To London in heavy traffic and in forecast Hurricane-like gales, reviewing Rolls Royce Corniche Convertibles and selecting a 1972 black model from Croydon and then home to collect he children and to fit some accessories to the Range Rover. The westerly gales continue after they blow a girl under a lorry, two more die as trees fall on cars as the House of Commons votes to televise Parliament, a day of protest is planned by the TUC, NUT and RCN for March 5th and he car industry strikes spread to Ford Europe and Vauxhalls at Elsmere Port
Today we had planned a trip to London to view a number of Corniche convertibles and so we got up early and made ready as soon as we could. We left at 8.00am, dropped the children off at the old A1 school bus stop, and settled Della down with a range of toys, books and amusements for the trek ahead. I collected the post before leaving and was pleased to see a response from the Raleigh and Early Reliant Owners Club, who sent certain information on the pre-war vans. I let Diana do the driving, as I first read and then navigated into London. The weather forecasts were warning of hurricane-like gales today, but our biggest problem was the traffic. London is so busy these days. Each time we go we say that it can never get worse, but it does. So many cars and also so much disregard of parking restrictions, makes through progress difficult. We found our first dealer in North London, but he took us off round the houses to see a 1973 blue car in a garage. Since 1979 it had not really been looked after and so we moved on to the Regent Park area to see a white 1980 model. This had already been sold, which was annoying, as at 50,000 miles and £42,500, I might have been interested. Next, the struggle across town to the Chelsea Workshop to see a 1972 black model with 90,000 on the clock. It had been thoroughly refurbished about 18 months ago, with a respray and new hood and it looked nice.
Only problem was the seat covers, but the magnolia hide below should be refurbishable for £2000. It was the cheapest at £28,500. Lastly, down all the way to Croyden to see a 1982 blue model, only 18000 on the clock, for £46,000. This had been let go, which was a pity and I did not like the light blue and black poly bumpers. I phoned the motor engineer and arranged for him to survey the 1972 black model tomorrow morning and report back. If that report is favourable, then we shall buy this one as the best value. Then I went over to East Croydon to leave the survey money and it was a race against traffic and time to get back home. We stopped for Di to phone Little Paxton School and check that Amy Law was still ill, as we warned she would come over to our house after and we would not be there. More traffic and road works, road diversions and all else, until at last the Range Rover gobbled up the miles on the open A1, as we drove at speed up to 90mph. Straight over to Kimbolton Prep, collecting Debbie at 4.40pm, 10 mins late from her recorder lesson, then home to find Daniel sheltering in his boat. The Range Rover child’s boot seat had arrived and so I went into the garage this evening to fit this, the waterproof front seat covers, the front lipped mats, and the ladder rack. We just await the rear well liner and got the parts catalogue today, but that was unfortunately a 1985 one and our car is 1986! The weather deteriorated all day and ended very wet and windy. Worse is to come here, as the hurricane moves across the country. Already 4 people have died Ireland and the West Country. One girl was blown off the pavement and under a lorry, 2 people as trees fell on their cars. The westerly gales are pounding coastal defences with ferocious force. Much excitement at Westminster, as first Thatcher and Kinnock clash on the subject of whether or not to televise the deliberations of the House of Commons. Supporters of the idea worried that this political polarisation could cost them the decisive votes, as Tories felt bound to back the Prime Minister. Then the result was announced 318 in favour, 264 against, and the opposition are jubilant and pro-TV Tories relieved. Thatcher, who said such a move would ‘bring the House into disrepute’, is smarting at an unusual defeat. There are more protests planned on the NHS budget. The Royal College of Nursing will join other unions in a TUC day of demonstration on March 5th and a rally of their own on April 13th. With the Ford strike now affecting production at other plants in Europe, another manufacturer, Vauxhall’s car workers at Elsmere Port, vote to strike from tomorrow. The winds are forecast to continue.