Struggling to make progress on my work today after a sound night’s sleep but I did work my way through a backlog of messages and calls and acted accordingly. Also, some time on my financial affairs before spending the evening at a Priory Doom meeting. The Tories now want to split up the DHSS, runs into controversy for replacing the EU Commissioners, wants to privatise the Remand Centres and have cancelled the HOTEL space research programme.
I slept very well and very soundly, but Diana said the bedroom was too cold and kept her awake. I am afraid that we can never get it just right to suit us both and, whilst I am glad to be back in my bed, she was more comfortable in the boat! A rather slow start to the day, but we then had the first of our duck eggs boiled for breakfast. A struggle to get ready for the meal and then a chore to get going on my office work. No paper this morning and so I first finished writing yesterday’s journal, before using the telephone to progress several arrangements. I managed to get the insurance company to agree to finance repairs on my Rolls Royce, and the garage to progress the repairs accordingly. Returned many more of the ‘holiday’ telephone messages and called Mike Pope to compare notes and progress. Beyond this, I answered and attended to several letters and bills, before lunch called.
This afternoon, I did little, but opted instead to watch the England vs W. Indies Test Match. After England seemed to be batting their way to make a match of it, the middle order collapsed, and England left the West Indies only 60-odd to knock up in their last innings. This evening, I did manage an hour or two’s work, before leaving to attend a Priory Doom meeting this evening in Rowley Road. Other than attending the ducks and doves, I could only get some of my financial affairs up to date. The news tonight is of a government plan to split up the DHSS into separate welfare and health ministries, which is the latest nonsense. The government comes under renewed political pressure in the Commons today over the summary replacement of the two European Commissioners with new appointees. The other ‘wheeze’ is for the plan unveiled for ‘privatising’ remand centres, as the government says that only the private sector can respond to the accommodation and building needs. Also the government are to cease funding of the ‘HOTOL’, Horizontal Take-Off and Landing, space vehicle research, which is the latest means of reducing expenditure. Ceasefire talks in the Gulf War are scheduled for Wednesday, but talks will take place between the UN and each side separately.