The bargeboard saga has taken a turn for the worse, with the company ringing up to say there will be a delay of a few weeks because the specialist firm has a backlog. Dot, who took the call, was pretty angry about this, as the gutter and downpipe on part of the house are now non-existent, and there is a gaping hole up into the loft space. When she demanded that this be fixed, the guy claimed that I had known the asbestos was there because I had built it. This was so ludicrous that it made her very angry and she made a few remarks about how likely it was that I would build a house, or even part of one. Happily, I was not here to hear them. We now await a call on Monday or Tuesday. Very irritating. More delays also on changing the street light outside our house. There is now a big hole in the pavement and two light posts, one of which has a cable attached. Neither of them light, so we are leaving our outside porch light on to dissuade the many local inhabitants who like the dark from cosying up to our house, car, garage, etc. I am not particularly happy about the pile of rubble inviting drunks to play with it, but what can you do? Many streets around the city are in the same condition.

Not only that, but Bryan Gunn has been sacked as manager of Norwich City, following the 4-0 away win at Yeovil, which was clearly unacceptable. With his deputy Ian Butterfield in charge the team drew 1-1 at Exeter yesterday and should have won, if the highlights were anything to go by, which they probably weren’t. Sorry about the headline above, but I couldn’t say no. As usual.

Dot employed an accountant on Thursday, which seems like a good move. A very amiable guy, not too expensive, but clearly knows what he’s talking about. Should make life in that area a lot easier. Saw the consultant at the N&N on Friday, and he was happy with my progress since the most recent operation; so I don’t have to go and see him again unless something unexpected happens or my PSA level goes up. Which would also be unexpected, but not totally impossible. He was as positive as it’s possible for doctors to be that all the signs point to everything being fine. After lunch that day we drove out to take Jessie to Walcott, where we stranded her at her friend’s care home while we wandered on the beach. She was supposed to ring us when she was ready, but of course we all forgot that there’s no mobile (O2) signal at Walcott, in common with much of North Norfolk. We eventually returned (after bumping into friend Judith) to rescue her. Happily it was a warm day, and she had been sitting in the garden quite happily. Returned to her house by way of the cemetery, where we left flowers. Enjoyed tea and cake. Showed her Scotland pictures on Dot’s computer.

David has apparently given up his plan to buy a Mazda Bongo, at least for the time being. We had a long talk about it by way of webcam, and I was pretty positive, but in the end I think the disadvantages weighed more heavily. Grandchildren still in France, but now with grandparents only. Today warm again, and a really nice service at church. I led, Paul preached, and Howard did the intercessions. Next two weeks we won’t be there, and I fear there may be some problems with the music or lack of it, which I must try to sort out or ameliorate, if that’s the right word. Dot has just finished reading The Girl who Played with Fire in the garden – compulsive thriller – and is talking about going for a walk.

It’s Wednesday, and no progress has been made on the barge board -fascia board front. The two original guys took their gear and departed when they found asbestos in parts of the boards. The asbestos has to be tested, and if it is of a certain type, a specialist firm has to be brought in to deal with it. We await a phone call. Fortunately this should not cost us money, because it is a fixed price deal, but the delay is annoying. We still have a section of professional scaffolding fixed at the lower end, awaiting developments. Meanwhile another street light has materialised outside, and awaits recabling, when the original will be removed. I hope. And I’ve had to tackle a persistent overflow on the shower room cistern, which I’ve fixed with the help of a piece of plastic, some waterproof tape and a stone out of the back garden. It may not meet the highest of standards, but at least the water has stopped, which is a distinct plus. What next?

Yesterday, which turned out to be very warm, we decided to take a trip to North Norfolk to look at a house that had caught Dot’s eye. It looked pretty much perfect in terms of photograph and facilities, but when we got to Briston it turned out to be less than ideal, being situated down a long, narrow unmade road with a mixture of new and decaying properties on either side. No view, and not very rural. We decided to give it a miss and proceeded to Holt, where we dropped in to Larners for a reminder of what food shopping should be like and then found another nice-looking property in an estate agent’s window. It was at High Kelling, and we drove down to take a look. Liking what we saw, we managed to get an appointment there and then and looked round it. The owner was very welcoming and the house had a nice atmosphere: we liked almost everything about it, including the location. If we had sold our house and were looking, we would probably have snapped it up on the spot. In the circumstances it will probably be sold well before we get round to having ours valued. We really need to have a serious discussion about whether we do in fact want to move, and what location would be acceptable. Still, a pleasant day out. No mobile (O2) signal in High Kelling, but they do have broadband.

Woke up to rain today after we had eaten in the garden with the Tuesday Group last night: another forecast up the spout. Rushed the rubbish out (forgot last night) and prepared for a visit by a commissioning editor who was interested in Philosophy4Children in connection with producing material for school assemblies. Enjoyed a pleasant lunch with her, and things seem promising: we await her e-mail. Barbara and Sue also came to lunch and helped shape the discussion. The sun is out now, and the three of them are chatting upstairs. Too much laughter: they are having far too good a time.

Norwich won 4-0 away at Yeovil last night, thus becoming the first team in history (I suspect) to lose their first game of the season 7-1 at home and win the second 4-0 away against comparable opponents. Du different – the Norfolk motto.

Well, we finally lost the fourth Test in fairly humiliating fashion, though two bowlers (Broad and Swann) top-scored with 60+ each. I suggest that for the final test we pick a wicketkeeper and ten bowlers, on the grounds that bowlers seem to be able to bat at least as well as the batsmen, and possibly better.

The meal on Saturday night at the Nelson, on the river opposite the station, went pretty well, though the front of the restaurant was full of disgruntled though good-humoured Norwich City fans, drowning their sorrows after the appalling 7-1 home defeat by Colchester. One of them went so far as to buy Dot a drink as she stood at the bar, so at least he had an eye for talent: perhaps he should pick the team. The meal itself was excellent in quality, but the service was terrible. The whole meal took almost three hours, which was not so bad when there were seven of us chatting, but would have been awful for just one or two. Bad service really irritates me. I don’t think it was the staff’s fault so much: there just weren’t enough people serving. Swine flu, I expect.

After church on Sunday Phil took Andrew back to Coventry, with me as a passenger adding moral support. Warm day, and the Mercedes air-conditioning wasn’t working, so it was quite wearing. Fortunately I had a bottle of ginger beer. Stopped at Cambridge Services again for a call of nature and found it crammed. Can’t help wondering if people go to service areas for a day out instead of the beach. Rest of journey was uneventful, and the traffic fairly light. When we passed Thetford on the way back there was a huge queue going in the opposite direction, heading for Elveden. After mentioning it on Twitter, I discovered that the RSPB are objecting to the new road. If it’s not newts, it’s curlews. When will they learn that wildlife is infinitely adaptable, unlike us? Home by 7pm and time to watch a bit of television after Dot emerged from under piles of ironing.

This morning the fascia board people arrived but couldn’t start because the scaffolding didn’t get here till 10.30, and anyway the surveyor had failed to take a couple of things into account, and they would probably need more scaffolding. Sounds like a big company taking advantage of the self-employed again. Guys who came were really pleasant and I’m confident it will be done well. They are returning at 7.30am tomorrow!

Felt a bit queasy for a few days after getting back from Scotland, but yesterday and today have been feeling better, which is just as well because Dot has been under the weather for a couple of days after we fetched Andrew from Coventry on Thursday, his birthday. We shared the driving and discovered a very pleasant service area at Cambridge Services on the A14. We also drove through some more extremely heavy rain which restricted visibility a lot on the M6-Huntingdon stretch of the A14, when I was at the helm. Discovered later that Phil and Joy were driving home from Southampton and encountering the same conditions (though a bit later in the day). In Norwich it has been warm on the whole. Yesterday I took Andrew clothes shopping and spent £400 making him reasonably presentable. Then we drove to Winterton and had a wander down the valley and back along the beach (taking in the very pleasant smell of the sea), ending up at the cafe for scones and tea / coffee.  Andrew is very into cafes and newsagents. In the evening I cooked roast beef, which seemed to go down well. Today Andrew and I walked up to the Rosary, which was beautiful and extremely peaceful as always, then joined Dot for coffee in the Nelson, where we booked a table for this evening (for seven of us). After lunch we caught the river bus at Griffiin Lane and did the Broads trip, which was relaxing. Entertaining commentary included elucidation of several nautical terms, including “hijack”, which apparently originated when a group of prostitutes used to ensnare a sailor and rob him. “Hi, Jack!” Get it? Not totally convinced about that one. Lots of fun, though, and we saw a grass snake swimming across the river. Pretty nippy. Also discovered that Coldham Hall is about to reopen. Used to go there quite a bit with Dot’s parents. Apparently it was called “Coldham” because some royal personage was served cold ham there and enjoyed it so much she insisted the name was changed. Hmm. Not sure about that one either.

Earlier in the week enjoyed an ambient barbecue with the Cracknells (Monday) and had our hair cut (Wednesday). I think I may have overdone the haircut thing. Sam, the young mother opposite, said she thought the neighbourhood was going down, and when I said it would grow again, replied: “It had better.” Dot and I are in Ellie’s bad books because we shouted at her to stop her running into the road.

Things dreadful on the sports front.. England scored 102 all out against Australia, and Australia were all out for 445. So that should be close. Norwich City, meanwhile, are unbelievably 6-1 down at home to Colchester. After-match comments should be interesting. (Final score 7-1. Aaaaargh!!)

Second day back from Scotland, where it rained every day but we had a great time, because in Scotland it doesn’t rain all day (well, hardly ever); so it was also dry every day, and we did plenty. In fact, I put together a diary of events, which I shall now slide seamlessly into. You won’t even notice the join.

Thursday 16 July

Dot drove us to the Horse and Jockey Premier Inn near Dunstable, where we were greeted by rain and a dismal forecast which, it turned out, was not wrong.

Friday 17 July

Picked up David and the children at 10am. Dot transferred to David’s car, and we drove north. Stopped at M6 Toll, then Lancaster. Heavy rain from Manchester to Gretna: difficult driving. Reached Abington around 6pm, had a meal in the restaurant (uninspiring) and an early night.

Saturday 18 July

Overcast, and rain from Perth as we travelled north. Drove our usual route and stopped at Balnathie café near Stanley, then on to Braemar for lunch in the Fife Arms. Bought food and arrived at Mar House, near Inverey, just before 3pm. Everyone impressed with house, if not with weather. Took a short walk when the rain eased a little. The house was as good as advertised: spacious and warm in a secluded position. Started reading a Val McDermid thriller I found there.

Sunday 19 July

Woke to find baby deer in garden. Much better, drier day. Drove to Ballater and climbed Craigendarroch. Oliver was very quick and loved the experience. An excellent lunch at the Station Café, then  walked through to look at the station – now £2 a throw, but with bright new royal carriage on show. Good value, really. Back via Gairn bridge; bit of rain. Followed pipers through Braemar. The Open golf was won by Stuart Cink after play-off with Tom Watson, who fell apart. Englishmen 3, 4 and 5.

Monday 20 July

Mainly dry, but windy. Drove to the Log Cabin for some food, then walked down to Corgarff valley bridge, much enjoyed by the children. Back through heavy shower to Braemar, where we did some food shopping, plus one or two other things.

Tuesday 21 July

Started very warm, ended with constant rain. To Glen Muick, where Oliver and I walked to the loch while the other three went back to Ballater to buy something warm for Amy, as it had become chilly. Eventually met up again and had a good time, involving a certain amount of splashing. Finished Val McDermid thriller.

Wednesday 22 July

Wet at first, then showery. Drove to Cairn Gorm and went on the mountain railway, after having lunch at the Bridge of Brown. Dry  and good for viewing at the top: saw heavy rain approaching but missed most of it.

Thursday 23 July

Pouring rain to start with – took children into Braemar to buy food. Later weather improved a lot, and we went up Creag Chonnich – lovely climb and superb on top, and children enjoying it again. Had takeaway for evening meal. Chips with everything.

Friday 24 July

Decided at last to go to Linn of Quoich, just down the road. Had been a bit hesitant because the rocks and fast-flowing water make it dangerous, at least to small children. But all turned out OK, and both Oliver and Amy were very careful. Drove to Braemar for meal in Gordon’s restaurant, using an unauthorised short cut across the bridge! Then back to house. Later Oliver and I went out exploring and found the stream rumoured to be on the property – the Corriemulzie Burn. Climbed down to it and found a waterfall and the remains of a quite extensive dam. Tried unsuccessfully to cross stream, then climbed back up bank and found path round top, which brought us first to a limekiln – which looked like a stone shelter – then to the footbridge. Oliver was very good at walking in rough country and was a pleasure to be with. The path back on the other side was blocked by a locked gate, so we returned by the same path and crossed the meadow to the house. Meanwhile Dot and Amy had been out for a shorter expedition.

Saturday 25 July

Final day with children. Managed to get out of house by 10am, meeting cleaning party including caretaker at gate. Drove on to Ballater and went into house. Then walked golf course path by river and the children enjoyed some time on the rocks.

Back to town and had lunch in The Bothy, a new restaurant. Afterwards back to house (a wedding was taking place in the house opposite, complete with piper, much to the fascination of the children), and David and the children left just before 3pm. Dot and I went into town and she bought a top from her favourite shop. Bought wine and postcards and wrote them back at house. Had message that David had arrived safely at Abington about 6.30pm. Watched ER. House cold so went to bed early.

Sunday 26 July

Woke to grey rain, and stayed in bed most of morning. Watched Hungarian grand prix, won by Hamilton, then went into town to buy food. In evening excellent meal at Glen Lui Hotel, but felt pretty unhealthy afterwards and had a disturbed night. Persistent tickle in throat over past few days. Children home safely.

Monday 27 July

Weather much improved, but still slow getting up! Late breakfast, then to Glen Muick with sandwiches. I climbed small hill after intermittent rain passed. Drove to Spittal, then back to Crannoch for tea and scones and to Cambus O’May suspension bridge, where we observed mysterious whirlpools in the river. Back to Ballater and a hideously long queue at the Co-op. Tried to watch Slumdog Millionaire, but subtitles indecipherable on small screen, so watched To Die For instead, plus a little bit from the Press Gang – End of An Error.

Tuesday 28 July

Miserable start to the day: grey and wet. Eventually set off for Balmoral, but the car park was crammed and the weather uninviting, so we went on to Braemar, where we parked behind the Information centre and did some shopping. Dot got a new Weird Fish top and I bought a camera case that was just what I was looking for, plus a stick for Oliver. As this is a Vango, he could find himself with a Vango in a Bongo, as his father is keen on purchasing a Mazda Bongo. We then had sandwiches (in my case) and lemon meringue pie (in Dot’s) at the Fife Arms, before walking up to a viewpoint above the town. On the way we passed a big car park and a duckpond that we never knew existed. Quite a stiff little climb, but the sun was warm and the breeze not too bad. Came back the same way, for once ignoring my instinct that continuing on the path would bring us down into the town; sadly my instinct was right, so we missed out. Bought an ice cream each and a book on trees, then returned to Ballater, driving through heavy rain around Balmoral – wondered if it had been like that there all day. Probably not. To Green Inn in the evening and enjoyed the usual superb meal with a bottle of champagne to mark our 41^st wedding anniversary (actually yesterday, but the Green Inn is shut on Mondays).

Wednesday 29 July

Dull start again, but brightened up and became variable. No change there, if you see what I mean. Went for lunch at Log Cabin and bought some stuff, including my usual shirt. Lunched on baked potato (me) and bacon and maple syrup (guess who) pancake. Drove up on to hill and did two-mile walk to a small flat top containing mysterious boards, arranged as if they were the blueprint for a fence. Suspect grouse shoot connection; probably wrong. Break in the weather gave us two miles of very pleasant walking. Then returned home for cup of tea before driving round to find possible  places to rent for another family visit. Found Lary Cottage, just round corner, and 3 Knocks Cottages, on back road. Back to cottage for rest on bed, tea and watched Plenty. Have finished reading The Girl Who Played with Fire (excellent) and am now reading Trescothick autobiography that David bought me for birthday (finished August 1 – very good).

Thursday 30 July

Started bright after a dreadful night when I was really stuffed up. Got up about 4am to make a cup of tea. Drove to Balmoral and bought tickets (£6 each seniors), then had tea/coffee before going into the ballroom and then on to one of the walks, during which there was intermittent rain. Felt quite tired, but it was lovely up there. Back for lunch in restaurant – excellent sandwiches, then another small buying spree before heading back to the car. On the way home on the back road almost hit the Queen coming the other way: uncanny – she seems to know exactly where we are. To Larks gallery, where the owner remembered us from three years ago, and we bought a few things including a fairly expensive necklace for Dotsy. Then walked down riverside path (further than I thought again) to pick up a couple of stones and lose a few pounds. Stones were for grandchildren of course. This expedition made it over 6 miles for the day, which is a bit excessive. Bought some bread and milk for breakfast tomorrow, then prepared for drive to Banchory. Rain had disappeared late afternoon, and it was quite warm. After getting fed up with Premier Inn’s automated booking system and hanging up, I booked in again at Days Inn, Abington, for tomorrow. Spent a delightful evening with Ella, David, Gail and Nigel at Banchory: assorted pate and Balmoral chicken (stuffed with haggis). Managed to remain sober enough to drive back at about 11.45, avoiding roadside deer on the way. Amazing brightness in the sky after midnight.

Friday 31 July

Woke to warm sunshine and no hangover, except for Dot. Spent the morning packing and tidying up. Surprisingly, had quite a good sleep.  Left at noon, stopped at Fife Arms for lunch and then at Balathie. Reached Abington about 4.30pm and read a lot before having an average meal.

Saturday 1 August

Left by 9.30 after breakfast in our room. Appalling weather most of the way home: driving in cloud at first, then heavy rain in Lake District and very, very heavy rain on the M6 Toll, after we’d made our second stop. First stop was at Lancaster. Someone remind me never to stop at Lancaster again. Motorway services seem to be on a different planet. You look at the people around you and think they’re not really human. They’re probably looking at you and thinking the same thing. Quite unpleasant. Dot took over driving as we approached the A14. I felt really shattered. Home about 5pm and did some unpacking and some eating, though didn’t really feel like either.

I’ve spent the week building up to our Scottish holiday, which starts later today – at least, we’re leaving Norwich later today, eventually arriving at Inverey, where we’re renting a house, on Saturday. Today proved more hectic than I anticipated. While Dot went by train to Ipswich with Sue to attend a P4C meeting, I expected to be taking it easy, but it didn’t turn out like that. All the packing was done, but I had to go up to the tip, then to the garage to fill up with petrol. I had an eye test in the city (happily, I still have two reasonably good ones) and ordered some new glasses, then bought a couple of other things it occurred to me might be useful. Out of the blue, someone ordered two of my poetry books (no complaints there), and I had to put them in an envelope (trickier than it sounds) and take them up to the post office. Happily, our Barclaycard bill also came today, and I was able to pay it and rest easy for the next fortnight.

The weather is quite sticky, but no rain today: earlier in the week there had been occasional showers. I have been getting stick for saying the weather hasn’t been too good, and of course the stick-wielder is right. It has been pleasantly warm for a while, and only occasional rain. I’m feeling considerably better, though still not as fit as I’d like. I’m hoping Scotland will give me a boost. Well, it’s possible. Encouraged by our Tuesday group meeting this week: lots of love floating around.

Grandson Oliver tackles the climbing wall at his school fun night.

Quite a week. I was well enough to have the operation, despite a brave attempt to get into a different hospital by falling headlong in the street the day before. My computer had gone in for repair, and I was carrying my external hard drive in for testing when I trod on some uneven ground outside the shop, which is in a rather rundown area of the city. I hit the ground quite hard because I instinctively tried to protect the hard drive (success there), and twisted my ankle quite painfully. Happily the injury was not too severe, and I was able to walk all right, but it was a bit of a shock – I suspect more of a shock than I realised at the time. I also jarred my shoulder – again I didn’t realise it till later – but I was lucky not to do serious damage. The computer is OK too.

So we arrived at the hospital at 7am on Thursday, and I had the operation at 8. Since you ask, it was a cysto-urethroscopy with bladder neck incision, which sounds like an Olympic dive, but isn’t. I was awake again not long after 9, and had no pain. At first everything seemed brilliant, but later there was a bit of a hiccup, and I thought it hadn’t worked at all. Happily that was just temporary, and it does seem to have done the job. Because of the uncertainty I stayed in the hospital overnight (though I was given permission to go home), and Dot picked me up at 10am yesterday.  I felt a bit tired, though I had slept quite well. It was probably a mistake healthwise to go to Peter Franzen’s farewell party in the boardroom, but I’m quite glad I did, because I was able to say goodbye and also to chat to a few old friends, including Ian from the printers and David Paull, who is doing very well. Also Alison Croose from Lynn. The gap is widening.

If that was a mistake, going out for the evening must have been too, though Dot and I had a really good time at the Higbees’ with their friends John Martin and Larisa, his wife, who is Russian. John is an author, and the conversation was really interesting. Felt fine while we were there but very tired afterwards, and today I am feeling extremely weary, which is annoying, as David and the grandchildren are here. Have taken an antibiotic in case of infection, but it’s probably just after-effects. Phil and Joy also called in this morning, and Phil told me all about his visit to Open, the new facility for teenagers in the old Barclays building in Norwich. Sounds absolutely amazing. Dot and the children are now up at Chapelfield at a funfair (it’s Lord Mayor’s Procession day) and David has walked up too after initially dropping them off. The weather is a little threatening and not very summery. Dot is much better, though still clogged up, especially in the mornings.

Dot’s cousin Rosie, pictured at her North Norfolk rose nursery when we visited with the Murrays in May.

Dot has had a bad couple of days. Though her throat improved dramatically (so it clearly wasn’t tonsillitis), whatever it was initially turned into a really bad congestive head cold, and she was in bed all weekend. I did my nurse-cook impersonation and kept her well-fuelled with food and drink while worrying constantly that I might catch it, which would inevitably delay my operation. All right so far, though I am by no means 100%. Last night she was coughing really badly, and I had a bad night myself for unrelated reasons, having to get out of bed almost every hour. So feeling a bit woozy. Foolishly, although she cancelled this morning’s DSSO meeting, Dot has gone off to Dussindale for another meeting with Sue Eagle. She has this admirable determination not to let people down, but I fear it could get her into trouble.

We watched the men’s final at Wimbledon: a real epic, with Roddick just failing to survive against Federer, 16-14 in the final set. Despite admiring Federer, I didn’t want Roddick to lose. Nobody should have to lose a match like that. Dot is now reading Franny and Zooey, by J D Salinger, which has been on my bookshelf for possibly 40 years or more without my reading it. I finished it a couple of days ago and thought it was excellent. All that time I had thought Zooey was a girl… Nothing much happens, but the conversation and description make the whole thing really vivid, and the ideas – especially when worked out at the end – are fascinating. I picked it off the shelf because I saw a reference to it in Into the Silent Land, by Martin Laird, the guy who spoke at St Luke’s recently. I intend to read that, so I thought it might be a good idea to read F & Z first, so that I could understand the reference. Glad I did.

Have written a liturgy/meditation/poem for the Ambient Wonder event which will be trialled on Sunday before being put on at Greenbelt in August. Quite pleased with it. Have also provisionally booked the Ballater cottage for a second week in Scotland – all depending how I recover from the operation, if indeed I am well enough to have it. The weather has broken: now much fresher and with some heavy, thundery rain this morning – fortunately not till after I had gone up to the hospital for a blood test.

The picture is of  a cannon (inoperative) at the mouth of Hull marina, taking a shot at anything that moves in the Humber. If my camera was a Canon, that would be a neat pun, but it isn’t: it’s a Panasonic. Bit tricky, that. I was down there in the warm sun of Thursday afternoon, having checked over all the portfolios at the Hull Daily Mail which, quite surprisingly, seemed to be OK. I was meeting Sylvia, the internal verifier from Sussex, in the evening,  so I had a bit of time on my hands. Though it was hot in the town, by the river there was a chilly wind, and the water outside the harbour was noticeably choppy. Took a few pictures and walked back through the old town. All this was a part of Hull I had never seen: previously I had been in and out, not deviating. I have to say I was quite impressed. Sylvia’s train from London was cancelled, and the substitute arrived late. We walked back to the hotel and grabbed a meal. I had fish and chips. The chips were all right, but the fish looked as if if had been unwilling to take part.

Had quite a reasonable night: I normally sleep badly in hotels. The breakfast was excellent: continental style, including bread roll, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and cold meat. And other stuff, of course, but that suited me. As we ate it started raining. It had been overcast from the start, in stark contrast to the day before. By the time we left to walk to the office it was tipping it down, and if I were to say we didn’t get pretty wet, I would be lying. Still, no lasting damage. Portfolios checked again by Sylvia, just in time for the arrival of biscuits, followed by the external verifier, Anne Hayes. Happily all was in order, except some details from the original centre (PA Training), which Sylvia will obtain, and details of when I became qualified to assess, which I had forgotten. I emailed the certificates when I got home.

Train journey back was quite pleasant, with the sky gradually getting brighter. Changed at Grantham, where I said goodbye to Sylvia, and had to wait an hour for my connection. Had a sandwich and cup of tea, and the time soon passed. Something amusing happened at Ely. The guy sitting in the seat adjacent to mine, who was of the I’m-going-to-put-my-feet-on-the-opposite-seat-and-I-don’t-care-what-you-say variety, had been sitting with his back to the engine. When the bloke sitting almost opposite him got out, he immediately changed seats. Unfortunately, the train changes direction at Ely, so he was still sitting with his back to the engine. Worse (for him), a couple of people came and occupied the opposite seats, so he couldn’t put his feet up. I know I shouldn’t have felt rather satisfied, but I did. Of course I could be quite wrong: he might like travelling with his back to the engine and changed deliberately. But I don’t think so.

I arrived back to find my wife laid low by tonsillitis. She had seen the nurse, who as usual decided it was a virus and wouldn’t give her antibiotics. So that’s put that off for a few days. Meanwhile she had a bad night, but happily this morning her throat is less sore. I have cancelled the Coomes, who were supposed to be coming tomorrow, and stocked up on supermarket fodder. We were out of practically everything.

Don’t know where she got the throat thing from. We had a barbecue at Ed’s on Tuesday, but no-one there was ill. Then she went to a Nafpht meeting on Wednesday and the UEA on Thursday. The latter is the most probable. Of course we had our hair cut on Wednesday. That’s always risky. Weather is warm again today, but the forecast is not so good: rain in the offing.