Lots of rain last week, but the weekend turned nice, which was just as well, because we were fitting a lot in.
The Stedmans were coming to stay for a couple of nights so that Michael could officiate at a wedding at Bergh Apton. Dot had arranged for the Robinsons to join us for roast chicken on the Friday evening, but this was thrown out slightly when Mick rang to say Gill was extremely tired and was missing the wedding rehearsal. So the meal was for five instead of six, but nonetheless enjoyable.
Mick stayed the night and left after breakfast on Saturday to fetch Gill. We discovered at the last minute that they were not coming back for lunch but going straight to the wedding; so we were able to go down to Caddington earlier than planned to give Oliver his birthday presents. We got there shortly after 12 (diverted because of Duxford Air Show) and had lunch with the family plus Philip and Jane and their children. Lydia is now 14 and Alistair 10. When we arrived (and before the Coomes’ arrival) Oliver impressed us by doing some pretty thorough house cleaning. Not bad for a 13-year-old.
The children spent much of the time on computer games, but during the afternoon we all went over to the nearby field and had a good time playing first football and then basketball on the hard court there. I surprised myself by doing quite well and scoring a few goals: no doubt the pitch was just small enough for me to cope. Not so good at basketball, though I eventually managed to get one in the basket (after the game had finished).
We stayed for an evening meal but had to leave straight afterwards. The journey home was easy, and we arrived, strangely, at exactly the same time as the Stedmans; so they didn’t have to use their borrowed key. It was lovely to be able to fit in the Caddington trip.
We didn’t see an awful lot of Gill, because we all had a fairly early night. After breakfast yesterday Dot and I left for church about 10.15 (I was leading the service), leaving the Stedmans to lock up the house and leave not long afterwards. They are both (I think) over 80 and need to take their time over things: Gill was very worried about packing for a forthcoming cruise.
After church and an inspiring sermon from Howard, Dot decided to invite Phyllis Seaman to lunch, and she was able to accept. This went very well; she seemed quite perky. This was our weekend for entertaining people in their 80s, but afterwards we were entertained ourselves by the Hendersons: we had tea, wine and cake while listening to Norwich draw 1-1 at Anfield. I say listening: the radio was on. As a result, the Hendersons are coming to Ethel’s funeral. I’m not sure why.