We spoke to Dave and Julia on the phone last Friday and found that Dave has been having hospital treatment for various things. Excellent that he has been able to get treatment, but a bit worrying that two of the treatments conflict with each other slightly. We also had a FaceTime with Amy, who has produced some really terrific pictures. She’s now finished her exams.
Oliver gave us some dates for summer so that we know where they are and can arrange one or two things of our own at an appropriate time. I walked Bishopgate, Cathedral Close and into the Cloisters – the first time for ages that I had seen them open. There was a dinosaur in the entrance, which may or may not be symbolic of the Church of England. Came back through Recorder Road. Watched Up in the Air, a very enjoyable George Clooney film.
Saturday’s weather was pretty awful, and we hardly went outside. Spent a long time at an online Church Times five-hour poetry event called Send these Roots Rain – on YouTube, not Zoom. Pretty good on the whole, though I went to sleep during one session. Malcolm Guite was very good, though I prefer his speaking to his poetry, which is a bit academic. The rest of it featured a homosexual and two trans people, so full marks for diversity (though they were actually rather good). Afterwards we watched the Cup Final, where Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0, I’m delighted to say. Watched quite a bit of A Canterbury Tale, but abandoned it because it seemed pointless and watched MOTD. Heard Caren has had her gall bladder removed, which is sort of encouraging.
On Sunday at church I preached and led the hymns. Was encouraged by very positive responses to my talk. Rain started almost straight afterwards; so after lunch we watched three episodes of The Killing, by which time it had dried out a bit and we went for a walk. Can’t really walk more than two miles without feeling very tired at the moment. We walked along river to Carrow Road, round the stadium and then back along the usual after-match path.
Watched another episode of The Killing in the evening – now up to 10/20: it’s really excellent. At one point we were interrupted by a FaceTime call from Andrew, who seemed ok. We also watched Call the Midwife and The Pursuit of Love. Decided not to watch MOTD after hearing that Liverpool won 2-1 in the last minute. It’s not good to go to bed feeling depressed. Heard that Phil K is having chemo as a precaution, but the prognosis is promising.
Yesterday was quite warm and still most of the day, but it rained at teatime. Did an AWA 10-strong Zoom meeting at 11 for an hour, but it was not inspiring, and I didn’t say anything, much to Dot’s annoyance. She is much better at that sort of thing than I am. After lunch we drove to North Walsham and put flowers on the graves. We then proceeded to Worstead, where we sat in the car and listened to a 15-minute Bob Dylan programme, part of a series to celebrate his 80th birthday this week. Dot spent 75 minutes with the school head while I did a walk round some fields – quite enjoyable, very still. Saw red kites, I think. Later we watched a couple of things: Fargo (TV version) and a new thriller called The Pact, which seems quite good.
As I write Dot is in Yarmouth on another school visit, and I shall shortly be going up to the Rosary with some flowers. Weather isn’t bad, but rain is promised later. It’s David’s 49th birthday. We had quite a long chat with him on FT yesterday, and will probably do so again today. I know one or two of his presents have arrived, but not sure about others.