Colin came last Saturday to do some tidying up. He pulled the roses and a few other things off next-door’s roof, removed the clematis and cut the tops off the fir trees at the front – which now look a complete mess. We’ll probably have to cut them down next year. I understand they’re at the end of their life. They certainly look it.

On Sunday I preached at church on Psalm 19 – a good one, if you have a minute or two. The Psalm, not the sermon.

Still no MX5 on Monday – in fact we didn’t get it back till yesterday. I have to admit the wheels look good, and the cost was slightly less than I expected, given that we had to have a new tyre. I don’t know if this was anything to do with their wanting cash for the wheel job…

Yesterday was pretty busy, all round. I started with a visit to the dentist to check on my crown, which has been uncomfortable. It’s still uncomfortable, but I got some free laser treatment, which was supposed to reduce inflammation. I got the impression they didn’t really know what was wrong, and nor do I. My whole jaw aches sometimes.

In the afternoon I went to Blofield to visit Barbara Pilch and talk about the forthcoming History Day, at which I’m supposed to be contributing some information on Paston tombs. Some research looms. I also called in at the church, where Barbara’s husband David was doing some tidying up. We used to be in the same class at school, but he became a GP. He showed me some interesting medieval stones they’d unearthed. Afterwards I went for a short walk. I’m trying to walk two miles a day. Today I failed miserably.

After Blofield yesterday Dot and I went to the cinema to see the latest Kingsman film, which was fun but undemanding. Needed a bit of relaxation.

Today I went to a Footprints meeting at County Hall, where we met Sophie Cabot and talked about the forthcoming Hungate exhibition.  Officially we haven’t started the Footprints project yet. If you went by the EDP you wouldn’t know anything was happening, because I sent them a press release two days ago, and nothing has appeared. You would have thought that the award of £374,400 might have merited some attention.

In fact the whole thing was almost called off because Karen was ill, but someone stepped in to guarantee cover for her if she can’t cope. She was at our meeting today and looked much better. I hope this is a lasting improvement.

David has arrived back in England after his two weeks in Canada, and we spoke to him (and Amy) on FaceTime tonight. Apparently all went well.