20 July 2008

Uncategorized, , , , ,

David and son Oliver face the fury of the waves at West Runton last Sunday. I suppose “fury” may be putting it a bit high, but at least they’re in there together and having fun. Now it’s a week later, and Dot is at Ambient Wonder. I was intending to go, but got a stomach upset just as we were about to set off. Stomach seems to be OK now, which is a bit disappointing – not that my stomach is OK, but that I didn’t just ignore it and go. Oh, well. Preached at church this morning and also had to play guitar, because of a lack of musicians. Afterwards six of us went to the Gibraltar Gardens for lunch – a carvery. As the other four were Annette, Ali, Trevor and Liz, it was a lot of fun. The sun came out and we looked at the river afterwards, and wondered about going over to North Wales together. I don’t think it’s likely to happen, but it was nice thinking about it. Dot and I have booked to go to the Victoria Hotel at Holkham next Sunday, which is our ruby wedding anniversary, and we’re going to stay for two nights. Bit expensive, but it should be really nice.

Dot did her church school inspection on Thursday and wrote up her report on Friday, which is a bit of a record. I wrote a request for a second opinion on A’s condition and caught up on my in-tray. Phil came round later, and I looked at the accident report he had to put together for his insurance company: he looked at my second-opinion letter. My new Flip camcorder arrived, but I haven’t had a chance to get to grips with it yet. Looks very straightforward and promising. Later Joy invited Dot and me to a showing of Prince Caspian arranged by Surrey Chapel at the Hollywood Cinema. This was at 10.30am on Saturday, but we managed to get up in time to pick up Phil and Joy and get us all there in good time! The film was excellent. Joy had real trouble with the steps at the cinema, though, and we had to go and get the car from the car park so that she didn’t have to struggle to get back there.

Later yesterday, Mike, Annette R and Lisa popped in, and we had a talk about Paston and Lucy and how things were going. Really good to see them. I shall now probably be seeing Annette on Tuesday to help plan the book, and again on Thursday at Paston, to follow up the Wednesday workshop. I have been feeling quite a lot better, and next week I should be able to drive (six weeks after my operation). I am having a blood test tomorrow morning, which should give an indication as to whether the operation was a complete success. My consultant will tell all on the 31st.

Watched quite a lot of the Open this weekend and was delighted by the result, especially with an Englishman in second place. The Tour de France was pretty exciting today, too.

16 July 2008

Uncategorized, , ,

Dot on the beach at West Runton, where we’ve just spent a couple of days. Following our day trip there on Sunday with our family, Dot and I returned on Monday afternoon, after a brief excursion into the city, where I had an eye test. I need new reading glasses, chose some frames and will be picking them up next week. We had a quick lunch at Caffee Italia, then packed and set off. Cloudy, but warm. We walked down to the beach shortly after our arrival, then made our way back to the caravan for some food and a lazy evening.

Tuesday was a beautiful day – mainly sunny and warm with the odd cloud floating over. We walked down to the beach again and spent some time exploring the rock pools, as the tide was right out. Then back to the caravan and drove to Salthouse, where we had lunch at Cookie’s, the seafood cafe. I discovered I could eat beetroot. Then to the Ian Collins-curated exhibition at Salthouse Church, which was not bad at all. Some quite interesting stuff, especially outside in the churchyard, which has a great view of the sea. There was an egg-shaped contemplation chamber which was also a camera obscura: you had to lock yourself in and wait for your eyes to adjust, then you could see clouds floating past and moving foliage on the walls. Later I wrote a poem in which it featured, along with other nearby items.

After this we drove over to the beach, where we sat for a while on the shingle bank (Dot with a coffee purchased from a van). Watched fisherman for a while, then drove back to caravan, had tea and watched a couple of DVDs – one featuring the Goons which mixed embarrassment with the odd bit of creative humour – probably quite avant garde at the time. Then Inside Man, a film Dot had bought me for my birthday. We kept popping out to take pictures of a stunning sunset, but at least we didn’t fall asleep, as we did when we saw it the first time in Florida. Quite a remarkable and original film.

This morning we did very little except break the shower head which, to be fair, was already broken and had been glued together. Went to the shop and bought some more glue, effecting a fresh repair. Had lunch, Dot tidied up, and we left just before 2pm, taking the country route home. It had been a very relaxing break: the caravan was a pleasant base with a very comfortable bed. On arrival in Norwich, Anton at No 17 had two parcels for us – more birthday books and some wine. Dot did quite a lot of work in preparation for her inspection tomorrow, and I caught up on Tour de France episodes. I seem to have got over my slight problem (see Sunday), with the help of a couple of surplus antibiotic pills.

14 July 2008

Uncategorized, , , ,

My birthday weekend: the picture shows my two cakes, my two grandchildren and my son and daughter-in-law, concentrating hard on the matter in hand. Plus the back of Dot’s head.This was just after they arrived, early Saturday afternoon, and we had cakes, tea, and present-opening. I got lots of books, which is just right for me, plus a couple of DVDs – a film (from Dot) and In the Shadow of the Moon (from David) – which looks at the people who’ve been to the moon and has other features too. He also got me a book on how to build a spaceship, so he might be trying to tell me something. In the evening we had roast beef and pink champagne, which was delicious.

On the Sunday we all went to West Runton and made use of Fred’s caravan. First we had lunch there, then went down through the village to the beach and had a great time with the children in the rock pools and watching the tide come in. It was a beautiful day – blue skies and warm – and I took lots of good pictures. Unfortunately I did have a problem which may or may not have been a urine infection. It seemed to improve a little during the day, and in the end I took the first of two antibiotic tablets that I had been oversubscribed, followed by the second one this morning, when I felt quite a lot better, though I had slept badly.

Yesterday was not a good day for motor vehicles. First Dot nearly hit a car when emerging from Aspland Road with David as a passenger (Vicky and I were ahead with the children). Disaster narrowly averted. Then, or possibly just before, Phil had a crash at the Puppet Theatre roundabout. He was going straight ahead in the outside lane when a woman in the left-hand lane decided to turn right and hit him in the side. She was an American, lost and with left-hand drive, but no excuse. Happily another driver stopped and offered to be an independent witness. He also took pictures, I believe. Phil rather shaken and faced with a wait before his car is roadworthy.

Then just as David and Vicky were packing to go home at about 7.15pm, their car keys got locked in the car. They called the RAC, who came very quickly but took two and a half hours to break in and retrieve the keys. Apparently he could have done it quicker but didn’t want to damage the paintwork. Impressive security, though. At first the children watched proceedings, but eventually they went to bed and to sleep, which raised a problem when the keys were eventually retrieved at about 10.15pm. To go or stay? They decided to go, and left just before 10.30pm, with two sleepy children carried down from their beds. We got a text message at 1am to say they were home safely and the car was unpacked.

I now await sarcasm from certain quarters not a million miles removed from Nottingham about my use of a caravan, but of course there is a world of difference between a static caravan and one that is cluttering up the roads. That’s my story, anyway.

11 July 2008

Uncategorized, ,

This has been a quiet week, really, in terms of physical activity. I haven’t been out much, except on Tuesday, when Dot dropped me at Richer Sounds on her way up to the garage to purchase four new tyres for the Mazda 3 (over £500 – I blame Gordon Brown, since I don’t think anyone has blamed him for the cost of tyres yet). At Richer Sounds I asked for £80 back, as I hadn’t claimed on my warranty cover for my hi-fi over three years. To my surprise, there was no loophole: they handed it over without any problem, once I had worked out how to get in the building. The front door was locked and no-one had the key; apparently everyone arrives by car and uses the back entrance in the car park. I bought a cable that may or may not be useful. I need to speak to my technical expert, who may also advise me on whether or not to buy a Flip camcorder, which seems ideal for my needs. I am very tempted to go for it immediately, but won’t. Probably.

Anyway, on my walk back home I took the picture above from Fye Bridge before walking through the cathedral and realising I was actually very tired. I sat for a while, then continued home. Later on Annette R called and we had a chat about progress with the Paston project, which seems to be going well, though Annette is a bit concerned about practical aspects of putting the book together. Later on in the week I responded to a collagraph from Sharon Teague with a poem I was quite pleased with, using imagery from jousting and chess. I used a title I have been trying to use for ages: Blue Days, Black Knights. Buddy Holly would have approved. Perhaps.

Later we had a good evening with the Tuesday Group, though I had to take paracetamol before they arrived, as I was getting a bit the worse for wear. Surprisingly, it worked very well. On Wednesday Linda came round and did our hair, following which Dot disappeared into the city to meet Barbara. Pretty miserable weather, and I declined the opportunity to join her there to purchase a new anorak, which I will eventually have to do, much as I hate shopping for clothes. The Tour de France has started, which is always a good sign, and Dot and I are following it closely on ITV4, which gives it an hour a night – or about 40 minutes once you remove the adverts. So of course we always record it and skip them.

Dot has been busy completing a distance learning task related to her school inspections: she has almost finished, but it seems to have taken up a huge amount of time, considering that she’s not getting paid for it. I have started writing an account of my prostate adventures and have completed a kind of prologue – the period leading up to my operation. I am intending to include the poems I wrote while in hospital and just afterwards, but can’t imagine who – other than family and close friends – would be interested in reading it. Nevertheless, I feel it should be done. I don’t know the ending yet, or course.

Last night, while I was watching England do remarkably well at cricket, Dot went to a PCC meeting which must have been one of the shortest on record. Why do I miss all the good ones? Apparently Nicholas is thinking of taking three months off to write a book on Developing Consciousness. I wonder if our joint effort a few years ago will feature or if this will be a completely new book. I may get an acknowledgement, but I suspect it will end up as one of the many pieces of writing I’ve completed and then failed to get published. Or to be more accurate, failed to make much attempt to get published.

I got a surprise e-mail from a guy in Weymouth who knew a Margaret Lenton who turned out to be the grand-daughter of my great-grandmother’s sister. There must be a word for that. Facinating stuff, actually, because she was quite a distinguished composer. The guy may even send me a CD of her music. This is possibly the most interesting Lenton I’ve come across in my genealogical adventures. Unfortunately she’s dead, and neither she nor her only sister married or had children.

Had a long phone call this morning from the social worker in Coventry, saying the doctor is quite worried about Andrew, following certain memory tests, and wanting to talk about transferring him to another team and possibly another residence. Phil and I are very much against this, as he seems so happy where he is and enjoys his freedom. A change might result in him having to be accompanied whenever he goes out, and he would hate that. After talking to Phil this afternoon, I will probably write (as suggested by the social worker) and ask for a second opinion.

The weather is calm at the moment, but thunderstorms are forecast for today and tomorrow, followed by much better weather from Sunday. Hopefully this will mean we can use Fred’s caravan early next week.

7 July 2008

Uncategorized, ,

This should have been a picture of David Coomes and his wife Kristine, who came to visit us yesterday, but I forgot to take it. So instead here is Dot on Winterton dunes, gazing hopefully out to sea.

We had a good time with the Coomes, involving a great deal of nostalgia and shared reminiscences, with exploding peas looming large. Dot did a superb lunch as usual and as the weather was largely wet, we stayed in and talked a lot. It was really good to catch up. They left just after six, and we are all determined to meet again soon.

The visit to Claxton last Thursday took more out of me than I thought, and I got tired quickly for the next two or three days, despite not moving far from the house. On Friday evening Phil and Joy came round to use the computer (theirs is out of commission again) and I got so tired while talking to them that I had to go and lie down. Jonathan then came to deliver some paper (en route to Annette) and stayed for a while after P & J left. I came down to say hello, but it wasn’t long before I was back in bed.

Saturday was fairly quiet. I popped down to Budgens on Prince of Wales Road to buy some ham and oranges, but that was it. Wettish weather most of the day gave way to a fine evening for the Lord Mayor’s procession, but I was too tired to go. We watched the fireworks from the window of the guest bedroom.

After the Coomes left on Sunday we watched the end of the Wimbledon men’s singles final, which turned out to be a marathon effort, won in the end by Nadal, who beat Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 after a couple of rain breaks. Much as I like Federer I was quite pleased, because I thought Nadal had earned it. Lewis Hamilton also won the British Grand Prix in rainy conditions, so that was good. I watched the highlights this morning, but I already knew the result.

This morning Diane came round for tea while Dot was out at WW, but she returned while we were talking and we all had a really interesting chat. Yesterday I managed to finish off all my letters thanking people for their cards, and I caught up on some other things this afternoon. Dot went to a heads and ex-heads meeting at Bramerton and is still out – now at a church LMT meeting at Horsford. David has rung to say Oliver got a brilliant report. Delighted for him, because he does try hard – apart from being naturally brilliant, of course – and he gets on so well with people. Great for his parents, too.

I don’t think I mentioned that Dot has been offered the prospect of a job next term on behalf of the diocese. Better not say what it is, as it’s still very much under wraps and depends on funding and approval from on high. No, not that high. Oh, I don’t know. Maybe. She’s quite keen.

4 July 2008

Uncategorized, ,

I think I shall call this picture Stalks. I took it up on what I believe is known as the Old Library Park, about 50 yards away up the hill. There’s some kind of campaign going on to improve the area: we’ve been asked for suggestions. The poppies may indicate that the locals are trying to grown opium, or they may be natural. I didn’t mention them. In my opinion the Old Library Park is vastly improved by having Oliver and Amy in it, but I didn’t mention that either.

Yesterday and today have both been very warm, and I feel pretty tired after having been out in it. Last evening we picked up Stephanie and went to Claxton Opera, about 8-10 miles along country lanes. As I may have mentioned before, the theatre is actually in a house, and this year they are putting on The Threepenny Opera. At first I thought I was going to be disappointed, but it got going after about 20 minutes and turned out to be quite successful. Oddly, they split it into two, with about an hour and a half before the interval and less than half an hour after. There was the usual minor irritation of having to wait for a minibus afterwards, but we got talking to Hereward and Diana Cooke.

Pretty exhausted after we got home, but still didn’t sleep particularly well. Nonetheless we went into the city this morning to buy a couple of things and pay in a cheque, staying on for an early lunch at Caffee Italia. Flaked out on the bed after getting home, but made the mistake of putting a video on – Enemy of the State – which proved to be so compulsive I didn’t doze off as I had intended. Halfway through Liz D called for a cup of tea, and now Dot has gone to Sainsbury’s in anticipation of the Coomes’ visit on Sunday.

2 July 2008

Uncategorized, , ,

Another shot of a cathedral sunset, taken a few days ago. Since my last post I’ve had my catheter removed, which is something of a relief. Everything seems to work more or less OK, but the downside was that I had developed an infection from it, which meant I had to stay in hospital overnight on Sunday. In fact I had been feeling pretty rotten on Saturday with what I thought was a stomach upset, but on reflection it was probably the same thing. So on with the antibiotics, and into the bed.

I was in the opposite centre bed from where I had been before – the one previously occupied by Ron the policeman. At first this didn’t seem to matter, and I got on with the novel – Arthur & George, by Julian Barnes – that Dave and Julia had bought me, then watched Spain overwhelm Germany 1-0 in the European Nations Cup final. However, as I tried to get to sleep later, I realised this time was going to be different. On my left was a guy who brought a new definition to the word “restless”. I don’t think he went 20 seconds at a time without some kind of major shift of position. This sounds like an exaggeration, but it isn’t. He moved up, down, side to side, got out of bed, sat sideways on the bed, knocked his water jug on the floor, got it back and knocked the lid off it, yawned theatrically, sang a bit and moaned a bit halfheartedly. Then the same again. I lay there till 2am, then walked into the corridor and sat in a chair, but that didn’t help. I was there for half an hour without seeing a nurse, which was sort of interesting. Eventually I went back to bed, and somewhere around 3am he must have lain still for a whole minute and I dozed off. I was woken again by nurses clattering around at 4.20 – and that was my night’s sleep.

The guy opposite was clearly in a lot of pain involving his kidneys, and he had to have a procedure done a couple of times during the night, each of which took about half an hour. The guy in the bed I had occupied before was on two drips and occasional oxygen, so altogether the ward had quite a different atmosphere from last time. The only peron still there was Leslie, who was due to be discharged yesterday. Hope he made it.

On Monday morning my temperature was down and my condition much less painful, so I was discharged. This happened well before 9am. I eventually left about 12.30pm: it had taken over three hours to get me ten pills from the pharmacy. To say I was frustrated would be a masterly understatement, but I managed to avoid hitting anyone. Dot and I had a snack at Waitrose, did a bit of shopping and went home. I was feeling a bit woozy, but it wasn’t surprising.

Phil and Joy came round in the afternoon, and I was feeling pretty tired by early evening, so went to bed about 7.30, just as Andy Murray seemed about to lose. In fact he immediately turned it around, so I may employ this tactic again. Interestingly, I woke up at 8.30 when David rang and for a while thought it was 8.30 the net morning, and I’d had a good sleep. Bit worrying. Eventually I did get a good night’s sleep, and the next day we went to Jessie’s for a meal about 5.30pm with Roger. Excellent fare – followed by a drop-in at Ed’s, where the Tuesday Group were immersed in a barbecue. Stayed for about half an hour, then went home.

Slept badly again – don’t know why. It had been very warm, but during the night it rained and turned a bit cooler. Today has been dull and I’ve stayed in, but Fred and Sue called in late morning and we had a long chat. They’ve offered to lend us their caravan for a break either next week or the week after, which we have a mind to accept for two or three days if the weather is nice. Just watching Andy Murray being slaughtered by Nadal, so I’d better go to bed. Mmmm. Maybe not.

26 June 2008

Uncategorized, , ,

Our new next-door neighbours have moved in. Three large pantechnicons arrived mid-morning yesterday from Lincolnshire and spent most of the day unloading. Two of them then stayed overnight and finished unloading this morning. They left around midday, while I was in the city, paying in some cheques. The street seemed strangely bright.

Mary, the new neighbour, had warned everyone what was going to happen, and police no-parking cones were installed the previous night. We were a bit worried because Dot had arranged for our carpet to be cleaned that afternoon, but in the event it wasn’t a problem. The carpet-cleaning van got into the drive, and the operation went smoothly.

My visit to the city today was the most adventurous I’ve been, though I have been for a short walk every day this week. I’m feeling quite good, but the catheter is uncomfortable. It’s difficult to find an easy position to sit in for any length of time. And it’s strange how vulnerable you feel. What if someone punches me in the stomach? Never mind that no-one has ever punched me in the stomach – the fact that you know you’re very weak there is never far from your mind. You can sympathise with people who are always vulnerable and have to live life like that.

While I was in the city, Dot has been to see her aunt in Hethersett and paid her monthly visit to Park Farm. Phil is due round this afternoon to tell me about his day in Coventry yesterday, when he attended a meeting at The Langleys. Apparently he had a very good return journey and was able to see much of the Euro 2008 semi-final between Germany and Turkey. Turkey were all over Germany; so of course Germany won, 3-2. Euro 2008 is like that. Dot and I have been watching a bit of Wimbledon too. Natalie Dechy deserved to beat the number one seed, so of course she didn’t.

On Tuesday Dot took the MX5 up to be serviced: it passed with no trouble, which is hardly surprising in view of its low mileage. In the evening our Tuesday Group was bring-and-share, and the six of us had a great time: an exceptional feeling of togetherness. I felt pretty good during it all, but of course tired afterwards. I’m reading a couple of books: one by Umberto Eco which is beautifully written and unusual – about a man who loses all his personal memories, but can remember the plots of books. The other is a criticism of the emergent church which has huge holes in it but also some points I haven’t made my mind up about yet. Lucy also sent me an Amy Carmichael book which I have barely started. And I thought I would have loads of spare time! I got out about a dozen videos out of the garage to watch in bed, but so far I’ve only seen a selection of Hancock episodes, which are certainly cheering.

The district nurse came to see me on Tuesday as planned, and removed the dressing from my drain wound, which seems to have healed well. The operation scar also seems fine, and my general functioning down there seems to be sorting itself out. Roll on Sunday, when the catheter is removed. That will seem a huge step in the recovery process.

The weather this week has been quite summery (apart from some brisk winds), which has been good for me, because it means I can go for walks and enjoy long bright days. Hard to believe that the nights are already drawing in – in fact I think I shall refuse to accept it. I’ve written a couple more poems based on the hospital experience, making about five in all, I think. They probably need a bit more work, but two or three of them are quite reasonable.

23 June 2008

Uncategorized, ,

For comparison, this is today’s picture of me, exactly a fortnight after the operation, in the garden. The latter is recovering after yesterday’s high winds, which broke a few pots and scattered shrubs. It also brought down quite a hefty branch into the drive of No 19, which was cleared away by the council this morning. When I went out for a brief walk yesterday afternoon – although it was windy, it was also warm – I was struck on the shoulder by a much smaller branchlet as I made for the steps. Felt reasonably good after the walk, and in the evening we did go to Poringland to see the Robinsons and the Walpoles. Stayed for a couple of hours, and I didn’t really have any trouble, though I was feeling tired by the end.

Today my catheter has been a bit painful, and I took some paracetamol this morning after Phil had visited – but nothing too bad. In the afternoon I went for another walk – this time down by the river. Had quite a long chat with Anton on the way out and Phyllis and Mairead on the way back; so the street is up to date on my condition!

21 June 2008

Uncategorized,

Another picture from Winterton, this time me on my last excursion before the operation, when we walked in the valley that leads down to Hemsby. Dot was the photographer. She has just gone out to the cinema to see Sex and the City. I would also quite like to see it, but I don’t feel up to it yet – not quite at ease outside, though the catheter seems to be working OK. I was extremely annoyed this morning to get a letter saying it would be taken out on July 5 – a week later than anticipated. I have already put in a phone call, but of course there’s no-one there on a Saturday, or if they are, they aren’t responding. When I can get hold of someone I shall try and get it taken out next weekend, which is what the consultant said. It’s a bit of a drag being attached to it all the time.

Other than that, things seem to be going well. I’ve been feeling quite strong, though I had to lie down yesterday afternoon while Dot went to Blakeney to meet the Evetts and friends, who are having the annual reunion there. Sad to have to miss it, but all being well, we’ll be back next year!

Have done quite a bit of reading, plus catching up with e-mails and old newspapers. Tomorrow, if I feel OK, we may go over to Poringland to see the Walpoles, who are in temporary residence at the Robinsons’.