On by foot from How Hill to Sutton Windmill after an early interview with the Broads Authority River Inspector to lodge our complaint and a great conservation achievement marred by their treatment of historic deeds after which Di was peeved we had missed a pub lunch. On to Stalham, a venue totally overwhelmed with a maze of marinas and then up to Dilham at the head of navigation and some fun fishing. Inflation is rising, the Home Secretary orders a new investigation into the soundness of the IRA Guildford Pub bombing convictions and five children are released from protection in Cleveland after the allegations are dismissed.
Awoke fairly early at 6.30am this morning, in weather that had cleared and was sunny after overnight rain. Quickly dressed and went out to do some fishing. A successful session, as in 2 hours I caught a dozen roach, three of them nearly too heavy to land without the landing net. Broke off for breakfast at 8.30am and then, just having washed and shaved, the River Inspector arrived in his patrol boat and I went to see him. Spent a couple of hours talking to him and then telephoning Jack Powells of Wroxham, who own the offending boat, to register my claim. Di had become very upset at the delays, but I cheered the children up and we set off on foot for Sutton Windmill. This is the tallest windmill in Norfolk and has been restored in a decade of dedicated effort by one family, who have also built a museum and snack bar to make the visit interesting.
Unfortunately, the visit was marred for me by the amazing act of them cutting up original deeds and indentures and sticking them on the walls in the coffee bar. For people displaying a windmill as heritage, this was an act of historical vandalism and I told them so. We mounted this tall mill (which is quite a hazard with loose planks and trap doors) and saw the view for miles around. A dozen churches were in view. Back down and to Sutton, where Di was disappointed to find the pub had finished lunches. I found her in the boat gorging herself on sandwiches in contradiction to her diet and stopped her. We then set off for Stalham. A nice river aspect that has been spoilt by the maze of marinas and boat yards and the main road that separates the staithe from the village. Stopped at the nearest staithe to the shops and moored. Walked to the pet shop and bought some more maggots and pike tackle and then went to several clothes shops with Di and the girls to get some new pink trainers for Debbie and long-legged trousers for Della, who keeps scraping her knees. Refreshments at a cafe, then back to The Lady. Set off again and turned up the Ant to go under Wayford Bridge and then along ever narrowing channels to get to the head of navigation at Dilham. A small staithe by the old canal bridge, above which the navigation no longer extends. Di made a salad tea, then put the girls into a bath and then beds. I finished with live bait (from this morning’s catch) for pike without success, but caught a 6oz Rudd during the session with a single maggot on the other rod. It is dark by 8.30pm now and then put The Lady to bed and went inside. Daniel phoned Steve twice today, but it seems he is unable to get across to join us for a week’s holiday and so will have to miss it. There are quite nice riverside houses up this end of the Ant and the owners enjoy the amenity and maintain their gardens well. We have done well to spend time exploring this river at length. The news tonight was of the continuing row over the British Ambassador’s holiday plans in Ireland being leaked. He protects public confidence in the security forces on both sides of the border, but must privately be annoyed and feel exposed. Inflation statistics rise today, as I expect will be a gradual and steady trend. Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, has ordered a new investigation by Police into the IRA Woolwich and Guildford pub bombings, after serious doubts exist as to whether the right people were convicted. The clamour has seemingly led to innocent people being wrongly convicted on the basis of confessions being forced on them by police. Irish police have found an IRA training camp and arms cache near the border with Ulster. In the Cleveland child abuse cases, five children have had ‘Ward of Court’ orders lifted from them and they have been returned to their parents. British Airways has not bought Airbus A300 planes, but gone to Boing instead, which is a blow for the European aerospace industry. Still, the plans will use Rolls Royce RB211 engines, which make up a large proportion of the contract value. The race for the long haul BA planes is still open, with Airbus Industry still in the race against MacDonald Douglas.