Some fishing and more investment summary work on a sombre and misty autumnal day as Di invited Debbie’s friends round to use the pool and I let her use her new recorder and read her Country Companion. Liverpool ‘fans’ are extradited to Holland to stand trial for football hooliganism, seventeen oil tankers have been hit in the Gulf in attacks from both sides, Barcelona air traffic controllers plan to strike again and Israel prosecute nuclear whistle blower Vanunu after he was abducted by Mossad over revealing their bomb plans
Stayed up quite late last night watching the athletics and other sport and so slept in quite a bit this morning as a result. Showered, shaved and dressed for breakfast and then went out fishing afterwards. A sombre, misty morning, that stayed that way all day as it happened. Did quite well, catching a couple of bream and several other fish. Fished on until 10.00am, when Daniel told me that one of our doves had fallen down the chimney and was trapped behind the fireguard in my office grate. I freed the unfortunate bird and fished on for a further hour or so.
Then to my office, where I made a slow start to my investment summary, until Di arrived back from her weekly food shop at 11.45am. She had drunk coffee at the Rendezvous Cafe and had spotted their lunchtime ‘special’ of roast duck and so told me about it. As part of our search for a nice eating place we gave it a try, driving over and picking up Daniel from Paul’s house on the way. It was a nice meal, but spoilt by first the children misbehaving and then rather off-hand service from the waitresses. Our search must continue. This afternoon, I at last got down to my work, updating both my investment and income summaries, ready for typing in the changes. Di had invited Debbie’s friends round again to use the swimming pool and they had a great time this afternoon. After tea, I tried my luck with the fishing rod again, but had little success. It had been drizzling, but ended the day misty and dull – just as it had begun. I was in early enough this evening to let Debbie try her new recorder and then to read a few sections of Country Companion to her for the first time in a few days. Then I locked the house up after Daniel’s friend Paul had left, before settling down in the lounge to watch TV and update my journal. I watched a TV documentary on the ecological problem of waterfowl in the United States, which showed problems they are experiencing, which are even worse than those in our wetlands. News tonight is of Home Secretary Douglas Hurd’s decision to allow extradition of the Liverpool fans to Holland for the football hooligan trials. The families of the youths fear for their trials, which will be held in French, with three judges replacing the British jury system. Both sides in the Gulf War have been attacking oil tankers. Now 17 ships have been hit in the last few days. Iraq have limited attacks to Iranian installations and ships, but Iran has retaliated against each and every available neutral target. Happily these have not included tankers escorted by the international powers. Reagan is on holiday at his Californian ranch and sees no reason to intervene and change the US policies of reflagging and escorting foreign ships. At the SDP Conference closure today there was sadness and disappointment that the party is bound to split, but still a measure of polite disagreement and mutual respect remained. The Barcelona air traffic controllers have decided to strike this coming weekend and throw the Spanish holiday trade into concern and confusion once more. Mathias Rust, the young West German pilot who landed a light aeroplane in Red Square, pleaded guilty at his Moscow trial and was convicted today. He faces a probable sentence of up to 10 years in jail, but described his flight as a peace mission and hopes for clemency. None is expected in Jerusalem in the trial of Nuclear Scientist, Vanunu, who was abducted by Mossad to face trial after revealing Israel’s plans for a nuclear bomb. Wind and rain are forecast for the next few days, which is disappointing after our dull day.