Tag Archives: p4c

Kingfisher fails to fly under Dot’s radar

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Dot, Dave and Julia at Fairhaven
Dot, Dave and Julia at Fairhaven

Julia and Dave left after lunch for Aylesbury, but had trouble getting our of the city. They got stuck in traffic, then had to return for a forgotten bag, then decided to go out via Thorpe, which can’t have been quicker. Ah well. We had a good time while they were here.

They arrived for lunch on Tuesday just after the gas man had fixed the radiator in their room. It had been cold – as a result, it turned out, of an airlock under the floorboards. Our man, Kevin Ansbro, who happens to be a novelist when not working for British Gas, sorted it all out and then chatted for some considerable time about literary stuff. Then I gave him a copy of one of my poetry books, and he left.

After lunch we went up to Marks and Spencer (I forget why) and had a hot drink before returning to the house for supper. In the evening it rained a lot, but by the next day it was quite pleasant, and we went to Fairhaven Water Gardens at South Walsham, which turned  out to be very pleasant indeed – much bigger than I thought, with lots of paths and dykes. Dot saw a kingfisher for the first time ever, and we spent some time working out what some strange birds in the distance were. They turned out to be young cormorants (much whiter than the adults). The garden walks lead to the Inner South Walsham Broad, and you can do boat trips in the summer.

In the evening we went to Cafe Rouge again (by bus), managing to dodge the rain that had returned after we left Fairhaven. Another excellent meal and another excellent waitress (not the same one).

Chocks away! Dot in the cockpit at the Radar Museum.
Chocks away! Dot in the cockpit at the Radar Museum.

On Thursday it had turned cooler, and we went to the Radar Museum at Neatishead, which proved about as interesting as it was last time and went down well with the Evetts, I think. Very few visitors, so we got close attention. In the evening we went to Prezzo and followed that by going to the Odeon (Imax) to see Spectre, the latest James Bond film, which was extremely impressive. We went to the Gallery for the full experience, but this was much less enjoyable than last time, and I doubt if we’ll be doing it again. We got massive soft drinks (which  you don’t really want before seeing a 2½-hour film), some nachos, popcorn and very poor service, because they were understaffed. Anything alcoholic had to be paid for, and the seats were not comfortable.

Today has been markedly colder. I stayed at home this morning while Dot went to the doctor to get validated for her renewed prescriptions, and then she and the Evetts went up to Marks and Spencer again to do some shopping.I had to get lunch ready for 12.30, because they wanted to get away early. Dave was here, but Julia and Dot arrived just before 1pm. Meanwhile I’d posted some cards and a magazine to Andrew, who is now back at Minster Lodge.

Pre-Evetts but after my last post Dot went to Lichfield for some p4c, staying overnight on Sunday. This went well as usual, but unusually the hotel was also excellent. I went on my own to the Seagull and read some poems, which seemed to go down well. We even had an audience of four. I tried a different route on the way back, but it turned out much further, rather as anticipated.

On Monday evening I went to a PCC meeting at St Luke’s, where both churchwardens announced their resignation – nothing to do with the new vicar; they had been planning to do so for some time. The vicar said ideally he’d like four churchwardens – two for each church – but I fear this will not happen. Still, who knows? The meeting itself was not terribly interesting, as it was primarily St Luke’s-orientated, but then there were only three of this there from St Augustine’s (Howard, Judy and me); so we could hardly grumble. We didn’t grumble, of course. We don’t do that.

Dot was still on her way back from Lichfield.

In the park at Heydon

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Rob, Penny, Ann and James in Heydon Park.
Rob, Penny, Ann and James in Heydon Park.

Not much movement this week, except for Dot, who drove to Northampton and back for p4c on Sunday and Monday. To be accurate she stayed in Market Harborough at a friend of Barbara’s on the Sunday. Her journey both ways was very slow, but on the plus side Barbara didn’t have food poisoning as she did in Wimbledon.

Before Dot left we had lunch with the Knox-Whittets at Heydon: a lovely meal of leak and chicken pie (among other things). There was some discussion about the next Chronicle episode, and we agreed a date to meet after I’ve sorted out the narrative a bit more more. I’ve spent most of the week getting round to it, but have been pre-empted by filing an income tax return; writing an unexpected article for Parish Pump on Prisons Week and a sermon for Sunday; visiting  Bracon Ash to photograph the church and grave for Keith and Mary Chapman at Kingston; and two visits to the cinema.

After Dot left, the remaining five of us (James and Ann; Rob and Penny; and me) went for a walk into the estate. The sun was beautiful and although we walked only a short distance, we got a close-up of some cattle and the big house, and good views of two herons and a barn owl.

Everest was a good film, which we saw in iMax for £28.50. Dot had to rush out as the film was starting when we discovered that our 3D glasses were not the same as iMax ones. Really! Anyway the effects were very good indeed, though it was predictably hard to tell who was who once they had their mountain gear on, especially when the weather turned bad. Felt sorry for the climb leader, who (SPOILER ALERT) would have survived if he hadn’t been surrounded by idiots.

Two days later we were back in the cinema for an 11am Silver Cinema showing of Spooks: the Greater Good. This cost us £6, with a cup of tea thrown in. Well, not exactly thrown. It would be hard to recommend this film too highly. It was brilliant in every way if you like spy stories. No spoiler alert this time.

Today I went to the chemist to pick up some pills and discovered that the owner, a really nice guy called David Hamblin, had decided to retire, and it was his last day. We’ve always got on really well, and we swapped e-mail addresses. He lives in Claxton. Back at home Dot painted part of the wall by the stairs, and then we had our hair cut. This was followed swiftly by her exit to Little Plumstead for a governors’ meeting, which means we’re having a late supper. Probably very late, as there were about 30 items on the agenda. Ridiculous? Indeed.

There was a super-moon on Sunday night, but I missed it. I woke up at 1.30am and it was behind the trees. I nearly got up and went out, but didn’t. I woke up at 4.30am and it was in the sky but behind clouds, and when it poked through it was neither very big nor orange. Nor eclipsed. Dot didn’t see it either. She had forgotten about it.

Walking the platform at Stratford

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Late in the day on the footbridge over the railway near Thorpe marshes.
Late in the day on the footbridge over the railway near Thorpe marshes.

On Thursday Dot and I drove out to Hempton, near Fakenham, where Caroline Gilfillan was launching her new book, Poet in Boots, at the Bell. This was, I thought, a pleasant country pub, but Dot was not too impressed. I was able to have a beer and go to the loo without any trouble: what more could one want?

The launch consisted of a few poems read by Caroline and some songs from her friends, one or two of which were very good. All round it was a very good evening, though we only really knew Caroline.

The next day was Oliver’s birthday, and we sent him messages, hoping that he got his card. We will be taking his presents at the end of this week. At the end of the day it was warm and sunny; so we went for a walk on Thorpe marshes, which was marred only by flying insects, one of which bit Dot on her eye, which gave her a bit of trouble for a couple of days. Otherwise it was an idyllic evening, with a couple of herons and calm water, and a grebe in the distance.

On Saturday we went to the Hendersons’ for an evening meal after getting rid of stuff from the garage. We expected it to be just the four of us, but their neighbours  from Lime Tree Road were there as well. Nice food, pleasant company. Sunday was rainy. After church, where we played the music in the absence of Phil, I did some church sitting for the Heritage Day while Dot went home to practise her violin, her time being cut short a bit by her neglecting to take the door key. As I had started the day by forgetting the church hall key, this rounded things off nicely. (All because we were using the courtesy car.) The church hall water leak problem is ongoing, but now there is a lighting problem. The vicar has apparently decided to leave everything practical in Howard’s hands, which is all very nice, but Howard has a job, a wife, two daughters and a grandchild.

After church Dot and I went to see Jessie, which was lovely as always.

Monday saw us heading for Wimbledon in rainy weather that turned quite chilly later. We stopped for refreshments at the Services on the M11, because I was feeling pretty tired, but then continued without incident across the Dartford bridge (which reminds me, I have to pay for the crossing – pause – done) and along the southern section of the M25 before following the satnav directions in towards Raynes Park, where we parked in Waitrose’s car park next to the station.

I was driving Dot down because of anticipated difficulty in finding the place, and was then due to get the train back while she met up with Barbara. This actually happened, but we had loads of time to spare; so we went into Starbuck’s for a snack and then wandered round a bit in the rain. Eventually I got an earlier train than intended and then a tube from Waterloo to Stratford, which turned out to be a bleaker station than I expected. So I persuaded a ticket lady to let me out and use the toilets in the Westfield centre, and then let me back in again. I then walked up and down the platform – it was getting pretty chilly – until the train arrived. I had a specified seat in first class, which turned out to be not available, but there were loads of others and I got a better one (single, with table).

Today was much better after a rainy start, and I went into the city to pay in some cheques, including one for me (from the PHS) that I’d found in my jacket pocket. Ran into some people looking for Dragon Hall in the wrong place, and then spoke to Ed Read, who told me he and Jenny were going to try and adopt. Made myself hot lunch with leftover toad in the hole and – to be honest – rather wasted the afternoon, listening to YouTube songs and eventually getting round to finishing this, just as I see Dot is about to arrive.

No time to catch breath

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Heather and some other guy
Heather and some guy

Forget what I’ve said about busy weeks in the past. This week just never stopped. On Tuesday Dot was in Liverpool, philosophising very successfully. In the morning I went to the Archant coffee morning and exchanged photos with Brian and Robin. Meanwhile the Hendersons borrowed out permit while they went to Buckingham Palace (on a tour). In the afternoon I was up in the Forum with Rob, Peter, and Karen, discussing the bid for our forthcoming project and becoming more and more doubtful that we would be able to complete the work in time. Afterwards I stayed in the city (bought birthday card and book for Oliver) until the launch of a book at Mandells Gallery: Searle on Norfolk School etchings, published by Susan Currran’s company.

Earlier in the day I had almost sorted out the saga of the MX5, and the photographer came and took pictures at 7pm. The next morning I rang the insurance company to find they had at last done something quickly and had looked at the pictures and agreed the car was repairable. However their nearest approved repairer was in Halesworth (unbelievable).  I agreed to go along with this: said repairer was due to ring me back, but instead they rang Dot’s mobile (unbelievable). She was at Aldborough, delivering more philosophy, but managed to give me their number. I rang back and we fixed a time for them to pick the car up: Thursday the 10th!! (unbelievable) It’s a good job we have another car.

When the man from British Gas came to overhaul our system the following day, he pointed out that one of the tyres on the MX5 was flat! This was a new tyre, and it couldn’t have been affected by the accident. So another problem to sort out. On the plus side, he seems to have done a very good job on the radiators, though there is  weird trickling sound…

While he was working Liz Day came round for a cup of tea and in-depth discussion. All discussions with Liz are in depth. Later Dot went to the funeral directors with Rodney and Angel and took a couple of hours to sort out details of the funeral, before returning home just in time for Linda to cut our hair. Later we went to Morrisons to stock up on food for two lots of visitors.

On Friday I delivered the Paston magazines to Rob’s at North Walsham and then picked up Dot’s pills from the chemist. In the afternoon I called to see poet Joy and her husband Andy, where I had a cup of tea and pleasant talk. Before I left Nick from the printer happened to call round and I was able to tell him how everyone at Paston had admired the mags. At some time that day I believe I had a longish talk with a lady at Coventry about Andrew, during which I agreed to represent him in any discussion about what was best for him.

In the evening our neighbours Bob and Mary and Des and Chris came round for drinks and nibbles, and we demolished four bottles of red wine between us, though I feel that neither Dot nor I had a sixth of the total. Pleasant evening, ending at 11.40, when Des and Chris went home.

Yesterday, with the weather pretty chilly (as it is today) Heather and Simon came for lunch, but not before I had walked to Morrisons and got some last-minute food. Had a really nice time with them, and we ended by walking up with them to the Jeff Koons exhibition at the Castle, which ends today. On the whole, it was better than I thought it would be. Later Anne called round for tea and talk.

Today started with my leading the service, preaching and writing the prayers for Dot, who is feeling a bit under the weather. Afterwards she drove home while I went to a PV at Mandells Gallery by Kate Coleman and chatted with Martin Laurance (and Kate). To be honest, I’m not feeling 100% either, but thought I’d go to the Seagull tonight to round the week off! Dot is staying at home.

A long look at the loft (and the garage)

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Auntie Ethel, who died yesterday, aged 91.
Auntie Ethel, who died yesterday, aged 91.

Very, very wet today. Drove Dot down to the Scole Inn for 10.30, where she met Barbara, and they proceeded in Barbara’s car to St Helen’s for a P4C session tomorrow. Made good time despite the weather.

Yesterday was exciting: I went to church in the morning while Dot cooked a roast chicken lunch for David and the children, who arrived separately. David drove up from Caddington, but the children had spent the night at the Wensum Valley Hotel, following a wedding  at Reepham the day before (Kerry from Bury), involving a train and a drone taking pictures. Vicky dropped them off and picked them up again at 3pm after lunch and a quick game of Dixit, which they had bought me for my birthday.

David also bought me three books and a protective screen for my iPhone. Amy and Oliver also brought me some biscuits from France.

After the children had gone David went through loads of stuff in the garage and loft with us, looking for stuff he wanted us to keep, and stuff we could get rid of. The latter was in the majority. He left quite late.

Dot’s Aunt Ethel has died. It was quite sudden in the end. Angela rang during lunch yesterday to say she was not well, and when she spoke to Dot later, it was all over. No doubt there will be chaos over the will: no-one knows if she made one or, if she did, where it might be.

Lunching with the Bishop

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Our Christmas present from Oliver – a rose – has produced two lovely new blooms.
Our Christmas present from Oliver – a rose – has produced two lovely new blooms.

Rather a lot of paperwork to bring the month to a close this week, and so a regrettable reduction in physical activity. Not much to record there, other than a trip into the city to pay a cheque and a walk round the Rosary yesterday. And here I am at the computer again while Dot ventures into the city. On her return we head to the church hall to rehearse a few songs with Phil.

The paperwork included researching and writing three article for Parish Pump – on the Armenian Genocide, Einstein and the Mt Tambora eruption in 1815 – writing a sermon, and compiling a financial report for the year for the DCC. I am also trying to write a tanka a day for Lent. In addition I have spent about half an hour on the phone renewing my car insurance, and a further quarter of an hour (most of it waiting) to sort out our lost Gift Aid repayment. I have also booked some tickets to see Adrian Plass in June, which is more complicated than it sounds because I had to do it in batches of three. The e-mail replies are the ticket, and the five of us may not go together, partly because Dot and I are due to return from Scarborough that day, with hold-ups always a possibility.

The highlight of the week was probably the lunch at St Luke’s on Monday with a select company including the Bishop, the Dean, the Archdeacon and two prospective vicars. We gave one of the vicars (and his wife) a tour of the parish in our (borrowed) car afterwards and discovered parts of it that we didn’t know existed. Well, not as part of the parish, anyway. “Our” vicar seemed very nice, and we rather hope he will be selected, though that is hardly fair on the other one, who we didn’t really get a chance to chat to. We believe the name of the “lucky” man will be announced tomorrow, if he has said yes. The Bishop and Dean were very pleasant, and the Bishop remembered Dot’s name; so that’s all good 🙂

After the lunch and tour we picked up Dot’s MX5 from the coachwork off Hall Road (just far enough off to make it hard to find). It looked immaculate. I then returned the Corsa to Enterprise Car Rentals and was given a lift home. Normally I would have walked from Heigham Street, but the wind was icy and I was carrying a file of documents that I didn’t want to lose.

Because the MX5 was finished early, Dot had to take our Mazda 2 to Kent (the P4C whiteboard won’t get in the MX5), which was a pity because of the additional mileage. Nevertheless, she had a good journey both ways, paying the Dartford Crossing toll online for the first time.

While she was away, Rob came round to discuss his forthcoming tour of Paston Norwich for the Cromer group he is giving a series of talks to. As the group is quite large, he wants me to help. One or two small bits of new stuff to me, but the next day I was coming back from the city when I noticed St George’s Tombland was open; so I popped in to see the dragon. This is the model dragon that’s used for the Lord Mayor’s procession each year, symbolising the Guild of St George, which is linked to Dragon Hall. While at the church (and being given a thorough tour by a kind elderly gentleman) I noticed that it also had a monument to Thomas Anguish by Nicholas Stone, who is well know for various Paston links.

On the same day we had our hair cut – a week after the scheduled date, so not before time. On Friday I had a routine blood test, and it was after that that I walked for a while in the Rosary, which I always find moving. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and thousands of crocuses were blooming, together with a few snowdrops. Did I mention that I had also dropped in my accounts file to Susannah (the St Luke’s treasurer), and later the cheque books and paying-in books? I hope the accountants can make some sense of them.

Jumped in too quickly

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Grin Low, approaching Solomon's Temple but before Dave and Julia turned back
Grin Low, approaching Solomon’s Temple but before Dave and Julia turned back

The weather is turning a bit milder, which was noticeable as we walked up to Swintons on Prince of Wales Road this morning. The short trip was necessary as the MX5 was backed into by a car in a car park at Hethersett yesterday.  The woman kindly confessed to Dot, who was in the restaurant, and we took the car up to Wrights when she got home – only for them to give us the number of a car body specialist.

The damage was slight; so we went to Swintons today to ask their advice. As a result we are going to the car body people tomorrow. We will then let the other driver know the quote, which she will either pay or we will go through the insurance people. Lot of hassle for something we had minimal part in – but still in the great scheme of things, people are getting a lot more hassle for even less fault.

In an hour or so Dot will leave for a P4C event in Rayleigh, Essex, and I will try to get some creative work done and not spend time catching up with paperwork as usual.

A week ago (last Wednesday, to be precise) I managed to forget a PCC meeting, which is unlike me, especially as it was in the diary. But when Dot shot off to orchestra, it went out of my head. Actually it had gone out of my head long before that. It was a special meeting to think up questions for prospective vicars; so I don’t think I missed much.

The next day I drove out to Hethersett to repay Birgit money I owed her for Josephine’s wreath, which was a joint one from Dot and me, Phil and Joy, and Birgit and Joe. (Oxford comma.) We had a brief chat, but I didn’t stay. I had an unexpected sermon to write, because Carrie wanted to swap Sundays. I didn’t mind, because it was on some of my favourite passages, including John 1 and Proverbs 8.

It was still pretty cold on Saturday, but Dot was relieved of her ticket to see Norwich City play Blackpool as it was required by the guy who acres it with her. So of course Norwich City won, 4-0. Later I walked to Fishergate to see my cousin’s son’s art show at the Stew. He has an amazing imagination (I particularly liked his titles) but I wasn’t tempted enough to buy. Glad I went because I saw his parents, Mark and Julie.

On Sunday the sermon went OK, and to check it out we decided to go to the cinema to see The Theory of Everything. But it didn’t mention my sermon. Good film, deserving of the awards it got the same day. The following day we saw Shaun the Sheep, which is a very similar film in some ways. Stephen Hawking is much cleverer than most humans, and Shaun the Sheep is much cleverer than most sheep. And their ideas about the origin of the universe are probably just as close to the truth (though to be fair I don’t really know what either of them are).

Pre-Shaun, I walked into the city to pay in the church cheques as usual, and Dot went to see Carrie for lunch, which is where we came in. Since writing the above we’ve been contacted by the other insurance company, which has taken over the whole thing and is collecting the car on Friday while lending us another one. I jumped in too quickly and hassled myself. Typical.

Getting to see a Hobbit

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By our front door
By our front door

Dot is now on her way to Rayleigh, in Essex, for a P4C session. She took the train to Diss, where I hope she was met by Barbara. Unfortunately the weather is windy, wet and cold: so not the ideal day to travel. I was intending to go to a private view of the 20 Group – and may still – but the outside world is not inviting.

Both Dot and I have been affected by some sort of virus. I was feeling pretty bad on Saturday, but was partially revived by Norwich beating league leaders Bournemouth away.  I was worried about not being well enough to go to church on Sunday, which would have been awkward, as I was both leading and preaching. In the event I got there. I wasn’t on top form physically, but it all seemed to go well enough.

However, I decided not to go the Seagull. I could probably have made it, but I think it was the right decision. I drove Dot up to Castle Meadow for a girls’ night out at Jamie Oliver’s, which she enjoyed. Meanwhile I watched a bit of TV and then composed the bones of a couple of tunes for my Julian songs.

On Friday we saw the final episode of The Hobbit (3D) at the cinema and found that it was much better than its reviews. Quite a full house and a bit more expensive than usual (we rarely go on Friday evenings), but some excellent CGI and some good acting too.

Here and (mainly) there

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Dot and Sue celebrate their conquest of the Cairnwell
Dot and Sue celebrate their conquest of the Cairnwell

The meal at Glen Lui last Friday was excellent, and a good way to end our holiday. The walk there and back was in quite steady rain, though. At the meal Dot spoke to a man from Yorkshire who was cycling in the hills, and we had a good conversation.

We left just before the 11am deadline on Saturday  and had a straightforward journey to Killington Lake, stopping briefly at Stirling services and at the Farm Shop at Tebay, as well as for lunch at Abington (steak and ale pie). Killington Lake had been given a bit of a makeover since last year, but unfortunately they had replaced the restaurant with a McDonald’s; so, like Lockerbie, no decent breakfast. Rather sad, and the room was a bit shabby too. It’s beginning to look as if Day’s Inn are going down a very American-style road, which means we shall have to go back to Premier Inn.

I drove the first part of the journey to Keynsham on Sunday, with no real problems until a much-heralded jam near Birmingham, where Dot spotted (and our satnav confirmed) a detour that looked very reasonable, involving part of the M54. It turned out very well, and we reached services on the M5 with no further problems. Big police presence here for no apparent reason. We had a lunch of sandwiches and continued south on the M5, Dot driving.

The first few miles from here were blighted by a 40mph speed limit (with cameras) that went on and on for no apparent reason. There were obviously roadworks in progress, but no-one was doing anything, and just about everyone was overtaking us. If the cameras were not in use, why didn’t they say so? This sort of thing makes me very angry.

We relied totally on the satnav to reach Dot’s accommodation in Keynsham, just south of Bristol, and the only time we went wrong (briefly) was when we ignored it. The room was in a rather basic pub: Barbara was already there. It wouldn’t have been my choice: the shower room looked awful. Still, it turned out OK apart from that.

I continued on my own (Dot was doing a P4C nearby the next morning, and she and Barbara were then travelling to Essex to do another one on the Tuesday). The satnav triumphed again, leading me on to the M4 near Chippenham, and the motorway turned out to be less fraught than I had anticipated. I stopped once for petrol and there was one minor hold-up near Reading, but this time I ignored – rightly – the suggested detour. Generally traffic was very heavy, but the only hold-up was in accessing the M25. Once on it, traffic moved well, and I reached Caddington in good time – just before Oliver, in fact. David had been retrieving the children from Vicky somewhere on the road to Aylesbury.

Had a lovely time with them, including an Indian takeaway, and then a good night’s sleep. They had to leave early the next morning for a familiarisation visit to Aylesbury (Oliver starts his new school today), and I set off for Norwich in wet and unappealing weather, which continued pretty much all the way, though it wasn’t quite so bad in Norfolk.

Felt pretty tired, but did a lot of unpacking and sorting out in the customary fashion. Then went to the chess club for a game with my old adversary Chris Tuffin in the club knockout tournament. I didn’t hold out a lot of hope, but did some preparation, looking at a couple of games he’d played in a line he favoured. He played the same line again, and I was able to play the first dozen moves or so without thinking much, following the ideas of his previous stronger opponent, who beat him in quite a short game. As anticipated, Chris deviated before the move where he’d made the big mistake before, and we got into a pretty level position, but at the time control he allowed a Queen exchange that gave me some advantage. I won a pawn and was able to convert the subsequent rook ending, helped by my advantage in time.

Still felt tired the next day, but caught up with a lot of admin stuff and did some washing. Dot rang to say both her sessions had gone well, and we arranged to meet at the Scole Inn at 3.20pm. This went according to plan, and we tried to drop off a shirt Roger had left at Ballater, but they were out. So we proceeded home and after a while took Joy’s birthday presents round, spending a pleasant hour or so there. Sadly we discovered that Lucy is still quite ill: her mother is with her much of the time.

In the evening we finished watching a serial on television and went to bed quite early. This afternoon I head for Coventry for a meeting about Andrew’s finances.

Chess men found in pub

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The start of a great photographic career: Phil
The start of a great photographic career: Phil Coomes with father David, early 1970s

Beautiful sunny winter’s day today, but not so much fun in the Thames Valley, where they have “the worst floods in a decade”. It may be because I’m getting old, but a decade doesn’t seem very long to me. Still, the flood are very bad (I’ve seen the pictures), and we’re fortunate to have avoided so much of the stormy weather. The United states is bitterly cold, with creeping ice (I’ve seen the video).

Dot is up at the surgery with the nurse, looking at the results of her blood test, and is intending to walk home. I’m standing by to pick her up in case of sudden rain or sudden tiredness. My own car us in the garage, having at last had its air conditioning fixed (I hope). This morning, after dropping it off, I walked to the chemist’s in Heartsease to pick my pills up – a distance of well over four miles. While at Heartsease waiting for the bus home I ran into Diane Bowman and Philip Mason, which just goes to show.

Yesterday we had a meeting of the Paston trustees at Mundesley. I chaired it in the absence of Rob, and there was lengthy discussion on the accounts, with Lucy and Peter failing to find common ground until I realised that the critical issue was not VAT, but Lucy’s failure to count one of the invoices, which she had received by e-mail but not been able to open (and therefore ignored).

The rest was straightforward, but afterwards Lucy told me that John Care had just died, and Naomi was in a mental hospital in London, having had a kind of nervous breakdown. She (Lucy) also has a chest infection. Life is never straightforward for her.

The previous day, while Dot was at Park Farm, I walked to the Ruchcutters for a meeting with Joy, publisher Adrian and printer Nick Gorvin about the tanka book. Very pleasant time, quite a bit of which was spent talking about chess, since three of us coincidentally were chess players. Had a Caesar salad and chips (!), then walked home after dallying for a while by the river with Joy. In the evening Dot had a particularly good orchestra session.

On Tuesday, before pea soup with the Tuesday Group, Rob called in to discuss the agenda for the Paston meeting and stayed for tea and biscuits.

Sunday and Monday were rather strange for me, because Dot had a P4C session at Stowmarket starting early on the Monday; so she stayed at Barbara’s overnight. As usual, I had loads of time to get things done and failed to do so. I did go out for a walk on the Monday, though. The P4C was as always very well received. Dot is a bit of a star, really.