Last two days building up nicely to Christmas. Rather hesitantly out to North Walsham on Wednesday, but the roads were clearer than expected. Sainsburys at North Walsham was packed, however, and we abandoned hope of getting into the car park and stopped on Mundesley Road. Pretty full in the shop, but it all went fairly smoothly, including encounters with Lucy and Naomi, and later with Judith R from Bacton. Stocked up on a trolley full of food and inched across still frozen pavements to the car. From there to the cemetery, which was beautiful. Snow deep, crisp and even, and it didn’t seem cold at all in the sunshine . Left a couple of plants because all the water pots were frozen solid. On to the depths of the countryside, where the roads were still pretty treacherous – or put another way, pretty and treacherous. Got through without much bother, though, and arrived at Rosemary’s at the same time as her cousin Sharon and her boyfriend Nick – both police officers. Tried to look innocent. Tea and cake, followed by a brief appearance from her seven dogs, and we were off home. Got up the road OK, and five minutes after we got inside with the food, Phil and Joy rolled up, followed a short while later by Heather S and then by Vicky. Nice to see them all: P & J left when Heather arrived, but she stayed and chatted with Vicky.

Today was milder, and we left just after 11am for Alburgh to pick up the Christmas cake from Marion. Roads around Alburgh were still very snowy, and there was a flood at Hempnall, but still no real problem. Drove back to Yelverton, where Denise had invited us to drop in for drinks. Turned out to be quite a lot of rather delicious food as well. Eventually old friends put in an appearance: Barbara and Bart, Bernard and Mary, Madeleine and Jeff; also of course Clive (briefly) and the lovely Elaine, with her husband David and two children, Oliver (3+) and Tommy (15 months). They now live in Poringland, almost opposite Caistor Lane. Peter was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, partly because he’s just had successful cataract operations on his eyes which means he doesn’t have to wear glasses. His knee is clearly still giving him problems, however. Really nice time.

Roger called round on our return, and then Dot and I prepared the house for Christmas. We are now waiting to go to the Midnight Communion. The computer on which I’m writing this has been moved up to the living room so that I can use it while Andrew has the study as a bedroom. Weather forecast quite reasonable for the journey, and for the next few days.