This is an exciting week, with David due to arrive in the UK at the end of it. Today (July 15) we are making the beds – or at least Dot is, with a little help from me. But already something unexpected has cropped up: Dot’s friend Joyce, whose husband Ivan died not long ago, has fallen in her bathroom and broken her hip. After managing to alert the neighbours by hitting the door with her stick (oh yes, she did) she has been taken to hospital, and Dot is planning to visit her. We were alerted by Fred this morning.
Last Thursday (see earlier post) it stayed dry in the evening. Kim came round late afternoon and stayed for a chat while Bridget left and Dot got ready. Then Dot and I walked to the Greens, where we had supper with them and the Bowers, plus Vicki. Derek seemed much better than I expected. Very nice meal – excellent fish pie – and good conversation. We walked home via St Faith’s Lane just after 10.30pm. Right foot hurting quite a lot. Watched small bit of Tour de France and went to bed.
Friday was my 79th birthday. Unbelievable. Overcast, cooler and quite a bit of rain, especially in the evening. Nevertheless we managed to walk up to Bishop’s for lunch – a surprise from Dot. Really nice meal, beautifully presented. Afterwards walked down to Scandinavian shop on London Street and then home as it started raining. Earlier I had opened presents in bed: books from Phil and Joy, chocs from Anne, wine from Kim and chocs, clothes and sweets from Dot. David sent me a slide copier to put old pix on computer. The Prime man bringing it wanted a code, and Dot had to ring David to get it (about 6.30 in Canada: he had been about to ring us). Watched a few things on TV, including cricket and Tour de France. Raining at 5.30; so we invited neighbours round. Des, Chris, John, Mary came: Dot served Prosecco. At end of day had to retrieve papers that Dot had put in wheelie bin. Got quite wet.
Saturday – Didn’t get wet. Stayed in all day. Weather overcast but only spits of rain on windscreen as Dot went to garden centre and bought new squirrel-proof bird feeder, plus some plants. Both of us got up late, and I got a late card from Heather and Simon, who have moved. Also had a conversation with Stephanie, who I rang by mistake while checking when her birthday was (15th). Looked at new slide copier but it does seem to need a card: I’ll check properly later. Watched a bit of Wimbledon (ladies’ final and men’s doubles) and both of my preferred player(s) won. Unusual. Cooked salmon and walked a lot in kitchen, reaching 4000 steps. Wrote a bit more of treasure trail.
Sunday was overcast but dry. Neither cold nor hot, like the Laodiceans. Drove to church and found a convenient spot in Sussex Street. Played guitar with music group, in this case Martin, Dot, Phil , Adrian and someone Adrian brought – Daniel, who may be Sufi. Liz took Holy Communion and preached. Quite a few absentees, for example Howard and Anna, Matt and Amanda, Jenny, Steven… Total of 15 present. Took Ray home again, but Harriet was also absent. Dropped in birthday card for Stephanie on way home.
After lunch caught a bit of the Wimbledon men’s final, won rather easily by Alcaraz against Djokovic, who was very generous to him afterwards. They seemed to like each other, which was nice. Princess of Wales made a rare public appearance – looked very thin. Later of course watched Euro24 final, which we lost 2-1 to Spain by playing negatively, as we had done throughout the tournament. Palmer came on and scored, but too late. Just before it started Bridget and David came to pick up their car after their visit to Edinburgh, and asked for advice about roof repairs. We said yes. Don’t know if that was the right answer.