I am making some progress, remarkably, though there’s a lot of work to do.

I’ve spoken to three people who can help and we’re putting together statements for them to sign. I’ve got some papers, going back to 1980, including official government-related ones, that are indicating what I need them to. This would all be far easier to explain if I felt able to say what I’m talking about…

I’ve also attempted to make that phone call re listed building permission, but no reply, so I’ve texted.

Yesterday, I spent two hours sorting out and putting away china – about 500 pieces, 300 of which have been wrapped, 100 locked away and the rest sorted out, waiting to be wrapped – and then needed quite a long break for the rest of the morning. Luckily, my cleaners were coming (they only come once a month) so I didn’t have to clean the room too. It was very hot yesterday of course – the temperature went up to about 30ºC – but that room is west and north facing, so it was cool in the morning – I started about 8.30, so it would be ready for the cleaners and I didn’t have to risk doing the work myself.

The family is coming over to lunch on Saturday week, when R&V will be here, so I may need that room. If the weather is fine, we may well eat outdoors, but I can’t assume that.

R&V are on their way. It’s a strange journey as, because of the Olympics, air fares are expensive. They’re coming by Turkish Airways, via Istanbul. Then they’ve got to get across London and, hopefully, will catch the 10.30 train that gets to the local station about midnight. Failing that, there’s another at 11.30 but that’s the last train of the night.

Tomorrow morning, I’ve got a haircut and then later I’m meeting my sister and taking her to an appointment at the hospital (she never knows, at the eye clinic, if she’ll be able to drive afterwards). So R&V will have most of the day to relax and start to get over jet lag. The rest of the week will be fairly low key too.

However, after that I’m getting things organised. I’ve booked lunch on Sunday at a local, excellent restaurant. I need to talk to the family about the next few days, but have various things planned, including a visit to London (need to decide on the day and buy the train tickets and the London Eye tickets). On Thursday we’re having dinner in Norwich at a rooftop restaurant and the family will all be here on Saturday for lunch as I’ve already said. On Sunday, we’re off to Cambridge for the next two nights. On Tuesday, I’ve booked a visit to Kettle’s Yard, which is fabulous. Various things planned while we’re in Cambridge, of course.