Oliver caught the train back to London on Sunday (23rd) at 2pm, and we walked a bit before going home. Sat in garden for a bit: very warm, but much cooler in the evening. Dot still has a bit of dizziness, but I think I’m ok. Des back from Lichfield, complaining it’s cold here. Cooked fried egg, bacon and mushrooms. Watched quite a bit of TV , including a documentary on the Amazon (the river, not the company) and another on abseiling into canyons in Oman. Then an episode of Protection, a police thriller which is quite good. 

Monday was cooler, but sunny and dry. Slept late. Spent most of the day sorting through papers in my four trays. In the afternoon took Dot up to surgery to hand in her blood pressure results. On the way bought some paper for printer – huge amount really. Should last a few years. Cooked salmon and later watched England beat Latvia 3-0. 

Tuesday was rather grey, a bit cooler with a few drops of rain – but nothing measurable. Dot drove up to see her friend Joyce, who lives near the Mazda garage. She is doing quite well, considering her mobility problems. Dot then filled the car up with petrol. I spent most of the day choosing hymns and writing a sermon for Sunday.  Managed to do over 3000 indoor steps.  Dot still has some dizziness. Cooked cod for supper – quite nice –  and amazingly we also managed to watch four (yes, four) episodes of The Flatshare –  a really good comedy drama – plus another episode of Protection. 

Wednesday – Dry, bright and quite mild. We went to church at noon for Bible study, only to find Matt and a leak in the water pipe where he had been digging – so the water was turned off. Didn’t affect the Bible study, which was Dot, me, Judy and Debbie, with Ellie on the phone. Finished Acts. Went quite well. While we were there a guy from Anglian Water turned up, and we heard later he had sorted the problem – a great relief for Matt.

After lunch suddenly realised Dot had a foot appointment; drove her up there and went for a walk up to the Catholic Cathedral by a devious route. Dot’s appointment went well, and her dizziness is about the same. Matt has it too. After pizza Dot went with Janet and Nova to orchestra rehearsal, which went well, possibly because Dot has been rehearsing quite a lot. I did about half of my Parish Pump stuff. Graham got in touch to ask mysteriously if I was ok to preach on Mothering Sunday. I said yes. Not sure why he asked. Watched the end of documentary on Eric Sykes, who came out very well. 

Thursday – Mild and dry.  Finished my Parish Pump articles –  on VE Day, the siege of Mafeking and the death of the Venerable Bede. Went to Morrisons and stocked up. Dot did quite a bit in the garden. Bridget came and cleaned the kitchen floor, and I had a late bath before going out in the evening. We went to see Mary and Neville Thrower and had a lovely meal – salmon pâté starter, chicken fishermen’s pie and frangipane tart with fruit. Good talk afterwards, mainly about music and the orchestra, but not entirely. 

It’s Sunday afternoon, 23 March, and very pleasantly warm and dry. Oliver is on the train on his way home; we went with him over to the station to catch the 14:00 train. He is impressed by Greater Anglia trains, I’m happy to say. Earlier we played a couple of games of chess (lost first on time but won the second) and listened to a lot of Bob Dylan vinyl, after I had remembered how to make the turntable work. Lovely weekend with him. We missed church, of course, leaving Matt to of the music on his own. I’m sure he was memorable. I hit my head while getting some records out.

Back to Monday last week (17th), when it was cold but with some blue sky. Dry. Drove out to Uplands – Chris and Helen Lamb’s home – for “Fizz and Fingers”; in other words, a review of the sugar charity collections last year, with sandwiches and fizzy white wine. Tea, no sugar. Many absentees because of illness; other than Helen and Chris, there were Sue and Roger Eagle, Louise and some guy whose name I don’t know. After discussion we had food and long chat. Chris very interesting; he was high up in the Worshipful Company of Butchers, which he attributed to his name (Lamb) and Helen’s maiden name (Butcher). Dot went out for walk in afternoon: I walked indoors. Later I posted a sympathy card to Owen Hindle. We watched some chess on TV after a documentary about Irish islands and the first two episodes of Protection, a police procedural about protecting witnesses. Wrote up blog. Oliver FaceTimed us to confirm his visit. 

Tuesday – cold air, warm sun. Up at crack of dawn, had a bath and drove to surgery. Seen by Fatima Patel, who was in a hijab, very sweet and seemed about 16. Looked at my mole and thought it was benign but referred me to the hospital. They will get in touch – goodness knows when. Huge amount of traffic going into city. In trying to avoid it found route through to Kett’s Heights road and down past fish shop. Parked in Chalk Hill Road, having turned car round, and shortly afterwards returned with Dot to drive to The Foundry for breakfast.

Another huge hold-up on A140 near Dunston, which I avoided on way back by taking Stoke road. Had lovely breakfast with Brian, Tricia, Robin and Sheila, then Dot bought some plants and seed. Home around 1.30. Later drove up to Rosary and cleaned Andrew’s grave. Saw two deer moving very quickly.  Dot did a lot of cooking. Watched first three episodes of The Bay: pretty good except for the high percentage of people who are constantly angry. Great episode of University Challenge in which Dublin pipped Imperial on a tiebreaker. 

Wednesday – Busy day. Warmer and sunny. Dot did some shopping after forgetting her list. I took a pic of it and sent it to her. Then she drove me to church  for Bible study: she returned home for delivery of bathroom cabinet. Needless to say it didn’t arrive till nearly 3pm.  Meanwhile we had a good session with Debbie, Ellie, Judy and Steven – nearly at end of Acts. I then walked home and felt exhausted – perhaps partly because I was hungry.

Was asleep when cabinet was delivered but quickly woke. Nice guys – had driven from Birmingham. Spent some time clearing up and helping Dot with preparing spare room for Oliver. She put some stuff in loft. Later cooked beef bourguignon. Dot went with Janet (and Nova) to orchestra and I chose hymns and then (after a rest) sorted out the drawers in my room and on the landing (formerly in bathroom). Also disposed of stuff in bins and made our bed. Dot was a bit late back, but we managed to see the final episode of The Bay, which was pretty good although a trifle predictable in its motivation (exposing pollution).  

Thursday – warm and sunny till evening, when it became chilly. Dot spent all day preparing for visit of Kim and Ellie in afternoon and Oliver arriving later. I did some clearing up too. Afternoon discussion about medical matters, in particular vaccinations, ivermectin (which I knew about), and airport check-ins among other things. Ellie got quite excited. Bridget came and did some cleaning while we were talking. I went over to meet the train, and Dot arrived just before the train did. Dot did sticky chicken meal followed by apple crumble sundae. We watched an episode of University Challenge and the last episode of Amandaland, both of which we’d seen before. Oliver went to bed, and Dot and I watched an episode of Bergerac. 

Friday – Little bit cooler, but still pleasant. Oliver working from “home”. Spent far too long looking at old pix I found in Dropbox. Dot did work in garden then went to shop after lunch. At about 4pm the three of us walked up to Kett’s Heights. Nice view, despite cloud. Walked home via Rosary Road and back lane. Rested for a while, then went out for street meet. Introduced Oliver to new neighbours. Des and Chris away, but Mark, Ciara, Mary, Matt, Joe and Sam there, with Cleo for a while. Afterwards I cooked chili; then we watched some of England beating Albania 2-0. Not bad. Afterwards washed up, set off dishwasher and unblocked the sink using the boiling water method. Too much rice and fat. Had intense itching on left side: don’t know why. 

Saturday – Cooler, dry at first but lightish rain later. After breakfast we drove to Hemsby and parked  near the Lifeboat station, then walked along the Valley and up into the Glebe to show Oliver the bungalows we used to use for holidays. Then back onto the beach and walked back – encountering a seal on the way. Looked rather the worse for wear. Drove up to Winterton  and had a cup of tea in the Cosy Shack, then decided – partly because of the rain – to go home for lunch. Relaxing afternoon  – did a quiz and watched Only Connect and Mastermind. Oliver FaceTimed his father. Went to Gem for an evening meal hosted by Oliver: really nice. Dot having problems with balance following her taking statins after review with doctor/nurse. Annoying.

Wednesday 12 March was cold, with several showers. Hail at Dereham. Rainbows. Drove to church with Dot, and we had Bible study with Steven, Debbie, Judy and Ellie-on-phone. Continued through Acts, with Paul escaping from attempts to killl him. After lunch Dot had a review of her medication – by phone. She held her own.

I drove to Dereham with Phil’s birthday presents. He’s 73. We got most of them at the Mellor shop in Hathersage. Chatted about the Rapture, the money-grabbing evils of the Labour government and the evil plan to make people our age retake our driving tests. Didn’t know about that. Also the preaching of Joseph Prince. In the evening Dot went with Janet and Nova to orchestra. I chose hymns, edited some pictures etc. Oh, wine came this morning. Didn’t hear the guy as I usually do, but it was there all right. Watched last episode of Amandaland – really good – plus a bit of European football. 

Thursday – showers. Quite cool. Dot drove to see Anne, and they went for a walk round Poringland. I walked to Morrisons, and we met there and did a large amount of shopping to restock. Then home for late lunch – shrimps. Bridget came to do cleaning and did a very thorough downstairs job. I put water in piano and had trouble standing up again. Annoying.

In the evening we drove to Cake and Compline at the Archers. Very good cake. Gave lift to Judy and Eleanor, who was waiting at end of her road and then ignored us when we stopped for her. Bridget led compline and spoke about St Edmund. Had trouble parking in George Borrow Road and then only just managed to turn round at end of Eleanor’s road (Maida Vale). Must have been about a 12-point turn. Sheer genius. At home watched documentary on Mexico. 

Friday – Pretty chilly still but dry. Linda came to do our hair – later than we thought; so threw our morning out. By the time I’d had a bath it was lunchtime. Dropped book in bath again because I went to sleep. Again. Watched Bergerac after lunch and a couple of documentaries in the evening – one on air force training and one (third of three) on Israel-Palestine pre-Oct 7. Then Death in Paradise. More or less the same thing. Somewhere in there we went out for street meet (Des, Chris, Mark, Ciara, Matt, Angela, Joe and Sam). Bit cool, but good. Fish and chips to follow. 

Saturday – Cold but dry. Went with Dot to chemist in the morning to pick up her pills. She dropped me at Pilling Park on Harvey Lane, and I walked home through Lion Wood and the Rosary. Some quite steep bits – felt pretty tired afterwards. Most of the rest of the day spent watching TV – rugby and the final four episodes of The One that Got Away, a rather good Welsh thriller with a pathetic male cop but a good female one. Tension at end worked very well. Oh, and the second half of No Direction Home, the Bob Dylan documentary by Martin Scorsese. 

Sunday – Cold but dry till evening. Church in the morning as usual. In the band. Anna absent ill. Unusual service in that Howard interviewed Steve about his life at St Augustine’s going back to when he was a chorister and on through several interesting encounters. Interview was pretty long, but held everyone’s attention. Well worth doing both for him and us, I think.

Took Ray home. Did a bit of walking indoors and got up to 4000. Had a long FaceTime with David around teatime. Quite a bit about politics. Nice message from him afterwards. Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 in Carabao Cup Final. Yes! Sadly Spurs lost to Fulham in league. Saw last episode of Toward Zero: excellent Agatha Christie adaptation. Dot is in the middle of a week of measuring her blood pressure and taking new statins. 

Last Friday (March 7) was dry, bright and fairly warm. Spent quite a long time writing my sermon for Sunday, and after I’d written it felt very tired: so I lay down for a bit. Then unpacked and put stuff away, including cases in loft. Dot was busy preparing for visit of Peter and Caren tomorrow. Out for street meet at 5.30: Des, Chris, Matt, Ciara and Joe. Mary ill with shingles; Sam preparing to go to party. Mark going out for meal with his son Morgan before football match. Had good talk, then Dot and I came in for bacon and egg before walking with Des up to Carrow Road for match against Oxford. Should have won, but drew 1-1 after taking early lead. Watched a bit of European football and went to bed. 

Saturday – Dry and fairly bright. Not too cold. Phil and Caren Gazley came at 11am for lunch, which Dot had taken great pains in preparing – soup, lots of bread rolls with multi accompaniments plus banana cake. Had good time, talking rather too much about illnesses but also other things. They left about 3pm and I had to lie down because I was feeling quite ill – not quite sure why. Felt better later and had a good tea. Watched some rugby – brave attempt by Scotland to lose a totally won game by trying to bulldoze over line instead of passing wide and then screwing up multiple lineouts. Later watched other things, including Death in Paradise and Bob Dylan film – No Direction Home (part one).  

Sunday – Dry and bright. Bit of fog in evening. For some reason had plenty of time to get to church – and a good parking space too. Played in worship band, but not all songs. Dot did reading, and I preached on the temptation of Jesus. Several people said they liked it, and I sent a copy to Nikki. Dot invited a family round to watch rugby on TV – they were visiting from Harrow and were in a hotel. They intend to get a place in the new co-op housing scheme in Angel Yard on Sussex Street. England beat Italy quite easily in the end but only through brute strength. Italy more entertaining. 

Afterwards I did bacon sandwiches and David FaceTimed. He and Chrissy seem well. Then Dot and I went to Lowestoft for poetry but went for a walk to the cliffs first. Fair number at poetry, including Joan, Lynne and Kaaren, plus Ivor and Pete. Sadly two dogs, including one owned by a woman with a cold who sang a song and sat in front of us. She left at interval. If she hadn’t, I would have. Recited six poems: The Broomway; Before the Sun fell from the Sky; Am I Nearly there?; Vanishing Point; Nearly; The Owls See Everything. Fairly quick drive home: fruit and toast.

Monday – Mainly dry, but some very light rain in afternoon. Duller. Caught up with acres of e-mails and their implications; sent off meter readings; ordered and paid for stuff; wrote report on Sunday worship for church agm. Spent quite a bit of time pruning roses, and dug up small tree in tub which had been nagging at me. Nothing worse than a nagging tree – even a small one. Dot walked to shop, partly to add steps. Watched a bit of football, including Spurs salvaging a draw against Bournemouth. Also a half-hour programme on chess which was sort of interesting in the ways it tried to popularise the approach – partly successful, but a bit strange. Then the first episode of Toward Zero , an Agatha Christie adaptation criticised for being woke, but we thought it was very well done. Didn’t really matter what colour the actors were. 

Tuesday – Colder with a little rain. Finished off pruning the roses in the morning. Booked alarm service for next month. Felt very cold on the afternoon. Arranged to visit Phil and Joy tomorrow. Meanwhile Anna came to give Dot her violin lesson. While she was here I finished watching rugby highlights. After lunch watched second episode of Toward Zero. Excellent. Lay down for a while before cooking lunch, then we went to watch Norwich City implode and lose 3-2 to Sheffield Wednesday after leading comfortably 2-0 at half time. Astonishing: went from very good to very bad – as if someone had paid them to do it. When we got home cleared up and watched one of those village-by-the-sea documentaries – this time Johnshaven in Aberdeenshire. 

Just back from Buxton. Last Friday (the last day of February) saw signs of spring, with quite a bit of sunshine. I drove to the garage to get a new battery for the car key. Discovered offer on new cars which I had received might include a petrol version. On to Cromer, where I called on my cousin Barbara, who had an unexpected visitor called David, who she met on the beach and has apparently known for a while. Had quite a long talk with them both – he seemed a very nice guy but has recently had a back operation which makes it difficult for him to move. He cycled over because it was easier than walking.

After he left had a further conversation with Barbara about her various Christian experiences. I think she has a healing gift. She also played a hymn on her keyboard. Uplifting visit altogether. Drove home – heavy traffic with beet harvest lorries and many road works and closures. At home had late lunch and wrote to Christine Potter, my cousin Eddie’s widow. Then out for street meet with Matt and Angela, Mark (just home) and new neighbours Joe and Sam with their daughter Chloë. All good. Made chilli con carne and we watched Passport to Pimlico, which was weird, and Death in Paradise of course. May have drunk a bit too much. 

Saturday – Dry, calm; slightly chilly. Got bus to Red Lion Street, then walked to Jarrolds, where we bought chocolates and walked to Kim’s, where we had lunch. Celery soup and extensive nibbles: really nice. Great deal of chat, mainly from us. Kavana has handed in her thesis on gut bacteria. Stayed till late afternoon, then walked home, getting message from Des on the way. As a result he got us a reduced fish and chips order: I eventually just had some chips with a couple of fried eggs. Got rid of a few e-mails and tried to renew my parking permit, but couldn’t get website to work. Frustrating. Dot wrote her prayers, and we watched the start of a new Welsh thriller, which was very promising. City went 1-0 up in the 93rd minute against Blackburn, but still managed to draw 1-1. Also frustrating. 

Sunday – Dry, fairly sunny. Cold start – ice on car windows – but a bit warmer later. Drove to church, had to keep overcoat on. Just over 20 in congregation. Played in band and Dot did prayers. Ray’s leg quite bad. Phil led, and Anna did lectio. Apparently Howard still quite ill. Watched football, then did preparation for holiday – stuff out of loft, packing etc. Before that David FaceTimed – Chrissy’s birthday. She thanked us for presents. Oliver still there – flying back tonight. Watched final episode of Call the Midwife. For some reason felt extremely tired. Earlier Dot took car up to be cleaned –  £20. 

Monday – Dry; sunny most of the way to Buxton, but greyer when we got there. Frantic packing and preparing for journey: got away at 10.30 but didn’t realise until we got to Buxton that Dot had left her computer and associated items at home. Borrowed charger plug from hotel. Stopped at Cambridge services and Donington. Dot drove most of way. Arrived 3.30. Evetts in town, and by the time we’d unpacked they were on their way back. We met them on the hill. Had bath before supper and forgot to look again at letter I’d received from Louisa re Phyllis estate. Drinks downstairs, then really nice meal: rib-eye followed by pear tatin, plus a few drinks and a good talk – surprisingly similar views on recent events, at least in this country. Oliver is safely home.  

Tuesday – Bright and dry, but chilly. Woke up pretty early and had cooked breakfast as usual – as usual in hotels, that is. Saw Ellie, waitress of yore, afterwards. Dave drove us to Lyme Park, and we had tea, then walked round the gardens. Lovely sunshine. Had lunch in the Ale café at the house, then walked up to the tower – at least Dot and I did. Dave and Julia couldn’t make it all the way. Great view – Dot saw plane landing at Manchester airport. Drove to hotel by slightly different route: amazingly the front car park was full; so for the first time ever, Dave had to park at the back. After a while had a sleep, then a short bath, then drink and supper – this time lamb. Main course very good. Followed by a couple of drinks. American in bar making loud phone calls that everyone could hear. 

Wednesday – Dry and bright. Very cold on Snake Pass but warmer later. Dave drove us to Glossop and on up the Snake Pass, which at its summit crosses the Pennine Way. Lots of roadworks throughout day. Risk that Snake Pass may be closed to vehicles soon, which would be a great pity. We stopped at the top. Bitter wind. Man asked us if we knew where the wreckage of the B2 was. Couldn’t help him. Even Dave didn’t know.

Continued downwards and took detour skirting Ladybower Reservoir, where Dot and I and probably David hired bikes in the distant past. Toyed with parking and walking but Julia wasn’t keen;  so continued to Hathersage and David Mellor’s kitchenware shop and museum. Bought a few things for Phil’s birthday, then had lunch – carrot and coriander soup in my case. Had to wear Dot’s dark glasses because of sun blazing in. Drove into Hathersage and did shortish walk, then drove home painfully slowly via Castleton. Hampered by camper van and wedge of selfish cyclists. Arrived back at hotel around 4pm and got space because several people were leaving. Had bath but probably should have slept. Bar and restaurant quite crowded. Couldn’t eat all of main course – steak – but did manage pear tatin. Went up to bed fairly early.

Thursday – Another bright and dry day, not too cold, although Julia’s phone predicted rain. Dot and I walked down into town after they left, had a cup of tea and bought some chocolates, among other things. Drove down to Ashbourne together with several lorries, and before we reached Ashbourne (20 miles) were held up four times by road works lights. On the A50 called in at the second worst Services I’ve encountered, just outside Derby (Derby and Burton). Directions appalling and Services consisted of little more than Shell station and Waitrose, plus toilets. Much of it appeared to be falling apart, though the Waitrose store itself was OK.

Had a sandwich and somehow miscalculated the time so that we arrived at Heather and Simon’s in Leicester half an hour late. Had a great time there. Lovely to see them. Simon was able to walk down garden. Sam and his girlfriend Grace have moved out, which is good. He is working in cybersecurity. Back on road, I drove to Cambridge Services: very long hold-up on A14 before that. Then Dot drove, taking care not to run out of petrol till we got to Morrisons in Norwich with about 20 miles left in tank. Home around 7.45pm. Took stuff out of car, had pies we bought at Waitrose and watched Amandaland and Bergerac. By that time totally exhausted; so went to bed. 

Sunday 23 Feb started dry and mild, but became wet later. Went to church: I led the service and Howard preached. Went quite well despite my forgetting the collect and checking who was praying. Disguised both successfully: got collect from lectionary on phone and guessed it was Anna praying. Congregation a huge 29, including Nikki , Phoebe, Kye (a new guy) and just about all the regulars. Afterwards took Ray home – his legs seem pretty bad and he’s feeling neglected. Spent most of the rest of the day watching television, including a bit of football and rugby. Watched end of Gaelic murder mystery set in Harris/Lewis, which was pretty good but not as good as Unforgotten. Brief FaceTime with David – Oliver and Sophie in background. Earlier got phone call from Mike Read to tell me Kathy Hindle had died. Sad. 

Monday – Mainly dry, except for the ten minutes it took us to walk to the cinema. Had to go back for hat. Dry before and after. Supposed to be 3% chance of rain: not impressed. Film – Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy – was excellent though. Quite funny and an uplifting underlying theme. Excellent acting. Before that caught up with various things but was frustrated in my attempt to adjust the church rota by people who wanted to change or who hadn’t bothered to respond in the first place (or the second or third). Bought some birthday presents for Chrissy on Amazon. Watched some more football and the last episode of Unforgotten, which was very good except that the wrong person did it, or rather didn’t do it. 

Tuesday – Lovely day. Mild and sunny. Got up early to go to Un Café at Beeston for breakfast with Brian and Tricia. Brian seemed quite perky. Afterwards Dot and I drove to Hemsby and walked along the Valley, which was reassuringly much as I remembered it: only the dunes at the seaward side were reduced in size and had lost their chalets. Different story from the Gap southwards.

Walked up into The Marrams and tried to find the bungalows from my childhood visits, but unsuccessfully. Spoke to a guy of 71 who was born in Ormesby and had worked in Hemsby most of his life. Warmed to him.  Went back on to beach – really beautiful with blue sky and almost empty sands. Walked back to the Gap and up back to car. Had been thinking of doing more but drove back home, stopping at Cotswold shop to look at bathroom cupboards. Redid rota and sent it out for comments.

DCC at our house in evening. Debbie arrived very early while I was cooking chicken – not particularly well. Rest of them arrived at 7pm – Graham, Judy, Phil, Sharon, Howard. Quite a good meeting. Some disagreements but no unpleasantness. Abstained on parish share in protest at what the CofE does with its money. Chatted to Howard after everyone else had gone. Seemed much better, though he gets very tired, and his walking is sometimes erratic. Dot and I watched last episode of Miss Austen. Began to get some idea of who was who. Emptied dishwasher and cleared up before bed. 

Wednesday – Dramatically different day, with a lot of rain, some of it heavy, and generally colder. Got up early to go up to the doctor’s with Dot and to collect my pills from the chemist. Also consulted the pharmacist (as you do) about a mole on my body that looks a bit dodgy. He passed me on quickly to the doctor, and I have, on advice of the very nice receptionist, sent the surgery a picture of it, together with loads of irrelevant information that you have to give in order to complete the form.

That was in the dry. Later we drove up to church in the rain for Bible study, which was well attended though at low temperature. Fortunately I was wearing a very warm jumper. Big attendance: Dot, Debbie, Judy, Steven and Kye. Also Ellie by Zoom!! So we’re almost worldwide, as Ellie is in Wales. Seemed to go quite well, despite Debbie’s obscure explanation of the Trinity which I don’t think anyone understood. But hey, it’s a mystery, so…

Afterwards made very minor changes to rota and sent it out yet again, as well as putting it in the diary, which is how confident I am. Ha! Also chose hymns for Sunday. Dot and I both quite tired; so lay down for a bit. Light supper pf prawns before Dot went with Janet to orchestra rehearsal. No Nova this time, though she did get there late. Watched excellent Amandaland, but couldn’t face midweek Match of the Day, having seen the results. Went to bed instead. 

Thursday – Cool and mainly dry, though it rained as we came out of Morrisons in the afternoon. Bridget came to clean from 11am, and I submitted five poems to Twelve Rivers, the Suffolk Poetry Society magazine – A Friend from the Past, The Broomway, The Crowd, The Owls See Everything and Thelma, as well as a couple to Ripples (Nearly and Long Lens, the latter with a picture). Have an appointment on March 18 to get my mole looked at. Have managed to contact Joanne, Eddie’s daughter, and get her mother’s e-mail so that I can thank her for her Christmas letter. Watched a new version of Bergerac, which seems quite good. 

Tuesday 18 Feb – Quite a pleasant start, with sun. Cold, though. Caught glimpse of new neighbours heading out! Dot still spring cleaning – saw another episode of Unforgotten – really very good. Renewed car insurance and filled in health survey. Ordered wine. Anne came round about 5.30 and went by bus with Dot to Ask Italian for a meal, then on to the theatre for a performance of The Nutcracker. Home a bit earlier than I expected – before 10pm. I had cooked lamb steaks, sprouts and potatoes, then cleared away, set off dishwasher and finished a poem – Am I Nearly There? which came to me after I briefly lost consciousness (ie went to sleep). 

Wednesday – Still cold, with a bit more wind, but some sun. Had a bad night and felt a bit odd towards the end of the day. Suddenly realised we should be at church by 11.30am to meet a man from PMT who we’d like to fix our sound system. Phil, Debbie, Judy also there. More complex than I thought it would be, but a very nice and helpful man (Jim). After he went we had our usual Bible study in Acts – bigger group than usual, because Phil stayed and Ellie and Steve turned up. After lunch Dot and I walked up to the sorting office to post a card to Sandra (King) and then we drove to Morrisons to buy some food, which all went well. Was emptying dishwasher when Harriet turned up. Dot had just started practising violin; so I made Harriet a cup of tea and had a chat. Haddock for tea, then Dot went to orchestra – driving herself and Nova because Janet couldn’t come this week . I lay down briefly and then put the next rota together. Quite hard work, for some reason. When Dot got home watched Amandaland, an episode of Outnumbered and Real Madrid beating Man City 3-1 (6-3 on aggregate). Felt better by bedtime. Why!???

Thursday – Markedly milder, but some rain, though mainly dry. Dot and I caught bus up to bus station via All;

Saints Green (Castle Meadow is closed for roadworks) and walked up to the Assembly House, where we had tea with Kim. Dot and I had a fruit scone each : very good. Chatted for about 90 minutes, then Kim went into concert. Met Andy Russell and had a chat – he had his prostate out three weeks ago. Then Dot and I went to Chantry Place to get some trousers, but they didn’t have the ones so wanted; so progressed to Slaters at bottom of St Stephen’s, where I got some Dockers, similar to the ones I bought in Canada. Not quite so good, though. Quite upmarket shop. Dot called at a different shop, where she bought handkerchiefs.

It had been raining, but by the time we exited Slaters it had stopped, and we walked home. Expected to see lots of road works on Castle Meadow, but practically none, and only two workmen. Tired by the time we got home and lay down for a while. Then Bridget came round to clean: she is thinking of writing a humorous book on her cleaning adventures. Watched a Lauren Bacall film in evening – Designing Woman – then the first half of Bridget Jones’ Diary. 

Friday – Quite mild, but wind getting up a little bit. Started on Parish Pump but watched a lot of TV, including more Bridget Jones and in the evening Death in Paradise. Just about all our neighbours are away, having visitors or under the weather; so Dot and I went outside for a few minutes and drank some wine on our own, and caught Sarah  coming back from a funeral near Wisbech. Dot did quite a lot of violin practice. Felt OK most of the day, but my head was a bit funny in the evening. However, got a letter from the hospital to say I had no significant kidney stones. Yippee!!

Saturday – Mainly sun with some cloud, and mild. Finished my Parish Pump pieces, on Turner, Einstein and Madame Tussauds. Quite interesting. Walked with Dot to Carrow Road, where she saw City beat Stoke 4-2. I was exhausted by the time I walked back and lay down for half an hour before clearing up and making the bed. Made a large portion of salmon for supper and noticed that Oliver was en route to Canada: sent him best wishes. Watched second half of Calcutta Cup – a lucky win for England by one point. Watched the third Bridget Jones film but missed it on Channel 5 and had to pay to see it on Prime. Saw City highlights on YouTube. 

Weather more of the same, with small variations. Last Thursday (Feb 13) Dot dropped me at the dentist: no problems, but had an x-ray and a clean. Walked through Back of the Inns to Leathes Prior in The Close and managed to see someone who wasn’t Louisa: she promised to get me an interview with her. They sound very overworked.

Walked back to the station and on the way took a look at the new Paddington statue on a bench. Took a photo. Intended to buy flowers for Dot in the station, but they were ludicrously expensive; so I didn’t. Instead, when she went up to Jarrolds for one of their evenings with Kim and Kavana, I took the car to Morrisons and bought some flowers there, as well as a few other things, including petrol. Meanwhile Dot managed to get her money back on her broken necklace and bought another one: very nice. Earlier Bridget came to clean and guessed what my favourite soup was, which is a bit alarming. It’s pea and ham, in case you were wondering. Watched football and went to bed. 

Friday – Valentine’s Day. Miraculously, we bought cards for each other, and I received another Barbour jumper, light brown, which is very nice. Dot was pleased with her flowers. Lingered in bed awhile, as it didn’t look very inviting outside. Caught up with e-mails and so on, and thought about leading on Sunday, which I am doing unless Howard makers a sudden recovery. Apparently he hasn’t got malaria, but what he actually has is still not known. Rather worrying. Feeling chilly and quite itchy, especially later. Went over for drink at Des’s with Chris, Mary and John (who moves on Monday). Des fetched fish and chips. Later watched Dr Zhivago, which we saw at the cinema (Leicester Square) the first time we went out. 

Saturday – Grey; dry at first but wet later, with sleet and a bit of snow. Lots of snow in Canada. In the morning Dot went into the city for a minor cosmetic assignment. After lunch I dropped her at church after she’d posted a card through Howard’s door, and she went to the Peace Catalyst last meeting, which apparently went well. I picked her up on her way home, as it had started raining and was very cold. As I was making supper she went to Morrisons for a few things. Later watched football and a real life murder trial documentary. David FaceTimed us while we were clearing away, and we had quite a long chat, partly about peace. Watched a bit of football before going to bed. Howard hasn’t got malaria, but he could have anything else. 

Sunday – Cold but dry – some sun in the afternoon. Went to church but did not play in the band, as Steve was there – with an electric bass! (I have nothing against Steve; it’s a numbers thing.) Uplifting service led by Howard “I haven’t got malaria” Green. No fever, but he seemed a bit unstable. Good sermon from Carrie and prayers from June. Took Ray home. Road works still much in evidence.

Watched a lot of TV, much of it football. Spurs beat Man Utd 1-0 and Liverpool were lucky to beat Wolves 2-1. Dot and I drove up to Ketts Heights in mid-afternoon and walked up to the top and then round the perimeter. Bit dog-heavy but very pleasant. Later Oliver rang – he is going to Canada instead of Sophie coming here and changed his date for visiting us, which means we need to change Kristine’s date. In evening watched first two episodes of Hebridean murder mystery The Island – quite good, especially the scenery. John has been spending weekend emptying his house into large van and transferring stuff to tip and/or new house. 

Monday – Again quite pleasant and quite cold.  New neighbours moving in – Dot introduced herself while pruning roses.  Felt quite shivery today for some reason – better in evening as usual. Watched too much TV including a new Apple film, The Gorge, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Very good but a bit horrific. In response to a message from Dot, NWT have adjusted their light so that it doesn’t glare into our guest bedroom. Late on, plane crashed at Toronto airport in snow. No one killed but three badly hurt. Very cold and stormy in Canada and USA. Hopefully less so when Oliver goes there soon.

Not very nice weather recently. Last Saturday (Feb 8) was still cold but mainly dry. Went with Dot to football: Jonathan also there. Norwich not at all impressive but went 1-0 up in the second half. Still no urgency, though, and they managed to give away a penalty and only drew. Adrian: “That’s an hour and a half I’ll never get back.” Watched rugby and one or two other things later. Oliver rang us earlier: he had been on a run at Finsbury Park. Spoke about where we lived in London and sent him the addresses. Later he went to see the Bob Dylan film and texted to say he really enjoyed it. 

So – he is 22, living in North-East London, travels by tube to work in central London and loves Bob Dylan. Sounds familiar – though of course he has a much better job (and home) than I did in 1966-67.

Sunday – Now Kristine too has enjoyed the Dylan film! Quite a cold day, but dry. Drove to church and played in worship band. Graham gave excellent talk on Isaiah 6, and we sang my favourite hymn – I the Lord of Sea and Sky, which is obviously linked to it and more or less changed my life at one point.

Took Ray home as usual. His legs are quite bad, but he still gets around. Watched football in the afternoon, and went to a concert at the Theatre Royal in the evening. It was Dot’s Christmas present! Prague Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and Dvorak’s Symphony No 9, plus three other pieces, two of which were encores. Brilliant violinist. Ran into Kim before the concert and had a chat, before and at interval (+gin and tonic) then walked a little way back with her afterwards. At home, watched Ski Sunday. Howard and Anna back from Guatemala; Anna had stomach upset while they were there, and Howard now Ill – not sure what with, but feverish and in bed.  

Monday – Grey and rainy. Quite cold. Dot cleaned out cupboards in kitchen and utility room. I put out bins. Caught up on computer work. Did rota e-mail.  Watched a bit of football, plus Call the Midwife and Miss Austen, both of which were OK. In the evening Judy came round, and we took her to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. Guinness cake – very nice. Vicky’s mum has cancer of pituitary gland. Howard still ill. General Synod has voted to insist on alcoholic wine and non-gluten-free bread at Communion. Everyone except us outraged!

Tuesday – Grey and still a bit rainy. Not very inspiring. Hair cut in morning, and finished my excellent but weird China Miéville book this afternoon while Dot did some more cupboard clearing in the kitchen. Forgot to contact solicitor, but sent birthday card to Dave Evetts. Cooked separate meals – I had lamb, which was delicious – saw first two episodes of new series of Unforgotten (very good) – and then we walked to football. Cold and a terrible match, City losing 1-0 to Preston. 

Wednesday – Weather grey and cold but dry. Drove up to church – had a bit of trouble parking after being held up by bin lorry. Bible study went quite well, and Dot and I then went round Steven’s for a chat and to give him a bit of advice. He is doing a degree course but having trouble with part of it: he had an option to change, but we advised him to persevere, because of the time factor (he’s 45). Drove home via city centre and had a late lunch. Dot went to orchestra rehearsal in the evening with Janet and Nova. I tried several times to sign in to chess.com but failed. David FaceTimed and we eventually got his and Oliver’s game on screen – a win for David, but quite close. Trump has made no executive order on chess yet, but I expect him to ban Freestyle and Blitz.

Saw second part of Katya Adler on the Balkans. Just as good as the first, and just as scary.

Monday Feb 3 was dry and not too cold. Actually went outside in the afternoon to clear up a few leaves and put bins out. Tried to get small tree out of ceramic container, but too difficult – ended up very tired and had to lie down for a bit. Generally feeling a bit better, I think. Watched quite a bit of TV including a couple of Wessex Tales from way back – 1973, I believe. Good stuff. Young versions of actors we know well. 

Tuesday was again dry but mostly dull – clear sky in the evening. Dot drove me to hospital in the morning for an ultrasound on my kidneys and bladder. All seemed ok. Bit of a wait, but the process didn’t take long. Got a 26 bus home. Felt pretty chilly in the afternoon, for some reason. Tidied up my room and got bins in. Quite interesting end to the season for Silent Witness, but a bit smarmy. Very interesting piece on the Balkans by Katya Adler, who I discovered is half German. Really well done , and frightening. 

Wednesday –  Sunshine, a bit chilly but not too bad. Bridget came to do some cleaning about 11am, but at about 11.45 we left her to go to church for Bible study (Acts 18), which went pretty well.  Then home for a quick lunch and walked up to Vue cinema to meet Leanna, Nikki and Luke for a viewing of A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. Comfortable chairs (an innovation) and a good film, very well acted, about the outset of Dylan’s career up to Newport 1965. Chalamet was brilliant at Dylan’s singing style (and guitar playing). L, N and V loved it too. On the way home we called in at the travel agent to show them Dot’s passport, then caught a 25 bus from Orford Place. After supper Dot went with Janet as usual (and Nova) to orchestra rehearsal. Chose hymns for Sunday. Felt quite a bit better today. 

Thursday was sunny but cold. Frost in the morning. Drove to charity shop, deposited some jumpers and bedlinen and then moved on to Morrisons, where I met Dot, who had walked it. Stocked up fairly heavily , then I drove home and she walked. Took some time to unpack. After lunch watched a documentary on Mary I with Lucy Worsley, which was quite interesting in terms of phantom pregnancies. Felt very tired afterwards for some reason, and lay down for a while. Better in the evening: had some mushroom soup, which is not my favourite, but it was ok. Then watched Top Gun: Maverick, which was surprisingly good. So two first-class films in two days. 

Friday – Pretty cold, often overcast but mainly dry. Drove to Swaffham for lunch with the Higbees – really nice: haddock pâté starter, variation on cottage pie with chicken and ham; and pears and yogurt. Journey both ways fairly straightforward, though a big stretch of the A47 is now closed for the weekend. Not tour fault.

Street meet in our house, with Des, Chris, Sarah, Mary. All told stories of how we met our other halves! Afterwards watched a Yellowstone documentary and Death in Paradise: not sure which was harder to believe. As we were going up to bed David FaceTimed and we had a chat with him and Chrissy. Very cold over there, but they seem fine. John and Tara moving into new house at Stoke Holy Cross today.