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Some practical chores and then a host of investment chores completed before Nigel arrived in his red Mk-2 Racing Jaguar and took me for a hair-raising ride in it before I returned to carry on putting up lights on the balconies. Then to visit the PCC Chairman Alf Cousins for more information about St James Church and its lands and to have sherry with his church colleagues. The news today all about the Gorbachev mission as he meets Thatcher at RAF Brize Norton en route to the US and his wife Raisa meets British schoolchildren
A fair night’s sleep, but inexplicably woke up in the early hours before doing off again. My normal struggle to get up this morning, arriving late at the table, then time to read the paper as a gentle start to the day. This morning I tackled a few chores – first off was the key cabinet catch (which I repaired in temporary fashion), then I took the water softener apart again and put in a new set of four ‘O’ ring seals, which had become deformed and leaky. They are a poor design at the best of times and recently claimed the US shuttle as a famous victim. Di had dropped Della off at playschool this morning and, for once, the right mothers had arrived, allowing her to go. She then got a lot more coloured 25watt light bulbs and I put up our rear balcony lights this afternoon. I had been reminded by a neighbour from a bungalow (33 Gordon Road) who had phoned this morning to see if my book was out yet (!), who said she was looking forward to seeing them. This afternoon I worked at my financial affairs, scanning the stock exchange SEAQ data on my Prestel terminal and entering details of my recent transactions on my financial summary sheets. I also dealt with a few items of correspondence that needed doing. Tea and then went up with Daniel to organise his school work and he seemed quite helpful and cooperative for once. Poor Debbie forgot to see her recorder teacher today for her practice and must go and apologise tomorrow. Pity, as she needs tuition on some new notes. Then Nigel arrived with his new ‘racing’ Jaguar. It is a Mk II Jaguar, bright red all over (including bumpers etc) that had been converted as a first racing version. He took me for a (hair raising) ride in it and I worry that he would crash it sometime, if not careful.
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A lazy start to the day before a fine fried breakfast, a roast lunch and family tea in the lounge welcoming Daniel and Debbie’s friends as the domestic news is full of Thatcher’s Poll Tax and cuts to our NHS but Gorbachev is en route to the US via the UK to sign a nuclear arms limitation agreement
A lay in this morning, as I was only brought my awakening drink at 8.00am. Still lay a while listening to the radio. I normally listen to the Sunday religious programmes as I get shaved and dressed, but they became fixated with AIDS and its effects, insisting on a degree of explicit frankness that I could do without so early on a Sunday morning. Only just in time for my breakfast, after washing my hair. Diana had cooked me a nice fried breakfast and I ate it with enthusiasm. Most of the morning reading yesterday’s and today’s papers, though I did go out at 11.00am to feed my birds and retrieve a lone duck egg. The river is well down now and at last the ground is drying out so that you can walk around without much clinging to your feet. Sat in the lounge to continue my reading, after roast beef for lunch – it is nice there with the light and decorated Christmas tree and the layout is now much more acceptable.
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First to Jordan’s Mill in Biggleswade for layers pellets, getting a Holly Wreath and some Christmas Cards en-route and then on to St Ives for the antiques auction but nothing of interest before home to put up our Christmas lights that shined across the valley. The tragic heart operation delay case of baby David Barber ends with his death today and Maxwell can buy Watford if he sells Oxford
Slept well enough and awoke early on another chilly, but dry, morning. Too long getting showered and dressed again – seems very difficult these days to get the shower up to temperature. A modest breakfast and then read the Investors Chronicle, as Diana cleared the table and got the girls ready for our trip out. Daniel, of course, was at school. I fed the ducks and doves, locked up and we set off first for Jordan’s Mills at Broom, Biggleswade. I bought two bags of layers pellets for the ducks and one of mixed corn for the doves and, the shop opening at 9.30am, we could also buy a large quantity of wheat flakes to keep us going for quite a while. Started the drive to St Ives, but stopped several times on the way. Once for some fresh vegetables from a farm shop. Again for a real holly wreath for our front door and lastly for some petrol, as the Range Rover was running short. We got to St Ives, parked and had morning drinks at the cafe by the auction rooms.
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I carry on working on my history photo collection at home this morning and my investments this afternoon as Diana struggled with Della and has a bad day. Some representations over Range Rover service, Godmanchester riverside playground and rural development. The government injunctions today to try and gag the BBC and Thatcher is isolated at the EEC summit whilst publishing details of her new Poll Tax
Slept well and was awoken in good time. Unfortunately, I sat in bed too long and made myself late for breakfast again! Just had some wheat flakes and then saw the children off to school. Then Diana took Della off to Bedford, but, bless the little girl, she kicked up a fuss and did not want to go ‘without her bestest Daddy’. This was the start of a rotten morning for Di, as the garage gave her trouble over the Range Rover and all else seemed to go wrong. I worked away at the latest photos delivered last night and had them all sorted and stuck in by a late lunch. I made my own lunch of salad and a banana to follow. This afternoon, I tracked our investments on the stock exchange. It is still very weak, with even the recommended stocks slipping back and a cause for continued worry.