The day in Bedford researching the history of the castle before a salad lunch and more work on The Lady as Di hosts more friends and their children in the pool after which I allow Daniel periods of Chemistry revision and swimming in equal measure. A poor British-led fudge ends EEC talks on South Africa, Ireland vote against divorce, The Hague finds against the US-supported Contra’s intervention in Nicaragua and the tragic carnage of The Battle of The Somme is commemorated 70 years on
A very warm and humid night and we had the windows and curtains wide open, so that Di felt a bit chilly this morning (though the temperature had not fallen below 68degF). Then I showered, shaved and shampooed my hair, before a breakfast of Jordan’s wheat flakes. Then to chase up Daniel on his preparations for today’s exams, before I dressed in light sports clothes for the trip to Bedford with Di. We had coffee together and then I went to Peacocks auction viewing in the rising temperature. A short look round and little of interest there, but I left the auction hall after an hour and walked to Bedford Castle Mound as the temperatures were in the 80sF. A magnificent site, but the slopes are too overgrown by trees, so that its lines are lost.
After waiting for the museum to open at 11.00am, I went in and found it a poor place. Well spaced and housed exhibits of country life and rock formations and fossils, but little on the particular history of Bedford. Still, I did learn that the Castle was dismantled in the 13th century after a siege and that the mound was only the Keep, with much of the surrounding area in the castle as well. Then to Debenhams, in the heat, for a salad lunch, before home by car to swim in the pool with Di and Della. To The Lady and managed a coat of varnish, as Di’s friends and children came round to swim. Then I swam with Daniel, when he came home, and tested him on his chemistry studies for revision all evening. A second coat of varnish for The Lady, the ducks & doves and then I watered the garden. News today is of a poor conclusion to the EEC talks, as a three-month postponement of sanctions will await still more diplomatic initiative and visit by Sir Geoffrey Howe. This fudge is harshly criticised by the UK politicians and African leaders, inside and outside South Africa. The Branson attempt on the Atlantic crossing is faltering, with fuel tank problems leading to a long delay, with both air and water taken in. Ireland has voted against divorce by an estimated 60-40% margin and this is seen as a vote also against Premier Garret FitzGerald and his Anglo-Irish Pact, although I feel that it is just the Irish at their reactionary worst. Wimbledon again enjoys the summer sun, but, apart from the odd women player, British hopes are out and overwhelmed. The International Court of Justice in The Hague has denounced US support for the Contras in Nicaragua and also accused them of violating the UN Charter, by attempting to overthrow a government. All this, but the US do not recognise the Court or the decision. The anniversary of the Somme battle in 1916, which wiped out 60,000 in a 24hour period and 400,000 altogether of Britain’s Kitchener’s army. A very sad memory, which is commemorated by a series of TV reports and commentaries.