Hinchingbrooke Urinary Tract Hospital tests reveal no waterworks blockages before home for a celebratory lunch with Diana’s parents and then on with Debbie to Offord for her horse-riding lesson and then back to help Daniel with his homework as The Government drop plans for the Land Rover sale, a bomb went off in an Airlines’ Oxford Street office and King Edward VIII ‘s Wallis Simpson dies in Paris, aged 89
Awake earlier than usual and chased Di out of bed to get the drinks. A poor start to the day, with torrential rain, teaming down and saturating the surface. I read yesterday’s paper and then slowly showered and dressed, as I was not allowed breakfast this morning before my hospital tests. Once ready, and the weather having improved slightly, out to the ducks and doves. Poor Daniel’s boat had become waterlogged, the steep angle of the slipway letting the rear sink under, as the river went down then up again and there was nothing I could do, as I was late for the hospital and wearing the wrong clothes.
The drive to Hinchinbrook X-ray Department, where they kept me waiting for half an hour before starting the tests. First to empty my bladder, then to strip and change into a gown for X-rays by the radiographer. Because I was so big they took two pictures of me each time. Then the Radiographer Doctor came in to inert a tube in my vein and inject the fluid for the intravenous pyelogram test. More X-rays as the liquid was traced from my kidney to my bladder and then (before and after being asked to relieve myself) through my ureters. It seems that there may be no blockage, which would be good news, but I must wait up to 2 weeks for an appointment to discuss the results with a consultant or my doctor. Home in time for a nice lunch with Di’s parents. A special occasion, with a bottle of Liebfraumilch to drinks as well, as our dining room is now heated and in use. After, to show Charles round, but a headache became worse until tea because of today’s infusions and stress. Later, I took Debbie for another riding lesson, which she thoroughly enjoyed, even though she is still very tentative. Some time this evening with Daniel on his schoolwork and setting out the bearers for my workshop move. A walk at dusk along the towpath and then in to lock up and watch the TV news. News this morning was of a bomb let off at the Oxford Street office shared by British Airways and some American airlines. Police warn for increased public vigilance, as more are expected. By this evening, the main story had changed, because the Duchess of Windsor died in her home in Paris, aged 89. She was the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, whose love affair with King Edward VIII forced him to abdicate. This brings to an end an embarrassing era for the British Establishment. The Government has shelved its plans for a Land Rover sell-off in response to the campaign of criticism and outrage from even Tory backbenchers. So all of the upset and insecurity was for nothing. The weather bucked up a bit later today, with warm sunshine for a change and will begin tomorrow in the same way, but showers will return later.