The journey to Coventry and back on Sunday went very smoothly – not much on the road, and a temporary  let-up from the rain. Arrived back in Norwich shortly before David arrived from Caddington. Christmas Eve saw the traditional visit to Waitrose to pick up the turkey (and a few other things), following which we dropped in on Heather and Simon with their presents. Weather damp and unprepossessing, and it continued that way as Dot and I made our way to church for midnight communion, leaving Andrew asleep and David in bed.

Phil, Dot and I had a brief rehearsal in the hall for our playing of Silent Night, for which we had taken a revolutionary approach and learned to play it without written music. The old church was pretty full for the service (over 100, I’m told), and we also had a small choir, which was excellent. I did one of the readings, as Howard was ill. Afterwards I had to take down and put up notices on the gates, then lock the gates for Boxing Day (legal requirement). It was very wet, and this took some time, with Carrie S waiting to take the keys away so that she could open up on Boxing Day morning.

Christmas Day dawned – well, wet again, and the food was delicious. I was also spoilt by the number and quality of presents, in addition to my new iPhone4, which I had bought off David who, together with my wife, now has iPhone5. All very gadget-orientated, and even more so the following day, when we travelled to Caddington to meet the grandchildren, who were delivered by Vicky and Julia. There the children opened their presents, and we had a late supper, after which I travelled north to deliver Andrew back to The Langleys. Again, the weather wasn’t too bad, but there was a lot of traffic on the M1. Happily, however, no hold-ups, and I was back by 9.45pm.

We all stayed the night in Caddington, and returned to Norwich the next morning, when, amazingly, it was wet. Even wetter, in fact: heavy rain all the way, with very low cloud, only relenting marginally when we reached Norwich. Dot and I were the advance guard, and I was quickly down to Budgens, and then Tescos, to procure various items, including a trifle for Amy or, as it transpired, David. Played a lot of games after lunch, and after tea too.

Today it has been slightly less wet. David went shopping for children’s clothes, and Dot and Amy went to Morrisons and Hobbycraft, whence Oliver and I had to meet them because they had accumulated so much stuff. This afternoon it was Coppit (oh yes it was), and now we are about to tackle what looks like a very appetising toad in the hole. Amy has also put together a new year Victoria sponge, with a little help from Dot.