Odd start to the week. Dot got a phone call when she was still in bed from Caroline, Surrey-dwelling daughter of Maureen at No 6, who was worried that she couldn’t get through to her mother – it turned out largely because someone refitting a shower had cut her phone line. Maureen had apparently been “a bit odd”, and Caroline had fixed up a doctor’s appointment for her, but was worried she wouldn’t go, which she wouldn’t because she didn’t know about it.
Are you following this? Caroline rang Mary next door, who is somewhere up North but gave Caroline Dot’s number. So Dot got dressed and went to see Maureen, who was indeed confused. Dot phoned a taxi, which eventually turned up – Dot kept getting updates, because it had been booked on her phone. Eventually she went down and made sure Maureen got in the taxi. And so the story ends – so far.
Getting back to Tuesday last week (Jan 28) – Quite a bit of rain; not too cold. Drove Dot up to dentist, and she walked home via several shops; later she cleaned out her airing cupboard. Strange mixture for me, healthwise. As usual I was worse in the afternoon, and went to sleep after a while, then had a bath and cooked salmon. Was feeling pretty low but took paracetamol and felt much better. Eventually watched second episode of Silent Witness, which had an interesting plot but finished too early: you really wanted to see the aftermath.
Wednesday – Beautiful day, though it rained during the evening. Not too cold. Felt well enough to drive Dot to North Walsham to put flowers on grave: it’s her mother’s birthday. Big hold-up at Coltishall – road up for no apparent reason. Knew it would be chaotic in centre of North Walsham so took circuitous route to get to Sainsbury’s, where we bought a few things, including flowers, and then drove to cemetery. Sat in cemetery and ate sandwiches, then put flowers in graves. Nice feeling in cemetery. Drove home: cleared up and sorted out newspapers. Dot did quite a lot of violin practice, which must have paid off because evening rehearsal went very well, apparently. We had pizza for supper, then some jelly and fruit when she got home. I caught up with computer stuff while she was out. Felt quite tired; watched a bit of winter rescue progs, then David FaceTimed, and we had a chat about where we wanted to be buried, among other things.
Thursday – Much colder, but blue sky and dry. Anne came for coffee, and then she and Dot walked into the city to book a holiday in Rhodes together, plus have champagne lunch at Jarrolds and visit a few shops. I was feeling a bit chilly and tired, but could be worse. Had a bit of trouble with the TV, but it seems to have sorted itself out. Chose hymns for Sunday. Bridget came and did cleaning. Dot and Anne got back about 5pm. I had a bath and Dot went to Morrisons. Had really nice pea and ham soup – one of my favourites. Think I’m feeling better. Much less tired, and coughing seems slightly productive. Watched a bit of TV.
Friday – Grey and cool. Quite a bit of rain. Felt ok to get about, but a bit shivery and heavy. Drove to Dereham in morning to exchange Christmas presents (!) with Phil and Joy. They seemed ok. Had a nice time with them, discussing health and other things, including our families. Then moved down the road to Angela and Rodney’s, where we had a snack lunch and a couple of teas. Stayed till about 3.30 – again a very nice time. Weather too bad for street meet (anyway Mark in America, Sarah in bed, Mary and Bob in Hull – John’s father’s funeral at Stoke). So the two of us went round for a drink with Des and Chris, and Des got us fish and chips, which we ate while watching a documentary on Yellowstone. Felt quite ill afterwards and went to sleep, but then recovered to watch the start of a new series of Death in Paradise, which went quite well. Went to bed after news while Dot watched a bit more.
Saturday – Not too bad. Not too cold. Feeling a bit better, though ended day with heartburn, possibly because I didn’t take lanzaprosole this morning. Dot was going to go to Peace Catalyst talk at church but got involved in buying insurance for her holiday, then listening to football, which was on unexpectedly early. Norwich beat Watford 1-0 away. Before that Amy FaceTimed and we had a chat about holidays and things that were coming up. She seemed well. After the football, caught up with my e-mails and while Dot was taking stuff to charity shop I cleared up the kitchen and packed up broken glass. Not shivery today (hadn’t taken pills!) cooked oven-ready cottage pie with extra dauphinoise potatoes, which were good. Dot stewed some apples. Watched end of Dead and Buried thriller, which was unsatisfactory because the unpleasant lead character didn’t really get comeuppance.
Yesterday (Sunday the 2nd) was Candlemas. Mainly sunny: had to scrape ice off car. Decided not to play guitar, because PhIl and Steve F were both there. Wouldn’t say I was 100 per cent by any means, but was able to function OK. Liz Cannon led, and Liz Day gave rather off-the-wall talk which was more of a lecture and extremely abstract. However, it had its good points. Steve B did prayers, gaining in confidence. Afterwards took Ray home. Road works beginning to seem permanent. Watched football in afternoon (Spurs beat Brentford 0-2) and watched a particularly depressing Midwife and then a new series about Jane and the other Austens. David FaceTimed us when we got in bed, and we had a chat about politics, mainly. I was a bit distracted because I was getting a muddle with my pills. He and Chrissy seem well. Took pills late, which was probably a mistake, because I didn’t have a very good night.