It’s Monday June 9, and we’re just back from breakfast with Brian Caldecott and Tricia Pendle at The Foundry garden centre near Tasburgh. We were supposed to be joined by Robin and Shelagh Limmer, but Robin felt lacking in energy when he got out of bed. Nice meal, and we bought a hanging basket afterwards: we have just put it up with assistance from Mark. Or to be more accurate: Mark put it up.
OK. Last Wednesday (June 4) we had a little rain, but it was mainly dry and quite pleasant towards evening. Bridget arrived just as we were leaving for Bible study; so didn’t have time to talk. We got back just as she left. Lot of planting going on in churchyard. Leanne joined us: also Steven, Debbie, Judy, Dot and me. Turned into a bit of a discussion group, which I don’t like so much, especially as certain people have a tendency to drift away from the topic. Glad Leanne was there. We now have WiFi at the hall – without the need to erect a pole. Yippee.
Dot and I had lunch and later went to the foot clinic, where I left Dot while I walked around the other side of Dereham Road, which proved quite interesting. Back home we watched the first two episodes of a German crime drama (good) and then I cooked haddock. Janet picked up Dot and Nova for orchestra rehearsal. Felt very tired, but cleared up and did some puzzles. Microsoft Word suddenly stopped working on my iMac: very irritating. Not sure what to do: it’s ok on my iPhone. Odd pains in my stomach. Good day for steps – over 5000.
Thursday – Mainly wet, but not too cold. Stayed indoors all day, though Dot went to shop. Problems with Microsoft Word, which stopped working on my iMac and eventually on my iPad. Had to repurchase it at increased price. Annoying. Did a bit of writing, watched a bit of TV, including Where Eagles Dare, which was very good. Discovered Oliver is back home. Spoke to David and Chrissy on FaceTime. Took EDPs over to Chris. Didn’t feel too great, but walked over 3000 indoors.
Friday – Quite heavy showers, especially early on. Walked up to post office with card for Christine Potter, then got bus up to Unthank Road for Holy Trinity funeral of Alan Harrison. About 30 there, including Graham Drake. Good service – spoke to leader afterwards and thanked him for his sermon, which I thought was very good. Walked home – probably not a good idea – cutting through Castle Mall. So pretty tired by street meet, for which it started raining. We sheltered under flat until it stopped. Walk through city had been warm and dry! Des, Chris, Mark, Ciara, Matt and Mary for a short while. Didn’t have too much wine but felt unsteady afterwards. Cooked salmon, and we watched last two episodes of latest series of Clarkson’s Farm. Good in a horrendous sort of way and if you could ignore the language. Called his new pub The Farmer’s Dog, which would put me right off.
Saturday was not the greatest day weatherwise, but not as wet as we thought it was going to be. Very grey, though. Met Kristine off the train at 12.18 while Dot was finishing the cooking, and we had a lovely meal, though I felt pretty groggy afterwards. Wonder if I might have developed lactose intolerance, because it was pretty creamy and the symptoms are very similar to what I’ve been having. Anyway, had to doze afterwards, which was a bit embarrassing. K is retiring at the end of August but continuing her freelance work. Had a good chat – led primarily by Dot – and I showed K some pictures. She left on the 17.30 and of course we took her over to the station. Afterwards watched come cricket and a comedy before clearing up, which took over an hour! Then last two episodes of German crime story based on real life: very good – interesting to read the English and hear the German equivalents.
Sunday – Coolish, but not too bad. Some showers, one of them very hard rain, as forecast by Bob Dylan. That happened while we were in the Weaver’s Arms having lunch with Howard, Anne, Matt, Amanda and Phil. This followed a ceilidh rehearsal which was a bit chaotic as far as I was concerned because there wasn’t enough music. However, at least I played some – which I didn’t during the service, partly because I thought they had enough with two violins, piano and Phil’s guitar, but in the end Phil didn’t play because he had a bit of a problem with his left hand (Parkinson’s) and he wanted to make sure it would be all right for the ceilidh rehearsal.
Four new people at the service, but still only 21 in all. Graham did very good sermon for Pentecost Sunday. The lunch – a huge amount of beef and stuff – lasted till 4.30pm. Because of road works and having to park a long way from church, we were a little late. I dropped Phil and Dot off and then had a bit of a problem finding somewhere to park (again!), but in the end parked on Colegate. Dropped Phil off at church to pick up his car afterwards. Had a sleep at home, then watched quite a bit of TV, with only a brief bite to eat later on. Amy e-mailed us some old pix of Norwich that she found in Exeter.