Wednesday.

Yesterday drove over to Stanstead Airport, and picked Ann up. She got in at 1800 hours. Good to have her back home.
Been a weird day today. Went to Bury St. Edmund's Hospital this morning for Ann to have another eye examination. As she'd had various drops in her eyes, I drove home. Went to lunch with Judy and David; Brenda and Warren were also there. Judy put on a very good lunch - chestnut soup with homemade bread with sundried tomatoes in it- followed by two puddings (fruit crumble and bread and butter pudding)- then a cheese board, followed by coffee.

It turned out that we were all going on to a theatre in Ipswich - the East Angles Theatre, to see a sort of 'alternative pantomime' called Gills around the Green. Very odd thing - rather fun. The stage was part of the floor in the centre of a long room, and the six of us were in the front row. Towards the end of the first half the hero of the play (juvenile lead I think the theatrical term is), who was playing a horse at the time, stopped in front of us and loudly propositioned ME, at which I looked properly shocked and horrified, and Ann astonished me by leaping to her feet, and chasing him off and around the stage !!!!!!!! It turned out that Ann had been quietly put up to this by a member of the cast a few minutes earlier. She played her part well and got a round of applause for it. She never ceases to surprise me !!!

Above photo is of my third effort at baking a loaf of bread - think I'm beginning to get the hang of it. Been a long and surprising day, and I think Ann has just gone up to bed, so I must join her. Goodnight all.

Sunday.

Took the above photo walking back from town yesterday via the River Walk and Tinker's Lane. It's Tinker's Cottage and stands at the bottom of Tinker's Lane. It's a very basic brick built cottage of (I should guess) early 19th century date (but, as is usual in our area, the chimney could be earlier than that). But the name facinates me. Who was the original tinker, and how did he become so prosperous a tinker that he could afford a solid little house, and had it (and the lane) named after him? Must see if I can find out.

Thursday 2.

Today was the first sunny day we've had for a fortnight, see above. Wind's in the north though and still very cold. Still, bright sunlight always makes me feel cheerful. On Tuesday went to London and viewed Sotheby's Arms and Armour sale (should say:- Thomas Delmar Ltd. in association with Sotheby's sale, these days). Grandson Matthew came with me, and we agreed that it was a very disappointing sale. Thomas (Delmar) told me that they're expecting their second babe later this month. Congratulated him. Their daughter's a little charmer. Spent night at Lizzie's - she'd left a fish pie in the fridge together with cooking instructions, which I complied with, assisted by Matthew, who's a good hand in the kitchen. I'd bought a bottle of wine and a sort of chocolate pudding from the local shops in Chiswick High Street, so was able to serve up a decent meal when they all returned from school/work.
Yesterday got back to the auction by noon, and got some bids in on the few pieces I wanted (nothing I really wanted to take home and play with) but, like most poorly stocked sales, the few good pieces went sky high and I purchased nothing. The journey home (by rail) was nightmarish. I won't bore you with details. Suffice to say that I arrived at Liverpool Street Station just before 5 p.m.,for what should have been a fifty minute journey to Mannigtree Station, and eventually got home a little after nine o'clock, feeling thoroughly frazzled. Oh well; I very rarely use the railway, and shall keep such usage as rare as I can for the foreseeable. Today's been a pottering sort of day. Put two loads of washing through the machine, tidied the kitchen (which needed it) and finished off the gearing for a model stern wheeled river steamer that Grandson Guy and I have been been making (on and off) for a couple of months or so, utilising my old Mechano Set, and an old stationary steam engine, which I'd given him.

Bedtime looms, so - Goodnight all.

Thursday 1.

South Norfolk Town game :- This sounds like a town where an agent for a foreign government consumed without comfort.

Monday 3.

Couldn't resist putting this picture on blog before retiring. It is our Church, St. Mary's. Taken in the snow on Saturday morning on my way to choir practice. Looks like a young cathedral, doesn't it ?

Monday 2.

And this Lori, is a portion of treacle tart (see blog entry for Sunday 5th December) . The treacle tart was delivered to our front door at about six p.m. by its maker, friend Ros. Apparently Ann, before pushing off to Sweden, had asked Ros to deliver one. It was very oportune, as I was wondering what to have for pudding this evening, so of course I awarded meself a slice. Been working in the workshop most of today, so must now go and tidy it up, before retiring for the well earned eight hours or so. Good night all.

Monday 1.

The gentleman in this picture is our friend and piano tuner, Joe Logan. He tunes our piano regularly at this time of year so as to be ready for the festive season. In the photo he has the piano stripped for tuning. It is an elderly (probably Edwardian) upright by Barratt and Robinson of London. It has a pleasant tone, and after he has put it back together Joe will sit and play it for ten minutes or so, excerpts -whatever comes into his head. He's a good pianist, and as the piano is right over my cellar/workshop I get the playing nicely and thoroughly enjoy it.

Sunday.

Got a 'phone call this morning from a fellow chorister asking for a lift to church: she lives at the top of a hill nearby and the roads up there are still a little dodgy. Agreed to fetch her, of course, but warned her that as I would have to be in Felsham by one p.m. we would have to leave church immediately after the service (no staying for coffee and a chat!) in order for me to run her home, and then drive to Felsham for my luncheon date with friends. She agreed happily , so I then 'phoned Senior Daughter, whose birthday is today. Sung 'Happy Birthday' to her, not to the usual tune, but to the tune of 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'. So my version went :- 'We wish you a Happy Birthday' (three times) and ended :- 'Many Happy Returns' - it was unpremeditated, but came out alright. Sarah said :- 'That was lovely Pa; very seasonal.' Then picked up Sylvia and on to Church. Choir practice went well, as did the service. Then ran Sylvia home, and drove on to Felsham, and found the Village Hall, where friend Jill (my lunch hostess) was helping at the tea counter at a Christmas produce and craft fair. Pottered round the fair till Jill was ready, bought some home made candles and locally produced apple juice, then drove Jill to her home where her husband Keith was presiding over the cooking (although I think Jill had made it). Excellent lunch - pork and prune casserole, baked potato, and red cabbage (cooked with apple and carraway seeds - interesting taste). This was followed by treacle tart ( made not by Jill, but by mutual friend Ros Cook, whose treacle tart is unrivalled in our area). Then excellent coffee (made by Keith). Was offered a cheese board, but declined this on the grounds that I had had a very good and sufficient lunch. We took our coffee through to the sitting room where they showed me couple of recently aquired pieces of stock (they are dealers specialising in early furniture and metalware- Keith wrote the book on paktong or tutenag- I put both names in case any of my readers aren't aware of the other one) and we talked about a clock that Keith will eventually need work done on. Left them at about half past three and arrived home just after four o'clock.

Should have said - the above photo is of a brace of pheasants Jill gave me. She doesn't shoot, but is a beater (with her spaniels) for the local shoot, and she is paid in game. As they were only shot yesterday I've hung them in the forge for a day or two (depending on the weather) to ripen. Time now to do a little work before bed, so will bid you all goodnight now.

Saturday 2.

When I came home from scrabble this afternoon the snow was melting fast, and in this terra cotta pot I saw these primula gamely trying to flower still. They were about four inches under the surface of the snow earlier in the day. Reassuring, isn't it?

Saturday 1.

Choir practice this morning in the vestry. About six of us and our Choir Mistress. Despite small number of singers (or just possibly because of ??) it went well. Walked to Church. Weather now thawing, but water on top of hard packed snow made conditions dodgy for walking . Scrabble this afternoon. Went in car in order to give lift to two of our club members. Won first game. Phylis won next two.
For supper (above) had slice of lasagna from freezer (thanks Annie) and to accompany it did a stir fry - this consisted of half a carrot, half a red pepper, half an onion, third of a large mushroom, and some left over boiled potatoes, in olive oil with a sprinkle of mixed herbs- and would have made a good tasty meal on its own (glad of the lasagna for all that). Must clean my boots ready for the morning then I'm off to bed. Good night All.
P.s. While preparing for Choir practice this morning I managed to pull a fairly vital button of me breeches. I was really quite bothered about what to do - then the obvious answer to this dilema struck me :- Of Course ! I must sew it back on again. So I did. Quite surprised meself. Even more surprising is that the button is still in situ.

Friday 2.

Above photograph is of a loaf of bread. It is the first loaf I have ever made, and although it looks a bit odd (brown round the sides but pale on top) it tastes pretty good - you will notice evidence of the quality control check I felt it my duty to make to the left of the bread board. To make bread these days a special machine has to be used. It is called 'a bread maker'. We have had it for some years and Ann explained its use to me on Wednesday evening before pushing off to Sweden, so I made a loaf today whilst her instructions were fresh in my mind. As you can see they were effective.
Went to cafe Church this morning. Everyone asked after Ann, and all seemed surprised that she had set out in the prevailing weather conditions; more surprised that Stanstead Airport was still open; and pleasantly surprised that Ann had made the complete journey without any hitches or holdups. Had my usual cup of coffee and a croissant, then walked home, calling in at my barber's on the way for a much need haircut.

Since then I have been pottering about in the workshop, unloading and reloading the dishwasher, and as stated, making bread.

Just received a bit of sad news. Ann's youngest brother's father-in-law has just passed away. Not unexpected, but he will be much missed. He was a retired Norfolk farmer and had the rare quality of solid common sense. We used to meet him at family get togethers, and chatting with him was always a source of pleasure to me. But he hadn't been able to get out and about this last few months, so we hadn't seen as much of him lately as I'd have liked.

This blog probably reads a bit non sequitur, due to intermittent 'phone calls. It's time for me to to knock off and retire to bed now, so- Good night all.

Friday.

I do not like snow much. My definition of the ideal snowfall would be:- two inches of snow on Christmas Morning. Seen through glass. Gone by lunchtime.

Thursday 2

Haven't played the Diss game for a year or so. This one refers to a Norfolk Chemist whose shop also has writing instruments, and the owner shares his name with several English Monarchs.

Answer given in three days, although you'll all have worked it out by then.

Thursday.

Got up this morning to see even more snow. At nine a.m. we set out to drive to Stanstead Airport. Local roads as per above photo. We'd checked out Stanstead before we set out and been told that there was not much snow there. Journey took an hour and a half, roads becoming better as we journeyed. Saw Ann through the barrier, then drove home. Stopped in town to do a couple of jobs, and arrived home at one p.m. to hear 'phone ringing. It was Ann to say she was on the plane, which was about to take off. I should have said - she is flying to Sweden to spend a few days with Ruth et al. She should land in Sweden this afternoon, catch a 'bus to Stockholm Railway Station, then catch the overnight sleeper up to Ruth, arriving there around seven tomorrow morning, then a seven or eight minute walk to the flat. I suspect Ruth, Lasse and the girls will probably meet her at the Station.

Tuesday.

A few minutes ago Ann picked up a plastic jug just outside the back door, and found this young toad sheltering in it.
He was slow, torpid (?), but very much alive. We put him in our garden pond, where the temperature is just above freezing (around 35 degrees, and where we took this photo. Hope he makes it through the winter.

Monday 4.

About four inches of snow had fallen on this area of Norfolk. Main roads were passable, back roads only just so, and at walking pace. Met up at school car park and collected goodies. By about 5p.m. we were on our way home, not really relishing the thought of the journey. But in the event, after the first few miles the roads were comparatively clear, and we arrived home just after six p.m. with a sense of achievement, and glad we'd decided to risk it.

Monday 3.

Three miles further on - clear sky. Stopped off a few miles north of Stowmarket at a charming small pub off a back road for lunch. Nice landlady who explained that she had a big party in the dining room, but we could have a table near the fire in the bar parlour. We ordered lunch and coffee. Good coffee arrived five minutes later. Landlady brought in a basket of fresh bread, with butter. She then vanished and nothing happened for half an hour, during which time we ate bread and drank the coffee. Landlady then turned up (full of apologies- trouble in the kitchen) with our plates of lunch - which we quickly discovered was nothing like the lunch we'd ordered. Tried it- excellent- so made the best of it and started eating. Landlady had by now realised mistake and came back in, red faced and full of apologies. Assured her that food was good, we were hungry, and anyway we were running out of time. Landlady brought in more coffee. Finished lunch, drank coffee, went to counter to pay my score, where landlord adamantly refused to take a penny piece for lunch (because of the confusion) and despite my assurances that we'd had an excellent lunch - if not the one we'd ordered. In the end he won and we left assuring him we'd try his place again. Drove on into Norfolk - and ever worsening weather. Called on old friend Joan, now in care home in Thetford, stayed forty minutes recalling old times. Then on again.

Monday 2.

Two miles up the road it was snowing hard again.

Monday 1.

We'd made arrangements to drive up into Norfolk today to collect a couple of pieces of stock that our friend Jim had bought for us in Sussex. I know the previous sentence sounds daft, but our friend Jim (sensible fellow) lives in mild and sunny Sussex, and had passed our two pieces onto his daughter, who was visiting him, but who lives up on the Norfolk Coast. HER daughter goes to school just over the Norfolk border a few miles North of Thetford, where we'd arranged to meet (it's a lot nearer than a drive down to Sussex). Got up this morning to a lovely clear sky, but by the time we'd had breakfast it was snowing quite hard, see above photo of garden. By twelve o'clock the sun was out again and all the snow had melted, so we decided to go anyway, having put a shovel, coats, a flask, and wellies, into the back of the car.

Sunday.

Been a good, busy, weekend. Yesterday was our pre Christmas Church Bazaar. Ann helped in the lunch area, having made vast quantities of lasagna - well - two large cauldrons of the stuff, whilst I ran the book stall. Got to Scrabble club a bit late, but was able to join in a three handed game. The third game was interesting as the final score was 205, 207, and 208- can't remember a closer scoring game - three points top to bottom with three players. Home, and eventually had what little remained of the lasagna for supper- very good it was, too.

This morning at a baptismal service we both sang in the choir. After the service it was given out that the Bazaar yesterday had made £1,686. The bookstall I later learned (via Hilary) had made £98, which considering we were charging 50p. per paperback and £1 per hardback (and mostly it was paperbacks that sold), was pretty good.

Had lunch with friends Gloria and John today. Very good lunch, salmon, two puddings, a very well stocked cheeseboard, and coffee. Walked there and on the way took above photo of an early Tudor brick house (1490 - 1520 A.D.) which has just been fully restored. Two years ago it was two semi derelict cottages- although it was possible to see that it had been built as a single fine town house. It's good to see it restored to its original dignity. We're just back from an Advent Service with a visiting choir and mainly rather celtic sounding hymns -interesting service- different anyway, at the local United Reform Church. Now about ready for a bath and bed - so, Goodnight All.