Saturday 27th January 2018

And here is our old friend, Mr Weekend, coming along to cheer us all up with his croissants, bacon butties, churches, orchids and wine and beer.

We get up at seven, just time to have a cuppa before getting in the car to go to tesco. Outside all was a white wonderland as there had been a frost, but no trouble for us, as the Corsa is parked in the car port, so all frost free.

We go round getting what we need, and a few other things, all done in a systematic way, so out at the checkout, paid and loading the car up by quarter to nine, and home having packed away and tcuking into freshly baked croissants by half nine.

We had a pause as Molly was to go to the vet for an appointment at 11, so we listen to the radio and faff, then bundle her into the box at half ten. She makes no fuss really, just accepting her fate and not one mew came from her the whole trip.

In the vets we are shown right in, and the good news is she is putting on weight; up to 3.22 in a week from 3,06, and looking good too, with a glossy coat and beginning to do the stretching thing she likes. So, all is good with and in Molly world. We all have smiles on our faces as the reality of the fact that she is pulling through and thriving. Means she is going to be with us maybe for many years as yet.

And Jools went to the pet store to pick up some food with high proper meat content, what comes as a shock for us is that the big brand, Whiskers, has such a low meat content, and can be so bad for the pets we love. I can tell you Molly has thrived on chicken breast and shrimp this week. As we all would in truth.

We take Molly home, give her some food, and after loading the car with six cameras and assorted lenses and gear, we are off out again. Last week I had seen some small yellow flowers, and some investigation online had revealed their identity, so back this week to snap them.

Along the A2, turning off to go to Kingston, ignoring the broken no parking sign. And just inside the churchyard are dozens of tiny Winter Aconites, all closed tight because it was a dull day. But I get the shots i wanted.

We then drive along the Nailbourne to Bishopsbourne so I could show Jools the tiling at St Mary. As I had the macro lens on the new camera, I got another fine selections of detailed shots from there, so more to edit and post. It really is a glorious place, and so lucky that I found it last week.

Finally, from there we follow the Nailbourne under the A2 to Patrixbourne, another fine church along its valley, and in a fine picturesque village. The church is splendid; mostly norman with a Kentish tower and spire, but inside full of fine details. I have been here at least four times before, but there is always something new to see.

I meet a nice chap who is down to see friends and using Simon Jenkins book as a guide. He was off to Barfrestone next, I advised him to go to Bishopsbourne next, but we talk for a good 15 minutes, which was always good.

And just like that, it was one in the afternoon, we were hingry, so we speed back home for lunch of ham sandwiches. Not just ham, but honey and molasses roasted ham. If you believe that shit. The sandwiches were good though.

And then there was football, Norwich on the radio, or through Twitter, whilst the rest of the teams play in The Cup. City run out 1-0 winners at Griffin Park, and our faith is reconfirmed. Such is the life of a fan, always going between the extremes of doubt and hope.

I do a 40 minute session on the cross trainer, and feel as fresh at the end as at the start. I shower and am ready for a night of card sharping at Jen's. We pick up John on the way, and a fine night it was, as it always is. We laugh, drink and eat scampi and chicken dippers. It is a good way to spend the evening. But too soon it is half eleven, and with the rain still hammering down, Jools drives, dropping John off home then take us home, arriving home just before midnight.

Phew.