Continuing our boating holiday on The Lady in St Ives and then on to Erith and the Twenty Pence inn as baby Daniella’s cold developed, Daniel enjoyed the dinghy and we our evening dinner out as the journalists strike is all set, unrest continues in South Africa and the world commemorates the Hiroshima nuclear devastation
Another unsettled night for Daniella, but not as bad as yesterday. We found out why later today as she developed a head cold and had a runny nose. A cold morning to wake up to and, with the cabin temperature at only 50degF, we had the warm air heating on for the first time this holiday. To warm the heater up, I had to start the engine, which would not have been popular at 6.30am in the morning with the rest of the inhabitants of the Waits Quay! Our routine as normal and then we sent Daniel out with the baby in a pushchair for a walk, whilst we tidied up. I then lowered the dinghy from the davits and motored over to L H Jones Boatyard. I noticed that, although we had been well sheltered in our moorings at the Waits, the main river was quite windswept and cooled by a westerly breeze. I bought a gas refill, a new boat hook and stern flagstaff, and obtained a new core for my ships wheel at last, which they had owed me for some time. I could not find our make of toilet’s repair kit, which was a pity.
Back to The Lady and then off to St Ives antique auction. Many lots, but few of interest as Diana was not keen on the Chippendale chairs and table (which went for £1400 and £1300 respectively) and was positively against the dog cart. I did buy a Victorian mahogany folding carriage table and used it to good effect later in the boat as it is a nice height for an occasional table. Back to The Lady to find Daniel out on the dinghy, but after eating a Chinese take-away lunch and topping up with water using our hose and the Waits Quay tap, we set off and Daniel managed to put the Blue Peter dinghy up on the davits himself. A long and somewhat tedious cruise. The wind blew and it showered (but only occasionally). Three manned locks and £1.50 in tips later, we moored up at the Twenty-Pence Inn and let the children play on the slide and swings. On the way I had seen from the TV that the test match had been drawn with the rain interfering with play to a significant extent. We had charged up the batteries and heated the water on our long cruise and so chose to have a shower each, which was lovely – even Daniel now admits to enjoying it. The kids to bed and then Diana and I to the Inn for a fine dinner; generous in proportion, but rather slow in coming. We talk of trailing The Lady to the Norfolk Broads next year and the Thames the year after. The day has stayed mainly fine, but with the breeze and clouds delivering the odd shower. Back to the boat and the television news. Main story is the results of the BBC governors and managers meeting today. They have decided to meet the Home Secretary tomorrow jointly, but the governors do not seem to have reversed their decision. The three other political parties deplore the governments pressure and the strike will go ahead tomorrow, so that all national TV and radio programme news and current affairs programmes will be lost for the first time since 1932. Neil Kinnock launches the plans for Labour/TUC cooperation for future government, but the Conservatives and SDP accuse Kinnock as being in the union’s pocket. More unrest in South Africa, with a real threat of confrontation over the conduct of funerals, and Bishop Tutu was the peacekeeper that prevented trouble. Violence spread, however, to Durban as protesters demonstrate over the death of a child. Ceremonies around the world commemorated the 40th anniversary of the first use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima, as Japan’s Prime Minister called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and 1000 peace doves were released. The pound sterling fell 2 cents against the dollar today and shares rose in consequence. The Queen Mother took a ride on Concorde today in a specially arranged birthday trip. The weather is forecast dry tonight, with rain tomorrow and brighter weather with showers later on.