The Wednesday after Christmas was pretty wet and miserable. Again failed to contact hospital, but did speak to Geo Bush about a funeral. Phil is speaking to Surrey Chapel about the service. Caught up with emails and started writing an article about Andrew. Watched Enemy of the State, which was compelling and rather well done, but it requires belief in the impossible. In the evening we went over to Des and Chris (and her brother Steve) for cheese, wine and their Canadian photos. Also finished Keiron Pim’s book today.
Thursday was dry, fairly cool but with some sun. Made some progress with Andrew eventually. Got through to the hospital and established that he wasn’t there. Checked again with Minster Lodge and eventually tracked him down at a funeral director’s. Still haven’t established where his death certificate is, but had a mysterious call from a doctor this evening. Only rang a couple of times, but she left a message saying she would ring tomorrow morning. Meanwhile registry office said they would ring back but didn’t, and Glynn from Geo Bush rang to see if I’d found out where Andrew was. Gave him the phone number of the Coventry funeral director. Aargh! Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and Bridget came to do the cleaning as usual. In the evening watched a thriller, Vienna Blood, and a documentary on the making of Doc Martin. Both very good. David FTd to say Oliver and Amy were back in England. I sent him a gift card and The Radetsky March. Oh, Dean Smith has been sacked as City manager. Did I mention that?
Friday was mIserable and rainy till midday, though mild. Dry later. Dot went out to do more shopping, and after lunch I spoke to the Pensions people, telling them Andrew had died. Had to hang on for a long time, but it was worth it. Phil is making arrangements with Surrey Chapel, and everyone is waiting for the coroner. Earlier – when I was in the bath – I got a call from Dr Newbold in Coventry, whose colleague had tried to save Andrew. She told me that the papers were going to the coroner, who would contact me in due course. Not much for me to do, as far as I can tell. Dot went to the match in the evening. I walked with her and posted a letter, then walked to meet her. Norwich drew with Reading 1-1 and played well.
Saturday was another miserably wet day. In the morning we visited Anne and Philip, the latter definitely showing his age, mainly through what he said. Nice time with them, though. In the afternoon Des came over and showed us a couple of guitars he had been left: he wants to find good homes for them, possibly at a school. We’re going to ask Vicki. While he was here Kim rang to say Kai and Kaian were on their way but might be ill with a cold or something, and did we want to cancel? After some discussion we decided to go and see Kim and Kavana and leave when the others arrived; so that’s what happened.
Very wet: had to find a parking space, which cost me £3. First time we’d met Kim’s son: he seemed very nice. But of course we were just passing in the night. Had fairly quiet evening after that; watched most of Yesterday – brilliant film – then football and a bit of Jools Holland, which is not as good as it used to be. FTd David briefly and went to bed by 12.30am. Drank most of the Prosecco the Evetts bought us.
Sunday was mild, mainly dry, but here we were in 2023. Tiptoeing in because of fears of what might lie in store. Finished off Prosecco, but before that went to church, feeling a little tired after last night. Played guitar and chatted to various people, including Anna about Phyllis’s grave. Howard did a rather academic sermon on Ecclesiastes which turned out to be quite interesting. At home, did a lot of clearing up, as did Dot – in her case jewellery – otherwise very quiet. Watched Vienna Blood, which is bit weird, and Call the Midwife, which went a bit self-righteous but turned out OK.