Got a nice letter back from the other churchwarden at Harlestone, saying she’d see what she could do about the aggressive bush (see last post). In the meantime the hot weather has vanished and I’ve been feeling pretty under the weather with head pains, a bit of shivering and sore eyes. These all come and go, and paracetamol works pretty well; so I am keeping going with no trouble. Annoying, though.
Needless to say, the starting date for our shower installation has been put off – till tomorrow. This means that Glenn plus one will be working in our house while we’re away, which is not ideal, but I think we can trust them. At least they should have finished by the time we get back.
On Friday a goodly number of ex-CNS pupils celebrated the 60th anniversary of our first month at the school. This was the day the weather broke, and there was a great deal of light rain peppering us as we were shown round the school by a few Year 8s. Less than ideal, but it was worthwhile, and Rod Kemp gave a very good speech while presenting the Top House trophy to Blakeney House (270 of them, in the Arc building).
Later the rain got heavier, and Dot and I got a taxi up to the St Andrew’s Brew House, where we had a good meal, plus a talk on Cyprus and a film on Norwich in the 50s. I had seen the latter before, but it’s a good film. Had a chat with Steve Chadwick, who also went into journalism, and Richard Watts and his wife. Richard had some interesting stories about what happened at sixth form dances.
Afterwards I had a few stomach problems and didn’t feel well enough to go to Pinky’s, which was a pity. The drive in very wet conditions would not have been much fun, but I do enjoy reading there.
On Saturday the rain abated a little, and in the evening we went round the Hendersons’ for a meal with their Saxlingham friends, Neil and Harriet, who are very nice and extremely green in an innocent sort of way. Lovely meal.
On Sunday I preached on a very difficult parable (Luke 16), but it seemed to meet with general approval. St Augustine’s is very good for my self-esteem. They are really a lovely group of people.
Yesterday it was warm again, but mainly cloudy and a bit frustrating. Dot and I went to the supermarket, then after lunch she went to the dentist’s and I went to pick up my pills, which were not there. So, after some prevarication, I went up to get our Swiss currency and a few euros – and forgot my debit card PIN number. I have never done this before, and I remembered it a few minutes later, but it meant I had to use my credit card, which means there will be a charge. Annoying.
After this I went up to John Lewis, which was where Dot had got herself entangled after the dentist. She bought a frying pan and come rather nice textiles. We walked home via St Julian’s bridge.
In the evening we had intended to walk or bus up to Holy Trinity to hear a talk by Dr Peter Bussey (a former CNS colleague) on Quantum Spirituality – the evidence (or lack of it). In the end we went by car. It was an excellent talk on a subject (quantum physics) which I find quite compelling. Dot really enjoyed it too. Usually feel quite intimidated at things like this, being surrounded by a crowd of people I assume to be scientists. But the first question was idiotic, and most of the rest I could have answered myself. Felt better.