Weather still very wintry, but nowhere near as bad as at Caddington – to pick a village at random – where the snow has been deep and the power off. On Sunday we inched down the icy road to make it to church for the alternative carol service. Surprisingly large congregation: Ruth made it from Hethersett just in time to read my long poem, which she did beautifully, and Dot and Matt made a great job of the dramatic interlude. The music sounded pretty good too: Emily guested on violin, and Matt brought a small accordion. Amazing: I had been intending to do the blessing after Communion and found a Christmas prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson that I was going to use. However, Nicholas went straight into the blessing, using – unbelievably – the same prayer. It’s not well known; I just came across it on the Internet the same day. Spooky. Nice meal afterwards: Vicky and Jared excelled themselves, despite Vicky being under the weather. Took Anne Travis home, then despite going the long way round to get a run at the slope, failed again to reach the critical point and had to park at the bottom. So more grit-spreading etc on Monday morning, which freed the road enough for me to get the car to the driveway again. All this exercise ought to be good for me. I walked into the city to buy a few presents, mainly books, but then relaxed fairly thoroughly. Missed the Christmas chess event. Too risky.
Today made a fairly early start. Got the bus up to Eaton Park and delivered Paul’s Christmas card, then walked across the park to George Borrow Road to deliver Sylvia and Jack’s. As I was putting it through the door, the Number 35 bus pulled up opposite and I was able to get it back to the city centre, once we’d made it past a big traffic jam by the RC Cathedral. Walked through to the Forum in case any ice sculptures remained. They didn’t. On to Jarrolds, for bin bags (very Christmassy), and another book from the new independent bookshop, the Book Hive. This time for Philip. Think I have all the presents now. Dot is busy wrapping as I write. She loves doing it, and I’m no good at it.
Made brave attempt to fix the shredder, but suspect the motor has gone. Did manage to put the alarm clock together after it had fallen apart – which certainly impressed me – and also repaired a tiny chess rook which had got smashed in the bathroom. It would be better if tiny chess pieces didn’t drink – they can’t handle it. Then Michael came and fixed a plug and a cistern, so it was clearly a mending day. Meanwhile, Dot had gone shopping – mainly for Amy. I walked to Morrisons to get food for tonight’s Tuesday Group. Turning quite nippy again. Heather S rang to say her son Sam had been very ill for quite a while, with flu followed by pneumonia, necessitating several trips to the hospital. Happily he is now recovering, but it has been a difficult time for them.