Today marked the end of Oliver’s visit with us – a really enjoyable week, marred for me only by a two-day bout of diarrhoea. Happily, it did not occur on key days, and we had a great time overall. It was cloudy at first this morning (Wed 18 Sep), but it became much sunnier and a bit warmer, as per forecast. I drove us to Houghton Hall, where we spent nearly four hours, starting in the grounds, looking at Anthony Gormley’s figures and some of the permanent sculptures, then moving back into the stables for a delicious sandwich and cup of tea, then back to the house itself, the gift shop and finally the walled garden, where the flaming fountain startled us at first by not showing any flame, but then performed as it should.
We drove back by a very slightly different route (Kettlestone) and after a cup of tea for Dot and Oliver went down to Gem for a final meal. I had chicken thighs again. Excellent. Dot left with Janet for orchestra at the same time as Oliver departed, and as I write he is on the Newmarket bypass.
It all started last Thursday with showers – some quite heavy. Felt tired, but no more tooth problems. Adjusted my eulogy and answered some e-mails. Postponed hospital appointment on Monday. Cleared up while Dot went to Morrisons and Bridget did the cleaning, and rearranged my Reminders. Oliver arrived around 4.15pm, and I booked tickets for Houghton Hall on the Wednesday, because they’re not open on Monday.
We all walked up to the Ivy for a meal at 7.15pm, just after what looked like part of a wedding reception. Oliver and I had steak. Very good food and wine. At home watched Slow Horses episode two again (Oliver for first time). Oliver told us about a planned trip to Hamburg (with friends) and then on his own to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York and Toronto.
Friday – Showers; a bit chilly, but mainly sunny. Long day. Had to get up early to get to the crematorium for 9.30 service. Traffic bad – hold-ups at Sprowston Road roundabout and on road between Spixworth and Horsham – but reached crem at 9.15. Other four were waiting: Sheila, her friend, her daughter and a bloke (not sure who). All went smoothly, including my eulogy and poem) and afterwards Dot and I found her aunt Jessie’s “grave”, then joined the others for tea and coffee in the Black Swan. I paid for that and left a donation for Cresta Lodge. Very pleasant chat – simultaneous rain and sun outside.
Then drove home and prepared for Dot’s talk at Christ Church. Oliver had meanwhile been into city. He drove us to the church after a salad lunch, and we spent a long time setting up. Fortunately Oliver had the necessary connectors. Dot’s talk was really good. There were at least 20 people there, and everyone engaged with the questions and moving around. They also spent time afterwards looking at the display items. Matt and Amanda came from church and Mary from next door. Bridget was organising, of course. We gave Mary a lift home after a cup of tea and extensive clearing up. Dot was very pleased – almost everyone complimented her. She deserved it after all the work she’d put in. David FaceTimed after we got home and got the feedback!
We then went outside for street meet: it was sunny and not so cold. Des, Chris, John, Matt, Mary and the three of us. Des got us fish and chips, and afterwards we went upstairs to watch Memento, Oliver’s favourite film. Sadly I slept through most of it, and Dot missed quite a bit too. Will try again when we’re less tired!
Saturday was warmer, and dry. Calm. Woke up quite a bit later than the day before and had croissants. Paul Henderson came round at 11, and we had a good conversation. He is heading for Vienna soon: he is also looking for possible interviewees for Chatteround – a new bit of Chatterbox, the newspaper for the blind. Possibly Dot on Sillars. He’s waiting for scan results on his coughing, but the hope is that it’s not too serious.
In the afternoon Oliver drove us to North Walsham, where we put flowers on the graves and then visited Roger and Debbie. Their house now looks really good with a new patio and pool. Later walked with them to the King’s Head for a meal. I struggled because I wasn’t really hungry but everyone else enjoyed it. I enjoyed it, but couldn’t eat much. Walked back to pick up car and drove home via Wroxham. Felt heavy headed. Watched T20 win over Australia and then three YouTube videos: Ken Robinson’s brilliant TED talk on creativity, one recommended by Oliver which consisted of a guy saying absolutely nothing but making it sound very important, and the one about the father and daughter cyclists that Dot uses in P4C.
Sunday was sunny, with a little rain in the evening. Diarrhoea prevented me from going to church: so Dot and Oliver went together. Holy Communion and quite long, apparently. Nikki was there. Afterwards they went over and church-sat for Heritage Day. I had hoped to go but was still afflicted. Also developed a temperature; so took paracetamol. And went to bed when they got home. Slept for a while and felt a bit better, though I had another smaller attack. However was able to go down and eat a very small amount of supper – one of Dot’s chicken dishes. Definite improvement after that, though my head was hurting a bit. Meanwhile Oliver was arranging a trip to Vienna with his friends. Hamburg turned out to be too expensive (Oktoberfest).
Monday was dry with some sun. Still feeling a bit groggy, so stayed at home while Oliver went to shops and later met Dot for meal in Jarrolds wine bar. He bought some trousers and one or two other things. I felt well enough to walk up and meet them in The Close, and we did first section of compline treasure trail. Very tired afterwards. Dot did very nice salmon and spinach tart with mustard, then pavlova. Later watched last two episodes of Sambre, which were quite satisfying. Also MOTD2.
Tuesday brought cloud and sun. Cool wind, but not cold. Hair cut in there morning: Oliver went to gym. Had bath. In the afternoon he drove us to Fairhaven, where we had a walk and a 20-minute boat ride on South Walsham inner broad, with brief excursion to main broad. Saw kingfisher, some cormorants and a couple of herons. Walked back to car park by different route, then drove to St Benet’s Abbey. Brief walk there, then home. I cooked chilli and then we watched some of Milan v Liverpool. Sadly, Liverpool won. Watched a bit of Outnumbered, then went to bed after Oliver gave me some advice on computer. Felt better and better during day after early paracetamol. At some point I played Oliver at chess, and he beat me twice – once on time and once with a genuinely good attack.