50th anniversary memorials to the sacrifices of our troops commemorated for "D-Day", as Her Majesty The Queen joined French President Francois Mitterrand also paid their respects. The weather was glorious here this evening but raining in Normandy.
I walked Sam first thing and noted that the barbed wire fence into Little Meadow had been re-erected (and pulled down again) and then defended my shooting to my neighbour after she found an injured Jackdaw.
I got over to Hilton for some canvassing this evening and the outcome is far too close for my liking.
It was a sad and poignant day as the 50th anniversary was marked for the passing of those involved in the strategic landing of Allied troops in Normandy. In this vital battle, a bridgehead was established for the start of the re-occupation of Europe and the defeat of Adolph Hitler.
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All this time later, the prevailing mood is one of commemoration rather than celebration and several members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty The Queen joined French President Francois Mitterrand in paying their memorial respects. It was a reflection of our government that they had originally planned a hugely inappropriate Hyde Park celebration which had been cancelled after an uproar from ex-servicemen.
After 50 years, many of them are still alive and they retain vivid memories of the terrible scenes, some of which they have never retold to a single soul all this time as they are too horrific to relate. I walked Sam first thing and noted that the barbed wire fence into Little Meadow had been re-erected (and pulled down again) during our brief period of absence. I did some dummy training with some good blind retrieves and waterwork and felt that he is becoming quite proficient.
Into my office where I straightened my desk and sorted several days unanswered mail before settling down to some reading in the lounge whilst waiting for Di to make lunch. She returned angry from receiving a wigging from our neighbour who was upset about finding a winged jackdaw by the river. I showed her the quarry list and facts on corvids who rob nest eggs and chicks this time of year, but I will still give them a moratorium for a while in deference to our neighbour’s views.
This afternoon archiving my journal - a process that was well behind-hand from March. I worked through the afternoon, summarising my journal for March until it was time to walk Sam again. More retrieving which went well and some obedience which could have been better. Diana made my evening meal early for me and I was therefore able to get over to Hilton for some canvassing this evening.
We were re-visiting the "undecideds" and it was a mixed reception that was favourable to us on balance but still the campaign is far too close for my liking. There are some staunch Tory areas with large and affluent families even now in this recession that are still voting by instinct. The weather was glorious this evening and it was a pleasure to be out, but it was raining in Normandy for the services of remembrance on this poignant day.
Ex-Tory minister, Alan Clarke, is now set to sue the family of the High Court judge for libel over claims that he has an illegitimate "lovechild". They had been inflamed by his revelation that he had affairs with the judge's wife and both of his stepdaughters which he referred to in his book as "The Coven" much to their chagrin.