A long and eventful New Years Eve shopping in Norwich and then trapping moles after the water rose in the Broads.
Then to The Theatre Royal for our pantomime treat of Dick Whittington & His Cat. Lional Blair, the Director, had casted himself as Dick Whittington and the "old stager" Nicholas Parsons gave the best performance as Alderman Fitzwarren.
Back to Horning to watch some TV films with the girls and then up late with my journal for the month.
A traumatic start to the night as Diana had forgotten to pack my pyjamas and I was very annoyed with her as a result. However, I still managed to get to sleep and so she was forgiven by morning. My alarm radio started our activity for the day though both Diana and Debbie beat me to the bathroom. Morning tea to bring me round and then a wait before Debbie would yield the bathroom.
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She was to say later that she thought a voice had called her to her turn in the bathroom and that it must have been a dream! Eventually washed, shaved and out with Sam; walking him across fields and into the village where I bought an Eastern Daily Press before returning to breakfast. It was apparent to me that the moles had been having a great time in our new lawns, probably because of the high-water level and the relatively higher level of our gardens now that I had raised them. I just about got Diana's agreement for me to clear up the mess and set some mole traps before we had to leave for Norwich to do some shopping in the sales.
We left Sam in his run with kennel door open and blanket available for him to shelter for the day for we were not due to return until after dark. The water levels still saturate the lane to Ropes Hill Dyke and actually submerge it in parts but we have neighbours on both sides, even though the bungalow next door is very susceptible to flooding. We collected some more pet supplies once in Norwich and then we left the Land Rover at Mann Egerton and got them to drive us into the city centre. Our car was now reliably exhibiting its ignition problems and we hoped that they could fix them now that the fault could be demonstrated.
Morning refreshments at Jarrolds left Diana with only an hour before it was time to meet Daniel at Pizza Hut but she still found a few bargains whilst I read the computer and gun-dog books in the Jarrold’s book department. Daniel made our rendezvous after his journey from Paxton, and we all enjoyed lunch together. Dan stayed with us for a little after-lunch shopping and then we all walked up to The Theatre Royal for our pantomime treat of Dick Whittington & His Cat. It was a fair show, and we all enjoyed it, but I did not think it was so good as those we customarily went to in Cambridge. Dora Bryan was indisposed due to ill health and her part as Sarah the Cook was taken by one of the dancers, Mark Hudson who put in a brave performance as a stand-in.
This meant that there was a pantomime dame after all as none other seemed to be casted. Lional Blair, the Director, had casted himself as Dick Whittington and I regretted that the other tradition of having a female "principal boy" had been forfeit. His enthusiasm and dramatic presence almost overcame his lack of a singing voice. The "old stager" Nicholas Parsons gave the best performance as Alderman Fitzwarren followed by Childrens' TV presenter, Peter Simon, and cockney comedienne, Diane Bell, as a "buttons-type" character and Fairy Bow Bells respectively. Henry McGee, as King Rat, and George Sewell, as a sea captain, soldiered on gamely but contributed to the lack of singing skills so that the songs and music really grated sometimes. Still, the children enjoyed it and the company played to a full house and the effects, costumes and props were nothing short of tremendous.
Our pre-arranged tea in The Gallery was very nice and we found ourselves sitting next to the dancers, enjoying theirs' between performances. Daniel had to race off to join a New Year's Eve party in Cambridge but took a package of the sandwiches at my insistence. We collected our two cars from local garages and I got back to an anxious dog who was overdue for his food. After a walk and meal he soon settled down for the night. Some TV films with the girls and then up late with my journal for the month.