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Very busy and productive day for me and the builders as lots of big news stories vie for priority but the loss of the Gartcosh steel processing mill and Heseltine losing the European Westland rescue deal in Thatcher’s cabinet is a significant nail in coffin of his career and in that of the UK industry’s capability
A better night – earlier to bed and then another half hour lay in – to awake to a bright and dry day. Down to breakfast of toast, marmalade and fruit juice as usual and then to the shower, where I also washed my hair. My recent haircut has made all the difference. Then to shave and dress quickly as the plumber was already knocking at the door. He had to drain the new house heating system to repair a faulty weld leak. I followed him around the house to help bleed the radiators and then the decorators arrived and I completed my unlocking routine. Today they finished the papering of the new nursery; gloss painted both bathrooms, the stairs and some kitchen windows and painted the outside doors and woodwork. The carpenter was also here and put on the last two doors in the hall/utility area, which really toned down the noise of our washing machine & tumble drier.
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Rather hectic progress for the builders as the heavy rain falls and Diana and I shopping for Christmas and house things in equal measure with a new electric drill for me as Kenneth Baker does the equitable thing over urban grants and Heseltine gets parliamentary support for a European helicopter industry against Thatcher’s will and South African police pursue journalists to the extreme
Up to find the rain pouring down. The seepages that get through the balcony cover last night had stained certain of the undercoating in the utility area. Tired after the late nights and physical exhaustion of recent days and could hardly wake up. I pledged myself an early night. Had a go at the painters when they arrived about missing the chance to do outside and also about not doing the stairs after I had cleared them. Then out to the doves and to prepare the rest of the house with coverings and carpets for their muddy boots. Cheeseborough did some more tiling in the bathroom, and the lads cemented the post foundation for the balcony. John sorted out the down-pipes and a pair of handles for the balcony doors and then the plumber sorted out John as he had not done the former properly! The plumbing is now finished, apart from having to drain the system tomorrow to cure a leak in a solder weld. Diana and I off today to do some more shopping in St Neots. We collected some more Lambeth ware from Fine Things, a buzzer from Claytons, and then I went off to buy a variety in equal measure of Christmas cards for the family and door stops for the house. We then stopped at the Eaton Socon pub, the ‘Stephenson’s Rocket’, for lunch of turkey in the restaurant as Della slept in the car – one of the few chances we have had.
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Very busy and productive day for all of my building trades and me before Daniel and I bring in and fit the utility room white goods and breakfast room table and chairs and the vinyl is fitted such that we resume normality
Awake to find the weather bright, but getting cooler. Tired from the late nights, I just about got through my routine breakfast and ablutions and was ready for the builders and tradesmen. A good active day for them today, but they were everywhere as a result. Di went to Huntingdon to get Daniel’s computer fixed and to escape the builders and do some shopping. She achieved the first two aims, but depressed herself further by leaving her shopping at the supermarket! Back at the house, I installed our bell at the new front door, just about succeeding to both fix it and drive the builders mad at the same time. Also to work on some more light fittings and, after lunch and in the evening, I fitted the central bell that is to be our main warning for domestic and trade callers. Worked very late again. Today I also chased Smallbone about the hood and agreed an eventual interchange of the food trolley with Debenhams. The plumber installed just about all of the new bathroom furniture today and Cheeseborough did a large proportion of the tiling. The carpenter finished off the cladding for the balconies and we are desperately waiting for the asphalters to come and fit the balcony surfaces.
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Full day of shopping for The Hayling View, carpets, furnishings, fittings and new King Sized bed before lunch with the girls and then back to conciliate between conflicting tradesmen priorities as Thatcher’s government progresses more measures that discriminate against the poor and ignore the needs for industry support and policy which will be her eventual downfall
Another sound night, but fairly short. We are enjoying the comfort of a fully fitted bedroom after a long period without. Down to breakfast with the others and then the walk across the house for my shower and shave. Dressed next and in good time for the builders – the painter was not working today. The carpenter was the first to arrive and, after I let him in, started by putting up the skirting board in the future baby’s room and then working on the roof space. As I went out to feed the doves, the decorator resumed his papering, the builder connected up the waste to the drain and Mr Cheeseborough carried on tiling. The electrician also got here to resume work on the lights and boiler controls. Diana and I soon left to take Della for a few hours in town to do some shopping and avoid the disruption. A coffee at the Copper Kettle and then back and fro between the lighting shop in the Cross Keys yard and that in the market square. We bought a host of light fittings and lamp shades; three blue fringed ones for the guest room; two blue flowered glass and a fabric one for the lounge; some fawn lampshades for the hall & landing, including a wall fitting; and a rather splendid wood/glass light for the dining room. I then met up with Diana again at Claytons, where I bought three door bells, transformers, wire and push buttons.