Tag Archives: rosemary

Chatsworth in the rain

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A rainbow near Chatsworth
A rainbow near Chatsworth

Last week was the first this year when we didn’t go to the cinema – time pressed a bit, but also there was nothing we really wanted to see. Hope to resume this week, though it’s looking a bit busy already. Dot is at Barbara’s today and will progress from there to Peterhouse School at Gorleston for some Ofsted feedback (representing the diocese). I am catching up after a weekend away.

On Friday we left around 10.30 for Nottingham, calling in at Coventry on the way. It was a very slow journey, particularly the section through Elveden and the M1 from the M69 northwards. I had called Coventry the night before to make sure they knew we were coming; nevertheless we arrived around 1.30pm to find that Andrew had gone out for a walk. Helen gave us a hot drink and we waited for nearly an hour, but he didn’t return; so we went to Green’s garden centre near the Binley roundabout for a very pleasant snack. A spot worth remembering, though it’s not really a garden centre: more a garden furniture and sculpture outlet.

We got to Nottingham around 5pm after calling in at Donington services to buy some flowers for Julia.  In the evening we went by taxi to an excellent Indian restaurant. Next day we visited Chatsworth. It was very cold, and there was quite a bit of a rain, but we enjoyed it very much. We started at the farm shop and restaurant, where we had a meal (recommended), then after a “quick” tour of the excellent shop proceeded by car to the house, where we parked and after a brief discussion about the weather paid £9 each to enter the gardens.

These far exceeded my expectations and were certainly worth the bitter wind and frequent showers. A rock garden with massive rocks stood out, but there were plenty of other features (fountain, maze, waterfall) which I’d like to go back to in more clement weather. There were also a number of sculptures of gardening equipment which were eye-catching.

In the evening we went by taxi to a community church near Pride Park in Derby (£20 each way) for a celebration of Rosemary’s 70th birthday. (Alan and Rosemary have been joining us in Blakeney for many years now.) We had a good time and met some interesting people, including A & R’s two sons, Howard and Nigel, plus Howard’s wife Esther and a steam engine enthusiast, a secondary school headmaster who came from Gorleston and a maths professor from Newcastle. The buffet was excellent, and there was a 70-year quiz at which the four of us managed a measly 20 out of 39.

Sheltering from a sharp shower on the tramway walk
Sheltering from a sharp shower on the tramway walk

On the Sunday there was no rest: a 5-to-6-mile walk taking in parts of the new tramway preceded a late lunch, and we left for home at about 4.30pm. A good journey this time, and we were in Norwich by 7.20pm.  And in the middle of all that, Norwich City had won 2-0 🙂

Earlier in the week (last Wednesday) I had attended a Paston members’ meeting, which featured rather less impressive refreshments but a good talk from Rob on Edward and the minor branch of the Pastons. Meanwhile Dot was at orchestra rehearsal.

A walk in the park

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Dave negotiates passage through a soggy cornfield on the way back from Baconsthorpe

Back from a weekend in Blakeney with the Evetts and the Towns, which left me shattered and cotton-wool-headed. Nevertheless it was a lovely weekend: it was just that for some reason I couldn’t sleep on the Sunday evening. On the plus side, the infection near the root of my tooth seems to be on its way out, which is as well, as I have just finished the antibiotics. Dot is already out taking a head teacher to lunch, and I’m catching up with various things before we both head out to another hotel – the King’s Head at Great Bircham. She is doing an inspection at the school there tomorrow.

The Manor Hotel at Blakeney was as good as ever, if you discount the handle of our room coming off when I tried to pull it shut. It turned out that the handyman had forgotten to put the screws back in after doing some repair work, but he quickly appeared and put it right. The food was good as usual, and the breakfasts exceptional: so much so that I have put back on the pounds I have been carefully losing. Unfairly, Dot has remained the same weight. How can that be right?

We arrived on Friday and had our usual afternoon tea at The Blakeney Hotel, though unfortunately not in the splendid upstairs lounge, which was full. On the Saturday, which was warm though a little breezy, we started with a rather prolonged visit to the village fete, during which all the women bought some jewellery. After a cup of tea we proceeded with the Evetts to the rather posh and lovely Bell at Wiveton, where we had starters only before hastening to Bodham for our walk to Baconsthorpe Castle. We did the full journey (about six miles), including a survey of the ruins and the loop through Baconsthorpe village.

On the way back to Bodham there was a brief shower, which had little effect on us till we reached a narrow path through a cornfield, when our trousers felt the full effect of water lingering on the wheat. Still, they had dried out by the time we got out to the car.

On the Sunday we started by driving to West Lodge, a house on the coast road at the bottom of Sheringham Park which was rented by the woman who sold us the jewellery at the fete (Liz Holman). Overnight she had been making a necklace for Julia and had asked us to pick it up there. Lovely job – and there was a bonus. We could leave the car at her house while we walked up into the park – which we did, and had a really enjoyable walk, taking in the Gazebo, which included a stunning view and four dogs (plus all of us and the owners).

No rain, but it was a bit cooler. Not too cool for a Twister (etc) from the rather cute Munch Buggy, manned by a woman very much like our friend Bridget. There is a beautiful new wildflower garden (The Bower) near the top, and we also called in at the visitors’ centre cafe for a drink. Some people had food, but I didn’t. Obviously that was a waste of care. We walked back to the car a different way and encountered the jewellery-maker’s husband in the garden. Had a chat and then drove to Holt station, where there was a display of classic cars and some very dark clouds, which however failed to deposit rain.

Spent some time looking at the cars and trying unsuccessfully to work out the categories. We also had a look at a steam train and took some photographs of that, plus a movie. Afterwards we went into Holt town centre and had tea and cake at Byfords. It was suspiciously quiet.

After another good meal at the hotel and a woeful failure to sleep on my part, we took leave of the Towns and strolled round Blakeney in spitting rain until we met the Evetts and had lunch with them at Wiveton Fruit Farm. This consisted for me of a rather chunky coronation chicken sandwich and  ginger beer. After driving them back to the hotel to pick up their car, we set off for home.

After the Lord Mayor’s snow

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A very rare coach-and-horses Christmas card: recorded for posterity and especially for Bruce Robinson, who takes a special interest in such matters.

At the last the snow has gone, to be replaced by a really dismal day, with heavy cloud and heavy rain. It may not be as cold, but it feels colder, and inside St Augustine’s Church this morning it was icy indeed for Rosemary’s funeral, despite the warmth generated by a packed church. She had asked for bright-coloured clothes to be worn, so I wore my blue-white jacket, and I was not snug. But as I was representing the church by giving a eulogy for Rosemary, I thought I had better resist putting my windproof jacket on. It went quite well, I think, because no-one came up to me afterwards to remind me of things I had omitted. The music group had a shot at I am a new creation, and that was OK too, but Howard wielded the organ for the other hymns, chosen by Rosemary. Afterwards everyone repaired to the much, much warmer church hall for food and drink provided by the congregation, while clergy and family went up to the crematorium at Horsham St Faith. Altogether I think Rosemary would have approved.

Yesterday, before the rain, we went to see Avatar in 3D at the cinema with Annette and Mike, after they came round for a light meal. Slightly mixed about the film, but technically it was very impressive indeed. I think it worked well: not sure quite what I wasn’t sure about, and I won’t discuss it here in case anyone who reads it hasn’t seen the film. Definitely worth a visit, I’d say. Earlier in the day Dot got a chip in her car windscreen fixed by a mobile unit in Morrison’s car park and picked up some more fuel for the fire. I disposed of some paper and bottles in the recycling area as no recycling truck has been viewed in our vicinity since well before Christmas.

Earlier in the week I lost my fifth chess game in a row, then talked about poetry to some 7-11-year-olds at Costessey Junior School. That went quite well, though I feel I haven’t quite got it right yet. Still, the children produced some interesting stuff. Anne C postponed her visit because of thick snow in Derbyshire, so I’ll have to continue with preparing editorial training material without her input. May have to resort to emailing. I could probably manage that.

On Tuesday had a unique Tuesday Group at Howard’s, during which we read through about half of King David’s life story. This provoked some controversial debate, largely centering on the Amalekites, so I’ve done some research as a kind of follow-up for next week. They seem like a pretty unpleasant bunch. The debate aside, the food and wine from Howard were as always excellent. This was followed by an emergency DCC meeting at the vicarage on Wednesday to discuss matters arising from Rosemary’s death. Basically she did just about everything, and we’ll need about six people to replace her. In the absence of one or two key members I took the minutes, which proved quite challenging, but the atmosphere and co-operation was good. Vicky has put in an awful lot of work sorting out papers and money matters. Everyone’s worked pretty hard and without a word of complaint. Not that I’ve heard, anyway. They may all be complaining about me, of course.

Detached

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Granddaughter Amy waiting for the return of her father from the shops, and wearing some of her favourite shoes.

Strange times: like living in a parallel universe, all white and cold and completely detached, and awaiting what Dr Who might call “something big and dark out there”, except it’s big and white, and returning tomorrow. Still, the road is navigable at the moment, so we’ve just been out to purchase Coalite and logs. Tuesday Group should be happening tonight. Earlier had a long lie-in after Dot’s busy day yesterday, when she presented Philosophy for Children to about 50 teachers at North Walsham and was rewarded with a delicious lunch. Some anxiety from Dot about getting there, so I drove to the bottom of the road for her, but the main roads were quite clear. Our bright new bin proved deficient (the lid wouldn’t close) so we returned it to Bessemer Road in exchange for a good version (we hope) on her return, then called in to do some serious supermarket shopping on the way back. I ventured out to play chess in the evening, but instead of the knockout game I was expecting, I was drafted in to play as a guest in the A team. Unfortunately this coincided with a stomach upset which rather disturbed my wa, though I probably can’t blame losing again solely on that. I did have quite an interesting position at one point.

On Sunday morning there was a moving service in memory of Rosemary, who was always such a welcoming figure at the church – and probably the person most responsible for keeping it going in many practical ways. Her family (including a sister from America) were there, and I think they were moved by what members of the congregation said. She is going to be very sorely missed. Afterwards there was a meeting aimed at sharing out some of her jobs, at least on a temporary basis. Most of the immediate problems centre on hall hiring, which Rosemary was in charge of, but I’m sure many other unexpected things will surface.

Have written a little on training church magazine editors in preparation for the visit of Anne Coomes next week (weather permitting); will do more this week. Also have to prepare a talk and practical ideas for a poetry session at Costessey Junior School, also next week. A little worried by the erratic behaviour of the Broadband connection, which is absolutely fine during the day, but in the evening it goes slower and slower very quickly, until it’s unusable. Could it be the same problem I had before, maybe linked to installing Snow Leopard? I may have to call on technical support…

Christmas and after

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Amy is amazed by her new iPod
Amy is amazed by her new iPod

After excellent Christmas Eve Communion service, got to bed by about 1am, then left for Caddington about 10.30. Straightforward journey, but plenty of traffic. Snow negligible until nearing Luton, but still lying heavily in Winchfield and surrounding areas. Lovely Christmas lunch cooked by David, followed by opening of presents. Oliver showed his expertise on new F1 Wii game. David generously got us Apple TV, which means we can see our pictures on full screen, as well as renting videos and playing music. Brilliant! After tea (very little capacity) we watched Dr Who, which seemed a reasonable thing to do.

On Boxing Day picked up Andrew from Coventry and got him back to Caddington by 1pm for lunch – this time beef, cooked by Dot. Rather over-bought on the meat front. Still plenty of turkey left over on Christmas Day, and although we managed to finish off the Boxing Day  beef, we had another turkey to cook at home. Andrew and I got home around 6.30pm, Dot travelling about 30 minutes behind with David and the children. I duly cooked the turkey and carved it before going to bed. Earlier we had spent a chaotic time unpacking various presents, and the children got to bed very late.

On Sunday I dropped Andrew off at Phil and Joy’s before 10pm, then continued to set up the church for the morning service. Dot and the children came later, and at first I thought there would be only two others, but eventually we had a full complement of 11, including three children. Relaxing atmosphere, contrasting strongly with preparation of another fantastic meal afterwards, eventually with two brothers, one sister-in-law, one son, two grandchildren milling around while Dot tried frantically to get it all together, with a little help from me. Eventually one brother and sister-in-law went home: meal as always brilliant.

Joe and Birgit came round on Monday morning, then took Andrew to Phil’s while the rest of us bussed into the city and found thousands and thousands of people milling around in search of salvation – in this case something to buy. We managed to get a dress for Amy from M&S but failed to return the original too-small dress because I’d forgotten where I’d put it. Found it as soon as we got back, of course. Also bought Horrid Henry book for Oliver. Popped into Caffe Italia, but it was full, so eventually landed up at home for a snack. Andrew delivered back by Birgit. Had full meal in evening – amazingly, got Andrew involved in game of Coppit with the children – before David set off for home with the children. He managed to forget one or two items (critically, one of them was the Wii power pack) and so the next day we arranged to meet at Coventry, where I delivered said items and Andrew at about 3.30pm.  Afterwards David and I had a drink in a local pub, located by iPhone, before going our separate ways. Think he passed me on the M6, but not sure. I got home about 7.30pm, and had a quiet evening with Dot, sandwich and TV. Managed to avoid more heavy snow falling just west of Coventry, but did get plenty of heavy rain on the way home. Today in Norwich murky, damp and very cold.

Sadly, in the midst of all this Christmas hustle and bustle, we learnt that our friend Rosemary had died. She had been ill, but seemed better last time we saw her. She had fluid on her lungs and died in her sleep – I think on Boxing Day night. There will be a special service remembering her on Sunday. She will be a huge loss to the church as well as to her friends. For many years she has singlehandedly made sure the building was maintained, clean and prepared for services. She has also managed all the hiring of the hall. She was also extremely encouraging and for many on the fringe was the “face” of St Augustine’s.