It’s taken me all this time to finish the photographs and to revise the condition report. Funny, how much you don’t spot first time round. I’ve also managed to go out twice in three evenings, in a social way that I’ve pretty well given up over the last few years. Giving up isn’t really the Z way, not yet. But everything is rather an effort at present.

It’s now more than 9 years since Russell died and nearly 2 years since Tim died and it’s not getting any less hard. There’s little point in dwelling on it and less in complaining, but I range from sad to distressed to furious and show little sign of it outwardly. If asked, I’ll say, but I chat and laugh and I don’t think anyone would know what I’m masking. It’s better that way.

Having said that, both evenings were lovely. Quite low-key sociable, though there were quite a lot of people there, but they were both relaxed occasions in good company. Last night, I spent some time chatting to one of our local celebrities, not that he’d claim that himself (but we all know) who is an actor, who’s best known as one of the longest-standing characters in THE Radio 4 soap. He and Al, who was his postman, are firm friends. I’ve said, Al will have to do the round of the village with Christmas cards, now that he’s moved on from Royal Mail.

Tomorrow, definitely starting on the catalogue. I’m taking Wink to the optician in Norwich in the morning and then she’s taking me out to lunch, but they’re appointments, so not procrastinating. Not at all, not nohow.