Here we are in Buxton again, having defied numerous adverse weather forecasts and enjoyed a relatively trouble-free journey, calling in to see A Ethel on her birthday before heading down the A11. No free-falling snow at all on the journey, but plenty on the roadsides as we got beyond Leicester, and more than plenty as we neared our destination.

Buxton itself has had a great deal of snow, but  the roads are clear and the sun was shining as we arrived. We will see how the weekend goes. Manchester has been mentioned. We have just had a cup of tea and chat with Dave and Julia and will be going down to dinner soon.

The wintry week began with my leading the service on Sunday and continued on Monday with a visit to James Knox Whittet at Heydon, where we were joined by Rob and discussed the future of Chronicle, settling on a project focusing on Norwich and the decade 1460-70. Caroline is too involved in her new home in the Lake District and matters arising to be involved, but she remains on the Chronicle website as a full member.

On Tuesday I received a letter from the Inland Revenue, asking me to access a form online and change St Augustine’s bank details. Accessing it proved tricky, but I managed it eventually and completed it – ringing up Anna to get Howard’s NI number. Later I called in for Howard’s signature on the way to cake and compline at the Archers’. Anna and Niki were there. Not at the Archers’: present there were Claire and Vicky, with Judy unavoidably absent.

Arctic blasts late on Wednesday failed to deter me from going to the Maddermarket while Dot was at orchestra. I saw Boeing Boeing, a French farce about an American juggling three airline stewardesses. Good stuff, but the theatre was half empty, and I saw no-one I knew.

Yesterday we tried to beat the forecast snow in Norwich by hastening to the supermarket, washing the car, racing to North Walsham cemetery with flowers and then calling in on Jessie for tea and shortcakes – all before lunch. In the event no snow materialised.

Just had a very pleasant meal and have retired to bed. Heavy snow shower while we were eating, but only about a centimetre or two deposited. All had long chat with Polish waitress.