So here we are in another lockdown, and last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. Hang on, that’s something else, but today I did go to the Rosary again – the first time since I became ill in mid-June. Before that I had been going nearly every day. Everything is still there, but it’s now covered in fallen leaves. The air was cool but still, and there was bright sunshine: we have been granted some reprieve from the grey rain that seemed to go on for ever.
While I was at Manderley – sorry, the Rosary – Dot was visiting a school at Newton Flotman. Because the schools are still open she can do this, though most of her talks with head teachers are by Zoom or Microsoft Teams. She has been having trouble with her knee, but it seems OK today.
Yesterday was Bonfire Night, and possibly the first when we saw no fireworks, although you could hear them. Wasn’t really in the mood to go out and watch the sky. It was the first day of Lockdown 2, and Dot spent much of the day in her office, catching up with various things, but primarily her tax return documents and liaising with schools. I spoke at length to Lily (I had been planning to go and see her, but now couldn’t), and Naomi texted to ask us to help with a project for her mum’s birthday. Later we had a FaceTime chat with David and Amy: Oliver has done well in his maths tests, and Amy’s parents’ evening went very well. She is very organised. How did we get two such talented grandchildren?
Wednesday was sunny and still, so that although the air was cool it didn’t feel particularly cold. Nevertheless I wrapped up when I took the car in for an MOT, and I was able to go for a walk while it was being done. The alternative was sitting reading in a mask in the showroom, which was not much fun. Found Meadow Way Chapel (closed), and when I walked to Budgen’s later to buy a couple of things I reached over 6000 steps. While there I bought some toilet rolls which were on the floor begging to be bought, and not all because I was panic-buying. Oh no.
On the way home from the MOT I called in at St Luke’s to see if I could find the earring that Dot thought she might have dropped on the way out of PCC on Monday, but no luck. Meanwhile we had some wine delivered and Dot did an extensive clean of the birdbath and bird-feeding area. In the afternoon we had a last hurrah in the street: Des and Chris joined us with John and Mark for a cup of tea and talk. When the other John walked past on his way home, that made seven of us, and we think someone took a picture of us from the footpath at the end of the road! Technically, John was not part of the group; so I think we’re OK. Dot spoke to Delia’s ono the phone and optimistically rescheduled her birthday meal for December.
In the evening we watched the last episode of The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, which was very good. Also watched Funeral in Berlin, which was a decided improvement on The Ipcress File. We are also watching the Vuelta cycling, in which Hugh Carthy has a good chance of a podium. Norwich meanwhile beat Bristol City 3-1 last weekend and drew 0-0 with Millwall midweek. They are third in the table.
Also last weekend the new lockdown was announced. It seems over the top to us, but we have since learned that things are very bad in the north of England, with everything shut and pressure on hospitals. Odd. I led the last church service for a month on Sunday, and in the afternoon Dot went to play with her sextet from Sillars at Colney Lane – brought forward because of looming lockdown. In the evening we watched the first three parts of a Danish thriller, DNA, which was exceptionally good.
We watched the fourth part on Monday after clearing up outside, following high winds overnight. Huge amount of leaf fall. Filled the brown bin up, and on Tuesday after it was emptied I filled it up again, purely with leaves from the drive and front steps. The Evetts rang about Blakeney, and we said we’d wait till Blakeney rang us, which they did this morning (Friday). We let them keep the deposit and said we’d book again when we fix on a day.
After lunch on Monday I went to see my Aunt Thelma at Poringland, and had another good chat. She gave me a book on Norfolk which she thought was mine, but I don’t think it was. I now have the combination to get through the side door into the garden, but I still have to stand outside her window to talk to her. Not easy!
On Tuesday Dot and I both did our safeguarding course for being on the DCC and got our certificates. It’s almost impossible to fail, of course, but we both got 100%. Collusion? Wash your mouth out. Neville Thrower rang to see how I was. Told him I was OK. Dot talked to Mary.
On Wednesday I forgot to mention that we did a Norfolk Record Office quiz on Zoom, which turned out to be entertaining. We were hopeless at dates, but better at faces and places. On the other hand, the one date we got right, the organisers got wrong – Robert Kett’s rebellion was given as 1579 instead of 1549. How did we know that? Both of us have been on Paul Dickson’s excellent Shardlake walk.