Back gate from Dayspring, looking towards the cliff at Paston
And now it’s turned to autumn again, quite cold and windy, though not as bad as yesterday. Dot has been out all day today – first at Overstrand as a diocesan support officer and then at Catton, introducing Philosophy4Children. Good opportunity for me to catch up on some vital jobs, but after starting reasonably well, I have tailed off badly, even sinking so low as to change my profile picture on Facebook. The trip to Sainsburys went quite well, though a couple of requests from Dot eluded me. I followed this by taking Bernadette to lunch – something I had been intending to do for some weeks, ever since she assisted me by checking some shorthand for my Hull trainees. We went to John Lewis, and she refused to accept more than a baguette – or to be ruthlessly precise, half a very hard baguette that was a real challenge to eat. I was not impressed: should have taken her to Caffe Italia.
Yesterday had a good morning service at St Augustine’s, led by Heather. I preached on Careless Tongues Cost Lives – well, not quite, but something like that. Watched Jenson Button get back on the world championship trail in the afternoon, then off to Ambient Wonder in the evening. Very few of us there, and a little chilly: the same went for the pizzas. Didn’t sleep very well last night. Don’t know why. Keep dreaming about holidays and living elsewhere, and Dot driving brilliantly. Strange. Finished Stefan Zweig. I see Stieg Larssen’s third and last book is out next month.
Jessie's friend gave us a bag of plums. Worryingly, this is not all of them.
OK, so now it’s summer again. Confused? Me too. Lovely warm sunny day today: walked up to church at lunchtime to sit in as cyclist-counter for the sponsored cycle ride in aid of local churches. Discovered previous three cyclist-counters had not turned up. Counted only five cyclists, and they all came at once. Cyclists are like buses… However, several people called in to look at the church (Stuart the church history man officiating) and I spent some time talking to two eight-year-old girls who didn’t believe in God but wanted some balloons, biscuits, drinks, stickers and a postcard. If they don’t believe in God, where do they think the balloons came from? Ha! Nice girls, actually.
After Ann and Howard turned up to take over, I met Dot at Caffe Uno and had a pleasant lunch, then – acting on a tip from Howard – discovered a church on the corner of Queen Street and Tombland which I’d never noticed before: St Mary the Less, entered by a narrow gateway and surrounded by other buildings. Disused now, it used to belong to the Walloons from Holland and Belgium. Contains impressive copy of a Rembrandt portrait. Walked home through the Close and along the river, pausing to watch a few minutes of a rugby match. Then completed sermon for tomorrow while Dot did some work on her Philiosophy4Children scheduled for Monday and did some ironing in the garden. Well, it’s sunny, so she has to.
Last night drove out to Corpusty for a private view of Annette’s latest exhibition, which she shared with Diane Griffiths and a couple of others. Met a few of her friends and Marilyn Jeffries,a founder-member of InPrint who now goes her own way at Wells. Also met a wonderful painter called Susan who cornered me delightfully for about quarter of an hour. It was Oliver’s 7th birthday – didn’t speak to him during the day, but his Dad sent a picture of him eating a birthday meal. Today he rang us while we were at Caffe Uno, and we had quite a conversation. The family were on their way up to Nottingham and enduring some traffic problems.
Earlier yesterday visited the andrology nurse at the hospital – Liz Rooney the cyclist (they’re everywhere) – and she showed me how to inject myself in a very tender place in an attempt to put right a technical problem. Didn’t have any effect, except some aching and itching. On the whole I decided I’d rather have the problem, and I shall tell her so when she rings on Monday. Bit depressing really. Am still reading Stefan Zweig and enjoying him enormously: gets to the root of emotions superbly but also keeps the story moving forwards.
Bizarre behaviour by weather. Yesterday it was probably the hottest it’s been all year. The car thermometer registered 29C as we passed through North Walsham on the way back from a visit to Lucy’s at Paston. Today at least 10C cooler: I made the mistake of wearing just a shirt and light pullover for a train trip to Wroxham, which meant I was decidedly chilly when I got there to wait for Dot and Jessie to arrive by car. So I started walking, and we coincided very quickly. After that I avoided standing around outside. We visited Wroxham Barns and had a meal (cheese baguette), then on to Jessie’s for a chat and further refreshment. Dot had driven out to meet Jessie at Frank’s residential home in Wroxham, but I wanted to get a bit of work done, so took the train. On the way back from North Walsham we got stuck behind a painfully slow Clio the whole way, with a persistent stream of cars from the other direction. Where is a machine gun when you need it?
Just kidding. I say that in case this site is being monitored by the Government, who might mistake me for a terrorist. I am not a terrorist. I do not like terrorists. Or very slow Clios.
Been quite busy, actually. On Monday, Dot was in a high-level P4C meeting with Barbara at Metfield and got back almost too late to have her hair done. I decided to forgo the whole process, as my hair has not recovered from last time, when I went very short, and instead toddled off to the Norwich Print Fair PV in St Benedict’s, where I met Harriet, then Lisa, Annette and Mike. Oh, and Sandra. Had quick chat and look round – some good stuff on show – then on to the chess club for a Quickplay (10-min). Won the first two games, which is always a mistake, since you get paired against better players subsequently. The clever method is to lose the first game. I ended up playing all three of the best players in the club, and losing to them all. However, I did get another win, so ended up with 3/6, which is about what I usually end up with. Very good game in Najdorf Sicilian against Merv Hughes (not the Australian fast bowler).
Lunch with Lucy at Dayspring was followed by a very pleasant Tuesday Group gathering at the Archers’, featuring scrummy raspberry cheesecake left over from Sunday. Have just read The Royal Game by Stefan Zweig. Impressed. Not just with the story but its accuracy as regards chess.
Dot, Amy and Oliver taking full advantage of the swimming pool that came with our holiday cottage
Autumn has arrived, coming in with a blast on Wednesday (September 2), which was blustery, cool and very wet: the sort of thing that would have wrecked Greenbelt. It didn’t wreck us because we were staying in a lovely cottage with two delightful grandchildren, and there was a swimming pool, which was marginally wetter than outside. There was also a huge range of games, both indoor and out, and as well as swimming twice we played pool, bar football, table tennis, dominoes, backgammon and, in a dry moment, croquet – which Oliver loved. Also made it to Sainsbury’s to stock up again. Children had a great time, and so did we. The next day was marginally better, but we did the same sorts of things, eventually leaving the site to drive up to Cleeve Hill, where we went for a very windy walk among the sheep dropping and golfers. Oliver found some chalk and what might have been a fossil to show at school. From there descended a steep narrow lane and ended up back in Cheltenham searching fruitlessly for a fish and chip shop. Eventually gave up and bought fish, sausages and chips from Sainsburys to eat at home. Made us rather late eating, and thus late in bed. As long as Daddy doesn’t find out, we’re OK. Earlier had several croquet games with a very keen Oliver.
On Friday, after a night disturbed for me by noisy farm machinery, we left early (well, 9.50) and took the same route back as far as Milton Keynes, stopping again at Thrift Farm, which is run as part of a scheme for adults with learning difficulties. Very good tea room. Arrived at Caddington in good time and left before 2pm. Journey home was pretty uneventful, though I was pretty shattered by the time we got in, and didn’t even unpack properly. We went out for a meal at Frankie and Benny’s on the Riverside complex, and really enjoyed it. Good quality, reasonable price (except for the wine, which was good quality but pretty expensive). By the way, my neck problem has put itself right, more or less, and I’m feeling fairly well.
Would have liked a long lie in on Saturday, but our friend Bridget was being licensed as a reader at the Cathedral at 10.30, and we just made it, having met Vicky on the way. Sat at back by open west doors, which was unexpectedly chilly, but the 90-minute Communion service led by the Bishop was very good, and we were allowed to take the wine, so the swine flu threat must have subsided. Afterwards we gave Phyllis S a lift up to St Thomas’s Church for a buffet, which was extremely pleasant. Spent a long time talking to Heather, who I’d met some time ago at a Developing Consciousness course, I think. Also her husband. Similar tastes in holidays – Canada, Scotland. Later chilled out watching a fair bit of television and catching up with e-mails.
Today our preacher failed to materialise, so we had an interactive sermon led by Phil, which turned out surprisingly well. Followed by delicious church lunch. Dot is now talking about going for a walk, as it’s not raining for a change.
Sitting in upstairs lounge at Woodpecker, our cottage at Hunting Butts on the edge of Cheltenham, about half a mile from Greenbelt, which is on the Raceourse. Weather overcast and threatening rain. Cooler than yesterday, when warm sun and cooler cloud cover alternated. Greenbelt Sunday service has just finished (probably). We didn’t go in the end, because we got involved in conversation with the Greens and because the format with thousands of people didn’t really appeal. The Greens are sharing the cottage with us, and Beth has been staying the night too, surprisingly. Thought she would be a camping girl.
Yesterday we spent much of the day on site. It impressed me for quite a while as a vision of hell, with crowds of people milling around apparently not going anywhere, long queues for anywhere you did want to go and complete confusion. Not me at all. Left to buy cherries for Ambient Wonder event and a bottle of wine to replace one that had broken. Eventually found our way to the Grandstand area and listened to a bit of world music while waiting for Alistair McGrath to talk about Dawkins. He was excellent and attracted a big crowd. We used the camping stools we’d bought in Norwich, and they worked very well. Back to house again, then a bit of smaller chaos while Ambient Wonder got organised. However, it went very well and was so popular that people got turned away. After returning stuff to house returned for drink with Cracknells in Blue Nun, where we chatted up very bored bouncer. Bought delicious organic burger and very messy crepe, then got free tea in contributors’ area, then back to house.
The journey on Friday wasn’t too bad, despite huge amount of traffic on road. Lured happily on to Bedford, Milton Keynes route by queues on A14. Stopped at Thrift Farm after Milton Keynes (we had Mark from Poringland with us), then Dot drove the rest of the way, often on B-roads by a route she had worked out. Successfully avoided most of traffic and arrived at cottage 3.40. Greens arrived 5.40, and girls half an hour later. Took them into Greenbelt, then took Howard to supermarket and stocked up on food and wine. Back to house for food and long talk.
Paul and Heather Cracknell, Ambient Wonder supremos, listening to Dot in the Jesus Arms
Monday 31st
Drifted down to the Hub , where some guy was speaking on These Dark Materials as epic. I booked and spent half an hour with a priest from Essex named Patrick. Liked him very much, and the chat was quite uplifting. Met Vicky and Amy and took them back to the house with Jared. Vicky had shower. Later went into Greenbelt with Anna and Beth and had food (paella in my case) . They then went off to queue for something or other, and we looked round stalls then dropped into the Performance Café because it started raining and heard a folkish band called Scenic Routes – quite good. Re-invented Ambient Wonder at a very small youth venue went pretty well. Afterwards took car home then went back for a drink with the Cracknells and Annie in Jesus Arms. Later dropped into Soul Space then later still watched Cornershop (not very engaging) and Athlete – very good indeed, but not as good as Duke Special the previous night, who were outstanding.
Athlete on mainstage: very good indeed
Tuesday 1st September
Heavy rain interspersed with some sun. Chillier. Shopped at Sainsbury’s in the morning – David and children arrived just before 2pm and we had lunch – later swam in pool, then used games room, played dominoes and had evening meal. David left at 7.15 and got home about 9.15. Children a bit reluctant to go to sleep, but not too bad.
Kristine Coomes on brink of the abyss – or to put it another way, at the west door of Norwich Cathedral
Quiet couple of days. Popped into city, got glasses tightened, cancelled papers – that sort of thing. Delivered Joy’s birthday presents. Phil has been ill with flu-like illness for a couple of weeks, so we didn’t stop. Also managed to update website with article and a couple of new poems which are on the leaflet I’ve printed for Greenbelt. Which is where we are about depart for: Dot is completing her packing etc, and we’re awaiting the arrival of Mark from Poringland, who is getting a lift with us. Spent some time looking at map, but there’s no obvious route. We’ll have to wing it. Weather has turned a bit fresher. I’ve had a painful neck for a few days: hard to look right more than a bit. Head generally feels pretty strange, and odd twinges elsewhere. It would be nice to feel completely fit. Not sure if I’m looking forward to Greenbelt: being one of a huge crowd has never been appealing to me.
Yes, it's me, at a viewpoint above Braemar and looking over towards the Cairngorms (that's the camera, not me)
Dot has just left to visit her friend Carrie. This afternoon we went to see the latest Harry Potter film, which was everything you would think the latest Harry Potter film might be: pretty good without being stunning. Of course knowing the plot doesn’t help. The weather has turned a bit cooler and very windy; nevertheless we went to the camping shop and bought a couple of camping stools with Greenbelt in mind: apparently the seating there is not up to much; in fact there’s quite a lot of standing. Also bought a pretty cheap picnic set on the spur of the moment. On the way back from the cinema we noticed that the last bits of the new Wensum bridge were being put into position. How exciting is that? To give you an idea of the delay involved in building it, I had been hoping when it was first announced that I would be able to use it to get to work. I retired in 2002.
On Monday we went to see Ira Levin’s Deathtrap at the Maddermarket with our friends Menita and Regis. Pretty well done as always, and in this case a beautifully constructed play. Pleasant evening. Since then I have completed my tax return on line (yes!) and the last piece of the street light jigsaw has been put in place – the new tarmac nicely levelled off with the path. More news: the Royal Mail has finally delivered by Barclaycard cheque, taking only 17 days to do so. This has cost me over £40, so I will not be using the Royal Mail again for paying cheques. I wonder if I could sue them.
Dot with David and Kristine Coomes on riverside walk near Pull's Ferry
Satisfying weekend, and I don’t mean just the 5-2 win by Norwich City, 2-1 by Spurs and the Ashes regained by England. Warm but windy weather throughout. Took some clothes up to the charity shop on Saturday morning, and on the way back Dot dropped in a 99th-birthday card for Phyllis Todd. In early evening we walked up for a meal at Caffee Uno on Tombland: we both had first-class salads and a sweet, with a glass of wine. Just right.
Sunday was much fuller: I preached at St Luke’s in the morning as part of the Nicholas bring-the-churches-closer-together master plan. Found it quite difficult to prepare, as I was given not only the readings but the subject, but I enjoyed the actual presentation. Felt very relaxed, though as usual afterwards felt I could have done better. I do enjoy speaking in public, which is ironic as it was the very thing I hated at school. Got home to find David and Kristine Coomes had just arrived and were drinking Pimms in the garden with Dot. Had a really enjoyable day with them, including a walk along the river and through the cathedral. Have arranged to stay with them in London in October.
The street light saga is nearing its conclusion. The old pole was removed by a threatening-looking lorry on Sunday morning, and the hole was nearly filled just before 8 this morning, causing miniature dust storms and leaving a rectangle to be completed with tarmac, presumably. Much brighter outside at night: may need thicker curtains. Spoke to the grandchildren on webcam this morning: they seem to have had a good time in France with Dave and Julia. Just finished an excellent book: Spanish Fly, by Will Ferguson: a novel about con artists in the 1930s and 40s, and beautifully done.
Took a day out yesterday to travel to West Norfolk to visit the lavender. Quite a nice spot, though somewhat marred by an extremely heavy and prolonged shower which lasted almost our whole visit and lowered the temperature considerably. In one sense this was quite predictable, as I had deliberated over taking our anoraks and then decided not to, since it was pretty sunny and warm in Norwich. On the plus side, Dot took her umbrella. Tea rooms passed muster well, and the gardens certainly had potential.
As soon as we left the skies cleared, and we arrived at Holme beach, northern end of the Peddars Way, in bright sunshine: bit of a wind still, but warm enough to walk out across the golf course to the edge of the sand. I was irrationally annoyed by the fact that a couple of noisy families chose precisely the same moment to do the walk. This is the sort of place – wet sand, mud, sea holly – that should be bleak and lonely. I may go again: oddly, I don’t remember ever having been there before. We continued along the coast, buying heavily at a farm shop and then having another cup of tea at Holkham before heading home. Meanwhile England were taking lots of Australian wickets, mainly through my man Stuart Broad, who I have long backed as a future star. How are they going to lose this one?
Have just discovered that my mother’s father’s family – going back to my great-great-great-great-grandmother Rebecca Akehurst – came originally from an area of East Sussex I know quite well: Icklesham, close to where Dave Gemmell used to live at Udimore; Iden, not far away; and Hooe, where Stella Gemmell now lives. All close to Hastings, of course, where I frequently visited the Editorial Centre, and where Dot and I often stayed with Dave Gemmell and his first wife, Val. Perhaps it explains why I always liked the area.
Dot and Andrew enjoying an afternoon on the river during his visit to Norwich recently
At 7.30 this morning, when I was miraculously out of bed, the roof people came again. This time they have put in some guttering and the missing bit of down pipe and patched up the hole in the fascia boards: not pretty, but as good as we could hope for, I guess, as a temporary measure. Meanwhile the manager has been in touch and probably thanked his lucky stars that he got compliant me instead of angry Dot. He gave us a date of September 15 for the asbestos removal, observing that it was only about three weeks. Actually it was four weeks and one day, but I suppose that’s what management is all about. The street light saga continues too. We now have the new light connected, but with a slightly bigger hole, more rubble and the original standard still there. The new light is brighter, but apparently the reason for changing was that the new ones are more energy-efficient. As the whole city seems to be involved, I wonder how much it is all costing, and how soon the energy-efficiency will pay for it. Not that I have anything against energy-efficiency. All for it, in fact. Norwich City FC could do with some: they lost at Brentford last night (2-1), and a new manager starts today: Paul Lambert, from Colchester. Not the big name some had anticipated, and he has to do something pretty quickly.
Meanwhile, a couple of British gold medals from the world athletics championships, being held in Berlin. First, the wonderful Jessica Ennis, who decimated the field in the heptathlon. Then Phillips Idowu, at last coming good in the triple jump. Usain Bolt beat the world record again in the 100m, and still looked as if he could go faster. There must be a limit, right?
We did complete that walk on Sunday: over three miles in pretty warm weather, starting at the Rosary and ending up at the new bridge across the Wensum, which is on the brink of completion, though of course delivery of the last section has been delayed. Wouldn’t a world where nothing was delayed be wonderful? On Monday lovely wife Dot’s friend Anne did me a huge favour by taking Dot on a mammoth tour of city shops, during which they tried on many clothes and bought a few. I would never have had the stamina, but Dot thrives on it. In the evening she even had enough energy to visit Carrie, while I predictably lost a chess game I should have won – in the sense that I am graded higher than my opponent, not that I played better. In fact my loss was fully deserved. I can’t play chess in August. I’m not much good before Christmas.
