Not very nice weather recently. Last Saturday (Feb 8) was still cold but mainly dry. Went with Dot to football: Jonathan also there. Norwich not at all impressive but went 1-0 up in the second half. Still no urgency, though, and they managed to give away a penalty and only drew. Adrian: “That’s an hour and a half I’ll never get back.” Watched rugby and one or two other things later. Oliver rang us earlier: he had been on a run at Finsbury Park. Spoke about where we lived in London and sent him the addresses. Later he went to see the Bob Dylan film and texted to say he really enjoyed it. 

So – he is 22, living in North-East London, travels by tube to work in central London and loves Bob Dylan. Sounds familiar – though of course he has a much better job (and home) than I did in 1966-67.

Sunday – Now Kristine too has enjoyed the Dylan film! Quite a cold day, but dry. Drove to church and played in worship band. Graham gave excellent talk on Isaiah 6, and we sang my favourite hymn – I the Lord of Sea and Sky, which is obviously linked to it and more or less changed my life at one point.

Took Ray home as usual. His legs are quite bad, but he still gets around. Watched football in the afternoon, and went to a concert at the Theatre Royal in the evening. It was Dot’s Christmas present! Prague Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and Dvorak’s Symphony No 9, plus three other pieces, two of which were encores. Brilliant violinist. Ran into Kim before the concert and had a chat, before and at interval (+gin and tonic) then walked a little way back with her afterwards. At home, watched Ski Sunday. Howard and Anna back from Guatemala; Anna had stomach upset while they were there, and Howard now Ill – not sure what with, but feverish and in bed.  

Monday – Grey and rainy. Quite cold. Dot cleaned out cupboards in kitchen and utility room. I put out bins. Caught up on computer work. Did rota e-mail.  Watched a bit of football, plus Call the Midwife and Miss Austen, both of which were OK. In the evening Judy came round, and we took her to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. Guinness cake – very nice. Vicky’s mum has cancer of pituitary gland. Howard still ill. General Synod has voted to insist on alcoholic wine and non-gluten-free bread at Communion. Everyone except us outraged!

Tuesday – Grey and still a bit rainy. Not very inspiring. Hair cut in morning, and finished my excellent but weird China Miéville book this afternoon while Dot did some more cupboard clearing in the kitchen. Forgot to contact solicitor, but sent birthday card to Dave Evetts. Cooked separate meals – I had lamb, which was delicious – saw first two episodes of new series of Unforgotten (very good) – and then we walked to football. Cold and a terrible match, City losing 1-0 to Preston. 

Wednesday – Weather grey and cold but dry. Drove up to church – had a bit of trouble parking after being held up by bin lorry. Bible study went quite well, and Dot and I then went round Steven’s for a chat and to give him a bit of advice. He is doing a degree course but having trouble with part of it: he had an option to change, but we advised him to persevere, because of the time factor (he’s 45). Drove home via city centre and had a late lunch. Dot went to orchestra rehearsal in the evening with Janet and Nova. I tried several times to sign in to chess.com but failed. David FaceTimed and we eventually got his and Oliver’s game on screen – a win for David, but quite close. Trump has made no executive order on chess yet, but I expect him to ban Freestyle and Blitz.

Saw second part of Katya Adler on the Balkans. Just as good as the first, and just as scary.