One of our ducks trapped by its foot on the slipway paving stones
One of our ducks trapped by its foot on the slipway paving stones

Mixed day of weather for us in St Ives where we study the photo history in The Norris Museum and then the cruise home to release one of our trapped ducks and news of the South African and Irish troubles with the news ban on the IRA now causing trouble and the possible release of Nelson Mandela is now being discussed

A sound night’s sleep at last and the girls were both well for once. We did have to cope with the noise of a few drunken louts at 1.00am until the police dispersed them. A more relaxed routine this morning, but we consider going home today and, when we find that there is no Ekins general auction today, we are resolved in it. The weather is a mixture of sun, breeze and rain showers today, but fine enough for our journey back. I had only shopped for a paper and some cash from the building society in St Ives, but I did get a chance to take Diana to the Norris Museum where we looked at the library photographs of Old St Ives. They showed the old cattle markets, animals and tethering rails in Market Hill before the market was moved off of the road to the specially enclosed area. Of course even this is now finished and used as a bus station and car park.

Off we go and for once the majority of the locks were set in our favour. We stopped at Huntingdon for a Wimpy lunch and I looked around the antique shops. I see with sadness that the only quality shop has closed and moved to Stamford, which is an opportunity for someone to take its place. Onward and home at Little Paxton by late afternoon. As we moor, Daniel spots one of our poor ducks with its leg trapped between paving stones. It had broken the leg and injured the other by struggling and wearing against the stone. I released it onto the river, where its one leg made it mobile again, but I do not think it will survive for long. A quick look at the garden, which is now complete, and then the long slog to unload The Lady and to bring all of our possessions inside. Though the week has been wet and dull, the wind and limited sun had dried out the turves and so I put the sprinkler on and started to water them. Then to the office and to sort out the mail that had piled up. The first contained a keepsake and note from Bedford and there were several letters from David Stokes and we can make a decision now on the building contractor to do the conversion work. The rest of the daylight sorting my papers and moving the sprinkler around and then I feed the ducks and watch the 13th duck drag itself up the slipway on one leg using its wings so as to eat and roost under the hutch. Inside then to write my journal and watch TV. News of Londonderry being calmer after serious rioting earlier today, which followed the Loyalist Apprentice-boys Parade. Plastic bullets were used against petrol bombers. South African President Botha confirms that he had discussed the release of Nelson Mandela after 21 years in prison during his contacts with European governments. More trouble over news coverage of Republican activists as a ban on interviews with Noraid leader Martin Galvin leads to a strike today of Irish radio and TV journalists over this extension of censorship. The weather forecast to start dry tomorrow, but with rain spreading from the west and the next few days forecast as being cool and showery as this poor summer continues. After 11.00pm and very tired, we turn in to bed with lots more catching up to do tomorrow as well, but we are pleased to be home.