It’s still very, very cold; so I won’t repeat that every day in this post. Just assume it is. Hardly any snow in Norwich, but loads of frost – white roads, the sound of frantic scraping, car engines running to heat the screens and the occasional scream as someone falls over.
On Sunday, Dot had a cold to go with the cold, and that’s continued as well, although after Sunday she was not disabled by it. However, I went on my own to church after much window-scraping. Played guitar, with Matt on piano – went quite well. Went to play one of my songs during Communion, but they saw me coming and started singing Ubi Caritas. So I waited till the end and sang it then. Don’t think anyone noticed.
Quite cold in church. Stuart said at the end that the temperature inside hadn’t got above 13C. Gave out Christmas cards. Car had iced up again while I was in church!! After quick lunch (soup) took Dot to practise handbells at Great Hospital church, then returned home, did some quick jobs and returned for the concert at 3pm. Dot also played violin with Anna, and Bridget read a poem. Had tea and mince pie afterwards. Walked home and arrived home before Dot, who got a lift with Bridget. Cooked elaborate meal of duck legs, courgette, mashed potato, yorkshire puddings and gravy(!). Afterwards watched some football and then a film, Anna – complex story about a KGB assassin, very well done. Bed early.
On Monday there was snow over much of country, but not here. Oliver managed to get to Gatwick for his flight to Canada. I gave Blofield and the church a miss and took the sugar to Swafield – a lone journey because Dot’s cold hadn’t improved, and I was worried I was getting one and might not otherwise meet the deadline (Fri). Very sunny out N Walsham way and unloading sugar proved straightforward. No one about. Drove home – Dot was getting up. Later I cleared up some leaves – with care, as pavement was icy in places. Dot was doing her DSSO paperwork, but I helped her get some Christmas stuff out of the loft. Sent out most of the electronic Christmas messages after cooking sausages, mash and leek. Watched a couple of episodes of Lucy Worsley on Agatha Christie, which were really very good, and two episodes of Strike, likewise. Oliver has arrived in Canada and reached Waterloo.
By Tuesday Dot’s cold was gradually improving. Thought I was succumbing, but rallied later, and we both eventually went to the DCC meeting with refreshments, giving Howard a lift. Earlier finished off writing the Alt Carol Service with a few adjustments and even put an order of service together. Watched a documentary on Big Ben reconstructed – fascinating – after listening to a Radio 4 programme about bells, produced by Kristine’s company. Also filled up the car with petrol and did a mammoth shop at Morrisons – about £200! Short FaceTime with Amy.
Wednesday saw a sprinkling of snow in the evening. Paul came round in the morning looking rather tired. He coincided with Bridget, and shortly before she left Dot went to the shops to buy a few presents. I printed off some stuff and sent off a few more electronic cards. Postal strike again today and tomorrow. Phone call with Lucy about possible Julian project: she’s been in touch with Howard. Rather alarming. In the evening Dot and I drove to Bowthorpe for Sillars Christmas meal. Excellent food. Chatted to Vicki and Janet and Graham. Also briefly with Catherine about Florida devastation. She has property in Fort Myers, but had only minor damage. Watched an old Christmas special of One Foot in the Grave, which was very clever.
Hard frost all day on Thursday, like 1963. As so often nowadays, felt under the weather during morning and early afternoon, then improved. Naomi came round at 10.30 with football tickets: brought dog, but it was well behaved. Walked up to Maids Head to buy books from Paul – had whisky in the bar. Pavements icy. Prepared some presents and cards. Watched some football and accidentally Escape to the Country because it was in Norfolk. In the evening thought we’d ordered a taxi to go to the Greens, but it didn’t turn up. Started to walk, but Dot fell over – fortunately nothing broken. So defrosted car and drove. Jaya’s birthday, and to celebrate we read through The Importance of Being Ernest. I was Algernon, and Dot was Cicely. Perfect! Great play – really enjoyed it. Had veggie Indian, which was ok, but meat would have made it so much better.
Pavements lethal yesterday. Slipped three times on way down to post office to mail parcels, but fortunately didn’t fall. Also posted a few cards and bought a few things. Most of the day was spent preparing for our neighbours’ party in the evening. Had phone call from Ray to say he and Chris both very bad. Then later call from Carrie to say she was being overwhelmed, having organised so many things and helpers all going down sick. Meanwhile Phoebe came round because she had forgotten her key and couldn’t get in – Sean and Ciara were on their way back from London. Party went very well – people brought lots of wine and one of two other things. Present: Des (Chris had a cold and didn’t come), Angela and Matt, Mary and Bob, Sean, Ciara and Phoebe, Mark and Sarah, and Jude Sayer. John didn’t come because his father was in hospital with a broken ankle. Most left by 9.30, but Des, Sean & co hung on till the bitter end – roughly 11pm. Cleared up in about half an hour. Pretty tired.