Well into my 77th year and starting to feel it – or maybe I’m just not getting enough sleep. Yesterday my chest felt tight, and I was extremely tired. Still, it is very hot. Carrie claims to have Covid, but her symptoms sound like hay fever to me. Anyway she’s self-isolating, and so I had to preach instead of her today. I was also leading the service and organising the hymns; so it was all a bit much – for the congregation, anyway. Still, it went all right. Only 13 of us: Howard and Anna are in London, and Phil’s mum has just died. Afterwards a couple of people from The Lathes joined us for coffee and biscuits, and Dot and I had quite a long chat with Sophie, a kind woman who is having a really tough time through no real fault of her own.
Very hot now – and in Coventry too, as I discovered when Andrew FaceTimed. He’s not entirely reliable, of course. He said he wanted a new record player for his birthday, but then changed it to a new record. I may have to make further inquiries. Last Wednesday, however, was cool and breezy at first, becoming warmer. Dot had a DSSO zoom meeting in the morning: I walked into the city with Oliver and Amy. Oliver tried to buy me something from Vodafone on David’s behalf, but was unsuccessful. Apparently they only sell it online.
Amy bought chocolates for the Evetts (and us), then Oliver bought books from Waterstones. Dot made a lovely lunch, then there was much discussion about where to go. Eventually we decided on Ranworth and had a lovely walk and ice cream / sorbet. Home just after 5pm: Colin came round to discuss garden projects and showed us his Jaguar – extremely impressive. Had pizzas for supper, then played pic quiz, then Cluedo, then the most amazing game of Dixit in the history of the world. Amy was amazingly inventive, and we all collapsed laughing.
Thursday was cool and breezy, unlike the rest of the country. Had brunch with O and A at 11am, and they’d gone by 12. I collected a book from the parcel office – it was a birthday present from Joy McCall with insufficient postage. Started on my sermon but had trouble copying from iPad to Desktop. Dot went to a sudden Ofsted feedback at Hainford, and Eleanor delivered some cakes for Compline. The latter was switched from the Archers’ garden to our living room at the last minute because the Archers felt it would be too chilly. All present except Eleanor. Good session! Watched Tour de France afterwards.
Friday was warm and sunny, with a slight breeze. Bridget came to do the cleaning, and we left her to it so that we could drive to Houghton Hall for my late birthday present: Tony Cragg sculptures in the grounds. Went a bit astray getting there, but arrived just after 11am. Had a drink then walked round the grounds and looked at the sculptures, which were brilliant – also took in some of the permanent sculptures, including Sky Space, which we loved last time. A few sculptures were inside the hall – just a couple of rooms. Went back for lunch at the café – I had pea and mint soup, with sourdough bread, which was surprisingly good. When we finished the sculptures we looked round the walled garden and saw the flaming fountain, then returned for a final cup of tea before driving home. Brilliant day, crowning a lovely birthday week. Had our usual drink in the sun with the neighbours when we got back. then I cooked a Hello Fresh meal, and we watched Endeavour and Death in Paradise. Very tired. Chose hymns for Sunday.
Yesterday was another warm day – quite hot, in fact. Spent most of the morning writing sermon. In afternoon went to Morrisons to buy food, some of it gluten-free for Monday. My CNS article was in the EDP. Caught up with one or two other things, but was feeling extremely tired. Watched the new Formula 1 Sprint gimmick, then a couple of episodes of The Killing 3. Also the Tour de France. Received an email from Lucy saying she’d moved to Horstead. He house is called Mole End, which is almost guessable.