A disjointed but warm day, recovering from late night football TV coverage and unable to continue varnishing The Lady due to the last coat not having dried. Di’s parents visiting and a school parents day for Debbie, who is doing well at her studies and then to the stables where she is steadily gaining confidence. Thatcher beleaguered over resisting South African sanctions and Reagan also for supporting her as the US/USSR arms talks might yet resume and NHS surgeons warn about long waiting times
A groggy start to a poor day. The combination of late night football matches and too much sun put me out for the entire day. Down late and not dressed to breakfast and then a slow shower and shave. I also washed my hair, but it did not revive me. The gas service supervisor arrived early (the one that managed the repair of our boiler) and managed to remove the unused and disputed gas meter without too much damage. The ducks and doves, but then the boat varnish had not completely dried and so I could not continue. Lunch of salad, shared with my mother & father-in-law, who came to visit today, then watched a little cricket with Charles.
Off to St Neots to see the auction viewing, but nothing of interest. The weather was quite warm and dry today and it was unpleasantly warm in town. More TV cricket and Ascot racing and then with Di to see Debbie’s teacher, Mrs McFarlane, at school for a review. She is doing well. Then to take Debbie to her horse riding, where her progress is slow, but sure, then home for tea. I managed a little effort tonight and watered the garden, which was worthwhile, before locking up and setting the alarm system. Main news today is still South Africa and the row in the Commons today between a defiant Thatcher and a critical opposition over the Lady’s reluctance to back calls for sanctions. Reagan rejects the congress vote for sanctions yesterday, even though the vote had been unanimous. Bishop Tutu had appeared on US television, against South African security and censorship laws, to call for support. Another curfew was implemented today in black townships of the Cape. The England vs Argentina World Cup football match is anticipated as a potential flash point, as the countries are technically at war. Reagan has acknowledged the Russian approach for arms control proposals, as a serious effort to cut nuclear weapons and set a more favourable background for the summit meeting next year. NHS surgeons have condemned potentially dangerously long waiting times and their survey puts Brittain bottom of an international table of surgeons per head of population. More fine weather is forecast in East Anglia for a few days and I hope to catch up on today’s disappointing setback to work on The Lady.