No further developments in the kidnapping of Mrs Jennifer Guinness
No further developments in the kidnapping of Mrs Jennifer Guinness

I returned from a trip to Bedford and the peacocks antiques auction in time for a key meeting with builders and architect to deal with the outstanding building deficiencies and then some time outside chopping logs as Daniel and friends play with Aquabean as The US and USSR grow apart over nuclear tests and the imminent invasion of Libya whilst, at home, Labour win the Fulham by-election, news is awaited about poor Mrs Guinness and the Tories back down and pass the Bill for the Disabled

Awoken in the night by Debbie, who had a nightmare and brought Daniel in to see Di. Problems also getting used to the new bed. I seem a bit more fussy now. Reluctant to get up after Di brought the morning tea, but eventually managed to get showered and dressed before breakfast. Joan arrived and we left for Bedford, parking in the multi-story and had coffee and orange-crisp biscuits, as has become our custom. Di and Dan went window shopping as I strode off to Peacocks for a look round. Pleased to find a couple of folding hardwood chairs – possibly in walnut – and a few other things that are of interest and so we will be going back in the morning. A rendezvous for lunch at Debenhams and afterwards we look at the curtain and furnishing materials, but settle for the original choice for our curtains back at Brittains. Home all and just in time for my 2.00pm meeting back at the house with the builder and architect.

A long meeting, making an inspection of the house and agreeing a whole host of outstanding deficiencies. Afterwards, and keyed up at the mild conflicts of the occasion, I set off for St Neots to do some shopping & transactions. Paid in and transferred some cheques into the building society, ordered the curtains and bought some odds and ends. Home to tea and then the ducks and doves, with the pole-cote pair still incubating. Dan & friends worked on Aquabean. Then I chopped up our logs with a new chopper bought today, before coming in after dark and locking up. News today of Labour’s win in the Fulham by-election, with the Tories second and the SDP third. A powerful American task force is closing in on Libya, with worldwide speculation that they are going to launch attacks on the country. Russia has stated that it will not rule out assistance in the resistance of the attack. There is even talk of an attack with bombs based in Britain. The European government’s attitude of such attacks is thought to be crucial. The USSR has confirmed it will resume nuclear tests in response to those by the US. No further developments in the kidnapping of Mrs Guinness, as nobody has tried to claim a ransom. The Ulster Loyalists are still making trouble for the constabulary by attacking their houses, but the government refuses to call off the consultation provisions of the Anglo/Irish pact. In the Commons, the government has backed down and allowed an unopposed third reading to a new legal rights Bill for the disabled. The actor’s union, Equity, is backing a ban on members performing in South Africa because of apartheid.