Festivities with Di's parents, Charles and Norma Jackson
Festivities with Di's parents, Charles and Norma Jackson

Boxing Day visit to Diana’s parents as this day brings out the hunt saboteurs and also tragedy as four people are killed in house fires and three more in hospital

A lay in this morning with no papers for the second day running. A late, but normal, breakfast of honey, toast and apple juice, then out to the birds. Only five doves in evidence this morning – the sixth, an indigo, will probably return before long. Both ducks and doves feed well and there has been a fair frost this morning. To the office with Daniel and we start to sort out the radio control equipment for the buggy. In the last five years the technology has changed and we need to get smaller servos to fit when the shops open on Thursday. Home, while Daniel plays with his guest, Gary, at computers, I eat nuts and watch my birthday and Christmas films with Grandad, Debbie trying to keep quiet.

A lunch with the family, Dad and Gary and then Dad helps Di with the washing up as I prepare my video for this afternoon. As we prepare to leave, Diana finds one of my doves by the woodpile with a wet tail. As it had probably been the sixth bird that missed feeding this morning, I gave it some seed and then mounted a ladder to pop it into the dove cote for a sheltered night. Eventually, and a half hour late, we arrive at Diana’s parents, Mr & Mrs Charles and Norma Jackson’s and I film the family before we sat down in a rather hot environment to a fine tea of sandwiches, pies, cakes and trifle. Daniel and Debbie received yet more presents and a large bag overflowed on the way to the car. News tonight of speculation that Gaddafi will be releasing the British detainees after a meeting of the council in the New Year. Demonstrations today at several places by hunt saboteurs. A tally of 4 people today killed in house fires with three from yesterday’s fire still in hospital. There is a heavy frost tonight and I am concerned for the doves.