Today is very warm, and Dot has gone out to buy some bird seed. She is by no means well yet, but is not good at taking it easy. She did manage it yesterday, though, when I spent most of the day at the Julian Centre, volunteering at a retreat (focusing on Julian and Margery Kempe) led by former Norwich Dean Stephen Platten, who turned out to be quite pleasant. I was sort of organising his book signing sessions, as well as providing the cake and drinks.

Dot was intending to make a cake, but even she realised this was not a good idea, so on Thursday I went up to Waitrose and bought eight bottles of wine, four large bottles of fizzy water, some orange juice and five cakes of various sizes. Among other things. Transferred these to the Julian Centre early yesterday morning. Dot was uncertain about coming, but decided not to – sensibly, as she was coughing quite a bit and didn’t look at all well.

This was probably the result of the previous two days, when she went to Fleggburgh School (Monday), the Cathedral to assist with a schools event (Tuesday), Diocesan House all day for a heads induction event at which she was speaking about collective worship led by children (Wednesday), followed by orchestra (Wednesday evening), and a walk with Anne into the city (Thursday).  I persuaded her to go to the surgery on Thursday, where she saw a practice nurse who told her she had a small lung infection and gave her some penicillin.

Meanwhile I had been keeping her fed and doing various other things, sometimes in the garden and sometimes in the house. Also gave Amy a hand with a poem she was doing for homework, though I’m sure she didn’t really need it. It was interesting to hear her ideas, which were quite original.

I believe Mairead came home yesterday, but I wasn’t here; so I’m not sure. Dot wrote a card and put it through the door on her way out. It’s a lovely day today.

Met some interesting people at the Julian Centre: one turned out to be a tourist who had just popped in to see the Centre but found herself hauled in and given a cup of tea. Ended up showing her the church and talking with her and the Dean about Julian, before I showed her the river and the way back to her tour bus. She came from Northampton. Then there was Mariana, who came from Utrecht and engaged me in lengthy conversation before getting a lift back to the Maids Head.