Studying further manorial and family history in Bedford Library each side of taking snacks and lunch with the family and viewings of the Peacock’s Auction whilst my new Range Rover endured its first service and hen home to hear of the good election result set against the Thatcher visit to see Reagan with whom her charms may no longer be working with regard to Syria and nuclear arms control
Slept well and sat in bed with my cup of tea this morning, reading yesterday’s paper and a little more of a book on ‘Life on the English Manor’ in the middle ages. As I was shaving and preparing to shower, Debbie came in to join me and insisted on taking a shower with me at the same time. Both then dressed and down to a breakfast of warm croissants with butter and marmalade. Once we got the children off to school (Debbie early to a friend of hers for that purpose), we loaded up the Range Rover and set off for Bedford, stopping on the way for a full tank of petrol. I had arranged a 1000 mile (free) service and so we dropped the vehicle off at Marshalls and we walked into the town on a fine day. First, coffee and biscuits at the coffee house, where the staff now know our regular order, then I left the girls to go shopping, whilst I walked along to Gibbs and Dandy Gale to get some hose fittings and then to Peacocks to view the lots for tomorrow’s general auction.
A couple of trailers there were of interest, but I do not know if I can get over in the morning. Then to the Bedford library and found interest and value in studying their books on neighbouring Hertfordshire. I had not realised that Session Rolls and Records had been printed and indexed and was delighted to find an entry for Anna Broad in 1836, where a road diversion had taken place at the bottom of her garden. It listed her as a widow and so John Broad Snr was dead by this time and his first son, James, must have become the licensee for that reason. Lots of information also on her father, James Bull, but I did not bother to log that. Lunch at Debenhams with Di and Della, then back to look at Huntingdonshire and see an excellent book on The King’s Rolls of this county, with an explanatory preface on fines and definitions in the manorial system. There were two entries recording the sale of Little Paxton Manor. Back to Di and, after a rather fraught visit to see the trailers together (where Della wet her push chair and had to be carried back to the garage), we collected the car and drove home for a welcome mug of tea. Then Debbie came home and I took her to horse riding. She did very well on Barbie, enjoying it immensely and doing all of the right things, which is a joy to see. Home to tend the ducks and doves before tea and then time with Daniel on his homework. Then some time to myself, reading books and magazines on Manors and family history research, before the TV news. Earlier, the overnight news had been the by-election result (good for Labour and the Alliance) and the Reagan defence of his arms for hostage release actions. Now, as Thatcher flees to see him for a scheduled visit, as he announces more US sanctions against Syria for terrorist involvement in a counter attack. Thatcher will be critical about this US about-turn, taken without UK consultation, but will also be unhappy with the American willingness to negotiate away European nuclear weapons. Three Tamils from Sri Lanka were killed this morning, as a house was attacked by firebomb in London in the latest of several such attacks and other rival members of the Sri Lankan community. England have started well in the first Test Match in Australia, scoring 198 for 2, when rain stopped play for the day. Rain spread here later today, but tomorrow will be both sun and showers.