Thursday 19 Jan – still, and hovering just above freezing. Today we travelled to Hempnall for lunch with Sue and Roger Eagle. As always it lasted a long time, because we had lots to talk about. Delicious meal from Sue , especially the soup and paratha. Had to go a long way round because of roadworks in The Street at Saxlingham Nethergate: my avoidance system was better going than coming, and we ended up in rush-hour traffic too. Still, after a break we were off again, picking up Jaya and taking her to handbell ringing at the Greens. After dropping them I filled up with petrol, using Dot’s precious voucher. After writing this I shall fetch them.
Last Friday was also dry, but with a cold wind. Up early because Barry came to touch up paintwork in the kitchen. He arrived at 8.30. I had late bath and Dot went to Morrisons. Hospital rang about 12.15 with news that Ray would be ready for collection after his eye operation by about 1.15. Bridget was here cleaning, and Barry had left by the time we went. We picked Ray up around 1.20 and took him home. He was rather nervous. Saw Christine and Derek and Lindsay.
Dot dropped me at Kett’s Hill roundabout and went up to Dunelm. I walked home and then to Morrisons to pick up Amazon parcel – vitamin pills – from locker. Got a call from the funeral director, but no date. Everything else ok. At 5.30 we went over to D’Souzas for wine and chat. John also there: Tara still very poorly – long Covid or reaction to vaccine, or something else entirely? At 7 Des got fish and chips, and we took them home to eat. Watched Marie Antoinette and Death in Paradise.
The Saturday weather was not very inspiring – lots of rain again – but the day was inspiring in that we had our granddaughter with us. Vicky and Matt dropped Amy off (and had tea/coffee) before going on to Reepham to see Kerry. Dot did a complex salad, and raspberry cake dessert, which was delicious. Afterwards we watched Local Hero after I told Amy about the book I’d been reading. Happily she really liked it. We also looked at her Canadian pictures and some others. She was picked up about 5.30pm. We cleared up and watched football and another film, King of Thieves. Norwich beat Preston 4-0 away under their new manager, David Wagner, and Liverpool lost. No message from Adrian.
Sunday was damp and cold, but with dry spells. Took Heather to and from church. Played guitar. Anna did lectio. Chatted quite a bit afterwards, then dropped off Water into Wine book to Leanne, who was barely up. She said she would come tomorrow. Spent much of the day watching TV, I’m afraid. Saw quite a bit of football, both episodes of Mayflies, a rather good drama about ending life, then the first episode of a new series of Vera – very well done as always.
Monday was cold, wet later with a dusting of snow. Dot drove me to church in the morning. Discussion with Judy and Graham about music on Sundays. No Bible study because Leanne’s daughter has tonsillitis, and Steve wasn’t keen. Dot picked me up later and we called in at the picture-framing shop to get an idea of what was on offer – very wide selection. Watched a lot of TV again, I’m afraid. Football, Call the Midwife, Happy Valley, Mayfair hotel reconstruction. Plumber came in afternoon to replace the pump. Everything works now, but the pump was not as strong as previous one – Dot rather disappointed because shower not as powerful. She has now rung the plumber, who will replace it.
Tuesday was very cold. Dry. Barry came to finish off the kitchen painting. While he was here Dot and I walked to Morrisons to buy food for specific events. Barry finished about noon, and Anna arrived shortly after 12.30 to give Dot a violin lesson, but we spent half an hour discussing the music “problem” at church. Anna is going to talk to Carrie. Ho hum. Felt tired in afternoon and went to sleep for a while. At 5 Dot cooked a ready meal for Ray, and we took it up to him. I had to scrape the car windows first (had already made a start earlier). Lots of traffic on the way home. Watched the first episode of Silent Witness but didn’t join in poetry Zoom. David FTd us for a chat, and I was able to tell him that Andrew’s funeral is tentatively scheduled for February 15 at 12.15pm. Earlier I wrote a piece for my website on the need to listen to minorities.
Cold again yesterday, but car windscreen was OK. Bad night. Paul Henderson came round at 11am and stayed till just after noon. He is heading for New Zealand next month. Dot was due to go to North Elmham for Ofsted feedback at 3.45pm, but at 1.20pm Paul Dunning rang to say it had been brought forward to 2.15 – so she left immediately, but still managed to get there in time, and all went well. Meanwhile I had another call from the funeral director, giving the funeral date definitely as February 15 at 12.15pm. At last! Then a call from Phil to say that an elder had e-mailed him, giving the date as Feb 22. I suggested he put him right.
Later I rang Barbara to tell her Andrew had died. She seemed quite perky (generally, not at the news: I have the “happy” knack of making her laugh loud and long). Dot got home before the original time for the feedback, happy that she had avoided driving in the dark. In the evening she went to orchestra, and when she got back we watched the next episode of the excellent Silent Witness. I am reading Phantastes, which is very, very unusual but compelling.