That was just to fool you. In fact it’s reasonably mild for the time of year, and the days are getting longer, though as yet it’s undiscernible. The footprints are undoubtedly of Father Christmas, but where is it? No-one knows. I’ve just been into the city to get a final one or two things and forgetting one or two others that we will certainly need, though we don’t know it yet. Fairly quiet in the city, except in HMV, where there was the longest queue I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, it was also the quickest because their system was so superbly organised: a whole row of cashiers, with an additional guy directing the next in queue to the next cashier available (shoppers are usually too dim to see this for themselves, or possibly too short). Anyway, great planning: well done, HMV.
Dot has meanwhile decorated the house and actually painted part of the bathroom ceiling. We got a promise from City Hall that the binmen would come tomorrow after they came yesterday without telling anyone, and so we didn’t have out bags out. Discovered from our neighbour Ailsa that she too has been in contact several times over the intermittent service. I think City Care have a lucky dip on which day they’re going to do Aspland Road each week.
Yesterday I took part in the Christmas chess event and managed to beat the club’s top player on his final day before moving to Kent. OK, he had three minutes and I had seven, but who’s counting? Managed to lose my last game of six when a win would have tied me for first place, but that’s par for the course. An enjoyable evening, though I had one ginger beer too many. That’s a total of two, in case you were wondering. And yes, they’re non-alcoholic.
The alternative carol service went well on Sunday, with appreciation from many of the 40 or so present. Used a couple of old sketches revamped slightly, and they got some laughs. This was followed by a splendid Christmas lunch cooked by Vicky and friends, and in the evening by yet another meal out – Eugenia’s 40th birthday bash at the York Tavern. This turned out to be really good; it was in a private room at the top of the pub, and we met some interesting people, as well as eating some interesting food. In Italian style, plenty of children present, including her own baby, Francesca, who is a lovely little thing. Sat with a Japanese PhD student from UEA and Lisa, formerly in environmental education but now at a day centre for people with varying degrees of disability. Also met a German GP, with whose views on red tape we strongly sympathised. She is married to a Frenchman who is also at UEA – something to do with pharmaceuticals. I think Dot would like me to have been Norwegian, or Uzbekhistani or something.
The previous night we had another meal out, at the Higbees, which was also a lot of fun and very relaxing. Since then I have been down to Alburgh to pick up the Christmas cake from Marion while Dot was at Park Farm / picking up parcels from the Post Office / buying food from Waitrose / visiting her aunt Ethel. I also called in at Burston to leave Annette and Mike’s gift, but they were out. I hid it by the door, then wondered if Annette was at Bally, which would have been much easier. Now we’re just about ready to crash out before cooking a smallish meal for our much depleted Tuesday Group.
Another Aspland Road wall has been knocked down, this time by someone unknown. It must have happened while I was out this morning. The house turns out to be owned by Mrs Hicks’ daughter Janet, who is renting it out and called to see if we’d heard anything. Unfortunately Dot had The Messiah on high and was oblivious. Nice to meet Janet, though.