I’ve just realised the Olympics end tomorrow. We’ve spent quite a long time looking at them, but seem to have seen hardly any athletics, probably because it takes place in the early hours. What we need is an athletics catch-up programme every morning… Last night the British women won hockey gold despite being undeniably the worse team but having the best goalie and winning the penalty shoot-out.
Back at the beginning of the week, Dot and I went to see Jessie on Monday – though Dot drove via Holt, and I went by train because I was finishing off the Volunteers Handbook for Paston. We coincided at Jessie’s about 2.30, and after our visit called in at the cemetery.
On Tuesday, a bit more editing and a haircut, and Fred and his grandson Tom (Kate’s son) called to park here before going to the Norwich-Bristol City match, which happily we won 1-0. They had a bite to eat before leaving and afterwards returned to West Runton.
On Wednesday the gas man came to service our system, which turned out to be fine except for the shower, which has been running cold for some days. He said it needed a new cartridge, but I suspect we’ll be having a new shower instead. Colin Moore will be coming on Wednesday at 10 – probably. Very hard man to pin down, or even contact. I also took the handbook to the printer, together with the Poetry/Walks book. I thought it was all over, but it wasn’t.
On Thursday I went by train to Coventry to visit Andrew, who is still in Hearsall Ward at the Caludon Centre and not making much progress. I travelled via London, and at Euston was surcharged £33 because I was “not off-peak”. This was at 3.03pm. Apparently Virgin Trains operate a different off-peak from everyone else. Yesterday I complained at Norwich Station, who were sympathetic; I await the result.
This rather soured the journey, but everything else went smoothly. I got a bus to the hospital (a journey of about 40 minutes) and spent about an hour with Andrew, as well as speaking to a nurse and a couple of helpers, who were all positive without being able to be specific. I took Andrew a couple of magazines. The journey back was straightforward. I chose to stay in a very hot carriage on the first leg because I was practically the only one in it, and I don’t mind being hot. Ate my sandwiches and drank my tea in peace and quiet. A swift transfer via Tube got me to Liverpool Street for the 8.30pm, and a comfortable seat in the front carriage. Home about 10.30pm, having read almost an entire book – The Gun Room, by Georgina Harding, which I can recommend.
Yesterday we managed to catch a bit of rain as we travelled to Holt to get a lamp mended. Had lunch in a cafe and bought some fruit before getting a bit wet on the way to the car. Later I returned to the printer, who had spotted a problem with the handbook. We managed to sort it out (some pages needed blanks behind them because they were designed to be ripped out).
Meanwhile I have ordered some new glasses to replace the ones I lost, and will have to order again to replace the computer ones, whose frames have just given up the ghost. Dot has some new violin strings. Everything seems to be breaking.