This should have been a picture of David Coomes and his wife Kristine, who came to visit us yesterday, but I forgot to take it. So instead here is Dot on Winterton dunes, gazing hopefully out to sea.

We had a good time with the Coomes, involving a great deal of nostalgia and shared reminiscences, with exploding peas looming large. Dot did a superb lunch as usual and as the weather was largely wet, we stayed in and talked a lot. It was really good to catch up. They left just after six, and we are all determined to meet again soon.

The visit to Claxton last Thursday took more out of me than I thought, and I got tired quickly for the next two or three days, despite not moving far from the house. On Friday evening Phil and Joy came round to use the computer (theirs is out of commission again) and I got so tired while talking to them that I had to go and lie down. Jonathan then came to deliver some paper (en route to Annette) and stayed for a while after P & J left. I came down to say hello, but it wasn’t long before I was back in bed.

Saturday was fairly quiet. I popped down to Budgens on Prince of Wales Road to buy some ham and oranges, but that was it. Wettish weather most of the day gave way to a fine evening for the Lord Mayor’s procession, but I was too tired to go. We watched the fireworks from the window of the guest bedroom.

After the Coomes left on Sunday we watched the end of the Wimbledon men’s singles final, which turned out to be a marathon effort, won in the end by Nadal, who beat Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 after a couple of rain breaks. Much as I like Federer I was quite pleased, because I thought Nadal had earned it. Lewis Hamilton also won the British Grand Prix in rainy conditions, so that was good. I watched the highlights this morning, but I already knew the result.

This morning Diane came round for tea while Dot was out at WW, but she returned while we were talking and we all had a really interesting chat. Yesterday I managed to finish off all my letters thanking people for their cards, and I caught up on some other things this afternoon. Dot went to a heads and ex-heads meeting at Bramerton and is still out – now at a church LMT meeting at Horsford. David has rung to say Oliver got a brilliant report. Delighted for him, because he does try hard – apart from being naturally brilliant, of course – and he gets on so well with people. Great for his parents, too.

I don’t think I mentioned that Dot has been offered the prospect of a job next term on behalf of the diocese. Better not say what it is, as it’s still very much under wraps and depends on funding and approval from on high. No, not that high. Oh, I don’t know. Maybe. She’s quite keen.