Rather a grey and dismal Wednesday today, with what you might call wet air occasionally morphing into drizzle and then back into relative dryness. Heavy grey skies. We did some shopping at Morrisons this morning – partly general and partly for our lunch tomorrow, when we have visitors. Dot also did some preparation, going back to Morrisons when she realised she had forgotten a vital ingredient. Something strange happened with our Hello Fresh delivery, which ended up down the road outside someone else’s door. I tracked it down and brought it home. Dot is now at orchestra.

Last Saturday was a bit strange. I felt odd (and have continued to do so on and off) – possibly a reaction to my booster jab; like a very minor flu-type virus. Anyway… Watched the second episode of Dalgleish, which was very good. Listened to Brentford v Norwich, and City got their first win (2-1) for about a million years – this was followed fairly quickly by Farke being fired. Odd, Holmes. David FTd as I was cooking supper: he seemed good, and his app is going well. After supper Dot and I went to St Andrew’s Hall for a concert by the Philharmonic, with Paul singing bass. Quite unusual – Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonelle, with two pianos and a harmonium, but no orchestra. Female soloists and choir excellent. Quite enjoyed it. Happily the earlier rain had stopped, but there was a chilly wind.

Sunday was still cool, but dry and some sun. Went to church in the morning: Dot led prayers. Walked to Kim’s for 6.30 for her 60th birthday party. Also present: her daughter Kirvana (26, postgrad at Warwick, studying gut bacteria); Jenny (a neighbour who seems to be a bit of an activist for the local community); Julia, a former neighbour now living in Cringleford and an artist (she’s also 60 and like Kim, looks much younger); Alaric, an American High Anglican in charge of St George Tombland and St George Colegate; and his partner Mauricio, an Italian researching esoteric music from the 1960s and 1970s; myself and Dot (who looks much younger too). Really good evening in terms of both food and conversation. Walked home, arriving a minute or two before midnight.

Could have done with a restful day on Monday, but it didn’t work out like that. At least the weather was good – dry, some sun and not too cold. Linda came round to do our hair, arriving at the same time as Debbie, who was parking her car in our drive and going by train to Yarmouth to see Ellie, who is quite ill. Afterwards I drove up to the MOT station in Heigham Street for a test, and walked upriver while the MOT was done. Unfortunately it failed because of two broken suspension springs, which meant I had to drive up to Wrights (avoiding the closed road I would normally have taken) and get them to do the repair (over £300) and get the car MOTd again.

This meant more walking – I managed to get a bus the other side of the ring road, which took me to Upper King Street – and then getting to Heigham Street later to pick the car up. This proved a bit of a nightmare, starting with a stroke of luck – the No 26 bus was late, and I suddenly realised that the No 23 would be much better, and there it was! As I was sitting in it at Castle Meadow while thousands of children got on I received a phone call from the MOT man saying he closed at 4pm and did I want him to keep the car overnight? I almost said yes, but then realised Dot would need the car next morning; so the guy offered to wait for me till 4.30pm. More kids piled on, and I was doubtful, but went for it.

In the end I got off just past Old Palace Road and walked very quickly through, arriving at just before 4.15pm. I don’t know who was more surprised – him or me. Needless to say, I was pretty shagged out for the rest of the day, but got some great news mid-evening, when David FTd to say he’d been granted residency. A weight off his shoulders.

Much the same weather on Tuesday – not too cold and some sun. Dot went to Catfield in the morning, and I had a bath, then caught up with e-mails. After lunch Dot walked to Anna’s for a violin lesson. I cleared up and had a long chat with David about when he first went to Canada (among other things), then sent a copy of The Lost Princess to Paul Dickson (a publisher I know).  He responded saying he was busy but would look at it as soon as he could. Walked to the Greens to meet Dot. Felt very tired when we got back. In the evening had Compline at Judy’s. We took Eleanor and Bridget. Claire didn’t make it. Watched The Outlaws when we got back.