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Freezing day of poor shopping with my new doves struggling and chocolates and good news of my mum at Papworth giving good cheer as three are in court charged with murdering the Polish Priest, Popieluszko and the oil price plunges
A fair lay in and the return of the paper delivery. Not much news advance on yesterday. A normal breakfast of toast, honey and juice and after, a hair wash, shave and wash. Out to the birds and both ducks and doves feeding well, though the cock, 4338, is still weaker and being occasionally driven off by the others. Eventually to get changed and, leaving a note for Dad, we set off for Bedford to do our shopping and see the sale bargains. Daniel and I walked to two model shops at opposite ends of the town, but both were closed. An awkward shopping day with many stores open and closed in a confusion of custom. I get some things and an anniversary card for Diana against tomorrow. Then to St Neots, but find the pet shops also closed and so no pigeon grit for the time being. Home to feed and put away the ducks and cast away my things after a last adventure. The pigeons roost restlessly, but 4338 finds its normal roost eventually and all settle to another cold night. In to light the fire and eat a slow tea whilst sitting beside it. Mince pies, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Christmas cake and drinks of tea, brown ale and sherry in time.
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Boxing Day visit to Diana’s parents as this day brings out the hunt saboteurs and also tragedy as four people are killed in house fires and three more in hospital
A lay in this morning with no papers for the second day running. A late, but normal, breakfast of honey, toast and apple juice, then out to the birds. Only five doves in evidence this morning – the sixth, an indigo, will probably return before long. Both ducks and doves feed well and there has been a fair frost this morning. To the office with Daniel and we start to sort out the radio control equipment for the buggy. In the last five years the technology has changed and we need to get smaller servos to fit when the shops open on Thursday. Home, while Daniel plays with his guest, Gary, at computers, I eat nuts and watch my birthday and Christmas films with Grandad, Debbie trying to keep quiet.
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Christmas Day Wonderful family Christmas at Willow Close, Little Paxton with a video memory of our parents, friends and relatives
Awake early and then to find that Daniel had been awake since 5.30am and then after being sent back to bed at 3.30 am! Up with a cup of tea and, all in pyjamas, the presents are opened as I take some video pictures. Grandfather and the baby join in and we get some lovely shots. As the children get tired we break for a fine fried breakfast and then I wrap up and feed the birds. The doves are very hungry after a broad frost, but the ducks are indifferent to food as then run off down to the river. A lazy morning tending the kids as they play with their toys and then a fine and festive Christmas lunch, with Dad joining us for the occasion. Mum phones us just before we start, to tell us that she has enjoyed the mornings celebrations at the hospital and needs a replacement dress for that soaked in champagne. After the washing and tidying up, I put away the ducks (12 out of 13 – the other seems to have teamed up with the Aylesburies) and we set off for the Papworth Cardiac Ward. Mum is happy and well and, with Christmas party hat on, I film proceedings as the children open the rest of their presents in front of her.
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Christmas Eve St Neots market shopping and a Little Chef lunch before off to Papworth with Dad to see mum and to hear of her forthcoming heart operation as news of terrorists and the Indian election murder taints the start to Christmas
A fair lay in and then breakfast as usual. Out to the birds and to find the doves hungry gain as the weather chills and a cool breeze prevails. The ducks have not laid again. Diana had gone to St Neots for a shopping expedition and found the town its most congested ever – the special Christmas Eve market had led to horrendous parking and traffic problems. Daniella had a wakeful time, but I just managed to keep her happy until Diana returned, made the coffee, and let me get off to the office with Daniel. We assemble the rear suspension to the chassis of the Kyoshi Progress with the front suspension and ready the basic model for the first fitting of the radio control servos.