A busy and productive day and one started and finished in company with the family whilst the builders and swimming pool contractors work on as a Commons report lambasts the Sellafield management and safety record, with leaks making the Irish Sea the most radioactive in the world and the BMA pointing to the crisis in the care of the old and infirm but the financial markets rise
Another peaceful night and again awake to walk downstairs before being called. Satisfied with water to drink before the tea was ready. Collected Debbie on the way and found Di in the kitchen, where we collected our drinks. I chatted to Debbie a while, as part of my new fathering style, and then sat briefly in the playroom with my paper, before breakfast was soon ready. Boiled eggs all round and we thoroughly enjoyed them, being done to a tee. A nice friendly breakfast as Daniel joined us in good spirits.
I urged the children to clean their teeth, so that I could get started in the bathroom and then I washed and shaved. I have not used the shower lately, as I seem more comfortable washing from the bowl for now. The girls away to take Debbie to school and then I started work. I liaised with the carpenter, who had now moved into the rear hall to start the broom cupboard, and with the other workers to get everything unlocked. The pool men were back to finish off the grass verge and then to complete a double layer of blockwork round the pool edge. John was back to tiling, but progress was slow and we really need the plumber to return and progress a few things. I then did some of my own chores – filling in the wire grooves in the utility room and then going out to tend the doves and ducks. I still have the large blue-bar in confinement and note, with relief, the way the others have settled down. Just before lunch, a merry time with Eastern Electricity and the exchange of dish-washing machines. Being a build-in unit, we had to remove the top and both front décor panels and I only just managed to retain their interest in this complex job, rather than get on with their other deliveries. Finally, I was left with the waste hose to connect, which I did myself. Later it was run up and worked well as a welcome relief from the job of doing it by hand. Di back for lunch and a nice dish of grilled sole. The afternoon relaxing in the lounge with my library book on U tract infections, which was quite depressing. Tea with Daniel, as the girls were swimming, and then the normal round of work with Daniel on his schoolwork and Debbie reading an episode of the Country Companion. Poor Daniel could not learn his French and so I let him watch Dallas on TV with Di and me. News tonight is of two men being arrested and questioned with regard to the vicarage rape, but the Reverend does not feel hate towards them, but pities them for their depravity. Sex and violent crimes have increased by recent statistics. An all-party Commons report on Sellafield describes a catalogue of amateurism and haphazard management and that it has made the Irish Sea into the most radioactive sea in the world. Reviews of reprocessing and waste disposal methods are urgently recommended. The British Airways privatisation programme is delayed because of US liability litigation outstanding, but the members of the Scottish TSB got a judicial setback as the highest Scots legal authorities overturned an earlier warning. The stock exchange and sterling up as speculators scramble in their buy transaction. A BMA report (compiled before the bad weather scandal) pointed to the crisis in care of the old and infirm, but I don’t expect the government to take much notice. Good for the England test team – they made the W Indians lose 2 more wickets to get the 17 they needed on the 5th day for victory; and so lost the match by 7 wickets.