- Details
Varied day welcoming Daniel and Diana’s friends for meals between which I also make progress on my Hayling View security installation as the Westland Helicopter affair flares up and Commodore axe 230 jobs their UK computer plant which vindicates my BMMG exclusively British membership approach
Slept well and read the morning paper with my tea before breakfast. A pleasant meal, with the children behaving reasonably and then my shower room routine. A morning and, indeed a day, working on my alarm system, internal No3 and external No4 circuits, but first I went out to feed the doves and let the ducks out. 1 more egg. A bright day, but with a cold northern breeze that made an outside job chilly. Last night I had finished putting a channel in the skirting around the playroom and this morning I went outside and did a similar thing around the playroom French doors. They had only been primed and so I was not disturbing the finish. Then (just as Joan had tidied the playroom and rear hall) I managed to drill through the outside playroom wall to find my route back to the alarm box. Then to the playroom French doors, drilling the door and frame to take a five terminal contact, before it really was lunch time. Daniel had his friends Jonathan and Steve round again and they all three ate like horses.
- Details
Slightly milder but windier day supervising the gardener, working on my security alarms and sitting in with my family as Molly Blackburn, the leading white anti-apartheid campaigner, dies on a South African car ‘accident’ and Thatcher refuses to support Westland’s European partner bid
A lay in after an early night and so well refreshed for the day. I read the paper, which was full of news after yesterday’s break, and then go down to breakfast with the family. Washed, showered and a bit cross that I have to clear up the shower room after Diana. Now that we have plenty of cabinet space, there is no excuse. Dressed and out to do a few chores. First the doves, who feed hungrily and then the ducks, who do likewise. The weather is milder now and the ice lake thawed on the river meadow. Then I refill the log basket and look closely at the garden. Most plants seem to be OK and Pete is clearing Bill’s plot and so I give him a few more instructions. It is a bit difficult to keep him busy but, what with the need to level some areas of the garden and run a power trench down to the new workshop position, I shall just manage to do it. In to coffee with the others and then to my office for once. I sort my papers out roughly and then proceed to pay all of my overdue bills – gas, electricity, carpets, furniture etc. – a tidy sum.
- Details
New Year’s Day Bank Holiday – An open house for our neighbours to enjoy our fare and a views of the property before I worked on the security system all day until an early bedtime as more trouble brews under Murdoch in Fleet Street and the Westland Helicopter affair continues such that UK shares fall. This as violent turmoil ensues in The Lebanon
Another restless night. The heating system was making a whining sound, Debbie kept getting up with a cough, and I was too hot after spending time outside with my alarm wires yesterday. I also had a dream that Diana had died which amused her as she brought me my morning tea. Up presently to finish writing yesterday’s journal, have breakfast with the family and then wash and dress. After, to my office again where Debbie comes to join me and writes her diary as well – she started by noting her advent calendar objects and now writes a phrase for each day. Then time to feed the ducks and doves, bring in logs, and have a coffee break before preparing for our neighbours, who had been invited to new year’s day drinks. I light the sitting room fire and at 11.30am go in to await our guests.