A difficult day with Diana, who seems depressed over the domestic disruption and lack of privacy and peace at home which has caused her to break her diet and somewhat spoiled our trip to Bedford as Rupert Murdoch successfully breaks the NGS strike, Normand Lamont replaces Leon Brittan and Thatcher’s position is very more perilous
Slept soundly after the lost sleep and tiring walking of yesterday and lay in reading a number of computer journals and other mail. Down to breakfast of melon, for a change, and finally managed to tempt Debbie to have some too. Back to bed after, to read today’s mail and the FT, before getting dressed. Diana was fretting over getting to Bedford early enough, so I took a quick trip to some very hungry doves (I didn’t feed them yesterday) and left the ducks to their own devices. Off by car, after setting the alarm system, using the new bypass circuit to leave the toilet door open for the builders.
They were here this morning blocking and bricking the outside wall, but the front cavity is still open through lack of window frame. To Bedford by 10.30am and I parked in the road outside Peacocks to save time. Inside, I saw our two bath sets and also the music centre I put in, but saw little of interest apart from another repro table to match the one we bought last week. I got it for £32, a bit less than before, and then had to kill time until Di arrived back very late from the shops. She was obviously frustrated at the girls and shortage of time, as well as being worried about being late for Daniel, as there then followed a rather ill-tempered lunch at the Happy Eater and rest of the day. It seems that Di has given up her diet and I could not persuade her to go to the slimming clinic again on Wednesday. In truth, I do not really know what is wrong with her, as she goes into her shell on these occasions and will not discuss it. Strange to think a person can go so long without talking. She is having problems with the girls competing with one another, but that is symptomatic, rather than causal. This afternoon, I sat in the lounge resting from my recent exertions and watching the TV sport. Also reading the paper. Poor Debbie was wanting to play with a friend, but none seemed available until tomorrow. Tea of seeded bread, sardines and then doughnuts to follow and an evening in front of a blazing log fire. Diana’s depression deepened, but I tempted her out of bed and down to the lounge and later had a chat with her. It seems that with me at home, Joan almost every day and the builders, she feels unable to relax about the house and wants to get out. I put this ‘trapped’ feeling down to the change and disruption and feel she will settle in time. A few earlier nights will also help. News today of the appointment of Norman Lamont, the Trade Minister and former Deputy of successive Secretaries of State, as the new occupant of the job vacated by Leon Brittan. More speculation about Margaret Thatcher, and Monday’s debate will be crucial, with several questions still unanswered. Opinion polls now show a majority of people feeling that she has handled the Westland affair badly and a near majority feels she too should go. The most acute story tonight is the drama over News International. Rupert Murdock has got his Sunday papers printed at Wapping, at a veritable ‘Fort Knox’ and Fleet Street now seems doomed. Union solidarity has collapsed amongst the insecurity of future jobs in another revolution of this technical age. At a GCHQ rally, the Electricians leader, Eric Hammond, is shouted down over their involvement in breaking the NGS strike. A bright and sunny, if cold day, but duller and damper weather is in prospect.