Walking Sam in waterproofs as the rain fell and managing my gardener Bill to carry working in inclement weather.
Agreeing our plans with the HDC Tree and Landscape Officer, for 50-52 Cambridge Street and accepting an invitation to join Nigel and Lynn Smith at Hail Weston but experiencing the misbehaviour of their children.
News of an appalling coach crash in Kent with the loss of life of many American tourists.
It was a pouring wet day for once but my new Kammo Kodiak coat acquitted itself well and kept me dry when I took Sam for a walk. I caught Bill on my way back and was glad as he was all set to go home in view of the weather until I got him clearing out the sheds and the conservatory. I cannot believe these people who are knocked off course by the weather. He just undertakes day-to-day tasks without planning and, despite me having already identified certain things as wet weather tasks, he conveniently overlooks them!
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Out again in the weather later in the morning when I met the HDC Tree and Landscape Officer, David Evans, on site at 50-52 Cambridge Street and agreed that our car parking would not affect the health of the mature trees at the back of the site. Tried to find Sally at home but just had to leave a copy of the plans for her to see on her return. Also completed a tour of the St Neots shops and offices that I had to visit in my boots and camouflage jacket but it was still raining so that I was hardly out of place. Home for a late lunch and another run for Sam before tea. This evening, we had been invited to dinner by Nigel and Lynn Smith at Hail Weston.
Though planned as a social occasion, I found it quite a trying experience. Their children Ashley and Kate (my Godchildren) also joined us for dinner but they misbehave (particularly when allowed wine) and prattle on so that the conversation became a shouting match with their parents at times. They also are quite rude to the poor cook and housekeeper and have been brought up to treat "the servants" so badly that it was no wonder that the cook/housekeeper had resigned that very morning. In fact, I found her food to be very good and felt that this was the better part of the evening.
Slipped away with Nigel for a couple of games of snooker afterwards and left the children and ladies behind. Home and to bed restless over the matter and unhappy that, despite my having expressed reservations, Nigel has booked us into a mock "paint-ball battle" at Molesworth for Remembrance Sunday as a pre-cursor to getting me involved in another business venture. I feel to play mock war on such a poignant day would show unspeakable insensitivity. I hear also that Nigel thinks I am being pedantic over the Cambridge Street planning application and, of course, I think that he is always wont to proceed in all matters without due planning and attention to detail.
I am sure that Diana is right when she points out to us both that we have no right to get on in any affair together as we are as different as chalk and cheese. My worst fear is that either he will find an early grave from his habits and exertions, or he will fall foul of the law in his court case and that, as his friend and executor, I would have to sort out his affairs in consideration of Lynn and my god-children. News of an appalling coach crash in Kent with the loss of life of many American tourists.