It’s Friday, January 3, and we’ve just had another really bad night. Dot was coughing very severely on several occasions, and we got little sleep. Eventually I prayed for Dot in tongues and the coughing eased. It certainly hasn’t gone completely, but she seems better. Obviously we’re both very tired, and the alarm went off for no apparent reason – it wasn’t even set. But the sun is shining, though it’s very cold.
Last Saturday was a rather dull day, but dry and chilly. Slept late and had a bath. Feeling tired still, and heavy-headed. Oliver has arrived in Waterloo. After turkey sandwich lunch, Dot took bus into the city to meet Anne in Jarrolds. I caught up with various things like bank account, picture editing and e-mails. Did quite a few steps but felt very tired. Checked out Dot’s car gifts, especially brilliant absorbent sponge. When Dot got back had another turkey meal! Afterwards watched a good ghost story, a quite pleasing Call the Midwife and an excellent Dr Who: Joy to the World, by Steven Moffat. His stuff is always good.
Sunday was very weird. Had a stomach upset in the night – not too severe, just annoying. So decided not to go to football with Dot. Still have an irritating cough. Had message from Des to say they’re improving. Dot went early to Carrow Road to get free drink again – they found the scarf she left behind last time! Norwich drew with QPR 1-1 by scoring in the last few minutes. More importantly, got a message from Anne to say that Philip had died at 10pm last night. End of an era. Very sad, but at the same time a relief. Watched all four episodes of The Serial Killer’s Wife, which was pretty good really. Also saw a bit of football and (pointlessly) the last bit of The Sound of Music, because it happened to be on.
Monday was quite pleasant: mainly sunny and not too cold. Dot went to see Anne in the afternoon and stayed for a while. I cleared up, then walked up to the Rosary and back. Checked graves, of course. When I got back, made turkey soup – should have done dumplings, but didn’t. We ate a lot of it later. Have had better. Dot did Christmas pudding, which was delicious. Watched quite a bit of TV, including some football and The Split: Barcelona, which was average, despite a good cast. Dot started feeling ill; hope it’s a passing thing. Earlier David FaceTimed as they were having a Christmas dinner at Waterloo. Full table.
Tuesday was dry but windy. Dot has a really bad cold and is on paracetamol. Did quite a bit of clearing up, wrote some thank you e-mails and kept an eye on Dot: cooked cheese on toast for lunch and battered haddock in the evening. Watched a lot of classical music on TV among other things, including a couple of episodes of Black Doves, which is very violent.
Wednesday the 1st – Not a good year so far. Rained almost all day, though it wasn’t too cold. Dot’s cold is still bad, and we didn’t get up till lunchtime: Dot didn’t get dressed all day. My filing cabinet jammed, but I managed to unjam it. Chose hymns for Sunday and gave my sermon a thought. Cooked salmon for evening meal. Wind overnight smashed over Dot’s greenhouse. I’ve stood it up, but it needs sorting out. Watched penultimate episode of Vera, in which Brenda Blethyn was as good as always. Also the final episode of Black Doves, which was good but violent. If that’s possible. Getting a bit of exposed nerve trouble from one of my teeth.
Thursday – Sunny and dry, but much colder, which I prefer, because it feels warmer to me. Dot still very bad – lot of coughing during the night; sore ribs and some coughing during the day. Got up late and sat in living room in night clothes. After lunch (leftover salmon) I drove to the shop. Felt really odd when I got out of the car and for some time afterwards, as if I was in some other head. Quite tired. Again. Managed 4000 steps largely by working in house and walking round shop. Repaired the structure of the greenhouse, but the plants are in disarray. Watched wildlife prog, part of a film and the last-ever Vera. Wrote part of my sermon for Sunday. Cooked egg, bacon and mushrooms. Dot coughing less by end of day but is very sore.