Another warm and sunny day, thought there was one shower in mid-afternoon. Kristine arrived at 12.44, and I met her at the station while Dot finished preparing food and setting table. She had already been to the shop for a few final things, and I had started writing prayers for tomorrow, which I finished after she left. Had a lovely meal with her, and we walked her over to the station at 5pm for her train, which couldn’t be changed. Came back, cleared up and watched some football (Portugal 3 Turkey 0).
Last Tuesday (18th) was fairly warm and dry. Gas man came early, but farmed out job to an outside agency after finding water in the electrics near the pump. Outside agency coming next day. In the afternoon went with Dot to Rymans to buy printer, but customer service was so bad that we walked out again and had tea and croissant at a new cafe in Davey PLace, where Cath Kitson was. Very good. Then walked up to John Lewis and bought a printer online, with their help.
It was scheduled to arrive in a few days. Felt exhausted after walk home, but did much of the rota and chose hymns for Sunday. Arranged to see solicitor re Phyllis on Friday next week. Des (back from Lichfield) helped us change position of hanging basket so that the right flowers were in front. Then cooked meal – duck – and chose compline for Cake and Compline: Dot had cooked a fruit cake earlier. Two absentees: Eleanor at Canons’ meeting and Phil somewhere else. One never knows where Phil is (turned out to be BInham). Nice evening.
Wednesday was mild, with some sun. Dry. No phone call from Dyno, who were doing our central heating repairs; so a bit tense, not knowing when they’d come. Drove to church to do Bible study with Debbie, Stephen, Jude and Ellie. Went quite well. Then drove home so that Dot could go to Taize (one of us needed to be at home). About half an hour after she left, Dyno turned up – a couple of guys who did a great job, repairing stuff in airing cupboard and a valve on a radiator in our bedroom. At least I assume it was a great job: they were friendly and impressive, and it all appears to be working. They were here for a couple of hours.
Later I took Dot up to have her toe done; good job I did, because she had anaesthetic and a swollen toe. I went for a walk up West Pottergate while it was being done. Interesting. Years since I’d been up there. Later I cooked a meal, and then she went to orchestra – picked up by Janet. I wrote a couple of Parish Pump pieces, then realised I’d forgotten about the Scotland-Switzerland match and went up to watch the second half. Result 1-1 was probably fair, though Scotland were a bit unlucky. Incidentally Dyno are a British Gas company, not an outside agency.
Thursday – Warm and dry. Happily central heating seemed ok. Left it on by mistake last night. Completed two pieces for Parish Pump, on George Stubbs and Joseph Priestley. Went with Dot to Morrisons – filled up with fuel and bought food. Dot had to take care of her foot; so spent some time reading in the garden. Bridget came to clean, and we had a chat about my upcoming talk. Watched England draw 1-1 with Denmark. Very negative and deserved to lose. Went for meal with Mary and Neville Thrower – had a good time, though Neville was a bit shaky. Lovely dessert. Lots of talk about various ailments and reminiscences. Discovered that Mary and Neville got engaged at Linn of Quoich!! They stayed at Bridge of Cally. Amazing.
Friday was mainly sunny and warm. Finished other two Parish Pump articles (Hitchcock and Explorer 6) but not before a surprise visit from my brother Phil. He had come in by bus to enquire about assisted travel by train to Princes Riseborough to see Sam’s new house. In the end I think he decided against it. But I gave him a lift back to Dereham. The window cleaner had come earlier, and later Dot’s new printer was delivered. Out in street for a long time – interesting discussions, especially between Dot and Ciara. Cooked meal and also salmon for tomorrow. Watched some football but nothing very exciting. No surprise there. Also penultimate episode of The brilliant The Outlaws.