Bit cooler today (Tuesday 20 August), but still comfortable enough for us to have coffee in the garden with Robin and Shelagh Limmer. Good couple of hours’ chat: Robin has a remarkable memory for a 92-year-old. Dot and I watched a bit of bagpipes documentary on TV while we ate lunch.
Last Thursday was another warm day, but some rain from late evening and overnight. Sad news – Andrew Partridge from St Luke’s died quite suddenly from sepsis. David LeMoir’s En Passant book arrived and contains quite a few items from me, including a poem and my games when I won the Norwich Dons June Swiss in 2000. That’s a year, not a time. Again preparing for tomorrow. Went to Morrisons in the afternoon, and later fixed the rail in the back garden, which had been working loose. Bridget came to clean for two hours.
Friday was very warm again, the overnight rain having dispersed. Busy day of course, because it was the Otterspool reunion. Spent the morning completing preparations. Just after I’d moved the car I saw Christine and Jeannie on the path above the steps – they were staying at the Premier Inn and were reconnoitring! Called Dot, had a quick chat, and they continued walk.
Everyone turned up – first Pete and Liz in his Bentley 6; parked on street. Then Christine and Jeannie (again), Pat and Barry, who parked in the drive, Jacqui and Brian and Rob and Sue, who parked by the garages opposite with kind permission/connivance of Des and Mark! Everyone seemed well except for Brian, who was shaky and had an oxygen machine. He was driving, though – in fact he is an Advanced Driver, he told me. We sat in the garden for Pimms and lemonade, followed by food – over-catered as usual. All very nice though. Had chats with several, particularly Christine and Pete. Got quite hot. Later had tea/coffee and looked at some old Otterspool photos on screen.
They all left by about 6pm, and we spent some time out on the street. Feet hurt. Watched Chariots of Fire. Pete and Liz were staying at Caister Hall, Sue and Rob at Stalham, Pat and Barry camping somewhere near Kelling, Jacqui and Brian at the Holiday Inn (not sure which one).
Saturday – Warm and dry, but wet and cold in Cape Town, apparently. My cousin Sandra got in touch to send me a podcast of her daughter, Karen (Coetzee). Had trouble accessing it, but I have it now – it’s on YouTube. We spent quite a bit of time clearing up. Dot went to the football match in the afternoon – I walked with her. Good game, apparently. Norwich 2 Blackburn 2. On the way back by the river I met Jonathan Burrows and discovered he no longer plays chess. Had some leftover salmon for evening meal after going with Dot to post a card to Jennie Downing. Watched a programme about the NC 500 in Scotland, then the first part of a murder mystery called We HuntTogether. Discovered Oliver was on Lake Erie, or very close to it – but without David. (It turned out he was with Jackson).
Sunday – Warm again and dry. Church in the morning. I was leading, and Anna did a very good sermon/lectio on Psalm 111. Minute’s silence for Andrew Partridge. All went pretty well, I think. Took Ray home as usual: he was complaining about stomach pain, relating to his cancer. Call from care home as we arrived at house saying my aunt Thelma died this morning “peacefully”.
Had lunch, then Dot dropped me at Plantation Garden, where Annette’s band, Daisy and the Continentals, were playing. Kind of jazz, quite entertaining. Had chat with Annette and took a couple of videos of the band, then walked home. Got quite hot and tired. Dot had been clearing up. In the evening, after mackerel kippers, we watched more episodes of We Hunt Together, which is pretty good from many aspects. Had FaceTime with David, Oliver and Amanda, who clearly does exist. Bit rainy over there. Watched a bit of Match of the Day 2, which was pretty boring: too much talk.
Monday was warm but a bit windy. A little rain in late evening. Linda came and cut our hair, and I got a call from the surgery to see if I could make an appointment with nurse at 11.40. I could, if I cut short my bath; so I did. Glad I did because it was my favourite nurse, Emma Richardson, who is always very kind. She had also had a TiA experience similar to mine – no real problem, but banned from driving from four weeks and life insurance on mortgage cancelled. Aargh! She did my blood and took a sample. I have to supply a urine sample in a couple of days.
On way home I bought some stamps. In the afternoon I went up to solicitors to sign another Phyllis document and managed to get Anna there at the same time. Almost there! Only have to read meter now. I think. While I was out Sheila Crisp rang about Thelma’s death and said the funeral had been paid for. Put a bit about Thelma’s death on Facebook fairly late in the evening and have already had several responses, including one from Joanne, Edward’s daughter. Watched the end of We Hunt Together, which was excellent but for an irritating non- dénouement.