I’ve been doing some more family tree research today, looking at some stuff from the 1861 census, among other things. My great-grandparents are very elusive. I can only assume they were hiding from the census man. Or I’m not looking in the right place.

I’ve established that my grandparents were in Mansfield at least from 1906 to 1909. Leonard, Reg and Frank were all born there. There was also an intriguing entry for an Eva May Lenton born in 1908 who I suppose might have been a baby who died shortly after birth – or on the other hand someone else entirely.

And I have established that my father was born in  1913 – bizarre, as I’d always thought he’d been born in 1912. But I’ve seen the entry. He was the first Lenton born in Norwich, so they must have moved between 1910 and 1912, I guess. He and my mother married in August 1937.

And the picture – that’s them in the back garden of our house in The Chesils, Coventry, probably 1954 or 1955. It’s still there, and looks pretty much the same. From the front, anyway.

Dot has been out all day training to be an inspector of church schools. Not a pleasant day as far as the weather goes. Extremely windy and often wet, though not cold. This evening we’re off to the Last Wine Bar with Philip and Anne Robinson, to celebrate her birthday.

And here’s the birthday boy at our “Into the 60s” celebration meal at the end of last month. Clearly almost 34, he is seen chatting with other guests – Angela (our bridesmaid in 1968), her husband Rodney, and the justly famous Auntie Ethel.

We’re having a fairly quiet day after speaking to David on webcam. I went to the doctor’s to check I was still alive (I am) and am now thinking about what I am going to say on Sunday.

Well, it was probably summer 1973. My son David with his first girl friend, Caroline, daughter of my cousin Patricia. This picture was taken at Holly Bank, our first house, in Yelverton. The garden is in a pretty basic state, so good for playing in. Tomorrow is his 34th birthday.

Another picture of Reg and Dorothy’s wedding in 1932, this one with my mother and father in the background – a picture I had not seen until recently. This was before they married – they may have been engaged – and they look, I have to say, an attractive young couple. Or am I biased?

Very warm and summery. Just had lunch with Dot at Cafe Rouge, one of my favourite places to eat. She had been teaching some Thinking Skills at Gillingham in the morning, and I had finished off my page before going out to Attleborough to purchase some roses and pay the bill for our celebration meal. Saw Amanda, Tina and Vaughn, as well as the chef.

The picture is of my grandmother and grandfather in 1933 at Sea Palling. They would have been in their early 50s, quite a bit younger than I am now, which is moderately mind-blowing. Until recently I had only seen very late pictures of my grandparents, plus possible very early ones (around first world war).

Another picture of my cousin Pat – this time as a young bride, with her father Paul.

Today Dot has been away training for being a diocesan school inspector (maybe), and I have been busy, writing my column, doing research, composing a few e-mails, walking into the city to buy a couple of things, sending off Gareth’s cheque, fixing the bathroom tap, choosing hymns for Sunday, submitting an invoice for yesterday’s work, making sure everyone knows tonight’s InPrint meeting is off, making sure the house is tidy, washing dishes and generally having a good time. Another lovely summer’s day – blue sky, warm. Still (4.30pm) have to finish column and have a look at the disk Nicholas gave me last night with the church’s entry for a “friendly church” competition. A few corrections need to be made.

Today I met my cousin Patricia for the first time in about 3o years. She called in with her husband Brian and collie Sophie, and we had a look at some old photographs over a tea/coffee. Above you can see her with her father Paul and brother Stephen, a few years ago now.

Afterwards drove to Cromer to introduce trainee Jules Stevens (m) to the NVQ. Dot came with me and spent an hour or so on the clifftop. On the way home we called in at some barn conversions at Roughton. Beautiful interior work, loads of space, but not detahed and with no real view. Also too expensive for us, and we’re not really looking to move anyway.

Beautiful summer’s day – sunny and warm, with only a slight breeze on the coast.

This is the wedding of my uncle Reg and aunt Dorothy (no, not that one) in 1932. My uncle Paul, now in his 80s, is not the baby being held far right, as I was originally told, because he would have been nine at the time. Possibly it’s Howard, Leonard’s eldest. Dorothy (yes, that one) and Kathleen are bridesmaids.

The last three days have been very strange because Dot has not been well: she has a problem with her balance, making her feel dizzy. The doctor says it’s probably a virus. Also headaches and tiredness. Her lack of vitality has communicated itself to me, and apart from church on Sunday and taking her to the doctor’s yesterday, I have barely left the house. I haven’t been feeling 100% either – possibly the same virus – but then my normal level of vitality is such that this is not nearly so noticeable.

Weather has been quite reasonable and springlike, though it was extremely windy yesterday. David and his family are on holiday on the Isle of Wight, and attempts to contact him have failed so far. Vicky’s birthday is tomorrow.

This is Dot’s aunt Margery – her mother’s sister-in-law – probably also by the pond at Westwick.

Very quiet day today, neither of us feeling particularly well. Dot has a headache which keeps coming back and we’re both feeling achy. Haven’t been out. Last night was very good, though. Everyone got on well.

Another beautiful summer’s day, warm and sunny – though we were warned that it might not be. We have spent much of the day preparing for this evening, when we are having four friends round for dinner – two from across the road (French husband, Italian wife) and Dot’s former teacher Barbara and her husband Andy from deepest Suffolk. Well, fairly shallow Suffolk really, quite near the border.

Today’s picture is of Dot’s mum in jaunty pose, taken we think near Westwick Pond, just outside North Walsham, perhaps by her sister-in-law Margery, perhaps in wartime.