Full day working on my alarm system and tending my ducks and doves as the Anglo-French deal is signed for building the Channel Tunnel, Tories revolt in the Commons over raising Shire rates to rejuvenate inner cities, an Army coup in Lesotho with Chief Jonathan deposed and Sterling dives by 2cents as Thatcher now also has an economic crisis on her hands
A fair night and then a normal breakfast before quickly dressing and shaving, as I had already showered last night. A short read of the FT and then down to work. My project for this morning was to rewire the alarm system and tidy up all of the straggling wires, which I managed to achieve by lunchtime. This involved shortening some, lengthening others and taping them all together into neat bundles, before securing them to the wall and rafters with channels and clips. Diana was back from town with Della for lunch and had completed a number of chores. Out to the doves before lunch and they feed hungrily, after not getting fed at all yesterday. Funny to see how tame they become in these circumstances, as I could have caught any of them. Lunch of burgers and my seeded bread, with some pie and ice cream after and then back to work. By the time Daniel had come home, I was ready to pack it in and had secured everything together.
Then the builders had finished work and so I went to check on what they had done. Doors had been put on our master bedroom, its en-suite bathroom, and the changing room and they had also been exposing the foundations at the front and plastering walls inside. The upshot of all this is that I realised that I was back to work again! The new doors needed contacts and Zone 2 thus enlarging and I used the chance this evening to use up their mortar to run the cables in the wet plaster. Then I filled the gaps around the alarm box and completed another gruelling day. Late to watch a film, update my diary and pledge to do paperwork tomorrow. News today of the ceremonial signature and formalisation of an agreement between President Mitterrand and Mrs Thatcher to build the Channel Tunnel. The all-rail solution was finally chosen, but with the intention of reviewing the road alternative when technically and financially feasible. Many people in Kent and France are up in arms, because of the effect on the existing ferry services and pattern of established trade. It will take 30 mins for drivers to cross at 100mph on a sequenced rail system of vehicle loading and release. Revolt in the House of Commons, as up to 50 Tory MPs are expected to oppose the government’s plan to meet the need for inner city expenditure, by putting up the rates in the Shire Counties. The Royal Yacht Britannia is again standing by off the coast of Aden, as it has been loading and ferrying passenger refugees back and fro to a warship further out of international waters. The Russians have been thanked by Sir Geoffrey Howe for their assistance, but our sailors on the spot note their increasing tendency to evacuate Russian citizens first, which spoils an otherwise exemplary Anglo/Russian cooperation. An uprising and army coup in Lesotho, and the leader of 17 years standing since independence, Chief Jonathan, is deposed. This might mean policies preferring the West and South Africa and the dilution of Soviet influence. Northern Ireland steels itself for the forthcoming by-election, precipitated by opposition to the Anglo/Irish pact. The United States is set to announce £350m aid for the province, depending upon the outcome of progress to Irish unity. There is a remarkable story by Jane’s Defence Weekly of the Russian deployment of women SAS-style Spetsnaz soldiers amongst the protesters at Greenham Common. I do not believe it and consider it another attempt to discredit these pacifists and Quakers, who I deeply admire & respect. In the City, the pound dives by over 2 cents and shares and gilts are hit as spot oil prices plumb a new low. As well as political problems, the government now has the economy going down – but only as many of us have been predicting for some time.