Beautifully sunny start to the week, but it’s quite chilly. The window cleaner has just been, and I’ve booked a hotel in Coventry for our visit to Amy (dropping off presents) and then Andrew. Not a very good night, possibly linked to putting clocks back. Matt has just cycled up to retrieve his hat, which he left here yesterday after we’d been to the match. We offered him Jonathan’s spare tickets at the service, having failed to interest anyone else. He brought Amanda, his wife, who has an amazing bike.

I’m getting ahead of myself. Last Thursday Dot had had a bad night, probably  caused by drinking a pint of caffeine-heavy Coke after orchestra (at the Blue Boar). Lots of coughing: she had me worried she might have Covid, but the coughing had gone in the morning, when she went up to the accountant’s and told the woman she saw all about Christianity (linked to her DSSO work).

I decided in the end not to go to the poetry and music event at Bungay, but wrote to Lynne to apologise. After lunch we went to Earlham Cemetery and found Mum’s parents’ grave!! Thanks to NRO for giving me a reference, but it was still quite difficult. After that we went to Eaton Park for a walk, and because Dot – rather surprisingly – couldn’t remember it. Beautiful day: sunny and not too cold. Lots of people in the park. Later at home helped  Dot pick the hymns for Sunday. Watched Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge, then Guilt. 

Heavy overnight rain, and flooding in North-West and Scotland. Rain at first here on Friday, but it stopped around 11am. Dot went into the city for chiropody and a walk round.  I followed later, crossing Julian Bridge and making my way by trial and error (new build back streets) to Tombland, then back through the Close. Popped into the Cathedral to see Carrie’s pebbles, but couldn’t find them. Long talk with Michael outside his house. Earlier had a long WhatsApp exchange with Kim, who is in London. In the afternoon wrote a piece for my website on finding the grave. We had our usual drinks outside under cover (in the entrance to garages), as it was spotting with rain. Mark is booking us in for a Christmas meal at Gem. In the evening we watched Rawhide (surprisingly good) and a report on how mining for heavy metals (eg for electric cars) is ruining peoples lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Saturday was mainly dry after initial rain. Not too cold. Prepared to lead in church, then after lunch Dot and I went for walk, following roughly the route I took the day before. Went into the Cathedral but were told Carrie’s pebbles had been removed. Watched quite a bit of TV, including the last two episodes of Paris Police 1900. Quite good. David FTd to say Olivia had Covid, and she and Oliver were staying in his flat awaiting results of PCR test. Olivia’s family also have it, though not badly. All a bit worrying.

Yesterday it rained at first, easing off later. Clocks back – it’s winter. Put lots of clothes on. Led service – went pretty well, I thought, until D complained afterwards that I was twitching during her prayers, and my body language implied a lack of respect for her. She’s a bit sensitive. I twitch all the time.

We had to get home quickly to reach Carrow Road for the match at 2pm. Negotiated heavy traffic quite well. Matt and Amanda left their bikes in our garage. City seemed a bit better to me, especially in the first half, and even scored with a header from a corner, but still lost 2-1 to Leeds. Matt was not impressed, though I thought they were playing a bit better.

Afterwards Dot walked up to church to assist with Carrie’s Hallowe’en event, which went very well, apparently. I picked her up at 7.30, and we transported some stuff to a woman in Rouen Road. Then home fora fairly light supper. Watched new Dr Who and Angela Black – both quite good. Discovered a superb Al Stewart song on something I’d recorded ages ago. Never seen him sing before.