Saturday, November 30 – very full day, mainly bright; dry and not so cold. Dot spent the morning sorting out music for ceilidh in the evening at St Luke’s. Finished soup for lunch and she walked to Carrow Road, where City beat Luton 4-2. Naomi was there, surprisingly after her recent illness, and so was Jonathan. I cleared up house and wrote blog, among other things. Chose hymns for tomorrow.
We had a bit to eat and then went to St Luke’s amid football traffic. Thought we’d be late, but in fact only Phil of the group was there when we arrived. Music was a bit tricky, mainly because the light was dim, but it all went well: Matt, Anna, Alison, Dot, me and Phil. Some of dancers a bit weird and pretty young too (compared to us). Carrie and Judy there, but left early. Band members got a rose each. Home just after 10pm with aching legs. Watched a bit of football. Most steps month of the year, and today walked over 4000 steps, which I did every day this month. This is a first…
… and a record I have already failed to maintain for December, having achieved only about a mile today (Sunday). Ended up the day itching all over, for some reason, and with my feet hurting quite a bit. Nothing too serious, but annoying. Not a very pleasant day, with plenty of rain in the afternoon and evening, though not too cold. Went to church in the morning: Advent Sunday. I led the service, which went quite well. Liz Cannon did a sermon-slash-Godly Play. Dot did prayers at the last minute because Anna didn’t make it (arranged last night). Chat with Matt about incoming cash from Phyllis: revenue v capital. He thought C of E might be collapsing, which is a point of view. Gave Ray a lift home as usual: Angel Road open, but more road works. Sent quotes to Oliver and Amy, and David FaceTimed us: they all seem fine. Also caught up with editing pix. Watched a couple of things on TV, including football, Mayflower Murders and Wolf Hall.
Monday – Wet. Relatively mild. Grey. Finished off Alt Carols blueprint and sent it to Graham. After lunch went to Morrisons with Dot and did extensive shopping – Dot got additional stuff for her assembly at Wreningham on Friday. Cleaned out freezer drawers in main fridge to give more space. Watched a bit of TV, including two train journeys – one in New Zealand South Island and the other from Bergen to Oslo in Norway. Excellent, both. Started watching a New Zealand serial but disliked central character so much that we abandoned it. Highly unusual. Oliver’s first day at work.
Tuesday – Quite cold but dry after a wet night. Went to our first Christmas meal this year – with Archant pensioners at the Town House, where they are very welcoming, and the food is good. Carvery and Christmas pudding. Sat with Tricia and Jennie. Ian Bullock put in an appearance. About 15 in all. Robin is in hospital following a severe chest infection and delirium following a holiday on Dartmoor. Spoke to Shelagh at length afterwards.
For some reason very tired after meal – we started watching a rail documentary. but both went to sleep. Eventually drove to Graham’s house for mulled wine and snacks – members of PCC and DCCs. Spoke to most people , including Graham’s mum, the Wimhursts, the Pittam-Smiths and Judy and Carrie. Not sure why Carrie was there: she’s not on the DCC or PCC. She didn’t seem too well. Absent: Howard, Phil, Sharon, Debbie. Watched programme on Royal Scotsman when we got home. Dot looked up price for trip – cheapest ticket £4500 each for two nights. Decided to give it a miss.
Wednesday – Cool but mainly dry till late evening. Judy came round as usual to see The Chosen, and we progressed to church for Bible study with Debbie, Steven and Ellie. Went very well: Ellie – soon to leave for Wales – was quite emotional about what the group meant to her. Afterwards I dropped Dot in Tombland and she walked down to Jarrolds to get her chin done, then took my glasses in for a slight mend. Chose hymns for Sunday.
Cooked salmon and then, while Dot went to orchestra rehearsal, I caught a bus up to Unthank Road, then walked to Hilary’s. She was in a very bad way: confined to lower floor with broken hip (screwed together) and breast cancer – treatment of which has left her with leg fluid problems and a few other things. We spent a lot of time trying to find obscure pix on her iPhone, which she seems a bit frightened of. Walked home just in time to be there for Dot, who had a long final rehearsal for Saturday. Watched Shetland.