Sunday, 14 December – Colder but dry and mainly bright. Dot and I went to after-church refreshments to take Christmas cards in and had quite a few chats with those present, including Ray. Offered him a lift home but he is being looked after by Harriet. People seemed pleased to see us. Did some more cards in afternoon and some Amazon parcels arrived.
At 5pm we went over to Library Wood for carol singing and mulled wine. Talked to Des, Chris, Joe, Sam and Cleo; also Jude, who is shortly off to Bahrain to spend Christmas with her son. Had soup for supper and watched Dimbleby programme about Royal Family’s wealth. Finished my cards, I think. Saw Winter Walk programme in Wensleydale by Kate Bottley, who came over very well. Just under 3000 steps. Me, not Kate.
Monday – Dry and mainly bright. Dot took Ciara up to Lionwood Infants to pick up sugar. I finished most of the cards and sorted out most of the presents. Earlier had our feet done: mine got high praise from Aidan, and Dot’s were fine too. Posted a couple of cards through doors near us (the Webbs and Jude) and posted another. Felt very tired, perhaps not surprisingly as I did over 5000 steps for the first time for several weeks. Then Jude invited us for nibbles in the evening with three of her neighbours, which was very pleasant. On returning home watched a bit of football, then bed.
Tuesday – Very damp and grey. A little rain. Dot went up with Des in his car to collect sugar from Lionwood Junior, and after counting it, we headed for Roudham. Dot came with me, and Ciara went with Des. They were following us, and they managed to stay in sight through the city and up the A11 roadworks, which weren’t as bad as I thought they might be. Everything went as anticipated, and we reached Roudham, with its magnificent ruined church, without trouble. Went the wrong way round the farmyard, but soon found the right spot to unload.
Then had food and drink – quite a few people there, some of them a bit high society, such as Lord Leicester, plus many members of the farming family – the Buckinghams, from Swafield – who started the charity. I spoke to several random people, including a bus driver from Thetford, Helen and Chris Lamb and Billy Buckingham, a grandson who works in sports media and enjoys getting live sport on to the screen. Had a very long talk with him, discussing living in London and travelling to various parts of the world. Dot meanwhile got an insight into storing onions.
Drove home through misty rain. Then packed presents and I had a bit of a panic when I couldn’t trace letters I’d sent, but eventually realised Search distinguished between ‘from’ and ‘to’. Weird. Sent Bev letter on Facebook when I was trying to send it on WhatsApp; so put that right. Cooked salmon, and we watched some TV, including another episode of Down Cemetery Road, plus Motherland and Kingdom (wildlife).
Wednesday – Dry but quite cold. Bridget came round to clean, and I typed out a quiz for her (and added a couple of questions). Dot drove up to the surgery to see the pre-diabetic nurse, Julia, who turned out to be very sensible and reassuring, actually advising Dot not to take any more pills and saying she was in good health. After her appointment Dot went to post office on Thunder Lane and posted parcels and cards, as well as buying a couple of presents. Later Dot and I bussed up into the city and went to Boots to choose some new glasses for me: they will be ready in the new year! Then we went to Jarrold’s and I got her a couple of things, and I left her to browse presents for other people.
Dropped in at Waterstones and bought a couple of books, then walked home through the Close. Very tired, but not as tired as Dot was when she finished. We had a drink, and Dot did some wrapping and packing. I would have done more, but she likes doing it. Oh yes, she does. I then cooked some duck legs (90 mins in oven), which turned out quite well, and we watched another episode of Down Cemetery Road. Facetimed David to tell him about his cheque and to discuss briefly what to do about Oliver and Amy’s presents – very briefly, because he was shopping. Dot did some more wrapping and packing while I cleared away.
Thursday – I would say wet and windy, but that sounds too much fun. Actually windy and wet, and very dark. Drove Dot up to surgery at midday. Her scheduled doctor was ill; so (20 minutes late) she saw Dr Hampsheir, who seemed delighted to see us and even more delighted that Dot looked many years younger than 80. He reviewed her blood measurements, but seemed even more interested in a spot on her wrist, for which he has referred her to a hospital appointment. Yippee.
We then went to the post office in Thunder Lane, where we sent off Amy’s parcel and bought a few more stamps. Then home, but passing Lionwood by chance, we picked up some extra sugar, after Dot had managed to force entrance. Only eight bags…. After lunch Dot was preparing to go to a violin lesson, but got a message from Anna saying she was in agony from knee arthritis; so instead she went on wrapping presents. I tidied and also wrapped a bit, but felt very tired; so lay down for a while. Had pizza for supper, then watched the last episodes of Down Cemetery Road, which was pretty good. Rather late in bed. Only 1600 steps, amazingly. Oliver has arrived in Waterloo.
Friday – Colder but dry. Busy day. Linda arrived at 8.45 to give us a haircut. Afterwards I had a bath as usual, and Dot went up to The Chantry to met Julia and Allan for coffee in Costa. I followed them up there and joined their chat for about half an hour. Turns out Allan doesn’t like Costa coffee. When they left we went to Sketchers and bought some slip-on sneakers for Dot, then progressed to Slater’s, where we unexpectedly bought some trousers and socks for me.
Thence to M&S, where we got some Christmasy food, partly for Kim. Got the bus home and had a few crackers before driving to Kim’s house for afternoon tea and cake. Kai was also there, and we all had quite a long talk. Parked in a neighbour’s garage. Got home just after 5.30: Des was already in the street; so we put something warmer on and poured ourselves some wine. Matt and Angela also out there. Pretty cold; so eventually went into Des’s house. Have just realised Joe may have come out and wondered where we were. Anyway cooked pies later and we watched the cricket, plus the end of a documentary on what the monarchy is for; wondered what David Dimbleby was for. Over 4000 steps.