Chilly and damp, but it’s been worse. Started the week with a visit to Verena, Plumstead’s top sports masseuse, and she had a go at my neck and arm, which felt pretty good. Can now just about play my guitar, which is nice – though only for me.
Wrote just about all our Christmas cards this week and sent off our parcels, including one to Waterloo, which we paid for online.
On Tuesday went to the Archant pensioners’ Christmas meal – by taxi, because the weather was so miserable. Peter Franzen also turned up. Food was a bit better than last year, and it was quite enjoyable. Sat next to Bill Woodcock, which was entertaining.
A clash of dates on Wednesday saw Dot departing to the Marsh Harrier for Christmas dinner with Sillars while I walked to the Greens’ for supper with them and the Bowers (Vicky’s parents). Dot had a frustrating evening because the service was funereal and the food less than brilliant. As a result she arrived at the Greens’ just as Derek and Janet were leaving. However she had to perform a piece of brilliant driving to achieve that, getting out of a very tight parking space by superlative manoeuvring. I rely on her own description, but it did sound good, and it certainly cheered her up. I had a great time, with a delicious meal and good conversation. Struck up rapport with Derek, I think.
The next day we gave lunch to the Eagles. Dot did some of her delicious carrot soup, I opened some rose, and we had a convivial time, partly discussing the Pastons and Dot’s philosophy plans for the schools conference organised by Sue. When they left in wind and rain they gave us a lift up to the polling station; so we were able to vote and reduce the Labour majority in our constituency by 0.000000001 per cent. Everywhere else in East Anglia returned a Conservative, and they got an overall majority of about 80.
Today we had our hair cut in the morning and discovered Linda had broken up with Mike again, though they are still living together. After lunch Paul came round for two cups of tea, a mince pie and quite a long chat. Earlier spoke to David on FaceTime, and he sent us some money.