Back from four-day excursion to Toton, where the weather was reasonably warm (occasionally very warm), ideal for walking. We travelled up on Monday, curious to see if any progress had been made on the A14. In fact there was a slight improvement at the Cambridge end, but a big hold-up where it crossed the A1, caused partly by a convoluted temporary road and partly by the fact that a lorry had come off it, blocking one lane.

We made an unprecedented stop at the service station in the middle of it, which had an extremely complicated layout causing us to travel against a one-way sign to find the bit we wanted, which in this case happened to be a Starbucks where Dot found she liked my mint tea blend, and we had a sandwich and a muffin.

More confusion as we neared Toton, when Dot thought she’d put in satnav directions to Katherine Drive. Not sure what actually happened, but it took us off the motorway a junction early (we thought there might be a hold-up ahead) and then by a tortuous route into Nottingham and a mysterious unknown “destination”. At this point we gave up and I followed signs to the A52, which obviously worked.

On arrival we walked up to the garden centre by the usual circuitous route and had a cup of tea, then returned for an evening meal.

The next tea we drove to Derby for a cup of tea with Alan and Rosemary, then accompanied them to the Cock Inn at Mugginton for a very nice meal of fish and chips. Beautiful situation with a lovely view. Afterwards A & R went home and the remaining four of us went to Kedleston Hall (NT), where we enjoyed a lovely walk in the grounds and ended up inevitably at the cafe, outside.

On Wednesday our goal was a little further away – Clumber Park (NT). There we walked round the walled garden and greenhouses and discovered that they grew 130 varieties of rhubarb and 150 types of apple. The prospects for crumble were almost limitless. Afterwards we had a snack in the Tea Garden cafe, which was very nice but took an awful long time to arrive. Undeterred, we proceeded on a walk along the side of the lake, intending to circumnavigate it, but it proved too big. We took some picture at a beautiful spot at one end , then returned to the pleasure gardens , where there were a large number of geese with goslings, both Canada and Greylag. Also some fairly bold squirrels.

After more tea in the main cafe we visited a small museum and then the shop before heading home. In the evening we took a taxi to Vivo, an Italian restaurant in a run-down part of Stapleford, where we had a stunning meal, both Dot and I pronouncing the sauce the best we had ever tasted. And it was different sauce! Mine was on fillet steak wrapped in parma ham and hers was on fish.

We returned home on Thursday, but not before going to Attenborough, where we viewed sand martins at close quarters and then had a drink outside, where it proved too hot for both Dot and myself: we moved inside. Then we took a short walk down to the river and back (a scenario Julia rarely entertains) before having lunch at Katherine Drive and then heading home.

We called in to see Andrew, who seemed remarkably well, and then proceeded home by way of our new favourite services, Brampton Hut Starbucks. This time we were not confused, and the traffic was not a problem. Amazing how things change. We were home by about 7.30 after filling up with petrol and then voting.

We slept late yesterday, and I contacted a plumber, who came round just as we wanted to leave to visit Maryta on our Paul-in-Israel schedule. But it worked out all right: the journey through the city was surprisingly easy, and we got there before her carer David arrived back with her from Allison’s. Dot took her for a very short walk in Tyrrels Wood (her feet are hurting) while I did some walking in the sun in her garden, and then wrote a poem. We ate fish and chips with her and stayed till just after 7.30pm.

Weather has taken a turn for the worse over the last week, with quite a bit of rain and not much heat. But there have been brighter intervals. It started in darkness, when Tenebrae (get it?) put on a choral concert at the Cathedral on Monday as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Beautifully done, but a bit like prog-rock in that the precision and excellent technique come at the expense of being not very interesting. Very few words were audible, and it all sounded a bit the same. I felt it could have done with a film in front of it.

On Tuesday we were expecting the gas man to come and service our boiler and radiators, but it turned out to be a woman – Lucy from Yorkshire, who combined being shy with being talkative – no mean feat. Gave her a cup of tea and had a chat. She admired our old boiler, as most gas persons do.

Dot was in the city at the time. Later we went out to North Walsham to take Rob’s projector back and put some flowers in the cemetery ( it was Dot’s father’s birthday). Later still we walked up to the church hall with four bottles of wine for a birthday party for Carrie, Judy, Sophie and Martin Wyatt. They are not quadruplets, but were all born around the same time. Anna organised it, and it went remarkably well considering that Carrie, Judy and Sophie are the people who usually organise parties. Martin and Matt (Williams) both brought their wives, who we did not know. Vicky came, and the Archers would have come, but they were too late leaving Cambridge. Chris Denton also came, and Dot and I spent quite a bit of time talking to her: she didn’t know many other people, but it was also the anniversary (roughly) of her mother’s death and – coincidentally – her mother’s funeral. Her mother was Anne Travis, who had been our longest-serving member.

On Friday we went round to see Maryta and Joe – her son – who had come to keep an eye on her while Paul is in Israel with Holly. Maryta was her usual self but Joe was amazingly laid back. We were allowed three-quarters of an hour before Maryta decided they ought to take the dog for a walk.

We were back in good time to have our hair cut by Linda (a rearranged appointment), and later still I drove to Halesworth for a poetry reading at the Swan. I left Norwich early – fortunately, as the road was closed again and I had to negotiate an alternative route. Quite a good evening – about 18 people there – and I read my poem about birdwatching in Costa Rica, which was based on an excursion by one of the other poets, who maybe fortunately wasn’t there! Drove home on the main road, which I normally avoid because of the ludicrous speed limit. No, I mean really ludicrous. At Halesworth it was dry, but by the time I got home, it was very wet again.

Saturday was the highlight of the week, because we celebrated another birthday – David’s – by driving to Caddington, having a delicious lunch prepared by Amy and then (after champagne) all going to Spice, the Indian restaurant. In between we saw the first half of the Cup Final, which Manchester City won 6-0, and played an ingenious geographical game invented by Amy. Oliver is about a third of the way through his GCSEs, but showing no signs of tension. Dot drove down and I drove back, arriving just after 11pm. The house in Caddington looked terrific. The garden has been done, and the oven cleaned. We brought DavId’s training bicycle home, left it in the car overnight and put it in the garage this morning, after church.

I had preached at church on love , and although I didn’t feel as confident as I sometimes do, everyone seemed to like it. I even read one of my poems at the beginning of it. The rest of the day we have, one way or another, been preparing to go to Nottingham tomorrow. We cleaned the car inside and out. Still spots of rain, but the forecast is much better.

Yet another busy few days, as winter turns reluctantly into spring, rather too late for my liking. Last Tuesday we started with the wild excitement of the Paston annual meeting, for which we had a not-so-grand total of ten people, three of whom were the trustees, two their wives, and another couple of married couples. The re-enactors are falling by the wayside at an alarming rate, with only Diana hanging on grimly.

The meeting this year was at the chilly St Nicholas Room, North Walsham, with only an echo of our usual hotel refreshments (though to be fair, the hotel in question recently got an extremely low hygiene rating, which probably meant they hadn’t filled the right forms in). Not much business, except to report on the über-project.

On Wednesday Dot and I got up ludicrously early to get to Swaffham for a Mothers’ Union meeting, at which I spoke about the Pastons, using a projector I had borrowed from Rob. Despite my misgivings, it went extremely well, and the feedback was really good. Afterwards Julia and Allan stood us lunch at the George nearby, which consisted of a very pleasant fish and chips. Dot got so excited she left her umbrella behind, and Julia retrieved it and brought it into Norwich the next day (she was coming anyway with her friend from Crete, who had been at the talk).

The next day we had another excellent meal, this time at the Ivy, to mark Philip’s 79th birthday. Anne and Philip were also there, of course. I had a minute steak and an excellent strawberry sundae. Meanwhile the Norfolk and Norwich Festival was being launched by a man walking a high wire across the market place. We missed it.

The weather had been pretty cold, and there had been plenty of rain, but we managed to avoid most of it. It was still spotting as we set out for Duck End on Saturday for another Otterspool reunion. Dot drove, and we had a little trouble finding the entrance to Pete and Liz’s house as usual, but it’s a really brilliant spot: a rambling old house and an equally rambling garden which is a lot of fun to explore and must take them all their time to look after. Pete also has a Lagonda, an E-type and another classic car.

We took the cheese, plus some champagne to celebrate our 50th – rather belatedly. But it seemed appreciated, and we had a great afternoon. Unusual to have a group of friends stretching back over 50 years who rarely see each other but get on really well when they do. Present: Liz and Pete, Dot and Tim, Jan and Alan, Jacqui and Brian, Bob and Sue, Ruth, Jeannie, Christine. Ruth and Jeannie left their husbands at home, and Christine’s is dead, as are two of the girls: Jan Kidd and Liz Coxon.

Yesterday, another gathering of family and friends, this time to celebrate David Archer’s birthday. His wife Bridget had booked a tour round the gardens of Oxnead Hall, and we gave a lift there to Howard, Anna and Judy after church, which I led in the absence of Phil. We had to work hard to get there by 2.30pm, but some were later. The tour was led by Beverly Aspinall, the owner, and she did it very well after recognising me and apologising for any Paston historical mistakes in advance! She was pretty good, except for the 15C, when the Pastons didn’t really live at Oxnead very much .

There were well over 30 of us: unsurprisingly, Bridget had been not entirely precise in her booking, and so the tea in the orangery was a bit short on chairs and place settings, but the cake and tea were first class. We only lost one child in the lake, and he was pulled out by his father. Howard, not untypically, brought with him the mammoth catalogue published by the Castle Museum to go with its exhibition, and carted it all round the gardens with him, despite its weight. Anna is keen to book Oxnead Hall for Bethany’s wedding. Not sure what Bethany thinks.

The weather was perfect: sunny and not too hot, as it is today. I have popped over to Blofield to find a memorial stone that I had lost track of (Colonel John), and later we are going to the Cathedral for a concert. Earlier this morning Paul came round with Maryta, who was her normal (ill) ratty self. Holly has returned safely from the Himalayas, where she had a good time (Paul) / bad time (Maryta).

Harry and Meghan’s attempt to upstage Norwich City’s stunning Championship-winning achievement by producing a royal baby yesterday fell sadly short. About 20,000 people attended Carrow Road in the afternoon for the testimonial match of Russell Martin and Wes Houlihan, which took place large in persistent rain, and for some reason I was one of them. OK, it was to support my wife. Since you ask, Wes’s team beat Russell’s team 7-4.

The first team and hangers-on did a tour of the ground first, but by the time we’d found our way in we just caught the end of it. This didn’t matter too much, as Dot had walked into the city earlier to see the Norwich City bus as it reached Tombland. It wasn’t raining then, but I was in North Walsham to pick up a projector from Rob for my talk at Swaffham on Thursday.

Inside Carrow Road, hardly anyone mentioned the royal baby.

The Canaries’ Championship triumph had been confirmed the previous day, not long after my sermon at St Augustine’s. The day and time of the key final match away to Aston Villa had been switched to lunchtime on Sunday, but I had already booked us into a concert at Orford Church at 4pm. The match started at 12.30pm; so Norwich scored the first goal – and Villa replied – while we were still at church, though after the service. After a quick lunch we drove south, listening to the second half on Radio Norfolk and wondering when it would fade out. We stopped just short of the Waveney Valley to listen to the last five minutes, and as we did so Vrancic scored for Norwich. Since Sheffield United were drawing with Stoke, this meant the Championship was virtually certain, and so it proved.

This put us in a good mood, of course, and we got to Orford in plenty of time, eventually parking by the side of the road in the village. The concert, by the Prometheus Orchestra, was in St Bartholomew’s Church, and because we were early we got a front-row seat, despite our lack of an upper-class accent.

The first piece was Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, which is the main reason I’d booked, because Dot is a Vaughan Williams fanatic as well as a Norwich City fanatic. It was beautifully played, with the orchestra split. This was followed by a flute concerto by Damase, which was pretty amazing: the flautist was Anna Noakes – a larger-than-life character in every sense, including the shiny golden dress. She also gave a witty introduction. After the interval, during which I wandered outside for a bit, we had Mendelssohn’s fourth Symphony – also excellent: I particularly like the way he used the cellos in the second movement.

Afterwards the sun came out and we wandered round the village and then drove on to the quay, where the view was stunning, especially as the weather contrasted with the earlier part of the day. We then drove home in sunny mood, despite the appalling Suffolk drivers, who seemed to think the ludicrous speed limits were something reasonable that you had to keep to.

The previous day we had celebrated Phyllis Seaman’s 90th birthday with a party at church. Dot spent most of the day baking a very nice cake, and there was a goodly gathering. I did a bit of ferrying backwards and forwards in then car, firstly Phyllis and then Ellie, both in the company of Sophie. Not quite as easy as it sounds: Gildengate is very narrow, and they wanted to come in through the churchyard (no steps). I had to reverse quite a long way and then turn round in a narrow gap. Three times. Great fun.

Going back to the beginning of the month, Dot and I had lunch with Angela and Rodney at the Ugly Bug – now for some reason called The Lurcher – at Colton. Not a bad meal, and we had coffee afterwards chez Ellis, before hastening back to pick up Dot’s pills, which she had been a bit late ordering. At last returned the “frames” for our anniversary pictures.

On Friday we helped Paul out by having tea with Maryta while he was at the doctor’s, because the carer had to leave early. Not a problem, though Paul was delayed at the doctor’s and worried too much about getting back.

This morning (Tuesday) we had our new table delivered, and I went up to the Archant coffee morning, followed by Dot when she had got herself sorted out. Afterwards we took the old table apart and put it in the garage. Not easy, but during the process our table tennis table was admired by a local drug addict.

Feeling pretty frustrated at the moment, because I walked up into Norwich and omitted to take my phone with me, which meant my steps weren’t recorded. Apparently there’s no way you can adjust for this with the new phone. Aargh! Equally frustratingly I wasn’t able to buy a projector for my Swaffham talk: Richer Sounds quoted a low price of about £400, which is ridiculous when you can get them for less than £70 on the internet. I also was unable to solve Andrew’s diary problem, as no-one appears to sell 2019 diaries this late in the year for people who forgot to get them earlier.

On the plus side I did manage to complete writing my Swaffham talk and put all the pictures in the Powerpoint file, which I copied to the … the … oh, that stick thing. I then completed my Blofield text and sent it off, as well as editing Rob’s North Walsham text and sending that off. Oh, and I went through some of the Paston timeline and did some corrections. I also changed the pillowcases and made the bed. And got Des’s bins in.

Des is in Portugal. Dot is at the Cathedral for a Church School Heads conference. I have finished the Tombland book – an 800-page novel about Kett’s Rebellion, and Norwich City have got promoted to the Premier League. They made the final step by beating Blackburn 2-1 at Carrow Road last Saturday. Dot was there, and I watched it on TV. Quite an impressive sight, but they should have won about 6-0.

Before that Chris, Sean, Ciera, Bob, Mary, Dot and myself went to the Ali Tandoori last Thursday, an event long planned by Des. He, however, was not there, having had to go to a family conference in another part of the country following a crisis involving his uncle, 89. Nevertheless we had a good time: the meal as expected was good, and so was the conversation.

The next day Kristine paid us a flying visit, arriving at 10.50 and leaving at 1600. It was beautiful sunny day, though a bit chilly, and we walked up to the Cathedral Refectory and had a light lunch, followed by a stroll round the cloisters, the Cathedral itself and the shop. Then back to the house and the rail station. Most enjoyable.

On Saturday we went to North Walsham. The weather had changed for the worse, but the rain had eased off by the time we got to the cemetery, and were able to arrange the flowers – at least Dot did as usual while I threw away the dying ones and inserted fresh water. The cemetery has got rid of its old bins and has a new disposal cart up by the entrance: bit of a longer walk, which is quite good.

Afterwards we went to Jessie’s house to meet Roger and Debbie and pick up a couple of photographs and cups, plus a Pike family tree that I need to incorporate into mine. Very strange being there while it was being prepared for sale. We’ve been visiting for well over 50 years.

In the evening it was the big match – still wet and windy. After being at the caravan all week, Fred had decided to go home – probably a good decision despite the result. Not sure when he would have got out of Norwich.

On Sunday we had a Communion led by the vicar but starring Adrian, who came in, took his shoes and socks off and then proceeded to strip completely down to the waist before going to the loo and then getting a mug of milk from the fridge. We had a visitor called Andy from Plymouth who was clearly shocked by all this, but we carried on regardless. Afterwards Matt (Mr Enthusiasm) took us for a tour of the pumping station, which is not normally open to the public. Lots of old machinery. I felt close to it.

The next day Adrian came to the parish meeting, but stayed fully clothed. Quite a nice meal, Italian style, but the meeting was predictably tedious. Too much safeguarding. Nice people, though. I walked most of the way there, and Dot picked me up in St Augustine’s Street. Some people will do anything to keep their steps up, and on that occasion I remembered my phone.

Bit worried about Joan, because she hasn’t replied to my e-mail, which is unlike her. Hope she’s OK. You’ll be glad to hear I had my hair cut successfully last Thursday, and in the evening Dot and I went to s short compline at the church. Not many of us – the vicar and her husband, the Eastons, Dot, Judy and me. I walked, for some reason, and met Judy outside. It was very good, despite the sparse attendance.

The next day I went up to Anglia Square in the afternoon and watched a Passion Play put on by a church other than ours. Saw the vicar again, and Liz Cannon, not to mention Barbara Bryant (editor of The Magazine) and Eric Kirk (manger of Anglia Square, who I happen to know). About a couple of hundred people there, and most of it was well done. One of the lesser bishops sang Bridge Over Troubled Water, and it wasn’t too bad. Really.

In the evening more passion and more playing when Norwich City took on Sheffield Wednesday in a match which, if they’d won it, would have sealed promotion, but they didn’t. In fact they left it till the 97th minute to equalise, but Wednesday were not robbed, because their goal was handball, as everyone agreed. Dot went, of course, as did Fred, his son-in-law Mark and his two grandchildren (repeat of a recent scenario). They had visited his sister Margery and then drove back to Banbury the same night.

At some unearthly hour on Saturday (10am) we were on our way to clean up the old church for the Easter service. Dot bought flowers on the way, and so did most other people. Not many of us in action. I struggled with a dodgy hoover, and Matt was very efficient with a broom while others (Sarah, Carrie, Dot and Judy) polished and shone, as well as arranging the flowers. I have to say it looked pretty good.

The Easter Communion was good too, with over 50 present, and an egg hunt during one of the hymns that didn’t seem theologically suspect. Well, not very. Refreshments in the hall afterwards, and after clearing up I felt pretty tired. Later on, even more excitement as David, Oliver and Amy arrived for another Easter egg hunt. I think one of them is still missing (an egg, not a grandchild).

The next day it continued pleasantly warm, and Dot, David and Oliver went off to the Stoke match – or a vision of it beamed back from Stoke on to giant screens at Carrow Road. Accompanying them were Jonathan and Des. Amy and I had a talk, plus a bit of television (Arrested Development on Netflix) before breaking the in-house length-of-rally record at table tennis, notching up 69. Stoke, meanwhile failed to roll over, and it was another 2-2 draw. However, Leeds lost twice in a row, and so we are nearly there.

David and the children went home the same evening, leaving about 8pm. I had a bad night and almost abandoned my plan to visit Andrew in Coventry, but decided to go at the last minute – by train, of course. I got an anytime return, which turned out to be £200 of Andrew’s money, despite the urging of the shocked ticket lady that I should get an off-peak. This enabled me to get back home before 8pm after catching the 1750 from Liverpool Street, which I didn’t know existed (the train, not the station). All the train journeys went smoothly, except the one between Coventry and Euston, which was 16 minutes late after being held up at Milton Keynes – I’m convinced because they forgot to tell the station staff there that they were making an unscheduled stop.

When I got to Minster Lodge, feeling pretty whacked out, Andrew was all ready to go for a walk. Fortunately he quickly became as tired as I was – if not tireder. We had a coffee and cake at a new cafe not far from the station in a skyscraper, which was very nice. Andrew was pretty good, except for his exhaustion and his inability to grasp the facts that (a) it wasn’t Saturday and (b) I didn’t have my car with me.

So today I was pretty tired, especially as I hadn’t slept well once more. But it was up early again for a Footprints Steering Committee at the UEA. Rob and Peter came to pick me up while I was not only still having breakfast but also speaking to Julia Higbee on the phone about a talk I’m giving at Swaffham next month. Still, we got there, and the meeting was OK. I wrote the minutes this evening, as well as catching up on my e-mails.

Rob and Peter came in for cheese and biscuits afterwards. The Sonata Security service man was still here, but the men bringing the new table had been and gone, after discovering that the legs didn’t fit. While I was out Maryta and Paul had been round, which is good, obviously. As I write Dot is at orchestra. Tomorrow I have to write three article for Parish Pump, and rain is forecast.

Just back from three days at Caddington – possibly the last time we go to David’s house there, as he is getting closer to selling it. A couple came to view it while we were in St Albans on Monday, having lunch at Loch Fyne with Oliver and Amy – David was at Peterborough on business – and apparently they only turned it down because the garden was too small for their dogs. Not sure if the estate agent pointed out the field opposite and the long walks easily available.

Loch Fyne was really good, though surprisingly empty. After an initial alarm on the M1, Oliver navigated to a car park more or less opposite the restaurant, and afterwards we went and had a look round the abbey, which I hadn’t realised was so near the centre of town.

On Tuesday, with the weather almost as good as Monday – it’s gradually getting warmer – Dot and I took Oliver and Amy to the Shard. We drove to the Luton Parkway rail station and took a train to Blackfriars before walking along the south bank, which is one of my favourite parts of London. We were totally oblivious of the “climate change protesters” disrupting the West End, though we did notice a lot of stationary buses on London Bridge. I am thinking of organising a gravity protest next time I’m there.

We had some tasty instant food at Pret a Manger and then walked on past the Golden Hinde and Southwark Cathedral before drinking tea/coffee by the river, though Amy was a bit bored by this, largely because she had neither tea nor coffee. We then decided the Shard would probably accept us early, and so we walked on, eventually finding the right entrance, getting through security and reaching the top two viewing floors.

Naturally most people, including us, gravitated to the highest one, though in some ways the view was better from the lower one (three floors below). Although the outlook was somewhat misty it was still superb, and it was fascinating to see how the London jigsaw fits together, which is by no means obvious at ground level. I noticed that the Shard was built opposite Guy’s Hospital, presumably in case someone falls off.

We spent some time up there, and Dot had a small Pinot Grigio. We all took a considerable number of photos, and I took a video, though not a good one. On the way out we ordered some free photos of ourselves imposed on Shard backgrounds, refusing the opportunity to buy a book of them for the reduced price of £15. (They had taken a group picture or two as went in.)

On the way back to Blackfriars we went in to the amazing Borough Market, bought some unusual Swiss cheese and decided we’d like to come back for a longer visit. We then walked back to Blackfriars past the Globe and noticed the tide was going out; so Dot took a picture of footprints in the sand.

We caught the first available train, which turned out to be semi-fast – or slow, as anyone else would call it. It took an hour to reach Luton Parkway, visiting such exotic spots as Radlett and Harpenden. Retrieving our car, we got back to Caddington around 5pm. David cooked us a really good meal, which was mainly Indian but quite unusual and extremely tasty. We the watched a bit of Antman, though not the full of it. (This is a new phrase invented by Amy which I really like and hope to use a lot.)

Yesterday was sunny and warm, and while the others did some work, Dot and I went for a walk across the fields and into a bluebell wood, which was lovely. After a small lunch David took Amy to visit her friend Chloe at Harpenden, and when David got back, Dot and I left for home. It took us rather longer than usual because we called in to see Joan at Baldock. Unfortunately she was out, but we enjoyed the lanes to Ashwell.

Later on we decided to call in at Peter Beales and had a cup of tea and cake before wandering around the gardens, which were in the process of transformation. Hoped to see Ian and Tina, but had given up until we ran into them as we were leaving. They seemed really pleased to see us, and we had a good chat about what had really happened.

Got home about 6pm after deciding (wrongly) to enter via Postwick and getting a bit tangled up. Still, not too bad.

This morning is again sunny and warm. Dot has already (11am) been to see the nurse about her absence of diabetes and is even now having her hair cut by Linda. It will be my turn in the chair shortly.

Still pretty cold: one or two sleet showers yesterday, but we have the promise of warmer weather in the coming week.

We started with an empty calendar this week but soon filled it. On Tuesday we drove to the garage and replaced the battery in Dot’s key fob (plus the one in her version of the Mazda 3 key, just in case). From there we went to the tip ro get rid of a suitcase that had been hanging around for a while, plus some broken glass. Later we did some food shopping.

On Wednesday we went to the only film that looked even slightly interesting, to take advantage of our 2 for 1 Meerkat offer. This was The Sisters Brothers, which turned out to be a rather original western – quite enjoyable. Later Dot went to see Norwich play Reading and concede a goal in the last minute of added time to make it 2-2. I watched it on TV of course, in the company of Des, who I happened to see on the way back from accompanying Dot to the ground.

On Thursday I thought it was high time I visited Lucy, but it transpired that she was away somewhere visiting her brother; so we spent a bit of time with Naomi, who didn’t look particularly well and is going through a hard time, waiting for another operation. Still, we had a good chat. Afterwards Dot and I went for a shortish walk down on Bowthorpe marshes. Cold, but sunny; so not too unpleasant.

The next day we decided to walk up to Magdalen Street and have a look round Loose’s, which is a pretty amazing “antiques” emporium. Dot was after a table, but we still couldn’t find quite what she wanted. She did however buy an antique tablecloth and a couple of cards. On the way home via Colegate and St George’s Street we intended to go to the cafe at Revelations, but it was shut (3.30pm); so we went to the Cathedral Refectory, which was very pleasant, for tea and a shared Victoria sponge.

Yesterday, despite the sleet showers, we ventured out again – this time to Aldiss’s store off Hall Road. Dot took 45 minutes to walk round it while I walked down to the river at a remote spot only I and quite a lot of other people know about. The others weren’t there. When I got back Dot showed me a table which almost fit the bill; so we took details. A nice gentleman called Mark was very helpful.

Today was a bit complicated as far as church was concerned. Dot and I went in separate cars so that she could rush home and watch the Wigan-Reading match, which she thought started at 12.30pm. In fact it started at noon, but she caught most of it. City didn’t play particularly well, but scored a late goal to draw 1-1. After this we received an emergency call from Paul; so drove round there for a cup of tea and cake. We then had to get home by 5pm to hand over Phil and Joy’s pot plant, which we had been looking after while they were in Southampton for Lucy’s baptism and Elliott’s dedication. We just made it, but found Carrie occupying the space outside our drive and had to ask her to move, because the road was full.

She was talking to Dot about a project centering on Anglia Square when Phil and Joy arrived and had to park halfway down the road. We supplied tea for all of them, although Carrie had to go and get some milk. They have all gone now, and it’s 6.40pm. We have to pack to go to Caddington first thing in the morning.

Beautiful day here in Norwich, though David tells us it’s foggy and verging on rain in the Caddington area. Dot and I walked up to Carrow Road this morning to buy some tickets for a “beam back” of the away game against Stoke on Easter Monday. Not sure if the boys will be able to come up, but the tickets are only £5 each.

A week ago it was just as bright but very, very cold at Cromer, where I went for a Paston Database meeting with Peter and Rob. Afterwards I walked down to the pier, and the wind off the sea was very chilly. The following day (Tuesday) was a bit better: Dot and I walked up to Prospect House for the Archant pensioners’ coffee morning, then went food shopping, and in the afternoon Paul and Maryta came round. Maryta seems to have quite a bit of difficulty walking, which may mean the illness is getting worse.

In the evening Cake and Compline was at our house; Claire did a bit of centering prayer, and I did the compline. Dot did the cake.

On Thursday Dot got back from Verena’s (and the garden centre) just in time for us to drive to the Norfolk Record Office for a talk on Norwich in the war and a look at the historic bombing map. The event was marred slightly by a failure to get the microphone pointed in the right direction and a further failure to get the film to work at all, but it was still pretty interesting. The best bit was Sarah Mitchell talking about doing the research to make her wartime novel The Lost Letters more authentic.

In the evening Paul came round on his own, having booked a carer for Maryta in the belief that he had a choir practice. We had a good talk, and he suggested Warwick might be the right university for Oliver. However, today Oliver is going to Cambridge to have a look round there.

Most of Friday was spent preparing a meal for the Knees and Eagles in the evening – egg curry, mackerel pate and poached pears, though not necessarily in that order. It was a really enjoyable evening, and although Rob and Penny had to catch a train at about 11pm, Sue and Roger were here till well after midnight. We crawled into bed at about 1.15am…

…and crawled out again pretty late the next morning, but in time to greet Fred, who had driven over from Beeston Regis, where he was staying with Sue and two granddaughters, for Norwich’s match against QPR. I walked up two Carrow Road with him and Dot, and then came home to watch it on television. Happily, City won 4-0. Dot waited a bit till the traffic cleared before driving to Eaton for a rehearsal for her concert in the evening. Parking at Waitrose, concert in St Andrew’s.

She drove home for a snack (left-over curry), and then we both returned for the concert, which turned out very well, despite having an animals theme. A baritone did good versions of Tit Willow (from The Mikado) and The Hippopotamus Song (Flanders and Swann). I sat with Robin and Shelagh, and Paul and Maryta also came. We all spoke during the long refreshments break.

Yesterday started wet and miserable. I took the morning service and also preached, with various interjections from Adrian, who seemed in quite bad shape. Despite that people seemed to like it, and a man with a dog thanked me for making it so friendly. Martin Wyatt also thanked me, which was nice.

Immediately afterwards we drove to Cantley and eventually found White Lilacs, despite the postcode we were given, which was roughly Sevenoaks in Kent. Other also had problems. White Lilacs was the home of Mairead’s lovely friend Rachel, and the occasion was a party to celebrate what would have been Mairead’s fiftieth.

We were invited as neighbours who had been close to her: Des and Chris, Mary and Bob and Maureen were also there, as were – of course – Sean, Ciera, Freddie and Phoebe. I spent some time talking to Peter, who it eventually dawned me was – as well as being head of Radio Norfolk at one time – Rachel’s father and the Deacon at the Roman Catholic Cathedral who had conducted three funerals we had been to. Most of the time, though, we talked to Des, Chris, Mary, Bob and Maureen. There was some lovely food that included curry and much else. We are going through an unintended curry phase at the moment.

The clocks have gone forward; so it must be summer time. Unfortunately, it has simultaneously got quite a lot colder; so although this evening is lighter, it is pretty chilly. Earlier (it seemed very early) we had a joint service at St Luke’s – café church, and I played guitar, with Nicky on keyboards and young Snell on bass guitar. Dot was tired out after yesterday; so she came later and just sang. It was a good service with a strong St Aug representation, and cake.

As it’s Mothering Sunday, Dot and I decided to put flowers on the graves of our parents and wondered if anyone would put flowers on our graves (in due course). It’s all to do with proximity, and very easy for us. After North Walsham cemetery we went and walked in Bacton Woods, which was sheltered from the wind and let some sunshine in. Very pleasant.

The previous two days (starting with Friday evening) saw us volunteering at a Norwich Christian Meditation Centre event featuring Rachel Rose Reid, who is a brilliant Jewish storyteller. Learnt quite a lot about the Old Testament! We also looked after the money and were on the welcome desk. Those two days were actually quite warm.

On Thursday evening I met Dot in the city and we had a snack in The Exchange at Jarrolds, followed by a drink in the wine bar and then a Book Launch, which actually took place up on the third floor. It was a photographic book about ruined Norfolk churches by a guy called Clive Dunn (Don’t panic; it wasn’t him). He gave a short but interesting talk. Susan Curran, the publisher, seemed pleased to see us ( I often patronise her launches) and we chatted to her and her husband – also to Matt Williams, who goes to our church and is shortly to publish a book on Submerged Norwich. He is a geologist, but I am trying not to hold that against him. Really nice evening, and very well attended.

The previous day we had afternoon tea at Des and Chris’s, and they told us about their far eastern holiday, though without pictures. Nice biscuits, though.

And as I mentioned last time, Jessie’s funeral was on Monday, when it was extremely cold, but bright. David drove up for it, and gave Philip a lift down to Centre Parcs at Elvedon afterwards. He was having a break there. Also present were Teresa and, amazingly, Sheila, who is 90. Both of them seemed very cold; so I hope another funeral is not imminent. Eleanor took the service – very gentle, as Jessie would have wanted. Afterwards there was food and drink at Elm Court Farmhouse up the road in Horsham St Faith’s.

Since then I happened to notice in the paper that Lily’s husband Roy Lond had died; so I wrote her a card. Am thinking about going to the funeral, though I never met him.