Using the last of the current better weather spell to move tools and materials from my older workshop to other sheds and the garage whilst Daniel enjoys it to take Aquabean to St Neots to collect Gary and bring him back to join Steve for an unplanned lunch. The Duchess of Windsor is returned with respect but little ceremony and Thatcher speaks out to try and defend her actions and support for US strikes in Libya, as widespread retaliation takes place against Britons in Jerusalem and Pakistan and an Ulster car bomb is defused and failed to prevent a Loyalist march
Awake somewhat late to my morning tea and then showered and dressed as usual, only to find Di behind and not ready for breakfast. To the sitting room, therefore, and read the rest of yesterday’s Financial Times, which was quite interesting. Breakfast at last of fried eggs, bacon, mushrooms, bread and tomato and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then back to my papers, this time the Observer, which I read cover to cover for a change. Full of Libya and other depressing stories, as Britons do not feel safe abroad any more. By mid-morning, out to feed the ducks and doves – 8 eggs and still three pairs of doves incubating.
Daniel’s friend, Steve, arrived and they took Aquabean to St Neots to collect Gary and enjoyed the trip. The boat is working fine now – a leak-proof hull and cover and engine running well. I started to clear out the workshop and made several trips, ferrying garden tools to Bill’s shed, electrical equipment to the summer house and wood to the garages. By now, time for lunch and the mist had cleared away to leave a dull sky, which was at least dry now. Unexpectedly, Gary & Steve stayed for lunch and Daniel was in trouble for not telling Di so she could prepare. Back to my chores afterwards and I managed to move all of the mahogany and softwood alone to the outer garage. By tea time, and very tired, I saw the boys home late and then cleared up so as to go inside with the rain beginning to drizzle again. This time, after feeding the birds, I rested and watched the TV after and we all sat and saw Cagney and Lacey, video recorded from yesterday. News today of the return to Windsor of the Duchess of Windsor, whose body was received with full state ceremony, but little affection or emotion. In two retribution attacks on Britons, a tourist is shot in Jerusalem and another Briton was shot in a Pakistan hotel. Meanwhile, Thatcher speaks strongly in support of her actions and denies being a poodle of the United States. Britons in Libya have been told to return home by the British Embassy. A 5 year old boy was recovered today after being buried in earth in an old mine working and is recovering in hospital, but poorer news for a railwayman, who was killed today in a train accident in Surrey. A large bomb was disabled in Ulster in its car location and was unsuccessful in disrupting a Loyalist march. Prison officers will meet the Home Secretary amidst the worst support yet for further prison industrial action. After today’s mistiness and showers, a band of rain is forecast to hit us again tomorrow afternoon.