and Pat Barter and spoke to most people. Peter seemed a little distracted: he finds it hard to hear. Denise and children all right though: Elaine made great cake. Also spoke to Pitts, Paul and the Minns children.

Meanwhile Norwich were beating MK Dons 4-1 in Carabao Cup. Avoided traffic by delaying drive home, then drove to St Cuthbert’s Church to see a scratch (very lightly rehearsed) version of HMS Pinafore featuring David Archer in the men’s chorus. Had a chat with Bev, who did all the accompaniment on piano – brilliant. Pretty brilliant all round, actually. Lead singers superb. Bridget was pleased we made it.

On a much, much lower note, Maryta died today of a chest infection, and Ray Fiske is on the brink, having had a brain bleed. Puts my teeth into perspective. 

Tuesday, July 28 – Quite warm, except in Morrisons. Had to go back to car to get a jumper (which I’d just taken off). On coming back I ran into Madeline Jary, with Peter’s older brother and his two sons – or possibly grandsons. Had quite a long chat. Then when we came out we ran into Steven from St Augustine’s. Did some shopping too.

In the afternoon wrote three pieces for Parish Pump – on John Wisden and his Almanack; Buddy Holly; and Frank Hornby of Meccano and Dinky fame. Meanwhile Dot cleaned up the house in preparation for visit of Oliver and Sophie tomorrow. Felt quite down after writing Pump pieces, but recovered during evening as usual. After cooking and eating salmon en croute we went over and watered Des’s plants. Watched Commonwealth Games and were not enthralled. Watched most of a programme on finding Egyptian cities lost under Sahara because of global warming – I blame Bedouin emissions. Slept during much of it, but Dot enjoyed it.

Wednesday – Hot. Oliver and Sophie arrived at 11.20, and we managed to get to the station to meet them. Had a really good day with them – first a lunch at home, then they went into town and bought some books. After that we looked at some pictures and had a chat before walking down to Gem and having cocktails and a main: I had garlic mushrooms and tiramisu (separately) followed by Turkish tea, which was a bit strong. They both seem happy and relaxed. I saw them off on the 8pm train and saw that they had arrived home at Stratford. Watched Commonwealth Games and a bit of a Netflix series, The Man Inside, which was quite funny. Still very warm as we went to bed at 11pm. 

Thursday – Warm and dry till evening, when out of the blue it rained – quite heavily. Very welcome, of course. Anne came round at 11am and went into city with Dot.  They had lunch, and Dot bought some sandals and a dress – very smart – but her leg is still bad. Not sure about her next move. I read quite a bit of Clown Town and took my last antibiotic pill, after which I felt odd. Better later but still have some pain in my jaw, more irritating than agonising. Because Dot had lunch in town we had bacon and egg for supper, watched Commonwealth Games highlights and first two episodes of Staircase, a true crime drama. 

Friday – Pleasantly warm and dry. Got Dot up to walk-in centre by about 9.20 and there was no-one waiting! She had been having trouble with her leg, and she was diagnosed with what I suspected – a pulled tendon. She has to cut down on exercises and do short walks on smooth surfaces! Also got some pain-killing ointment from Boots and a heel-raising insert. The latter turned out to be too large; so after having our hair cut (and a bath for me) we called in at Boots again to change it. That was ok, but the traffic was horrendous; so we were a bit late for the talk at Christ Church on Julian. Quite good, though we weren’t sure if the speaker was male or female. Mainly female characteristics, but name was Josiah. Ho hum. Had an interesting talk afterwards with a bloke who worked at the EDP in the 80s – though at the Thorpe printing area. Also had chat with Bridget and David of course.

Forgot to take birthday card for Linda S which I had intended to drop off afterwards; so after a brief break I took the bus up to St Stephen’s and dropped it off, having a short chat with her and Reg. Walked back to Red Lion Street and caught 26, arriving home a couple of minutes before going out for street meet, in our drive where we all sat down: Matt, Angela, Ciara and Mary joined us, and we had a good time. Afterwards I cooked Lasagne and we watched the Commonwealth Games followed by Murder Benidorm, a crime comedy which improved just in time to stop us turning it off. 

Saturday – It’s August! Pleasantly warm. Colin arrived before 9 to cut our hedge, and I took him out a cup of tea. Discussed future possibities re hedge, ivy and roses, basically involving a drastic cutback in all cases. But that won’t happen till late autumn or winter. Walked over to station to get cash for ColIn – pretty busy over there. Paid Colin £170. After lunch spent an hour- plus tidying the garden, cutting back roses and sweeping up. Dot still looking after her leg; so I wouldn’t let her do much. Cooked salmon for supper with potatoes and courgettes. Watched Bergerac and Endeavour, plus Commonwealth Games (earlier). Got some nice pictures of a dragonfly, and a spider in its web. 

Sunday – Warm and dry. Had a quick bath before going to church. Smallish congregation. Liz leading; excellent sermon from Eleanor about Jacob wrestling with God. Greens away. Chat with Amanda afterwards. After lunch went to St Luke’s for celebration of Al’s life (Carrie’s husband). Bit odd because we didn’t know many people there – just Carrie, Judy, Sophie and Graham. I didn’t know Al very well but had met him a few times.

Home about 5pm – finished reading Clown Town (excellent), then went to sleep till nearly 7pm. Dot did cheese on toast as we’d had food at St Luke’s. Watched Commonwealth Games then Staircase and a new Van der Valk, which was very good. As it was a two-hour story we had to break off in the middle to go to bed.