It’s Saturday afternoon, and the Olympic are drawing towards a close. No gold medals at all in athletics. It’s sunny at the moment, and quite warm, but we have had some fairly heavy rain – as has been the case over the last few days. Today we almost didn’t go to Adrian O’dell’s grand fete because the forecast was terrible, but in the end we were glad we did. Chatted to Neville and Mary and Yvonne, who I think plays the horn, and a 92-year-old ex-CNS pupil called Roy Parfitt, who is a really interesting guy – still taking an active part in farming.
It’s been a busy week. Monday was quite pleasant – jumper-warm. Out of bed early (see last post). Quite a full day, including ringing Minster Lodge and booking Thursday; contacting Robin and Brian, leading to cancelling tomorrow’s coffee meet in favour of a larger one later in the month; clearing up plant prunings; driving to North Tuddenham with books for Adrian’s fete; posting a card to Andrew and a poetry book to Lynne; watching Olympics; and ordering pills. Not necessarily in that order. Walked well over 6000 steps in all.
Tuesday was a bit cooler but not too bad. Went to Morrisons in the morning for a big shop, and it rained as we unpacked food. Watched Olympics over lunch as usual, and I booked a Cresta Run tomorrow afternoon (my name for a visit to Thelma). Bridget came round to pick up a key for Thursday (when we’ll be in Coventry). In the evening Dot went to see Norwich beat Gillingham 5-0 in a friendly. I walked her there and met her afterwards. At some point I edited several pages in a Paston booklet and recorded a Paston letter. Watched Olympics up to midnight. One of our girls, Keely Hodgkinson, got silver in the 800m and a British record –- she was the one I thought would medal.
Paul came to see us on Wednesday morning: M is going into a care home at Long Stratton for respite, and may stay there. Afterwards Dot got her pills and I found out mine were ready just too late; so I picked them up on the way back from visiting Thelma with Dot. Quite a good visit. Low steps. Sent off Paston scans to Peter, and discovered they were going to Karen. Oh dear: had I known I might have phrased one or two comments differently. FaceTimed Amy: she seemed fine.
Thursday was a beautiful day to start with, but the sky darkened as we travelled to Coventry, and by the time we got there it was raining. Had to make a big detour on the way because the A14 was closed (lorry fire). I navigated off piste and we cut through the Gog Magog Hills. Nice countryside: worked well. Dot drove to Cambridge Services; me the rest of the way. Andrew wasn’t too good. He seemed groggy, became anxious and walked badly. Could not set up his DVD player, and he did not have his presents: they wanted to give them to him tomorrow. Both of us had negative Covid tests.On the way back I drove to Cambridge Services – and beyond while Dot drank coffee: we swapped the other side of Cambridge. Rain gradually got less, but worse again here in the evening. Returned calls to Evetts and Angela. Dave a bit better. Watched cricket and Olympics. Bridget had done cleaning while we were away.
Yesterday was reasonably warm, but alternating between sunshine and heavy showers. Gas man came round this morning, and he’s persuaded me to buy a new boiler. I paid the deposit just before writing this. Expensive, but it has added benefits, such as lower bills and lower Homecare payments. Dot meanwhile went into the city to return something to Lakeland, and bought two pairs of sandals and a couple of tops. In the afternoon I drove her up to the hospital for a blood test: heavy rain and heavy traffic. Made it with two minutes to spare. I made several phone calls and recorded a Paston letter for Karen. Discovered the e-mail address I was given for the latter was wrong, but corrected it. Dot came home on bus. Spoke to Andrew on his birthday – he seemed better than yesterday. Dot thought she’d left her glasses in Coventry, but she hadn’t. Street drinks tonight included Mark’s girlfriend Sarah, now living with him. Very nice woman. More Olympics and last episode of Mayans MC. Apocalyptic – and not in a good way.