Debbie in 1988
Debbie in 1988

Bank Holiday – Off to St Ives after some early-morning work to enjoy the St Ivo Centre and (Daniel and I) the chandlers before an open-air snack at The Town Quay and then off to see Kimbolton castle to show Debbie and to see some medieval instruments played. Back home to mow the lawns, Pete being away, and then some evening FOCUS editing and hearing of the devastating car bomb explosion in Beirut, killing 15 people and injuring many more as an RAF pilot was killed at an air display near Coventry when his Gloster Meteor, the last remaining RAF version of this vintage plane, crashed into a field

To bed quite early last night and then awake at 6.30 this morning. As I drank my morning tea, I got Diana to sit beside my bed and we discussed the day’s activities, so as to fit in Daniel’s revision with a trip out. In the end, we resolved to leave at 10.30 and return at 3.30pm and so we organised an early breakfast and then I managed a couple of hours work in my office. I typed up a number more sections of my Focus newsletter content, then we locked the house up, fed the ducks and doves, and set off for St Ives. We had an interesting time there. The girls looked round the market, whilst Daniel and I went to L H Jones chandlers, then I walked up to the St Ivo centre to look round the antique fair. Because the restaurants were busy on a Bank Holiday, we opted for takeaway burgers and kebabs and sat by the Town Quay eating them and drinking cans of drink. The weather was still alternate sun and showers. Then off to Kimbolton School to see the castle, driving the back way via Gravely, Offord etc. It was a craft fair today and also a chance for Debbie to see the castle, which is only accessible for main school children.

We watched some medieval instruments being played and I bought a tape cassette, as I have always had an interest in this era of music making. Then home and I decided to rest from the exertion and watch the end of the PGA golf championship. Phil Woosnam won for Wales in the wind and showers. After tea, I realised that I had to mow the lawns, Pete being away for the week and this took me most of the evening. I got Daniel to unclog the pool filters, as there was so much May blossom in them, the pump pressure had halved. Chatted to Mike Pope by phone then, to arrange some time to complete our FOCUS editing and I intended to get the next one circulated in the third week of June. Of course the news reports tonight were concentrating on the Reagan/Gorbachev summit, which was into its second day. No news, of course, but because the world’s journalists were there, they had to file their reports! The real story was of a devastating car bomb explosion in Beirut, killing 15 people, devastating the area and injuring many more, who are unlikely to survive their injuries. An RAF pilot was killed at an air display near Coventry when his Gloster Meteor, the last remaining RAF version of this vintage plane, crashed into a field.