The Julian evening was successful, thanks to Dot’s preparations. There were some lovely nibbles and some prosseco. Anna arrived first (off the train), followed by Howard, Judy and Elaine. We eventually got round to discussing Julian and completing the book. I loved the idea of the soul as a city.
The next day, despite a forecast of rain and despite the predicted absence of his doctor, I visited Andrew, taking the train again – first class. I say first class, but the Chiltern Line doesn’t have that. Greater Anglia does, though. The journey went smoothly, but by the time we approached Warwick, it was starting to rain.
Beacuse of an oversight, I failed to change at Leamington Spa and had to go on to Warwick Parkway, then get a train back to Warwick. That was Ok, though. I walked in the rain with my umbrella to the hospital, and found Andrew improved – rather more peaceful and responsive. The nurse in charge was very nice, but not even a junior doctor was available.
Quite heavy rain all the way home, but of course I wasn’t out in it much, and by the time I got to Norwich it had stopped. Dot walked over to meet me.
On my 72nd birthday Dot got me a new guitar case and baked me a cake. We drove to Blakeney to start a week’s holiday at the Manor Hotel with the Evetts and the Towns. Dot ordered prosseco for supper!
On Thursday we drove to Burnham Deepdale, had a drink in the cafe and then walked along the coast path and then inland to Burnham Market, where we refreshed ourselves in a lovely little cafe before looking round some shops and attempting to catch the Coasthopper back to Burnham Deepdale. This eventually arrived over half an hour late and almost failed to stop to let us off.
Yesterday we abandoned Blakeney temporarily to attend a CNSOB reunion in Norwich: first a meal at Cote Brasserie in Exchange Street, then three talks (two on a French theme) at the Charing Cross Centre. The last, by Rod Kemp, was a fascinating account of his time at Kodak, including Russian counterfeiting of their photographic paper. Fred and Sue were there, as were most of the usual suspects. We were back in Blakeney for the evening meal.
Today, with rain in the forecast, we walked to Cley, had a drink and then caught the Coasthopper back after chatting to a young woman from North Carolina at the bus stop. Rest of day stayed in Blakeney for lunch, then a kind of fair on the carnser, including old films and a decent band. Dave and I walked out to the derelict houseboat, then found the girls and had some Pimms. In the end there was very little rain.