Tag Archives: rosie

Resisting the abyss

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Amy, David and Oliver, catch some of the light at the Hendersons' house
Amy, David and Oliver catch some of the light at the Hendersons’ house

The days ticked by, and eventually I got to go to the dentist with my broken back tooth. By the time I got there, it felt perfectly natural to have a broken tooth, but Ross quickly (and for only £130) sorted out the problem, cementing the broken chunk back into place. As there was not nerve in the tooth, it didn’t hurt.  Great idea: teeth without nerves.

To accomplish this, I had to get to the dentist’s at 8.45am – a time I had forgotten existed. I had to plough my way through a whole bunch of commuters and schoolchildren. Afterwards I recycled some Christmas cards, courtesy of M&S, then popped down to the bank to pay in a cheque. This took longer than expected, because on this one day of the week the bank opened at 9.45am. I browsed a bit in Jarrolds, then chatted to a couple of people who were also waiting, and a chirpy little mortgage adviser who wasn’t due to start till 10am but had turned up anyway. I was first in, first out. On the way home I paid the newspaper bill.

While Dot was in town supping coffee with Anne, our friend D from church came round to borrow £10. He had to go to Diss to try to get a job, but couldn’t afford the fare. In the evening Dot and I had a meal at the Bicycle Shop café in St Benedict’s with a couple of sickly Greens. The tapas were excellent, as was the wine and the ambience, and we took a look at the room where we’re planning to do some Julian music later in the year. Not entirely sure about its suitability, but we’ll see.

Anna was getting better, and Howard was getting worse. I myself am feeling decidedly below par and slightly achy but hope I can resist plunging into the abyss, especially as I’ve just written a sermon for Sunday. Was perked up somewhat by sorting out the Apple TV with David’s guidance. It is now functioning well on all cylinders.

Yesterday was a beautiful crisp and sunny day (unlike today, which is gloomy) and we drove out to visit Rosie, who claimed to have a bad cold, but it was undetectable to normal senses, or at least ours. She was chirpy and made us tea and provided us succour in the shape of a touch of brandy and some Christmas cake. Very pleasant visit: we resolved to go more often and to keep in closer touch with people this year.

Knee-deep in the season’s activities

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David and Bridget Archer – providers of fish and chips

I think Christmas is here. At least, we seem knee-deep in all the activities associated with the Christmas season, and a few others too. Not much time to stop and think since my last post.

On Friday we had the traditional Archant pensioners’ Christmas lunch in the traditional hotel, with the traditional rain outside. Quite a pleasant meal: sat with Su, Brian and Julie Bedson, and we were joined by new EDP/EN editor Nigel Pickover, who was his usual expansive self. I have to admit that I quite like him. I said this to Su, and she retorted that I liked everyone, which is not true but a nice thing to say (I think). I was served tea by my first cousin once removed – Lewis (Kitsune Le’) Lenton, who is Mark’s son, an artist and a bit out there. Still, he was tuned in enough to introduce himself, which was nice.

In the evening of the same day we went to a drinks and nibbles evening at the vicar’s. I spent much of the time talking to Melissa Snell: we are very much on the same wavelength, except that she is in love with Bolivia. Also spoke to her husband Simon and to Margaret Comerford. Quite an odd evening, because there were many people there who I didn’t speak to at all. Dot struck up a conversation with a teacher who may have persuaded her to join a music group where she will be able to play her violin.

On Saturday Dot and I went to see Norwich beat Wigan 2-1. Go0d match, which we deserved to win. Our recent record is now second only to Barcelona in the top five European leagues, and we’re eighth in the Premiership. Ran into Peter Franzen (former EDP editor) for the second day running, which is a bit excessive. Weather was not too bad, but I wore lots of clothes, just in case.

Sunday saw the usual Christmas event at St Augustine’s, designed and organised by myself. We were pretending in a rather halfhearted way to be a radio programme, and there was some appropriate dialogue as well as carols, readings and poems. Everyone was very appreciative, which is the nice thing about St Augustine’s. It was followed by our Christmas meal: most people contributed, and it was very good.

Sue and Roger Eagle came round for lunch on Monday: they are really good company, and we have much in common. Had far too much to eat and have been feeling overfull ever since. As a result decided not to go to the Christmas chess event; flaked out and watched a bit of Battlestar Galactica instead.

It was all go yesterday, and fortunately the weather was fine. We started by picking up Dot’s glasses from Little Plumstead school (her gloves are at Barnham Broom, or possibly Diocesan House by now) and then drove to North Walsham for tea and sausage rolls with Jessie. We then proceeded to Sainsbury’s and bought flowers for the cemetery, from where we moved on to Sheila’s. She seemed pretty well, though a little vague on some matters. More sausage rolls, and a mince pie too. From there we went to Rosie’s, where we had ginger wine. Rosie is in quite a bit of pain with her back but is as determined as ever to carry on doing what she always has: in this instance making 175 wreaths for customers and friends.

In the evening, and far from traditionally, we had Tuesday Group fish and chips, supplied by the Archers but eaten at ours. The usual suspects tucked in enthusiastically. Added excitement was provided by Ian, who had locked himself out and spent much of the evening trying to contact his sister, who has a key. Eventually the Archers gave him a lift to Cringleford, where said sister lives, and deposited him there. It was unclear whether he was staying or whether his brother-in-law was going to be able to (a) find the key and (b) take him home.

Today has been fairly mild. We had our hair cut, and Dot left for Barbara’s. I then almost forgot to pick up Philip to take him for his benefits assessment, but Joy rang and reminded me. This took two trips, because as usual they kept him waiting a long time. In between I posted  a package and sorted out the church cheques for paying in. After picking Phil and Joy up and taking them home (dropping in at Surrey Chapel to leave some cards) I returned home and left immediately for the city, where I paid in those cheques and took a Christmas parcel to Dipples, receiving one in return! Quite chilly by the time I got home. Dot has just rung to say she is on her way back.

Warm time with grandchildren

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oliver and amy on tyres
Amy and Oliver on collision course at the Dinosaur Park. Hope their tyres hold up.

Very warm June so far, coinciding happily with visit of grandchildren: first time we’ve had them both together without one of their parents. We picked them up late on Wednesday. Dot had been to a meeting at Diocesan House, where she had a speaking role, and I waited outside and we continued south-west from there. The Watton road was quite pleasant until we reached Watton itself, which was totally jammed and took ages to free itself. The culprit: a combination of market day lorries and a complete absence of police to ensure vehicles could get through. When we eventually freed ourselves we had another pleasant stretch until the Brandon-Mildenhall road, which has a lunatic speed limit of 40 all the way past RAF Lakenheath. Almost dozed off. Rest of the journey was good. We had tea cooked by David, and then brought the children back to Norwich: a smooth journey featuring much I-Spying.

On Thursday we all visited Rosie and her nine dogs. Some trepidation on the part of the children, but they eventually got used to them, and Amy ended up with several of them in her arms. Cup of tea, cake and a tour of the gardens also featured. On to North Walsham, where we called in on Jessie briefly before heading back to Norwich. Dot’s MX5 had been in the garage overnight with a mysterious water leak, which turned out to be rain collecting where it should have drained out: in other words, blocked drainage holes. I picked it up en passant, dry and, in my case, £45 lighter. This was followed by the excitement of our having our hair cut by Linda, with Oliver surprisingly being more interested than Amy at first. Then went to Morrisons for some food, and I managed to drop a bag and fracture two bottles. How exciting is that? Fortunately no other harm done, and we ended up having fish fingers and chips (Oliver and me) and pasta, cheese and beans (Dot and Amy).

Yesterday was Dinosaur Park day, and we had a great time. Oliver was delighted to find all the stamps so that he could get a medal, and Dot had packed a picnic for us. Although there were a lot of people there, the place was easily big enough to accommodate us, and there were no long queues, even for ice creams. We arrived home in time for Oliver and I to present our highly rehearsed show on guitars and vocals, consisting of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Oliver solo guitar), A Little Help from my Friends (Oliver lead guitar, Grandad rhythm) and Let it be (Grandad vocals and guitar). Huge audience response. Amy also had a show featuring various circus acts involving hula hoops and other items. Evening meal was at Prezzos, Daddy arriving from Caddington just in time.

Up pretty early this morning for excitement of various kinds. Went to shop to buy some additional food for lunch in the garden, and Daddy and children left shortly afterwards. (After the lunch, that is – not after seeing what I’d bought.) Rest of the day clearing up and watching TV. Dot had long-distance call from Canada about her healing and angel experiences. It was Roger’s brother John, who has written a book on similar experiences and wanted to use Dot’s stories when doing some talks on related topics.

23 December 2007

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Oliver again, who has just broken his wrist in a fall at a friend’s house. We are travelling down to see them all tomorrow and spend Christmas and Boxing Day there. He will not be able to play with the Christmas present we brought him for a while, but we hope to make sure he has a lot of fun anyway. Amy will have to be persuaded to be gentle with him!

Today the temperature has hovered around freezing, and there has been quite thick fog around most of the day. I hope it lifts by tomorrow morning. On Friday the north Norfolk run went very well, except that we ate more than we should, starting off badly at Rosie’s with two mince pies and a beef pasty (me) and 1+1 (Dot). Later we had a salad lunch at Sheila’s, including a pork pie, but I resisted sweet. Also featuring were the cemetery at North Walsham, a present drop-off at Paston and a visit to J & F. All this was done in the MX5 while my car was getting a service, during which they took a seat out to find one of Dot’s earrings.

Yesterday was fairly quiet: I ventured out to pick up a parcel from the sorting office, but the rest of the day was spent catching up and writing most of my column. Today we went to church in the morning and dropped in at Phil and Joy’s for a present exchange. Dot has injured her neck wrapping presents, which should make playing with the grandchildren interesting.

I’ve got a bit further with the family tree following Friday’s tour and will get back to it after the festive season.