Walter Sisulu released after 25 years detention in South Africa
Walter Sisulu released after 25 years detention in South Africa

Our best lay in for a long time on a mild day after a frosty start until the hunger of the children for breakfast got us up after which I tended to a few chores before going to see Dad this afternoon, dropping off at Cambridge Garden Centre for a break on the way. Dad is eagerly anticipating the decision on his future tomorrow but my sister Freda fears for him due to his poor recall and speech on the phone and I will try to get her up for a couple of weeks to help.

Tens of thousands of natives rejoice at the release of Walter Sisulu in South Africa and want Mandela next! Terry Waite is alive in captivity after 1,000 days as a hostage in the Lebanon. World and national banks meet over the weekend discussing ways of providing liquidity to avert the financial disaster when the stock exchanges open in London tomorrow.

A sound night’s sleep and our best lay in for a long time on a mild day after a frosty start until the hunger of the children for breakfast got us up at about 10am. I had a nice breakfast prepared by Diana and spent some time thereafter feeding the doves, ducks and Koi carp. The Hariwake Ohgon is now happy to take silkworm pupae for my fingers and the little Ginrin Koi takes 2 to 3 pellets 2 to 3 times a day and will not stay tiny for long.

Then out to the river, where I beached the old white dinghy and cleaned off the 2 hp Mariner outboard that had been on-board in recent times. Then lunch was ready, and we had two of Daniel’s friends to eat with us – Jason and Gary. Before going to see Dad this afternoon, I cleared out and emptied the Blue Peter dinghy of mud and water, which was hanging on the latest davits. I drove across to Cambridge with Di and the two girls, leaving Daniel with his friends. We stopped at the Cambridge garden centre, drinking afternoon tea etcetera and looking around the displays. We did not buy anything, but I saw a nice ‘Swedish style’ wooden chalet that I am interested in buying for the riverside.

We found Dad much the same having been told by the doctors that ‘we will know tomorrow when (notably, not if) you are to have your operation’. Daniel read another learning book to Dad and he appreciated it. Once home, I phoned Freda and heard that she had been shocked by the sound of Dad’s voice on the phone yesterday – in terms of recall and trouble in speaking. I reassured her that he looks and behaves better than he sounds but she feels that these drugs may be having too much of an effect. Tomorrow, I hope to hear about the operation, and I will phone so that she will come up. I have asked her to consider coming with her family and staying at mum and dad’s for a couple of weeks to help with my parents welfare visiting. I will hear further on this when I speak to Freda tomorrow.

The news today is of the release of Sisulu in South Africa at which tens of thousands of natives rejoice. Mandela next! Lambeth Palace has assured friends and relatives that Terry Waite is alive in captivity after 1,000 days as a hostage in the Lebanon. There is much contact between world and national banks over the weekend discussing ways of providing liquidity to avert the financial disaster when the stock exchanges open in London tomorrow. The tone will be set in Tokyo tonight.