Sunday, August 9 – Very warm and dry. Again. Drove to church: had to park way up Oak Street, but dropped Dot off first. Graham led and preached: liked his idea of Jesus smiling when he called Peter “you of little faith”! Mysterious Scotsman in kilt at service – friend of Graham’s. Afterwards Steve came down and gave us long talk about what had been happening to his father, Ray. This and a later WhatsApp message gave us the impression he was on the brink. Anna did very nice blackberry and apple cake as a congratulation for Steve B for completing his degree: he got a 2:2.
Had quite a long chat with David on FaceTime in the afternoon, reminiscing about Yelverton days. I sent him a selection of photos from yesterday’s celebration at the Wheel. Mouth is still a bit annoying: may be part of the process, or may not. Dot did some washing and after a very light lunch I cooked pizza for supper. Watered for Des, with commentary from Jon, then watched the end of Bridget Jones’ Diary, plus Songs of Praise and Staircase, a True Crime drama. Then this week’s Van der Valk. Too much TV really.
Monday – Warm again. Dot spent quite a lot of time tidying up the garden. I felt very tired at first but recovered later and walked nearly 5000 steps. Ray Fiske died about 7.30am – a huge loss. He’s always been part of St Augustine’s. A kind and funny man. Put a piece about Maryta on Archant Facebook page and got some responses. Her funeral is fixed for later this month. Cooked pies. Saw last two episodes of Ride or Die – very good if you can ignore the fact that it’s about killing people. Am halfway through Susie Dent mystery, which is very unusual. Put bins out.
Tuesday – Pretty warm, but cooler in the evening. Dot worked hard in the garden and did a long list of things, including violin practice and feeding the birds. We both went to Morrisons and stocked up, and later I went over to Des’s and watered the flowers. Got a note through the door saying the road would be resurfaced tomorrow, but judging by the number of cars parked on it as we came to bed, this might be tricky. Dot had a violin lesson with Anna at 5, and I went round at 7, parking on Sussex Street and walking in. Had a really nice meal and chat; then I walked back to the car and drove back to pick Dot up. Talked about church and our families. Their daughters are both under stress of different kinds. Earlier saw Oliver’s university score 300 in University Challenge.
Wednesday – Very warm. The council did resurface the road; by the time they came, there was only one car parked on it – unfortunately outside Mark’s house, directly opposite. I think they should have removed the car, but instead they went round it.
We got the bus up to the hospital for Dot’s physio appointment, which went well. (Had a drink in the café first.) Good bus driver, as opposed to the one waiting outside when we emerged, who pulled away just as we and another family were approaching it. Had to wait in the sun for some time, and then got an 11a instead. Got off at St Stephens and I walked up to the dentist while Dot walked down to get another bus – oddly, the same driver who took us up there.
Equally oddly, I was able to see the dentist, who had a look at my teeth and said the place he’d taken it out was still sensitive because of exposed bone. Also he put something on it, and just said it needed time. Apparently it could take three months to heal completely! Dot was also reassured by her physio. I walked home and managed nearly 5000 steps altogether. Had late lunch and felt very tired, but saw some of R E Grant’s Odyssey documentary – though it was more like an advert for Sicily.
Anyway, later on we had a near-total eclipse of the sun. Very well advertised; so I was outside making sure we could get a view when Sam and family came out with some viewing equipment they’d made. Then I went round the back and saw one of the cleaners at NWT with her husband and son getting a good view from their car park. He had a welding mask that was great for looking through, and he was quite happy for us to try it. I sort of knew them from a previous passing encounter. Also tried dark glasses and shaded eyes, which sort of worked. Got quite dark around 7.30, and I went in and cooked salmon, and we watched European Athletics. Gold for Hudson-Smith, 400m, and a 400m hurdles silver for Emily Swainson. Reached 6484 steps in the end.
Thursday – Very warm. Tea/coffee outside, then mended sink plug. Took card round to post office. Anne came round after lunch for a chat. I had a lie-down afterwards for some reason. Leftover salmon for supper – I had fried potatoes; Dot had salad. Watched European Athletics: Amy Hunt got 200m gold to go with 100m; Irish girl came second. Irishman Mike English won 800m. Amy L FaceTimed, and after I rang her back we had quite a long chat. She seems well. Resurfaced road looking a bit iffy. Several cars parked on it today when asked not to. Small fire on Mousehold Heath, apparently.