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I forced myself to start the day despite my cold and the chilly weather and Daniel and Debbie started back at Kimbolton School. David Rudd, Chairman of the St Neots Museum Committee, to see me and then I began tackling a very large mound of paperwork and correspondence; paying bills and checking up on things. Freda had offered £158,000 for the Redgrave shop and cottage against the £177,500 asking price.
The Russians have cut off supplies of crude oil to the Lithuanian refinery, US Hostage Jesse Turner seems to be being released by Islamic Jihad in the Lebanon and now Nicholas Ridley admits in the Commons that the pipes recently seized are indeed components of a gun. Following the votes for strike action by both teaching unions, the Power Workers have also voted to strike over pay
My cold was prevalent as I started the day, but I forced myself to get up and showered and dressed ready for breakfast. The day started sunny and chilly again and then became duller and showery later but still quite cold bit I was due to spend it inside anyway. Kimbolton School started back today, and so Daniel and Debbie had to return to their routine. Della seemed quite content to rest in the playroom, watching TV videos and pleased that the picture was not "wiggly" anymore. The TV reception on the boat in Norfolk left much to be desired.
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The northerly breeze made the weather chilly and uncomfortable and so I spent time in the conservatory before typing up these last couple of weeks' journals until we collected Daniel’s car after a more expensive repair than I thought. The Little Paxton Village Hall AGM this evening which went well.
More revelations over the Iraqi Supergun order, with other British companies being involved in many aspects, the Soviet Union are on the point of cutting off the supply of oil and other strategic materials to Lithuania and The National Union of Teachers has voted for strike action over cut backs sent markets lower
Another day where the northern component of the breeze made the weather seem chilly and uncomfortable. I was up on time and ready for breakfast, but then wandered off into the conservatory and missed having it with the others! I returned there after the meal and watered the plants and consulted with Pete on various matters arising on their care. The rest of the morning and much of the afternoon was spent typing up these last couple of weeks' journals but I broke off later to go to St Neots with Diana to collect and pay for the repairs to Daniel's car. It seems the £300 was only for the labour and there was as much again for materials! I thought the original estimate was very low and now I know why. We are now back to being a two-car family, which is a blessing in view of our commitments.
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Increasingly suffering from my cold on a cold day. After the morning cleaning the boat and enjoying a McDonald’s lunch again we stayed for 2/3 hours at Mum’s to give her a chance to play with the girls at Dominos, Noughts and Crosses etc. Then home to The Hayling View very tired and weak with my cold to be greeted by the inevitable telephone messages, papers and piles of mail.
Most pressing matter was the production of the third Liberal Democrat leaflet for our target wards but, after a visit from Percy, I telephoned Sally, Carole and Glisson Printers and put the job back a week which is a far better tactical time to do it anyway and rested this evening.
A vast Wembley gathering and Pop Concert in honour of Nelson Mandela who defiantly turned down the chance to meet the Thatcher Government and then castigated her stand over the relaxation of sanctions against South Africa to a satellite TV audience of over one billion! Opposition leader, Neil Kinnock, was there televised giving a "black power" clenched fist salute which was a mistake. Lithuania are calling for talks with Moscow but will not rescind their independence declaration. The "Iraq Supergun" scandal develops with information of more British companies being involved.
Another bright but cold start and my cold was now coming on which made me feel worse. The family were anxious to leave for home by now, but I heard the weather forecast and decided to stay on this morning and leave this afternoon. First, we had to clean the boat, inside and outside, and Daniel did the waterline and hull from the inflatable whilst I cleaned off above decks and Di did the inside. We sent the girls off several times to play in the garden and take the dog for a walk. (I also topped up the fuel tanks with 10 gallons each side, which I ferried from Horning at a cost of £1.20 per gallon, which is 20p less per gallon than the boat hirers pay.) We did a good job in this regard and the Paxton Princess is looking as good as it has since we bought it.
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With Di washing the sleeping bags and shopping in Wroxham, I completed my navigation course planning and attended the RHDRA meeting next door, which agreed action on the questions of road maintenance, dyke dredging and unauthorised boating and fishing in the dyke. I then collected the family and took them to the Bridge Restaurant, Wroxham, for our Easter Sunday lunch.
This afternoon, I took Alf with me to Stanton to collect Freda and we stopped for an hour to have a cup of tea and chat with Mum before setting off back. On the return journey, we went via Redgrave to look at the village shop that they are interested in buying for which I am advising a low offer. I got back in time to take Diana to the cinema in Norwich to see the film "Driving Miss Daisy".
This was a fine day, but still with that chilly wind to cope with. Diana went off to Wroxham to wash the sleeping bags and other things and I did the final corrections to my charted courses before getting ready for the Ropes Hill Dyke Residents Association meeting at 10.30am next door. It was reasonably-well attended and, though very informal, a good meeting. We discussed and agreed action on the questions of road maintenance, dyke dredging and unauthorised boating and fishing in the dyke. They were pleased to see me there as the previous owner of Heronshaw, John Porter, ploughed his own furrow and did not take part in the residents' association meetings.
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