U for tide be stuck by now, didn't you?

Wait a couple of days, then you will see me flounder (all fish-based comments cheerily welcomed).

We were sorry to receive a message from Dave that he is ill - these final few days of bricklaying are proving problematical, but it'll get done. I couldn't have joined in anyway this morning, as I was looking after the children because Dilly was working, doing a Maths Challenge at the local library. I don't know what parents send their children to this sort of thing in the holidays, or what sort of children enjoy doing it - I was quite reasonably studious as a child but holidays were sacrosanct and I'd not have appreciated being dumped on a maths teacher at half term. Anyway, just as well for Dilly's pocket that other people don't agree with me, as she's been quite busy with tuition.

This afternoon, we went to Norwich, to the Castle Museum. We met Weeza and Zerlina and all had a splendid time. We saw the Man With Dirty Feet (check out the Iceni), the Disembodied Hand (cut off in a duel in 1600) and the Lowestoft Cat. I regretted, again, that they've got most of their Lowestoft collection put away, apparently in the name of making the remaining collection more "accessible" - that is, less museum-like. Nowadays, most museums have lovely displays, but not much in them and most of it aimed at children. Seeing my family's enjoyment, though they are quite small, I try not to be curmudgeonly about it. Certainly, it's an enjoyable place to visit and the staff are lovely.

A bit of a cock-up on the opera front - our friend Daphne rang, months ago, to say that a friend of hers is playing the lead in Falstaff in November at the theatre in Norwich and would we like to go, if she came up from Kent. The Sage doesn't care for opera, but I said I'd go, and Daphne has another friend in Bury St Edmunds who also wanted to go - later it transpired that another friend of the latter's wanted to go too. So I booked all tickets and Daphne paid me for the three. However, later it turned out that this weekend would be the start of my visit to Portugal, so I had to cry off. Then the friend of a friend did, and the friend is not at all well, and may not be able to come. Poor Daphne had the prospect of a three-plus hour drive to go to the opera on her own. However, good news. I asked Dilly and Weeza if they were interested - "I love the opera! Yes please!" said Weeza. "I've never been to the opera, I'd love to!" said Dilly. All sorted. A bit more liaising to do, and we don't know if friend Sarah will be well enough yet, but the evening is saved. I'd love to go myself, but I'll be staying near Bournemouth airport (it was news to me that Bournemouth had an airport) en route to Iberia.