Video film of our new gardens, Debbie's shed and Daniel's boat
Video film of our new gardens, Debbie's shed and Daniel's boat

Preparation for Daniel’s first solo boat trip and some detailed videos of this, Debbie and Amy playing in their new Wendy House (Bills’ Shed) and the progress creating The Hayling View before editing these videos and enjoying a tea of prawns as a further death occurs in South African police responses and schoolchildren are attacked with police wielding whips

A poor night. Thinking of Daniel’s boat trip tomorrow and all of the things for him to do and take kept me awake for most of it. Eventually asleep, then awake to my morning tea. An early breakfast again and then a little time reading today’s paper. Up, washed and dressed and out to the birds. An improved 5 duck eggs today as they are growing out of their moult. Rather depressing to see the moles on the bank have been moving again and Eddie has now cleared his stretch and there are more there. Then to try out Aqua-Bean with Daniel, and find it in good order. He needs some petrol, but the boat should be up to scratch for their maiden voyage later. Out with the family and Gary for a lunch at the Happy Eater, but Debbie misbehaved and I did not allow her any ice cream or lolly. When we returned afterwards, there was no Paul and eventually Daniel and Gary had to leave without him. I took some video film of the riverside garden for the first time since planting the standard roses. Today there was a peacock on the riverside lawns, the first time I had seen it there, but Diana tells me that it had flown in before. 

*See this by clicking on the following link

After the boys had left, I moved the new grass heap that Pete had started in the corner of Bill’s plot and dug away until I found the connection on the fresh water pipe. Good quality nylon reinforced water hose had been used with a drain junction and I shall try to get some more fitted up of the same type. Though it has been cool lately, I put the water supply on and sprinkler attachment as the drying wind had opened up some cracks in the turves. Tea of prawns and then out to clear up. Some time watering the newly planted roses and shrubs as darkness fell. This evening I copied across today’s films, before ending the day very tired. News of more unrest in South Africa, with another black killed at a mass funeral and more police attacks with whips on schoolchildren. At the SDP conference starting today, David Owen called for EEC sanctions against South Africa and the momentum for them grows. Another plane has crashed in the US killing all on board. Boeing reveal that the repairs on the tail section of the JAL 747 were not completed correctly and the crash was caused by the rear bulkhead collapsing as a result. The weather is forecast to get a bit warmer, if dull, for a day or two.