Monday, October 20 – Mainly rain. Usual cold symptoms had gone, but I had a headache all morning. Managed a bath, though (too much information about baths?). Very quiet day. Later in the afternoon Dot went to Morrisons to buy something for Fred and Sue when we visit tomorrow (I hope). I caught up with computer stuff. Got amessage from Amy thanking us for presents and card, and a series of photos showing her life – presumably from David. Can’t believe she’s 21. Sent her poems I’d written in Canada…
Naked Wines delivered about lunchtime. Put out rubbish and managed to download an NHS app that works. (There are all sorts of different kinds.) Watched quite a bit of TV.
Tuesday – Cloudy, but dry. Bad night – as usual when I have an early appointment. Drove up to surgery by just after 9am to see Dr Victoria Bellamy at 9.20. She was excellent – very thorough – and has put me in for a head scan. Drove out to Beeston Regis late morning to meet Fred and Sue. We walked with them to a pub on the outskirts of Sheringham, where we had a meal (scampi in my case). Then we walked back by a slightly different route. Lot of reminiscing. Eventually left just before 5pm – it was raining in Norwich. Miraculously Amy’s package arrived at the “wrong” address and she picked it up. But my pending payment disappeared from my Barclaycard account; presumably they’ll get in touch; I have sent a couple of e-mails off. Had a very light supper while Norwich lost again to slip into the relegation spots. Apparently they played quite well but just can’t score. During half time Amy FaceTimed us and we had a long chat (she also sent us some photographs of her party! ) Afterwards watched another episode of Murder before Evensong. it ‘s not bad, but then I don’t suppose it’s meant to be.
Wednesday – Quite pleasant weather; rain late evening. Felt quite ill in early part of the day – actual pain in stomach. But it went by evening. At lunchtime Dot and I walked down by riverside path, now extended almost to rail bridge. Nearly 7000 steps today. Dot did a lot of practising, but we watched an episode of Blue Lights and after she came back from orchestra the latest Slow Horses. Always brilliant. Replied to letter from Karen Smyth, who is now housebound, about a Paston walk experiment she wanted me to take part in. But it’s when David and Oliver will be here – rather relieved!
Dot said rehearsal hall was cold. No doubt some idiot was trying to save heating money by pretending it was still summer. Leanne was supposed to come and see us today, but she cracked a front tooth and had to go to the dentist. Excitement at lunchtime when road was full of police, apparently arresting someone lower down for blackmail. Dogs, forensics etc – all appeared on our WhatsApp group! As we walked out Charlie (Des and Chris’s grandson) waved from window and apparently said: “Hello, Dot.” He’s 2 tomorrow.
Thursday – Wet and windy. Storm Benjamin, or Ben, as his friends know him. Much heralded on forecast, but absolutely nothing on national or local news about its effects, which presumably means it couldn’t be blamed on climate change. I drove Dot up to Anna’s for her violin lesson and then did quite a lot of indoor walking. Rang garage to check that I could discuss a protection deal on Monday (it’s a way of paying for work monthly over two years, with some other benefits). Meanwhile my payment for Amy’s present has now gone through. Not sure how that happened, but I’m glad it did. Picked up Dot after long session, said hello to Anna and then Dot and I watched international football till Bridget arrived to do cleaning. Bridget then left car while having anniversary meal with her husband at Gem. Meanwhile we had a second lot of chilli and watched a murder puzzle drama, Grand Designs and before going to bed a particularly brilliant episode of Outnumbered.
Friday – Still windy, but dry. Linda came round to cut our hair, and as usual I had a bath afterwards. In the afternoon Dot went into the city with Anne and visited the travel agent, as well as buying a couple of tops. Got back just in time for street meet, but the only person joining us was Matt. We eventually went into his house (Angela is in Scotland) and had a look around as well as listening to some music – although the latter was not to his satisfaction because of a problem with the turntable. Earlier I rang Ray and got a call from Joy Wright, whose husband Graham has just died. I used to play chess with him, and Joy worked in the library at Eastern Counties Newspapers.