Felt a bit queasy for a few days after getting back from Scotland, but yesterday and today have been feeling better, which is just as well because Dot has been under the weather for a couple of days after we fetched Andrew from Coventry on Thursday, his birthday. We shared the driving and discovered a very pleasant service area at Cambridge Services on the A14. We also drove through some more extremely heavy rain which restricted visibility a lot on the M6-Huntingdon stretch of the A14, when I was at the helm. Discovered later that Phil and Joy were driving home from Southampton and encountering the same conditions (though a bit later in the day). In Norwich it has been warm on the whole. Yesterday I took Andrew clothes shopping and spent £400 making him reasonably presentable. Then we drove to Winterton and had a wander down the valley and back along the beach (taking in the very pleasant smell of the sea), ending up at the cafe for scones and tea / coffee.  Andrew is very into cafes and newsagents. In the evening I cooked roast beef, which seemed to go down well. Today Andrew and I walked up to the Rosary, which was beautiful and extremely peaceful as always, then joined Dot for coffee in the Nelson, where we booked a table for this evening (for seven of us). After lunch we caught the river bus at Griffiin Lane and did the Broads trip, which was relaxing. Entertaining commentary included elucidation of several nautical terms, including “hijack”, which apparently originated when a group of prostitutes used to ensnare a sailor and rob him. “Hi, Jack!” Get it? Not totally convinced about that one. Lots of fun, though, and we saw a grass snake swimming across the river. Pretty nippy. Also discovered that Coldham Hall is about to reopen. Used to go there quite a bit with Dot’s parents. Apparently it was called “Coldham” because some royal personage was served cold ham there and enjoyed it so much she insisted the name was changed. Hmm. Not sure about that one either.

Earlier in the week enjoyed an ambient barbecue with the Cracknells (Monday) and had our hair cut (Wednesday). I think I may have overdone the haircut thing. Sam, the young mother opposite, said she thought the neighbourhood was going down, and when I said it would grow again, replied: “It had better.” Dot and I are in Ellie’s bad books because we shouted at her to stop her running into the road.

Things dreadful on the sports front.. England scored 102 all out against Australia, and Australia were all out for 445. So that should be close. Norwich City, meanwhile, are unbelievably 6-1 down at home to Colchester. After-match comments should be interesting. (Final score 7-1. Aaaaargh!!)