Signs this week that hot weather is coming to an end. But last Friday (14th) it was still hot. Dot went in to city by bus to return trousers, get out some euros and buy earrings. I read quite a bit of the Susie Dent book and we had mainly fruit for lunch, then watched a bit of the film Yesterday. Had lasagne for supper and watched quite a lot of athletics. Bit annoyed by commentators who pretty much ignore Jemma Reekie , who came fifth (almost fourth) in the 800m, but spent some time on Thompson-Johnson, who came last in the decathlon 200m. Sadly Keely Hodgkinson was pipped for gold by Werro, and Zarnel Hughes suffered a similar fate in the 200m.
David FaceTimed and we had a long chat, partly about the Cambridge professor who has just died. Earlier there was a big attendance at street meet: Dot, Tim, Sam, Joe, Ciara, Sean and Matthew, plus a quick hello from Mark and Sarah, arriving home from the airport.
Saturday – Mild; cloudy but dry. Call from Fred to say he was going to football match; so he called in to see us on the way (having got off bus in Tombland) and we walked to Carrow Road together after Jonathan called in with spare ticket for me. Lost 2-1 to WBA, but their first goal was handball. Draw would have been a fair result. City still can’t shoot. Gerald not there. Fred has left his church in Banbury because of theological differences (I think). Found it hard to do. Cooked sausages for supper, and we watched European athletics. Some good results for UK, especially in sprinting. Watered Des’s flowers quite late and had chat with Mark and Jon, largely about the road. Saw brief highlights of Norwich match before going to bed.
Sunday – Still no rain, but cloudy and not quite so hot. Went to church in the morning. Small congregation, Eleanor leading Communion. Absence of Ray palpable but unspoken, for some reason. Howard spoke on Revelation without benefit of projector , which seemed to have broken but hadn’t.
After lunch drove to North Walsham. Bought a few things from Sainsbury’s, including a new water filter jug and of course flowers for parents’ and Doreen’s grave. Drove back via Wroxham – always a busy road. Helped Dot with watering. Earlier saw guilty couple arrive back to find car on unmade chunk of road. Cooked pies and had trouble eating everything. Bit odd. Watched Songs of Praise from Royal Norfolk Show, then crime/comedy series called Murder in Benidorm, which made us determined never to go there – and not because of the murder risk. Rest of evening watched final day of European Athletics from Birmingham, which was really good. Over 5000 steps – me, not the athletes.
Monday – Cloudy but pleasant. A few drops of rain. Drove up to Rosary and put some flowers on mum and dad’s grave, plus the odd one on Andrew’s and grandparents’. Later Dot and I did quite a bit of work in the garden, cutting off old roses and ambitious ivy stalks (me) and cleaning up the drive (Dot). Turned on electricity in No 11 and later watered the flowers. They are due home tomorrow. Had light tea (soup) and watched an episode of Van der Valk and the last two episodes of Bergerac. Both worthwhile, though Bergerac can be a bit irritating. Good ending though.
Tuesday – Dull but not cold. Some rain overnight, and a few drops during the day. Drove to the Foundry, near Tasburgh, and had a late breakfast with Robin, Shelagh and Tricia. Brian didn’t make it. Tricia is having a hard time with him and with her health. On the way home we stocked up at Morrisons. Later felt very tired and had to lie down for a while. Nevertheless managed to finish Susie Dent mystery – Guilty by Definition – which is very clever: serving intellectual circles in Oxford, but still accessible. Had smoked salmon on bread. Greeted Des on his return from Europe – he was very pleased with his garden, which we had been watering.
Then gave Jude a lift to Claire’s for Cake and Compline: Claire had cooked a rather dense brownie, but I managed to consume it. Nikki had said she would come, but didn’t make it, and I think Phil is still away. Quite a good evening, despite a lot of neurodiversity talk early on.