The morning at the dentist and afternoon with the Smallbone kitchen installation manager whilst more building demolition takes place and as The USSR and USA argue over missile deployments, a mass lobby of parliament protests at Thatchers overseas aid reductions and ambulance drivers are to be upgraded to para-medic status
A good night in spite of my advancing cold and then breakfast, the paper and to get showered, shaved and hair washed. Out to see the builders first thing. I had received a letter from the architect this morning querying the compromise on corridor size and fearing that it might appear claustrophobic. I measured it, discussed the issue with Mr Cheesborough and, although it is rather narrow at 830mm, I decided to keep it that size to enlarge the two adjacent rooms. It will not be a major thoroughfare and should be well lit from the rooms at both ends. Then some coffee, before off to town for an appointment at the dentists. I had arranged to see the hygienist, who removes plaque and deposits from client’s teeth and, after a fair wait, she ‘did’ me. Not a very pleasant experience, with the drills and abrasive pads grinding away. Whilst there I noted the layout of what is a fine old Georgian building and the first in line next to the Meeting Rooms, which were between it and the old bridge prior to their demolition. She obviously noted that I had a cold, because she wore a face mask for the entire operation, which is unusual.
Home after, but a little wait for Diana and lunch. Then an afternoon disturbed by a visit from the Smallbone installation manager that extended from 2.00pm to nearly 4.00pm in the end. All agreed, we then split up and I just managed to start my investment summary typing before tea. A meal of pork chops etc and then out to the ducks before settling down for a couple of hours in my office to finish typing in and printing out the investment summary. The builders completed the top layer of plastering today in the lounge and dining room. The carpenter prefabricated the new balcony and should have it up tomorrow, whilst the young builder chipped away again at the cut bricks to line the playroom opening French windows. The boss is ill with flu and it is all touch and go for next week’s carpet installations. We shall be glad when this phase of the operations is over. News tonight of further comment on yesterday’s worst ever motorway crash and that the government is considering banning coaches from the fast lanes and also reviewing the use of contraflow traffic systems. Two entire families were killed in the disaster. In South Africa, fresh violence erupted and eight more blacks were killed. This at a time when President Botha was making a speech rejecting the Commonwealth appeals and sanctions. An important bankers meeting on SA takes place in London tomorrow and they are ignoring appeals from anti-apartheid agencies to boycott the meeting. A mass lobby of parliament took place today in support of overseas famine aid. In a nearby public meeting the Thatcher government is condemned for reducing aid in real terms and allowing Britain to slip fast down the international league of donor countries. The US accuses the USSR of deploying a new missile, the SS25, to justify the star wars campaign. There are plans to increase the skills and rewards of Britain’s ambulance drivers to provide more first aid and resuscitation. It depends on a pay negotiation and ambulance men have long left aggrieved at being treated less well than their police and fire colleagues. Prince Charles launches an appeal today to save our country animals from extinction, such as otter, smooth snake, newt and others. More fine weather forecast tomorrow, which should help the builder again.