A wet and windy morning studying the Budget coverage which is widely criticised for the fuel tax increase and then some financial transactions as Prince Andrew announces his engagement to Sarah Ferguson
Slept deeply and again had my drink in bed. Down to breakfast and then read the Budget edition of the Financial Times. A lot of detail on the speech and its implications and then, once I’d dressed, there was a special edition of Moneybox on Radio 4, with an expert panel answering listeners questions. The Capital Transfer tax abolition of duty on lifetime gifts is going to have wide reaching effects on our estate. I listened to this programme as I settled down to work at my desk. A morning and early afternoon of paperwork, paying bills, making phone calls, and reconciling bank and building society accounts. I progressed the building work with the architect, instituted an appeal on a rating assessment, organised a gas inspection for the swimming pool boiler, reported the fault on the new Hi Fi and arranged for Jeckells to visit to look at the covers we need for the boats.
We received an invitation to join the Bedford Water Festival in late May today and I think we will accept it. Daniel could bring Aquabean, as well as a friend, and we could use it to tour the river above Bedford for the first time. Rushed out at 3.25pm and just managed to catch the bank in time. Then the post office to pay dividends into the children’s investment accounts. I also checked their copy of the London Gazette for unclaimed Premium Bond prizes, but found none for us, besides stamping and posting a mountain of mail. Then the building societies to square the accounts before a browse round the Shaw’s furniture auction room, but nothing much of interest. Home to find Daniel waiting to get in and, after a tea of rolls and cakes, A N Audio arrived and fixed the Hi Fi turntable. An evening using the pre-mixed filler to fill the alarm wire grooves and I now think I have quite finished the task. Mr Cheeseborough called to confirm that tiler, plumber and decorator should all be in action again tomorrow and we are pleased, as we want the work finished now. No activity on the swimming pool front, but we live in hope. Then to Daniel’s homework and a story for Deborah too. News today is of the engagement of Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson and a series of TV interviews and photo sessions in what was a big media event. The banks have reduced landing rates by 1% and a chain reaction will follow with the building societies. Oil companies confirm that Lawson’s entire 7 ½ p Budget increase on petrol will be passed on to the motorist. More criticism of the Budget measures from Labour at the benefits being given to tax cuts rather than decreasing unemployment. Chirac has accepted the Premiership after consultation with his right-wing political colleagues in France, but has yet to choose his Cabinet. England have lost the third of the one-day tests in the West Indies. The weather, mild, but rainy today and more wet, changeable, and windy weather forecast for the rest of this week.