Sunday, January 4, 2026 – Again, didn’t seem much like Sunday, as Christmas didn’t seem much like Christmas or New Year like New Year. Very cold day with snow on ground but none falling. Quite a few people out, including Chloe playing snowballs. Did quite a bit of tidying up in preparation for taking decorations down tomorrow (if we’re back from hospital in time). (Ha! – Ed)

Norwich City managed to lose 2-0 to Stoke at home, which meant Dot was glad she couldn’t go. Sounded pretty pathetic. Started watching the last Ashes test, in which England are doing quite well. (Ha! – Ed) Des put some grit on road to enable Dot’s transport to reach us tomorrow. Message from O’dells to say neither of them too good: he has a bad knee, and she has a serious spinal problem. Phil tripped over his dog. Woof, woof. Put some more water in the piano  – a three-monthly ritual – then put together what has become a “traditional” lunch of crackers, cheese, ham, pâté, salad. In evening heated up the quiches that Bridget and David brought. After supper we both watched episode 2 of The Night Manager. 

Monday – Still cold. Bit of snow overnight and early afternoon. Very annoying day, because transport to hospital didn’t show up despite a couple of reminders, and we couldn’t get a new appointment from the clinic, mainly because they don’t like answering the phone. So we have to go through it all again – except that we shall be using our own transport. Dot spent most of day in living room – dressed because she was expecting to go out. I did a bit more clearing up in between feeling a mixture of angry and mildly ill.

Dot is definitely making progress and is vowing to get up every day for the rest of her life. Took Mary’s casserole dish back and discovered she’s going to Spain on Wednesday. Did usual lunch of crackers, cheese, ham etc etc, and steak pies for supper. Cleared snow off car and inserted new front seat cushion for Dot. I think it’s OK. Remade her bed. After supper FaceTimed David and brought him up to date with events. While we were speaking to him, a text appeared giving Dot a new appointment next Monday (12th) – by which time I hope I (and someone else) should be able to take her. In fact between us we have three appointments at NNUH that day! We might make it a special outing…

Tuesday – Mainly dry and bright. Hovering just above zero. Rain late in evening. Went to Archant pensioners’ breakfast – no subs and a guy I’m sure I know but can’t place. Eight in all. Had a bath afterwards, then went to Morrisons to stock up. Met a blonde woman I’m sure I know, but again names failed me. She had a very small grandchild. After lunch we watched Lynley. Set in Norfolk and pretty good, though Dot kept dozing. She was down in living room again. During the day she got two extra hospital appointments on unrelated matters (dermatology and oral). We now have three appointments next Monday between us. Cooked chicken Kiev and put out rubbish. Cleared up a bit, including sorting washing, and started on the mechanics of that. Two loads. Bed late after more tidying. 

Wednesday – Bright and dry; snow more or less disappeared but storm warnings everywhere. Exhausting day, too. Dot came down into living room and I made a couple of meals. Also did washing and drying, then remade bed, which was really tiring. Dot sat by Christmas tree and took lights and decorations off it. About lunchtime Howard came round and fixed the sink in the shower room – there was a bottle top stuck in u -turn. He also looked at cistern and is going to fix it. Good innings by Bethell in Ashes. Switched to sleeping with Dot, but on “her” side so that she can get to loo easily. Didn’t have a very good night. 

Thursday – Started dry and reasonably bright but by evening Storm Goretti was with us, which in our case meant pouring rain. Elsewhere it was much worse. Had bath, then finished pulling down Christmas decorations and putting them in the loft. Also took down Birthday and Christmas cards. Bridget came around 2.30pm, while Dot was still in bed, and did a two-hour clean. I had done avocado and egg for lunch followed by baked cod for supper – the latter was not too popular.

Dot and I had barely finished eating and were watching the last throes of the Ashes when Judy arrived for Cake and Compline. Also present: Bridget, David, Claire, Vicky and Nikki, who was as inspiring as ever. Quite a good time altogether. David FaceTimed just as we were packing up. Dot rang him back as I was bidding the others farewell, and we had a long chat. Cleared up afterwards and watched the end of the Ashes. Meanwhile Dot has arranged for her cousin Roger to take us to hospital on Monday in his “big car”.