Extremely windy few days, with Storm Dudley giving way to Storm Eunice and then Storm Franklin. Mirrors events in Ukraine, where war has started on the borders. We are safely back in Norwich, but Dot has injured her knee and is not totally mobile, and I have an odd pain in my back all of a sudden. I expect it will fade away. That’s how it will be.
Last Thursday Dudley was fading away towards evening, but it was chilly, mainly because of the wind. Dot spent the morning at church talking to Leanne and Nicky, two new members/visitors. All went very well, and hopeful that they will come regularly. Carrie was there too, of course. In the afternoon she went for a massage from Verena. I put together a collage of pictures of our family for Andrew, and did another Paston letter. Also wrote a couple of poems – first drafts, anyway. Bridget came and did some cleaning, mainly in the bathroom (she now has Covid). Dot got back when she was nearly finished. In the evening we gave Judy and Eleanor a lift to Cake and Compline at the Archers’. Everyone was there except Vicky. Later watched some Winter Olympics, in which male curlers made sure of at least a silver medal. Walked 4000 steps indoor. Bit worried because I had some minor cold symptoms, which have persisted. Not too bad, though. Window cleaner came. (No connection.)
After an iffy night I felt better on Friday, now riding out Storm Eunice. Lots of wind and rain, but managed to get to church to do some music practice with Matt, Phil, Emily and Dot. There’s been a lot of trees down and flooding, but no real impact on us yet, much to the indignity of Amy, who Facetimed us and David at the same time. Apparently Aylesbury was rather worse hit, and their garden fence was blown down. Edited another Paston letter and a page on Mannington. Watched some more Winter Olympics: suspect Jonathan opposite is watching it most of the time, including late night and early morning. Watched another Vera, but we’d seen it before, and not too long ago, I suspect. Filled dishwasher up with salt and Rinse Aid; also cleaned the filter.
Saturday was a horrible day – mainly wet and cold. Only went out to the bin in the evening, but did quite a bit of walking indoors. Tried to palm off a Paston letter in Latin on Paul; and discovered e-mails from Anne Coomes had been diverted into the Junk folder. No idea why. She rang, or I wouldn’t have known. As a result did one and a half articles for her during the day. Norwich lost 3-1 at Liverpool after being 1-0 up; and Spurs scored in the 95th minute to beat Man City. Watched another couple of episodes of The Promise, which is excellent. Men got a silver medal in curling, with Sweden winning on the last end. Dot had safeguarding meeting by Zoom in the morning, lost connection halfway through, then rejoined.
Sunday was another unpleasant weather day. Now in the midst of Storm Franklin – the real deal (geddit?). Heavy rain and wind all day and still going strong near midnight. Went to church in the morning and led service: there was discussion about rearrangement of chairs in the hall, and I had to haul them back to the business in hand (worship). Dot prayed.
Howard preached, and afterwards Dot and I went with Anna for roast lunch at the Golden Star. Very nice too: we talked about the music group, but I’m not sure we came to any real conclusions. Didn’t get home till well after three. Watched the film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, and it was surprisingly good. Also watched the last of the Winter Olympics, including Eve Muirhead and her girls winning gold in curling. Watched quite a bit of football too, and the last episode of the current series of Call the Midwife, which was OK. David FaceTimed and we had quite a long talk on football and social community (I think). Still felt a bit under the weather, but it might be the weather.
Monday was still very windy, with bursts of rain. Drove to Coventry to see Oliver and Andrew, but rang Minster Lodge first – apparently Andrew’s not doing too well at the moment. Took a lateral flow test – negative. Dot drove to Cambridge Services – quite windy, but not too bad. I drove the rest of the way, and we arrived just after 2pm. Nice room but nowhere to plug in charger.
Met Oliver at Wellness car park, and we walked to his flat, which is nicely appointed. Cold wind. He ran through some of what he was doing – impressive. Walked back to the car, and we drove to the hotel, where we walked by the stream, which was very high. Then into our room (No 3) and on to the restaurant, where we ate at 5.30pm. Service a bit slow, but good food, though portions were on the large side. Afterwards Oliver fixed a few computer problems before we took him back to campus, taking in Beanfield Avenue and The Chesils. He also showed us where he would be living next year – looked good, and not far from campus. Drove back to the hotel, feeling very tired. Dot’s knee troubling her, and my sinuses were not at their best. Went to bed early. Wind has dropped a bit.
Yesterday was showery, but not so cold. Bad night, but breakfast very good. Drove to see Andrew: he wasn’t so well, as we had been warned, and I had a chat with a supervisor about him. His voice is odd, and he has difficulty walking. They’re waiting for results of a blood test. We watched part of a video with him (Wild Britain). Left about 12.20, and I drove to Anglesey Abbey, where we had lunch: I had a sandwich and a can of wine! Dot had a scone and tea, and drove from there to home. Her knee has been pretty bad, but it doesn’t affect her driving. We got home about 4pm after filling up with petrol. Still not feeling great – a bit sniffly. Watched a lot of TV after unpacking: last two episodes of Chloe, which was quite good, and an episode of Trigger Point, also quite reasonable. Dot made a blackberry and apple crumble.
Today is nondescript outside. Our photographs on canvas have arrived and look very good. They will go to Andrew next time I see him.