Thursday the 7th was a big day, but mainly dull and chilly. Dot was up early to attend her last DSSO meeting, followed by a Christmas meal at the Marlingford Bell, which I am told was excellent. She was given some flowers and a Jarrolds voucher, and lots of nice things were said about her – quite rightly. She is a star. Her boss also said some nice things about my poetry; he had found a couple of books at his late mother’s house. Dot was very tired when she got home and decided not to go handbell-ringing at the Greens’. She wrapped a couple of presents and we compared card lists. We’re all behind this year, of course. Watched the last episode of Shetland – quite good – and the next episode of Slow Horses – brilliant, as always.
Quite a bit of sun on Friday, and it got milder towards the end of the day. Julia and Allan called in an hour before we expected them, which meant I was still in the bath. Still, I was on the way out and quickly joined them for tea and biscuits. After they left Dot went to shop, and I posted a letter before getting some cash out in the station. Instead of street meet, we went round Sarah’s with some wine and had a really nice time chatting to her. Fixed a date for New Year’s party instead of our usual Christmas one. I then cooked some salmon and we watched a couple of things on TV. I had taken some paracetamol earlier and felt quite good. Ironically, when I catheterised, there was quite a lot of blood in my urine.
Saturday was milder, but damp and grey. Mum’s birthday: she would have been 112. Have been feeling quite odd. Wrote most of a possible Christmas letter, mainly while Dot was at Carrow Road, where Norwich should have beaten Preston NE but drew 0-0. Practised guitar for the first time in over two months, intending to take it to church tomorrow if I feel OK. Watched Dr Who and a couple of episodes of Hidden Assets (Belgian-Irish thriller, if you can imagine that), which is very good. Cooked chilli con carne.
Sunday’s milder: dry in the morning and evening; rain in the afternoon. Went to church in the morning and played guitar for the first time for at least a couple of months. Martin and Dot the only others in the band; nice service, Communion led by Graham. Afterwards took Ray home. Watched quite a bit of TV. Spurs won 4-1 against Newcastle. Watched strange but good film called Phantom Thread.
Yesterday was chillier than I expected, but dry. Accompanied Dot to Newton Flotman school to pick up some sugar; we then went to Morrisons for a few items but were home just after midday. Dot counted the sugar and noted it on her table. Put bins out, and for some reason felt quite ill – took paracetamol and lay down for a while. Still shaky when we drove to Eleanor’s for Christmas cake and compline, then gradually felt better. Had wine and cake and some nibbles. Bridget did a quiz that Claire won, and I led the Advent compline we had at Quiet Waters. By the end of the evening I felt much better. Everyone very kind and said they would pray for me on Saturday. Everyone at C&C: Eleanor, Dot and me, Judy, Bridget and David, Vicky, Claire, Phil.