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Combining visits to local political activists and picking up election ‘flag boards’ whilst taking the family to St Ives and then to lunch at the Little Paxton Little Chef and then planning leaflet delivery rounds this evening. More trouble in Ulster with the shooting of two British soldiers at an IRA funeral, the entire Leicester ambulance fleet of 50 vehicles totally destroyed by fire in their depot
Slept well enough, but awoke early again and came downstairs to initiate my own cup of tea. Stayed in my pyjamas for breakfast, reading the Investors Chronicle in the run up to it. Then I read this morning’s mail – full of Reliant letters etc, but no further Little Paxton feedback. Then my wash and shave, before deciding that I would take Di to St Ives after all. We called in on Percy Meyer on the way, who told me about new by-elections in Buckden District & County Wards, which he would probably stand in himself. This would mean he could not be my agent. Off to St Ives, where we parked, had coffee in Tooks and then I looked at the auction viewing, whilst Di took the girls to ‘Magpie’ and other places. I also bought some new screwdrivers and spanners, before getting more stationery as well. Back to St Neots, where I saw Michael Pope as Di went shopping. I discussed this question of Ward priorities and agreed a strategy.
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Sluggish start to a ‘fresh’ day after insufficient sleep lately and then a tiresome task coping with papers that were troublesome to file and bank errors as I sat and reconciled my accounts. This afternoon and evening making arrangements for my election. Ford are backing out of a motor electronics factory scheme for Dundee after workers refuse to agree a single union representation, the avalanche that struck Prince Charles’s skiing party was probable set off by their own movements and the Dover to Calais ferry workers are on strike again with a thousand lorries queueing
Slept well again, but the night was not long enough to let me catch up on the last few nights. Washed my hair as I showered this morning and was late to breakfast again. Then to my office and the morning trying to clear it up. Difficult to find homes for all of the papers and I made slow progress. In particular, the bank accounts were difficult to reconcile, with Abbey National making more than their fair share of clerical errors. Made my own lunch of ham salad and was feeling quite tired by then. Pete had lit a smoky bonfire again today and upset a neighbour as a result. This afternoon and evening, I carried on working, later phoning around political colleagues to chase up arrangements for the election. Later still, chance to relax and write my journal whilst watching the TV news and last episode of ‘Rockcliff’s Basics’. The weather was a bit fresh today, but rain is due tomorrow. News today is of the Ford Motor Company backing out of a motor electronics factory in Dundee, after the failure of the unions to agree on a single union representation.
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A day away from campaigning, receiving more history photos and taking Percy the Reliant to Brompton to be sign-written, some 12 miles. Home to take Debbie horse-riding and to hear that the Pretoria Supreme Court granting a stay of execution for the Sharpeville 6 until April 18th as there was evidence of a state witness committing perjury and the US lands troops in Honduras and Nicaragua appeals to the UN. UK interest rates are lowered today by ½ % to 8 ½ %.
After another midnight bedtime and 6.00am awakening, I felt very tired again this morning and continued thus all day, pledged to go to bed earlier tonight. The last down to breakfast and I shouted at the children for making too much noise, arguing as they got ready to go to school. Then I read today’s mail. A nice note from Mrs Ruff, with photographs enclosed, including one of Daisy Ashford outside her cottage. I chased the boat, which is now ready and checked with the Brompton signwriters about bringing Percy in later today. Out to tend the ducks and doves. I now have 6 dove chicks and a further couple of eggs. I had to ring the first two of the season today. The ground is drying out a bit better now, with the breeze and sun. It was a much nicer day today. An early salad lunch with Di and her Mum and then Di went off to her keep fit lesson, whilst I tended to the Reliant.
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Under the weather this morning from my continuing cold and to the doctor’s about my chest pain to be diagnosed with a cracked rib. Then photograph sessions in Huntingdon and around Paxton before out in the Reliant for shots of that too. a horrific attack by Protestant extremists on the IRA funeral mourners today. Three men died and 50 people were taken to hospital as grenades and shots were fired. In America, Colonel North and Admiral Poindexter face charges over Reagan’s aid to the Contras and South African president Botha is ruling out any clemency for the ‘Sharpeville Six’
Slept very well last night for a change and was feeling more rested this morning. Unfortunately, my cold is just as bad and as uncomfortable as ever. Early awake (to Diana’s surprise) and then on time to breakfast. Just cereal today. I played with Della a little until, the mail came as there was little time before we had to go into St Neots to see my Doctor. It was Dr Turner who saw me today and he confirmed that my trouble was a ‘cracked’ rib – a nice way of saying it is broken. He listened to my chest and reassured me that there was no lung damage. He said it will heal very slowly, and that the swelled section would settle down into some sort of shape, but it would all take time. I should try not to lift or strain it. To Boots and then to meet Di back at Waitrose with her shopping. We then had a coffee together at the Rendezvous. I had the idea of taking our own black and white photos for publicity purposes and so I drove us to Huntingdon for some shots outside the District Council Offices and then back to Paxton for some shots round here. After lunch, I started Percy the Reliant and we took that out so that I could get some shots of this too.