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Family visit to London Zoo after more hotel problems, about which we had to complain, and then the drive home to Little Paxton in traffic to open up my post as Terry Waite gets his first hostage release, David Jacobson; Papworth implants its first artificial heart, 40 people are arrested for anti-nuclear protests and 80 men have completed their repeat of the 1930’s Jarrow March
A much better night, even though we only got to bed after midnight. The air was cooler, I had turned down the radiator and the room was much more conducive as a result. I awoke first and made Di and I drinks, but the children were soon awake demanding theirs. As they sat in their baths afterwards, I caught Di between the sheets and was glad of the fortunate start to the day. Down to breakfast (which was less crowded than yesterday) but the poor English of the staff led to two of our meals being wrong again. Could not wait to leave the hotel and, once packed, checked out and gave full account to the receptionist of their shortcomings; doors not fitting, thermostats not working, video films wrongly charging etc. Glad to get the family installed in the Range Rover, as we cruised down to Regents Park for a trip to the Zoo.
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A good day visiting attractions with the children in West London after a torrid experience in the hotel for breakfast and then an equally frustrating return in bad traffic but it had been fine until the rain started later. Terry Wait is working quietly in the Lebanon to try and get our hostages released, Argentina is upset about the new Falklands exclusion zone, US-backed fighting continues in Nicaragua and Sein Fein joins the Irish political process
A poor night. Suffocatingly hot in our hotel room, noisy, with traffic roaring around outside all night, and Della being awake on at least three occasions. Then the process of getting ready and down to breakfast. The children a problem and, on arrival at the restaurant, over occupancy, so that we had to wait in the lounge for a table. The rooms are of quite good appointment, but these points spoil the stay. All into the car after, and a long and slow drive, in damp drizzle and heavy traffic, to Kensington for the Toy Museum. A good choice, as we managed to park easily and then enjoyed the museum immensely. The range of doll’s houses, cars, lorries and models was legion.