It was 1991 before Roger Cooper was released from jail in  Iran
It was 1991 before Roger Cooper was released from jail in Iran

Some time tending my Koi and plants under the shelter of my conservatory on a very cold morning with sleet and penetrating wind to start with, but it became wetter and milder later. The Ohgon looked poorly, and the plants were suffering from greenfly, but the rest of the day completing my Paxton Park chapter for my book. The children’s guests were changing with Gary staying in place of Helen before I had a rare early night. Diplomatic differences and dialog with the Iranians with Salman Rushdie still threatened and Roger Cooper jailed. Inflation rises above 7.5%; the highest level for more than six years.

I was all set for an early night, but I set up too long writing my journal which I resolved not to do again. A little late to breakfast but it was of no account as everybody else had come down late as the schools were on holiday. I spent a couple of hours this morning attending my conservatory fish and plants. The Ohgon is still poorly with a growing and nasty looking swelling on his gill plate and not feeding. The others are all right. The plants, or some of them, having a nasty attack of greenfly and it seems that all of Nigel Smith’s offerings are thus affected and I must tell him some time. The rest of the day on my computer and at last managed to finish the Paxton Park chapter which was a small satisfaction. Diana read it with interest and suggested some corrections and expansions to add clarity.

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Debbie’s friend, Helen Cranston, went home today and Daniel’s friend, Gary Skinner, arrived to stay. Little Della just tagged on to everyone and watched lots of video. Diana did her week’s shopping today and found the supermarket very crowded indeed. I went to bed soon after 10 PM tonight for the first time in a long while as I needed the rest. The news today is of move by Iran to lift the death threat on Salman Rushdie if he makes an apology. In the meanwhile, the British charged affair in Teheran had two hours of talks with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister. There has been doubts raised as to whether the jailed Briton, Roger Cooper, will get such a stiff jail sentence as threatened and he will be granted a visit from the British consul on March 7. The figures for inflation today put the year-on-year rate above 7.5%; the highest level for more than six years. Today has been very cold with sleet and penetrating wind but it became wetter and milder later.