Debbie and I feeding the ducks
Debbie and I feeding the ducks

Family and domestic day, entertaining the children, searching for a lost duck and helping generally as Thatchers talks of involving troops in her industrial disputes

We are woken by a ‘helpful’ Deborah who has heard Daniella crying and runs in to let us know. Evidently the baby only needed one feed last night but both Diana and I are feeling tired as we start the day. Di prepares the morning drinks and a breakfast of cereal and toast only – my legs are still aching from my marathon walk of yesterday evening. Then to return to bed to read The Sunday Times from cover to cover as Diana takes on the housework for the first time. Eventually up and a quick shave and outside to see the day. The rain is continuing in showers and the ground is thankfully moist after weeks of drought.

Unfortunately the mahogany of The Lady is damp where I have stripped it for re-varnishing, but my other distractions have kept me from the work which could have been well completed by now. I bribe Daniel and his friend Paul Kingham to clean the car whilst I sort out the compost heaps and clear out the duck hutch. I spread a very smelly compost heap all over the flower beds and everybody notices the result. In to help Diana prepare the lunch and after Di takes Debbie and Daniella to the swings and I take Daniel and Paul off to the riverside park in St Neots. We play pitch and put, then eat ice creams, after which I hire a two-man canoe for ½ hour for 80p and they take off in it around the backwaters. Eventually home in time for tea.

Di has found Debbie rather fractious with a temperature and I have to help as the two girls are fed. A tea of buttered rolls, strawberries and cream, and this evening I watch a fascinating film about gorillas.

News tonight of more government statements on the strikes in a tone sounding closer to desperation. The use of troops is promised if needed. Tonight I launch the dinghy and outboard and tour the river trying to find a lost duck. In the end I have to settle for 12 to put away