[written Aug 31]
Today is Friday, but I can’t get the delusion that it’s Saturday out of my head. I thought yesterday was Friday. And so it goes on. Still can’t log in to my Blog or website, but what I thought was a scam using the Easily website was actually genuine, and I’ve now paid my bill. Walked up the city today to buy a book for Jessie, some chocolate for Joy and some fruit for us (Victoria plums and blackberries from the market). Met Des and Chris on the way back, as I so often do, wherever I’m coming back from.
Norwich lost 3-0 to Leeds last Saturday, but during the week beat Cardiff City 3-1 away in the League Cup, which is an excellent result. Dot also got her new glasses last Saturday; so she is now restored to full equipment after her losses on her Canada flights.
Bit nerve-racking having to preach in front of the new vicar last Sunday, but it went OK. Quite a good congregation, too, considering quite a few were at Greenbelt. Later in the day Dot and I went round to Elwira’s to help her friend Agata with her thesis on Tea and Literature, on which I’m obviously an expert. Agata is not a merry little soul, but Elwira had another friend present who was. She also had some very creamy cakes, one of which I managed to eat. I’m not sure my advice to Agata was helpful, but I jotted down three pages of notes on the Monday and sent them to her. Hope she does well, but as she got her own e-mail address wrong, I have my doubts. Or perhaps she didn’t really want me to be involved… Elwira can be hard to argue with.
On Monday Dot went on her own to see Jessie and did quite a lot for her, not returning until just before the Hendersons arrived for afternoon tea. This went OK, but the following day Paul came round on his own to say there had been another bust-up and he had decided to leave M. This he will do next week, following the visit of his Australian friends. He’s looking for a flat and is considering the one that’s vacant in Aspland Road. M is taking this surprisingly calmly. Meanwhile, David has returned from safely from Canada, to the delight of his children (and parents).
On Tuesday Dot went to see Paul Dunning, her “boss” at the diocese, and he was very enthusiastic about the work she’s doing and wants her to train some guy to spread it around other schools. This is mainly collective worship led by children. If there was any justice Dot would be in charge of a department at the diocese and earning large amounts of money, but there you go. She’s doing a lot of good, and has time to clear out the loft.
In the evening I went up to Hungate for a talk by an expert on the church (and other Norfolk churches) – Dr Nick Groves. Interesting and not a little eccentric. Rob and Penny were there; also Matt, Karen, Rebecca and Jude. I walked home with Jude, who was interested in Jessie’s condition. I am trying to get her to come to other Paston events. Jude, not Jessie.
On Wednesday we went to the cinema and saw Adrift, which was surprisingly good in view of the limited cast. Bit of a rainy day, but I got my steps in!
Yesterday, which was Thursday despite my belief that it was Friday, Dot and I both went to see Jessie, who seems relatively perky, though she has a funny throat. I helped her walk to the garage to see her new freezer, which was clearly pretty exciting for her. We also went to Sainsbury’s twice (once for her and once for us) and after the first visit Dot bought some fish and chips, which we took back to Jessie’s and consumed. Excellent quality.
While Dot was buying it I disposed of cardboard and paper that Dot had ejected from our loft earlier, then got rid of some non-recyclable stuff in Jessie’s black bin. After leaving Jessie we went to the cemetery, where we encountered a gentleman who had a grid with all the graves on it (he was trying to find service men’s graves for Remembrance Day). He was quite keen to locate the graves of both Dot’s grandfather and grandmother – both of them unmarked. I took pictures; so now we should be able to locate them next time, and maybe put something on them.
Have arranged, almost by accident, to spend a couple of days at Fred and Sue’s caravan at Beeston Regis next week. And, not so much by accident, today marks a triumph in that August has been my best month’s walking in the last year – over 90 miles, and it’s not even midnight yet. If I had the energy I might make it to 200,000 steps. But I don’t think I have. (I hadn’t.)