Last Friday was a sort of return to normality, without the feeling well. Dot’s college friend Jacqui and her husband Brian came for a cup of coffee and stayed for lunch, which included rosé wine – possibly a mistake. Held it together while they were here, and we got on really well, but at about 4pm felt awful. Lay down for an hour and managed to go out for street meet – with water. After that gradually improved, but still feel very clogged up and delicate, if that’s possible. Spoke to David briefly on FaceTime, which was nice, and watched some TV. Three drunks were sprawling all over our wall earlier; Dot had to clear up litter.

Saturday – Rain all day, and I mean all day. Cooler too. Dot drove over to Poringland in the morning early to pep up Anne – successfully. I caught up with e-mails and other jobs. She went to match in afternoon with Des. I wasn’t really feeling up to it, though quite a bit better. Airways still not quite clear: some frightening coughs. Norwich beat Hull 2-1, scoring in 96th minute. Earlier we watched a bit of downhill cycling, which was pretty amazing in dreadful conditions (Fort William). David FTd as I was cooking mussels, and we had another brief chat. Watched a bit of football and Becoming Elizabeth. Dot prepared prayers for tomorrow, and I looked at leading the service. Nikki still in labour.

Sunday – Much better day: almost entirely dry. Still feeling far below par, but was able to lead service. Woke at 5.30 with I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine in my head. Felt I needed to use it in the service; so started by reading it. By then I knew Nikki had given birth to Hope at around 2am. Great relief, but still much sadness of course. Also read a bit from Water into Wine about the black lamb. Good service generally, with a lovely sermon from Liz about struggling with God. Leanne organising a basket for Nikki. Cut a few branches of ivy in afternoon, and we remade the bed. Not feeling great but cooked some fish. Watched a bit of netball and a couple of episodes of Clean Sweep, an Irish thriller, and one of A Spy Among Friends.

Monday – Woke about 6am and eventually got up at 7.30am and had a drink. Drove up to surgery for blood pressure and urine test. Apparently blood pressure too high (early in the morning) and apparent blood in specimen – but I think there may be a reason for that. Pricked my finger on needle just beforehand…? Anyway, drove home and woke Dot up. Had a bath and sent e-mail complaining about family history company retracting £229 from my account. Got call back attempting to sell me special five-year deal for large amount… ended up getting an extra six months. Have cancelled automatic renewal… Phone call from Howard to say Anna has another migraine. Still feeling very stuffed up. Have to do blood pressure tests for a week. Later Howard came round and fixed hole in door. I had a rest after lunch then went outside and hoed all along the front wall: got rid of quite a lot of weeds. Message from Joy, who is in High Wycombe, that on the way there Phil had an attack – possibly a TIA or something Parkinson’s related. Ambulance called. Recovered and could remember nothing about it. Meanwhile Leanne is ill…

Tuesday – mainly dry, but quite cool. Wrote one of my Parish Pump pieces. On Landseer. Dot went to see diabetes nurse and pick up pills, then garden centre. Again. I walked into city, and Boots woman mended my glasses. Then went to market and bought rather a lot of fruit. Tried to help an oldish couple find a pub near the river – the Mischief, or possibly the Ribs of Beef. Very nice people, staying at Dunston Hall, offered to buy me a drink, but I declined – got home for lunch. In the afternoon felt very tired and cold. Turned heating on. Later watched last episode of Dr Death – very well done and quite frightening. True story about arrogant incompetent surgeon who killed people. In the evening walked to Eleanor’s for compline. Everyone there except Phil.

Wednesday – Mainly sunny. Still feeling shaky but walked to church to do Bible study with Debbie, Judy, Steve and Stacey. Went quite well. Leanne popped in and didn’t seem too bad – saw her again afterwards when she was talking to police about drug use outside her flat. On way home saw Carrie and Nikki, who was still very down of course but wanted to come to church (Taizé). Bridget was still finishing off cleaning when I got back. Felt so tired after lunch that I lay down on bed and slept for some time. Dot is still working her way down a long list of house-related tasks.