After a visit to Tempsford for an antiques/car boot sale, a long and depressing journey to Orpington in Kent to suffer a Greek Christening before thankfully home to our Riverside idyll
Awake on another fine morning with the barometer having risen to a near 1030mb. Down to a nice fried breakfast in good humour with the family. Daniel is beginning to mimic my wit with a few jokes of his own. Upstairs and to finish yesterday’s journal before reading today’s Sunday Times. It seems to indicate by implication that Chancellor Lawson is hinting at a change of government direction after the Brecon by-election defeat, but he denies this on the radio later today. Up, washed, showered and dressed and out to the birds. The doves seem very hungry, but the ducks only lay 5 eggs and I think that they badly need new straw. We take morning coffee and I study the maps for our journey to Orpington, Kent, today and that of tomorrow to Castle Donington. Off by car, but firstly to Tempsford and The Anchor for an antiques/car boot sale. Bright, sunny weather and I was grateful for my new straw had, which kept the harmful effects of the sun at bay. A good look round, but poor Daniel was upset and disappointed that I would not buy him a radio/cassette player for £10. Then Diana senses that Daniella is poorly and we decide, because of the long queues at The Anchor bars, to have lunch at the Happy Eater at Sandy. A good meal, the room warm, but we manage to keep Della awake to sleep in the car afterwards. Then a long drive down the A1, through the West End, and along the A2 & A20 to Kent. We arrive at the house, but all of the guests are still at the church for Chris and Chas’s baby’s christening. Eventually they all arrive and we suffer a Greek reception party, full of loud Greek music and food. Few present speak English and Diana’s close relatives huddle together and try to enjoy it. A nice garden, but oddly shaped and situated away from the house. Finally away and the drive home without stopping. A whole day of fine working weather lost to a poor show, but at least we supported it (this time!) A depressing drive through populated town and scant country and then the appalling Dartford skyline of cement factories, oil terminals and power stations. Glad to see the Essex countryside at last, but once home we drank two mugs of tea each on our steamer chairs, relieved at the riverside tranquillity of our Little Paxton home. I take my time putting away the doves and ducks and unwind on the balcony writing my journal.