This has been a quiet week, really, in terms of physical activity. I haven’t been out much, except on Tuesday, when Dot dropped me at Richer Sounds on her way up to the garage to purchase four new tyres for the Mazda 3 (over £500 – I blame Gordon Brown, since I don’t think anyone has blamed him for the cost of tyres yet). At Richer Sounds I asked for £80 back, as I hadn’t claimed on my warranty cover for my hi-fi over three years. To my surprise, there was no loophole: they handed it over without any problem, once I had worked out how to get in the building. The front door was locked and no-one had the key; apparently everyone arrives by car and uses the back entrance in the car park. I bought a cable that may or may not be useful. I need to speak to my technical expert, who may also advise me on whether or not to buy a Flip camcorder, which seems ideal for my needs. I am very tempted to go for it immediately, but won’t. Probably.

Anyway, on my walk back home I took the picture above from Fye Bridge before walking through the cathedral and realising I was actually very tired. I sat for a while, then continued home. Later on Annette R called and we had a chat about progress with the Paston project, which seems to be going well, though Annette is a bit concerned about practical aspects of putting the book together. Later on in the week I responded to a collagraph from Sharon Teague with a poem I was quite pleased with, using imagery from jousting and chess. I used a title I have been trying to use for ages: Blue Days, Black Knights. Buddy Holly would have approved. Perhaps.

Later we had a good evening with the Tuesday Group, though I had to take paracetamol before they arrived, as I was getting a bit the worse for wear. Surprisingly, it worked very well. On Wednesday Linda came round and did our hair, following which Dot disappeared into the city to meet Barbara. Pretty miserable weather, and I declined the opportunity to join her there to purchase a new anorak, which I will eventually have to do, much as I hate shopping for clothes. The Tour de France has started, which is always a good sign, and Dot and I are following it closely on ITV4, which gives it an hour a night – or about 40 minutes once you remove the adverts. So of course we always record it and skip them.

Dot has been busy completing a distance learning task related to her school inspections: she has almost finished, but it seems to have taken up a huge amount of time, considering that she’s not getting paid for it. I have started writing an account of my prostate adventures and have completed a kind of prologue – the period leading up to my operation. I am intending to include the poems I wrote while in hospital and just afterwards, but can’t imagine who – other than family and close friends – would be interested in reading it. Nevertheless, I feel it should be done. I don’t know the ending yet, or course.

Last night, while I was watching England do remarkably well at cricket, Dot went to a PCC meeting which must have been one of the shortest on record. Why do I miss all the good ones? Apparently Nicholas is thinking of taking three months off to write a book on Developing Consciousness. I wonder if our joint effort a few years ago will feature or if this will be a completely new book. I may get an acknowledgement, but I suspect it will end up as one of the many pieces of writing I’ve completed and then failed to get published. Or to be more accurate, failed to make much attempt to get published.

I got a surprise e-mail from a guy in Weymouth who knew a Margaret Lenton who turned out to be the grand-daughter of my great-grandmother’s sister. There must be a word for that. Facinating stuff, actually, because she was quite a distinguished composer. The guy may even send me a CD of her music. This is possibly the most interesting Lenton I’ve come across in my genealogical adventures. Unfortunately she’s dead, and neither she nor her only sister married or had children.

Had a long phone call this morning from the social worker in Coventry, saying the doctor is quite worried about Andrew, following certain memory tests, and wanting to talk about transferring him to another team and possibly another residence. Phil and I are very much against this, as he seems so happy where he is and enjoys his freedom. A change might result in him having to be accompanied whenever he goes out, and he would hate that. After talking to Phil this afternoon, I will probably write (as suggested by the social worker) and ask for a second opinion.

The weather is calm at the moment, but thunderstorms are forecast for today and tomorrow, followed by much better weather from Sunday. Hopefully this will mean we can use Fred’s caravan early next week.