Family trip to the new Jordon’s Mill Shop after chasing a dog-walker off of my garden and managing some financial transactions as The Miner’s High Court Appeal fails and two of them are charged with taxi-driver David Wilkie’s murder
An early start to the day and Diana up on the alarm as usual. First to read much of Pepys; downstairs for my breakfast and up again for the most part of The Financial Times. Then disturbed in bed with tales of the pigeons roosting on the roof and, whilst dressing to investigate, I see a dog owner following his black/white spaniel into our riverside land. I shout, remonstrate and, eventually, go down to challenge him as he walks away about not keeping his dog on a lead. Poor fellow, upset by this behaviour, skulks off and perhaps I was a bit harsh on him. Out with fishing rod; after much effort I get the doves to settle down on the dovecote again and feed them plenty of seed. Also to let the ducks out (still no eggs) and to clear out the duck house, leaving the doors open for it to dry out. Off then by car to St Neots whilst Diana gets the baby ready. We received our Kode share dividends this morning (£4200 each, £8400 in all) and I pay it into The Abbey National building society – The Gateway interest rates have now gone down. Back to collect Diana and Daniella (Debbie has gone with Emma to the ballet this morning). We drive to Biggleswade and go first to Holme Mill, buy a sack of layers pellets for the ducks, and pay our first visit to their mill shop. A good display of gifts and health food, but we limit our purchases to four quality Christmas crackers to enjoy with the lunch itself.
Then to the town centre. What a lovely place Biggleswade is. No trouble in parking the car, a good Saturday market and fine vegetables and bakers shops. I buy some prawns and winkles off the market and a melon and Diana gets some odds and ends in the supermarket. A fine sunny day with less wind than of late and quite mild temperatures. Off to St Neots after to collect Daniel from Readwells and Debbie from her ballet, then to our Happy Eater lunch. Poor Daniel has a tummy upset and doesn’t quite make the toilet in time and so we drop him off at home to rest and play with Paul whilst the rest of us drive to Huntingdon to do some more Christmas shopping. I buy some light bulbs for the Christmas tree and a pound of pigeon mix, Diana enjoys herself in Mothercare. Home before dark and able to feed the ducks and pigeons before a fine sea food tea with stilton cheese to follow. An evening reading, writing and watching television. News of the failure of an NUM appeal to The High Court following yesterday’s order removing the NUM’s Offices as Trustees of union funds. Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of the Welsh taxi driver, David Wilkie. Australia’s Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, is heading to reselection after a reduced majority in the general election there, but points to the large number of spoiled votes.