An exciting week, with two highlights: first, Oliver and Amy (that’s one), and second, the Suffolk Poetry Festival.
On Wednesday we headed for Caddington to collect the children for a short half-term stay with us: quite a while since they’ve been here on their own. The weather over the three days wasn’t ideal, but we had a great time around the house; so it didn’t matter. Table tennis came into its own, as did several other games, most of them invented by Amy. Dot even managed to fit in a blood test (before we went on the Wednesday) and an ECG (on the Wednesday afternoon).
We returned them on the Friday, managing to get them home by 1pm: they had a playdate with Chloe and Thomas in the afternoon. It’s all go for them too. Road works outside Luton are getting difficult, and as a result we found two new ways home: the first, on Wednesday, up the M1, along the A421, A1 and A428, joining the A14 at Cambridge – further but still quite quick; the second was a little detour round Stockwood Park, approaching the bedevilled roundabout from the less congested side. Much less congested, actually.
We had a slight alarm on the Tuesday, when after a huge downpour that lasted most of the morning we ended the day by finding water under the record player unit – not much, but it would have filled a bowl or two. Bit of a mystery: the walls were dry, the ceiling was dry, it was nowhere near the window, and we could only conclude that water had come down the chimney and through a gap where the floor joins the wall.
Unless it happens again, I shall treat it as a freak event and do nothing. I should imagine finding the gap and fixing it (if that is the problem) might be quite costly.
Earlier that day I had been to a PHS Trustees’ meeting at Mundesley. It was still raining hard, but not as bad as in the morning. I picked up Rob and gave him a lift. Lucy was not so good and told us that her cancer had returned. She will be having new treatment in a couple of months, but is soldiering on for now.
On Saturday we went to the Suffolk Poetry Festival in Stowmarket – chosen, I guess, for its easy access. Ho, ho. I was part of a small group from the Seagull poetry event, and I got to read three poems, plus a pentaptych tanka with Dot. This cost us £50, which represented £25 each entry to afternoon and evening of the festival.
I wasn’t over the moon about the money, but in fact I really enjoyed the day, partly because Caroline Gilfillan was one of the featured readers in the evening, and we were able to chat quite a lot. Other featured readers were Kate Foley (superb) and Luke Wright (totally off the wall and a great entertainer), but some of the other readers were good too. The weather was reasonable, and the journey no problem, though it took about an hour (roughly 40 miles). Dot was complimented on her reading and her jacket.
Yesterday afternoon Dot and and I went to Open Studios in Muspole Street, calling in briefly at St Peter Hungate first, as it was open. Saw Sophie Cabot, one of the trustees and a reader at the Julian Week. At Muspole Street we saw Martin Laurance, Lucy Edwards, Martin Mitchell and a couple of others artists – one printer and one jeweller. A warm day and a pleasant walk.
Today I’ve been to the supermarket, done a bit of catching up (but more to be done), then attended a Chronicle meeting at Fakenham, which left me with much more work toward the new Oxnead book and upcoming performance. I am about to have my hair cut, and then we will have a meal with Angela and Rodney at Prezzos to discuss A Ethel. Well, someone has to do it.
Dot, David and Chrissy on the boundary at Beechwood while Oliver played cricket
With rain promised for the rest of the week, Dot and I felt we had to take advantage of today’s sunshine and warmth; so after lunch we headed for North-East Norfolk. Once clear of the tourist hub of Wroxham we headed for the hamlet of Briggate, where we parked adjacent to Weavers’ Way. From there we walked across fields to Worstead and back – a round trip of about four miles. Quite pleasant.
We are now home and preparing to have two friends from church round for a meal as part of our “have two friends from church for a meal” project. Well, not exactly, but the church as a whole is trying to get to know each other better, though I suspect our congregation already knows each other better than most church congregations.
Yesterday we had the Bishop of Norwich for lunch. I suppose that could have been better phrased, but I sort of like it. It was basically a joint service at St Luke’s, at which Dot and I assisted with the music (Phil was a late withdrawal). Six hymns (three completely new to us) with Steve on lead guitar and Angela on keyboards. Also Dot and I (with help from Steve) did a couple of my songs during communion.
The Bishop did an excellent sermon and was even better on answering questions afterwards. We had a bring-and-share lunch that was more than adequate, and then those who were left (the Bishop having departed with Nicholas) had a shot at an exercise designed to reveal who was interested in doing what after Nicholas left for America. I suspect that “reveal”is not quite the word.
Working backwards, on Saturday we celebrated Anne’s birthday belatedly with an excellent meal at the King’s Head in Brooke. I had fishcake with egg, duck breast and a lovely dessert consisting of Malibu brûlée and mango sorbet. Very moreish.
Julia and Allan came for an evening meal with us on Friday. Dot did her latest lamb dish, which is delicious, and we had a made-up starter involving those little salmon thingies, grapes and toast, with strawberries dipped in chocolate to finish. Then we imposed our holiday pictures on them, but they didn’t seem to mind too much. Earlier in the day I had been rushing up to the bank in Magdalen Street to find out why a church cheque had bounced (they had neglected to amalgamate our two accounts as promised) before heading to the market to buy the strawberries.
Which brings us logically to last Thursday. In the morning I went by bus to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for a chest x-ray, which must have taken all of 15 minutes maximum (including waiting time), and in the evening we attended the Assembly House for a piano concert by Evelyne Berezovsky as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. She was hot, and so was the Music Room. I had to rip off my jumper during a break between pieces, and other customers were also wilting.
Still, it is always worth visiting the Assembly House, because the toilets are first-class. When I say Evelyne Berezovsky was hot, I mean of course that she was a stunningly good pianist. I hope that’s clear.
Last Friday Dot and I spent much of the day in the city, including looking for presents for David (who was 42 on Sunday). In the end I ordered a couple from Amazon, because of the dearth of shopping satisfaction in Norwich. I also paid some cheques in for the church and didn’t have time to go to Diss for Annette’s first-year birthday celebration (her shop, not her).
Had a great time on a warm and sunny Saturday. Left quite early for Caddington and – alerted by text – called at David’s house to pick up some cooler clothes for him, Chrissy and Amy – who had travelled direct to Beechwood from their swimming, because Oliver was playing cricket. We arrived at the school to find Oliver at the wicket. He had scored nine runs, but unfortunately was out shortly after we got there. However we later saw him bowl someone out and do well in the field.
Meanwhile we were all having a go at Dot’s delicious picnic, which included prosecco. She had bought a cool bag the previous day, which was just as well, because it was pretty hot out there on the boundary, despite David’s tent. Later we had Indian back at Caddington and got home around 11.30pm. Chrissy learnt a lot about cricket and did a great Pavlova.
After church on Sunday we decided to forgo the pleasures of a ramble around Whitlingham Broad with the Archers and friends, and instead Dot and I walked to Phil and Joy’s to deliver a cheque to pay for Phil’s car use earlier in the week. It was hot, and we were tired, but we did go to the Archers’ house later for scone and cake. Unfortunately I had changed into cooler clothes, only to find that we were sitting in a cool breeze in the shade! Still, we had a good time (I had a conversation with chess player Paul Heppell), and we were back there the following evening with Judy (gave her a lift) and Vicky for more cake, tea and compline.
Over the last couple of days I spent some time tidying up my part of the study, and today we were at the charity shop getting rid of the some more stuff, and calling at the nearby butcher’s and Adnam’s. Got asparagus and strawberries at the butcher’s, but this seemed wrong, so we got lamb as well, and had it for supper.
Got around a bit today: after delivering some cheques to Heather this morning and pinning a notice on the church hall door we did the charity shop and took some other stuff to the church hall for Carrie. Later, with Dot at a DSSO meeting, I walked into city to pay in cheques, got a bus to Heartsease, walked a bit, picked up some pills, got another bus, walked a bit more, then drove to Morrisons to get rid of a pile of waste paper and some old shoes. Feeling a bit tired now.
I didn’t mention last night’s DCC. It wasn’t all that exciting: more like a conversation between Nicholas and Howard with the rest of us listening. Nicholas has carefully laid plans for what happens when he leaves, which you could regard as thoughtful or interfering, depending on your point of view. His heart is in the right place, I’m sure.
Summer seems to be approaching, at least for a while. Sunny and warm today, and we sat in the garden and drunk tea after Dot got back from one of her schools this afternoon. Earlier she came with me to the doctor’s, and I think he was intimidated into giving me a pretty thorough going over, though I think he believes nothing is wrong. So do I really. Nevertheless my blood pressure is still a bit high, and I have to return for a check in about a month. Meanwhile I am having a chest x-ray at the hospital, which apparently you can do on a drop-in basis, as long as they know your doctor is sending you.
While there Dot mentioned her heart did a funny sort of beat-skipping thing, with the result that she had to go to a clinic this afternoon and is booked in for something else. I don’t know the details, because she is now at a governors’ meeting at Little Plumstead, but she sounded pretty upbeat on the phone. So is Phil, who was at the hospital yesterday and has been promised some treatment to reduce muscle pain from his Parkinson’s.
The previous three days were taken up by Andrew. Phil drove me over to Coventry to fetch him on Monday, when it rained quite a lot, but not at the critical times. Because of road works we got on to the M11 going the wrong way, but were able to reverse that quite quickly. However, we mirrored the adventure coming back, when there was a huge hold-up approaching Cambridge on the A14, and I decided (as navigator) to continue down the M11 to Duxford and then go back up the A11. It seems a big diversion, but I think it was the right thing to do.
Before that we’d had a meal at Thrapston Little Chef, where Andrew was disconcerted to find no steak on the menu, but settled for barbecued chicken followed by (you guessed it) a sundae.
On Tuesday the weather was much better. Andrew and I walked into the city, heading for M&S, but discovered Peacock’s in the Mall and bought him a new jacket, new trousers, shirts, pants and socks, as all these seemed to be in short supply at Coventry (except the jacket, which was just in very bad shape). He declined my suggestion that we get him a haircut, and instead we had a coffee in the Arcade. Nasty moment there as he left for the toilet in the middle and (a) couldn’t find it and (b) took a long time to come back. I had visions of him wandering around Norwich (because the toilets were oddly outside the restaurant).
Anyway we found ourselves in the Castle Museum instead. Then after lunch Dot visited a school at Corton and I took Andrew to Barton Broad, which promised more than it delivered, then on to Walcott, where we got an ice cream, and Happisburgh, where we surveyed the recent surge damage and walked along the cliffs to see where the path had fallen into the sea.
Andrew was quite keen to go on a train, for some reason, so yesterday he and I took the train to North Walsham and walked through the town to the cemetery, where we met Dot, put flowers on the graves and drove home together. (Dot had meanwhile dropped in to see her aunt.)
After lunch we set off for Coventry and made quite good time, arriving at Minster Lodge at almost exactly 5pm, which was not the brightest thing to do. All well there – staff very pleased to see him back, or at least gave that impression – but then I tried to drive through the rush-hour traffic while avoiding the numerous road works. In the end I arrived by chance at Cheylesmore and sat in Dawlish Drive eating my chicken sandwich in the sun.
Afterwards I eventually found Binley and got some petrol at Morrisons before heading back to the A45 and home by the longer but easier route (M45, M1, A421), doing it in well under three hours. At Newport Pagnell services I was approached by a woman who was driving the wrong way down the M1 (bit of a theme, this) and wanted to know if there was any way she could turn round. I told her she would have to go on to the next junction, which was not far away. She was heading for Oxford, using “heading” in a completely different sense.
I arrived home about half an hour before Dot got back from orchestra rehearsal.
Happisburgh lighthouse from the now accessible pill box near the cliff edge.
Going back a bit, on Friday last week Dot and I went to another Julian Week lunchtime talk – this time by Dr Sarah Law on Julian and the Poetic Process. This was another really good one, despite the rather pathetic introducer, who seemed never to have seen a microphone before, let alone know how it worked. She propped it limply against the podium, where it was no use to man or beast. Fortunately the speaker overcame her ineptitude. That’s the trouble with these mystics: they don’t know how the world works.
Not true of Julian, of course, as former Archbishop Rowan Williams made clear in a much longer talk at the Cathedral the following morning, starting at 10.30am. Not much would get us out of bed that early on a Saturday, but he was well worth hearing, talking about Julian’s anti-theology and much else that I wish I could remember. Happily, I believe the talk is being printed, so I can go back and check. Many friends in the packed audience.
But I am leaping ahead. Friday contained more – starting with my picking up the St Augustine’s accounts file from Sarah, continuing with delivering some old videos etc to Stuart to sell in a sale at The Stage and ending with a concert at St Andrew’s Hall by the London Philharmonic. We had a front-row seat; however, it was strategically placed so that we couldn’t see the soloist and could only catch a glimpse of the conductor. Yes, dear reader, we were behind a pillar. I knew the pillar was there when I booked, but figured we could see behind it. Unhappily, the plan I consulted was inaccurate. On the plus side, we were perfectly placed for Dot to study the second violins in action. And the music was really good.
It was the first event of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. The second, on Saturday morning, was erecting a cardboard copy of St Peter Mancroft outside the Forum. Unfortunately, it was very windy. The result was described by a friend as “underwhelming”. Harsh but fair.
Dot at the BBC, with Mary Thrower and Julia Ann Houseago
I should probably not have contested the date of completion of the Guildhall during the lunchtime quiz at the CNS Class of 61 reunion event on Sunday. I have now been earmarked as a troublemaker and almost a sore loser, despite the fact that getting the question right would not have given our team anything like the total of the actual winners.
In case you’re surprised that I should have the faintest idea when Norwich Guildhall was finished, or care, the information happens to be part of the Paston Walk round Norwich that I devised some time ago. And it’s 1453, since you ask. However, the quizmaster had 1412, because that’s when the basic structure was completed. However, the windows weren’t put in till 1453, and if you think a house without windows is finished, I invite you to live in one. I tried to remain dignified about it, but my case comes up next week.
Just kidding. It was an excellent day, starting with a tour of the BBC and ending with a tour of said Guildhall (which should have settled the matter, but didn’t). In between we had an excellent lunch at Loch Fyne. We were accompanied by Fred and Sue, who had been intending to stay the devious night but in the end arrived early on the Sunday morning, following a mini-crisis with Sue’s aged mother. And about 34 others, of course.
On Monday, which was a bank holiday, Dot decided to spring-clean the garage. It was a pleasant, sunny day, but everything has gone downhill since then. On the plus side, the garage is much clearer, and I have sorted all my tools out. I have 27 screwdrivers. Dot is well on her way to sorting out her sewing basket (once you get started on this sort of thing … ). On the minus side, there is a massive amount of stuff heading for the tip or the charity shop, it’s raining, and one of my car tyres is looking very flat. I’ve tested it, and it’s about 14 psi. The question is, does it have a puncture, or is it just losing interest?
It’s Julian Week, and I’ve been to three talks at the library – one by Karen Smyth on the literary aspects, one by Sophie Cabot on the world Julian lived in (I thought it was going to be about Norwich, but no) and one today on the link between Julian and T S Eliot – Little Gidding in particular. The guy who gave today’s talk read Little Gidding, which was worth the walk through the rain on its own, but he had some interesting things to say too. Dot managed to get to two of the three, and we’re going to one tomorrow. Eleanor was there today, and Lucy Edwards yesterday.
The talks are in the library – an environment that turned out to be surprisingly loud. Today a man turned up 25 minutes late for a 20-minute talk, which meant he plonked himself down after the talk was supposed to have finished and about three minutes before it actually did. I’m sure he had a good reason for this, as I’m sure the mother did yesterday who thought a talk about a mystic writer was just the thing for her toddler. People are weird.
Returning from yesterday’s evening talk, Dot and I had an impromptu evening meal at Prezzos, which was unexpectedly nice.
We had our hair cut at the second attempt yesterday, and we’ve paid for our holiday in Iona, thankfully organised by Anna. I was astonished to discover that to get from Norwich to Glasgow by air, you have to change at Manchester. That’s like going by train to Brundall and having to change at Trowse.
Dot did the first of a series of P4C sessions at Little Plumstead school on Tuesday, and she had neglected to pick up her blood pressure pills on Saturday. So I was outside the chemist when it opened and took the pills to Little Plumstead. Also a large piece of card that wouldn’t fit in her car.
Heard today that Oliver took two wickets at cricket against another school and ran someone out with a direct hit. Excellent! Meanwhile Amy has been taking part in an athletics meet at Chesham. Good little mover.
Significant week in the history of St Augustine’s. We had our annual meeting on Tuesday – excellent food from Karen & Co as usual – and a good talk from visitor Keith Elliott, representing Inclusive Church, which the parish is thinking of joining. Then Nicholas dropped his bombshell – he and his family are leaving, and going to Aspen, Colorado, some time in the summer.
Actually, we already knew this, but most of the people present didn’t, and there was a bit of a stunned silence, followed by a few nice things being said. Obviously things will be difficult in the interregnum, but I think it’s the right move for him.
Mr Elliott was staying the night with us. I’d already walked him up to the Cathedral in the afternoon, and he was a considerate guest. We also felt we were on his wavelength. The next morning Nicholas came round to have a chat with him, and after a walk on his own Keith joined us for a cold lunch, during which the man came to service the burglar alarm. Not great timing, but he was very pleasant, and things went smoothly.
In the afternoon Rob and Caroline came round for a Chronicle read-through and discussion. I have a bit of reorganisation to do on the Oxnead script, as well as some design work on the forthcoming book. Time marches on: I’m a bit worried that it won’t get done in time, but I expect it will.
On Thursday evening we went to Claire’s for dinner after a day of wondering whether she’d remembered or not: she ignored an e-mail and didn’t answer her phone, but in fact all was well and we had an excellent meal.
All week a Toys R Us trolley had been languishing on the pavement outside, and we’d been a bit worried it might end up being pushed into our car, or someone else’s. Eventually I worked up the energy to push it through the city and back to its base. It was heavy and had a bit of a mind of its own (especially downhill), but I took it up Prince of Wales Road, Queen Street, St Andrew’s and down Westwick Street and left it outside the shop. On the way back I spoke to a Big Issue seller who had been a trolley boy in Hamilton, outside Glasgow, and used to fetch back trolleys that customers had taken home. That’s what we need here. He was against independence but wasn’t allowed to vote because he didn’t live in Scotland.
In the evening Linda cancelled our hair appointment again, and we are rescheduled for next Wednesday. Tonight we were due to have Fred and Sue to stay before the CNS reunion event tomorrow, but they have cancelled too for family reasons, though they’re hoping to come down tomorrow morning. This morning Maryta and Paul called in for coffee while looking at two more houses, their original vendor having created problems. They have the kind of schedule that makes our hectic ones seem positively sedentary.
Another gap there, I’m afraid. It’s taking me some time to get back to normal, whatever that is. Still, we have been reasonably busy.
On Monday last week, still feeling pretty jet-lagged, we went to Eleanor’s in Recreation Road (off the Avenues) for an at-home. Eleanor is chaplain at the hospital, a recent member of our congregation and is also ordained, so she took our Easter Communion when we were away. We met a few of her family, and some other members of St Augustine’s who popped in. Dot was able to advise a young woman on the path to take towards a career in teaching, so that was all good.
No let-up the next day, when a meeting of the Paston trustees took place at North Walsham. I managed to stay sufficiently awake to take the minutes, and was still fairly awake in the evening when we went with the Robinsons to the Red Lion in Eaton for a birthday celebration meal (Philip’s). I haven’t been very lucky (or clever) with my menu choices recently, and the smoked haddock was OK, but not exceptional. We all came back to 22, and there was a showing of holiday photographs on Apple TV.
Dot on the boardwalk at Barton Broad
The next day (Wednesday) was blank, so we decided eventually to go for a walk. I had seen a walk at Irstead in a book, but couldn’t find it, so did some web research, and we ended up surprisingly doing almost precisely the walk I’d lost (I found it again later). Irstead is pretty remote (a dead end village), but it has a lovely church, and there were plenty of bluebells nearby. We walked down narrow lanes to a newish boardwalk stretching out into Barton Broad; at the end it was pretty idyllic in the sunshine. The walk continued and was about 3½ miles altogether.
On Thursday we had invited Jenny and Mary round for a meal as part of the new church initiative (don’t ask), but Mary was unable to come; so we had a lovely meal and evening with Jenny, who is sadly about to leave Norwich.
The “pressure” continued on Friday, when we went to an exhibition by Rupert and others at a house in Plumstead Road East. All rather strange – the house didn’t look welcoming, but it turned out to be a bit like the Tardis, with two lovely big rooms. Chatted to Rupert and in the end bought one of his paintings (not paid for yet), which he will bring round when he has the chance.
The same evening was the Paston annual meeting at the Ship Inn, Mundesley. Dot and I arrived very early as a result of unexpectedly traffic-free roads, but fortunately Rob and Penny were already there and had seized the room, which the waiters had been about to use for random diners. Some sort of misunderstanding, but they had sorted it out. In the end a very select gathering on a cold and foggy night (oh yes it was). I said a little bit about Chronicle and took the chair for the re-election of Rob, and Jo supplied some nice sandwiches. Lucy, not at all well, staggered over to give the treasurer’s report, and then staggered back with Dot’s help.
Dig-and-dial phone at Salthouse
A weekend with the Coomes was scheduled, but Kristine rang at around 9am on the Saturday to say David had a very bad stomach problem. Dot moped around for a bit, and so we decided to go to Blakeney Hotel for afternoon tea, and that worked quite well. We got chairs and a nice view. The tide was high. We continued to Salthouse, where we were shocked to find the steep shingle bank had been flattened by the sea, and the car park buried. Added to Norwich losing 4-0 to Manchester Utd, this was a bit of a blow.
After church on Sunday we ventured out again to visit Jessie. I was feeling a bit ropey, but we had a nice time. My blood pressure, taken on Monday, was down slightly but still high and I tried to get the practice nurse interested in my problems, but she demonstrated an alarming lack of curiosity. I am now trying a bit of gluten-free to see if it helps. Meanwhile Dot was doing useful work in the garden, and not complaining.
At lunchtime I reported problems we’d been having with the pump on the central heating (it wouldn’t turn off at night), and amazingly I got an immediate response. Must have been a slow day. A guy came and not only fixed the pump but did our annual service too.
Sunset on our final evening, on the beach near the Mucky Duck
And here we are back again in England. The air is much cooler, but on the plus side, we are on the ground, and not squeezed into an aeroplane designed for midgets. Captiva Island and the surrounding weather were in fine form, but the travel was bit of a nightmare. It all went something like this.
Thursday, April 10
Got to Caddington between 3 and 4pm. Obtained a takeaway Indian from Spice Caddington, who were pleasant and obliging. The food was nice too. I wrote a favourable review of them for Trip Advisor.
Friday, April 11
Left Caddington at 7.25am and reached Heathrow about 8.30. Checked in at about 9 and went through Security without much problem, although it required a little undressing. Patronised Starbucks. Plane left more than an hour late, and I would like to say it was a pleasant journey, but it wasn’t. It was 9½ hours. The food was quite palatable, but the promised help from BA ground staff to get throughout Customs quickly and on to our connection wasn’t. In fact it was non-existent, and we languished in a passport queue until even a last-minute push from an airport man didn’t help us make it.
American Airlines were very helpful and booked us on a flight at 8.20am the next day, then rechecked our cases and sent us on to British Airways, who accepted responsibility and booked us into the Hyatt Regency, with vouchers for free beds, dinner and breakfast. The hotel was good, as was the food, but I didn’t get much sleep. Again. Rang car company at Fort Myers to say we wouldn’t be picking our car up till the next day, and the hotel there saying we needed to cancel. They seemed mystified that I’d bothered to tell them, given that they were going to charge me anyway.
Dot looking good as always
Saturday, April 12
Woke early, of course, and had a good breakfast at 6am, catching the 6.40 shuttle to the airport. I noticed from a board at the hotel that the departure gate – and indeed terminal – had been changed from D35 to C6, so we went to the right place. The check-inwas straightforward, and the plane left on time. The flight seemed very short (about 2¼ hours) and there were no customs at Fort Myers. We were met by the Murrays at the bottom of an elevator.
Had trouble finding the hire car, because it was accessed via shuttle from a booth round the back of the car park. Which surrounds worrying, but in fact turned out very well. Chrissy came with me, David, Amy and Sophie and in fact did all the driving. Dot went with Roger and Barbara and the boys, and in fact they had to wait so long in the queue for their Budget car (ours was Europcar) that we got to the house on Captiva first.
The house, Sunny Days, Andy Rosse Lane, was first-class – especially our bedroom, which had a king-sized hot tub as well as a super-shower. And a very, very large bed. Attended Mucky Duck for 5pm meal. Afterwards I took the two girls back to the house so that they could access the pool very quickly. After the others arrived I soon dozed off and on being roused, decided to go to bed. Shrimp cocktail quite good; grouper café de paris middling.
David, Chrissy and the girls in the pool
Sunday, April 13
Woke at 7am and took a long time to surface while the others went to Starbucks in relays. Had bath and felt rather down. Dot brought me a cake back, and Barbara went for a long beach walk. Dot and I went to the dock for while (breezy but warm), then to shop. The rest is a bit of a blur, but we went to the Bubble Room for lunch, and at some point Dot and I took Oliver to the dock, then to Urchin Court, Sunset Captiva, returning via the beach. Played a couple of games of pool with Roger, then gave way to Seth. Went to dock again, and Dot eventually joined me briefly. Full moon. Children getting along well, both in the pool and electronically.
Monday, April 14
Another bad night. Kept dreaming about dreadful journeys of one kind or another. All went to the Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast, which was as tasty as I remembered it, but smaller. Attempted to park at the lighthouse afterwards, but the park there was full. Sadly, we were destined never to make it. Pity, because I think the children would have loved it there.
Drove back to Captiva, stopping at Baileys on the way for provisions. Afterwards I did the long walk up to Redfish Pass, hoping to catch up with Dot and Barbara, but because of a misunderstanding they were waiting for me at Starbucks. Roger, who had been walking with me, decided to return and called in at Starbucks on the way, thus revealing that I had gone on and was ahead by some way. I, of course, did not know this and continued – pausing only to obtain a bottle of water from Joe, who drew up the beach in a boat.
I reached the pass about half an hour ahead of the girls and waited on a seat, and then on a second seat, because I wasn’t sure which one they would plump for (or had plumped for, if they were ahead of me). Was about to give them up when they arrived, and we walked back down through the harbour and the South Seas resort, spotting a couple of dolphins and a manatee. Sat in harbour area while girls went in a shop, and was feeling very hot; so I was glad of Joe’s water.
Later I beat Roger 5-2 at pool and photographed sunset from the roof of the house. But not simultaneously.
White pelicans in the Ding Darling nature reserve
Tuesday, April 15
Up earlier. Drove to Ding Darling Nature Reserve and saw white pelicans, but we only stopped twice and didn’t go for a walk, which was a bit disappointing, especially as we then proceeded to Traders and had to kill time in shop before lunch. Had a decent Angus steakburger, while the others ventured more exotic stuff. Couldn’t manage a dessert. Drove to Periwinkle Place and some shopping was done.
Eventually all the males drove home, and all the females did more shopping. Dot bought some blue shorts and several tops. When the females returned, Barbara, Dot, Roger and I went over to the dock and saw manatees and a dolphins, as well as ospreys catching fish. An expected thunderstorm did not materialise. I beat Oliver narrowly at table tennis and Roger convincingly at pool.
Wednesday, April 16
Dull to start with, but warmer later. Didn’t wake till after 9 – found tea from David on bedside tables, and neither of us had heard him bring it in. Dot and I bought postcards and walked up to Starbucks with Barbara. Wrote them there while she walked back. Dot and I returned by beach, by which time Mike Decker had arrived from Tampa and gone out to lunch with David and Chrissy at Mucky Duck. Wrote three poems while waiting for them to come back, then had chat. After he left, we all went to Il Cielo for an excellent meal. Very tired afterwards.
Some concern at the Lighthouse Cafe
Thursday, April 17
Awful night. Really bad stomach – thought I was going to be sick, then acid reflux and neck pains. Stayed at home while others went to Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast, but recovered later and went to Starbucks with Dot. Had iced tea, and then we both bought hats in Regatta, the store next door.
Went to the dock a couple of times – saw a dolphin on my own, then returned with Dot. Dark clouds over Pine Island. Sudden wind as walked back, and in the evening a bit of rain as the four of us drove to Il Cielo again. Had mussels followed by lamb. Drove back to house via Gulf Road and Rabbit. Tired again – went to bed quite early.
Friday, April 18
Another bad night, though not as bad as the previous one. Both up before 9am to find house apparently empty, so walked up to Starbucks and back by beach. Returned to find that Seth had been in the house alone, but by this time the others had returned.
Later Dot and I walked up to the deli near Starbucks to get some food, and we walked to the dock afterwards, arriving back at the house to meet the others at 11.30 – about the only example of a joint arrangement in the entire week that worked and did not involve cars. Tried to book the banana boat for the children, but the owner said a fierce electrical storm was on the way and the sea was getting rough. All on the beach till past 1pm, and the sea was indeed quite choppy, but the storm “the size of Florida” never materialised, although I suppose it was out there somewhere.
Played Roger at table tennis and lost 3-0; then at pool, at which I won by about 4-1. Had shower. Even pool makes you quite sticky. All went to Mucky Duck for final meal. I had clam chowder (good) and fish and chips (average), plus two pints of excellent Yuenglings beer from Pennsylvania, recommended by the waitress. The Key West beer I had at Traders was good too.
Packed, then went to beach for sunset shots after I happened to notice a promising sky. Took pic of couple from Atlanta. He said he played golf in Scotland, so he was probably famous.
Oliver on the boys’ table at the Lighthouse Cafe
Saturday, April 19
Another very bad night. Got up at 6.40 to find rain had not materialised as threatened, and it was bright and warm. Finished the packing, and we returned in the cars as we’d arrived – Chrissy driving ours. Followed Roger and a map and found the car place off Treeline easily. The transfer went like clockwork and we reached the check-in via shuttle well before the others. I phoned Dot and we joined forces.
We had planned to have a coffee or breakfast together, but it turned out we were flying from separate concourses with separate Security entrances, so we had to say goodbye there. After Security we got some food and saw the Murrays’ Air Canada flight take off as we were boarding. Our plane left at 12.30 and we arrived in Dallas around 2.30 (+ 1 hour). Spent most of afternoon at gate D14 after a shuttle ride and a nice lunch of wraps.
Much better experience of Dallas Fort Worth airport this time. Our bags went straight through, and all we had to do was let the gate attendants see our Fort Myers boarding passes. The flight to Heathrow left on time and arrived on time after a bit of circling. I got two or three hours’ sleep, and our arrival time of 9.35 (as advertised) meant the flight was exactly nine hours.
Downsides of journey: I sat on middle seat next to a stranger on both flights, the food on the BA flight was awful and two loos were out of order. Dot had brief attack of diarrhoea, and the sound on the movie was so bad I had to turn it off. On the plus side, I had bought a Randy Wayne White book in Captiva and was able to read some of it; and on the flight from Fort Myers I was able to talk to my grandson.
The elusive manatee
Sunday, April 20
We got through passport control and customs quite easily and boarded our bus after a brief wait. It was raining and chilly. Our car was where we’d left it, and we threw ourselves in it and I drove back to Caddington. Again the roads were not bad, and we were home by 11.30 after dropping Dot off to buy food in the village (and then returning for her). After a bite, David and the children were in touch with Chrissy and hers on FaceTime. It all seemed very familiar. We left about 1.30 and were home well before 4pm, listening to Norwich lose 2-3 to Liverpool on the way. Everything was normal, and inNorwich it was dry and much warmer.
We unpacked and had egg and chips and watched some television. Phil came round with an Easter card from Joe and Ilona. Not sure what else happened. It was a bit of a blur again. Watched a bit of the grand prix, then later some more television and went to be very early. Slept a long time.
By way of a postscript, just before leaving for Caddington en route to Florida, I had a most enjoyable day yesterday with Rebecca de Saintonge, looking round the Norwich Paston sites. Dot joined us for lunch in the refectory at the Cathedral to start with, and then she returned home while Rebecca and I did a variation on The Walk, omitting the Castle but including the Cathedral and Julian’s Cell.
Rebecca was born in the same month as me, but in Devon, and her name is French Canadian. She was lively and intelligent and generally fun to be with – and she and her husband are very interested in Dot’s philosophy work. She is aiming to write a historical novel centring on Richard Calle and Margery Paston. Gave her a copy of my tanka book. Interesting theological discussions too.
It was a sunny day, just right for walking. We managed to get into St Andrew’s Hall, and she persuaded a guy setting out a flea market there to open and close the Paston doors so that she could take a photograph.
It’s that difficult time when you’re almost ready to go on holiday, but not quite. In fact in about 90 minutes’ time I shall be showing a visiting author round the Norwich Paston sites, which will take up most of the afternoon, so that should take my mind off it. There has also been some dramatic and unexpected news from church, but I can’t reveal what it was – yet.
We have had our hair cut, so we are ready for anything. I was even ready for another request from Parish Pump to write a 300-word piece for May – this time on Gerard Manley Hopkins, who happens to be one of my favourite poets. Managed to put the words together yesterday, and they’ve been accepted.
Monday was quite exciting, and not just because it rained extremely hard in the evening. Caroline, Rob and I visited Oxnead Hall in the morning to look at where and how we could put on a Chronicle performance in September (26th). The piece will centre on the history of the hall, and afterwards we rehearsed the first draft and made some improvements, which I have to work in on my return from Florida.
The hall’s owner, Beverley Aspinall, made us very welcome and showed us round the gardens and into a couple of amazing performance spaces they have available – one in what were the barns, and the other in the orangery.
In the evening we went with Judy to Vicky’s, where we were joined by David and Bridget for tea, wine, cakes and compline. I forgot I wasn’t driving, so didn’t have any wine. I really think senility is setting in.
Yesterday we spent preparing for the holiday, partly by catching up with paperwork and partly (mainly Dot) getting the clothes together. Which leaves Saturday and Sunday, during which the Norwich City manager was sacked following a poor display at home to West Brom (0-1) and we had a really nice service at church, with Phil leading. I did the sermon and prayers, and Dot read a long passage about the raising of Lazarus. Several people said they liked the sermon, which was nice, and in the afternoon we went out to see Jessie at North Walsham, which was also nice.
I have the American dollars, and unfortunately Oliver has impetigo, which means he has to go to the doctor’s tomorrow (he’s been once). Hope it doesn’t prevent him enjoying the holiday. We have fed the fish for Sam while they were away and woke them up this morning (Sam and Ellie, not the fish) to make sure they were back when we saw a strange man wandering in and out of their house. Turns out he was fixing the boiler.
