Last Tuesday, after a good morning, not such a good afternoon. I booked hotel and parking at Gatwick, but with some difficulty, especially when I tried to install ArriveCan app. Got very stressed and had to lie down. Later Dot listened to Norwich beating Birmingham in the League Cup (on penalties), and we watched the first episode of the new Van der Valk, which was excellent. Good script – and a good team.
On Wednesday I wrote two and a half articles for Parish Pump, partly while Dot was at a Taizé service at church. Very warm but not unpleasant. Did some food shopping in the afternoon. Later watched When Harry met Sally, which is a brilliant film, and the first episode of the new Shetland, which didn’t disappoint.
Thursday was warmer. Almost uncomfortable. The start of a new trend. Finished off Pump pieces. Anna called in with a book from Tony Ward (former vicar now resident in Derby), and later Bridget came to clean. Most of the time she was here we were watching Casablanca, a great film of course. At 6pm we did a Heygo tour of Niagara on the Lake while I cooked duck à l’orange. Later watched the rest of the Runrig DVD, which was brilliant. Then David FTd us, accompanied by Amy, who doesn’t want to come home. Oliver in room too. Later watched Clarkson’s Farm on Prime. Really quite good.
Friday was hot. Dot went to Morrisons early, and Kristine arrived on the 12.25 from London. Dot did really nice food, and we had a good chat. Introduced her to Runrig, which she seemed to like a lot. Felt very tired late afternoon and lay down for a while, but we all went out for drinks in the street at 5.30. Kristine got the 7pm train home: we took her to the station. Later watched some football, Witness Number 3 and Sanditon. Salmon Rushdie has been knifed on stage.
Saturday was hot. Didn’t go out at all; quite bearable indoors. Posted on website – article and poem – updated various things and then booked a cottage for Ballater next May. Norwich lost 2-/1 to Hull away despite being better in all departments except shooting. Now bottom of table. Watched a bit of Euro rowing and cycling, plus most of Rio Bravo and the second edition of Clarkson’s Farm, which is very funny. How can anyone make a living out of farming?
Sunday was hot. Church in the morning as member of congregation – odd. I usually have something to do. Long Holy Communion with long chat afterwards. Heather has bad hip. Steve very down. After lunch spent most of day watching TV – bit of Euros, last 3 episodes of Witness Number 3 (3 and 4 much better than 1 and 2). Carrie called in with figs. Oh yes.
Yesterday was pleasantly warm, but overcast. Picked up Anna at 10 and drove to Woodbridge: traffic bad and painfully slow. Found car park and violin shop with no trouble, and parking app worked beautifully. Dot had a choice of six of eight violins and bought one which sounded pretty good: £2500, less £500 part exchange on her old one. Anna bought a new bow, which was £800. Amazing shop, very pleasant owner and assistant.
Afterwards had lunch in the square outside the shop: really nice food and tea from the Wild Strawberry Cafe. As I was feeling pretty tired, Dot drove back. Watched some cycling and athletics (great finish to marathon) and another Clarkson’s Farm. No rain yet, but promised for tomorrow. I believe Oliver, Amy, David and Chrissy went to Niagara Falls, though there was an attempt to make me believe the picture was photoshopped.