Friday, April 12, and it’s still mild. I’ve just taken Dot up to the hospital for a blood test: sat in the new housing estate to wait for her, but it wasn’t long. When we got home the roofers were waiting politely to ask if they could go in and take the rest of their stuff away – apart from the scaffolding, which apparently goes this afternoon.
To complete last Saturday – the D’Souzas got home from their Egyptian holiday about 9pm. Pretty mild day. Celebrations after City’s 1-0 win against Ipswich. Cooked chili con carne and we watched a film, some football and part of an Abba documentary.
Sunday was dry and fairly mild but very windy. Anna had migraine: so only Dot, Martin and I in music group. Congregation bit on small side – 18 – must have heard I was preaching. Dot did prayers. Sophie had a message while I was speaking! Howard and Matt are halfway through mending the wall. Took Ray home: his legs are pretty bad. Took Des his key back. They had a good time in Egypt. Spent most of day watching TV, including new Apple series called Criminal Record, which is pretty good. Spurs won and Liverpool only drew – both good.
Monday was mild again. Mainly dry, till late. Drove up to chemist to pick up pills while Dot gave urine sample at surgery: she also heard she had to have a blood test at the hospital later this week – not sure what for. She still has severe coughing/choking fits occasionally, but she is improving. Des came over to show us his grandson. Gravel has been delivered for next-door front garden. Caught up with e-mails etc. Watched a lot of TV again. We changed bed. Dot did a lot of washing and felt very tired. Very warm in sun.
Tuesday was still fairly mild, but overcast and quite a lot of rain. I stayed in, but Dot went to Morrisons in the afternoon. I caught up with three months of En Passant – playing through the games – and kept up to date on the computer. Saw the end of Passenger, a crime drama, which was a complete cop-out. I should sue them to get the time we spent watching it refunded. Rob dropped off some poetry books for me to take to the Caroline Gilfillan celebration at the end of the month. Norwich drew 2-2 with Sheff Wed away after being 2-0 up after 17 minutes. Watched fourth episode of Criminal Record on Apple – very good.
Wednesday – Overcast and windy, though fairly mild. No total eclipse here, but big in America and Canada. Quiet day. Spent a lot of time on computer, playing through some more En Passant games and generally sorting things out. Watched a lot of TV again. Adjusting to Dot’s new diet plan: had sweet potatoes this evening. Happily the duck was very good. In late morning Judy came round to watch The Chosen, and stayed for two episodes. Dot sorted through lots of old photos, with Diderot in mind. FaceTimed David in the evening.
Thursday – Quite mild again, and dry. After lunch I picked up Mike Read from his house, and we drove to Cromer to visit checks stars Owen and Kathleen Hindle. Owen is now 84 and Kathy’s in her late 70s. They were very welcoming: tea and cakes offered repeatedly! Discovered Kathy was born in Gorbals (Catholic) and once lived in Ballater Road, Glasgow. Also that Mark Hindle (their elder son) was now married to Liz Nice, one of my former trainees and now in a senior management position in the company!! They live at Bury St Edmunds. House (bungalow) full of chess books – Owen insisted I take two duplicate ones. Took pictures in the garden. When I got home Bridget was still here; so was able to say hello. Dot is now on a diet so we don’t have the same food as each other, which is interesting. I think that’s the word. I had sausages eggs and fried potatoes – she had eggs and fried sweet potatoes in tortillas. Watched a bit of TV football and Masterchef.