Today, Monday June 17th, was a bit of a muddle. It was largely dry, though we had occasional threatening clouds blowing over. We were both up in good time for Linda, who came to cut our hair. I had pretty much decided that the central heating was causing the trip switch to go off, and so there was very limited hot water, but light and working fridge and freezer. We were awaiting the gas man, who was due between noon and 6pm. Bit awkward, as I was due to go for an eye test at Boots halfway through the afternoon, and Dot wasn’t quite as au fait with what exactly I’d worked out the previous evening. But I needn’t have worried. At 5.45pm I got a call from British Gas saying they’d been swamped by emergency calls and couldn’t make it. They are now coming tomorrow morning. I hope.
Meanwhile I had been looking for my slide copier – unsuccessfully as yet. Also spent a long time with the eye doctor, who said there was basically nothing wrong with my eyes, but of course I needed new reading glasses, having destroyed most of the ones I had. I eventually ordered three: the second one was half price and the third was free. In the evening Dot made a cake for tomorrow (Cake and Compline), having gone to the shop to buy ingredients, and we watched Belgium v Slovakia (1-0), which was a travesty and made me want to stop watching football altogether.
Last Wednesday (June12) was mainly dry. Cool. Walked to church for Bible study, dropping a signed document in at solicitors’ on the way. Dot followed later by car as she had momentary diarrhoea. Quite a good study – Steve, Debbie, Judy, Dot (eventually). Afterwards I drove home and had lunch, as well as publishing my blog. Back to pick up Dot – trouble starting car again; so we drove up to the garage, who fitted a new battery in key fob. In the evening walked to St Peter Mancroft Octagon to hear Malcolm Guite, who was quite good. Trip arranged by Bridget, and Eleanor came too. Coincidentally also the Cannons. Naomi Tuma was helping to organise. MG’s poetry is very different to mine – quite didactic, but very well done. He also sang a couple of songs. Afterwards Bridget gave me and Eleanor a lift home. Dot went to orchestra and was late back because she helped with putting stuff away. Watched an old Death in Paradise before bed.
Thursday was quite warm, becoming more overcast and cooler in the afternoon. Intended to write my sermon, but things intervened. Accompanied Dot to Dunelm to replace dryer that didn’t fit the hole. New one seems successful. Bridget came early and we showed her our holiday photos instead of her working. Spoke to Des, who is going up to Lichfield again. Watched documentary on Mississippi and then first episode of new series of The Outlaws, which is very funny. Got some ideas together for rota. David FaceTimed us and told us Oliver had got a first on his dissertation. Had quite a long chat. Entered Crabbe competition with Long Lens poem.
Friday was mainly dry until time for street meet, when it rained heavily. Had Mark and Jonathan round for drinks and had long discussion on politics, on which we were pretty much agreed. Earlier Dot did quite a bit in the garden, and we went to Morrisons. I did a bit of walking by the river. Spoke to Fred: Ivan’s funeral is the same day as the CNS reunion. Before Dot got up Des came round to say he was off to Lichfield. Car is working ok. At Mark’s instigation we are starting a WhatsApp group for street meet.
Saturday brought sun and showers, one of them a heavy thunderstorm. Got a couple of pix of lightning. Wrote my sermon in the morning and did a lot of catching up in the afternoon, including editing pictures, managing to register my phone screen protector, sorting out loose papers and researching a new printer for Dot. She almost lost the prayers she’d written for tomorrow but I managed to retrieve them and print them on my printer. Watched a bit of documentary on Charles’ birthday. Don’t know why. Started on rota – most key people will be away, it seems. I may take over. Got chess book from David for Fathers’ Day – John Emms’ Simple Chess – Looks good.
Sunday started very wet, but later warm and dry. Went to church and had to park a long way away again. I preached. Took Ray home afterwards and got home in time to welcome Fred and Sue. I cooked salmon. We had a good chat and then walked up to Tombland with them, where they caught a bus back to Beeston Regis. Walked home and felt exhausted. Had to lie down while Dot cleared up. FaceTimed with David, who was at Caledon. Spoke briefly to Murrays. Fathers’ Day. Watched England win their first match of Euro 24, beating Serbia 1-0. Not very impressive. Then downstairs lights went out for third time, and after experimenting, I think I’ve tracked it down to the Central Heating, which I’ve turned off. Bit of a relief – could’ve been without fridge, freezer and WiFi. Still not certain. Gas man required.