Debbie still on school holiday for our family trip to Cambridge today and we met up with Di’s parents for coffee, went shopping and then had lunch at The Little Chef before I helped both Debbie and Daniel make good progress on their homework. The Law Lords rejected the father’s bid to save his unborn child from abortion, a Navy helicopter crashes off of Cornwall and Lord Young announces Thatcher’s latest legal sanctions against union and talks of ending the NCB monopoly as Simon Wiesenthal finds ex-Nazis in England
Slept well after another latish night and then knew nothing until morning. Morning tea and layed down after, in a doze, until Di came to make the bed and turfed me out. A little late through the shower and down to breakfast after the children had nearly finished. Daniel was back to school today, but Debbie was still at home and so we could all leave early for our trip to Cambridge today. Opted for the ‘scenic’ route, via Abbotsley and the Gransdens, as we were early, but we soon became late as we encountered heavy traffic in the south/east side of Cambridge. After queuing for ages, we had to circle the town and enter from our normal direction, when we parked easily at the Round Church car park. A little late in the end to Eaden Lilleys, but Di’s Mum and Dad had waited and we chatted a while.
Went our separate ways shopping – I got another ribbon and ordered a spare daisy wheel for my Brother printer and then went on to get some stationery at W H Smith. Met back at the car park and stopped off at the Little Chef on the way home. Back to my office this afternoon, lit a fire, and then sorted out the papers on my desk. Made appointments by phone with Mr Davis and also the Paxton Park former Matron, but could get no reply from Jack Ramply. Fed the ducks and doves this afternoon and found that the two smaller chicks had died and been turfed out of the nest. The weather has been so cold, that they may have suffered that way, or it may have been starlings etc. I spent a while with Debbie tonight on her sums and also with Daniel on his English and mathematics. Nigel Smith dropped round after tea and we had a chat for an hour, in front of the fire, about what we had both been doing lately. Not able to make much progress this evening, as I was too tired. News today is of the result in the abortion rights case. Three law lords rejected the man’s final bid to halt the termination of his child’s life by abortion and refused further appeal to the House of Lords. A Royal Navy helicopter crashes into the sea off Cornwall, with three crew on board and rescue services are still searching for them. The Tamils, who have been trying to avoid returning to their country, claiming political persecution, have won a delay due to procedural points in their case being reviewed by the High Court. In the trial of black youths for the murder of PC Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots, two boys (then aged 13) have been dropped, but the trial of a further 4 continues. Lord Young, on behalf of the government, has announced plans for further laws to control the trade unions, including the ending of legal immunity for ‘closed-shop’ actions. Labour were angered by the moves. There is also talk of ending the NCB monopoly on behalf of the State in respect of ownership and operation of coal resources. There is also news about a number of German ex-Nazis being traced to Britain, after investigations by Simon Wiesenthal.