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Peacocks Auction Day – Memorable day visiting Bedford for the antiques auction and securing the two historically-important 1790 Harraden drawings of St Neots used in the Rev Gorham’s History and also the Duke of Grafton’s fine old 19th century folding carriage table and other antique maps as the Wapping print unions rejected Murdoch’s latest offer and Tam Dalyall publicises Thatcher’s involvement in the Westland affair
Awake quite tired again and it will be even worse tonight, as the next England World Cup football match is on late. A little late to shower, shave and dress, before down to a breakfast of Jordan’s wheat flakes and top of the milk. Then, as Di tended the children, I started a little work putting back the handles and bolts on the pool-room doors and then adjusting and easing the catches. Once Di was back again, I tended the doves quickly; chatted to Pete about the bedding plants (my £18-worth would have cost £60+ at nursery prices!) and then I set off with Di by her Escort Estate for Bedford. Parked at the Lurke St car park and then we had our drinks of coffee at the High Street coffee house. Della played up a bit and only settled down after I was strict with her. Then to Peacocks and I was delighted to find at the antique auction, five items of exciting interest. First, and most prominently, there were two water colour paintings (called drawings) painted by Harraden in 1790. They show the South West prospect of St Neots and Eynesbury and secondly, Eaton Church and Norman earthworks, both from a river view with boats, boatmen, fishermen and shepherds/sheep in the foreground.
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Adjusting sticking doors on a very chilly morning and then rushing off to the St Neots auction to buy trays of cheap bedding plants where Nigel joined me to do the same; and then back to take Debbie riding at Offord and on to Hail Weston House to see some interesting historical records and be given an antique table cloth! A struggle with Daniel on his schoolwork and then to watch TV with Di and learn that electricity prices are being reduced, the Hippies now have to leave the New Forest and the US agree a huge deal with Saudi Arabia but Archbishop Tutu will not obey the South African ban on demonstrations tomorrow!
A more settled start to the day, but still awake tired from my lack of sleep earlier in the week. Still, showered, shaved and dressed in time for breakfast and in time to get Debbie to clear up her room again! Then out to the birds on a very chilly morning, with the cool breeze making the 52degF seem even colder. At least it was dry and Pete was here early, continuing the mowing of the lawns, for the second time this week the weather being so damp and discouraging. Afterwards, I brought in my tools and tackled the doors that had been jamming badly. I managed to do those in the kitchen and pool room and adjust the catch on the back door, before Di reminded me that the flower auction would be starting at 12.00 noon.
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Early start with Debbie being studious on a chilly morning, receiving advice on protecting my river frontage, a clean bill of health from the dentist and a viewing of the St Neots general auction before the kids enjoy the pool and I watch the World Cup football. This as Thatcher is still set on tax cuts to solve all ills, the print unions reject Murdoch’s latest offer and South Africa bans all meetings on the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto riots
Groggily awake this morning to my tea, but at least we were on time. I lay recovering and Debbie came in to pester me to find her ‘project’. She is copying Daniel’s attempts at doing a paper on ‘The Battle of the Somme’ and her enthusiasm at the age of 7 contrasts with his reluctance at 14. Showered, dressed and down to breakfast, spotting that Debbie had left her room in a mess, despite being told to clear it up. Ready at 8.30am for the visit of the AWA river engineer, who spent an hour with me examining my 200+ feet of frontage and advising me on its protection. He is not able to bring much new advice and can only recommend T Harrison Chaplin, who I will now contact to plan and quote for the work.
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Disorganisation first thing as Diana oversleeps and the family struggle to get ready and out and then I stay behind to catch up with work as Diana goes to Cambridge on her own. This until Daniel comes home and completes his homework and revision under my supervision after which Amy comes round and the children enjoy their swimming despite the cooler and fresher weather. Disappointment for England in the World Cup against Portugal but the postal strike is settled today
A poor start to the day, as Di oversleeps and the whole family are put out of their stride. Dan forgets certain of his books on his way out in a hurry and I am still wandering about in my pyjamas at 8.30am after breakfast. Di fed the doves for me, as we intended to go to Cambridge together, but as I showered, I decided not to go. I have so much work to do at the moment and so I spent the morning at my desk instead, clearing up all manner of paperwork. Phone calls to Vinters on the purchase of the last riverside plot and also to the same solicitors to decide on the type of investment accounts to open for the children’s accumulation and maintenance trusts.