Another week shoots by, and here we are at August Bank Holiday, about to go to a concert at Snape. The past week, however, has not been without its incidents. Yesterday Dot found her lost ring: it was stuck in our card box, and we found it as we looked for birthday cards for Kristine, Anne (Coomes) and Julia. Not only that, Oliver returned from Canada – a journey we missed entirely because our WiFi was down. Anyway…
Last Tuesday (August 20) was quite warm and dry, as I may have mentioned in my last post. In the evening we drove Howard to Vicky’s for a cake and compline birthday party. Anna had a migraine. Good evening, with lovely food and drink, but as I wrote this at 11.15pm I had quite strong acid reflux (very rare nowadays) and took another lansoprazole. At least, I think I did. I may have taken a Vitamin C tablet. Quite uncomfortable, anyway. And Dot lost an earring. So not the ideal end to the day.
Wednesday was fairly warm but breezy. Disaster continued as I got up early to go to the surgery with a specimen – part off my “annual” review – but in the process of doing so collided with the end of our wall and knock the top off as well as scratching the car quite badly. No idea how it happened. Not like me at all. Replaced the pillar and put T-Cut on car but the latter wasn’t all that successful. Still, no dent and no-one hurt. Annoying, though.
Had to wait for receptionist before I could leave the specimen, but the chemist came through again with my pills. Jude came round for The Chosen 3:4 and I drove to church, but Debbie was late so had to wait for Dot and Jude before we could get in. Still on beginning of Acts. Discussed Pentecost and speaking in tongues generally. Then I drove to Vicky’s to pick up the marrow that Dot had forgotten in the process of losing her earring: had quick look round, but no sign of earring. The marrow was there, though. Had chat with Jared about his job. Later cut down ivy on the front of the house so that it would stop growing up towards roof space. Cooked venison grillettes. Watched test match v Sri Lanka, then another episode of Vera.
Thursday was cooler and quite windy. Remains of hurricane blowing over tonight. Showers last night: possibly tonight too. Got up early because Bridget came to clean at 9.30am. Started writing sermon and have now almost finished it. Also chose hymns. After lunch Dot drove me to Ber Street, and I picked up special toothpaste from dentist. Full of fluoride : have just discovered it’s toxic and may lower your IQ.
Walked from dentist to market and bought plums, greengages and blackberries. Then on up London Street and eventually Magdalen Street, where I discovered Rupert Mallin’s exhibition was right at the other end, beyond Anglia Square. As a result did lots of steps. Had good chat with Rupert: he was showing big drawings designed as scenery for a play. He told me Hilary Mellon was very ill. Walked home. Have tried to arrange for a company called ChipsAway to fix the paintwork on the car, but have reached an impasse on the precise paint colour: can’t find anything that says what it is. Watched some more of Battle of the Bagpipes. Strangely compelling. England seem to be winning cricket, but amazingly it’s dull and rainy in Manchester.
Friday – Warm and dry, but a bit windy. Tricia rang early to say Brian was unwell: so our visit to The Foundry was cancelled. Rang Robin to let him know. No progress with ChipsAway : they got in touch late in the day to say they couldn’t do a three-stage paint job. Went to Morrisons in afternoon – mainly to get mince to go with our marrow. Wrote quite a bit of article on Chopin for Parish Pump, but not as much progress as I hoped. Spent a long time organising pix to send to Otterspool girls. Out for street meet – Des and Chris, Matt, Jonathan. Late meal of mince and marrow, then Naomi came round to make mojitos. I’m not sure why. Had a good chat with her though. Finished watching bagpipes. Very good. Cricket.
Saturday – Rain overnight, and continued wet and windy all day. Cooler. Early call from Dr Prior about my medication: she was very nice and has fixed me up with an appointment in a couple of weeks to discuss effects of statins, which may be making my feet hurt. Spent most of the day finishing my Parish Pump articles, then couldn’t send them because our Broadband went down. Still don’t know if it’s an external or internal problem: tried all the usual things. Very frustrating. Dot went to football and saw Norwich draw 1-1 with Sheff Utd. Another good game, apparently, but after three games we have two points. Watched England win at cricket but mystified as to why Root was not given out LBW when the ball was shown to be going to hit the wicket. Sri Lanka unlucky with ball change yesterday too. Saw odd bits of TV, including someone called Sam Smith singing at Proms. Not sure what he was doing there.
Yesterday was dry; coolish breeze but generally quite warm. As mentioned, Oliver came back to England, but we missed tracking him because our WiFi was down. I eventually fixed it, but by then we’d received a message from David, telling us he was back. Went to church in morning, avoiding convoy of trucks taking kids to seaside. Phil led and I preached: only three of us in worship band (Dot, me + Matt). Only 13 there because a few were at Greenbelt. General agreement that it was a nice service, though. Discovered that Mike and June, two fairly new members of our congregation, live on Rosary Road. Sent off my Parish Pump stuff as soon as WiFi was fixed. Dot and I walked up to sorting office to post three birthday cards. Watched a bit of TV, including The Eagle has Landed – a good film with a couple of continuity issues. You don’t often see good Germans in a war film.