Thursday, May 15 – Much cooler with a northerly breeze, but still dry. Dot did violin practice and made a cake. I checked over Paston talk, organised trip with Mike Read for next month and researched a bit of Parish Pump. In the afternoon we drove to Christ Church and checked the technology for tomorrow with Julia (Steve?) and Bridget. Seems OK. Cooked pies and watched Far from the Madding Crowd (original version 1967). Long but atmospheric.
Friday – Dull and quite cold. Didn’t feel at all well in the morning, but okay in the evening. Had a bath. Checked talk again. After lunch we drove to Christ Church, Eaton, where I spoke about the Paston family. There was a Mr Paston in the audience, but probably no relation. Dot was my tech support, and surprisingly all went well, though she kept signalling me to hold the microphone nearer my mouth. Discovered that I don’t like holding a mike when speaking because I tend to move my arms around. Chatted to a few people afterwards, including Amanda and Matt and the Taizé couple. Lay down when I got home and felt better by the time we went out for street meet. Very cold. Good group: Des, Chris, Angela, Matt, Mary, Sam, Jon. Des got us fish and chips, most of which I managed to eat. Watched some light television. Steps only 1800.
Saturday – Bit warmer. Dry. Started writing prayers in morning, then after lunch went up by bus to the Forum, for a Norwich Polish Heritage event, to say thanks to organiser Adrian O’Dell for supporting Sillars! Met Neville and Mary there. First talk on Poles coming to Norfolk was not impressive: very confused and badly delivered. Worried about going to sleep. The second, on the National Writing Centre at Dragon Hall, was excellent – and much shorter.
Afterwards had coffee in Forum and chatted to Paul Dickson who had a stall at book fair there. Then went down to Jarrolds, bought cheese and walked home, taking it slowly. Quite tired. Finished writing prayers and after meal watched film, Absence of Malice, which was good, but remote went wrong in the middle – couldn’t speed through ads. Reset box afterwards, which seems to have fixed it. Bed late as consequence. Earlier Kim had invited us to another showing of a Chosen sequel, but it clashed with the Polish thing.
Sunday – Weather much the same. Mark home. David’s birthday – FaceTimed with him after lunch. He seems well. Went to church in morning as usual and did prayers, which as it happened went well with Carrie’s sermon on love and kindness. Also played in band of course. Steve F came and added to sound as he always does. After lunch drove to North Walsham, bought some King Edward potatoes and flowers, then went and put latter on graves. Got petrol from Morrisons back in Norwich before having honey and mustard sausages – not really my favourite, it turned out. Watched last documentary on The Americas and Songs of Praise, which had two good new songs. Then a two-part documentary on the murder of a couple in Essex which had unusual features, though we felt the police made heavy weather of it. Not feeling too great today, but not sure why.
Monday – Stomach pains and other problems like headache and ear popping. After walking up and down at home walked to Boots and Morrisons, but they didn’t have what I was looking for. Went home and had peppermint tea. Wrote a bit of Parish Pump and had a bit of toast but couldn’t eat anything else. Had a bath, which helped a bit. And paracetamol, which helped more. Lay down for a bit and then cooked salmon for Dot. Felt a bit better by the time C& C people arrived – all except Phil, who may be in Italy. Good meeting including Eleanor: Dot had cooked birthday cake for David Archer. Managed a slice. Booked next meeting for June 16 at Claire’s. Had a few twinges when we finished; so cleared up and went to bed. Weather quite warm all day.