Nelson Mandela still in South African Jail as demonstrations ensue in London and Pretoria
Nelson Mandela still in South African Jail as demonstrations ensue in London and Pretoria

- My Father’s Birthday - Nervous night anticipating the building work complications before visit to Peacocks in Bedford to view the auction and  then back to video the building work and phone my Dad on his birthday and to drop in on Eddie and Stella’s bonfire party on a cold and frosty night. Further news of South African curbs on press freedom with marches to Trafalgar Square in London and others in Pretoria in protest with ANC President Oliver Tambo the principal speaker

A little difficulty in getting off to sleep, thinking of the arrangements for the house and building work and then Diana had the same problem, waking up early and coming down on her own for coffee. All of us down presently and soon to all have breakfast. I retired again to my room after and read the Financial Times and then today’s mail. No plans from Smallbone yet, more BMMG papers, and computer journals to read. Abbey National are changing the terms of their Cheque-Save so that cheques paid in only earn interest when they clear, which is a pity as it was a strong advantage of the scheme. Dressed, washed and then out with the girls to St Neots (to collect my bank statement) and then on to Bedford for the rest of the morning. We started at Peacocks auction rooms, where we had a drink in the café before the others left and I had a look around.

Not much of interest, although many bodies were blocking the view. By the time we arrived the auction rooms were full of people – many more than normal – which might be because it is the end of the month. On after to a bookshop to have a look round but, having no money, I walked back to the car to wait for the others. Home to St Neots and waited ages for Daniel to arrive at our normal rendezvous, but he eventually made it at 1.00pm, half an hour late. It seems that the school bus left without Daniel and 25 other St Neots Juniors and the school had to use the two minibuses to get them home. The Little Chef for lunch in view of the time. Della was asleep by now and that meant we could have a nice lunch in peace. A slimming meal of prawns and buttered bread, which was fine. Out to put away the doves and ducks. We had got one duck egg this morning, which was an improvement. Tonight being the Saturday closest to bonfire night meant that I had to take particular care to put the animals away, as the fireworks could frighten them. I pushed the new doves into the pigeon holes again, as it is also going to be a very cold night tonight, though the unattached hen has already got the message and went back in by herself. Once I had pushed the grizzle hen into another, the cock was quite easy to get to follow it. This afternoon I also took a video of the state of the building work.

The builders cleared up the house next door this morning, emptying the sitting room into the garage for the painting and carpeting scheduled for next week. The carpenter was also in this morning to fit the guest room balcony doors and the skirting boards in the same room and sitting room. The weather was colder today, but still sunny and bright. I phoned my Dad after tea, wished him happy birthday, and told him about the doves progress. He had bought me the three new birds as a birthday present. Because the evening was cold, I brought a basket full of logs in tonight and light the fire. We then spent the evening between preparing for our house evacuation and popping out to Eddy and Stella’s bonfire party. We were a bit reluctant to go to the latter, but they have one every year. We have planned a bigger fire and more fireworks for Nov 5th itself. News today is of the South African curbs on press and TV freedom and of the widespread world condemnation of their actions in doing so. In London and Pretoria there are British diplomatic protests, but no word from ministers. Marches took place from 5 locations in London and converged on Trafalgar Square in combined protest over South African apartheid. Police guarding the SA Embassy were pelted with sticks, paint, bottles and fireworks and ANC President, Oliver Tambo, was the principal speaker. Comedian Phil Silvers, Sergeant Bilko of TV and films, died today aged 73.