Disturbed at night and then delayed this morning by near-storm force winds which allowed me to read history books in the library as St Ives was busy with American tourists until just managing to move to Godmanchester in the wind for the girls to enjoy the playground there. A quieter ending to the day, fishing with Daniel and then a walk around the place with Diana as Thatcher is still opposing action against South Africa
Another sound night, but also punctuated for all of us by the sound of the wind moving The Lady at its moorings. There was near storm force winds gusting to the highest levels we have seen for some time and so we did not leave our moorings until much later this afternoon. After our boating routine we all set off for a walk into Huntingdon. A busy ring road to cross these days, with the traffic almost continuous. I looked after the girls for a while to relieve Di and then went to Huntingdon library and looked at local history books in the reference section. A good range and kept on the shelves for easy access. I must come and take a longer look with a notebook on some future occasion.
Wimpy for lunch. I used to enjoy their food with the children, but find the Huntingdon one so hot and crowded these days. Quite a few Americans in town these days and I also noticed several boatful’s of them taking day trip hires from the boatyard. It was so windy back at The Lady afterwards that we laid up for a while and read our books and newspapers that made up our purchases today. Finally set off and it was tricky going through Godmanchester lock, but we negotiated it safely. Before we got there the wind was racing across the bridge section of the river and I would not have wanted to be navigating a light hulled craft. Just managed to get into the Godmanchester moorings in the wind and spent time tying up tightly against both the elements and local youths, who are quite likely to slip the mooring ropes, given half a chance. The girls played on the riverside swings and see-saw and then I took them to the tea rooms on the causeway for some toast, scones and cake. This evening I fished with Daniel from the boat and narrowly won a fishing wager by 6 dace to 5 as the light failed. Also found time to take Di for a walk around Godmanchester and to read some publications we bought from the bookshop. I saw in them the first picture I have seen of Paxton Park House and it reinforced my will to research the history still further. No chance to see the detailed news broadcast tonight, but the main preoccupation is the advance preparations and positions for the 7 Nation Commonwealth Leaders Meeting this weekend. Opinions vary from those that say Thatcher is prepared to compromise, to those who say that she will stick it out regardless of the consequences. Her staff are putting out a blanket of PR against sanctions, including releasing a poll of letters received by her against sanctions and also a survey that says South African blacks are against it.