Waking to news of the extensive Japanese earthquake toll, as the UK government struggle.
I visit Montague Street and on to Nigel’s to hear of his latest litany of disasters and the evening rabbit shooting with Derek
The weather continues mild and, with the severe gales moving on, everything felt more comfortable.
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Making notes in bed again, listening to the radio and I found out today that the death toll in the Japanese earthquake has risen to more than 2000.
However, there are more than 1000 more still missing with little chance of finding many more and so 3000 seems to be a more accurate estimate. A further 12,000 are injured and 140,000 have been made homeless in this catastrophe.
Back in Britain, government whips are working frantically to avoid a defeat tonight over the fishing issue and, though they may win the vote if the Ulster Unionists support them or abstain, it will widen the rift with their rebels who will again be voting independently.
A former adviser that helped the government reduce waiting lists has claimed that the private treatment of patients by consultants is preventing and delaying National Health treatment for others. Della was home again today and although Debbie was also not feeling very well, she went to school anyway for the morning.
This was on the understanding that Diana would bring her home at lunchtime after her mock exam so as to avoid the afternoon games session which could have finished her off. I saw her off on the bus and then came back to work in my office, clearing my desk of work and emptying my filing tray which was quite a triumph.
Out in the afternoon to Montagu Street where I printed out all of my financial summaries using my printer that Wiggly has on loan. I also left a bouquet of flowers there with a "Good Luck" card wishing her well for the evening's first pantomime performance and the left a telephone message later hoping it had gone well.
Then across to Nigel for a long chat about his continuing problems with Lynn and his latest litany of disasters as he cannot seem to get on top of things. Now his boiler has failed, there is no heating in the house and his grounds are all being dug up to allow pipes and tanks to be installed for a replacement oil-fired heating system! His old solid fuel boiler was irreplaceable.
Our party for Saturday will be going ahead but under very difficult circumstances. Home to walk Sam again as the wind has dropped and the weather continues favourably mild.
After tea, I prepared my .22 rifles and then went over to collect Derek and we went rabbit shooting on a rough field in Eaton Socon.
It was an enjoyable evening walking around together, but the full and bright moon and the nearby motorway and junction lights meant that the rabbits would not freeze and we missed the long shots that we had. At least the ground was owned by the brewers where we took refreshment afterwards!