Despite developing a cold I helped set up and enjoy Nigel's fireworks night at Hail Weston House, found and collected Diana’s lost purse from Bedford. My family enjoyed the display with many other guests and I stayed behind after the others to wind down
My head cold was getting worse as I awoke this morning and it seemed that I had inevitably caught Alan's bad cold at the end of the working week. It was not yet bad enough to hold me back and so, when Diana went shopping in St Neots with Della, I drove round to see Nigel to see if I could help him with the set-up of his fireworks display. Though I should have telephoned him last night to ascertain the arrangements but could not, I was still surprised at his lack of reaction and welcome this morning - particularly as he is always dropping in unannounced on me and gets a coffee and chat.
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He must have been both busy and distracted, however, as he said that the set-up was to be at 3.00pm and I could see that this also embarrassed Lynn who was reaching for the kettle. I made nothing of this and drove back to St Neots to try to find Diana and Della; having in mind a drive to Bedford. There had been a message on my answering machine and a letter in today's post that said that Diana had left her credit card wallet at the Bedford branch of Abbey National and I wanted to take her to get it. I had no luck in finding her and ended up going by myself and having to find somewhere to park which was a problem. I secured the wallet without getting my car wheel-clamped but got involved in a scuffle in the Littlewoods Department Store where the coloured store detective was trying to eject a very stroppy couple and I lent a hand.
Home in time to take the family out for lunch and this time, at Daniel's request, we chose A.J.'s on the A1 and enjoyed a nice if different meal. A rest afterwards and then back to Nigel's at Hail Weston House where he was now ready and setting out the fireworks. We dug in the Roman Candles, stacked lots of concrete blocks around the mortar batteries and made sure that the line of rockets were secured yet running freely on the firing rack. In for a cup of tea and chat with Nigel and Lynn after and then back home for 5.30pm where the family were waiting for me to start tea. Back with all of them for the start of proceedings at 7.30pm when Diana looked after the children with orange squash and sparklers whilst I helped Nigel and his son arm and then set off the fireworks. It was a spectacular display and lasted quite a long while with Nigel deciding what ones to light when.
A couple of glasses of "mulled wine" which was really a punch and then in for a meal of beef stew with surprise birthday cake to follow, Nigel having had his birthday yesterday. There were quite a few there and it proved a nice social evening. In particular, he had invited some neighbours including a type very keen on sporting; spending just about all of his time shooting and fishing in Scotland and other parts of Britain. Home a little worse for wear after rather too much wine and port. Daniel actually enjoyed the evening; first the fireworks and then the conversation after when he learnt a lot about hunting.
His lasting thought, however, was one of surprise over the amount of drink that the company (including me!) was taking whilst also intending to drive home. Amongst his peers of the younger generation, there is a very moral and "anti" attitude to the mixing of alcohol with driving which is very laudable! The girls had stayed and played with Kate but poor Della, having been stroking and petting the dogs all evening, had a recurrence of her eyes swelling, her being susceptible to an animal fur allergy.