A better day with Diana, taking her and the family in the Jaguar to Bedford after some fun in bed and before shopping for rose bushes, fishing tackle and taking in Daniel’s BBC micro for repair until another argument ensued about carpets for the playroom; when we had just fitted vinyl! More work in the garden on a chilly but dry day once back, unfortunately forgetting to take Debbie for her riding lesson and then watching more British success in the European Games and hearing of news that South Africa’s Helen Suzman wants an inquiry into atrocities as two families escape from East to West Germany, two twin ladies celebrate their 100th birthday together and Norfolk’s Lotus car manufacturer threaten to move to Holland due to better grants for manufacturing
A good night’s sleep and pleasant awakening as I caught Di in bed before she got up to make the drinks. Showered and shaved before breakfast of wheat flakes and then a quick foray to feed the ducks and doves, before loading the family into the Jaguar for a trip to Bedford. Stopped at Willington on the way for some more Murphy’s Mole Smokes, Pathclear weed killer and was also tempted into buying three miniature standard roses, which will look fine in our back garden beds. On towards Bedford and then stopped at Marshalls garage in the Goldington Road to look at a new Range Rover, which we have considered buying lately. A large vehicle, which is perhaps too big for us, particularly as Di will be using it mostly. On into town and Di dropped me and Daniel off to take his Beeb back to the computer shop for repair, whilst she parked the car. We met up in the café for our morning coffee break and then we all went our separate ways until lunch.
I looked round the auction, but nothing much of interest and then went to Gibbs and Dandy Gales for some paint and primer for our gates. Lunch at McDonalds, which was a change, and then home via the fishing tackle shop, where I got a landing net handle, some hooks and maggots. Once home, I had some tea, fed the doves, and then Di started an argument about wanting a carpet for the playroom, when we have only just fitted vinyl. Went out to sand off and prime the pool gate and quite forgot to take Debbie for her riding lesson, which was a shame. Watched more European Athletics on TV and saw Fatima Whitbread win the women’s javelin gold, Roger Black the 400 metre gold and saw many other British athletes move forward into the finals. With 5 gold medals so far, we are level 2nd with Russia behind East Germany and look set to have our best ever European Games result. Watched a ‘Dirty Dozen’ TV film, updated my journal and then turned in quite tired. News today of conflicting reports on the effectiveness of the relief in the Cameroons. The gas has now taken a toll of over 1700 men, women and children and hundreds of domestic animals. It seems that goods are being bogged down literally in the rain-soaked country. In Ireland, two babies were accidently given to the wrong parents and a week later, one mother is refusing to give hers back. The High Court has intervened and blood tests should settle the dispute. Pat Phoenix, the actress that played the part of Elsie Tanner in TV series Coronation Street, is in hospital fighting cancer. More pictures and reports of South African atrocities and unprovoked violence and opposition MP, Helen Suzman, calls for an independent judicial enquiry. Two escapes from East to West Germany have taken place, with first a family bursting through Check Point Charlie gates in a gravel-laden lorry, and then by two girls who climbed over border wire. Two twins, Marjorie and May Chavasse, celebrated their hundredth birthday today, which is the first time such sisters have made this landmark. The Lotus sports car company are considering a move from Norfolk to Holland, where the government and grants are much more favourable to manufacturing. It was a chilly, but quite dry day and, after a damp night, it might get temporarily brighter tomorrow afternoon and Sunday.