Day of welcome recovery from my ailments which enabled me to read the newspaper, welcome all types of contractor back to work creating The Hayling View and a visit of Nigel Smith as Labour’s National Executive agree measures against Militant, rioting conscripted Egyptian security police trash three hotels and the full story about the Marcos family corruption emerges in the Philippines
A good night and, for once, awake feeling much better. No fever, headache and even my rash has subsided. Only my light-headedness remained. Down to join the family for breakfast of porridge and toast and then up to bed to spend the rest of the morning reading the Financial Times. Di was out shopping this morning and Daniel back at school, but the gas fitter arrived to repair the boiler (again – this time ‘a piece of dirt had fallen on the pilot light’), the electrician returned and actually managed to commission the central heating time and temperature controls (at last!) and John the builder carried on tiling the pool shower room.
Pete came to shampoo my car, which was very necessary. Di bought some herrings to grill for my lunch, which were very nice. As I sat in the kitchen afterwards, Nigel Smith came round for a chat and we were very pleased to see him. He had not known I was poorly. We chatted on all subjects and I showed him round – he is keen to note the methods used for constructing a concrete swimming pool. He will come with me to Bedford next Friday week for the antique auction. Up to bed again after to watch England only just beat Israel 2-1 in international soccer on the TV. Captain Bryan Robson scored the two goals. After tea of rolls etc., I tested Dan on his schoolwork, read a story to Debbie and then settled down with Daniel to watch ‘Star-fighter’, a space war video, which we thoroughly enjoyed. After, I checked the heating settings, made up my journal, and watched the TV news. The EEC courts today ruled that it was illegal for the UK to discriminate between men and women on age for retirement benefits and entitlements. News today of the Labour Party National Executive meeting on the fate of Militant. By 19-10 they accepted the report’s conclusions and the General Secretary has been given authority to draw up charges against them. Neil Kinnock pledges that the Militant threat to the Labour Party in Liverpool will end in pieces. They are starting proceedings in train to expel 16 militant members. In Egypt, the city is under curfew after a riot by conscripted security police. They destroyed 3 hotels, much more property, and are now opposed by regular army units. In the Philippines, President Cory Aquino sets the first priority as rebuilding the economy, as she puts together the rest of her government. She confirms that the existing agreements with the US over the two military bases and will keep her options open after the agreements expire. Security forces seized a treasury plane at Manilla airport and, in another incident, 2 million dollars’ worth of currency were found. Documents are coming to light covering all sorts of prior corrupt deeds as the Marcos’s left much behind in their hasty departure. Ulster Unionists today came down against further consultations with the Thatcher government and confirmed that next Monday’s Ulster strike will go ahead. Hopes of reconciliation have now receded. In the UK teacher’s pay dispute, the 2nd largest teacher’s union, NAS, voted to accept the settlement and peace in the schools may be in the offing. Charges are being introduced at London’s Natural History Museum. The Russian satellite is now forecast to crash midday tomorrow in the ocean between the Antarctic and Australia. The Nimrod contract will go ahead for 6 months during evaluation of other possibilities.