Planning my new conservatory and viewing the St Ives antique auction on a cold and blustery day before a family lunch before home to allow Daniel access to his boat after the flood water was receding and a relaxing evening planned before Debbie accidentally injures my eye and we spend the evening at Hinchingbrooke casualty department. The news of the callous execution of two young reservist policemen in Portrush and of an official at the Irish Embassy in London being caught producing forged passports for Arabs for £15,000 each
A much better night’s sleep started with a cooler bed and more comfortable circumstances. Awake to my morning tea, showered and dressed in good time, then in to my office to re-sketch my plan for the new conservatory, so as to be able to send a copy to Marston and Langinger for them to advise. Managed this and was ready with the others when it was time to leave for St Ives. The long process of locking up and alarming the building, then off in the Range Rover with Di driving so that I could review the morning paper and mail. More brochures from the conservatory manufacturers and some, interesting. I am wondering whether a classical design would be more appropriate for our house – or something more modern. Arrived in St Ives and parked in the converted market and walked in on a cold and blustery day.
I really regret trying to heat up the pool, as there is no way that anyone would go swimming outside on a day like this. The cold wind even penetrated our coats unless they were done up tight with a scarf to seal the neck. I dropped in at the general auction and picked up a lot sheet for 10p and then met the others in the cafe opposite, arriving just in time to pay for the refreshments. Back to the antique viewing hall after and went through most of the lots. It was the curiosities that interested me most, and in particular a board games compendium and miniature bowls set. There were also two oak cases of fine silver plate, which were quite collectable, on one the fish eaters and carriers being made with silver mounts. Back to the car for a 12.00 midday rendezvous, where we found the girls already waiting for us. Drove the cross country route from St Ives to Croxton and had lunch at the Happy Eater. They were busier than usual, but offered us good service and so I tipped them well. Home after and spent the afternoon reading the rest of today’s mail and watching sport on TV. The flood water on the river was falling quickly. We had seen plenty of other flooding whilst on our travels yesterday and today, along the Ouse valley, but the worst now seems to be over. Daniel managed to get back on the Little Lady for the first time in a day and was happy. Then Dan and I watched a film on TV and Di served tea in the lounge, which was rather a poor one – toast and sausages on sticks. She then bathed the girls and was getting them to bed when I went up to say goodnight to Debbie and a nasty accident happened. I was leaning over her when she quickly brought up her hands without looking up (she said later to cuddle me) and put her finger in my eye. Her nails scratched a piece of skin off of my eyeball (just out of the line of sight and ¾ mm in diameter) and also folded my lower eye lid under. I retracted the latter, realised the damage so caused and this meant a trip to the casualty department of Hinchingbrooke Hospital. I reassured Debbie first, who was upset by what she had done, and asked Daniel to hold the fort, which he did admirably. A long wait at the accident department. The incident had occurred about 7.00pm, we were there by 7.45pm, but not seen until 9.00. Another half hour’s wait before a competent examination by a lady Doctor, who used the correct equipment to have a close look. Called it a ‘nasty’ accident and thought ‘a vicious little thing’ had done it. She pondered a long while on whether to fit an eye pad and patch, or just provide medicated ointment for constant application. We opted for the latter, as I could easily get back there if needed. Home a bit late and, after my bedtime drink with Di, we sat and watched a little TV football before applying my ointment and going to bed. Fortunately it only stung a little and I was able to sleep soundly. The news tonight was of the callous murder of two young policemen (reservists) in the main street of Portrush, County Antrim, by paramilitary ‘loyalist’ men, who shot them from short range in the back of the head. An official in the Irish Embassy in London has been suspended for allegedly producing forged passports and selling them to Libyans, Iranians and Lebanese for prices of up to £15,000 each. Two people die in a hotel fire in Warwickshire, thought to be the hotel manager and his wife.