18 May 2009

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Dot and Barbara suitably attired for sailing in Blakeney harbour, and a little concerned that they should have had bespoke versions.

Roger and Barbara visited Essex in a hire car on Saturday: I paid a second visit to Voicing Visions and managed to see a lot more than I had at the private view. Was quite impressed by some of the poems, as well as the visual art. In the evening had a meal for eight – Anna and Howard, Anne and Philip joining us. Really brilliant evening. All went to church on Sunday, then to Open Studios at Art Factory; met Rupert and Shirley, Annette, Martin, Rosalind, and Georgina Warne. Some stunning pictures by Mike in traditional style, but with an edge, as Paul Cracknell would say. In the evening went to Caffe Uno for another good meal. Today we’re about to drive to Caddington for David’s birthday and a meal at St Albans. Weather has been windy but mainly – though not entirely – dry.

16 May 2009

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Dot and Barbara feeling totally at home at Sandringham. This is a small “house” in the grounds where one of the royals used to go and sit, watching the lake. Sandringham was surprisingly beautiful. Lovely grounds, and the tour of the house was made so much more interesting by the guides, who were totally up to the brim with knowledge of its history, and good at putting it over. We were there on Wednesday, and the weather wasn’t bad – quite a bit of sun, though pretty windy. After Sandringham we drove to Wolferton, then Burnham Market, where there was a wandering round of the shops. In the evening a late decision found us at the Playhouse, where we saw an excellent concert involving a Russian violinist and English pianist, and someone who turned the pages. She tried to stay in the background, but she couldn’t prevent us from seeing how good a job she was doing.

Thursday was much duller, but the wind had dropped just enough for us to go sailing in Blakeney harbour, starting at Morston, with Norfolk Etc. We were captained by a brilliant young Aberdonian called Colin, who was not only extremely proficient, as you might have expected, but also friendly and entertaining. We all had to wear all-over waterproofs that did nothing for the normally glamorous picture that Dot and Barbara present to the world. We landed on the point and walked over to the other side before returning on the last of the tide. Afterwards the normal beautifully presented lunch at Cookies (Salthouse), plus a visit to a wildlife art exhibition at Glandford and then afternoon tea at Blakeney Hotel, in the first-floor lounge overlooking the estuary. Quite a full day, topped off by watching a DVD at home – Aeon Flux, which was fun, but not as good as Star Trek, which we saw at the ciinema the following evening. Much better than the original TV series, with strong characterisation and script and an interesting plot. Kept me glued to my seat for two hours.

Earlier we’d visited the Time and Tide Museum at Yarmouth. Not my first time, but first for everyone else. Wonderful museum, highly recommended. Followed by a snack at the attached Silver Darlings cafe and a windy walk in the valley at Winterton.

12 May 2009

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This is the article I mentioned last time. No, I know you can’t read it, but it’s evidence…

Dot and Anne returned safely from the hen night just after 1am. Dot extremely unimpressed with the night club they went to: the drinks were sweet and unpleasant, and the alcohol content was barely detectable; the noise felt as if it was destroying body tissue. They had a good meal at Cafe Uno first, though.

Haven’t been particularly well, but got through Sunday “in charge” at St Augustine’s. At about one minute to 11, there were about three people there. We ended up with 22, which isn’t bad. Felt it went quite well. After lunch (and watching the F1 Grand Prix from Barcelona, which Button won), we went out to North Walsham, left flowers in the cemetery, where the wind was way beyond chilly, and ended up at Jessie’s for tea and cake, which is always very enjoyable.

Yesterday we had a mammoth shop at Waitrose – at £145 the most I’ve ever spent in one go on food – in preparation for the arrival of the Murrays from Canada. As I write they are on the 10am from Liverpool Street, having spent an age crossing London in a taxi. Fortunately I have just found an energy bar called Trek, which is tasty and might see me through the first few minutes… Dot has gone to the supermarket to get some flowers, and possibly potatoes. Well, you never know, do you?

9 May 2009

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Yes, it’s Dot again, setting out for a hen night with her friend Anne. Norwich on full alert. The hen night is for Anne’s daughter Sophie, who is getting married at the end of the month. Meanwhile, a quiet evening for me, which is just as well, as I’m not feeling at my peak. I’m back on antibiotics, this time long-term, in a bid to get rid of my urine infection. Sorry to keep mentioning it. It’s a bit painful today, which is unusual: normally it just makes me feel generally unwell. Hope for an upturn by tomorrow, when I’m leading and preaching, and probably leading prayers as well. Suspect no-one else is going to be there.

Anyway, I did win my chess game on Monday night, which gave me 5/8 in the tournament and possible promotion to the first division next year. The next day Dot and I embarked by train to Scarborough for an overnight stay. Very pleasant journey both ways (especially coming home) with everything running to time – or very nearly. Dave and Julia met us and we had a long talk at their apartment, then walked down the cliff path to the beach, which was beautiful, along the front to the harbour and back up to the station , where we caught the bus back to the apartment, using our free bus passes! Julia provided an Indian meal of suprising hotness. Slept well, and the next day we went to Thornton-le-Dale, a beautiful village sadly (or perhaps deliberately) undersold by its website. We went for a walk of just under two miles and managed to avoid the rain. Then to a farm shop / restaurant, where we had lunch, which consisted mainly of (very good) sandwiches. After a detour down the wonderful Forge Valley, not to be confused with the more famous Valley Forge, which is in another country and besides, the wench is dead. (Sorry – obscure literary reference). Then by a slightly devious route to Scarborough Station, where we caught the train we meant to and changed at Grantham. The conductor said Peterborough, but that would have been a mistake, as the train we took from York did not stop there and we would have arrived bewildered at Stevenage, which is not something you’d want to happen.

Since then I’ve been to the dentist to have a filling built up, which was far less painful than the cleaning I’d had done a week or so ago. And today we both had our hair cut. How exciting is that? Meanwhile I’ve been rushing around sorting out various matters, mainly financial, and have managed to write a sermon to boot. Well, not to boot exactly, although that could be the reaction. Weather has been a bit on the chilly side, but nothing too unseasonal. We’re hoping for summer next week, when the Murrays arrive by train from Canada. After catching the plane first, of course.

Keiron Pim did a big article in the EDP this week about Voicing Visions, the Norwich 20 Group art and poetry exhibition which opens next week. I was quoted extensively, and Sandra’s picture dominated the page. My poem was also used. Can’t grumble about that, can you?

4 May 2009

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Yes, it’s Dot – caught at a high point in her house-cleaning operation. At this juncture she slightly over-reached herself, and I had to help her down. Well, I’m sure she could have made it, but there’s no sense in taking risks, is there? There was an avalanche warning out.

She took a break from it all yesterday, when we both travelled down to Caddington after church to spend the afternoon and evening with David and the children. Easy drive, and we arrived not long after 2.15pm. After lunch we played quite bit of football in the garden, with Oliver showing some impressive touches, and Dot helped Amy plant some seeds. We arrived back just before midnight, and both slept till late. While I was in the bath Mairead called to ask Dot to sign some passport forms, which meant she had to emerge sheepishly from the bedroom…

The weather at Caddington was quite pleasant, but today it’s turned very chilly, and I can’t seem to get warm. Hope it’s just the weather… Dot has been out for lunch with Carrie at Notcutt’s, and I’m hoping to play chess this evening. Tomorrow we head for Scarborough by train to overnight with the Evetts.

1 May 2009

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This is a bridge over the River Tiffey at Wymondham, just down the road from the Abbey. Dot and I dropped by when looking at the possibility of taking the Murrays to Wymondham Station for a meal and going for a walk afterwards. Quite pleasant, but not totally convinced about either.

While on the subject of walking in the country, I took poet Lisa and her daughter Blossom out to North-East Norfolk on Wednesday to show her one of the Paston Walks. She will probably be doing a poetry walk at the upcoming Art Alive! weekend if she can find the time. I have declined on the grounds that the Murrays will be here that weekend. We started at the cliff beyond the uninspiring Mundesley Holiday Village and walked across the fields to Paston Church, then back by a slightly different route. Blossom (still not 3) did very well, but wanted the pushchair some of the time – which was quite a demanding push for Lisa over the field paths. Afterwards we had chips at Bacton. Now it seems that Lucy wants the walk to start at the church, on the grounds that there might be a ton of takers on the day. Not sure Lisa wants a ton of takers, especially last-minute ones.

Been to a couple of annual meetings: on Tuesday night it was a meal at St Luke’s, which was very tasty, followed by the usual rather bland discussion and the PCC agm – which passed swiftly and uncontentiously as usual. Yesterday it was the Archant agm at the Assembly House: lovely setting, exceptional buffet, though Hugh Gayler complained of the lack of cheese straws “like his mother used to make”. Surprisingly, no former EDP subs present, which rather detracted from the excitement. Still, found plenty of people to talk to, including Doug Bird, Keith Morris and Mike Almond (formerly of Royston), as well as Hugh and Peter Bright (both former EN subs). The forthcoming job cuts were barely mentioned. No questions, no pickets. Possibly because negotiations have reached a personal level, and no-one wants to rock his or her own boat, which would be understandable. Ivor Harvey sought guidance as to what happened at an agm: apparently it was the first one he’d been to.

The weather has been frighteningly good: Dot is afraid it’s peaking before the Murrays get here, and there is a risk that it will turn grey and rainy when they arrive. Strange. She is usually such an optimist. Anyway, she is continuing her clean house campaign, which includes painting anything that doesn’t move, so I only just escaped. At the moment she is rearranging the kitchen and washing everything on the dresser as we wait for Lucy, who is supposed to be picking up the Paston maps (or copies of them), which I seem to have. The visit of the piano tuner this week was clearly well timed, as an in-tune piano will be vital. It’s also clean, of course.

27 April 2009

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Rather nice butterfly (you can tell I majored in nature study) pictured by the river at Cringleford the other day. I pursued it for a while before getting close enough for this shot.

Now on tenterhooks waiting to see if Norwich City manage to win tonight and preserve their hopes of staying in the Championship. I am not overly optimistic, but then I am not an overly optimistic person – about that sort of thing, anyway. A card Dot discovered while cleaning out my study the other day reminds me that someone of my name “handles disappointment well, since he tends to expect it”. Grain of truth there, though I prefer the “wry sense of humour”. Must be something in it, mustn’t there?

Earlier today went to see my doctor, and got in only 35 minutes late. Can’t complain, can you? My blood’s PSA level is no longer “perfect”: it is “undetectable”. Can something be undetectable and perfect at the same time? Of course it can. Still feeling a bit fragile, but the rest of my blood tests were good too, so I don’t appear to have anything. Nothing obvious, anyway. Three days more antibiotics…

After going to the dentist on Friday (one filling to come), I went with Dot to see Graham Kendrick, well known songwriter and worship leader, at King’s Centre. It was a good evening (800 – sold out), though I would rather he had played some more of his performance songs. Impressive guy; everyone warmed to him. Surprised to see Anna, Nicholas and Phil there from St Augustine’s, and Marjorie – a face from the past: our best man’s sister, who lives just outside Norwich, but who we don’t see very often. Really nice to run into her.

On a roll, we went out again on Saturday evening to see HMS Pinafore by the Carla Rosa Opera at the Theatre Royal. I’m a sucker for G&S, both lyrics and music, but this was an exceptional performance. I sat there with a stupid grin on my face all evening. Sadly the theatre was half empty; hard to understand why, unless it was the ludicrous ticket prices. All right, we were in the best seats, but nearly £30 a ticket?! The Maddermarket, a much nicer and smaller theatre, costs £10-£12 a time.

Led at St Augustine’s on Sunday: almost had to play guitar as well because of music group absentees, but Liz stepped in at the last moment. Ambient Wonder planning in the evening: I think I’m in a minority of one in not really enthusing about the planning meetings, though the pizza and wine were fine. First thoughts on the event at Greenbelt we’re involved in: theme The Long Now. While I was supposed to be praying I thought of a great idea for a poem. Perhaps I was praying. Who knows?

23 April 2009

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Grandson Oliver watching Norwich v Watford at Carrow Road and looking worried – justifiably, as it turned out, because although Norwich won that one 2-0, they are now in a desperate situation.

Lovely summer weather continues. On Tuesday Lisa came round (with Blossom) to talk about the poetry walks. Since then a message from Lucy seems to indicate that she expects two walks each day, and not one – and that we’re expected to be there the whole day as well. I don’t think either of those things will be possible. Meanwhile I’ve arranged to go out with Lisa to Paston on the 29th to reconnoitre the planned walk(s).

Yesterday Phil drove me to Coventry for a meeting with Dr Saad about the severity and nature of Andrew’s illness. We were able to persuade him that there had been no sudden deterioration, but it was a long-term problem, with the same continuing symptoms. Afterwards we took Andrew out for a drive – first to Corley Rocks (after going completely the wrong way when we asked him to direct us: his “that way if you want to; I don’t mind” wasn’t tremendously helpful), then to Memorial Park and a quick look round where we used to live – Beanfield Avenue and The Chesils. We ended up at TGI Friday’s for a full meal just before 5pm and then dropped him back at The Langleys just after 6pm – checking that his new stereo turntable was working OK. Brief chat with Halina, then an easy drive home across the Fens. I say easy, but Phil must have driven about 350 miles during the day. Arrived home before 9pm, feeling pretty tired. Dot had had a good P4C afternoon at Horsford School and had had a clean-out in my study.

I should mention that the plumber came and fixed the bath drainage pipe. All household fittings and equipment are now working properly, but Dot is at the dentist. I am due there tomorrow. I had a blood test first thing this morning, which has become such a familiar thing to me that I can almost look at the needle going in. But not quite.

20 April 2009

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Another picture from Easter weekend, with grandson Oliver about to demonstrate his skill with a rolling pin. Admiring sister looks on.

Today has been very busy – so busy in fact that I’m too tired to play in the John Swan Rapidplay chess event, which I normally enter. Instead, I’m writing this. Dot has gone off to PCC but shouldn’t be long. Started the day by dithering around instead of taking the opportunity to get up early when Dot went off to Yarmouth for a Philosophy4Children event at Anne’s school. Eventually got moving and found the bath drainage pipe was leaking. Aargh! I suppose if any pipe is going to leak, the bath drainage one is best. We don’t actually have to use the bath, though I do find it difficult to resist.

After thinking about that for a bit, I went up to the Grapevine to help with taking down the exhibition. Annette, Martin and Peter were there. I took a pile of pictures out to Paston, after calling back home to pick up some Guidebook walks directions that I’d left behind. Before Paston comes Bacton, and I took the opportunity to have some delicious cod and chips – with free bonus sausage – which I ate in Paston churchyard. Then to Dayspring, where I put all the pictures on the table tennis table, because there was nowhere else to put them. There was a hippo taking up most of the barn. Had a quick word with the lovely Naomi and then went off to check walk directions, finding them sadly lacking in several places and completely wrong in one. Still, had a pleasant hour or two in summer sunshine countryside and found a delightful church on a hill at Edingthorpe.

Called at the printers in North Walsham on the way home and picked up some P4C leaflets for Dot after eventually getting through to her on the phone to check that it was OK to do so. At home I corrected the walks and sent them off to Lucy, but haven’t heard anything since.

Yesterday Norwich City knocked another nail in what might turn out to be their coffin when they lost 3-2 to Ipswich, thanks to a wrongly awarded penalty. Earlier I preached at St Augustine’s, mainly on forgiveness (a good and underrated thing), and spent the rest of the day watching too much television, interspersed with popping outside to make me feel better. Watched F1 Chinese Grand Prix, then quite a lot of football. Not sure why I was pleased Man Utd lost on penalties to Everton: my natural penchant for the underdog, I suspect, since I am one.

18 April 18 2009

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This is Amy in our garden on Easter weekend. Following the egg hunt came egg demolition…

In the last couple of days I’ve managed to complete the section of Lucy’s Paston Guidebook that I’m responsible for, but I’d like to check a couple of the walks before signing it off. Today I followed the Norwich one and had to make several changes and additions. I was relieved that I felt OK after walking two and a half miles, though. While I was doing that, Dot went to the shop and returned home to find she hadn’t got a key, so she sat in the garden for a while, then walked to meet me. Happily it was a beautifully sunny day, and in the garden she was sheltered from the cold northerly wind. Later, after I finished my sermon for tomorrow, we drove to Wymondham to look at the picturesque station as a possible eating place, then parked and walked a bit near the abbey. Dot has painted one of the gates a slightly different shade of green. Our gates, I mean. Not the abbey’s.

I now have a completely new course of antibiotics (or anti-bacterial drugs, as I believe they’re really called), which will last a fortnight and hopefully see off the persistent infection down below. I do feel much less tired, though things are still not as they should be. I had a talk with Dr Hampsheir on the phone and feel rather more reassured. I’ll be seeing him again in ten days’ time. David had a recurrence of his kidney stone pain today while he was on his way home with Oliver and Amy from the London Eye and Aquarium, but by the time he rang us the pain had gone. Apparently the children did really well.

Dot went down to Metfield on Thursday to prepare for another day of philosophy at Yarmouth on Monday – at Anne’s school. And we had our burglar alarm serviced. Just thought I’d mention that.