The RREC newsletter is delivered this morning with our advert within and then my Reliant arrived this afternoon, I managed to start it and, now dubbed ‘Percy’, I drove it up and down Gordon Road which was quite fitting for ‘Comic Relief day’! The continuing industrial unrest hits the ferries and the NUS backs down but tens of thousands of Fords workers will be out on official strike after the weekend. After the Herald tragedy another ferry door falls off!
An anticipative night, mindful of the arrival of the Reliant tomorrow, but slept in the end. Was awoken to my morning tea, Daniella, and Di naked to be weighed on our scales, which was a stimulating combination. Showered, shaved and went down to breakfast and sat there for some time with the others. Had a croissant to eat this morning. Retired to my office after and read the morning paper and then looked out for the post. At last the RREC Advertiser arrived, with our insert in it, and now we can wait for any responses to our ‘call for Corniches’. Completed my registration and insurance forms and then made an early lunch in anticipation of the van arriving at 11.30. I ate my salad with no sign of them and it was about midday that he eventually arrived. The Reliant van is in good condition, considering its age, and we rolled it back into the inner garage. It is recently painted in BL Brooklands green.
I played with it for a while and tried to start it without success and I must admit I became a bit disillusioned and wondered if I’d done the right thing. Still, I got a lift from Pete and Joan and got the van taxed and insured in St Neots and then bought some correct touch-up paint for it in the motoring shop, before catching the shuttle bus home. I changed and had another go at the Reliant and then, surprise, I managed to start it. It seems that the previous noise being made when I pulled a switch was not the starter motor failing to engage, but was the windscreen washer pump sucking at an empty bottle! Took it out for a run up and down Gordon Road and it worked fine. Took it home and then took off the front mudguard in order to straighten it, as a dent led to the mudguard fouling the front wheel. Di and Della arrived home and Della was fascinated by ‘Percy’ the Reliant and kept wanting to sit in it, but I had to protect it from her to an extent. Once I had refitted it, Daniel came home and I took him for a run as well, but the radiator seemed to get a bit hot after I had topped it up with antifreeze. Put everything away as it was time to go in for tea. This evening it was the Range Rover’s turn and I backed it up onto ramps and attended to the rear bumper and trims. Di had managed to return with the spare part I had been waiting for and I took the opportunity to repaint some rust spots underneath at the same time. Late tonight I had my drink and intended to write up my journal, but it was ‘Comic Relief’ day this evening and a whole host of comedians were raising their money for the Ethiopian Famine Appeal by telling jokes and putting on programmes for their ‘telephone’. The news tonight is of the continuing industrial unrest. Under further threat of legal action, the NUS restates its instruction to its members to go back to work. Then a safety door falls off a ferry, due to metal fatigue, which is a scandal after the Herald of Free Enterprise tragedy and revised safety procedures thereafter. The seamen remain out, despite the instruction. The Ford workers continue their industrial action and now an official strike by 32 ½ thousand manual workers has been called for Monday. After being roundly criticised for her latest insensitive remarks on health insurance, Edwina Currie, the Junior Health Minister, is unrepentant and defensive about her 13 year old daughter having treatment for teeth straightening at a Birmingham National Health dental hospital.