Watched four (yes, four) episodes of The Tourist last Tuesday, partly because it was so good and partly because the TV was playing up, and we didn’t have access to things we’d recorded. Tried to get some sense out of the hospital, but no response. Debbie asked Dot to go to Taizé tomorrow because she was getting a cold (Debbie, not Dot).
Wednesday was mixed, rather damp and chilly. Dropped Dot at church so that she could help supervise meditation and Taizé. Then came back and had lunch while Bridget did some cleaning. TV was still playing up, despite my efforts. However, watched the end of The Tourist, which was really excellent – unusual combination of violence and humour with some excellent acting. Hospital phoned and fixed operation for January 22. Dot discovered that it was orchestra rehearsal, and just got ready in time. While she was out I wrote the first part of my sermon for Sunday, on Ruth.
It was dry most of Thursday, but heavy rain in evening. Drove Dot up to Anteros at 10am, where she met Russell Stowe, who gave her a choice of four violin bows, which she brought home for a week. She walked back home and arrived not much after I did. Phil arrived at noon and we had a cup of tea before going to a thanksgiving service at CityGates for David Green, who had died on Nov 17 without telling me. Good service with food afterwards. Myra recognised me and seemed pleased to see me. Later spoke with Phil to Barbara (David’s sister) who I’d known well, and to David’s son Andrew, who I congratulated on his eulogy. He reminded me of his father when speaking.
Talked to a number of other Surrey veterans, including Derek Haylock, who looked ill. Myra has terminal cancer of pancreas. Dot dropped us at church and picked us up. After taking her home I drove Phil home by the A47 and came back the back way, driving through shallow flood water at Lyng. Watched quite a bit of TV, including Wild Scandinavia and the first part of a Netflix serial. All via Apple TV because BT box was still not working properly. Dave and Julia Evetts rang and we chatted for about half an hour. They’re off to St Lucia shortly.
Friday was a bit grey and bleak, but Dot went into city in the afternoon, when the rain stopped. Earlier she decided to hang some new “Christmas” lights round the kitchen – a precarious operation that meant I had to assist: couldn’t bear the thought of her breaking a leg while falling off a high chair. TV still not working properly. Finished sermon and chose hymns. Weather pretty miserable; so Des and (later) Chris came round ours for drinks. Des also got fish and chips. We watched another three episodes of Fool Me Once, which is intriguing.
Saturday was not a bad day outside, butI was feeling a bit low, partly because my head was congested and I needed to get to church the next day because I was preaching; and partly because the central heating developed a fault in the middle of the night: it was blazing away despite the switches all showing “off”. The only way I could turn it off was to go out into the garage. Same during the day – I’ve booked an engineer for Monday morning.
That was annoying enough, but even more time-consuming was the TV, which I tried many ways to sort out. I think now it may be the aerial, which I’ll have to get someone to look at next week. Meanwhile we can still get Apple TV etc, but it’s all very confusing – and frustrating. Dot was listening to Norwich’s FA Cup match this afternoon, but they only managed to draw 1-1 with Bristol Rovers at Carrow Road. Afterwards she walked round to Morrisons to get some food for supper, then made a cottage pie. Have sent Oliver’s Christmas present to Coventry – he’s just back there, and the second of Amy’s two books arrived this morning.
Finished watching Fool You Once, which was really very good. Had FaceTime with David, Amy and Oliver – all seemed quite jolly.
Made it to church this morning and did the sermon, which lots of people seemed to like. Almost everyone except Anna was in the music group, though Martin played piano. Afterwards had quite a long chat with various people, including Steven, who has been left with a large water bill and a threatening letter for the church. Meanwhile our treasurer is in Vietnam… Damp is getting more and more evident in the church hall. Drove home and turned the heating on: took a long time to get warm, because it’s turned much colder, though at least it’s dry. Even outside.