Receiving the Austin 7 manual for the Reliant on a more bright and settled day, searching for suitable ‘cherished numbers’ for the Rolls Royce and then making arrangements for a planning office to visit concerning my conservatory. Taking Debbie riding who does well on Flint and then to my journal and history project. Thatcher again isolated at a European Summit over the agricultural budget, a delayed meeting with Ireland’s Haughy and the government will widely not prosecute Stalker over revealing his findings. The TGWU funds the UK Ford Strike which has already spread to Belgium and the NUS is fined over the Seaman’s strike
Slept well enough and awoke just as Di was bringing in my drink. No Della bouncing on me first thing, which was a help. Was ready in time for boiled duck egg and toast ‘fingers’ with the children, which we all enjoyed. Quickly read the paper and then the post. At last my old book on the Austin 7 engine arrived and I read it through. I think I can see how to tighten down the crankcase, but this lack of battery charging is a bit more difficult. Then the Exchange and Mart and the latest issue of ‘Classic Cars’. There were no more Corniche convertibles up for sale, which was a relief, as the Chelsea Workshop confirmed receipt of my cheque this morning. The ‘Cherished Numbers’ section gave me the biggest headache, as I had great trouble finding a suitable registration number for the new Rolls for a reasonable price.
3RR was £14000, CO1 £17000, R16 £8000 and no sign of any DBs or DABs, which is a trial. I spent too much time before lunch and most of this afternoon scanning the numbers and making calls, without much joy. An early tea, attended to the doves and ducks and also phoned the planning officer to arrange a meeting here on Monday to discuss my conservatory, which he thinks is too big. Then I took Debbie off to horse riding. She had Flint and rode him quite well, being much more confident. Home and the evening working on my history. I managed to do most of the School Cottages, but progress is slow indeed. Later, I sent Daniel off to bed at 10pm, watched the TV news and wrote up my journal. Then my drink and retired a little late to bed. The news tonight is of a European Summit row, with Thatcher again isolated against France and Germany over the agricultural budget and reverting to her hectoring of their position. The meeting between Thatcher and Ireland’s Haughey has had to be put off until 8.00am tomorrow and she can expect another row then. The government Law Officer has decided against prosecuting Stalker for his revelations over his enquiry, as the alternative would have been a political bombshell. The TGWU has set aside £6M for the furtherance of the Ford strike. More than 7,000 Belgian workers are being laid off and other European factories are affected. The National Union of Seamen has been fined for not immediately calling off their strike, but their union funds will not be sequestrated. A former President Reagan top aide until 1982, Mr Lyn Nofziger, has been found guilty of illegal lobbying under post-Watergate legislation. The weather was quite bright and settled today, but rain and blustery winds are forecast for the weekend.