A month of variable weather, mild at times but also bitterly cold -8degC winter frost. Also of worry and family events with Della being runover and her headmaster Hugh Hunter dying whilst Debbie gave up Sundance and Daniel continued to have car crashes, but we were all together to enjoy Christmas. Mum was able to join Freda and Alf in Redgrave as well but the long term as uncertain there.
I still managed to work on the redevelopment plans for Heronshaw and make a visit to my Scottish estate at Broubster with Nigel, though sustaining a nose injury, and Bill helped me keep up The Hayling View garden and concrete the slipway winch foundation.
I was keen to have another change of lifestyle as my political colleagues are generating even more problems than I can solve but, with Michael Pope's going, I fear that I will have to work on a little while longer. My influence over the Little Paxton Parish Council was a highlight as we discussed the improvements for Paxton this year and next. For the Liberal Democrats, we had enjoyed a successful run publishing influential Focus newsletters to get such electoral success.
The month has seen some remarkable events in the world and, first amongst them, the last rites for the Soviet Union with Gorbechev going but all is left quite unstable by it. The news was all about the EEC negotiations at Maastrict, with the Major government being dragged into closer European unity with great reluctance on economic and foreign policy.
The IRA made life difficult for city commuters by first attacking shopping centres with incendiary bombs and then shutting down the London train and underground stations with bomb warnings. The UK banking system was under pressure and there was not much Christmas Spirit for the retailers who have had their takings down and the depression goes on to the discomfort of the Tory Government who are again behind in the opinion polls.
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Our worries and concerns made us give over much of December to caring for Daniella and I also took the opportunity of the Christmas period to stand back from local affairs a little for a welcome break. I even managed to get back to reading books on history and philosophy. We soon had Della back at home and being nursed by Michelle and was able to make at least a couple of trips with her to meet her 7's school friends for a carol service and Prep party before her plaster was taken off during the month. It was the sad news of Mr Hunter's death at Kimbolton Prep.
Della's recovery was such that we could get the Christmas preparation and shopping done in time albeit late for us (although we notice that others are even later without such an excuse). The Christmas Tree and Lights were up around the 15th of the month and we even managed an unplanned trip to the Pantomime seeing Aladdin at The Cambridge Arts Theatre before ending up with the seasonal visits and church attendances for carol and family services. Debbie received an acceptable school report and seemed quite happy lately; though back to her habit of arguments with Della now that her sister is fit for them again! She seemed quite relieved for us to sell Sundance in the end as she seems to have quite grown out of the riding habit.
Daniel was home for Christmas but without Angela and he brought his normal problem - his car - this time needing above three hundred pounds for new wheels and tyres after hitting a roundabout! Poor Diana is suffering from this fungal infection which makes her uncomfortable and itchy. I received my shotgun license at last and seem to have sorted out the basis for the arrangements for managing my Scottish estate of Broubster. I am left in anticipation over my plans for Heronshaw and hope (though do not expect) that next month will see me get the go ahead for development. The Hayling View is in good shape, and the path by the river started but not much done. Bill has now finished the job of leaf clearance and has the compost heaps very much in order.
Redgrave continues to be a problem for me but at least Mum has been staying there this Christmas. I wish that Freda and Alf would be efficient and organised. For my own part, I now need my glasses for any sort of reading or computer work and am trying to get some new surgical insoles to relieve my foot problem. Even then, I must get help with my breathing as, since falling upon my nose in Scotland, I can hardly breathe through my nose.
I am keen to have another change of lifestyle as my political colleagues are generating even more problems than I can solve but, with Michael Pope's going, I fear that I will have to work on a little while longer. The month has seen some remarkable events in the world and, first amongst them, the last rites for the Soviet Union with Gorbechev going but all is left quite unstable by it. The IRA have been making life difficult for city commuters by first attacking shopping centres with incendiary bombs and then shutting down the London train and underground stations with bomb warnings. Not much Christmas Spirit for the retailers who have had their takings down and the depression goes on to the discomfort of the Tory Government who are again behind in the opinion polls.