Debbie remarkably survived a cold that potentially kept her away from school so that she could still go horse-riding and then worked late on her homework! I collected Freda from Cambridge Station and took her to see Dad in hospital and then drove her on to West Suffolk hospital to see Mum and it was all bad news there, I dropped her off at Stanton for the night where our parents may never see again and, brave until then, I cried uncontrollably on the drive home alone before discussing nursing home options with Di.
News today of the quashing of the Guildford bombings suspect sentences after they had spent 15 years in jail.
I was awake early today, washed and showered in good time for breakfast. Poor Debbie was ill with a cold and did not want to go to school but, when I said she could not go horse-riding later, she insisted on going in and survived the day quite well. Indeed, she was up until 10:15pm this evening, doing her homework! This morning, I started some deskwork but first Nigel Smith came around and then the river engineer Mr Larkin. He had missed me before and had good to try me again. I explained my idea about a cradle for The Lady and he suggested a pair of rails on the slipway it seemed that my idea is feasible and he will draft a design and quote, doing my manhole cover at the same time.
Nigel was full of news. He is taking a part interest in a boat kept in Spain, is buying a pony for his daughter Kate and thinking of taking Ashley away from Kimbolton School for all the wrong reasons. He has invited us to his November 5th bonfire party. Somewhat late, I went up to collect the Range Rover from its service and MOT and then, after a quick lunch, I was off to Cambridge station to collect Freda. A cup of tea at the station and on together to see Dad. The news there was that there is definitely no treatment of surgery that can help him now and there is only a slight hope of radiotherapy. He is pretty depressed and quiet about it and does not talk a lot. I then drove Freda onto the West Suffolk hospital at Bury to see Mum. The news there is that her spine is crumbling with old-age and there can be little improvement. She can only walk a couple of steps, needs help to the toilet and to wash and is in pain. I took Freda onto my parents empty home in Stanton, settling her in and contacting the neighbours and a home help to let them know she was staying. Though I had been the strong and brave one until then, I found the home most depressing. Looking so prim and proper with all of their things around – aids and personal possessions – the thought that neither would be coming back quite upset me. I just about kept control but, once I started driving home, I cried uncontrollably at the sadness of their plight. I stayed up late with Di discussing the possibility of a nursing home for them near to where we are. The news elsewhere today was of the quashing of the Guildford bombings suspect sentences after they had spent 15 years in jail. Policemen are now being investigated for perjury. Lawson said little new at his Mansion House speech today