After some warm, dry days we are hit by a cooler front today, and some light rain. Dot is in Cromer, rehearsing for her concert tonight, and I shall be going over later. I have just finished preparing for tomorrow, when I am not only leading the service but preaching too. Everyone else is away.
Just had a very busy week, but nothing new about that. Tuesday featured the usual Archant coffee morning, with an unusual visit from Peter Franzen (and David Wakefield). Following that I had a trustees’ meeting in the afternoon. It followed some doom-laden e-mails that sounded almost terminal, but in fact we continue with the project, with efforts being made to get Matt to work harder.
In the evening Dot and I went to see Girl on a Train at the Theatre Royal, which was pretty good, except that I thought the lead actress was rather over the top. Dot was appreciative, though. At the interval I had an unusual experience while walking down to the bar: I found it hard to control my legs, but I didn’t really feel dizzy and my head was OK. Eventually got over it, with the help of some ice cream. Chance meeting with Roger Whittaker, who I didn’t recognise: he was involved with some stuff I did at City College, and Dot had also come across him in the education world. All a bit vague.
On Wednesday I took the Mazda 3 in for a service and retrieved the MX5, which had now passed its MoT, but with dire warmings of things likely to go wrong soon. Later I received a quote for the scratches/dent on my car. This amounted to about £1200; so I took it to Harvey Lane, where I got a quote of about £200, which I accepted. It’s going in later in the month.
In the evening Dot was rehearsing; so I took Des and Chris and Judy to a concert at Blofield. This was by the Gonville and Caius College Choir. They did a first half on William Byrd, which was brilliant, and a second half on OT stories (eg Samson by Handel), which was pretty good too. They had an excellent organ scholar playing, and first-class refreshments as usual, courtesy of Barbara Pilch. David and Bridget turned up, which was nice. Sad that Dot couldn’t be there, as she would have loved the Byrd, especially.
Afterwards I unloaded a lot of stuff from David’s airing cupboard on to Judy’s living room floor. I believe it’s going to a good home. Cats are involved.
I spent most of Thursday writing a sermon, but in the evening we went into the city to see The Common Lot (a theatre group) perform a travelling show about the history of Norwich, and Anglia Square in particular. It started in The Garth (cloisters behind St Andrew’s Hall), proceeded to the open space in front of the Playhouse and ended at Anglia Square, with various spot performances on the way. Met Liz Cannon and Stephanie Caine, whose son Charlie (or daughter Charlotte, as he used to be when Dot taught her) was organising the music – and very well, it has to be said. Carrie was also taking part, of course, and so was Matt and many other local people.
All in all, pretty impressive, though Dot was slightly more impressed than me. I felt it could have done with a bit of editing, but the enthusiasm made up for a lot. Howard handed our marshmallows as we went through Golden Dog Lane, but Anna said they were for the performers. I ate one anyway.
Yesterday was another fine day, and packed full of exciting things. We started by having our hair cut at 9.50am, roughly 50 minutes after it should have been but leaving just enough time for Dot to go into the city to fulfil an appointment at Jarrolds. No sooner had she returned when we were off to Felbrigg Hall to meet the Evetts for lunch, followed by a walk down to the pond and round by the church – beautiful scenery – followed by a cup of tea.
We then drove to Beeston Regis to meet Fred and Sue at their caravan for a barbecue. Bit early, but it enabled us to relax for a while before Adrian and Jane O’dell arrived. Very good barbecue, and towards the end Fred and Sue’s daughter Liz arrived with a friend from Banbury. Lots of talk, and we got home about 11pm.