23 December 2008

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That was just to fool you. In fact it’s reasonably mild for the time of year, and the days are getting longer, though as yet it’s undiscernible. The footprints are undoubtedly of Father Christmas, but where is it? No-one knows. I’ve just been into the city to get a final one or two things and forgetting one or two others that we will certainly need, though we don’t know it yet. Fairly quiet in the city, except in HMV, where there was the longest queue I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, it was also the quickest because their system was so superbly organised: a whole row of cashiers, with an additional guy directing the next in queue to the next cashier available (shoppers are usually too dim to see this for themselves, or possibly too short). Anyway, great planning: well done, HMV.

Dot has meanwhile decorated the house and actually painted part of the bathroom ceiling. We got a promise from City Hall that the binmen would come tomorrow after they came yesterday without telling anyone, and so we didn’t have out bags out. Discovered from our neighbour Ailsa that she too has been in contact several times over the intermittent service. I think City Care have a lucky dip on which day they’re going to do Aspland Road each week.

Yesterday I took part in the Christmas chess event and managed to beat the club’s top player on his final day before moving to Kent. OK, he had three minutes and I had seven, but who’s counting? Managed to lose my last game of six when a win would have tied me for first place, but that’s par for the course. An enjoyable evening, though I had one ginger beer too many. That’s a total of two, in case you were wondering. And yes, they’re non-alcoholic.

The alternative carol service went well on Sunday, with appreciation from many of the 40 or so present. Used a couple of old sketches revamped slightly, and they got some laughs. This was followed by a splendid Christmas lunch cooked by Vicky and friends, and in the evening by yet another meal out – Eugenia’s 40th birthday bash at the York Tavern. This turned out to be really good; it was in a private room at the top of the pub, and we met some interesting people, as well as eating some interesting food. In Italian style, plenty of children present, including her own baby, Francesca, who is a lovely little thing. Sat with a Japanese PhD student from UEA and Lisa, formerly in environmental education but now at a day centre for people with varying degrees of disability. Also met a German GP, with whose views on red tape we strongly sympathised. She is married to a Frenchman who is also at UEA – something to do with pharmaceuticals. I think Dot would like me to have been Norwegian, or Uzbekhistani or something.

The previous night we had another meal out, at the Higbees, which was also a lot of fun and very relaxing. Since then I have been down to Alburgh to pick up the Christmas cake from Marion while Dot was at Park Farm / picking up parcels from the Post Office / buying food from Waitrose / visiting her aunt Ethel. I also called in at Burston to leave Annette and Mike’s gift, but they were out. I hid it by the door, then wondered if Annette was at Bally, which would have been much easier. Now we’re just about ready to crash out before cooking a smallish meal for our much depleted Tuesday Group.

Another Aspland Road wall has been knocked down, this time by someone unknown. It must have happened while I was out this morning. The house turns out to be owned by Mrs Hicks’ daughter Janet, who is renting it out and called to see if we’d heard anything. Unfortunately Dot had The Messiah on high and was oblivious. Nice to meet Janet, though.

20 December 2008

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This is my second cousin Jeanette with my uncle Paul (her grandfather’s little brother), when she visited Norwich recently. She is now at Yate, near Bristol. He is still in Norwich, as am I. Meanwhile my son, his wife, her parents and our grandchildren are about to return from Lapland, where I understand they have met Santa Claus, some huskies and some assorted reindeer. Oh, and some Finns, I should imagine, as they are staying at Yllasjarvi, which as everyone knows is in the north of Finland. To be slightly more accurate, the flight tracker informs me that they are about to take off from Kittila airport. They should be back in England at about 9.30pm.

The days still go by quickly, and not just because we are approaching the shortest day. Everything now seems to be wrapped up, but I suspect this will prove to be a delusion. Dot and I were in the city today (she considerably longer than me), finishing off certain purchases. Tonight we are off to the Higbees’ for the evening. Yesterday was our Italian evening at Menita and Regis’, which turned out to be very pleasant. It started at 9pm and consisted of quite a lot of sweet food and an Italian version of bingo, followed by a sort of auction game involving cards. We made a pound or two, I think. No skill was involved at all. About ten to a dozen of us – all good company. We left at about 11.30 and still managed to stay up till about 12.30am. I blame my wife.

Earlier in the day we had been out to visit Lucy, who seemed a lot better following her visit to hospital at Cambridge. She is on a lot of antibiotics, I understand, and the doctors are worried about her immune system. After that we visited Dot’s Aunt Sheila, who had psychically prepared a very nice lunch for us involving jacket potatoes, ham, salad and boiled eggs. We also went to the cemetery and bought a new ink cartridge. Wonderful what you can get from cemeteries nowadays. They used to be a dead loss.

On Wednesday we had the monthly hair-cutting ceremony, this time supplemented by Linda’s partner Michael finishing off our shower room with some astonishingly tricky tile work on the windowsill. He was not on the windowsill; the tiles were. Eventually.

Dot got an inquiry from Teddington about P4C courses, which is a bit worrying. This whole thing could escalate out of all proportion. I have just finished preparing tomorrow’s alternative carol service, and making a card for Eugenia’s 40th birthday tomorrow. We hardly ever seem to be eating at home nowadays.

16 December 2008

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Just back from a North Walsham day – starting at the printer’s, where we discussed printing of material for Dot’s P4C folder with the owner, who happened to be the organist at our wedding in 1968. Then on to Elderton Lodge for truly wonderful sandwiches in a picturesque setting, then to Dot’s cousin Rosie’s, where I took the picture above and where we met her five new dogs for the first time. I am not desperately keen on dogs, but these five would have to stand on each other’s shoulders to give me any trouble. Had further sustenance there in the form of tea and cake, and from there we went the short distance to Jessie’s for more of the same – except that this time it was mince pies, which I could eat for England, unfortunately. It all took the edge off a very slight recurrence of flu symptoms, which I am sure will quickly subside.

Very cold day today, but it was milder yesterday, when (working backwards) I won a game of chess for my club against the aptly named Johnny Danger: mine was the only win in a 2-2 draw. Some consolation for last week’s fiasco. Earlier Barbara had been up to help Dot choose P4C folders, and we all had lunch at Caffe Italia, where I ran into the Mercury elite having what was presumably their Christmas lunch. Warm greetings ensued: Julia, Terry Redhead, Ivan, Jane, Terry Reeve, Tim Warner and the chief reporter, a charming girl whose name I have forgotten. I expect it will come back to me.

Much present-wrapping and card-writing over the past few days, but it’s mostly done now, except for close family. The City Council binmen have again failed to materialise, but phone calls seem to get nowhere. On Friday we had a “completely certain” assurance and “guarantee” that they would come, but of course they didn’t, and still haven’t. This time I was told it would definitely be Wednesday (tomorrow). I said I didn’t believe the council spokesperson, and she seemed unsurprisingly unsurprised by this.

Last Thursday’s Ambient Wonder event was hard to assess. Not many people came into the church, but I guess numbers aren’t everything. I’m still not sure it’s the right thing for the right place. Quite a cold night, both inside and outside the church.

On Friday a double whammy, starting with Archant pensioners’ lunch at the Jarvis hotel, which was as usual pleasantly nostalgic. I failed to win a place at the former subs’ table because of the press, as the King James Version might put it, and landed up with the cleaners but between Frances Burrows and Frances Pearce, which was a definite plus. In the evening (second whammy), former colleague Ian Bullock came round for a chat which extended almost to midnight.

On Saturday, after a bit of book shopping in the afternoon, we went to the Robinsons’ for a Moroccan meal, which was very pleasant. Philip is worried about the Russians turning off the gas, which I suppose is possible. I am worried about meteorites.

On Sunday evening we went for a curry with Heather, Simon and Sam at the excellent Ali Tandoori in Magdalen Street, and had an excellent time. En route from pre-Indian drinks at the King’s Head we ran into Dot’s cousin Roger and his son Philip. After the meal we had a further drink at the Maid’s Head, where Dot has discovered a cosy snug. Heather was suffering a bit from a bone at the bottom of her spine which she damaged years ago but has suddenly played up again for no apparent reason.

Now we are waiting to see how many people turn up for our Tuesday group, at the same time wondering how David and Vicky and family will get on on their flight to Lapland tomorrow, where they apparently have an appointment with Father Christmas. He had better be on the ball, or Amy will have something to say to him about it.

10 December 2008

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Winter sunshine shot of St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, taken from outside the Forum during my swift guided tour of the city for Jeanette and Graham, who are now in Liverpool, or possibly Southport, and thinking of buying a car, which is hardly surprising, given the size of their suitcases and their lack of any permanent hall to leave them in. They sent us a nice message thanking us for our hospitality and inviting us to Cornwall when they (a) get there and (b) find a house. They seemed quite happy with out cold winter weather: apparently Jeanette, at least, “likes the cold”.

Meanwhile things have quietened down a bit. Today I spent quite a lot of time making Christmas cards and then addressing envelopes. I surmounted the problem of replacing two ink cartridges while Dot was away with Barbara working on P4C in Metfield, though I did lose it momentarily while trying to use of one of those cheaper cartridges where you have to switch the electronic tag, or whatever it is. Definitely not worth saving the money. Incidentally the P4C website designed by David with content by Dot and Barbara is now up and running. Proof-read by me, so any mistakes are my fault. I’m hoping there aren’t any.

Dot finished her inspection at Carleton Rode on Monday morning. I took some stuff up the tip. That pretty much sums up our different roles. In the evening I played a really good game of chess against Colin Payne, then lost it through one bad move late in the evening. Unaccountably, I have been feeling down ever since, though I don’t think it’s entirely the chess. I’m not sure what it is.

Dot went to the dentist yesterday and apparently needs some work doing, despite the dentist’s admiring both the quality of her teeth and her general fitness and stunning appearance.. Apparently she would never be taken for a woman of 63. Tell me about it. We had a mammoth number of people round in the evening, and Dot and I ended up sitting at the breakfast bar. Still, the carrot soup didn’t run out, and we had a good session. I may not have mentioned (yes, I could check) that we also went to Ambient Wonder planning on Sunday, and tomorrow we have the big AW adventure, when we take over St Stephen’s Church just outside Chapelfield Mall and try to entice passers-by into talking to us and seeing what we have to offer. There is some excitement about this (quite rightly), but I find it difficult to cope with the chaos of it. This is a character defect. I have just been reading Jack Earl’s autobiography (he is in his late 90s), and it is amazing what he has done in his life – on a purely geographical level, apart from everything else. I put this down to his enjoyment of camping, which I could never get enthusiastic about. Oh, and the war.

7 December 2008

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Granddaughter Amy in her ballet outfit, performing a few pas de deux ou trois while staying with us last weekend, and looking stunning while doing so.

My second cousin Jeanette and her husband Graham left us on Friday by train for Liverpool, arriving at my first cousin’s there by early evening. Before they left we had fish and chips after a visit to the Rosary to see some family graves. The previous day we visited Paul and had a really good 90 minutes with him. He had a lot to tell Jeanette, most of which I’d heard before, but I did discover that my mother had been desperate to have a child (I was born eight years after they married) and made herself ill over it. I had always thought that they deliberately put off having me till the war was over. Jeanette was impressed by Paul, who is in his mid-eighties and still extremely fit and healthy.

I also took Jeanette and Graham for a drive round a few key spots, including our cottage at Yelverton, taking in my grandmother’s former homes at Queen’s Road (demolished), Hall Road (still there), Caistor Lane (changed out of all recognition) and Poringland (hardly changed at all).

I stayed in yesterday, writing a sermon on John the Baptist for this morning. I think it was too long, but three or four people said they liked it. In the afternoon yesterday I proof-read Dot’s website and completed the Ambient Wonder material – or would have done if the laminator hadn’t wrapped film around itself. Tried to fix it this afternoon, but couldn’t even get it open. I think it’s had it. I will get a new one tomorrow.

4 December 2008

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This is Jeanette and Graham, her husband, who are staying with us at the moment. Jeanette is my second cousin, from South Africa (near Pietermaritzberg) – the first daughter of my cousin Howard, my uncle Leonard’s son. They are coming to live in England – possibly in Cornwall, where they have a arranged a three-month rental of a holiday cottage near Tintagel while they sort themselves out. The rental doesn’t start till after Christmas, however. They arrived on Tuesday and are leaving by train tomorrow for Liverpool, where Jeanette’s aunt Ann (my cousin) lives. Yesterday I gave them the tour of Norwich, including lunch at Caffe Italia. It was a bright day but got colder and colder, and we were glad to get home in the end. Dot cooked lamb steaks. The previous day we directed them to Prezzo’s while we had our usual Tuesday gathering, and they also had a walk round. They are very easy to get on with and have plenty to tell us about the family in Africa, which has been fascinating.

Today is quite different: dull and wet. Dot has just taken her car to fill it with petrol prior to a trip to Ipswich this afternoon for a meeting to do with her Philosophy4Children project. She’s also showing Graham how you get petrol in England! Later I’ll take J & G round for a drive round a few significant spots, such as Howard’s birthplace in Queen’s Road.

At the weekend David and Vicky and the children came up, and we bought Oliver a Norwich City football kit for Christmas. Technically I didn’t, because I was cooking roast chicken at the time, but I was there in spirit. In the evening we all watched Hot Fuzz after the children had gone to bed. On Sunday I had to go to church owing to a shortfall in the music group, and all went well. We all went out to lunch at Prezzos, and when we got home Eddie, my cousin from Ilford, called in with his wife Christine and saw the grandchildren for the first time. Might also have seen David for the first time, come to think of it. Oliver became rather unwell during the day, with asthma affecting his chest. He was away from school a couple of days but is back today and improving. Hate to see him unwell. Amy showed us a few of her ballet moves and was generally adorable.

28 November 2008

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Had a great time in Scarborough from Monday to Thursday. This is Dot, Julia and Dave outside the cafe where we had just enjoyed a toasted teacake and hot drink, as well as much repartee featuring their friend Pam, who works there. The hot drink was especially welcome, because this was on the Tuesday, which was bitterly cold, with a strong wind. We spent the day around Scarborough. Dot and Julia went shopping in the afternoon, and Dave and I went for a walk in the Chinese gardens, where I managed to fall over, though without any ill effects. In the evening we ate at Tuscany 2, just down the road from the Evetts’ flat, and the food was excellent.

By the next day it was much milder, and we went further afield, calling at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar, which is on a cliff looking over to Robin Hood’s Bay. Walked round the gardens and then went in for a cup of tea. The whole place was wonderful. On to RHB itself, which was delightful. We parked at the top and walked down the steep road and along the narrow lanes, where we called in for lunch at a cafe where the tables were as tightly packed as the houses in the lanes. Then on to the sea, which was accessed by a steep slipway. There were dire warnings to keep away from it, so of course Dave wandered down to the water’s edge. No surprise there. The weather was benevolent and the crowds absent.

After this we drove on to Whitby and took a look at the Abbey beneath marvellous multicoloured skies, then into the town where I took it easy while the other three went off in unsuccessful search of kipper pate. Dot and I were impressed by Whitby: a very attractive town.

We had travelled to Scarborough on Monday by train from Norwich, which took four and a half hours, with changes at Peterborough and York. Dave met us at the station and took us to their flat, which is beautifully designed with a fantastic view of the headland and castle across South Bay. As the train approached the end of its journey we could see a lot of snow still on the moors, with part-rainbows against jet-black clouds: spectacular. In fact the scenery throughout our stay was inspiring, and I wrote four poems while we were there.

Somehow while we were there I managed to acquire a new pair of slippers, a jumper and a pair of trousers (the last because I had messed my others up when I fell over). Dave and Julia bought a painting at RHB. On the Thursday we had superb fish and chips before saying farewell at the station. The journey back, partly in the dark, was less interesting than the journey up, but equally efficient. Best of all, I felt much better, and my flu symptoms have almost entirely gone.

Taking the train did have its down side. When I left to go to the doctor’s this morning I found that the Mazda 3’s battery was flat, because the boot was not properly closed and the light had been on. It was blocking the MX5 in the garage, so I had to hurtle over to the station and get a taxi (£7 plus tip), and the bus back (free). The flat bettery was quickly fixed later by Mazda European Assistance, and I took the car for a drive to charge the battery up. Arrived back as Dot was leaving for her meeting at Diocesan House. Later took it to get the weekend shop at the supermarket. All seems well. This evening Dot has been to see the Vagina Monologues at the Playhouse with Annette V and one or two others.

23 November 2008

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Plenty of snow over the last couple of days. This was Aspland Road at lunchtime today, when we failed to get up the hill and had to park at the bottom of the road. More tricky than it might have been, because Dot was carrying a large chocolate cake that had been cooked for her birthday by Anna and brought to church. Actually there were three cakes, spelling d – o – t, but two of them were eaten at church. Later this afternoon I was able to go and drive the car up, because the temperature had risen and a snowman in the garden almost opposite had lost its head. Still quite white generally though.

Friday night at the Cathedral was good, and afterwards Dot went off with the girls (Vicky, Annette et al) for a drink in the Maid’s Head while I returned home and watched some average folk music on television, because I was feeling tired. Tiredness still a problem, but everything else seems to be progressing in the right direction, and we’re planning to leave by train at about 11am tomorrow for Scarborough. Forecast is quite good for the next few days, assuming the snow melts and we get some sunshine as promised. The temperature should be in the 5-10C bracket, which could be worse.

Yesterday – Dot’s birthday – we had a lie-in and eventually got to St Luke’s just before 1pm. Afternoon session was interesting. Snow was falling outside, but not enough to worry us on the journey home – just as well, as we were in the MX5. In the evening I cooked steak and chips. The chips mysteriously burnt, though the heat and timing were as always, and I did some instant mashed potato, which was in the freezer and tasted really good. After it was cooked, that is. Managed a bottle of wine between us.

21 November 2008

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Latest picture of Dot’s Aunt Ethel, who we visited on Wednesday, after lunching at Park Farm. She was in good spirits. In the evening we went to see Romeo and Juliet, put on by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Theatre Royal. All very well done – set about half a century ago – but marred somewhat because there were thousands of schoolchildren in, and the ones behind us couldn’t stop talking. I wrote to the manager to complain about it, partly because a couple of couples in our row didn’t come back after the interval, and it is £20 a ticket.

Last night we went with Anne and Philip to St Benedict’s Restaurant for Dot’s birthday meal, which was excellent. I felt I could tackle a steak and mushroom pudding, and it was beautifully done. Philip gave us a lift, which was nice because it was very cold. I have been feeling very tired recently, but paracetamol usually helps, and I felt fine for the evening. Today we went (a little late) to the James Finlay sessions at St Luke’s. He’s a former monk who specialises in Thomas Merton but talks generally about contemplative prayer and allied subjects. Very laid back and (but?) very, very good. I came back home this afternoon because I was tired, but Dot returned after popping into the city and really enjoyed it. One of the reasons I came home was because I want to go this evening, when he’s speaking in the Cathedral. I’ve just taken some paracetamol in anticipation!

Dot and I were supposed to be part of the team gettying stuff ready, but I really wasn’t up to it. Very blustery and cold today, which means several layers are compulsory for the Cathedral. Snow is due tomorrow. Wonder what it’s like in Scarborough…

17 November 2008

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Went to Paston country today, had lunch with Lucy, who is off work more or less permanently with leukaemia, and then went with her and her friend Diana to Cromer District Council offices to take down the small Paston exhibition there. Diana took this picture. The weather was miserable: very cold and damp. Afterwards I called in at Wroxham Barns to take the Martin Laurance print for framing. I had intended to take Lucy’s too, but that turned out to be already framed. While at Lucy’s she showed me how to use Garage Band to record poems, and I hope to be able to record Caroline and Lisa. I am also intending to help Lucy with her guidebook of Paston walks, in return for which she’s going to teach me how to edit movies.

Yesterday was a significant Sunday, as it saw the farewell from St Augustine’s of our friends David and Bridget. They are going to a more traditional type of church in Norwich. Bridget is training to be a reader. We had quite a moving farewell liturgy, followed by wine and a delicious chocolate cake cooked by Anna. Howard preached a great sermon on thankfulness (among other things), and I led the service. We hope D & B will continue to come to our Tuesday Group. They have been a big part of what has been going on at St Augustine’s and will be sadly missed. In the evening Dot and I went to the Ambient Wonder planning session. We are doing a special AW at Stephen’s Church on Dec 11 – a Thursday evening when people will be passing on late-night Christmas shopping and might appreciate a bit of quiet in the middle of it all. Or not, I guess. Worth a try. Anna wants Dot and I to go to Greenbelt with them next year. Staying in a hotel, of course. Camping is right out. An over-my-dead-body scenario.

On Friday the four of us (Anna, Howard, Dot and I) had dinner at Vicky and Jared’s: a really lovely evening with Spanish food that was surprisingly wonderful.