Some activities in Norwich on the hottest day since 1958
Some activities in Norwich on the hottest day since 1958

Some activities in Norwich on the hottest day since 1958, including a conversation paving the way for Debbie in Optometry.

Rather than driving to Winterton, a Bure boat trip instead to keep cool and then driving over to for dog training with Jim before and after hospitality with Julie

Today continued sunny and hot such that, by the end of the day, it had been confirmed that the day had been the warmest since 1958 with temperatures in the 90sF!

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I donned my shorts and gave Sam a walk quite early but there were still plenty of gnats about to ambush me. We then left him in his run where there was some shade as to take him to Norwich with us would have been unkind. In weather like this, the Land Rover air-conditioning becomes a lifesaver but even then, the main unit only just keeps up and we miss the rear unit functioning.

Debbie had an appointment to see the opticians for some new contact lenses and we also had a number of jewellery repairs and some other shopping to get done. I got some more money out, posted some letters and got some film developed, but I also tried to find the hearing aid centre that makes moulds for the customised ear defenders, but they were closed on Tuesdays.

Most interesting was a chat to the ophthalmic optician that runs the practice. I had got Debbie to broach the subject of what "A"-levels were needed to go into that profession and, as a result of this, we heard that she would need sciences but also awareness of business studies and needed to like meeting and dealing with people. All of this seems to suit her natural abilities.

There are evidently only six universities that specialise in the course and entrance grades are high. Even so, we agreed that it would be a good career for a woman, and he kindly offered to help her if she remains interested in a year's time. She could sit in on some consultations and help in reception to get some idea of what would be involved as valuable work-experience.

We had intended to go to the seaside at Winterton this afternoon, but I decided that it would be too hot to be sitting outside with no cover and so we first had lunch at the Wroxham Riverside Cafe and then I started up the boat and we cruised around under our sun canopy to find a life-saving breeze out in the open.

I got us safely started up and out into the main river and then headed to Hoveton Little Broad so that Della could take the helm and steer The Paxton Princess around for a while before we cruised up and down Horning river front. The main feature of the cruise was the topless girls - on two separate boats - and the sight of the former home of the Mr Taylor from whom I had bought my boat:

It was being dismantled with a crane which seemed very strange. A bit of a rush to get back to the boathouse and then my shooting things and Sam into the Land Rover for my evening with Jim Bird. The hot drive over to their new home in Sutton; an old cottage with a large garden where I found Jim and Julie and their two GSPs.

Ben went mad on our arrival, scratching my legs and car door in the process but I tried to keep Sam under more control. Julie had prepared a nice meal of roast lamb and vegetables and was a little concerned I would not like this in view of the heat but I appreciated the effort that she had made.

I was rather full, however, when we tried to get out afterwards but we were soon on station under an oak tree next to a field of harvested pea stalks and the decoys brought in sufficient birds for us both to get plenty of shots and for me to try Sam out in the hide. My shooting was not too good but I shot three birds to Jimmy's six, even if I had more chances.

Sam was a bit unsteady and actually ran in once but did not do too bad considering. I let him retrieve three birds and, although he did play with them a bit, he did not mouth then too badly. We enjoyed the shooting for some time and then went back to collect Ben and have an hour training on a nearby field. In view of their previous high spirits, we got the dogs to perform some obedience work; walking to heel, sitting and staying and then some simple retrieves.

Jim has been making some progress on retrieving but has a real problem with Ben who whines and fidgets all of the time and I find it rather annoying. Sam was a bit naughty running off into a field opposite when missing a retrieve hidden at the base of the adjoining ditch but was otherwise by far the better behaved.

A well-earned rest and pot of tea with Jim and Julie until it was well after midnight before I got away and nearly 1.00am before I got home. Sam was no trouble, sleeping first in the car and then transferring to his kennel without a fuss but he did drink half a bowl of water and must have been very thirsty. Still had to have my bath and hair-wash before eventually getting to bed around 2.00am.