Time preparing Daniel for his examinations and studying the weekend financial press and the British Gas privatisation offer before off to Jordon’s in the fog for layers pellets and back for lunch with Daniel and the family as the NUT ratify the pay agreement, the government come under pressure about the MI5 security breaches being kept from The Attorney General and the CND have been demonstrating on the missile transport roads holding up the traffic
To bed quite reasonably last night, to make up for my excesses of the night before. Slept well, after a little trouble getting warm on a clear and cool night, but awoke to find the fog came down and everything damp. Dressed and washed before breakfast and pleased to find my weight down to 13st 9lbs, the lowest it has been for a little time. Checked the children had cleared their rooms, before we all had cereal and milk to eat and apple juice to drink. Some trouble making sure Daniel had got his pencils selected and sharpened for the start of his examinations today, then sent him off in good time for the school bus. Then settled down to read today’s papers – the Financial Times and the Investors Chronicle – and read about the terms of the British Gas share offer, but have not decided upon it yet. Not much in the post and so out at 10.00am to feed the doves and let the ducks out. I seem to be missing one dove – only the two Qualmonds as white ones and the Grizzle hen missing, which is a pity. Then to load the family in the car, put the alarms on, and set off for Biggleswade. The road still very foggy and it was to stay that way all day and so lost my way once or twice. To Jordans Mills and bought 3 bags of layers pellets for the ducks. An old hand complemented me on my new Range Rover and the fact that I had bought ‘British’. I agreed with his sentiment that we should all soon be done for if we did not, but many consumers value their choice and would disagree.
Some trouble with the girls with Di in the mill’s shop, but safely away and back to St Neots, filling up with petrol in a garage on the way. The proprietor there said that Geoff Capes, the shot-putter and highland gamesman, called in the other day for fuel for his diesel-powered Range Rover. This attendant was prone to talk, as there was little traffic on the roads with the fog. Parked in St Neots market square when we arrived and I went to the library, whilst the girls shopped. Managed to get out on loan a copy of the VCH of Hunts (Vol. II) which was a pleasant surprise, as it will aid my researches. All met with Daniel and then our usual trip up to the Happy Eater for Saturday lunch. The children were not too badly behaved this time. Home after and I went out to feed the ducks with the new food and tend the doves likewise. Then came in to settle down in the lounge and light a generous log fire. Watched some fine sport of netball and test cricket (both England vs Australia) and then it was time for a tea of prawn sandwiches. The evening in the lounge, reading and enjoying the fire and Diana joined me later to listen to her music on the stereo. The news today is of the National Union of Teachers ratifying the pay deal agreed with the employers. They represent the largest teachers union. The Labour Party are still pursuing the government over the exclusion of the Attorney General from the decision to let the prior breaks of MI5 security to go unchallenged. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament have been out demonstrating today and slowing up the road transport routes that are used for moving nuclear missiles. We saw a party of them in Biggleswade on the A1 today.