A trip by taxi from St Olaves to Fritton Lake and Country Park where the children enjoyed the playground, the family ate in the cafeteria and I could charge my video camera as Debbie and Della did some horse-riding. Then on up the Waveney to Beccles and he walk into town some good facilities and BBQ goodies for our evening meal on a muggy day which will soon herald more rain. The Law Lords rule against the newspapers publishing Spy-catcher extracts and nearly over rule parliamentary privilege to talk about the matter as well. More of the Cleveland ‘Child Abuse’ children are back with their parents and President Reagan is treated for skin cancer. Thatchers cabinet approved plans for the Poll Tax, which will be a big mistake and a huge bomb hits Johannesburg with the regime under threat from civil unrest and armed insurgence.
Della woke us early after a fair night’s sleep. The moorings downstream of St Olaves were very comfortable and quiet, though the tide strong. Our customary morning routine and then all off for the walk to Fritton Lake & Country Park. Did not get further than the service station where Daniel spotted ‘ St Olaves Taxi Service’ sign and I got them to drive us to the resort. Just as well, as the road was uphill, twisty and without pavements, which made the goods traffic quite a hazard. The weather was kind to us and the sun came out as we arrived. Spent a nice time in the adventure playground, with the children making ideal subjects for our video and still cameras.
At 10.30am the cafeteria opened and we sat in the sun and had our elevenses. Della fed ducks and doves that had grown used to feeding from the customers. Whilst there, the assistants kindly put my video camera on charge, as I have now finished a first film and will probably shoot three during our holiday. By 11.00am the ponies had arrived and Della rode a small black one called Chocolate Buttons and Debbie a grey, which she just about handled on her own. Then we called the taxi back to pick us up and had lunch at the pub garden by the bridge. The cruise up the Waveney then to Beccles, helping extract one hirer and his boat from a reed bed into which he had driven completely! Cruised with the cover back and enjoyed the trip. A nice mooring at Beccles Yacht Station, handy for a children’s playground and toilet/shower block and adjoining their communal site if we cared to stay for it later this week. We moored up and walked into the town, then just had time to buy some barbeque goodies to have for tonight’s meal. News today was of the Law Lords decision to rule against newspaper publication of the MI5 Spy Catcher book and further extend restrictions to reporting of the Australian law cases as well. They decided 3 to 2 and very nearly banned publication of parliamentary proceedings on the matter, but stopped short of this. More children taken into care in Cleveland are back with their parents after being released by the courts due to unsound evidence and lack of the children being disturbed or in fear. US President Reagan has been diagnosed as having skin cancer on his nose after previous problems due to sun exposure. At today’s UK Cabinet meeting, proposals for a Poll Tax have been given the go ahead, despite objections from within the Tory party. In central Johannesburg today, the biggest ever bomb exploded and the authorities accuse the ANC of planting it. They are a regime under internal siege from civil unrest and armed insurgence. The local news here is of the flooding caused by the recent rain, which has been quite exceptional. More rain is forecast for this evening on what will be a muggy & humid night and tomorrow morning will be cloudy with drizzle.