A hard, cold and very windy day working on wiring up my repositioned workshop with Daniel hosting his friends for a boat trip and picnic. World leaders meet up for the Tokyo Summit as three rockets reign down on the State Guest House but Thatcher and Reagan still meet there for an hour of private talks. Both sides complain of behaviour in the Wapping demonstration with 150 demonstrators and 175 police injured as the latter charged the crowds
A lay in as we are still recovering from our excesses of the other evening and then slow to get dressed and so to breakfast in my pyjamas. Daniel’s friend, Steve Hicks, had come over for the day and joined us, as I ate thus. Still, I enjoyed a nice fried breakfast and washed and dressed afterwards. My working clothes and straight out to the workshops to continue my electrical wiring. An arduous task it was, as the high current cable was difficult to bend and shape to the contours of the walls. So much work involved in doing the job properly and I get a bit disheartened by coffee break time, but carried on until lunch.
Daniel and friends had gone out on the boat for a picnic, but the rest of us stayed in to have a nice meal of roast beef (brisket) and then a cream and fruit trifle afterwards. A rest, reading today’s Observer, which was full of the nuclear accident and its repercussions for the world’s nuclear power industry. Then out again and by tea I had broken the back of the job and before dark, I had completely finished. Bright lights in both halves – individually switched – and then a full set of sockets everywhere for maximum convenience. Lastly, I installed my portable drill on the wall and also the mains intercom for contact with the house. It was strange to see the lights of the workshop after dark, so close to the footpath and the other side from the house. To anyone passing by, they must wonder what has been happening, as the towpath is quite transformed. I just wonder about the security of it, as you can see inside easily. A cold day and very windy at times, but only the odd shower and light at that. I am catching Della’s cold after sharing my handkerchief with her for the last few days. I spend the late evening watching the world snooker championship and also the TV news. As the world leaders meet for the Tokyo Summit, where international terrorism is one of the main items on the agenda, three rockets were actually fired at the State Guest House. Luckily, they all missed, one exploding near to the Canadian Embassy and another setting fire to a house nearby. It was within minutes of the arrival of Thatcher and Reagan at the Guest House, but it did not put off discussion of a plan to combat terrorism by Thatcher and then there was an hour of Reagan/Thatcher talks privately afterwards. After last night’s clashes, police have displayed an array of weapons found in the possession of the Wapping demonstrators. 175 policemen were hurt, 45 needed hospital treatment. 150 protesters were also injured, after police charged the crowd and Tony Benn has called for a public enquiry into police action.