Colin still hasn’t returned with our new handle for the garage door, but Dot has devised a cunning method of opening and closing it. Pretty exciting – but even more excitingly, we have a blue recycling bin. It only took one e-mail to Norwich City Council and it suddenly appeared today, at roughly the same time as the window cleaner, who is recovering from quite a serious operation.
On Wednesday I went to see Sharon, and we agreed that my shoulder was all right now, so “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. She tested my reach and made some suggestions but didn’t charge me anything, which is more than reasonable.
The second half of the week (up to a very wet today) was warm and sunny. On Thursday we took the MX5 in for a service and MOT, then in the afternoon took the radical step of taking in a pitch-and-putt game on Mousehold. Bit worried when we turned up to find ourselves behind five teenagers, but they very kindly asked us to go first, which made the tee-off a bit tense but worked out very well afterwards, as we completed a round without any problems. We both played reasonably well and ended up minus one ball, which is pretty good considering that we lost three. I was a bit worried about my shoulder, but there have been no drastic repercussions.
Yesterday was even warmer, and I felt a bit silly carrying a jacket to the cinema to see Far From the Madding Crowd. As anticipated, however, the cinema was considerably cooler than outside, despite the warmth generated by us and the two other people watching the film 🙂 Good film, though I felt the wrong man was playing Sgt Troy – he was on the brink of being a Monty Python parody.
This morning we are preparing to go to a birthday meal for Mary Thrower – wife of one of my classmates at the CNS and a colleague of Dot’s in the Sillars Orchestra. Can’t imagine we shall know anyone apart from those two.
After months of planning, the big Paston event at Oxnead Hall slotted neatly into place on Friday. The weather was fine – often sunny – dry and warm, and the 80 or so invited guests were able to explore the extensive gardens without recourse to umbrellas or wellington boots. They were welcome by Rob, sitting by the car park, checking them off his list – one of his few moments of relaxation.
Interestingly, the Eagles arrived very early, largely because they had the time wrong. But many others drove in before the official start time, including some distinguished Paston experts like Jean Agnew. So much like Jean Agnew, in fact, that it was Jean Agnew – author of A Whirlpool of Misadventures, a collection of Robert Paston’s letters.
We arrived at 10am, helped with the setting up and did a full rehearsal at 11am, which went pretty well, under the watchful eye of Dot. Among our friends who attended: the Hendersons; the Archers; Jessie, Roger and Jude; Claire Carrington; the Kibbles; the O’dells; Lucy Edwards; Karen Smyth and Liz McDonald from UEA; and of course the Eagles. Not the band.
We had forgotten to bring a packed lunch; so at about 1pm we nipped into North Walsham to get some sandwiches from Waitrose – and used the opportunity to purchase a bouquet for Penny (we had already got four other bouquets for Lucy, Oxnead owner Beverley Aspinall, Ann and Ruth at Rob’s request).
The performance itself went smoothly, and I felt reasonably confident in my 17C costume (a sentence I never thought I would write). Dot and I combined well on our song, and we got some good responses afterwards. We also got some amazing PHS food – a veritable high tea which included a chocolate and rum cake made by Dot. Rob gave a brief speech and I trotted on with the bouquets, including our surprise one for wardrobe mistress and set designer Penny. Lucy came with Naomi for the last half-hour or so: she was quite ill and should have been in Papworth, but it was good that she was able to put in an appearance, what with her being the PHS founder, and the event being (among other things) a celebration of its 21st birthday.
After chatting to as many people as we could, we spent quite a long time clearing up, which included chair removal, washing up and transferring a great deal of stuff into waiting cars. Felt pretty much exhausted at the end.
The next day Colin gave our hedge a good cutting, and the garden looks much more attractive. Dot couldn’t resist a great deal of tidying up in his wake (not that he left it in a mess: he’s very thorough), and I’ve cut back the foliage around the kitchen window. Dot has also bought some new plants, mainly for the front garden.
On Sunday Nicholas made one of his last appearances at St Augustine’s. He’s just received the go-ahead for his visa, and should be leaving in early November. Afterwards we called on Elvira at her invitation for a cup of tea, but largely so that she could show us her new flat. Later still we had a meal at Prezzos with Neville and Mary Thrower (Neville is a former CNS contemporary, and Mary is in the orchestra with Dot). Very enjoyable, but I’m a little worried, because all three of them were getting over bad colds, which naturally makes you feel you’re catching them.
Meanwhile the scaffolding in our back garden awaits the arrival of the builder to work on the roof. Dot is out all day at various schools, and Barbara is due to visit after that for a P4C consultation. In other news, I have put together the bones of a book on Iona featuring poems and pictures, and Oliver has driven a Ferrari at 100mph, apparently earning praise from his tutor. It was a birthday present from his mother (I think). What a star! As long as he doesn’t get too much of a taste for fast cars…
