Today has started rainy, but the last few days have been very pleasant: warm and often sunny. Last Wednesday, for example was very warm – but also frustrating. BT were due to come and install Full Fibre between 8am and 1pm; so I got up early. The times and date had been confirmed half a dozen times by text and e-mail, but no-one turned up. I rang at 1.30pm and was told the job had been outsourced, and the engineer would be with me shortly. He still didn’t come. Rang again about 4.45pm and received apologies and promise of compensation. He still might come: he didn’t. At the time of writing, five days later, he still hasn’t come, though I have had three messages variously saying he is coming this morning or this afternoon. I am not holding my breath. I have got £50 compensation off my next bill, though. Apparently.
Still, last Wednesday I got quite a bit of work done, including a piece for my website and putting the rota online. Dot went to Sillars in the evening and I watched a documentary on the Band, which was quite good.
Thursday was also warm and also busy. I wrote four pieces for Parish Pump while Dot went to Morrisons and worked in the garden (not simultaneously). Bridget came to clean as usual, and we walked to Cake and Compline at Eleanor’s in the evening. This was not as straightforward as it sounds, because the gate to the Great Hospital was locked, and we only got in because a car came out. Eleanor then went and stood by the gate to let by people in, which would have been fine if the Archers were not 45 minutes late. For some reason I had quite a headache later.
It was still warm and dry on Friday. Went for a walk up to the Rosary while Dot was visiting Saxlingham School after lunch. Did the extra bit down Cintra Road and up the steep path through Lion Wood. Then caught up with e-mails and chess games, and found an article of mine in En Passant with three games. Booked car in for MOT and service – both in November!! Drinks in the street at 5.30pm, then watched The Graduate, which was not as good as I thought because the hero was basically an idiot. Then an episode of The Chosen. Dot did a lot more in the garden – it looks very good.
On Saturday Norwich continued their perfect start to the season by losing to Everton 2-0 and making it six losses in a row (16 if you count the last time they were in the Premiership). Another warm day – Dot spent most of it transforming the rest of the garden: I contributed in a very minor way by helping to clear up and deadheading a few roses. Also prepared for leading the service tomorrow and have checked my next poetry book, which I hope to send for printing soon. This evening we listened to a video on the pointlessness of PCR tests and other contentious Covid-related matters. Then a discussion between a rabbi and a vicar, mainly on Israel. Found myself agreeing with the rabbi (not that the vicar was disagreeing). Also watched the first day of the Ryder Cup, in which Europe did very badly – a trend that was to continue in spades.
Yesterday was again warm but a little dull. Led church service in the morning – went very well: only one person in a mask! Liz preached: she had a good story about children hugging. David and Chrissy FTd to say Oliver was ensconced at university, and Amy was sad – as well as having a very bad cold.
In the evening we went to the Theatre Royal to see Jack Dee –- tickets supplied by Janet Bower because she couldn’t use them. The support comic was pretty average, but Dee was brilliant – so much so that I almost had to leave early, as my head was close to exploding (I have this problem with excessive laughter). But I made it through the crisis. His delivery is superb: I believe his secret is to say what most people think about contentious issues but are drowned out by what we are “supposed to think”. Later we watched Hamilton win his 100th Grand Prix with a little help from sudden rain, which deprived Lando Norris of a deserved victory.