Tuesday, November 4 – weather quite pleasant. Up fairly early to drive to Archant Pensioners’ Breakfast. Lot of ordinary (ie non-Archant) people there: so had to wait for eggs and mushrooms. They were also short of coffee. Lot of pensioners there too, including Robin, Shelagh and Tricia. Also present Peter Franzen and others. Quite late home. Decided to clear up some leaves at home – bit of a mistake, because I was exhausted afterwards. Lay down and eventually had a bath while Dot went up to Jarrolds open evening. On the way she fell over, but not badly, and while in the city ran into Jude (Sayer) and later Kim, who was on her way home from a funeral. She bought cards and gifts and got home about 9pm, by which time I was feeling better. We watched Murder before Evensong and then went to bed. Fewer than 3000 steps.
Wednesday – Officially mild, but with an argumentative wind. Drove Dot to her violin lesson in the morning and then walked up to post a wedding card to Holly and Rich. They are marrying on Saturday. During lunch got a call from the surgery about reviewing my medication. Think it went ok, despite my refusal to take blood thinner which I believe caused a problem which led to cystoscopy. Later Dot dropped me at hospital for a CT scan, which went well – that is, it was very quick and painless. No results of course. Walked to bus after sheltering from shower in the car park. Bit of a slow run because of road works: went to Tombland (it was No 11) and walked home through Close. Met Michael and Margaret in Aspland Road and had a chat: they seem disgustingly well. Had pizza for supper, and Dot went with Janet to orchestra rehearsal. Bonfire night but cloudy: fireworks in distance but no sign of promised super moon. When Dot got back we watched the first episode of a new series of Shetland.
Thursday – Alarm set for 7.30 – got tea. Dot got going quickly, and even more remarkably, Anne arrived early. They caught the 9.30 train and arrived in London about 11.15. Meanwhile I made much slower progress and had a bath. Eventually I put some slides on my computer and made a jelly. Had mysterious message about possible fraud that I thought was a scam – even after consulting with Dot on the phone – but it turned out she had had her purse stolen, together with four credit cards. She did not discover this until she had got home – I had met them at the station at about 10.30. Chaos ensued: the thief had taken £250 + £100 from a Barclaycard account and the same from M&S. Eventually managed to contact Barclays and cancelled both of their cards. By morning had also reached M&S and John Lewis; so now awaiting new cards. Neither of us slept very well, but other than that Dot had a really good day in London, with afternoon tea at The Ivy on King’s Road. Probably.
Friday – Still quite mild and dry. Woke late and sorted out John Lewis after Dot had problem contacting them initially. Felt tired most of day but better in the evening. Between them Jon and Mark have got rid of some of the remaining leaves. Answered a question on Diderot and showed Dot the pictures I had transferred from slides yesterday. Went to Morrisons about 4pm, which seems like a good time, because not many people there. Mark had gone earlier and it was packed. Street meet with Des, Chris, Matt, Jon, Mary…. Left a little early to cook pies for our supper. Bed early – just managed 4000.
Saturday – Pretty mild and dry. Busy day: had a bath, then Annette arrived just before lunch by car (instead of bus/train as anticipated), and after some talk with Dot she and I set off for Fakenham. Traffic very bad and couldn’t park at first; so around 20 minutes late for Caroline Gilfillan memorial, which turned out to be really good. Lots of nice food and a surprising number of people I knew – eg Rob and Penny Knee, Dave and Kay Riggs, Su Lee (not in a good state healthwise), James and Ann Knox Whittet, Dave and Liz Radley and others known only by sight. Plus of course Alex Grose (Su’s daughter) who organised it with her sister. Spoke to all. Good songs from a couple of young lads, plus a video of Caroline performing. Among other things.
Annette and I left about 5 and had a good journey, arriving home at about 5.45. Dot had been at Carrow Road – saw City lose 2-1 to Leicester, setting a new record for run of home losses, leading to sacking of manager not long after wards. After Annette had left, Dot and I drove to Stoke Holy Cross for bonfire party at John Digby and Tara’s new house in Poringland Road. We were the only members of Street Meet to make it – Des and Chris had a cold and others had different reasons.
Really nice evening – John and Tara and others very welcoming. That was after we found the house – unbelievably there was a 41 on each side of the road (road name change) and it took a while to find the right one. Dot rang door bell on wrong one: lady very kindly gave directions. Spoke to John’s oldest daughter Isabella, who is doing Eng Lit and Philosophy at Durham. Lovely bonfire, setting and good food, though they had said there wouldn’t be much. Home about 9.45pm. Meanwhile David was on his way to the airport.