Despite an unsettled night, Della survived her school test and nerves
Despite an unsettled night, Della survived her school test and nerves

Despite an unsettled night, Della survived her school test and nerves as Di took off to Bedford and I stayed at home just in case. Nigel came over late to see me and forgot the things ge needed signed and Della arrived back with Katie Hitchen having survived her day.

A poor evening with Di, having to walk out of watching the film ‘Reservoir Dogs’ as being too violent. The weather has turned cold again, and the local authority gritting lorries were out in force in the expectation of a severe frost.

I was involved in several things today, but proceedings were dominated by Della's antics over a school exam on the E.E.C. She was even later to bed than usual last night and then hardly slept so that, by this morning, she was all washed up and refusing even to have breakfast. I managed to bring her round, coaxing her to eat and then walking Sam with her and Debbie to the bus stop and feared the worst. Diana was off shopping to Bedford but I stayed in, apart from walking the dog, so as to be available in case we got the dreaded call from the school but she managed.

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I had to make my own lunch and opted for preparing and eating the wood pigeon that I had shot a couple of days ago. The funny thing was that, as I prepared it, I found that it was carrying a pellet that had previously broken its leg and lodged in its body. The leg was mending again and then I realised that this was one of the birds that I had pricked a while ago as I extracted the pellet and saw that it was one of my own! Amazing what powers of survival and recovery birds have, and I was consoled by knowing that I am now a better marksman and air rifle user so as to aim for more vulnerable spots. I was expecting Nigel to come over with his rifle books and a photograph to sign for his firearms certificate application, but he arrived very late and then forgot both! He is working too hard and trying even harder.

I prepared the bedroom and then trimmed and seduced Diana instead earlier this afternoon and then my tea was delayed with Nigel's late arrival. Della had survived her day and then brought Katie Hitchen home for tea and to play. They both behave like maniacs which makes for a very tempestuous relationship. Later, I took Diana out to the cinema for a break, but we were unfortunate to have chanced upon a horribly violent film called "Reservoir Dogs". The film title is a nonsense and the film even worse; being endless violence and dislocated drama and we got up and walked out before the end which is rare for us and shows how bad it was.

Home, to my journal and to my bed after a tiring and stressful day and week. Thank goodness for the weekend. The weather has turned cold again, and the local authority gritting lorries were out in force in the expectation of a severe frost.