A trip to Cambridge on a bitterly cold but much calmer day where coffee and lunch with Di’s family was followed by the drive to Kimbolton Preparatory School where we were treated to two hours of presentations and displays which demonstrated how strict they were and then home to the ducks and doves and news of a 10% increase in Prescription Charges and harsh measures including £1,000 airline fines against Tamil refugees
Slept well, but was still wanting more when I was awoken for my morning tea. A bitterly cold morning, even though the wind had turned into a stiff breeze. Showered and dressed in good time to put the children right for breakfast and then helped a little with them afterwards, reading a story to Della whilst Di got ready. Gathered together a list of a large number of things to do and then, with Daniel gone to school and Debbie left with Pat, we set off early in the Range Rover for Cambridge. A clear run, via the shortest route, arriving quite early at 9.30am in the Eaden Lilley coffee place, and even that after parking in what is usually a very busy Lion Yard car parking place. Had to wait until nearly 10.00am for Di’s parents to arrive and then I treated them to a coffee and sausage roll to share between them (!) as is their habit. Norma took Della for a play on the ride in the basement and then to the Early Learning Centre, whilst Di and I did some shopping together.
We bought a nice sugar-sifter, with a silver plated cap for today’s pancakes, renewed my VCH Vol II library book, and then first did the food shopping, before visiting a couple of stationers to obtain some other things that I needed. Retrieved Della and then had lunch at the Copper Kettle and enjoyed it. Gave Della some chocolate cake to keep her quiet and she did not spread her messy fingers over anyone! A brisk drive home and change of coats and cars for our visit to Kimbolton Preparatory School, to be shown round. Joan stayed on to look after Della in the house and it was just as well, for we were there two hours being shown round the school. First, the senior girls (x 10 years) made us coffee and had to talk to us and keep us company. Then they were joined by the boys and the Headmaster, who gave us a 10 minute talk on the school. The drama/music master then came in, spoke to us for a while, and then showed us a video of a recent musical that the school had produced. Then the pupils took us round the school, in and out of every classroom and other rooms. The classes were interrupted and we had the chance to chat to the teachers and see the other pupils being taught and the tour ended up in the art room, where the main school Headmaster’s wife, Mrs Donaldson, also told us about the school and showed us examples of the pupils work. I was impressed by the school and foresaw that the only difficulty that Debbie would have would be the school meals, where they were expected to eat them regardless, even if they were not very nice. They were given homework every night, had extracurricular activities each day that could keep them at school until 5.00pm, or after, if desired, and were tutored and coached at their preferred subjects. Di is concerned, however, at the regime of the school and thinks it may be too strict for one so young. I just wish that Daniel had gone there, as he would have found school work a lot more straightforward. Home to the ducks and doves – the young dove still survives – and then an evening helping the children with their work and then watching TV, whilst reading through the deeds to my Little Paxton properties (now all joined together). Learned quite a bit about the development of the area, which I shall surely use in my book. The news today is of this government trying to defend an increase of 10% (twice the inflation rate) in National Health Service prescription charges. Though 75% if the populace are covered by exemptions, there is still evidence that many people now avoid getting the prescribed medicines that cost up to 250p per time! At a time when the Tories are trying to maintain popularity in the run up to an election, this is a major misreading of opinion. A cargo boat, smouldering, and with many tons of dynamite aboard, is drifting slowly towards the Devon coast. The Home Secretary has agreed to look into the plight of the Tamil refugees, that were at first refused asylum, but has introduced a regulation, fining airlines £1000 per refugee imported without a visa. Civil rights groups are up in arms again. The Alliance is up in the opinion polls and Labour starts to be divided again over the left/right interplay of its two wings in the wake of the Greenwich by-election.