Signs of improvement last Saturday, but still very cold. Walked into city to buy a few more cards and some sweets. City was heaving with people – escaped quickly. Dot spent most of the day writing cards and preparing stuff for Christmas lunch at church tomorrow. We both decided not to go and watch Norwich City, mainly because of the cold, but they played abysmally, lost 2-0 to Blackburn and were booed off. FaceTime with David and Oliver. Amy should be joining them tomorrow. They have a little snow, but more on the way, apparently.
Checked over Alternative Carol Service and practised carols. Impending doom. Haven’t been feeling too good today, but I probably had too much to drink, if that can give you cold symptoms. Watched last episode of Granite Harbour: not very good. Oh, and I put together my Canadian poems into a kind of booklet to send to the Murrays and David.
Sunday was cold to start with, but became slightly less cold in the afternoon, and it rained from late afternoon into evening. Amy flew to Canada and is now in Waterloo. All a bit hectic first thing: got to church early and sorted out who did what in the Alternative Carol Service. Graham took over on piano; so I didn’t have to play guitar. Dot and Anna on violin. All went pretty well; got lots of compliments. Several people from St Luke’s. Afterwards had the Christmas meal – about a couple of dozen for that. Pretty good, but I had a dodgy stomach later in the day. Come to that, I was feeling pretty odd generally, but there’s nothing new in that. Missed first quarter of an hour of World Cup final, which Argentina eventually won on penalties after drawing 3-3 with France after extra time. Watched final of Young Chorister of the Year, which was impressive, and a documentary on Quentin Blake, which was pretty good.
Dramatic change in temperature on Monday. Up about 12 degrees or more. Also rain, unfortunately, but not too bad. Dot dropped me off at church in the morning – plenty of people there, but not Nikki or Leanne. Had long chat with Steve. Dot picked me up and we got Bibles from Phyllis’s house. Then dropped cards off at Fiskes’. Chris looked very ill. After lunch watched Strike, which was good, and an episode of Slow Horses, which was brilliant. Caught up with a few presents and electronic messages. Walked to Kim’s for supper. Her partner Kai was there – nice bloke, Norwegian of course. Lovely meal and chat. Arrived home just after midnight. Had been raining for about ten minutes.
Tuesday was slightly cooler with a breeze, but sunny. Finished wrapping presents after driving to North Walsham and putting flowers in cemetery. Bought a few things in Sainsburys, including a turkey breast, but appalled to find no trace of lentil crisps. Lots of traffic at Wroxham coming back. Watched last episode of Strike, which was very good indeed, and the next two episodes of Slow Horses, which were brilliant. Caught up with e-mails.
Yesterday it rained till mid-afternoon: reasonably mild. Very busy, but managed to write two Pump articles and watch another episode of Slow Horses – still brilliant. Started day with hair cut, then after lunch Anne came round, and later Roger and Debbie. Meanwhile Carrie called in to pick up a music book, and Jonathan to drop off a present. Got an e-mail from solicitor asking about insuring house: had to deal with it because Anna is away. Spoke to Sophie and Kim on phone. Copies of my poetry book I ordered on December 1 (and posted the same day) finally arrived.