Naomi arrived late on Sunday and stayed a couple of nights, departing at 1pm on Tuesday after an abortive attempt to do more work at UEA had ended in boredom. She bought us flowers and chocolates, which was very sweet.

We watched The Mission together on Monday, which raised some interesting questions. When she had gone, Dot and I watched the last episode of The Missing, which raised even more questions and provoked an article in the Telegraph today complaining about good TV serials that end weakly. This one certainly fitted the bill, leaving the viewer in the air and detracting from what had gone before. I suspect that this happens because writers (or directors) have their eyes on possible sequels, but it’s really not good enough when you’ve invested eight hours of watching into it.

Have spent a lot of time on preparing sheets for the Alternative (Truce) Carol Service and working on possible formats for the MIdnight Service on Christmas Eve. Also on writing and posting Christmas cards and wrapping up presents. Today as we were coming out of the door to travel south to Caddington I remembered to take Birgit and Joe’s presents and Joe and Ilona’s card to Hethersett. Both of them looked pretty ill, but they are off to Germany tomorrow, just as David is off to Canada.

This is a historic day. For the first time we travelled down the A11 between Thetford and Barton Mills and it was all dual carriageway! At last it’s open. We had doubted it would be finished in our lifetime, but it is, and it’s a beautiful bit of road.

Exciting day yesterday. Dot was out at Fleggburgh school most of the day, so I walked over to the supermarket in the morning to buy food for a little party in the afternoon, when we had a Chronicle meeting followed by a bring-and-share get-together.

Rob arrived at about 2pm, followed by Caroline, Dot, Annette and Mike, and Penny and a pregnant Charlotte. Then Linda to cut our hair and Colleen to deliver Kleeneze stuff. And somewhere in all that (near the beginning, I think) Andy delivered a present from him and Joy. A fun day altogether, and five empty wine bottles at the end. Annette and Mike returned for a cup of tea after doing some shopping, but the others left for good when Linda arrived.

Now we are looking after Amy while David going to Aylesbury to see Oliver before his departure for ten days in Canada. I walked round the village with David, delivering Christmas cards before he went. Hard put to keep up with him.