Monday afternoon was reasonably warm and dry. Caught up with e-mails and wrote blog. Watched cricket, Tour de France, some Wimbledon. Amy FTd at teatime. She has just finished her exams and seems quite bright – pleased about Blakeney. Made chilli con carne. Watched McDonald & Dodds. Very contrived plot, but good characters. Also watched The Outlaws – very well written and acted.
Tuesday was overcast in Norwich at first, but later sunny and warm, cooling in the evening. Went to Archant Pensioners’ breakfast and had one. Ian Clarke came to speak, and he said in one week that number eleven was closing. Oh no, that’s a Bob Dylan song. He’s actually the EDP deputy editor and he gave us a talk about what was going on, then answered questions. Dot asked two questions that he said were good. I asked a few too. Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia were there, as well as the usual suspects. Anna came round at lunchtime and gave Dot a violin lesson. After watching the cricket we drove out to Beeston Regis to visit Fred and Sue’s caravan, and had a good time which included a barbecue – salmon. Sun quite hot until around 8pm, when it got chilly. We went for a short walk, then drove home. Watched tennis highlights on iPlayer Just squeezed in Cameron Norrie, the British No1 who has reached the semi-finals. England beat India at cricket, and in other news the Chancellor and Health Secretary both resigned. Not sure why.
Wednesday was overcast all day. Quite mild, though the temperature varied. Dot went to Tasburgh for DSSO while I walked up to the Maids Head to meet Paul Dickson. Discovered I had sold no books at all except the five I had sold myself. Discussed The Lost Princess and a possible Paston book. Agreed to try to produce a couple of sample chapters with Lucy. After lunch went to Morrisons to stock up, and then delivered Dot to a Safeguarding meeting near church (Green Hills Road), following which I drove home, killed a pigeon on the way and tested the tyre pressures (unrelated). They were more or less OK. Watched some Wimbledon, with irritating Nadal beating Fitz (before even more irritatingly withdrawing the next day). Also caught up with Tour de France. Think Boris Johnson resigned somewhere about here.
Thursday was windy, and a bit cooler, at least at first. Dot went up to surgery for a blood test, among other things, and was told she seemed to be in pretty good health, which cheered her up. Later she walked into the city to get something or other for someone or other who is apparently having a birthday soon. I walked some of the way with her and came back via the Cathedral, walking the labyrinth. After lunch we watched a bit of Wimbledon, and she did bit of gardening while I wrote some e-mails and then started looking at stuff for the retreat. Bridget came to clean, and we confirmed when next C&C meeting was. Watched first two episodes of An Undeclared War, which so far is excellent.
Yesterday Dot was at a Religious Education conference at UEA. Went by taxi, which arrived around 8am! Very warm day. I spent much of it putting final touches to the retreat programme and writing a short liturgy. Met Dot off the bus and we went to the usual drinks gathering at 5.30 – except of course that I’m not allowed alcohol until my operation. Very annoying! Watched a bit of wheelchair Wimbledon. Feel strangely apprehensive. Got lovely card from Kim full of reassurance; so I shouldn’t.
Today has been pretty warm, but a bit windy. Anne came for coffee in the morning after navigating another road problem – a barrier across Koblenz Avenue. Suspect she missed an earlier diversion sign. After she left, walked down with Dot to have a look. On the plus side, there was plenty of work going on. Spent rest of day watching woman’s final at Wimbledon and caught tail-end of men’s doubles. Watched a lot of T20 cricket, but recording cut off in middle. Later watched first episode of new Scandi noir, which is promising. David FTd to check on me before my operation. Had messages from several people, which was all nice. Feel quite strange, which I imagine is normal.