Dot has just discovered that Paul’s get-together this evening is two hours earlier than she thought; so she has hurtled into the shower. She spent some time in the city earlier, doing last-minute shopping while I went up to the Rosary to put flowers on graves, and in the process wrote a new poem – the first I’ve done for some time. Now Bridget is here doing the cleaning. Covid news decidedly better today – Ferguson accused of bad science.
Going back a bit, last Friday was grey and damp, but not too cold. Spent most of the day indoors. I finished the rota and the preparations for the carol service. Dot wrapped presents and went to Morrisons. There was no Friday drink in street, because people were being very careful and cancelling attendance at the Monday get-together with neighbours. Dot and I posted cards, then went to Jude’s for drinks and nibbles. Really enjoyed it. Her neighbours Chris and Becky were there: very pleasant. They left at 9 but we didn’t go till about 10.30.
Saturday was damp and grey. Stayed in, except for posting cards in the afternoon. Dot worked very hard, and I gave her a hand with decorations and so on, though there times when I felt tired out and not really with it. Choked when I fell asleep watching TV – quite frightening. Rehearsed the script for the carol service. Paul came round in late morning and brought presents. Amy’s flight was still on, and everyone was on the edge of their seats. All football matches except one were postponed because of Covid, which is spiking again. Boring.
Sunday – and Amy is in Canada! She arrived at David’s house after an exhausting but quite trouble-free journey, apparently. We had been tracking her flight just about all day. Admire her greatly for going through all the annoying paperwork and tests. She has come of age!
In the morning we had the much-anticipated alternative carol service, which went very well. It included a song from Graham which was excellent, and some pretty good performances. Kim came sans mask and was not kicked out. I gave everyone a copy of my latest poetry book. Just nibbles afterwards, instead of the usual meal, because of the Covid risk. Finished article for EDP on the CNS Christmas lunch, but was not sure they’d use it. It was very late and the picture was not very good. (In the end they did use it as an Opinion piece, which is mystifying.) Watched the first episode of a new thriller, The Girl Before, which was pretty good. We’re now on the eighth series of Friends (out of ten).
Another grey, damp day, as was Monday. Went for a big shop at Morrisons early on – and came through it surprisingly easily. Got petrol. Back in time to receive cake from Marion. then had haircut and bath. We’d invited several neighbours round for the evening, but in the end only John, Tara and John’s two younger children came. Had a really nice evening with them. FTd David and Amy, and forgot to put the bins out till I was in pyjamas. Got to 4000 steps with ten seconds to spare. Did O Antiphon – a kind of meditation – while writing this. Did lateral flow test. Negative.
Tuesday was cold but still. High cloud. Early exit to Dereham, where we dropped off presents at Phil and Joy’s, then proceeded to Angela and Rodney’s for tea/coffee and biscuits. Very nice. Drove home via Lenwade because the A47 was very busy, then after lunch I drove Dot up to St Augustine’s, where she picked up Carrie and a box of goodies for Sophie and Alex. I walked home while they drove to Spixworth, then wrapped Dot’s presents and made the bed as well as clearing up.
Felt shattered: eventually took paracetamol and acidophilus, but also noticed ears were pretty blocked (left one quite painful when I pushed at it). When I cleared them a little I felt better. Prepared Compline for the evening. Present: Eleanor, Kim, Vicky and Amy, Claire, David and Bridget. Watched The Chosen (children episode), then ate food Dot had prepared (and others had brought), and did the Compline. Really nice evening: halfway through Judy and Carrie showed up for exchange of presents. Earlier Dot did lateral flow test: negative.
Wednesday was very cold: ice on windscreen. But fairly bright and dry. Busy day. Drove to North Walsham for tea/coffee with Roger and Debbie, who have transformed their bungalow. Then to Sainsbury’s and the cemetery, where I got wet feet (wrong shoes, long grass), and thence to Paston, where we left Jonathan’s parcel. On to Rob and Penny’s to drop off present and card, then to Lucy’s to drop off her present and Naomi’s and have a brief chat: she has a chest infection, though apparently it’s not infectious..
Back home for soup and a short break, plus a brief FT with Amy and David, then to church for carols and nibbles. Started with handbell-ringing, but I was too late – having trouble parking the car. Walked around for a while, then went back for chat with Ellie and others. Ellie looked well. Then played carols with Dot and Anna on violin and Martin on piano for everyone to sing. Helped to clear up: did washing up. Back home watched second episode of The Girl Before.