Light rain for most of the day on Sunday September 13; reasonably warm. Dot was suffering a bit from diarrhoea as a result of taking antibiotics; so I went to church on my own. Quite a small congregation, though boosted by a Dutch couple who had taken their daughter to UEA. Had a chat with them afterwards. Communion led by Graham, with sermon on forgiveness. Anna had chosen hymns but wasn’t there; Matt played piano. Interesting. Spoke at length to Liz, partly about former Tuckswood head Ann Curran, who she knew through the URF Church in Ipswich Road, and who had recently died.

Took empty jars left  at ours on Thursday to Claire’s and asked her to change Cake & Compline date because Judy had discovered it clashed with a DCC meeting. Nikki and her boyfriend Danny came round in afternoon and left car in our drive so that they could attend a wedding at the Greek Orthodox church on Recorder Road. Very long wedding; they came back afterwards as I was about to cook the evening meal, and we had a drink and theological/ general Christian: Dot told them about her miracle in Paris, and they respond in kind. Really good time. When they left I cooked duck legs for evening meal. Offered to cook them something but they demurred. Hope to see them again soon: Nikki is quite uplifting. Dot went upstairs to pack while I carried on cooking.

Monday – Mainly dry, but with some light rain. Packed for holiday in Blakeney,  put out bins and asked Christine to push them back in after they’d been emptied. Dot not feeling great at first but improved. Same with me, but I had to take paracetamol in the car. We left at about 1.45pm and had to avoid a huge queue on the Cromer Road by diverting via Horsford. Arrived at Blakeney just before 3pm, at the same time as the Evetts, who had also had a difficult trip. Had a chat with them in the lounge after unpacking.

We then went for a walk and returned for sleep. Met for drink at 6.45 then supper at 7. I had a pie, which was ok, and some rosé. Then Eton Mess deconstructed. Afterwards went to Evetts’ room for shot of whisky, following which Dot and I walked down to carnser. Looked as if high tide had been and gone. Fantastic sky full of stars – really beautiful. You don’t see that in Norwich. Walked back and went to bed. 

Tuesday – Mainly dry again; sunny later. Woke up early, as did Dot. Her reaction to antibiotics not so bad today, but she was quite late to breakfast. Had the usual semi-English. Felt very tired but things improved later, after we reached Felbrigg. We went in Dave’s car because he didn’t think he’d get in ours. Had drink on arrival, then went round part of walled garden. Julia is still suffering and walks very slowly as well as feeling cold (it was actually quite warm).  Dave has quite a limp after his operation. Enjoyed some unusual flowers and the odd hen. Then made our way back for lunch: we both had scones. Julia wanted to sit inside! Afterwards made our way back to car after shop and loo, and I checked on new memorial rose garden. Well, you have to, don’t you ?

Took a long route because some brain-deficient idiot had put “Road closed” signs on the coast road when it turned out that it was still saying “Road closed” when we got to Blakeney via Holt and Cley. Goodness knows where it was actually closed. Hunstanton?  After getting back we walked into centre and bought a couple of ice creams – one per pair. Then back to rooms for a rest. Had cocktails before supper – I had a tequila sunrise. Then a large rosé. Not good. Well, good but probably not wise. Had steak frites for supper – steak was delicious. Then another reconstructed Eton Mess. Had a drink (tonic) and chat afterwards, then Dot and I took a chilly walk up to harbour, where water had encroached, but not up to road. Stars stunning again. 

Wednesday – Bit cooler but dry.  After breakfast drove to Bayfield Hall to go round sculpture trail organised by Sarah Cannell of Raveningham fame. Knew her from Paston days, and she recognised me (“Mr Poetry”) when we met. Trail was a bit chaotic but contained some good stuff, including a few little filmlets in a tent, a huge solar-powered butterfly and a number of other things. Quite impressive. Think Dave and Julia got tired fairly quickly; we split up and met back at their car. Part of trail was ruined church on a hill, which was quite spectacular in its own right. The grounds of the hall were pretty impressive, with the River Glaven running through.

Afterwards we went to Normal for  Norfolk, where there is now a new café. Dot and I shared blueberry pancakes, whicb were delicious. Drove back to hotel and went for a walk independently. Dot visited some shops and I walked out through the carnser car park, but not too far because it got muddy.  On my way back to meet Dot I chanced on the Evetts outside Two Magpies, but they were heading back for a rest. Dot then turned up, and she and I did likewise. Eventually I had a bath. Supper was at 6.45: I had another rosé and lamb wth a rather strange assortment of vegetables – largely Moroccan in style, I believe. All right but not great. I followed up with tea, and we all had a chat in the lounge but went to bed pretty early.

Thursday – Bit of rain but not much. More in Norwich early I think. Dot washed hair; so we were a bit late for breakfast. After paying we drove in separate cars to Holt, where we stopped in the Budgens car park (£4 on exit). Tried a couple of random shops, then went to Byfords for a drink, which turned into lunch. Very nice too.  Then we said goodbye and split up. Dot and I went to Bakers and Warner’s to see what Dot wasn’t going to buy, then headed home.

Arrived mid-afternoon, feeling very tired again. Dot too. She was near the end of her antibiotic pills. Rearranged bedrooms in preparation for Barry’s painting – easier said than done. Bit of a mess really, though not eaten. Get it? We have moved into the guest bedroom, which is quite comfortable. I thought I’d left my charger plug and cable behind and left a message at the hotel, as well as notifying Dave. But it turned out later that I hadn’t.  Lots of messages to answer.

Friday – Grey and chilly, with rain in the evening. Felt pretty low all the morning, but much better by evening as usual. Ray Fiske funeral at 11.30: good service by Graham, with some nice words by Ray’s granddaughter. Afterwards went to hall for sandwiches and spoke to Nikki, Howard, Stuart and various other people, including Mark Campling, his partner and sisters, plus Sophie, Liz and David and…and…

Left a bit early because Dot had second funeral – or more accurately a thanksgiving service – at 3pm in the United Reformed Church on Ipswich Road. This was for her former head Ann Curran, from Tuckswood. I didn’t go to that but tidied the house up and broke a piece of glass, but “repaired” it. Traffic bad; so Dot was late back, and there wasn’t much time before I had to take her up to the Theatre Royal for an evening meal with Anne before they watched High Society.

Meanwhile I had a sausage roll that Barry had given us when he arrived at 8.30am to do the painting, then went out to street meet in the drizzle, sheltering under the garage arch of No 11.  Present: Des, Chris, Matt, Angela (who is off to Scotland tomorrow), me, Jon and Sam. I had tea instead of wine because I went shopping afterwards for food at Morrisons. Very few people there and no-one on the tills; so I had the horrific experience of trying to get through the checkout on my own. Got some help from a young lad and managed to complete it. Home and unpacked; had light supper and did some puzzles. Earlier I had re-watched part of Ludwig where I had gone to sleep yesterday, and suddenly it all made sense. Sort of. Dot arrived quite late – trouble getting Anne’s car out of car park because she’d forgotten her number plate. She enjoyed HS but said the food was nothing special. 

Tuesday – Rain, and Dot sent me a message that she had left Nice on the train, and they had good seats. I was still in bed. Tuned my guitar, after remembering I had a tuning app on my phone. How could I forget that? Very worrying. Had a bath.

Drove Des to xray place out on Earlham Road near the garden cemetery. Traffic not bad. Parked while he went in – discovered he was also seeing a consultant, which would take longer of course. I had brought the Rodney Green book on Revelation, which I finished quite quickly. Very interesting and generally good: combination of devotional and commentary but, being home published, difficult to handle. Didn’t agree with bit on conspiracy theories for the usual reasons. Perhaps I should write an article on conspiracy theories: need to get together with a small group of other weirdos…

On the way home I gave him practically my whole life story: it started out by explaining about Surrey Chapel – which is getting isolated by the demolition of Anglia Square – and progressed into working in London etc etc etc. Bridget came round to do the cleaning not long after we got back. She curtailed it a bit because she’s going to see The Marriage of Figaro tonight.

Had long exchange of messages with Dot, who was worried that they’d miss the Eurostar (which they caught by a whisker) and then that they wouldn’t be able to get to Liverpool Street in time. I was a bit blasé about the Eurostar bit because I’d forgotten they were an hour ahead (or behind) and thought they had plenty of time….

Anyway, I went up to the sorting office and posted off a cheque, then came back to cook myself a steak and ale pie. Before that I gave Angela the poster for Saturday’s boot sale at St Luke’s. Had to reassure Dot again that the world would not end if they missed the London connection. We’ll never know if it would have ended, because they caught the connection after retrieving Anne’s bag from the hotel she’d left it in and then travelling by tube. Again someone gave Dot a hand with her case up some steps. Train arrived on time in Norwich, and I met them. Anne shot off almost immediately, and we were very late in bed after she gave me a rundown on the holiday. 

Wednesday – Dry, but cloudy and a bit chilly. Had to get up early because Barry came round about 8.45 to discuss some painting Dot wanted him to do. I joined them for discussion in the kitchen and a cup of tea. Then had breakfast and went to Morrisons to stock up with food. Had fruit for lunch. Both very tired in the afternoon and had a sleep on the bed – felt much better afterwards.

Cooked trout for supper – very nice indeed – and tidied food away. Dot had a shower after doing some washing, which we left outside to dry overnight. In the evening we went to Carrow Road and saw Norwich beat Birmingham 2-1. Very close match. Des was sitting in the row behind, and some friend of Jonathan’s next to me (Lesley ‘s brother?). We walked home with Des, then watched the Test Match – Pakistan looked very downcast. In bed very late again and lay down at 12.20 after writing blog. 

Thursday – Mainly dry, but rain in late evening. Felt quite odd most of the day – headache and very tired. In fact had quite a long sleep in the afternoon after cooking lunch – steak and ale pie again. Had a bath in the morning. Dot did a lot of washing, and I moved car into the road so that people coming to Cake and Compline could park. Des also let Judy park in his drive, and David and Bridget couldn’t come (rehearsal, cold); nor did Phil and Nikky. Lots of discussion about Vicky’s children: Amy seems in a bad way. Watched a bit of football on TV. Spoke briefly to David after I FaceTimed him by mistake and he FaceTimed back. Bit worried about Dot’s legs – cellulitis? She is planning to go to walk-in centre tomorrow. 

Friday – Rain overnight, but dry and quite warm the rest of the day. Got Dot to walk-in centre at around 9pm. Rang surgery in response to their call about my test results and booked an appointment for October 2! Hope this means it’s not urgent. A few hours later got a call from a doctor about my blood pressure; he wants to increase my dose of Perindropril. he also said something about cancelling the other appointment, but I’m ignoring that.

Oliver’s birthday today – he’s 24. Unbelievable. I was married at that age and moving from our flat in Stoke Newington to Winchmore Hill. Of course, Oliver is in London too… Sent him a message: he should also have received our card. Anyway, picked up Dot around 10.30  – she may have a mild case of cellulitis. Prescribed ointment, antihistamines and antibiotics. Took her to Boots, but they didn’t have the antibiotics. So took her to Morrisons pharmacy, and they didn’t have the ointment. We’re going back for it tomorrow. Popped into the main Morrisons and ran into Chris and Des, whose car is still hors de combat. So we gave them a lift home. Felt quite tired and achy. Watched Euro football. Street meet well attended: Des, Chris, Matt, Mark, Sarah, Jon, Ciara, Sam, Joe and Sean. And us of course. Des got us fish and chips, and we watched cricket, Vuelta, Ludwig and Would I Lie to You?  Somewhere in the middle of all that Dot did the ironing and I cleared up the house, as well as going for a short walk up to the cinema and back through the station. 

Saturday – Dry and quite warm till evening, when we had some rain. After lunch drove Dot to Morrisons pharmacy to pick up the last bit of her prescription – cream/ointment for her leg. Had quite a long phone conversation with my cousin Barbara, who is surviving through faith while refusing medicine and heart operations. She’s amazing really. Think I might follow in her footsteps. Listened to Norwich City losing in the last minutes to Middlesbrough 4-3, after scoring in the first minute. England bear Pakistan after being 0 for 2 in the first over. Might have been closer if Root hadn’t been “out” to a no-ball.

Dot has been working out how and when to take her pills. Had chicken forestière for supper. Rather nice. Watched usual stuff on TV, including a  Professor T episode and the news. Also caught a bit of the Last Night of the Proms. Holst’s Jupiter is brilliant. Showed Dot how bank accounts on phone work. 

Discovered an amazing piece of music – Country Boy by Albert Lee – one of the all-time great guitarists in my opinion. This links to it, I hope. Pretty good pianist too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXuZpVin7Hs&list=RDzXuZpVin7Hs&start_radio=1

Reasonably warm on Thursday, September 3: slightly windy but dry. As usual felt tired when I woke up, though I’d had quite a good sleep. Read a bit, then had breakfast and received a phone call from my cousin Barbara, who didn’t sound too sharp. I offered to come to see her on Saturday, but she wanted me to ring her next week, when she hoped to be feeling better. Think she’s getting a bit of aggro from a neighbour.

Had to shorten our conversation a bit as I was due to pick up my chess friend Mike Read, to take him to Bury St Edmunds again to see Owen Hindle.  (Actually Fornham All Saints, but near enough.) Had a good time there, much of it watching snooker (Owen rarely turns the TV off.) Did play through one chess game, though, and for a change he had a cleaner there, who danced round us (not literally). She seemed a nice woman. Journey both ways was fine, if you accept the usual hold-up approaching Norwich on the A11 – no obvious progress being made, but then the workmen are all out of sight. I know that because there’s a sign saying so.

Had mussels for supper, thus identifying with Dot. Watched latest Vuelta stage, featuring a new Slovenian star. Found loaf of bread in the road near Mark’s car, but it wasn’t his. Later Joe announced lots of police outside : they were apparently looking for a knife, though not to slice the bread. Small gathering of neighbours to discuss, and some time later I heard someone had been tasered on Rosary Road. The sunshade in our back garden was out of its holder, but I don’t think that was connected. Went to bed early and read. 

Friday – Very wet in the morning, but dried out by the time I walked to St George’s Street by way of the river path with Des, Chris, Sean and Ciara for lunch at XO, which is sort of Asian. I had pork wontons and a bit of watermelon salad, plus a cup of tea. Quite pleasant. Apparently the restaurant will be closing soon.

I had a bath before I went. We walked back together, and I had a couple of hours’ rest before street meet. Read a bit. Quite a number of people out in the street. As well as the aforementioned, there were Joe, Jon and Matt. Sam is practising for the city run tomorrow morning.  David FaceTimed while we were out there and gave them a wave, but I rang him back for a chat later. Apparently Chrissy’s job is going from strength to strength. Had some mackerel fillets with bread and butter and watched Ludwig. To bed not long after 10pm. 

Saturday – Dry and quite warm. Got up a bit late, feeling a bit strange. Went out for walk – down Rosary Road, along the riverside and up the Close, then into the Cloisters. Back through to Prince of Wales Road. Over 6000 steps by end of the day. Saw Ciara as I went out and when I got back, and had a brief chat. She is putting up hanging baskets, which will please Dot, who seems to be staying in Nice today. During lunch started watching what I thought would be a little bit of snooker, but it turned out to be the longest game I’ve ever seen (well over an hour), with masses of safety. Won by Selby against the odds, and he won the match too. Did some sudoku while I ate supper; for some reason didn’t feel very hungry. Caught up with some other stuff afterwards, sent Oliver’s presents and paid the TV licence and watched EFL football, including Norwich City’s 3-1 away win at Sheffield United. We are now in the top half of the table. 

Sunday – Cloudy at first, brighter later. Listened to Morning Worship. Spent some time debating whether to go to church or not, but at the moment they are running along Riverside (athletes, not the church). Not sure I could get out in the car. There was probably a way, or I could walk, but I didn’t really feel keen. Saw Des and Mark going up to Old Library Wood with gardening tools. Read a bit in old diary and realised it was ten years ago to the month that we went by train to Switzerland and met Peter and Joan.

Anyway, had a light lunch with biscuits and a very nice chicken pâté. Dot went to Cannes and appears to be having a good time. Kim came back from Coventry and said she was “jiggered” after helping her daughter to pack in preparation for moving – so I gave her a cup of tea and a lift home, then went and filled up with petrol at Morrisons – the petrol bit having reopened. Then I had an unusual supper – the other six sausages and two fried eggs with toast. Managed to execute the fried eggs very well for some reason. Was going to have fried potatoes, but I didn’t like the look of them. Played through some EP chess games and went to bed. 

Monday – Girls went to Villefranche and I got a scam call about someone using our debit card. I hope it was a scam call. Did the Monday crossword and some washing, watered a few plants, tied back the roses, refilled the bird bath and took Des to Volkswagen about his car: they were singularly unhelpful. He also got an estimated bill of £18,000 for his knee operation, which hit him just before I tried to teach him sudoku. Tomorrow I take him for an x-ray. Had early supper – two lamb chops grilled. Quite nice, actually. Watched weekend football. Paid some charity money and did the last of my blood pressure measurements. Early to bed after clearing up. Read quite a lot of the Rodney Green book. 

Quite a lot of rain on Saturday, August 28 – heavy in the evening. Linda came and cut our hair just after 11am, and I had a bath. Then after lunch Dot went to the football match: City beat Burnley 4-1, which made her pretty happy. Unfortunately Spurs lost to Newcastle, as we discovered when David FaceTimed in the evening after we’d had steak and ale pie. He seems optimistic, however. Watched cricket – much of it washed out – and the Championship highlights, as well as the end of Paddington 2 again, which we happened on by chance. Sent birthday cards to Kristine and Joy. 

Sunday – Mixture of sun and cloud. Dot spent most of the day doing the last preparations for her holiday with Anne. Gave garden advertising post to Joe, who says he will use the wood for shelves! Later Des came over and asked about our seeing them when Dot comes back, to view their pictures from their rail adventures. I managed to do over 5000 indoor steps, and did some clearing up as usual. Also cooked sausages for supper. England beat Pakistan easily in second Test. One of the Pakistan players got 97, and was caught on the boundary. Thought it would have been nice if the fielder deliberately dropped it, just to give them something, but of course he didn’t. Didn’t go to church, which was a joint service at St Luke’s, but discovered afterwards that Ray’s funeral will be on the 18th. Happily, we shall be able to go, though Dot has another funeral (Ann Curran) later the same day, and a theatre date with Anne in the evening.

Monday – Threatening rain much of the time, but I don’t think it actually did. Strangely slow motion in the morning as Dot put the final touches to her preparations for her holiday. Anne arrived about 11.30 and they went over to the station – with me – just before 12 to catch the 12.30 train. Bit worried about the weight of Dot’s case, but too late to unpack. Anne bought some coffees at the station, and they boarded in good time.

I went home and spent nearly two hours in the garden,  cutting back at front and rear. Got jumper and trousers dirty; so put them in the wash while I had a bath and read a bit. Dot rang to say she’s reached London OK, and we had a couple of other chats, one because I thought she might have my glasses; still not sure she hasn’t.  They went out for a pizza in the evening; I had pea and hock soup. Watched a bit of TV and went to bed early, feeling pretty tired. Several times while I was watching TV I had the odd sensation that Dot was there too. 

Tuesday – Dry and fairly warm. Went to Archant Pensioners’ breakfast as usual and was glad to see Tricia there, so that I could sit in the usual place and have breakfast without appearing to start a splinter group. So I did that, but to be honest the breakfast wasn’t very good. Still, had a long chat with Tricia: neither she nor Brian are in very good health. His nephew is going to sort out a phone for him; so I don’t have to worry about that. Afterwards I went to Morrisons and spent £100, even though there was only one of me.  Noticed the garage is operating normally again.

Had a chat (well, two) with Des: his car won’t be ready till at least Friday and will cost well over £300, but he won’t need a lift from me tomorrow because his daughter is doing the errand in question. Cut some little branches off the tree in the front, because I noticed it was hitting me as I came in. Later sorted out the bins: Des had put some stuff in the brown one and moved it out on to the pavement. Meanwhile I lay down because I was feeling very tired and later read quite a bit of Howard’s brother’s book on Revelation, which is very interesting. Had a lunchy sort of supper and watched Vuelta highlights. Had a sudden attack of violent sneezing; not sure why – perhaps I was sensitive to something in my lunch concoction. Didn’t feel ill. Earlier I had tried to ring my cousin Barbara, with the idea of going over to see her. But she didn’t answer. 

Around teatime I walked over the Julian Bridge to get a few steps – ended the day well over 5000! Had been following Dot’s journey across France, taking in Marseille and Toulon etc, and she eventually arrived at Nice around 7pm. She seemed to be wandering around town; so I sent a message, but no reply. Eventually phoned her about 9.30 (10.30 Nice time), when she was eating in the Hotel Splendid’s rooftop restaurant. She phoned back at midnight Nice time and we had a chat. Think they’ll survive, though Anne left her shower bag in the London hotel. Dot said several people helped her with her case in stations and trains, which is nice. Or is it Nice?  

Wednesday – Rather grey, but still quite warm. Rain from about 5.30pm. Read quite a bit and had a bath. Bridget arrived about 2pm and had a bit of trouble parking her car, partly because of the narrow space and partly because of her wrist. She was able to do the cleaning, though. I had lunch and did a couple of puzzles. When she left, about 4.50pm, she gave me a lift to Riverside so that I could walk across the river and home via King Street and the station. Sadly the rain started when I was halfway back. Not too heavy, but annoying, and not forecast.

Cooked salmon for supper and watched Vuelta – stage won by British sprinter Matthew Brennan (his third). Exchange of e-mails with Dot, who seems to be really enjoying Nice, which is 30 degrees, and with Kim, who is jiggered in Coventry. I think that means tired out, helping her daughter to move. Oh well, as Peter Green would say.