Tuesday April 30 was fairly mild, and dry till mid-evening. Decided to do some tidying up on parents’ and grandparents’ graves; so I drove up to the back entrance of the Rosary with tools and stone cleaner. Took a while: was feeling pretty tired by the end. When I got home discovered that Dot had had really bad vertigo and rang the doctor. She fixed an appointment for tomorrow afternoon (“I am desperate”) and has been pretty fragile the rest of today. So I hung out the washing and later got it in (it was raining) and dried it. Watched a bit of TV (Blue Lights is really excellent), then I cooked duck and sweet potatoes for Dot – I had fried ordinary potatoes. I then cleared up – had run the dishwasher earlier – and made sure the kitchen was OK. Went to bed quite early. Des not back from Lichfield – bit worrying.
Wednesday was warm and mainly sunny. Tried to start on sermon, but didn’t get very far. Dot not too good in the morning. Bridget came at 11.30 to do the cleaning and at 1pm I zoomed into a Norfolk Record Office talk on St Benet’s Abbey mill, which was fairly interesting, but I would have like a bit more on the Abbey itself. Took Dot to see doctor in afternoon – took two hours altogether, including about 45 minutes waiting in surgery and about half an hour with Dr Hampsheir, who was very good and sort of recommended she should go private. Dot will ring tomorrow. He also gave her a pill that has helped.
On the way home Riverside Road was badly gridlocked – took us about 20 minutes from roundabout. When we went to Morrisons about 90 minutes or more later it was still quite bad: appeared to be some kind of holdup beyond Carrow Road. Still, shopping was fairly easy and Dot seemed much better. Later Des and Chris got home – they’d had a rough time helping their daughter at Lichfield with her new baby (Archie) after an emergency Caesarean. Des popped over and got the whole vertigo story. Watched Professor T, which included the death of my favourite character. Great.
Thursday was another warm and dry day, which I failed to take advantage of because I was writing my sermon, which I did manage to finish. Took Dot up to get her usual pills, then she spent much of the rest of the day – despite her vertigo – preparing the meal for tomorrow. Des came over again and gave us an alfonso mango, which was delicious. Harriet also dropped by, but I dissuaded her from speaking to Dot. My head was very poppy all day, and I had an on-off pain in my side which may have been gas. Watched the film Widows in the evening – not what I expected, but well done, though it didn’t make you feel good.
Friday was grey and wet. Anne and Philip came round for lunch. Philip managed better than I had imagined, though of course he moved very slowly. He certainly hasn’t lost his appetite – Dot did a lovely salmon dish with potatoes, tomatoes and asparagus, followed by a sticky toffee and pear pudding. Really nice. Philip got upstairs ok and we had quite a long talk. Then cleared away, and it was too wet for street meet; so Des and Chris came over here for a couple of hours. Had a very early night, and Dot went to sleep quickly. I have finished my The Rest is History book. Dot’s vertigo was bad in the morning, but better for quite a while after she took her pill – both times. Philip thinks she’ll be all right if she takes her medication and drinks two glasses of water. He said that several times.
Saturday was quite pleasant: dry and reasonably warm. Dot still suffering with vertigo off and on. Went up to church for clearing out in the morning as I was feeling reasonably well, but there really wasn’t anything to do – at least there probably was, but I couldn’t work out what it was. Spoke to several people who inquired about Dot. Back to watch Norwich’s final match of the season on NOW: had a lot of trouble getting it on big screen and then wished I hadn’t bothered, because they played really badly, losing 1-0 to Birmingham, who were relegated. No apparent effort. Later updated sermon slightly and went for a walk over Bishop Bridge, down to the Great Hospital and across to the lawn in The Close, then home. Cooked sea bass but was very tired and not hungry. Watched a bit of TV, including Clarkson’s Farm series three and The History Boys, which is brilliant.
Sunday was quite mild, with a fair bit of sun. Dot has been feeling much better, but didn’t go to church. I played in the band and gave the sermon – on love – which went down quite well. Took Ray home as usual. he is going a bit downhill. Had a problem with my stomach and lower back later on, but we went out for a walk round the riverside path to the Adam & Eve, then back through The Close. Des took my air rifle to see if a guy he know can do something with it. In the evening watched a few things. Ate while Amy FaceTimed us. Later on, when we were in bed, David FaceTimed us. Earlier had almost gone to Lowestoft for poetry, but realised in time it was next week. At least, I think it is.