Off to Mundesley for a family seaside holiday via a surprise visit to Nanny and Grandad in the way as a huge car bomb kills and injures scores of people in Beirut, the doomed Japanese 747 had a cracked cabin previously reported and the rail dispute starts to unfold
Up to my morning tea, but no paper today as we were due to leave for Norfolk today. Down for a toast and fruit juice breakfast and then quickly washed and dressed, catching Diana by surprise as she had not finished the packing. A glorious day, still and with warm sunshine, as I went out to feed the birds and take Deborah for a walk round the garden. She played on our new tree swing a while and took an interest in the various shrub types. I left the ducks food tray out for them to eat tonight in our absence and also filled up the doves seed and water dispensers, so as to give them several days supplies to aid the gardeners efforts. Then to finish packing and loading up the car so that we set off by 9.30am. Plenty of traffic on the roads as we headed east along the A45, but no jams. We avoided some of the A11 and went via Stanton, where we surprised Nanny and Grandad by dropping in for a coffee and a chat.
We found them quite well, but Mum is a bit depressed and grumpy lately over her hip. She expects to recover completely and I fear she will not be satisfied. Off again and I listen to the test match on the radio before we arrive at the Continental Hotel, Mundesley, by 1.00pm and take a bar lunch whilst Della sleeps soundly in the car.
Then up to our rooms, which are two doubles interconnected with a bathroom off of them en suite. A good view out over the swimming pool and pitch’n putt to the sea and cliff beyond. I go down to the pool with Dan and Deb as Di looks after Daniella in the nursery. The water is cold and the pool deep and a little the worse for wear, but we enjoy our swim and Deb happily paddles about well out of her depth. Eventually we get rather cold and the children dress and go to the play room and after to high tea as I go for a walk around the village. A small place on the cliffs and I remember it now from our previous holiday here 5 years ago, after our reconciliation that followed the affair. I buy a book of pictures about Mundesley that has only been published today – A Mundesley Album – and also play pitch’n putt with Daniel on a hotel course that is now much overgrown. Then to see the closing overs of the test match on the lounge TV until time for dinner, which we both enjoy. Up after to change for bed and then we watch the TV as the children sleep well. News tonight of another massive car bomb exploding in Beirut killing and injuring scores more people. The Japanese authorities have disclosed that the jumbo’s rear cabin bulkhead has been found with cracks that could have led to it collapsing and destroying the tail fin. More information is being sought. In the railway network, many guards went back today before the national ballot called for next week; but the Welsh guards have stayed out in a surprise decision. The football season started today with no crowd violence and plenty of goals and entertainment. In the test match, the last two Australians were removed without further score and England scored a fast 350 runs whilst only losing Graham Gooch. Robinson and Gower managed an unbeaten 300 partnership with Gower breaking an unbeaten 150. The weather held up well today with London getting its first day without rain for 25 days. But it will start cloudy tomorrow, but getting brighter and a lot warmer than of late.