It’s Sunday afternoon, 23 March, and very pleasantly warm and dry. Oliver is on the train on his way home; we went with him over to the station to catch the 14:00 train. He is impressed by Greater Anglia trains, I’m happy to say. Earlier we played a couple of games of chess (lost first on time but won the second) and listened to a lot of Bob Dylan vinyl, after I had remembered how to make the turntable work. Lovely weekend with him. We missed church, of course, leaving Matt to of the music on his own. I’m sure he was memorable. I hit my head while getting some records out.
Back to Monday last week (17th), when it was cold but with some blue sky. Dry. Drove out to Uplands – Chris and Helen Lamb’s home – for “Fizz and Fingers”; in other words, a review of the sugar charity collections last year, with sandwiches and fizzy white wine. Tea, no sugar. Many absentees because of illness; other than Helen and Chris, there were Sue and Roger Eagle, Louise and some guy whose name I don’t know. After discussion we had food and long chat. Chris very interesting; he was high up in the Worshipful Company of Butchers, which he attributed to his name (Lamb) and Helen’s maiden name (Butcher). Dot went out for walk in afternoon: I walked indoors. Later I posted a sympathy card to Owen Hindle. We watched some chess on TV after a documentary about Irish islands and the first two episodes of Protection, a police procedural about protecting witnesses. Wrote up blog. Oliver FaceTimed us to confirm his visit.
Tuesday – cold air, warm sun. Up at crack of dawn, had a bath and drove to surgery. Seen by Fatima Patel, who was in a hijab, very sweet and seemed about 16. Looked at my mole and thought it was benign but referred me to the hospital. They will get in touch – goodness knows when. Huge amount of traffic going into city. In trying to avoid it found route through to Kett’s Heights road and down past fish shop. Parked in Chalk Hill Road, having turned car round, and shortly afterwards returned with Dot to drive to The Foundry for breakfast.
Another huge hold-up on A140 near Dunston, which I avoided on way back by taking Stoke road. Had lovely breakfast with Brian, Tricia, Robin and Sheila, then Dot bought some plants and seed. Home around 1.30. Later drove up to Rosary and cleaned Andrew’s grave. Saw two deer moving very quickly. Dot did a lot of cooking. Watched first three episodes of The Bay: pretty good except for the high percentage of people who are constantly angry. Great episode of University Challenge in which Dublin pipped Imperial on a tiebreaker.
Wednesday – Busy day. Warmer and sunny. Dot did some shopping after forgetting her list. I took a pic of it and sent it to her. Then she drove me to church for Bible study: she returned home for delivery of bathroom cabinet. Needless to say it didn’t arrive till nearly 3pm. Meanwhile we had a good session with Debbie, Ellie, Judy and Steven – nearly at end of Acts. I then walked home and felt exhausted – perhaps partly because I was hungry.
Was asleep when cabinet was delivered but quickly woke. Nice guys – had driven from Birmingham. Spent some time clearing up and helping Dot with preparing spare room for Oliver. She put some stuff in loft. Later cooked beef bourguignon. Dot went with Janet (and Nova) to orchestra and I chose hymns and then (after a rest) sorted out the drawers in my room and on the landing (formerly in bathroom). Also disposed of stuff in bins and made our bed. Dot was a bit late back, but we managed to see the final episode of The Bay, which was pretty good although a trifle predictable in its motivation (exposing pollution).
Thursday – warm and sunny till evening, when it became chilly. Dot spent all day preparing for visit of Kim and Ellie in afternoon and Oliver arriving later. I did some clearing up too. Afternoon discussion about medical matters, in particular vaccinations, ivermectin (which I knew about), and airport check-ins among other things. Ellie got quite excited. Bridget came and did some cleaning while we were talking. I went over to meet the train, and Dot arrived just before the train did. Dot did sticky chicken meal followed by apple crumble sundae. We watched an episode of University Challenge and the last episode of Amandaland, both of which we’d seen before. Oliver went to bed, and Dot and I watched an episode of Bergerac.
Friday – Little bit cooler, but still pleasant. Oliver working from “home”. Spent far too long looking at old pix I found in Dropbox. Dot did work in garden then went to shop after lunch. At about 4pm the three of us walked up to Kett’s Heights. Nice view, despite cloud. Walked home via Rosary Road and back lane. Rested for a while, then went out for street meet. Introduced Oliver to new neighbours. Des and Chris away, but Mark, Ciara, Mary, Matt, Joe and Sam there, with Cleo for a while. Afterwards I cooked chili; then we watched some of England beating Albania 2-0. Not bad. Afterwards washed up, set off dishwasher and unblocked the sink using the boiling water method. Too much rice and fat. Had intense itching on left side: don’t know why.
Saturday – Cooler, dry at first but lightish rain later. After breakfast we drove to Hemsby and parked near the Lifeboat station, then walked along the Valley and up into the Glebe to show Oliver the bungalows we used to use for holidays. Then back onto the beach and walked back – encountering a seal on the way. Looked rather the worse for wear. Drove up to Winterton and had a cup of tea in the Cosy Shack, then decided – partly because of the rain – to go home for lunch. Relaxing afternoon – did a quiz and watched Only Connect and Mastermind. Oliver FaceTimed his father. Went to Gem for an evening meal hosted by Oliver: really nice. Dot having problems with balance following her taking statins after review with doctor/nurse. Annoying.