Tending the dove chicks on a dull and damp morning and then tax discussions with my accountant before visiting the Heronry at Paxton Pits and undertaking the long routine to maintain cleanliness now that I have taken over swimming pool maintenance! Six elderly nuns die in a Dublin fire, the Hippies are now being hassled by the Forestry Commission and Thatcher declines to help save the last main struggling Cornish tin mine
Another dull, damp morning, but the humidity was high and today’s temperatures of 62 to 68degF seemed very muggy and warm. Showered, shaved and dressed before breakfast (which was an improvement of late) and then bid Daniel farewell for school, before tending the doves. The small chicks had slipped their rings again and so I put them back once more. The larger dove chicks seem quite mature and I am watching them most carefully, lest they leave the nest and fall prey to the numerous cats that now abound the area. Soon the decorators arrive and need everything open, but Joan is here again today and so can look after them. A little time at my desk sorting paperwork and doing some preparation and then off to St Neots in the Jaguar for my 10.00am appointment with Roger Brittain.
At least an hour sorting through my tax problems, viz last year’s Income and Capital Gains Tax correspondence and preparations for this year’s returns. Also discussed the children’s gains and income and the tax office seem still to be behind and failing to deal with our affairs expeditiously, as a hangover from their past industrial disputes. I met Di back in the High Street and then managed to buy the house guttering accessories that I needed, before we set off for lunch. I treated Di to another Little Chef lunch of salads and then went home to tend the pool. A long routine, cleaning the tile surround, then ‘vacuuming’ the pool bottom with the suction unit. I put in another chlorine pill, then topped up the level, after backwashing the filter stack. Then to repair the two garage gutter ends, when Daniel came home and tempted me in for a swim. Tea after, then I set Daniel a measure of schoolwork and checked it later. Out to the doves and chatted to Chris, who told me of Sunday’s RSPB ‘Birdwatch’ at Little Paxton Pits and of the Heronry in a weeping willow, supporting 15+ pairs. I drove over and walked to the site to have a look and, sure enough, they were nesting there. A wonderful sight and I hope we will see some of them on the local river in the near future. Home to watch a little World Cup football, then away with the ducks and the long routine of locking the house up. Main news on the teletext headlines is of the spread of the postal strike, caused by the use of temporary and part-time staff, instead of regular postmen’s overtime. Six elderly nuns died in a Dublin fire, as the whole convent collapsed. The Hippies are now under threat from the Forestry Commission, who say they will seek an injunction to move them from land of special scientific interest. The DTI turns down a request by the main Cornish tin mine for £25 million rescue assistance and so tin mining in Cornwall seems doomed.