Winter appears to be in retreat – at least temporarily. On Monday (Mar 16) it was bright to start with; greyer later with a little rain. Phil and Joy came round at about 11.30, and we gave him his birthday presents and card. Needless to say he didn’t unwrap them or even look at the card. But I expect he has by now. Joy looked very small and fragile. Had quite an interesting chat, and we had lunch after they left. Watched quite a bit of TV, including episodes of Amandaland – last one very good; made me laugh and cry. Had rather a late supper – salmon. As I was putting bins out, Des brought Private Eye round.
Tuesday was sunny and not cold. Dry. Head felt funny most of day but took Paracetamol at about 4.30, and from about an hour later it was OK. Before that I’d had a bath and we’d been to Morrisons to restock. Dot got one of two things, then had a coffee. I got some Optrex from the chemist because my eyes had been a bit dry. At around 6.15 we drove up to the Maids Head and parked in their car park, which turned out to be free if you were using the hotel. We were guests of Janet Bower at a Rotary meeting/meal because Rob Knee was speaking about the Pastons on my recommendation. He spoke for about 20 minutes and answered questions. The food – meat pie and mashed potatoes with gravy – was very good, and I enjoyed what he had to say, though of course it was mostly familiar to me. I was able to assist in a very minor way during questions. We were home well before 9pm, which was nice, and we watched the news and an episode of Ellis.
Wednesday – Very busy day and lovely weather: sunny and quite warm. Judy arrived later than planned to park car in drive, but managed to catch train on first leg to funeral in Kent, home of meningitisB. Hope she avoided it. Took Ciara and Des to Uplands at Kirby Bedon, home of Helen and Chris Lamb, where we had annual celebration of sugar distribution. Dot (and I) got bottle and card, as we were “retiring”. Lots of chat and very nice food.
Rushed home at 2pm to meet Fred, who came round while Sue was attending Notre Dame reunion. Had some interesting discussion about Christianity, while eating eclairs and drinking tea. At end of afternoon got call from urology about catheter, during which I discovered I had been doing it wrong (sequentially rather than technically). Will see what happens next time – probably tomorrow (It was fine – Ed). Drove Fred back to Poringland (he and Sue were staying at Janet’s) and got involved in heavy traffic on way back. However in time to make soup and toast, which we consumed before I drove Dot and Nova to orchestra rehearsal at Sprowston. Picked them up at 9.30pm, and we watched second part of Ellis before going to bed. Poor end to Ellis – left one important thread completely hanging.
Thursday – Sunny and quite warm. Had a bath. Phil came round about 11.30, travelling by bus, and had a coffee. I then drove him to Hurricane Way, where he was attempting to demonstrate he was OK to drive. While he was doing that I walked up to the end of Hurricane Way to see if there was a view of the airport or the distributor road, but there wasn’t. As soon as I got back I was summoned by the people from the test place – bit worrying: I thought Phil might have collapsed. But I was told that he had been doing fine: however he didn’t have the necessary DVLA approval to drive temporarily. So they couldn’t proceed. He had to obtain official permission, which sounds like red tape to me. He was upset of course: it meant he couldn’t even drive his own car.
I drove him home and then returned. This involved a diversion because of a road closure at Lyng. Got behind someone who apparently thought diversion meant maximum 20mph. But I got home in the end, to find Bridget about to start cleaning. She did the kitchen and utility room. After she left we had mackerel fillets and Christmas pudding. Oh yes we did. Watched a couple of episodes of A Woman of Substance, which is excellent but sad. Also watched Euro football. Spurs looked quite good.
Friday – Sunny and dry. Cooler later. Tidied up and caught up in the study. Put up poster in window for Bridget’s next series of Talks@2. Made avocado and egg on toast for lunch. Anne came round and had a chat, mainly with Dot. Mike rang to confirm our Bury trip on Tuesday. Watched documentary on oil tanker spill at Milford Haven 30 years ago. Blamed on use of oil when the real culprit was incompetence at the port.
Went out for street meet, but met only Matt, and Sam briefly. Angela’s father has died aged 100. Des and Chris in Lichfield looking after grandson, whose parents were ill. Spoke briefly to new neighbour moving in down the road. Later cooked lasagne, watched some athletics and then a documentary on Neil Sedaka, who died last month. He reminded me of Bob Monkhouse in looks and manner of speaking. Brilliant musician, nice bloke: prefer his early songs, though. He should tell more jokes. Well, he should have. He’s dead now. Nice wife.