Winter still lingers on, which is not surprising as we’re still in the middle of January. Today it was around 3-5C all day, despite the fact that it was sunny most of the time. It was a pretty active day for us. We started by visiting Rosie and exchanging Christmas presents – a little late, but the first opportunity since Dot was ill. Meadow Farm was looking good; fortunately the eight dogs were out of sight. Rosie herself was pretty well apart from her back: she’s had medication for her heart that has worked well.
After leaving Rosie we had lunch at the Gunton Arms – toasted sandwiches and tea. A great setting in a deer park, and a relaxed atmosphere. We then tried to raise Sheila, first by phone and then by calling at her place, but she was either out or asleep. Dot put her present through the door and we moved on to Happisburgh, most of which is still there. We had a short walk and used the facilities before proceeding by a somewhat circuitous route (via Hickling) to Catfield, where Dot had to attend feedback on a SIAMS inspection.
I left her to it and drove to How Hill, where I walked down to the River Ant in the dusk. No-one else was there, and it was breathtakingly peaceful. I took a few pictures and got back to Catfield in time to read quite a bit of my book before Dot emerged. The school received a “good”. It also has a head teacher called Mrs Nutbeam, which ought to make it outstanding, especially as it’s part of the Swallowtail Federation.
Yesterday we had a baptism service at church for a little Polish girl called Kaja, whose family lives in The Lathes. I did the prayers. Afterwards we had a special session over a bring-and-share lunch to discuss our setting up St Augustine’s Way, which went pretty well, possibly because LD wasn’t there. Afterwards Dot and I watched Star Trek: Into Darkness on Netflix: David gave us a Netflix Gift card for Christmas.
Progressing backwards, Dot went to Carrow Road on Saturday to see Norwich City beat Wolves 3-1, which was a pleasant surprise. JC had decided not to bother, which he may now regret.
On Friday night I drove to Pinky’s at Halesworth, taking particular care as the temperature was as low as 0C at times on the road. There were slightly fewer poets than usual, and I read three poems, all of which I’ve written this year: After Midnight, Smile at me Again and The Worst That Can Happen. They seemed to go down well. Someone else read Leonard Cohen’s stunning song, Alexandra Leaving, and the poem he based it on – The God Abandons Antony by C P Cavafy.