Some practical chores and then a host of investment chores completed before Nigel arrived in his red Mk-2 Racing Jaguar and took me for a hair-raising ride in it before I returned to carry on putting up lights on the balconies. Then to visit the PCC Chairman Alf Cousins for more information about St James Church and its lands and to have sherry with his church colleagues. The news today all about the Gorbachev mission as he meets Thatcher at RAF Brize Norton en route to the US and his wife Raisa meets British schoolchildren
A fair night’s sleep, but inexplicably woke up in the early hours before doing off again. My normal struggle to get up this morning, arriving late at the table, then time to read the paper as a gentle start to the day. This morning I tackled a few chores – first off was the key cabinet catch (which I repaired in temporary fashion), then I took the water softener apart again and put in a new set of four ‘O’ ring seals, which had become deformed and leaky. They are a poor design at the best of times and recently claimed the US shuttle as a famous victim. Di had dropped Della off at playschool this morning and, for once, the right mothers had arrived, allowing her to go. She then got a lot more coloured 25watt light bulbs and I put up our rear balcony lights this afternoon. I had been reminded by a neighbour from a bungalow (33 Gordon Road) who had phoned this morning to see if my book was out yet (!), who said she was looking forward to seeing them. This afternoon I worked at my financial affairs, scanning the stock exchange SEAQ data on my Prestel terminal and entering details of my recent transactions on my financial summary sheets. I also dealt with a few items of correspondence that needed doing. Tea and then went up with Daniel to organise his school work and he seemed quite helpful and cooperative for once. Poor Debbie forgot to see her recorder teacher today for her practice and must go and apologise tomorrow. Pity, as she needs tuition on some new notes. Then Nigel arrived with his new ‘racing’ Jaguar. It is a Mk II Jaguar, bright red all over (including bumpers etc) that had been converted as a first racing version. He took me for a (hair raising) ride in it and I worry that he would crash it sometime, if not careful.
He tells me that my Daimler could well have held its purchase price, as new ones command a 10% premium with a waiting time of 9/10 months. I think I should sell it and get an older Rolls Royce or Bentley, as a nice car and collectors item. Then a rush for me to get ready for a meeting with Alf Cousins of 19 St James’s Road, the Chairman of Little Paxton Parish Council and Churchwarden/Treasurer of St James’s Church. He gave me much advice and a few facts on the charity and lands of the church, as well as guiding me on the different aspects and functions of church organisation. Later I had sherry with him and his family and chatted to Mrs Knights and other ladies of the Women’s Institute, who were meeting there this evening. This gives me more contacts for local history research and a better relationship with Parish Council members, who I hope will support my views and candidacy for the District Council candidacy. Home by midnight and a Bournvita to relax me after an exciting evening. News today was all of the Gorbachev mission. He arrived at RAF Brize Norton, listened to his National Anthem and then walked up the huge red carpet to be whisked away in a convoy of Jaguars to the talks with Thatcher in the Officer’s Mess. Thatcher went on about chemical and conventional weapons being important as well and he reassured her, so she could proclaim afterwards that the talks had gone well. The nasty subject of Human Rights, the Gulf and other items were kept at Foreign Minister level in a separate meeting of Sir Geoffrey Howe and Edward Shevardnadze. On by plane to the transatlantic voyage and Reagan at the other end. Whilst talking with Thatcher, his wife, Raisa Gorbachev, had visited a primary school to see how British children were taught and she was a hit with the crowds of children in her walkabout.