There’s been a slow thaw for the last couple of days. We’re hovering around the 1C – 2C mark, and although there is the occasional light snow/sleet shower, there’s no increase in the snow covering, and our road is gradually clearing. Other parts of the country are different, with very low temperatures in the Midlands, North and Scotland. Things were not looking so good on Saturday, and we had been considering walking to church, but yesterday morning there was no real problem. About the usual number at church; my sermon was a bit controversial (fire and water), but there was no riot. In fact everyone hung around for a long coffee, except Liz.

We’ve been fairly snug for the last few days, not going out much, except to the supermarket. Dot did go into the city, though, and bought a new frying pan. I’ve been working on the editorial training stuff for Anne, but today will be switching to the poetry talk I have to give at Costessey Junior tomorrow. This afternoon Dot is doing a Philosophy session at Sprowston, with a follow-up next Monday. We’re catching up on a recording backlog, and yesterday saw The Cider House Rules, a film from a novel by John Irving. Very moving and beautifully constructed. I love the way he writes.

Have also finished The Girl who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest, by Stieg Larsson. Brilliant, compulsive book, but you have to read the first two of the trilogy before attempting it. Its plot is almost entirely devoted to the aftermath of the second book and rather depends on your having read it. So sad that the author died after writing it. Nothing more to come…