We’re in the midst of some quite summery weather, with only a slight edge to the wind to suggest that we’re coming into autumn. Yesterday I led a group of four (Rob, Caroline, Kit, Dot Cobley) on the walk from Pigney’s Wood and up the Green Lane (Paston’s Way) into Knapton. Stayed a while at Knapton Church, trying to work out why Knapton was never mentioned by the Pastons – and failing. Lovely angels in the hammerbeam roof. Very little Pastony to see on the walk, but we did have time to discuss our forthcoming book of poetry, which I have proposed we call Another Country, though we probably won’t. We’ve set ourselves a deadline of a fortnight to gather all the material, which is ambitious but essential.
In the evening it was Peter and Joan’s golden wedding at Park Farm. Happily they were both able to get there, despite looking frail. Even Aunt E made it, delivered by her helper Melissa, and it was a pleasant evening. Spent much of it talking to Angela and Vicki, and even ventured a dance with Dot.
Dot did a church school inspection on Thursday at Brisley, and so didn’t get back in time to accompany me to the private view for Martin Laurance’s exhibition at the Theatre Royal. It was the collection of paintings he did on Orford Ness, for which I think he was sponsored by the National Trust. Rather a bleak setting, but he does bleak rather well, especially with his surprising splashes of unusual colour. Really like his work, but resisted the temptation to buy. Pity he’s moving to Kent. Spoke to Hilary Mellon and Rupert, who’s just been diagnosed with diabetes. Elspeth R was there but pretended not to see me again. Don’t know what’s going on there.
While on the subject of the Theatre Royal, we attended a production of Madness of George III on Monday that was absolutely superb. David Haig played him brilliantly and got a standing ovation. The play itself was compelling, mixing tragedy and humour intelligently.
In other news, I’ve just finished my sermon for tomorrow and have booked to see Adam Cohen at the UEA in November. I have also finished Sam’s novel – prompted by a plea for feedback – and responded. Apparently I was the first of his readers to do so.