It’s about two weeks since we got Covid, and Dot is feeling more or less OK, while I’m still a bit groggy, off and on, with a bit of back pain. Nothing serious, though. While in the bath just now I had a phone call from the hospital telling me my operation was on June 28. This was a bit of a surprise, since I am having a phone interview with the surgeon on Friday, but I didn’t argue. Yesterday I had pre-op tests at the hospital which seemed to go well. Apparently my heart is fine.

It’s raining lightly this morning, and it rained a bit last Wednesday too, when I was still feeling pretty rough – my back was quite painful. Went to bed in the afternoon for a while. After supper we watched a two-hour documentary on Frank Sinatra. I recorded it for Dot, but in fact it was very interesting. He was undoubtedly a great singer, but I didn’t like many of his songs. He was certainly a very good actor.

Thursday was warm. I was still positive, but felt better. Drove Dot to Harriet’s, so that she could put a card and Maddermarket tickets through her door. We had been hoping to go to The Pirates of Penzance, but of course that was right out. It worked out very well, because it was Harriet’s birthday, and she really enjoyed it, managing to dispose of the second ticket to an elderly man who was a friend of the bar woman. Our friend David Archer had a role as policeman/pirate.

Then to Riverside, where Dot bought three Latflow tests in Morrisons at £1.75 each. Later she worked in the garden and I cleared up round the house. Des brought us fish and chips and we watched It’s a Mad Mad, Mad, Mad World followed by Masterchef, which was won by the right person – Eddie Scott, a marine pilot with a very friendly manner. All three finalists were excellent, though. Neither of us voted in the local elections. Spoke to Sarah over the road from a distance – she had been trying to contact us to see how we were, but used the wrong number. 

Friday was very warm, and I tested negative! Read quite a bit in the bath, then the fixings for the kitchen drawer arrived, and I spent some time repairing it. Quite tricky: recalcitrant screws. Then walked to Ashman Bank at Carrow Road and left a package that we’d had for over a week but couldn’t deliver because of Covid. Got very hot while waiting for Dot in the car and had to lie down when I got home. Later watched a French film called Portrait of a Lady on Fire: very arty, but well done. Spoke to Ciara, who wants to get hold of Angela to adjust Phoebe’s prom dress. (She did eventually.) Des and Chris are en route to Canada (Nova Scotia).

Saturday was not so warm, but quite pleasant. Met Kristine off the train at 12.25 and walked her home. Vicky, Matt and Amy arrived just before 1pm and unpacked David’s stuff into the garage. Amy’s coming was a surprise, but in fact she went with them to see Kerry at Reepham. This may have been because she had thought I was still positive, but it actually worked out well: they stayed for a coffee before heading on. This gave us the afternoon with Kristine: Dot did a great salad and Eton Mess, and we had lots of Pimms and lemonade. Did a short walk down to the river. She left on 5.30pm train. We had chilli in the evening and watched Dr Zhivago – a great film and the first we saw together. Spurs drew at Liverpool. 

Sunday was quite warm, especially in the sun. Church in the morning – played guitar and led prayers, but not simultaneously. Communion, lower on numbers than usual. Left quickly so that we could get to Carrow Road in time for the 2pm game. On the way got contact details for car parking for Jonathan. Norwich lost 0-4 to West Ham. Had FaceTime with David and Amy. Both seemed well. I improved as day went on: back pain seemed to be easing. Watched quite a bit of football plus Beck – a new series which was excellent. Bed late after watching MOTD 2. Oliver said he saw Dot at the ground on TV, but she didn’t make it on to the highlights. 

Yesterday was again quite warm. Still feeling a bit groggy from Covid after-effects. Nevertheless Dot dropped me at church around 10.30, and later I did a Bible Study with Leanne and Nikki outside. Dot came later to chat and then take me to hospital for pre-op tests – blood, urine, MRSA, ECG, height, weight etc. Very nice nurse – Kerry – took me through it. Got in early, and it didn’t take too long. Walked up Cantley Lane and met Dot near roundabout – she’d been to Notcutts to buy presents for Anne’s birthday, plus cards, which she posted later in the day. Quite tired in the afternoon. Watched an episode of Grace and later the film Shane, which was extremely good. Also the last episode of The Split, which i found a bit ponderous, but Dot liked it.

This morning Dot has been working hard on background reading for her latest job – helping to interview candidates for the next headship at Brooke.