- Details
Yet another sunny day to firstly share the gardening chores with Bill, then complete the administration for retrieving my Reliant’s CJW 986 registration number and then visiting Mum in Stanton and Freda in Redgrave.
They seem to be reconciled to doing the alterations to accommodate Mum but are taking far too long in the process for our liking and expect me to pay. Turnover has increased from £1500 per week to £3700 now, which is good, but they are paying it all on wages!
Yet another sunny day started with the need to get Debbie off to school and for me to get some chores done. Bill was around this morning as he was not sure that we had arrived back, and we shared the morning chores before he left. Once he had gone, I was moved to do some more gardening and so dead-headed all the flowers and rose bushes before sweeping up the gall-wasp-deformed acorns from the riverside lawn where they had accumulated. I was not very pleased that these jobs had not been done during the week. Then I had a rush to respond to the acceptance of my offer for the re-purchase of the Reliant’ s original registration number CJW 986 as I had to send off by post all of the necessary documents so as they could arrive in Edinburgh on Monday.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
Joining Steve Bloom and his friend Derek for the Southampton Boat Show, visiting the PC Maritime Stand to review the latest Wayplan navigation software and then driving home to find the family still up and eagerly awaiting our return.
The 'Meadow Well' Newcastle Riots are continuing and, with them, an on-going political row over the root causes but most probably due to the unemployment and deprivation of the area
We had a nice breakfast which, though not as big as the other hotel, was of high quality. Then we packed and checked out in time to load the bags into the boot of the Corniche and be ready for the taxi that we had arranged to take us to the boat show. It was a strange-looking taxi - all covered with coloured spots that evidently makes this particular taxi fleet distinctive - but it got us there all the same. We arrived in good time for the start of the show and were able to use the complimentary tickets that Steven Bloom had got us to gain free access. He had left a message to meet us at 11.00am at the Fairline stand and so we had an initial walk around the shore-based stalls until then.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
The last day of the Liberal Democrat conference, appearing in the cameras in a seat saved but unwanted by Sue Sutton as Paddy Ashdown wound up the conference after which Diana and I did some good shopping after our journey to Southampton. The drive in our Rolls Royce with hood down was enjoyable in the continuing hot and sunny weather.
Our stay in the Botleigh Grange Hotel started with very loud sounds of ecstasy from the next room as an American lady we saw with two men in the restaurant went through a very noisy lovemaking climax which was quite rousing!
The by-now customary morning call with tea and newspaper before breakfast in the dining room. We packed up our things to leave the Royal Bath Hotel and then Di got them looked after by the porters whilst I set off for the last sessions of the conference. It was the party leader's speech by Paddy Ashdown which came after a couple of emergency debates and then another on Law and Order. I sat in the conference hall all morning to save prominent seats so that I could offer one to Sue Sutton as the speech was to be carried live on TV. Sue was also hoping to be called to speak in the debate and had been assured by Peter Lee (her County Council leader and Vice-Chairman of the English Party) that she would be. In the event, she was not called and was very disappointed and did not want the seat that I had saved her and went to sit with her husband who had come down to support her and take her back after the conference.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
- Details
Participating fully at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth hearing the debates, joining an Ears election software meeting and then an ASLDC meeting in the evening which had Paddy Ashdown and others as key speakers in a most good-humoured and motivating session.
Unfortunately, I had differences with our PPC Sue Sutton who wanted more effort on her parliamentary election rather than my council work even though she had no chance of winning.
Another nice hotel breakfast at the start of the day and by now we were both worrying about our waistlines. Today I left Di to go shopping in the morning before taking an open-topped bus trip in the afternoon whilst I spent my second full day at the conference. I watched some debates in the morning and then had my midday rendezvous with the others and immediately got into a dispute with Sue who was all for arranging a special meeting next week about her campaign. She had been in private briefing meetings with Election Unit Campaign Director Des Wilson and others who had again been exhorting her to get on and be ready for the possibility of a November election. My meetings with the council group meetings were, on the other hand, full of the necessity to ensure that our local government plans were not eclipsed by spending too much thought and resources on parliamentary elections that were out of our reach to win.
** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **