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.