The Archant meal last Friday was very pleasant. I sat between Su Lee and Michael Pollitt, which doesn’t sound like a recipe for relaxation, but it turned out surprisingly well in terms of conversation. Dot took me and had a drink with Tricia and Shelagh in the bar, but then went home. I was given a lift by Tricia part of the way home but then took the decision to walk the last bit, which may not have been a good idea. It seemed a long way, but I’m sure it was good for me, although I had to lie down afterwards. Not ill, just tired.
Good preparation, then, for a hectic weekend. On Saturday we sang carols in Anglia Square with members of St Luke’s and St Augustine’s, plus a brass quartet from Surrey Chapel with Derek Haylock (!). There was a roundabout and a Santa Claus in attendance. All very spiritual.
Afterwards there was the big Paston book launch event at a chilly St Peter Hungate (one of the boilers was malfunctioning). We were a bit early; so Dot and I had a drink in the cafe opposite and were joined fortuitously by Paul, back from the Antarctic. Maryta apparently has pneumonia, or something similar. The holiday had its good and bad points, but the scenery was spectacular enough.
About 50 people joined us for the launch, which was very encouraging. The Knees provided mulled wine and mince pies, and I read from the book and did a general introduction. The poets present all read (Rob, James, Kay and I), and Dot read a poem by Lisa D’Onofrio. A small CNS contingent – Neville and Mary and Adrian and Jane. This week Jarrolds rang and wanted ten of the books; so I took them up.
No let-up on the Sunday, because it was the traditional alternative carol service, which I wrote, edited, produced and directed. This seemed to go well too, with over 30 people there. At one point Dot ran me through with a spear – quite forcefully, I thought. I feel sure I heard murmurs of approval. This was followed by the Christmas lunch, which was also highly satisfactory. We finished in time to get out of the hall and let the Quakers in for their afternoon booking. Just as well – they could have turned nasty.
On Monday Linda did our hair after postponing from the previous week, and in the evening we had our Christmas cake and compline at Vicky’s in Costessey, which was also nice. We gave a lift to Judy and Bridget, with David turning up later after his choral event in Eaton Park.
Dot was keen to go to Holt on Tuesday, as a pair of trousers she’s bought there was coming apart. We had a bit of trouble parking, but it turned out very well. I replaced a couple of bulbs at the lighting shop, Dot got a refund on her trousers and a couple of new tops and I got a pair of trousers and a jumper. We also bought some other presents and a bit of food, then hastened to North Walsham, where we had tea and mince pies with Jessie, who was in the last stages of a cold, which was slightly worrying.
In the evening we went to Denise and Peter’s in Yelverton for drinks and nibbles, which turned out to be really pleasant. We spent a long time talking to the people now living in Holly Bank (Liz + Kerry), and another couple (Linda + ?), who live in Tanglewood, down the road. Bernard and Mary were also there. Barbara O’Brien wasn’t, of course, because she’s just gone into a home in Norwich, suffering from dementia or something similar. Liz teaches at Alpington.
Yesterday I spent most of the day finishing wrapping parcels and sending Christmas e-messages, though I had to break off to go up to City Hall to pick up Claire’s present from Vicky (we’d left it at Vicky’s by mistake on Monday). Dot was having lunch with Carrie and working hard on decorating the house (not at the same time).
Today we are hosting neighbours for drinks and nibbles. It’s catching. Peter Wright rang up to say they couldn’t come because he’s developed a bad cold; I hope that’s not catching. Have been in the company of too many people with colds recently and am depending on Howard’s patent remedy to stay healthy (First Defence nasal spray). It’s on a knife edge.