Braved the snow

I braved the snow yesterday to drive into Norwich to meet up with a friend who also happens to be a police sergeant. Trouble was, heaving masses of Christmas shoppers had also braved the snow, and what with the local derby - the Norwich/Ipswich football match, held at Norwich and attracting the biggest crowd for years - traffic was nearly at a standstill in parts.

Still, I made it, and had a very good meeting, researching for my next novel, which will be a murder/mystery. All the staff at Norwich police station were really helpful, and I had a look at the different areas of the station to try and get an authentic background.

The journey home was fine, but it snowed again overnight (temperatures in Wales down to minus seventeen; we were a mere minus five) and today the roads are pretty lethal.

This early snow is unprecedented. We sometimes get a flurry in November, but I can't remember snow that settles, not before January/February. Some parts of the country are knee-deep. We just have a few centimetres so far, but more promised (threatened?) overnight.

Of course, this being the UK, we're never quite prepared for snow. The gritting lorries have been out, but we don't have winter tyres or chains or anything like that. So it looks like a week indoors, snuggled up out of the cold, with my feet up.

It's a hard life.

Braved the snow

I braved the snow yesterday to drive into Norwich to meet up with a friend who also happens to be a police sergeant. Trouble was, heaving masses of Christmas shoppers had also braved the snow, and what with the local derby - the Norwich/Ipswich football match, held at Norwich and attracting the biggest crowd for years - traffic was nearly at a standstill in parts.

Still, I made it, and had a very good meeting, researching for my next novel, which will be a murder/mystery. All the staff at Norwich police station were really helpful, and I had a look at the different areas of the station to try and get an authentic background.

The journey home was fine, but it snowed again overnight (temperatures in Wales down to minus seventeen; we were a mere minus five) and today the roads are pretty lethal.

This early snow is unprecedented. We sometimes get a flurry in November, but I can't remember snow that settles, not before January/February. Some parts of the country are knee-deep. We just have a few centimetres so far, but more promised (threatened?) overnight.

Of course, this being the UK, we're never quite prepared for snow. The gritting lorries have been out, but we don't have winter tyres or chains or anything like that. So it looks like a week indoors, snuggled up out of the cold, with my feet up.

It's a hard life.

Rachel's funeral

Took Rachel's funeral this afternoon. The church was packed, and little Sam, her year-old son, came too. We had a few murmurs of "Dad, dad" during the service, but thankfully, no "mum, mum." That would have torn us all into pieces.

There were no hymns, The family chose to have modern songs from a CD instead, and they went down well, but were somewhat tear-jerking. Not that anyone needed any nudges in that direction.

Rachel's photo was at the front of church, next to her coffin. She was a blond beauty and one of the most courageous people I have ever met.

Her best friend paid a moving tribute (through tears) and her father-in-law read a poem. It all went well and hopefully people found the service comforting.

I went on to the crematorium with the immediate family, who made a sad little group.

Rachel died at 33, the same age as Jesus, but I guess Christmas has already been cancelled for Rachel's family.

Managed it!

Yes, I've done it! Sorted out at least one small thing on Facebook.

I have my own page (which is different to the usual profile page - yes, I know. it's utterly confusing) to promote my books, but Facebook give you a great long URL with long numbers at the end, which nobody can remember. But if you get 25 "fans", you are entitled to a short and memorable URL, which you choose yourself.

Well, by pleading with all my Facebook friends, I managed to drum up the fans to 30 - enough to get my brand new URL. Only trouble was, I couldn't remember then how to do it. Oh for a brain cell or two.

Anyway, sussed it eventually and here you are:

www.facebook.com/authorJaniceScott

Do take a look - and become my friend, and even a fan!

At the Cathedral

Ed and I went to Norwich Cathedral on Tuesday evening, to see Bishop Hans Stiglund (I think that's his name) installed as an ecumenical honorary canon of the cathedral.

Bishop Hans is the Lutheran bishop of Lulea in Northern Sweden. His diocese extends right up into the Arctic Circle. I met him some years ago, when our diocese first had informal links with Lulea. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of a small party of priests from Norwich diocese to visit Lulea. I stayed with Soren Ollson and his family; he's a Lutheran priest in the diocese. Had a great time.

I particularly remember his twelve-year-old daughter kicking up one day about going to school. She didn't want to go because they had skiing lessons that day! I thought how any English child would give their eye teeth to have skiing lessons at school.

Later, a party from Soren's parish came to our deanery for a week, then a party from our deanery went to Sweden in the March, when it was still six foot of snow and twelve degrees below zero. Didn't feel cold, though, because there was no wind.

I also remember the dining room chairs on runners. The old people sat on them and were pushed to church over the snow. We borrowed one of these chairs and had a terrific time sliding down the hill on it. They must have thought we were all mad.

The other marvellous sight was a huge herd of reindeer in the forest, all with colourful bells and collars, and herded by Finnish gypsies. Brilliant - and I've got a great movie of it.

Our diocesan link with Lulea was made official in the cathedral on Tuesday on the same occasion as Bishop Hans being made canon, so maybe there'll be more visits in the snow. I'm definitely up for it!

Battling with Facebook

No, not battling against Facebook, but trying to suss out just how I'm supposed to update and add to my Facebook page. Never mind, I sent off a quick email to youngest daughter who is guiding me through this minefield, accompanied by sighs and "Oh mother!" comments.

Visited Rachel's gathered family yesterday, to sort out just what they wanted for her funeral. It was a very sad time, but they do have lovely memories of a lovely and lively person. Ages yet to the funeral, but that's not altogether a bad thing. It does allow people to begin to get used to the idea that their loved one really has died.

Went down to my previous parish in the evening. The old (mostly Victorian) primary school which was closed in 1988 and growing more derelict by the minute, has been completely transformed into a beautiful village centre, complete with IT suite, café, meeting rooms and small hall. Take a look here: Pennoyer's Centre

I was quite envious. I'd have liked to have been still living there and able to use it. But hey! I've been invited to the official opening on November 26th, so that will be good.

Sad news

You'll recall me telling you about Steve and Rachel, who were married about a month ago. They had planned to have the wedding and little Sam's baptism all on the same occasion, but Rachel was too ill for that, so we had the wedding one day and the baptism the next. Rachel came in a wheelchair, but looked wonderful in her wedding dress, and they were both such happy - although bitter-sweet - occasions.

The sad news is that Rachel died in the early hours of Tuesday morning, aged thirty-three. Little Sam is just a year old.

The funeral won't be until 25th November, because Rachel has chosen to be cremated and the crematorium is always busy. We're having the service in church, then it's a half hour drive to the crematorium, but that may be just me, or some of the family may wish to come.

Can I ask your thoughts and prayers, please, for Steve and Sam, and Steve and Rachel's families?

Wet and wild...

From the sublime to the ridiculous. Cornwall last week was warm(ish) and sunny(ish) - nice enough to be out of doors, anyway. Here is a picture from The Lizard, the most southerly point in England:

By contrast, the last couple of days have been wet, wild and windy. Played golf yesterday (lost abysmally) but got home before the rain started - just. Ed played golf today, got wet, lost abysmally, came home early. Still, at least we both managed to get out.

Finished the famous tea cosy, and here it is, complete with drunken pompom (couldn't get it to sew on very convincingly!)

Back from Cornwall

We're back from our week in Cornwall, where, surprise, surprise, the weather was warm and sunny - on the whole. On the day we visited the seal sanctuary, we had lunch al fresco and one guy was sat there in short sleeves. We all had thick sweaters, but nonetheless, we were outside.

The seal sanctuary was brilliant. We arrived at feeding time for the otters, so were there for a talk on them and watching them being fed. Also saw feeding time in the convalescent pool - seals are rescued from all round the coast, usually start in the seal hospital, then are gradually transferred through gentle stages until they are well enough for the convalescent pool. After that it's back to the sea. Bought our little granddaughter a cute furry handbag in the shape of a baby seal.

We had a great time with our friends, and are going to Portugal with them next March. Lots of fun and laughter, good food and good wine, and I'm trying not to stand on the scales just yet.