Thursday, December 4 – Cool and damp, but avoidable showers. Had bath, and Bridget came round to clean. Felt quite cold during the day, but better later on. Watched football on TV and read a bit. Also looked at family tree. Later we drove Jude to Cake and Compline at Claire’s: good session with Bridget, David, Vicky and for the first time Nikki, who found us after first going to Magdalen Street instead of Magdalen Road. Advent compline, of course. Nice food from Claire.
Friday – Cold: had to de-ice screen. But fine until evening, when it rained hard. Dot came with me to surgery in morning – check on medication; “no problem” with head scan. Refused to take blood thinner. Doc a bit hard to understand but very pleasant. Afterwards changed next appointment and got pills. Then went to Morrisons and stocked up: also got petrol. Had bath in afternoon. Went out for street meet but was too cold: came back in. Dot stayed out with Des, Chris, Matt, Angela, Mark (who leaves tomorrow) and Joe and Sam. Drove to Sillars Christmas do with Dot and Nova. Tried to pick up Dave the viola player from Bullard Road, but when we tracked him down he was clearly ill and Dot persuaded him not to come. Got lost finding the venue (Roundwood Bowls Club in Taverham) and so were quite late. Sat with Nova and Penny and later with Vicki and Anthony plus one or two others. Took a few pix and drove home quite successfully. Watched highlights of Day 2 of Ashes Second Test: not doing too well.
Saturday – Stayed in again, though weather largely dry. Compiled the bones of Christmas card/present list and started on what would eventually turn out to be a Christmas letter. Still felt rather chilly and itchy, but am eating all right: Dot did some nice cod. Dot listened to Norwich match, which was on at 12.30. Did well to start with but lost 3-2. On the plus side Spurs won 2-0 and Liverpool drew 3-3 at home to Leeds. Watched some snooker, then later a couple of episodes of The Night Manager, plus an odd Motherland and Return to Paradise. Too much, I hear you say. You’re probably right, but I don’t have much energy. Have noticed occasional dizziness too, which is a bit odd. But then I am a bit odd. Steps getting very low – under 1000 today.
Sunday – Bright sky to start with but turned wet and miserable. I felt a bit better, even after having a bath and reading quite a lot. Dot spent a lot oof time on cards and presents, including going to Morrisons. I managed to finish a Christmas letter with pictures, which I checked with David when he FaceTimed in early evening. Chrissy seems to be quite a lot better. Watched quite a bit of football and the Ashes (lost 2nd Test, of course), then another episode of The Night Manager. Cooked meal (salmon) and cleared away. Joe has put some Christmas lights out. Watched Match of the Day before going to bed.
Monday – Milder and mainly dry. Went with Dot to Brooke schools to pick up some sugar. Discovered water in boot again. Drained it and put in tarpaulin, plus sugar waiting in the garage. Ciara came round in afternoon to hear about sugar machinations: she will probably come with us one day next week. Booked an eye test for Wednesday and had another look at the Christmas cards/presents list. Also put bins out. In the evening watched the end of The Night Manager, which turned out to be surprisingly satisfying. Cooked lamb, which wasn’t bad, but then it wasn’t meant to be.