Debbie trains to become the lead fairy in the ballet
Debbie trains to become the lead fairy in the ballet

The electronics shares lead the Stock Exchange down and I have to put my parents off of visiting this Wednesday as the family is so busy and they are disappointed that we have let 39 Gordon Road before we watch Debbie leading the fairies in a junior ballet show at The Priory Centre before some time outside on my steamer chairs and inside testing Daniel on his French and History as the US hostages are handed over to Syria and the Jumbo Jet wreckage is found without bomb damage apparent but 50 people die of cheese poisoning in the US from listeriosis.

Another restless night and awake early to read my Peacocks Robert Room antique catalogue and then the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee report on the Forestry Commission’s disposal policies. They are very critical of the confidentiality, not to say secrecy, of the Commission in refusing to publish the prices realised on the sales of forestry land. Down to a very nice fried breakfast and even Della had fried bacon and bread today, with only Diana not having any. Up to read The Sunday Times and the business news section dominated by news of this week’s collapse of the stock exchange, lead downwards by the electronics sector. There are further rumours of bad news to come from STC and Thorn-EMI on the profit side, and also that Olivetti are considering backing out of the rescue bid for Acorn. As I finish my reading, Diana joins me and we discuss next weekend’s christening of Charles & Chris’s new baby. We decide to go to the party, not the church service, and call in at the Anchor antique fair on the way back. Then my mother phones and I have to talk her out of visiting on Wednesday.

Debbie has three fillings scheduled, Della has a birthday visit from her fellow babies and their mums in the afternoon and Debbie is at a party in early evening. I am due at the House of Commons to join MPs for a trip to see Sir George Jefferson, the British Telecom Chairman. Eventually she agrees to consider Tuesday, a little upset also at the knowledge that I have let Gordon Road from that day, so that they could not stay there this summer. Up quickly, shaved and dressed, then out to feed the doves and collect 11 eggs from the ducks. I am sure their later awakening contributes to their improved laying performance. Morning coffee with Diana and Della on the front lawn and in the comfort of our steamer chairs. It is a warm, humid, but dull day, though the sun breaks through occasionally. Out to wash and leather the Jaguar for the first time in some weeks, caring also to vacuum the interior. I only wished I had time for some polishing, but was called into a pork roast dinner at 1.00pm. We ate off our family china and silver and enjoyed the meal, but I noticed a small crack in one of the cups, which did not please me. Daniel and I washed up and I tended the silver and china whilst Di and Debbie went to the Priory Centre. I joined them when I’d finished, left Daniel babysitting, and watched the ballet show with Debbie (in her tutu) in a late scene of fairies and goblins as a lead fairy and performing her part confidently. Home after the long performance and, with Debbie, we strip varnish from the second steamer chair and will be finished soon. Then to test Daniel on his French and history for his last examination day tomorrow until dark. Then the doves and the ducks, showing the latter to a retired couple who walk the towpath regularly and met my parents when they last stayed here. In then to my journal, the television and then bed. News today of the eventual handover of the US hostages to Syria for onward journey home, after the false starts and delays of yesterday. Also of rising confidence that the IRA bombing campaign has been averted. In the Atlantic, they have a weak fix on the jumbo jet wreckage and black box but, from enquiries so far, they are beginning to doubt the explosives theory as no scorch marks have shown on the wreckage. One man is charged with the Brighton hotel bombing at last. In Dublin, 200 people are injured after a rock concert by the U2 group. In the US, 50 people die from poisoned cheese in an equally bizarre incident. The weathermen forecast fine weather for midweek and we hope they are right.