Lovely weather today – blue sky and very mild. Posted cards while Dot took parcels to post office; then we walked up through the Close to the Hostry exhibition and bought a couple of items of jewellery for Dot for Christmas from Hazel Davidson’s collection. Quite a palaver paying for them, but I chatted with a chair maker – beautiful stuff – who had recently lost his wife. Then walked up to meet Dot at Jarrolds after buying some acidophilus and a Norwich magazine we’d seen advertised.
Later had a long chat with David, mainly about whether Amy should travel to Canada in view of the worsening Covid situation, with the Government showing signs of panicking. Then later Carrie called and had a long talk – mainly with Dot – about her Covid problems. Bridget came and did the cleaning, and we had a chat with her about what was likely to be happening at Christmas – all rather disheartening. Meanwhile Phil K is in hospital having a second bladder cancer operation.
Meanwhile I finished off the alternative carol service and printed congregational sheets. Earlier I read a brilliant piece about the Transfiguration which cheered me up considerably: the idea of being filled with light.
Watched the final parts of courtroom thriller You Don’t Know Me, which were very clever but a bit of a cop out.
Last Saturday turned out to be a very mixed bag. Fred, Kate and two boys arrived at about 3pm and had snacks as arranged. I then walked them down in the rain to Carrow Road, and Kate to the Odeon, where she was meeting a friend. I arranged for Fred to use a key I lent him to open the door afterwards, drop off the ticket and take his present and cards. Norwich lost 0-1 despite playing well, and I walked up to Dot’s concert in the rain, which was now much heavier. Meanwhile the match finished and Fred & Co returned to the house, but didn’t go in, thus missing the cards and present. More importantly, Fred didn’t put the ticket through the door, which left Dot distinctly unimpressed. He now had to get it back to her for Tuesday’s evening game.
Meanwhile the concert was excellent. Angela, Rodney, Chris, David and Bridget were there, and I sat a table with the first three. Afterwards walked home with Dot and Chris, and watched Match of the Day.
Sunday was dry and much milder. I was unable to park anywhere near the church and eventually drove up to St Luke’s and parked there, which is obviously not ideal. Preached a sermon that I think was OK, though it appeared to upset Carrie, but I think this was in addition to some comments some other people had made to her. Most people were wearing masks (now mandatory), but Kim and Dee weren’t, and I don’t think they’ll come while we’re wearing them. I wore it on and off, as did Dot.
Quite a nice communion service despite that, with Graham presiding. Decided not to have a Christmas meal, just nibbles and tea/coffee next week. Think we’ll probably go ahead with the Alternative Carol Service.
After lunch watched the Abu Dhabi grand prix, which was as close to a fix as you could make it. Hamilton was set to win easily; so they had a safety car and then moved all the intervening cars out of the way. How they can get any satisfaction out of that I don’t know. No respect for Verstappen. I won’t be watching F1 next season. Pity: if this had been a fair race I would probably have been cheering him on in 2022. Anyway, got some nice comments about my sermon from Matt and Kim. Had an evening meal at Gem with Elwira and David – went very well. I had three good mezzes.
Monday was dry and fairly mild. Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and I did quite a bit of work on the computer, especially Christmas-related. In the evening walked up to Prime on Tombland – part of the Edith Cavell pub – and had a really good meal with Howard and Anna. My duck was superb, and so was the rest of it. Drank two thirds of a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. Talked a lot about church and other stuff: Howard was excellent.
Tuesday was quite warm and dry, though overcast. Had quite a bad night but recovered. Did a lot of card-writing and present-sending , both online and in real life. The ticket arrived from Fred, to great relief all round. Dot posted some cards and bought some stamps. Went to football with Dot in evening, using Jonathan’s ticket. Awful match. City lost 2-0 and played very badly. McLean missed an open goal.
Yesterday was relatively mild and dry, with sun in the morning. I walked up into the city, had a look at the Hostry exhibition, then bought cards at Revelations. Spoke to Michael and Margaret on the way home. Spent most of the day after that writing Christmas cards. Drove Dot to orchestra get-together at church hall in Old Catton (took her own meal) and she spent some time talking to Vicky. Janet drove her home. Omicron figures very high and Whitty panicking. Again.