The day started with me releasing the Hariwake Ohgon Koi carp into the main pond, which was quite an involved process, and then I was busy with several phone calls on planning matters and governorship of Buckden School. After a couple of hours resting to watch England beat France in the rugby union international, I spent the rest of the day completing my Little Paxton Cricket Bat chapter. News today of another train crash, this one in Purley, Surrey, with six dead and dozens injured brings this government’s level of investment and safety record into close question as they lose ground on several opinion polls on public services
Today was another day destined for urgent work on my history book. It started a little late, but I made breakfast all right and then the fish intervened as I decided that ‘Harry’ (the Hariwake Ohgon Koi carp) was fit enough to be released into the pond. This meant that I had to constantly dilute his tank to get the water temperatures near-equal so that the transfer would be as painless as possible. What with work on the pool and that of clearing away the tank in equipment, it was mid-morning before I could get down to anything else. There were phone calls today on a range of subjects which also kept me busy I spoke to Pre Newbon (vice-chairman of HDC planning) about the School Lane, Little Paxton, application but I think there is little chance of carrying the day. Also to Helen Ramply about the governorship of Buckden School.
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I have tried to pour cold water on the idea by pointing out that I live outside the school’s catchment area, have no experience or knowledge of school organisation or education theory, would face other requests from near schools that would dilute my time and so could they not find somebody with more time and suitability. They still seem keen on me have already discussed it amongst themselves. The strange thing is that all of the key characters are devout Tories but it seems that Southoe want somebody to stand up for them and give them impartial and independent advice. I eventually get down to my Cricket and Cricket Bat chapter editing a couple of hours each side of lunch and then afforded myself the luxury a couple of hours watching the England versus France rugby union international and was pleased to see England win by 11 points to nil. This process infuriated Diana who wants me to get the book over with me back to do some other chores. The rest of the day (which was the evening until 1:30 AM) finishing off the Cricket Bat chapter and it ended up as quite a good one in the end. There was just 3 ½ chapters remaining to do and then the indexing et cetera, but time is running out. There was no time for the TV news today, but the news of another rail crash – this one in Purley Surrey – with six dead and dozens injured broke through on the radio. The investment and safety record of this government in transport, food and the environment has been appalling and they are reaping the whirlwind. The latest opinion polls show them losing support on water charges, interest rates and dogmatic introduction of the profit motive into public services.