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Daniel’s ‘O’ Level Maths Exam – Apart from Daniel’s exam today, we were also continuing to plan and execute the scheme for extending the storm drain to pass from the original sump and through the piling of the quay-heading. ‘World Economic Summit’ of Western nations ends today with Reagan looking increasingly old, tired and confused, further tit-for-tat expulsions are taking place between British and Iranian diplomatic missions and the South African State of Emergency is extended after previously being due to end at midnight tomorrow.
Awoke on time and was ready for breakfast likewise. It was the day for Daniel’s first ‘O’ level mathematics exam and over breakfast he was closely questioned on his state of readiness, but took it all in his stride. I started the day in my office, printing out the investment and income summaries and phoned Nigel Smith, who came over later to discuss my drainage problem with me and advise me accordingly. Whilst we chatted, Mr Reed of Hunts DC turned up to look at the open excavations. He went off to chase up delivery of the pipes and Mr Larkin cruised off to Wray House to do some dredging there, before returning later. Ended the morning digging out some of the spoil and filling in behind the piling in places.
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A day dominated by meetings with Mr Reed of Hunts DC about our storm drain outfall but a satisfactory conclusion has him supplying 15inch pipes for our work to be done. Then the necessary digging and preparation interrupted to ensure Daniel was ready for his Maths ‘O’ level exam tomorrow. Thatcher gives scant priority to the Western Leaders summit in Italy, despite the rocket attacks on embassies, to rush back for election campaigning where health is now the main issue
Up to my normal routine and, after breakfast, I went into my office to type out the letter to Hunts DC about the drain. Stopped by Mr Larkin on the way and he is now less happy about doing the work, even if HDC supply the pipes, but I gave him a copy of the letter anyway and set off to Huntingdon and parked the Daimler in the Council Chairman’s reserved space (!) as there was no other available. Proceeded to meet Mr Reed on the third floor in Technical Services. He is a drainage engineer and soon produced plans that showed the pipes and where they originated. The surface water storm drain caters for nearly all of Little Paxton village and the sewage arises from the pumping station behind 39 Gordon Road, where it is the overflow for when the pump fails etc. A calm, friendly individual, he is the husband of Linda Reed, the local historian studying the Reynolds family whom I have met and cooperated with. He was prepared to supply pipes for the job and agreed to come down to The Haylings later on. I drove back, briefed Larkin and then got Pete to start digging out the previous work, whilst I carried on with paperwork in the office.
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Shaky start to a very rainy day after Di’s nightmare unsettled us before I saw the doctor about my foot and then a dispute over my drainage outlet with Mr Larkin and Hunts DC before I had to prepare the swimming pool for a party later in the week. Widespread civil servant strikes at home and more Irangate revelations in the US but diplomat Edward Larkin was released today
A better night’s sleep, but Di was missing in the morning and the bed was chilly without her! It seems she had been awake all night with a nightmare of Daniella falling out of our house, down a ravine and not being able to find her body, despite searching all night! Perhaps our new boat harbour is a subconscious hazard. Found out from the radio that an England vs Wales rugby international was on the TV and so went down to the lounge to watch this early morning sport. It had finished by 7.35am and I had to shave, shower and dress in 10 mins to be ready for breakfast by 7.45am and I was still the first one at the table. To my office after, pondering on what to do, but I managed to get an appointment at St Neots Doctor’s surgery about my foot and drove the Daimler in to be there by 10.20am.
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Landscaping the moorings with Daniel before and after the splendid christening ceremony at Hail Weston Church and following party where I became godfather to Kate and Ashley Smith. The election campaign continues with Sunday rallies and the Fiji crisis continues
Very late to bed, but still awoke early with the bird song in my ears. Windy this morning, but it died out during the day. Late last night I had a shower and so I just shaved and dressed in my working clothes before breakfast. Sat and caught up on yesterday’s Financial Times whilst Di fried us all some breakfast. I am weighing in at 13st 5lbs again due to the diet and physical exercise I have been having of late. Spent the morning landscaping the boat harbour and insisted that Daniel either join me at work or revise some more maths for his forthcoming ‘O’ level this week. He did some of the latter, but felt he ‘knew it all’ and so joined me by the river.