Dot has moved on a year, celebrated by…but we’ll come to that later. Some pretty weird weather this past week. Last Friday was dull but dry, apart from a few spots of rain in the evening. I walked up to the Rosary in the morning and put flowers on Mum and Dad’s grave. Also put half a dozen books up in the little library. Went to Morrisons with Dot, who was taking a break from her meditation day, and bought presents for Bridget (birthday) and the Evetts (Christmas). After lunch I wrote most of my sermon in good time for us to go outside for drinks at 5.30pm : Des, Chris, Ciara, Jonathan, John (who arrived just as I was leaving to cook our dinner). Watched last episode of The Crown and another episode of Rogue SAS, then Dot watched the video that Kim sent us and was quite impressed.
Saturday was dry but very cold, especially toward evening. After revising a bit of my sermon and Dot working on her DSSO reports, we walked into city after lunch to sit in on an interview with Keiron Pim about his new biography of Joseph Roth. Quite long but very interesting – got Keiron to sign our copy afterwards. After supper – pizza – watched a couple of episodes of The English, which is a really superior western, and a further episode of Rogue SAS. Practised hymns. Capo broken but I have another.
Sunday was quite cold again. Rain at first, dry later. Church as usual. Gave sermon about not being frightened, I’m afraid. Phil absent again. Also Nikki and Leanne. Talk afterwards about Phyllis’ funeral service with Anna and Graham. Home for lunch, then walked up to Vue cinema in Castle Mall to see special showing of Series 3 intro to The Chosen. Very good quality maintained. Everyone should see it. Went with Kim, who told us about it. Didn’t notice any other publicity, and the cinema was practically empty. Walked home, did a lot of clearing up and watched a documentary on The Waste Land, which was illuminating. Sorted out my room a bit, then read a bit more of Keiron’s book.
Monday was dry at first, but got wetter and wetter. Quite heavy rain in Suffolk as we travelled to Seckford Hall Hotel, near Woodbridge. But before that Anne came round: Philip may be facing another operation. Watched a little bit of the World Cup. England beat Iran 6-2. Arrived at hotel about 3.45: pouring with rain. Our room was in the courtyard; so I had to transfer cases quite a distance. We were lucky to get a parking space close to the hotel entrance. Met Dave and Julia at 6pm for Prosecco in their room. Afterwards lovely meal – I had chicken liver parfait and duck. Chatted afterwards, then to bed by 10.30pm. Our room is quite small but comfortable. Evetts have a big room (“The Seckford Room”) in the main hotel and have made friends with the restaurant manager, a very pleasant woman. I had a lot of itching during the night.
Tuesday, thank goodness, was mainly dry – few drops of rain. After breakfast Dave drove us in his new car into Woodbridge, and we parked not far from the Violin Shop, then called in to say hello. Quite cold. Eventually I bought a waterproof cap from Mountain Warehouse, which looks quite reasonable, surprisingly. Dot meanwhile celebrated her birthday by buying various items, including a long sweater and some socks (for me).
Earlier, before breakfast, we had opened Dot’s presents – including books from David and ear rings from Joy and Phil (we think – no message). In Woodbridge we walked down to river and had lunch at the very good theatre restaurant. Then walked along by the river and back up to where we’d parked car. Then drove to Dobbie’s (a garden centre) for tea and mince pie. Caught up on e-mails back at the hotel. Felt very tired. Then David and Chrissy FaceTimed, and Amy piggy-backed. Prosecco again with Evetts in their room. Really nice meal – I had fillet of beef wellington; Dot had pork. Friendly waitress (Lailah). Had drink in bar afterwards and talked about Phyllis, among many other things, including harvest spiders. Dot seemed to enjoy her birthday.
Yesterday was a strange day, weather wise. Dry at first, but raining by breakfast time, which made packing the car up difficult: I drove up next to our room in the courtyard. Good breakfast again, then paid our bill under the watchful eye of Dave. Decided to drive to Snape: we followed him in pouring rain and wind. Once there we waited a few moments for rain to abate, then walked over to the cafe and managed to get a table, thanks to the generosity of a woman who switched her three for our four. Then spent some time in the big shop and Dot bought a blanket for the sofa. I bought some esoteric food.
Weather much better as we drove to the Two Magpies, which is near the Halesworth turn-off on the A12. Had mushrooms on toast and bought a mince pie for later. Then drove home, arriving about 3.30pm. Later Dot went to orchestra and I managed to fix the dishwasher, which was very satisfying (salt cap had jammed and a basket wheel fallen off and lodged in the filter). Also sorted out some music for Sunday evening and sent a few e-mails. Getting a bit fed-up with my fellow executor.