A cold few days, but happily my feeling of impending doom last Friday turned out to be a false alarm – either that or my precautions took effect. Either way, I was well enough to travel to Pinkys at Halesworth to read three poems for the assembled throng. Well, maybe not a throng, but it felt like one, because the room was full. More than 20 people, and all aching to read.
Got a good reception, but not quite as good as that for a youngish guy new to the scene who performed in Luke Wright fashion and almost as well. His name is Oliver; so of course I looked on him favourably and complimented him.
The next day we braved a sprinkling of snow as we left and drove to London to see the Coomes, where we continued a hectic day by enjoying a large lunch, then travelling by car and tube to Lambeth to see a painting exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. Some new names to me, and some excellent stuff among others not so exciting. Particularly liked a guy called Nevinson. Also a superb large canvas by John Singer Sargent.
We lingered so long here that we had to continue straight to the Indian restaurant we normally visit, without returning home. Thanks to the large lunch already mentioned, I was not feeling particularly hungry, but the food was quite reasonable.
On the Sunday Dot and I went with Kristine to Mass at the local RC church while David stayed at home and mused on life, the universe and everything. Afterwards we had another largish lunch, rejecting the opportunity to go shopping in favour of starting back for Norwich while it was still light, in view of the forecast of snow in Norfolk. In fact the journey was quite easy, and no snow materialised at all.
One reason I had been nervous was my fear of not being able to get back to Norwich for the funeral on Monday of my Aunt Josephine, who died on December 30 at the age of 99. I had arranged to take my uncle Paul (91) to the burial at Cringleford at 10.30am, followed by a thanksgiving service at Hethersett Methodist Church at 11.30pm, with refreshments. Paul managed to keep track of what was going on, and sang enthusiastically, particularly the (very) old favourite, The sands of time are sinking, which I had to admit I enjoyed too.
Phil, Birgit and Dot were there too, with Joe joining us for the thanksgiving service. While getting more sugar for Paul (he took five spoonfuls in his tea), I ran into Melanie Cook, a homeopathist and nutritionist who had helped me some years ago and who is really nice. We introduced her to Birgit, who is having a lot of problems with various obscure afflictions and could probably benefit from a more holistic approach than is afforded by the NHS.
Yesterday Dot was quite busy, and so I had a good opportunity to get things done. Needless to say, I didn’t. But I did walk up to the sorting office and then the Rosary in what seemed the coldest weather for a long time. Not unpleasant, just very cold.
Today we await the arrival of Linda to cut our hair, having already been out to North Walsham to help Jessie celebrate her birthday with a selection of sausage rolls and mince pies (supplied by her, of course). I gave her a copy of my Iona book: we also popped one through Teresa’s door. She had requested one via Facebook.