Day liaising with building and swimming pool contractors and showing Charles and Norma around as well as writing to the BMMG before supervising Daniel’s homework as Thatcher refuses more policing to tackle increased violent crime but sends more troops to Ulster and the ESA Giotto mission takes the detailed pictures ever of Haley’s Comet
Slept well and then woke myself and chatted to Debbie in the playroom. I made the morning drinks and then woke up Daniel with his tea, putting his donkey jacket round his shoulders to keep him warm, for he has no dressing gown. Then to breakfast and the morning paper after. No change in Kode shares, but the stock exchange climbs ever higher. To the bathroom to wash and dress and heard the sound of much banging and noise, as both the carpenter and the tilers started early. Dressed in time to see the girls off – Debbie is taking her ballet exam today, but, unlike her friends, does not seem to worry about it.
To the office and, after reading a poor mail of computer journals and bills, fired up the word processor and sent an overdue letter to the BMMG explaining my position. Printed out just before lunch and then took my parents-in-law round the building works to give them a good look. I had delayed lunch to give time to Diana to get back from Debbie’s test and then she went off to keep fit. Helped the others put away the crockery in our new dish washer and then we went across to my office to watch the portable colour TV and racing at Cheltenham. The Gas Board technician called today, but will not be able to fix the boiler very quickly. I also had visits from proprietors of both the builders and swimming pool contractors, tendering stage payment requests for money. An enjoyable time watching the racing and, in the main race, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the mare, Dawn Run, won in an exciting finish. This was a unique double of winning both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Eventually Di came back to get us a cup of tea and I then had to spend some time replacing a cable on our borrowed convection heater and plugs on two others. No time for reading to Debbie tonight, but I put her to bed and did spend time with Daniel on his schoolwork. Tended the doves today, but kept the blue confined. News tonight highlights the year’s crime figures, with alarming rises in the rate of rape and violence. A resultant row in the Commons as Thatcher would not entertain additional spending on crime prevention. The two men on the vicarage charge will appear in court tomorrow, after being charged with rape and aggravated burglary. IRA terrorist, Evelyn Glenholmes, is in a Dublin jail and extradition will be sought by the UK to answer bombing and attempted murder charges. Another 550 troops are being sent to Northern Ireland to make the total of British soldiers there 2,200. Reagan is increasing pressure on Congress and the Senate to increase military aid for the ‘Contra’ guerrillas; but in a better use of funds, the UK led European Space Agency mission to investigate Haley’s Comet, Giotto, is due to near its target later tonight. As it progresses, it is sending back more and more detailed pictures as it goes. The weather was chilly again today, disappointingly similar to the last couple of days, after the milder temperatures of earlier in March. Evidently the temperature only reached 3degC today, but milder weather is forecast to come, even if it brings some rain with it.