Very warm spell reaching its peak today, though it’s strangely overcast. The roadworks at Foundry Bridge have got so bad – single line entrance from both Prince of Wales Road and Riverside – that according to Radio Norfolk the police have launched an investigation. Not sure what that means, but I know it because I’ve just been to pick up my trousers from the cleaners and chose the more roundabout way back, which turned out to be marginally the lesser of the two evils.
Going back to last Saturday, it was warm and mainly sunny. Took trousers to be cleaned (remember them?), then collected Dot’s pills, then went to Morrisons, where Dot was cold – so I gave her my jumper and felt good! After lunch Dot worked on the garden and I caught up with various things, including finding out how to rotate a video! Watched a bit of TV – nothing extraordinary. Cricket was quite interesting, but England v Italy (0-0) was dreadful. Thank goodness we only saw the second half.
Sun continued pretty warm, but with a bit more cloud. Went to church in the morning. Howard led and Anna did lectio. Leanne came but left early because Evelyn was a bit feisty. Had to leave promptly to get to Walpole Old Chapel for the annual poetry reading of the Suffolk Poetry Society. Really enjoyable event in a special venue: ancient, rickety pews just holding together; ancient rickety poets just functioning. Dot took a video of me reading. People we knew: Sue Foster, Beth Soule, Diana Jackman, Lynne Nesbit, Elizabeth Bracken, Mike Banister (who has just lost his wife and has had a heart attack – looking very frail). Plus one or two others – a nice group. Home just after 6pm. FaceTimed David, who’d had a good couple of days away at a posh hotel. Watched the cricket and The Outlaws, but I went to sleep. Very annoying.
Monday was quite warm and dry. Went to church but as Nikki didn’t turn up and Leanne was late, there was no Bible study. Phil came, and with the help of Graham we worked out how the sound system worked – I think. Leanne has a lot of back pain, and Carrie’s husband Al is in hospital with either kidney or prostate problems. Alison is also in pain and didn’t come. Dot had a blood test at the surgery and went to the garden centre. She bought a hanging basket that I put up in the afternoon, after we spent a couple of hours with Des and Chris, talking mainly about their Canadian trip, especially Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Watched cricket again and The Outlaws, which I stayed awake for this time. Also the end of Conversations with Friends, which was basically six wasted hours. Cooked rack of lamb – very good.
Quite warm and dry again on Tuesday. Went to Archant Pensioners breakfast at Town House. Not many there, but spoke to Brian and Tricia, plus Bill and Jennie. After lunch I drove to North Walsham for a meeting with Peter and Rob about publishing a short book on the history of the PHS. Decided to sketch one out and approach Paul Dickson.
England beat New Zealand at cricket in an exciting run chase, but lost 0-4 at home to Hungary at football. Watched a couple of really good nature programmes and the first couple of episodes of a thriller, Sherwood, which is very good so far. Dot spent a long time working on the garden. The front looks really good.
Wednesday was again warm. Rob and Penny called with Lucy’s books and my UEA certificate for Footprints! Then Hello Fresh and Naked Wines. I spent most of the day writing three articles for Parish Pump – on Enid Blyton, Philip Larkin and Princess Diana’s death. Later Fred’s daughter Kate and her daughter Anna left their car in our drive while they went to an Elton John concert at Carrow Road. Dot went to orchestra and I went to meet her at the bottom of Gas Hill, just as everyone came out of the concert. We got back at the same time as Kate and Anna, and they had a cup of tea before going to their hotel up by the airport. Watched the end of State of the Union, which was good, and a nice documentary on Snowdonia. Had a phone call from Ray to say Christine’s operation had been cancelled, and a Voicemail from the hospital to say mind had too.
Yesterday was seriously warm. Busy day, too, starting with a phone call to the hospital, where I was told my new operation date is July 3. Then Dot went into the city to meet the violin man from Woodbridge, eventually ending up at Anna’s because A… had locked them out. I left a bit later to get my new glasses. Met up at Olives, where we spoke for 90 minutes or so with Naomi. Then walked to Exchange Street, where we had a table booked for lunch with Kim, recently returned from Norway. She went to the wrong place, but wasn’t too late, and we had a very good lunch and talk. Then home, where Bridget was cleaning, having arrived early. Felt pretty shattered. Watched another good documentary on Snowdonia.
Cake and Compline in the evening – everyone present, and Claire walked upstairs – her ankle seems much better. As they were leaving I had a chat with John and asked about Tara, who is still having problems from Long Covid. Had quite a long talk with David on FaceTime. He has had an exciting meeting which may give new prospects.