It’s Friday, August 9th, Amy is back at work in Whipsnade Zoo after spending three days with us, and Dot has cystitis. The weather is windy, with mixed cloud and sun, and we both had quite a good night’s sleep. Thought you’d want to know that. Am halfway through the second chapter of Steeple Chasing, bought for me by Oliver and Amy, and it’s really good – stories from old and remarkable churches around the country.
So, a week ago it was warm too, but in an oppressive way. Some cloud later in the afternoon. Dot and I walked to buy a birthday card for Denise and a plant from Morrisons. Tried to buy ear wax treatment from Boots, but nothing there. Walked back by river, and I felt really hot by the time we got back. Had to lie down. Went out for street meet – Des and Chris, Mark and Sarah, Jonathan, Mary, Matt. Out quite a long time, and legs were quite sore towards end. Dot did mussels and then fruit salad. Watched a bit of Olympics and penultimate episode of The Turkish Detective , which has become oddly compulsive. Dot has contacted her Wall Hall friends, and almost all are coming.
Saturday was much cloudier and slightly cooler, but not unpleasant. Watched the end of The Turkish Detective, which turned out to be excellent. Also a bit of Olympics, including golf andmen’s rowing eight. In the evening went to Denise’s 80th birthday party at Coldham Hall, which was good. Lovely to see Keith, Elaine, Clive et al. Also the Pitts, Elaine’s children, Ollie and Tommy, and Linda and Paul (Self), who turned out, amazingly, to be related to Dot through Jimmy Wright, his grandfather. Went back to Denise’s afterwards for a drink (tea) and chat, when all this came out.
Sunday was. very slightly cooler, with quite a lot of cloud. Had a very bad night because of stomach problems after large meal and mixed drinks (I suppose). Had to go and sit in chair in living room for an hour or two. Drove to church after discovering a car parked outside our house for about a month had been moved. Road works on both Riverside Road (closed) and Rosary Road (traffic lights), which was very helpful. Quite a small congregation. Played in band with Dot, Matt, Anna and Steve, with Phil leading service. Anna did lectio. Howard was home ill after journey north for wedding. Took Ray and Harriet home: both in poor state.
In the afternoon read the rest of Islamophobia, which was very good at pointing out the devious methods used to make people hate Israel. Felt pretty tired, but after supper (duck) went with Dot to post thank you card to Denise. Watched some Olympics and had a fairly short FaceTime with David, who is throwing stuff out, as we are.
Monday – Heavy warmth with a fair bit of cloud. We took stuff from garage up to the tip, where the heat was quite oppressive. Quite a queue, and it took a while to put stuff in the right bins, but it worked out well. Felt very tired in the afternoon and developed a sore left eye and a headache on that side. Dot did a lot of work in the garage, garden and shed, making things look really good. I lay down for a while, cleared up indoors and cooked evening meal. Watched a fair bit of Olympics as usual – some good cycling performances and gold medal for Keely Hodgkinson in 800m. I had predicted stardom for her many years ago.
Tuesday – Overcast, and the first rain in days from mid-afternoon. Still warm though. Went to ECN pensioners’ breakfast but only had a mug of tea because of plans for later in the day. Robin, Shelagh and Tricia there. Brian not too good, apparently. First appearance by Dominic Castle. Afterwards went to Morrisons. Watched a bit of Olympics and cleared house ready for arrival of Amy, who came on 4.20 train, just after it started raining. Had tea and cake, and she showed us some pics. Had salmon and salad. Watched a bit of athletics and then I showed her some pics. Quite late in bed.
Wednesday – Another bad night: downstairs for an hour. Dry, patchy cloud, a bit windy but reasonably warm. After breakfast we took Amy to Blakeney for quite an active day. We parked at the Manor Hotel, then wandered out by the channel: the tide was going out. Then we visited a number of shops, bought some cards etc and returned to the hotel for lunch. I had steak frites, which was excellent. Amy had fish fingers in burger, which she swapped with Dot (mackerel tart) because hers had dill, which she can’t eat.
Then we drove to Cley, parking near the end of the coast path, and walked into the village: traffic congestion was worst I’ve seen, but only for a while. Bought fish from Smokehouse and a book from the bookshop, then headed back to deli for additional purchases. Dot had also bought samphire on harbour front in Blakeney. Drove to Cley beach car park and we walked some way across shingle and back. Dot then drove us home via Sheringham and Cromer road, then Banningham, Buxton etc. in the evening Amy spent a long time looking at David’s old photos. Had latish but delicious supper of smoked mackerel and Dot’s bread, catching the silver from Hudson-Smith in the 400m. Close race. I went to bed after watching an episode of Outnumbered, and left Dot and Amy watching Gilmour Girls.
Yesterday we had a few drops of rain early evening, but otherwise it was dry and quite warm, though mainly overcast and windy. Had breakfast in garden. Walked up to city and visited Boots, then the Scandinavian shop (I sat in street for a while), then up to the Castle, with its bright new entrance, and had some lunch in it’s bright new café. While looking round Castle, including an interesting exhibition by Roger Ackling, we somehow became aware that there was a problem with the trains. Eventually established there was a huge fire at Ipswich and no trains running to Liverpool Street. Certain amount of angst at this, but we suggested alternatives, and eventually David confirmed that our suggestion of travelling on the 5.27 to Ely and King’s Cross was the best bet.
Meanwhile we exited the Castle and visited the market, then the Arcade, the Body Shop, Tickety Boo and the Book Hive, at which point I set off home, but only arrived a couple of minutes before Dot and Amy. At that point I discovered from Dot that Bridget wasn’t coming – probably a good thing in the circumstances. We had a pizza and extras after tea in the garden. Walked over to the station in good time for Amy to catch her new train, and it wasn’t as crowded as I expected. Followed her on app all the way home – all went smoothly – while we sorted out the house and Dot watered the garden, because the earlier rain wasn’t hard enough. Watched some mainly mediocre Olympics and went to bed early. Amy sent pic of herself watching Gilmour Girls in bed.