Some time with Debbie at both ends of a showery and cool day during which Nigel and I found nothing of interest at Peacock’s auction but had a good chat over coffee and then some good work screwing down floorboards with my new cordless drill. This as Education Minister John Patton heralds the removal of more power from local authorities and US-owned Phillips Petroleum make their 2,500 job cuts with many feared for the UK
Di managed to get up early this morning, but had previously moved into the spare room with a coughing fit. In early morning Debbie came in complaining of a ‘crocodile nightmare,’ where he had bitten off both hands and one leg! so I let her snuggle in beside me and we both slept for another hour until Di brought the morning drinks. Down to have a shower before Di announces breakfast and a bowl of cereal is my choice today. Shaved and dressed afterwards and then a little time to scan the morning mail and paper before I get the car round for our trip to Bedford. We set off in good time and I end up parking close to the town centre.
The others go off to do some shopping and I walk on to Peacocks to see both the antique and general auction lots. I am in good time to get a long look, but what a poor antique auction it was, with few and poor items at that. Nigel joins me and we look around the general auction as well and, there being nothing of interest, we walk into Bedford for a coffee together. A long chat over 2 coffees and then, via my car, to Gibbs & Dandy Gales for my shower room blinds and curtains. I could not find the right colour coat hooks, which is a pity, for my workmen in the morning, but I did get a power drill/screwdriver with rechargeable battery. To Debenhams for a lunchtime rendezvous with the rest of the family and a fine meal (except that Debbie tipped a glass of orange juice all over Di’s lunch!) All forgiven after and I take Deb to the hobby and craft shop to buy her a plaster of paris mould set of chess pieces and a glass bead set. Once home I mix some compound with her and we make a Queen, Bishop and Knight before she went off with Di to visit Helen and I got down to some work. Over to Nigel’s house to pick up a roll of cable and have a look round and then out to feed the ducks and doves between two heavy showers. The grizzle hen on the pole-cote has laid 2 eggs! Some of this evening drilling and screwing down floorboards with my new toy, before it was time to write my journal and watch the news. The news tonight is first of Rupert Murdoch’s tongue-in-cheek jobs offer to the Fleet Street unions to take over his old London print works and produce a paper for the Labour movement. Ulster church leaders condemn the Protestant extremist attacks on the Royal Ulster Constabulary, as they face cross fire from both sides. Education Minister, John Patton, hints at central government having much greater power as ‘the partnership with local education authorities was not working.’ American owned Phillips Petroleum has announced job losses in London as part of a reduction of 2,500 worldwide. British companies say that the US companies will make their largest cuts here, as they own no loyalty to the UK as oil slumps in price. Stalin’s granddaughter has been granted a visa to come back to Britain two years after being taken back to Russia by her mother. The TWA bomb investigation goes on, but ‘known terrorist’ Mary Elias Mansour has denied involvement in a written statement to news agencies. After a showery and cool day, more showers and rain are forecast for tomorrow.