The weather has turned very cold: this morning (December 1) was frosty, with one or two flurries of snow, but not enough to prevent Colin Wright turning up and installing a rail alongside our new slope. He has just about finished as I write, and it looks very good. I had trouble imagining what it would look like, and he has exceeded my imaginings. A lot of people do, but Colin is particularly good. I have kept him supplied with tea, because Dot has been suffering with a toothache. She rang the dentist and has booked in on Monday; at the moment paracetamol is holding the fort.
Earlier I started the car, and it was fine: I took it for a short drive to reassure it (and me). Naomi Care was supposed to come round for a game of chess, but she is not feeling too good; instead, and coincidentally, her mother Lucy turned up. She is relatively well, and we discussed the recent Julian exhibition over a cup of tea and biscuits. She also had view on the hospital urology department that I was not really anxious to hear. To be fair, they did involve primitive chemotherapy and long-ago events; so I shall assume things have improved.
Last Saturday was also cold; some sun during the day but wet in the evening. Felt pretty lousy in the morning, but much better later. Dot was busy: she went to Carrow Road in the afternoon, where Norwich City won 1-0 against QPR (Naomi and Jonathan were there too); then in the evening she had a Sillars concert at St Catherine’s Mile Cross (Joyce and Ivan there). I drove her to the concert, and David and Bridget brought her back. Apparently it went very well: she has been doing lots of practising. While she was out I sorted out our charitable giving, edited our pix and cleared up generally, as well as writing up the blog and writing a few e-mails. Quite pleased.
Sunday was cold but dry; some sun. Drove us to church for the first time in a while, because I was preaching. Ray also there – brought by Judy – for the first time in a while. Likewise Alison. Nice service; lots of people thanked me for my sermon. Graham presided at Communion. Hung around afterwards while Dot took part in ceilidh rehearsal. Jaya also came and played cello, plus another violinist. Felt quite well in morning – chatted to Ellie, who comes to Bible study – but worse in the afternoon; so went to bed for a while after watching some football. Had salmon for supper; watched Planet Earth (we’re all doomed) and an episode of The Crown which wasn’t very good. Spurs managed to lose again. Listened to a sermon on miracles sent to me by Nikki.
Monday’s weather was pretty miserable, except when we emerged from the hospital, when there was some blue sky. This was appropriate, as we’d just had an excellent session with a nurse called Stephanie, who was very thorough and went out of her way to solve my problems, ending by taking my catheter out and showing me how to use one every evening. She also gave me a provisional date of Dec 16 for my procedure. What a gem. Felt much better after this – had been feeling very down in the morning. Dot went to DCC meeting at the Greens’ in the evening, and I cooked a meal for afterwards. We had a FaceTime with David before she went, and I was a bit helpful with a comment on his site. He seems happy with how it’s going. Lots of messages from various people sending love, prayers etc.
By Tuesday it was getting very cold. Had a bad night and didn’t feel very well for most of the day, though I improved later on. Brought in bins. Dot went shopping in the afternoon, and in the evening she listened to Norwich turn a 2-0 advantage against Watford (away) into a 3-2 loss. Ray rang and we had a chat. Kim has arrived in Norway. Read quite a bit of Israel book.
Wednesday was another cold day: felt shivery up to teatime but took paracetamol around 5pm and felt ok after that. Judy came round to watch a couple of episodes of The Chosen. Had a rest in the afternoon while Dot did a lot of tidying up. Watched Dreamer, another film from the Heroes guy, which was very good on education and reminded me of Philosophy for Children. Sillars’ Christmas event at Compleat Angler in evening: Penny and Janet and Graham parked in our drive. Walked down with them. Drank quite a lot but felt ok though there was a slight leakage problem. Talked to Vikki and Anthony, plus Abby and her husband Nigel. Also Karen and one or two others. Buffet was pretty good. Our TV was not working properly in the evening, which was annoying.
Yesterday was very cold but sunny. Feltbetter, but Dot started to have a problem with her tooth. Sorted out TV enough to watch Shetland, another drama and the first two episodes of the new series of Slow Horses – one of the best things on television. Took the car up to the garage this afternoon and they put a new battery in. After I drove it home it was hard to start again, which is a bit worrying. Ho, hum. FaceTimed David and Amy while we were lying in bed. Finished my book on Israel, which was very good. Helpful in the current situation. Completed it while waiting for the car.