David A Broad
A personal story
More than 40 years, told day by day
A mixed month of weather and perpetual tiredness satisfying a wife and mistress during a hot affair, coping with three kids and training a demanding gun dog, whilst chasing sister Freda and Alf about my loan, them being a hopeless couple.
I also managed a constant cycle of paying staff in cash, bill paying, returning calls and checking mail. Also keeping in touch with my friend Nigel in his time of greatest need and personal problems.
My planned rebuilding of Heronshaw was delayed when a demolition cost of £3,000 was estimated but at least we kept the place tidy between outings and boat trips. I managed to organise two long boat trips all over The Broads and then completed some renovations aboard.
Between these nautical activities, we did our normal round of pleasurable things with something for everyone: Wroxham Library, Wroxham Barns lunches, snacks at Hoveton Riverside Cafe and The Horning Tea Shoppe and Mr Chann's atmospheric dinner routine for example (!) but also novel trips such as one to see Sam Weller's Reepham Museum.
Whilst in Norwich I get back to watching Norwich City win their first match of the season. Still time during the month to see Di's parents in Cambridge and to get Della her new shoes and Debbie more things for her French Trip. Daniel has friends and attractive blondes to stay after a river drinking party.
During my trips to Norfolk, I also manage two serious rabbit lamping with Jim at Wymondham, and we get quite a good method going between us during a busy month of dog training.
The highlight of the month though is the development of my relationship with Wiggly and our first proper date was at The Bridge at Clayhithe with her in her black mini-dress as we both prepared in nervous expectation.
I was then aroused by her affectionate manner after which we had a great evening and a very passionate night at her flat until I learned of her heath setback, which was a blow.
Another great time after her wisdom tooth operation, collecting her from the station and treating her to tea on the Hotel Wroxham balcony before showing her over Harnser, Heronshaw and the Paxton Princess for the first time.
The main month's news of importance to us is the fire at Norwich City Library - which was gutted as was Della and Debbie at the loss of a favourite place to go when we are in Norwich.
The signalmen's Rail Strike deepens with the occurrence of two-day strikes for the first time. The month starts with IRA bombings and fears for the forthcoming party conferences then on last day of the month they announce their cease-fire to commence at midnight.
The Princess of Wales is accused of making harassing phone calls to a married man after an affair. More scandal as an English athlete is tested positive for drugs then two women athletes are also found out, threatening the women's team's entry into the World Championships at Crystal Palace next month.
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A day of rest and catching up with my journal after deep sleep. A slow start to the day and then out with Sam for a very long walk as he deserved.
The sum of my activities are really too much for even a fully-fit person to bear and I soon will have to make choices about just what I can pack into my life.
Significant news as the IRA announces a complete cessation of violence with the end of their armed struggle to start at midnight before the provisions of the Anglo/Irish Declaration come into effect. I
drove over to see Nigel and, during a game of snooker, heard the latest developments of his love life. His epic affair with Kate Geeves has now formally ended and he is very cut up about it
Last night I slept from the moment that my head touched the pillow so that I did not even notice when Diana came to bed.
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A recovery day at home walking Sam and there was the cleaner as well as the gardener and handyman to see and then I chose to go back to bed and rest for a couple of hours, dozing and catching up on much-needed rest..
Daniel had evidently had quite an event on Sunday night with the neighbours complaining and there were empty bottles everywhere which the cleaner had to get rid of before Diana arrived.
I then set off for my evening out with Nigel as the alibi, but I saw Wiggly and I did a number of practical jobs that she needed doing. A house number fitted, some old cable runs taken out, a bead curtain put up and then a window lock eased before I left were both tired.
The first priority this morning was to get dressed up in my outside things and to walk Sam who has been very good lately. Then there was the cleaner as well as the gardener and handyman to see.
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The last day of our summer's stay in Norfolk with much fine weather servicing the Paxton Princess before having a family Wroxham Barns lunch. Di stayed in Horning as I called in to see Freda & Alf at Redgrave for a tense and difficult meeting to convince them that a price of nearer £155,000 was more realistic than the £175,000. I drove on to Sutton where I received my customary warm welcome from Jim & Julie Bird with a fine dinner and we then ran our dogs with Jum carried on shooting rabbits before driving to Eynesbury for an active night with Wiggly
This was the last day of our summer's stay in Norfolk and Diana was sad at it coming to an end. Indeed, this summer has been a good one with much fine weather and a good supply of ladybirds to keep the aphids at bay even if the wasps took over as the worst pests late in the season!
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The weather was sunny and fine but there was a virtual gale blowing later. The early morning cruise down the Yare through the open Reedham Swing Bridge, passing the Yarmouth Bure Bridges at low water.
The westerly wind against flood tide whipped up large waves as we fought our way up the Bure through the spray and wind. We stopped off at Stokesby for a late lunch of a full lobster salad.
The cruise up to Horning where I took Sam for a good walk and called Wiggly for the first time for a while
Having worked out the low-water times at Yarmouth, we had to plan to leave early this morning and it was up at 5.45am and out with Sam for fifteen minutes at 6.00am before leaving the moorings soon afterwards.
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The day in Norwich after our guest Michelle was collected by Mr Brown as Michelle is collected and then, when walking Sam, I found a man hiding in the nearby undergrowth; probably a prison escape.
Lunch at an open-air cafe at Tombland where Sam could sit outside with us as we ate and then to buy a ticket and watch Norwich City beat West Ham 1-0 at Carrow Road.
Setting off later to moor at Surlingham Ferry and receive compliments on Sam’s behaviour.
Diana and I had eaten and drunk far too much at Vagabonds and we were hot and had trouble sleeping in consequence. We were due to wait at the marina for Mr Brown and family to come and collect our "boat-guest", Michelle.
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