Staring a much milder day by reading Pepys and then the papers before taking the family to lunch after which Daniel helps me collect The Lady and bring it home in the rain before I play with Debbie and Daniella as there are more South African killings in the Eastern Cape, Thatcher’s government is losing the support of the British public and little Ben Harwick dies after his failed liver transplant
Awake to morning tea on a much milder morning and then to read a little of 1666 Samuel Pepys for the first time in a while. Down to a breakfast of boiled duck egg and then a couple of hours in bed reading the FT, the Investors Chronicle and The Economist, which meant that I didn’t shower, wash, shave and dress until after 10.30am. Out to feed the doves, who were not too hungry this morning now that they are getting larger seeds and that the temperature is milder. On to the ducks and a full dozen eggs this morning. To the office to check the mail. Nothing in Datalink, but a few letters, including one from Parry Mitchell of the SDP. All to the car after a coffee and into town to do some shopping and collect Daniel from his school bus. I bought a St Neots town trail and local history guide, and some prawns and cockles for tea. After we met Daniel, all off to the Happy Eater and a nice lunch. Daniella is sitting in high chairs these days and tasting anything going, but poor Diana has painful breasts from attempts to wean her onto bottled milk and other foods although I do not see why she cannot carry on feeding her the old fashioned way. Home to change and then to Buckden Marina. Daniel and I collect The Lady and the girls drive off to the last day of a fair on St Neots common. We start up the heating and the engine and go astern from the moorings, turning to cruise out of Buckden Marina as the rain starts to fall. We see a heron flap from the Ouse bank and we cruise to Offord Lock, which is set in our direction. Gingerly through, because of our new varnish, as the rain falls heavier, and then the steady cruise back. Daniel takes the helm as I wash down the decks and check out all of the systems and we moor safely after an hour or so.
The heating is working well, but it seems quite fumy and I notice that the air inlet is in the engine compartment, which is not recommended. I shut up the boat and return home to find Tricia talking to Diana about the latest house sale problems. Ekins have another purchaser for the Kimber target house; one that is willing to take out bridging loans to secure it. They are under pressure to sign contracts early and are worried over it. I read some books and then go out to feed the ducks, who seem very hungry. In to my seafood tea and then to play with, first Debbie for a while, and then Daniella. A quiet evening writing and readying, trying not to be concerned over the house problems, which could lead to the Kimbers not moving after all. News today of more killings in the Eastern Cape area of South Africa as mob protests in anger rampage against authority. In England, Mrs Thatcher visits Newcastle to defend economic policy and condemn the society elements that condone law-breaking and violence. But in a MORI opinion poll, Labour are 2% ahead of Conservatives and 80% of those interviewed do not believe the budget will help unemployment. Ben Hardwick, Britain’s youngest ever liver transplant, died today amongst great sorrow at Addenbrookes.