Visit by Daniel and I to St Ives for the auction and marina shopping and then back to find building problems as I nurse my injured foot and anticipate my IVP scan. This as demonstrators and arrests grow around the world against the US bombing of Libya and more trouble follows as Ulster Unionists clash with police over the proposed ‘Anglo-Irish’ pact.
A slow start today, chatting with Di in bed for a while and then a scramble to be five minutes late for breakfast at 7.35am. A little time after working on the garage connections for the security alarm, but could not finish it before it was time to leave for St Ives furniture auction. Late again and we missed the first few lots, but I was relieved that the large outboard motor was not for sale. Not much of interest, so I took Daniel for a walk across the bridge to L H Jones Marina. We saw the boats for sale and evaluated each of them and then went inside to look at the chandlery. We bought another kit of eyelets and a dozen securing rubbers so that Daniel can secure his new cover down, when we get the time. Back just in time to meet the girls in the market car park and then the drive through Huntingdon and Buckden to end up at the Little Chef at Southoe.
A surprising amount of traffic in St Ives and Huntingdon today and the Little Chefs were also crowded, with the service slow. Perhaps this brighter day has brought more people out. Once home, afternoon tea, and out to complete my garage alarm connection. I did it in the end, but only after a few false attempts, as the circuit was completed for two garages, four doors and two pass switches. Tea of kippers and then out again, this time to repair the side door catch. Whilst I did this, I was disappointed to find that the side wall had been damaged in the recent gales and was in danger of falling over – it rocked as you pushed it. I had to spend a while shoring it up with a half dozen timbers and writing a sign to warn the unwary. After a fine and warmer day, the rain began to fall again as darkness fell. 10 eggs from the ducks today and the two pole-cote doves are still incubating, though I doubt the egg will hatch now. This evening I put up a curtain for Di and then rested after a hard day on the legs. I am still suffering from a problem with my left foot that I have had for some time, but I will get my waterworks sorted out first. I heard today of my IVP x-ray appointment soon. News today of many anti-American protests and 61 people were arrested outside the London US Embassy, after 6000 had protested. Also arrested in Britain were 26 outside BNF depot at Capenhurst, 4 at Fylingdales early warning station, 11 at Faslane nuclear submarine base and 2 in Upper Hayford, Oxfordshire. Elsewhere in Europe, 20,000 protested in West Germany in West Berlin, Bonn, Bresser, Kiel and Heidelberg. Thousands in Italy in Rome, amongst other cities. More trouble in Northern Ireland as police are injured in clashes with ‘Loyalists’, as protest against the Anglo/Irish accord are stepped up. It is almost as if the Irish are competing for the news lead. Another Irishman loses out today, the former world champion for last year, Dennis Taylor, loses his first round match in the Embassy World Snooker Championship.