Family time and reading Pepys in the morning before an afternoon visit to my parents despite Daniel’s cold as the UN votes for the Russians to withdraw from Afghanistan

A fair lay in this morning with Diana and after we made love I am so taken back that I rise and get the mornings drinks and before long the whole family in our bed slurping! A breakfast as usual of toast and juice and then for me back and the entire morning reading Pepys 1662 autumn journal. Up, washed and dressed before lunch which was cold turkey and ham salad. This afternoon off together by car to Stanton in Essex to visit my Mother and Father who seem well and in hope over the chance of a hip operation to release Mum from her wheelchair.

We have an enjoyable afternoon playing monopoly and talking over the news and the kids pronounce themselves very happy with the chance to see them again. They are always measured by Nanny by standing up against the lounge door and a mark made. This time Debbie has grown a bit but Daniel seems to have stayed the same. I had made a call before leaving because Daniel had just developed a nasty cold but we were not put off. Diana is now much more active but concerning me in the varicose veins that seem to be developing. I insist that she puts her feet up from time to time which I am told prevents the problem. I have weighed in at over 13 stone and must return to my previous diet that previously reduced my weight to 12 ½ stone last summer. Police in Oxford Street are handling many hoax calls and false concerns over bombs but no more are found. At the United Nations, member countries vote overwhelmingly in favour of asking Russia to withdraw from Afghanistan but they show no sign of heeding the vote. In fact, the Russian troops have a stranglehold on the country responding with harsh retaliation to the regular attacks on arms convoys. A relaxing evening watching television and noting my comments for the last day or two. I am resolved tomorrow to start work again, beginning with the household accounts and correspondence.