We are on the way to buying a new car. Test-drove a Mazda 3 Sport on Saturday – cherry red, nearly six years old – and agreed on a trade-in of £1000 for the MX5. So we will soon be officially a one-car family, though of course we have been one in effect since our crash on August 22. Just waiting for them to service the new car and give it an MOT.
Needless to say it’s raining. It’s also very cold. Dot has had a bad cough but seems better today, though she is not helping herself by going to the shops this morning and Saxlingham School at lunchtime. Also Eleanor’s for tea before Cake and Compline. Ho hum. Meanwhile Barry is painting the kitchen cupboards, for some reason, and we are listening to Slow Train Coming, by Bob Dylan.
Yesterday I had a massage from Verena, which felt very good. It was raining then too, and the roads round Little Plumstead were flooded, which didn’t too much for the look of the MX5. Still, it’s already been valued.
Going back a few days, I went with Dot to orchestra again last Wednesday, spending about 90 minutes in the Farmhouse with Neville, who is much better. We caught the last quarter of an hour of the rehearsal,which was pretty impressive.
The next day I drove to Bacton in the evening for a meeting introducing Footprints to the locals. Nothing there I didn’t know, really, but saw re-enactors Anne and Diana as well as Rob and Peter. Rob did the introduction: I may have to do the same thing at Gresham on Thursday, as Rob can’t make it.
On Friday, while Dot was visiting a couple of schools, I went to The Messiah in St Peter Mancroft by the Oriole Singers – not bad, without being exceptional. Had a chat with Carrie’s husband Al, then went over to Apple to ask about my phone, which has camera damage. They said they could replace it for £389, and I laughed loud and long (inwardly). Will take it to a repairer when the weather improves.
Had to wait ages for a bus on the way home, then found an art portfolio on the seat beside me when I sat down. It had a girl’s name and phone number inside; so I took it home and rang her. I have rarely heard anyone sound more relieved. She picked it up yesterday lunchtime with a friend. Nice girl, same age as Oliver. Lives in Lowestoft.
In the evening Dot went to watch NCFC play Watford and lose 2-0 after performing pretty badly. I had an offer of a ticket, but watched in on TV after I worked out how to access it (something had gone wrong with Apple TV). Weather yet again was bad, and Dot was not thrilled.
The next evening was Sillars’ autumn concert, which was a bit of a nightmare, as I had to “look after” too many people in a rather packed auditorium. Sat next to Anne, Angela and Rodney, with Caren and Phil in the row behind. Also present, who I might have sat with: Graham, Neville, Michael from down the road, Bernadette and Peter, Adrian and his wife, Maryta and Debbie (in a caring capacity). M stayed until half time, which was pretty good, and only shouted at two people (not during the performance). Also present and on the door were Joyce and Ivan: had a talk with them afterwards. Apparently the venue (St Catherine’s, Mile Cross) is their church.
The concert itself was excellent, and for once I had a good view of Dot.
The next day we had a moving Remembrance Holy Communion. I read Anna’s prayers, as she has been ill for about ten days (sinusitis plus). In the evening Phil and Caren came for a meal which we spent most of the afternoon preparing. Very nice evening. Were meant to go for a meal to the Greens’ last night, but Anna was still feeling rough.