Thursday – Bad night. Eventually woke at 9am and had a bath. Drove to Colney for funeral of David Street, who I knew slightly: he is the brother of Joy McCall, who I know very well through poetry. Packed building, and hard to park at first. Spoke to Joy, her husband Andy and mutual friend Nick Gorvin, the printer. Very odd funeral: no prayers, hymns or liturgy. Consisted of memories of David from various people and a piece that he himself had written, read out by a friend and interspersed with fairly mediocre songs, by people like James Taylor. Slipped away at the end.
Still, at least the weather was OK. Didn’t rain till early evening. Afterwards sorted out some stuff for Sunday and collated eulogy for Phyllis, plus a few other things. Dot went to Morrisons and I cooked the meal, then I drove Dot to handbell ringing. David and Bridget brought her home. Watched some world cup.
Friday – Sunny but quite cold. Walked up to solicitor’s for 2pm meeting with Anna – was passed en route by Howard, who didn’t notice me. I am getting less significant by the hour. Good meeting with Beth Slaughter, who certainly knows her stuff. She will be handling the whole probate process except where we have to be involved as executors. Afterwards had a cuppa with Anna in the Refectory and discussed mishandling of the funeral leaflet. She has eye problems. On the evening went out early for drinks – Des, Chris, Angela and Matthew – and Dot left at 6.30 for meal and ballet (Nutcracker) with Anne. Earlier Bridget came round to do cleaning. Des got me fish and chips, and I watched England play abysmally to draw 0-0 with USA.
Saturday – Quite a pleasant day, though chilly. Linda came round and cut our hair, and while Dot was still having hers done I walked up into the city to drop in on Paul Dickson at the Forum, where he had a bookstall. Spent some time talking to Rwandan woman next to him and bought her a copy of my book. Walked home via Boots where I got a “free” package of eye treatment (points on loyalty card), then down The Close.
Wrote my prayers for tomorrow and then Paul came round for tea and rock cakes, which Dot had just cooked. He seemed a bit better – has had work done on his legs. Cooked sausages and bacon and egg then watched TV – another episode of The English – bit obscure at times – then a documentary by David Baddiel on why Jews don’t count when it comes to minorities. Quite good, though a bit Jewish. Joke. Really. I am the least anti-Semitic person you could meet. Then watched a bit of World Cup highlights, and Dot had a bath.
Sunday – Supposed to be rain all day, but although it was damp, there was little rain. Two advent services at church – morning Communion and an evening “dark to light” – much shorter, and a joint service to which several St Luke’s people came. Led prayers at the morning service and read one of my poems at the evening one. Played guitar at both. After morning service picked up photos from Phyllis’s house. In the afternoon wrote a couple of pieces for Parish Pump, on Lewis Carroll and Edward Jenner. Watched some football and the final episode of Rogue SAS, which was a bit of a downer. Both of us fell asleep while watching FA Cup football and went to bed after midnight.
Monday – Dry but a bit chilly. Fog much of the day, especially over Acle marshes. Went to Lily’s funeral at Hickling, arriving at 10.30 for 11am service. Heater under pews very hot, air above pretty cold. Aged lay reader took service. Afterwards at Methodist Church spoke to Linda and Roger; Jenny, Claire and Jill (Andrew’s wife and daughters); Ruth (Lily’s sister) and one or two others. Good refreshments. Called in at Morrisons for cheese and petrol. Dropped off Dot, then went up to garage to get new battery for car key that had been failing. Finished off Parish Pump stuff, including rewriting Lewis Carroll. Des and Chris came over for nibbles, drinks and looking at our Canada pictures. Stayed till 11.30; so late in bed again.
Tuesday – Dry but still quite cold. Caught up with e-mails and looked through Phyllis’s pictures and letters. After lunch Dot went into the city, and I looked at this month’s chess games in En Passant. Later spent some time reorganising Christmas card list – will send more electronic ones this year. Watched England beat Wales 3-0 in the World Cup. Longish phone call with Sylvia Ford – she didn’t know she benefited from Phyllis’s will. E-mail from Dave revealed he’s booked Buxton and also that Vicky has eosinophilic fasciitis, which is not nice but could be worse.