Monday was Dot’s birthday. Quite cold, but not unpleasant, with a bit of sun. Went to Blakeney to stay two nights at the Blakeney Hotel. Outrageously expensive: £380 a night. The Evetts were delayed by a car problem and didn’t arrive till 5.30, more than an hour after us, in a hired Qashquai. We were late because we were waiting for a delivery from Amazon (David’s present). In the end Mary collected it for us about half an hour after we left. In defence of the hotel, it had a terrific room with balcony and view of the estuary. Nice meal too. I risked some cheese, following pigeon and trout. Dave looked tired, unsurprisingly. I felt tired, but didn’t sleep well. Woke up a couple of times feeling hot.
Tuesday morning was amazing, with stunning views from our balcony. Took several pix and a video before breakfast, at which Dot lost her mask (never found it). I had scrambled eggs and mushrooms. We decided to walk to Morston: good decision because it was a beautiful day. Went to the Anchor Inn for a glass of wine (in my case) and some crisps. The Evetts shared a BLT sandwich and chips. Walked back to Blakeney and just caught the Two Magpies before they closed (at 3pm!). Had tea and doughnut. We were last out, and they gave us some cakes, scones and cheese sticks – about £25 worth between us. Amazing.
Evening meal was excellent as before: I had lamb, liver pate and fruit salad. All really good. Dave, Dot and I popped out to see if high tide had covered the car park, but it hadn’t. Ended evening with tea and coffee in lounge. Discovered Phil K had bad news about his bladder cancer. Further tests necessary.
Wednesday was a big contrast: low cloud deteriorating into a slight drizzle by the time we left Blakeney at 3.15pm. Started the day after breakfast by booking out, then walking to Wiveton fruit farm, where we had tea in the cafe. Bit early for me! Then continued into Cley, where our usual cafe was shut on Tuesdays. Of course. So we went up to the George & Dragon pub, which has been transformed into a very pleasant pub / restaurant. Had smoked haddock chowder with sourdough, which was delicious. Dot had exotic rarebit. All had mulled wine.
We had intended to go back by bus, but instead walked back the way we’d come and said goodbye on the hotel car park. As we emerged on to the main road, the bus we would have caught appeared. The Evetts moved on to the Manor for the rest of the week – sadly the weather deteriorating as they went.
We arrived home to find the house freezing cold: the heating clearly hadn’t come on the morning before. Spent some time trying to warm house up – eg Dot lit fire. Had a fried egg each, and Dot went to orchestra while I cleared up. Gradually the house did warm up. I created a new password for Facebook, which had been hacked, then printed out some stuff for Sunday. Later had a bath. Dot home late after going for a drink, and David FTd her about her presents, which Mary had brought round earlier. New light for her music stand and a couple of interesting-looking books.
Yesterday was cold, with a mixture of sun and showers. Busy day. Wrote four Parish Pump articles on Shackleton, Vaughan Williams, Bowie and Desert Island Discs. Picked up pills from chemist, which was chaotic under its new management. A couple of irate customers. Bridget came to do the cleaning. and I sorted out the Advent songs, requiring a bit of research, and tried them out with Dot. Watched the final episode of Shetland and penultimate one of The Outlaws, both of which are first-rate. Also a Grand Designs programme, which was quite interesting.
Today (Friday) was just as frantic, largely because Dot had an online Jessica retreat with a Leonard Cohen element. Between sessions she went to Brooke to collect some charity sugar from the school, and later went to Morrisons with me. As I write this (coming up to 5pm) she is on the last leg of her retreat. Meanwhile, I’ve managed to write my sermon for Sunday, made the bed, put water in the piano and dealt with the dishwasher. Tonight I’m trying leaving the heating on, to see what happens. The gas man is coming on Tuesday: I had a conversation on the phone that wasn’t very helpful, as the display on the boiler didn’t do what he wanted it to do. I’m now wondering whether we will be crazy enough to go outside for drinks at 5.30pm. (We didn’t.)The forecast for the weekend is pretty terrible, though mainly further north.