Continuing battle with non-attending builders and messy swimming pool excavators whilst I reassure the council and look after my children as Thatcher’s supporters dwindle, the actor in Ronald Reagan excels in the US memorial service to the lost astronauts, Botha announces some apartheid reforms in South Africa and Haiti struggles in a leadership crisis
Awake, but less rested than yesterday, as the second late night in a row caught up with me. The paper was late (and eventually arrived with the Express again) and so listened to the radio before and after breakfast. Dressed and ready for the builders to start, as we cleared the surfaces of the kitchen and prepared for a mess. Unhappily, the builders did not come today and I had to try chasing both them and the architect. The telephone engineer was here rather late, after I had checked with his supervisor, and the swimming pool contractors were here as usual churning around and digging. Phone calls also to Tann Security, who should deliver the security safes next Thursday and a few others.
The contract notes arrived from de Zoete, but only those in my name. Diana’s must have been posted separately. The diggers were struggling with the power cable to the garage and so I altered it myself, rewiring the terminations to give enough slack to start the pool. Also reviewed progress with Pete and agreed the latest soil dumping position – quite a large heap is developing on our riverside land. I made myself a lunch of tea, sandwiches and pie/cream to follow. This afternoon the council maintenance man dropped in following complaints on our damage to the grass verge. After I spoke to him he was less hostile and I think we can complete our work and restore the verge if we move quickly. The normal routine with Daniel and Debbie this evening until quite late. News tonight of the US memorial service with President Reagan praising the ‘seven star voyagers’ who tried to fulfil a dream. The actor comes into his own on these occasions and not a dry eye in the house. More wreckage from the space shuttle itself and they may have found the cabin on the sea bed as well. The latest theory is the possible failure of a seam in one of the booster rockets. Back at the East Midlands Airport a Short Air Lingus aeroplane crashed, but all its occupants survived – this is the same type of plane that Daniel & I need for our trip to Thormaid. South Africa’s President Botha announced a number of reforms on apartheid during the state opening of parliament. These came nowhere near the black’s aspirations, but I do perceive a change of tone, which I hope will be carried through. ‘Baby-Doc’ is hanging on as ruler of Haiti, but his corrupt regime is being threatened with insurrection on all sides. Jean-Claude Duvalier (his real name) is being opposed by the church. Sir Keith Joseph is standing down from his constituency at the next election and thus Thatcher’s long-term supporters are dwindling.