There was still a very cold wind on Wednesday (24th), with a mixture of sun and showers. Judy came round to watch The Chosen, and then all three of us went to church for Bible Study – joined by Debbie, Steve and Phoebe (for the first time). Did most of Philemon! Afterwards Dot and I drove directly to Salthouse to see the Christian artists’ exhibition; had a chat with Charlotte Ashenden and bought a few cards. Also spoke to Ian Dyble’s wife. Afterwards called in at the Manor in Blakeney for tea and cake – it’s getting very smart – and got home around 5pm. Had pea and ham soup for supper, watched Masterchef and then Dot went to orchestra rehearsal with Janet. Neither of us was well, but we were pretending we were.
Thursday – Same old weather. David Archer left car in drive while he went to London. I felt good when I woke up but went downhill: felt very cold again. Better by evening. Dot still stuffed up, but seems to be recovering. I finished Parish Pump articles: last two on Mallory and Sudan. Bridget came to clean: I sort of said I’d do a new treasure trail for C&C group for September, starting at the Cathedral and ending at the Assembly House. Des got fish and chips instead of tomorrow, when they’re going to Lichfield to see their new grandson. Difficult delivery for daughter. Rang Annette to check on arrangements for Saturday.
Friday was still cool and grey, but mostly dry. Dot felt very under weather this morning: so I drove her up to the surgery, and amazingly she was able to get an appointment for 4pm. This meant I had to get the bus home from my 3pm hospital appointment, looking at my flow. That didn’t go too well as I find it hard to perform on demand, but it was helpful in that they told me I should be reducing my catheterisation to once a week. I was already reducing it, but will now do it faster. Should be getting another flow appointment in June. Yippee. Meanwhile Dot got a good going over by a nurse practitioner and was given some nasal spray as well as instructions on how to do the special manoeuvre to stop her vertigo. Also told her she no longer had chest infection. She did the manoeuvre later and it seemed to have worked – for a while anyway. My skin has started itching again, and I’m very tired. Can do stuff ok though.
Saturday was overcast and cool but mainly dry. Dot has been having lots of trouble with vertigo: we tried the manoeuvre described by the nurse practitioner, but it didn’t seem to work after all – in fact it was worse for a while. Annette rang to say she had an ear infection and couldn’t come to Caroline Gilfillan’s memorial afternoon at Hempton Memorial Hall. As I’d been intending to pick her up, that made it much easier for me : sad for her though. Despite her condition, Dot went to match – Norwich drew 2-2 –and I left around 1pm with my box of books and CDs and plate of food, which I’d remembered to cook at the last minute when Dot reminded me.
Traffic was heavy getting out of city, but I got to Hempton in time. About 25 people there altogether – several others were ill – including organisers Dave and Liz Easley, Kay and David Riggs, Di Griffiths, and Elizabeth Bracken from Beccles. Almost everyone contributed – I read Rebecca Clayton, from the Oxnead book. Songs, poems and so on. Even a couple of recordings of Caroline reading and singing. Left at just after 6.15 and got home just after 7pm. Cooked salmon ( though I didn’t need it). Amy FaceTimed to check on our health. We watched some TV including a short documentary on the Yardbirds and a bit of Match of the Day.
Sunday was still wintry: mainly grey and quite a bit of rain. Bad day for Dot: her vertigo was giving her a lot of trouble, especially in church in the morning. She sat at the back with Liz and didn’t play in the music group. Graham led and Howard preached on Ecclesiastes again. Took Ray home: he was not too good today – got a helping hand to car from Amanda. Tried the Epley manoeuvre again with Dot. Doesn’t really seem to work. Best when she sits quietly watching TV. All very unlike her usual bubbly self: quite worrying. Didn’t feel particularly well myself: head, teeth and eyes not at their best. Watched last Montalbano and a couple of other things. Carrie came round because Dot was bad and had a chat and cup of tea.
Yesterday was a much nicer day. Lots of sun, and milder, though still windy. Dot and I decided to go for a bluebell walk in Lion Wood. Drove up to back of Rosary, then walked through Lion Wood – plenty of bluebells on the west side. Eventually emerged at Pilling Road and met a couple of people looking for Barrack Street. Then back to car and a brief excursion into Rosary to look at graves, which need some TLC. Back home, felt very tired and lay down after lunch. Then went into garden to cut back ivy. After supper watched Night Mail – a brilliant little film that made you feel good. Later David rang and we had a really long talk about various things, including Dot’s vertigo problem (which seems to be improving) and Diderot, especially how we remember our past. I have a bit of a pain around my right groin. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.