Continuing my post of last Saturday… Later in the day Norwich City beat Barnsley 1-0: it should have been about 5-1. In the evening we watched another James Bond movie, Skyfall, which we must have seen but remembered very little of. We also continue watching the Netflix series Bridgerton, set in Regency times. I did a longish walk to Whitefriars bridge along the now unflooded riverside path, round to the front of the Cathedral and back through the Close.
On Sunday we went to church: only 13 present. Phil led (he didn’t want to be on Facebook Live, which had been suggested) and Carrie “preached”. Had to disperse fairly quickly as Tier 4 rules are quite strict, and the incidence of covid is increasing in Norfolk. Liz C and Jenny decided not to come because J has asthma and Liz has a vulnerable husband. Nice to get together, though. It turned out to be the last for a while, because following the new national lockdown from Wednesday we decided by a not-very-close DCC vote to Zoom instead, though we could technically meet. Only the Greens and Carrie really wanted to meet. Watched quite a lot of TV but managed to get up to 4000 steps again. Weather not inviting, but the rain eased off around church time. In the evening we finished the eight episodes of Bridgerton, and David FaceTimed us.
On Monday the weather was again uninviting, and the new national lockdown was announced. Got a card out of the blue from James Boyce in Tasmania, who came to St Augustine’s in the late 90s. He now has children aged 22 and 19. I started playing chess with chess with Oliver. and won the first game, but he knows what he’s doing, as he demonstrated in the second game, which ended last night. I won in an endgame one pawn up, but he played some really good moves and almost broke through on the queenside. Walked to the Rosary, but it wasn’t very pleasant – cold and damp. Saw the workman we’ve spoken to a couple of times and exchanged greetings from a very safe distance.
Tuesday started damp and uninviting. I felt twinges in the area of my gall bladder, but thankfully nothing developed except a slightly upset stomach. Started watching The Serpent, based on the true story of a serial killer, which was extremely well done. We also watched Uncle Vanya, a theatre production that was really good though, being Russian, a mite depressing. Great final speech by Sonya (ie Chekhov). We also held our Compline get-together on Zoom, which went well. I found a new Compline online – a Celtic-themed one from the Coventry diocese – and adapted it slightly. Seemed to go down well.
The next day, Hello Fresh and our Naked Wine delivery arrived together fairly early; so we were able to go for a longish walk together in late morning, crossing the Julian Bridge, walking along King Street to Tombland and then round to Whitefriars bridge and back by the riverside path. The sun came out as we neared home, and we did well over 5000 steps. In a burst of optimism I applied for new passports, and took digital pictures. Mine was rejected initially, but I explained about my eyes and stuck with it. They may come back eventually, but they don’t deal with it till they get our old passports, which are en route. We also packed parcels to send Oliver and Amy their clothes Christmas presents, but I haven’t been able to post them yet. In the evening we watched How the West was Won, which was very long and not at all woke, but very good in many ways.
Yesterday was not good as far as walking went.Paul rang up for a chat, and I took Dot to Colegate, so that she could pick up some music from the St George’s shop, which was operating a phone-and-collect system. I then drove to find a post office, but didn’t find one I was happy with. Called in at Phil’s to deliver Andrew’s card and had quite a long chat outside – long enough for Dot to walk home before I arrived. Earlier we’d picked up Dot’s pills from the chemist. In the evening we watched Get Carter and the first of a new series of Death in Paradise. Good performance by Michael Caine in the former, and the latter was typically refreshing. A really nice Hello Fresh meal too. David FaceTimed. He often does, but I don’t always mention it. It’s good to be in such close contact.
Today is very cold, with a touch of fog, but none of the snow and ice predicted. Not here, anyway. Cleared up the kitchen and then drove to Thorpe to try and post parcels. Unsuccessful again (long queue, surprisingly) but did manage to see female pharmacist at Hamblin’s about my problem in the lower area, and she gave me some cream. Said if it didn’t work I should see a doctor, but wouldn’t look at the problem area, for covid-related reasons.
Some time in the past week we saw Dr No, which was a bit of a waste of time, as I could remember most of it. For some reason it’s hard to get down to reading. TV is too easy.