Mike Gatting leading the rebel England cricketers on their South African tour
Mike Gatting leading the rebel England cricketers on their South African tour

A mild today after recent cold weather and chilly breezes which I started early in preparation for my visit to the probate registry in Peterborough before a little shopping in a large DIY superstore before home to the Little Paxton Little Chef. Then on to Harry Kitchener of Bedford where I bought another Diode Splitter and some more terminals for the boat as the new charging system was working well on the boat.

Preparations for my forthcoming visit to Norfolk before attending the parents' evening for Debbie's year to find her doing well. Mike Gatting and the rest of the rebel England cricketers who are starting their South African tour, but have been the subject of upsetting demonstrations.

I was called quite early and that gave me a head start for breakfast. I washed my hair in the shower this morning as I may not get the opportunity for a few days. After breakfast, I went down to "The Lady" and my system had charged the boat's batteries very well. Then it was time to get ready for the journey to Peterborough. Once I was some way up the A1, I remembered that I should have got Diana to sign a form but I managed without it! I had to find the Probate Registry which was very close to the Perkins Engines factory. I was early and had time to buy a coffee from a vending stall before my appointment at 10.30am. After this, I dropped in on a large D.I.Y. Superstore. Peterborough is a depressing place with scant regard to town planning, but it does mean that there are some large stores to visit.

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Bought a few things and then drove home to have lunch at the Little Paxton Little Chef. Then on to Harry Kitchener of Bedford where I bought another Diode Splitter (this one specially for Motorola Alternators) and some more terminals and then home. I received a rather upsetting missive from the District Council today, reporting that the Tories are to introduce even more restrictive Standing Orders and I shall try to fight them for their unfairness. I wasted quite some time phoning all and sundry and trying to get some advice on my rights under Local Government Law. Di had bought me some new trousers and shirts today that was nice. Later, I collected together all of the things that I will need for my trip to Norfolk in the morning, loaded up the car ready for an early start and phoned Jack Edwards to tell him I would be there.

Then off with Diana for our visit to Kimbolton Prep' where we were attending the parents' evening for Debbie's year. A long and wasteful evening where we were kept queuing for ages to see the teachers, but the news was very good as Deborah has been getting on fine and should get safely up to the main school at her forthcoming entrance exams. Stayed late but also saw Mr Petty, Daniel's Maths teacher, who said he had done quite well in his first Mock "A"-level exam. When we got home later the children were still up waiting for the news. I also spoke to Mum about tomorrow's arrangements and then wrote up these last two days' journal.

The news is of more regions experiencing their ambulance drivers being on strike, Manchester being the latest. Judge Pickles, having recently been overruled in the case of jailing a young mother by Lord Chief Justice Lane, hit out today publicly to start a deep legal row. Mike Gatting and the rest of the rebel England cricketers who are starting their South African tour, have been the subject of demonstrations that appear to have upset them. After a recent cold snap and the cold breezes of this morning, today turned milder again which was a relief.