Tag Archives: coomes

Blue sky, cold wind

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David and Kristine Coomes at Blakeney

That blue sky is still with us – or with us again, depending on when you last looked. Reasonably warm today, so the visiting Coomes took a walk with us in the Rosary (Kristine is big on cemeteries) before heading home. Earlier we’d been to church, where I led the service and was relieved that Paul Cracknell, scheduled to preach, rose from his sick bed to join us. Odd sequence of events leading up to this: Howard was down to preach but had arranged a visit to a nephew in Scotland; apologised that he’d found no-one to take his place; at Dot’s suggestion I asked Margaret to do it, and she accepted, albeit reluctantly. Then, midweek, I got a call from Paul telling me what he would be preaching on: apparently Howard had effected a swap with him but hadn’t mentioned it to me. After discussions with both Paul and Margaret it was agreed that Paul would do it, as it was his last opportunity before he and Heather left the church. Then, on Saturday morning, I saw a general Tweet from his wife Heather saying he’d taken to his bed with flu. Cue panic from me and an attempt to work together a brief talk in case he failed to recover. But he did make it, and gave what I thought was an inspiring sermon.

Not a good week for organising things. Earlier had made several attempts to fix a date for five Paston poets to meet to discuss project; I went offline for an evening and in my absence they settled on a date I couldn’t do. So I came back with an alternative, and now I think we’re fixed on the afternoon of June 26. But it was a bit of an effort.

Back to the Coomes: they arrived on Saturday afternoon, and after coffee and biscuits we went to Blakeney for tea and scones at the Blakeney Hotel first-floor lounge, with its famous view over the marshes. Following this a brief walk out along the cut, but there was a bitterly cold wind despite the inviting blue sky. So in fairly quick order we drove on to Salthouse, where we enjoyed a brief foray on to the beach over the shingle bank, then on through Cromer to the cemetery at North Walsham. You remember that Kristine likes cemeteries? This one featured in a poem I wrote, and so there was a literary link. Not quite so cold there, but it wasn’t long before we proceeded via Field Lane (literary link number two) and through Wroxham home. Enjoyed a late dinner at Bishop’s and the revealing walk back along Prince of Wales Road just after 11pm.

Two more walks last week: on Wednesday I did the Paston walk around Norwich and got very tired in warm sunshine. Took a long time over it, though it’s probably less than three miles. St Peter Hungate was unfortunately shut when it shouldn’t have been, and I couldn’t find William Paston’s grave in the Cathedral, despite asking. Wasn’t feeling very well that day. The next day I did a 2-3-mile walk with Dot along the River Tiffey from Wymondham Abbey after a visit to Park Farm. Quite a bit cooler, but still pleasant, though the walk was not one I would recommend: too much wire, and the circular aspect was closed “due to lambing”. Everyone we met had a dog, and the Abbey itself was shut. What’s that all about?

On Friday we took a load of stuff to the tip, which was only slightly less picturesque. Got rid of an old box, which I suddenly felt sentimental about, because it harked back to my childhood. Wrote a poem about it.

Out into the snow and ice

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In the wilds of Epping Forest, with Kristine and David Coomes and Dot on a bridge over a stream

We were a bit hesitant about travelling to London to visit the Coomes in their Leyton retreat. Not that we didn’t want to – indeed we had been trying to get there, past a record number of postponements on both sides, for over a year. But in Norwich there was a good covering of snow – enough to entice the police into closing the hilly and therefore slippery Rose Lane into the city. However, I had it on good authority that the snow disappeared south of Norwich and there was none in London: even better, there was no further snow forecast for Norfolk until after we were due to return. So we went, just after 10am on Saturday.

The roads were not easy as far as Attleborough, which kept our speed well down, but after that the snow disappeared and the roads were clear. Despite detailed directions from David we managed to go wrong after leaving the M11 and had to ring up to find out where we were – but it turned out that we were very close, so no real problem. On the way back the roads were clear until we reached Norwich (after a comfort stop early on the A11), and we got up our hill quite easily, though there was snow and ice on it.

Had a great weekend, which included a first-class Indian meal in South Woodford at the expense of our hosts and a cold but really good walk in Epping Forest on the Sunday morning. In between lots of interesting talk and a constant stream of tempting food and drink. As usual I succumbed to temptation and had too much of both, resulting in an acid reflux problem during the night. Still, there is no pleasure without pain. Or is there? Discuss.

This morning we have more snow, but as I write the sky is blue and we are about to go outside and rearrange the cars, putting the MX5 in the garage to keep it warm. I should mention that for some reason our Humax decided not to record one or two things over the weekend, which made us doubly thankful that we were able to watch Norwich thrash Ipswich 4-1 on television at the Coomes’.

Satisfaction

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Dot with David and Kristine Coomes on riverside walk near Pull's Ferry
Dot with David and Kristine Coomes on riverside walk near Pull's Ferry

Satisfying weekend, and I don’t mean just the 5-2 win by Norwich City, 2-1 by Spurs and the Ashes regained by England. Warm but windy weather throughout. Took some clothes up to the charity shop on Saturday morning, and on the way back Dot dropped in a 99th-birthday card for Phyllis Todd. In early evening we walked up for a meal at Caffee Uno on Tombland: we both had first-class salads and a sweet, with a glass of wine. Just right.

Sunday was much fuller: I preached at St Luke’s in the morning as part of the Nicholas bring-the-churches-closer-together master plan. Found it quite difficult to prepare, as I was given not only the readings but the subject, but I enjoyed the actual presentation. Felt very relaxed, though as usual afterwards felt I could have done better. I do enjoy speaking in public, which is ironic as it was the very thing I hated at school. Got home to find David and Kristine Coomes had just arrived and were drinking Pimms in the garden with Dot. Had a really enjoyable day with them, including a walk along the river and through the cathedral. Have arranged to stay with them in London in October.

The street light saga is nearing its conclusion. The old pole was removed by a threatening-looking lorry on Sunday morning, and the hole was nearly filled just before 8 this morning, causing miniature dust storms and leaving a rectangle to be completed with tarmac, presumably. Much brighter outside at night: may need thicker curtains. Spoke to the grandchildren on webcam this morning: they seem to have had a good time in France with Dave and Julia. Just finished an excellent book: Spanish Fly, by Will Ferguson: a novel about con artists in the 1930s and 40s, and beautifully done.

7 July 2008

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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.

6 June 2007

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Just back from a four-and-a-half-mile walk. The weather has turned cooler again, and grey overhead. Threats to rain have not materialised so far. Over the weekend it was sunny and warm, and we spent Friday and Saturday indulging ourselves with the grandchildren at their home and at Woodside Farm, a favourite spot, where Oliver steeled himself to feed the animals and succeeded! Amy dragged me into the play barn to go with her into the “scary bit”. As far as I was concerned they were all scary bits, because it was built for someone about a quarter of my size. But she needed me to, actually, so that was all right. Oliver is way beyond needing anyone to accompany him, and is on the verge of riding his bicycle without stabilisers: in fact he did a pedal or too while we were there. He also understands the difference between “need” and “want”, which is pretty amazing.

On the Saturday the Coomes came to visit, hence the picture of Phil and David. Their children are growing up fast, and Phil has reached an age we can’t mention.

Went into Bally on the Sunday afternoon (following church lunch) and stayed when Rupert had finished cleaning up from his paper-making workshop the previous day. Few visitors, and the Open Studios were not a success as far as numbers were concerned. But we produced some good work. On Sunday we meet to discuss where we go from here (after Welborne, that is).

Dot is busy working on her Oakington report, following a game of pitch-and-putt yesterday and a long session with Barbara on philosophy on Monday. I’ve had messages from various people following my unexpected appearance as poetry award-winner in the EDP Art, Antiques and Collectibles supplement. Amazing how many people read it from cover to cover.