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A brighter morning for my Reliant speedometer repairs and then a trial drive around Little Paxton and then a meeting with my photographer for some history and election shots. The reality emerging from Gibraltar was quite different to the story as there was no car bomb and an IRA man was shot dead whilst unarmed which leads to anger and demonstrations in West Belfast over the ‘executions’. Arab gunmen also hijacked a bus full of passengers being driven to a secret nuclear plant and died along with three passengers when the Israeli troops attacked. The Thatcher government launches an ‘Inner City’ programme with no new money but Kinnock says that they have actually taken away £8m away from the inner cities.
Awoke to a bright morning, after a sound night. I decided to complete the Reliant speedo repairs first thing this morning and so I just put on my old clothes and went straight out to do it. There was no frost this morning and the day, though starting a little chilly, was quite spring like. Before breakfast I had done the difficult job of connecting the speedometer instrument back in the dashboard and so I could quickly connect the other end soon afterwards. A quick start of the engine was accomplished and the van ready for use. I then went in, showered, washed and dressed and had time to do a few things before we set off. These were to order another batch of parts from the Austin 7 Workshop, order some 1988 rings for this year’s dove arrivals, and phone Colin Howard to get him to come round later. All aboard Percy and we set off for a proving trip. First to the newsagents, then on to the Post Office and finally to the Village Hall to drop Daniella off at playschool.
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A relaxing Sunday resting the reading before a couple of hours on my Little Paxton history before firing up Percy, my Reliant, and taking the girls around Little Paxton to the playing field. Then on via the A1 to St Neots Riverside park where there was much interest in the vehicle from enthusiasts and back when it started spitting with rain to watch some TV. The IRA are now targeting Gibraltar, the miners are now ending their overtime ban and the first anniversary of the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise is commemorated
A nice long and deep sleep last night and awoke feeling much more rested than of late. Stayed in bed and laid in nevertheless, reading yesterday’s Financial Times and today’s observer. Went down to breakfast in my dressing gown and then, after a nice fried meal, came back up to bed and finished my reading. After I was showered and dressed, I went to my office and worked a couple of hours on my history – the final part of The Corner Cottage and the start of Dial House, but I got bored in late morning and prepared Percy for an afternoon run. The sump has been leaking oil badly and so I tightened up the nuts and topped up the level. The engine started fine and so we were on for a journey, if the weather stayed fine. A nice lunch of roast chicken and then all into Percy for the trip. We went along Gordon Road to the playground, but drove around a few other streets, such as Hayling Avenue, to make more of a trip of it. Then over the bumps to park at the Village Hall car park and we parked and gave the girls goes on the swings and slide.
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Phoning round this morning to secure nominations for my District Council election campaign before lunch in a smoky St Neots restaurant and then to some TV sport and my journal as a mass protest over funding of the NHS with the largest in Hyde Park. Thatcher is unmoved and can only talk about her planned Poll Tax and then sends security forces into an IRA funeral
Awoke on time, despite a very late bedtime again. Even after I was in bed, I had great trouble sleeping, my mind being full of this local election business. These days the sun is rising as I wake, which is a better encouragement to the start of the day. Late to breakfast and then slow to scan the papers and today’s mail. I was mentally preparing myself to make a number of phone calls to sign up sponsors for my candidature nomination. A process of calling and calling back, as Saturday morning is a time when many are out, but I succeeded in getting Parish Councillor, Ian Gun, Connie Morris of The Lodge, Vera Ruff as three. I also contacted Mike Redding of Southoe, leader of the anti-development campaign, and tried to persuade him too, but he thought he should be neutral in deference to sitting Paxton Ward Councillor Mrs Green’s help over the planning applications. We will meet anyway, as he is interested in my local history studies. I called Percy Meyer to update him on developments and he was pleased with this progress. At lunchtime I took the family to St Neots for lunch, but it was rather too smoky for my liking.
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Starting the day tired after a succession of late nights, working on my history project this morning and then attending the SW Cambs. Constituency Liberal/SDP meeting this evening to get them to concentrate on the forthcoming elections and to secure help after preparing my own election address this afternoon. Charity workers and journalists seem to be at risk in the Middle East, right wing extreme parties seem to be gaining in South African elections but back home Sterling and the Stock Exchange recovers
Rather tired today after a poor series of retirement times lately, but pledged to pursue my history project to get a certain amount done. I was late to breakfast again and then read the paper briefly, before settling down to it. A tough job dealing with The Lodges and much besides. I did go out early before I started and managed to catch the dove stranger. I put it in a box and gave it to Di to take to Peterborough, as she had decided to go shopping there today. Later on I noticed a dove circling and thought for one moment that it was the same one! In fact it was another stray, but fortunately that did not stay. Otherwise Di could put messages on their legs saying what time she would be home! A long haul until lunch and then just time to pay Joan and Pete Hewlett their money, before I made myself a salad lunch. As the afternoon drew on, I became increasingly convinced that I should cancel my trip to the History Society tonight and go to the SW Cambs. Constituency Liberal/SDP meeting instead.