Feeling weary on a dull and misty day but them off to Cambridge in one of our last trips in the Jaguar for lunch in talks will now resume in Iceland, Neil Kinnock carries all before him at The Labour Conference and the pressure on Sterling eases today with West Germany supporting the Bank of England’s efforts the Copper Kettle and some shopping before home to supervise the builders and Daniel as the East West arms
A dull start on a dull and misty morning. Felt quite weary on awakening from yesterday’s exertions. Morning tea and, after my shower and shave, found Daniel playing on his computer instead of getting dressed for breakfast. Boiled egg and toast fingers again today and enjoyed by all except Diana. Lingered after to read today’s newspaper, before feeding the ducks and getting ready to take the girls to Cambridge for the morning. Left the builders laying bricks in the mist and had a comfortable ride, with Di and Della, in the Jaguar. Sad to think we could be getting rid of this car by the end of the week.
Dropped Debbie off at a friend’s house on the way and so arrived earlier than usual for our morning coffee at Eaden Lilley. Met Di’s parents again and were first there, for a change. Then a procession around the shops with Di, who is already buying Christmas presents. I picked up a few things to complete my decorating and also a new safety razor. Lunch at the Copper Kettle of cheese ploughman’s salads for us and roast beef for Della. Bought a nice print of Old St Pancras Church on the way back to the car, where my parents had been married in September 1939. Home and a cup of tea, then, after hearing the start of Neil Kinnock’s speech to the Labour Conference, out to start work on the three windows earmarked for today’s decorating. Had to argue with the builders, who wanted to build the wall a course lower and then had Daniel to worry about, as he had broken his new case. Still read Debbie a Country Companion and checked Dan’s work later. The news today is of a breakthrough in the East/West talks, as a mini-Summit is agreed for Iceland, the weekend after next, in preparation for a full Summit in the USA later this year. Zakharov is released today, ‘in exchange for a prominent USSR dissident’, but the sceptics are not convinced, as Reagan attempts to avoid the obvious conclusion. At least all of the obstacles are out of the way. At the Labour Party Conference, Neil Kinnock won the enthusiastic reception of his supporters in an emotional and passionate speech, that ranged over a range of foreign affairs and economic issues. The Labour Party are so far having a much better conference than the Liberals last week. A cry for help today from the NSPCC over the plight of neglected children, after a disturbing increase in reported cases. The pressure on the pound sterling eased today, but money supply figures soon could send the speculation off again. This time West Germany supported the Bank of England’s efforts in buying pounds and selling deutschmarks. The weather should be warmer tomorrow. It was misty until 2.30pm today, which was not much good for painting.