This has been a cold week. Monday started with showers, but I managed to walk to church and actually did a Bible study: Leanne turned up, and Alison and Steve were quite keen. Lots of people around, preparing for some kind of Christmas thing. Bought some cards from Alison and had a serious talk with Steve, which I hope helped. Dot came and picked me up, then after lunch she went to Taverham, getting caught up in quite a lot of traffic. Realising rather belatedly that our Mazda European Assistance had lapsed, I arranged roadside assistance with Green Flag, starting tomorrow. Felt very tired in the evening. Sent electronic cards and Christmas cash to Oliver and Amy, and birthday card to Joe. Getting quite a lot of low-grade pain in my teeth, for some reason: ears popping too.

Tuesday was again cold with showers. Dot went to Worstead School quite early: I was planning to walk to the Archant Christmas meal, but in fact Dot arrived just as I was about to leave; so we went together. Very good meal. Chatted to Robin, Shelagh, Brian and Tricia, plus a few others. Bill, David and Richard all there. Carvery. Later Dot wrote up her reports and I lay down, not feeling  too good. Think I went to sleep. Watched a bit of football, Morocco beating Spain on penalties and Portugal slaughtering Switzerland 6-1. Watched another episode of Slow Horses: very good. Then a good episode of Motherland. 

Wednesday was very cold but mainly dry. Dot went to a DSSO meeting followed by their Christmas lunch. Safeguarding meeting for 4pm postponed, but she went to orchestra in the evening. I stayed in but racked up 5000 steps. Also reworked alternative carol service and printed out sheets. Chose hymns for Sunday.  Read a bit and did a few Christmas cards. Watched final episode of Slow Horses, season one. Very good except for  language. 

On Thursday we woke up to a dusting of snow. Had to de-ice car for Dot, who was off to the Yarmouth school with the brilliant head teacher. I decided to have a bath after she went and read quite a bit of Keiron’s book. We had soup for lunch because Dot was cold. In the afternoon I wrote a Christmas message which I hope to send to a number of people after I run it past Dot. Still waiting for copies of my poetry book, which were posted to me on December 1. Bridget came to do cleaning after Dot had left for Catfield for an Ofsted feedback. I gave her some questionable legal advice as we had a coup of tea and biscuit. Dot got back just after she left, having been held up by traffic between A47 and home. We had eggs, and watched Grand Designs before I drove her to the Greens for handbell practice. I read some more of Keiron’s book; felt very tired. David and Bridget brought her home. Watched another episode of The English.

Yesterday was very cold, but dry. Wrote a lot of Christmas cards and finished off the Christmas message, which Dot seems happy with. Read a bit more too. Dot picked up more sugar from Brooke, and I helped her sort it. She also went to Thurton school. When she got back she spent a long time compiling her Ofsted feedback report, but finished just in time to go over to Des and Chris’s for wine and talk. Too cold to drink outside. He got us some fish and chips later and we watched Argentina v Netherlands, which the former won on penalties after the Netherlands got back from 0-2 to 2-2 with almost the last kick. Despite Messi, Argentina succeed mainly by falling over every time an opponent goes near them and relying on the referee being hopeless. He was. Most of them are. Earlier Brazil had gone out on penalties to Croatia. Watched second episode of Granite Harbour, which continues to be badly acted, directed or scripted – possibly all three. I was itching all over at end of the evening – possibly because I had drunk a lot of Merlot. 

Today was also very cold but dry. Ice on birdbaths. Got up quite late. After lunch I walked into the city and Dot took the bus, because she’s not feeling 100%. She has a slight sore throat, and is feeling tired. We went to Adnam’s shop in Westlegate and then to Lakeland, and bought several presents. I walked home via City bookshop and bought a book for Andrew. Dot took the bus again. Before this we had talked about a gift list and more or less got it sorted out. Then Dot packed a lot of the presents while listening to Norwich beat Swansea 1-0 away, just as Morocco beat Spain 1-0. Later England lost to France 2-1 but played very well. Sadly for Harry Kane, he missed a penalty. Dot practised her violin for tomorrow, and I bought a few items online.