Great news for my friend David Link about Giotto taking perfect pictures of Halley’s Comet but depressing to hear Thatcher inviting people to pay more for their own security but, after solving a banking account problem, a good time in Bedford selecting wooden bedroom furniture from Peacock’s Auction and then buying a state-of-the-art HiFi system from A & N Audio of St Neots
Another good night and early rise, getting the morning drinks for the family art the same time. Giotto functioned well and gave close-up pictures of Haley’s Comet. I remember meeting the British Aerospace project manager, in charge of this satellite, Mr David Link, at the House of Commons committee meeting. It was a combined session of PITCOM and the Science & Technology committee. I put to him that I would hate that job – if anything went wrong, there was no way to make amends as, with 69 year periodicity, he would be dead before the opportunity arose again! He agreed and I wished him good luck – he seemed to have had it, as all claim a startling success. Breakfast and then the morning paper, whilst I listened to ‘Yesterday in Parliament.’ More Thatcher arrogance, this time on crime & violence, when she asked citizens to spend their own money to ensure their safety.
The children off to school and then I washed, dressed and reviewed the mail. Rather surprising bank statements putting us £1,800 in the red, until I find out later that Diana had not only failed to pay my £2000 cheque in, but had torn it up as well! The world seems to stop rotating when I am ill. Good news from Diana’s sister, Sue – she has passed her driving test at her third attempt. Off out with Diana to Bedford with our errant blue-bar pigeon in a cardboard box in the back. We set him free in amongst numerous birds in the town centre and cannot spot him afterwards. Then to park and, after morning coffee together (Della having an orange squash and biscuit) I set off for Peacocks and Diana the shops. I take a good look round and find an oldish bedroom suite in an oak finish that I rather like. Then back to Debenhams for lunch and I looked after Della as Di got us both some nice plaice, peas and chips, which we all ate with enthusiasm. To Peacocks next and Di liked the bedroom suite. It comprises a double bed (head & tail) which we will not use, a dressing table, linen press and clothes chest, and a wardrobe. The whole in a matching oak finish and of good quality with wooded ‘acorn-shaped’ handles, some working wooden turnbuckles as catches. After estimating the value at £200 - £100 and pondering a while, I decided that it was no good putting in a written bid and I shall have to attend in person to secure it. Home for the rest of the afternoon and time to do some paperwork. I tracked down the mistake in our bank accounts and then took some video updates of the building work for our archives. Debbie’s friends were home to play and I joined in wrestling with them before it was time to collect Daniel from St Neots. He had already been to the dentist and got a (reasonably) clean bill of health. Together to A&N Audio, where we had our demonstration of Hi-Fi systems. In the end we opted for a Sansui remote control tuner/amplifier/dual tape and record player system, supplemented with a Sony compact disc, with even further remote control. It had all of our desired facilities and so I ordered one with my Gold Visa card for about £1700. It will be delivered and installed on Monday. Home for tea, doing the ducks and doves and locking up beforehand. So far the blue-bar has not tried to return. An evening with Dan and his schoolwork and Debbie and her Country Companion – this one on the New Forest. News then of the management of British Airways wanting to buy out the corporation, even though it has a worth of £1 billion. Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, was pressed by Tory activists to increase sentences and action to stop the rising levels of violent crime, but I think they must tackle the social problems and deprivation if we are to return to our old peace and values. A third man has now been charged with the vicarage rape. The day was quite cold again and it will be some time before the surrounding seas warm up for this part of the country. This weekend should be a bit warmer though.