- Details
Fulfilling the role of resident engineer as Diana takes Della to Bedford whilst Larkin, the river engineer carries on securing the steel piling and then researching the Norfolk Broads tourist attractions to satisfy ourselves the children would enjoy the summer there. The election news is overshadowed by the life imprisonment of the step-father killer Nigel Hall, in the tragic case of the death of Kimberley Carlile for whom no part of her body had escaped punishment, with cuts, bruises and cigarette burns, inflicted over several months The other news is that the actress, Rita Hayworth, aged 68 has died and that NATO leaders of Europe, meeting today, have endorsed the medium & short range nuclear arms deal
Gradually getting back to my normal bedtime as the days go by. Awoken at 7.00am, with Di and Della for company, and then sat a while as I drank my tea and then made a move to be down by 7.35am. A simple wheat flakes breakfast and apple juice and then went out to feed the doves by hand. A cool, showery and blustery spring day and I was pleased to get back inside and start a day in the office. Di was taking Della to Bedford for the morning and I worked quickly to prepare the financial transactions and post for her to do for me. Before long, she was in wanting help, finding the Range Rover difficult to start. Later in the morning Pete had trouble with the reserve lawnmower and I had to help him adjust the fuel mixture! Quite the resident mechanic today. Mr Larkin was here again, having missed yesterday, and completed most of the piling and welded the ties to give support.
- Details
After some emergency lawn-mower repairs, this was mainly a planning day; arranging to go to The Chelsea Flower Show on Thursday, to see my Mum & Dad on Sunday next and take The Lady to The Norfolk Broads with The Little Lady in July and August. Thatcher’s unemployment figures are down due to her 20th change od statistical criteria, a last minute £450m loan to BAE for their European Airbus partnership, a military coup in Fiji and now the South African government have expelled British ITN and BBC television news journalists for screening and reporting civil unrest, even though it was in accordance with the rulings of the South African High Court.
A little earlier to bed than of late and was awoken this morning to an early drink of tea and sat in bed for a while coming to. Then my shower & shave and took so long that I was the last one down to breakfast! Debbie wanted to be taken to school by me this morning (I later learnt that it was in the hope that I would allow her to take a large teddy bear!) and so I walked off with her in the pouring rain and duly obliged. Poor luck for Debbie; I did not allow the teddy to come too. We walked to school with her friend Amy and mother Pat Law and we chatted at the same time. Once back, I started work in my office, but did not achieve a great deal, apart from processing today’s post. I did phone both of my favoured conservatory companies, Imperial and another, and gazed at the two plans and quotations until lunchtime, having great difficulty in choosing between the two. Over lunch, at last Di and I agree on our proposed visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, which will be next Thursday in the afternoon and evening.
- Details
After a philosophical start the day, an impromptu decision to take apart the riverside summer house and build up its foundation to a better level, breaking off to take Debbie horse-riding as I leave a started Diana to receive the conservatory salesman. Westland Helicopters make 1.00 redundant and Klaus Barbie walks out of his French ‘show’ trial
An early call and cup of tea this morning, as I was awake when Di got up and requested it then. Sat in bed dozing and dreaming for a while afterwards, thinking of the house improvements as being non-ending the way things are going. With some weariness, I got showered, shaved and dressed and then went down to breakfast in time to get the children to clear up their rooms before eating. I then went out with my binoculars to feed the doves by hand and then scan the surroundings for interesting birds. Suddenly filled with enthusiasm (as the early rain had cleared up) I started taking apart the summer house. Within a couple of hours, and with the slight help of Mr Larkin, I had disassembled it and stacked the components on the riverside patio.
- Details
An emotional argument with Diana on a rainy day but I then insisted on going to Cambridge with her, dropping off Debbie with the Laws and then leaving Della with Charles and Norma as we bought silver christening presents for Kate and Ashley, runner carpets for the hall, a saloon rug for The Lady. Home via Offord for some chandler y and out with Daniel to improve our mooring before inside to catch up with some work. Thatcher is called ‘frit’ in the Commons for avoiding a TV debate with Labour’s Kinnock, Ernest Saunders is out on bail and a 12-year deal has been reached for Channel Tunnel rail fees
To bed late again, being too tired to get my chores done quickly! Awake to my morning tea, with Della as well as Di – she is so lively in the morning these days. Then the problem started. An argument with Di and much emotional upset. I wanted to take her and Della to St Ives for the Prudential Auction, but she wanted to go to Cambridge. Then I agreed to go to Cambridge, but she did not want me along, preferring to go alone and on to ‘Tumble Tots’ afterwards. I insisted on going anyway, feeling rather aggrieved and dejected and got the Range Rover out and the girls inside. I then took Debbie along to the Law’s house to save us time and we drove to Cambridge and parked quite early. To Eaden Lilley for coffee, where we met Di’s parents and they looked after Della whilst Di and I went first to the silversmiths for some Christening presents for Nigel’s children. I got Kate a trinket box and ‘bow-style’ broach, and Ashley a pair of cuff links and a silver paper knife. I hope that they both treasure them.