Visit to Huntingdon to collect photo copies from the record office and morning coffee in the ‘Chelsea Tea Rooms’ and overcoming Della’s strange moods before a ‘kebab’ lunch with the family before putting them on the bus home as I stayed late researching in the Huntingdon Library. This as £25m-worth of share bribes were uncovered in the Guinness City scandal
Sound night’s sleep, but was still slow to rise and down to breakfast, after the children and family have already left the table. Today’s the day the sale of 39 Gordon Road reaches completion, but we have planned a trip to Huntingdon. First looked after Della, whilst Di took Debbie to school and then briefed Joan on today’s gas and electricity meter readers, before getting the car ready for our trip. Left quite early for Huntingdon and parked in the car park near the bus station and walked to the ‘Chelsea Tea Rooms’ for our morning coffee. Della is in a strange mood – she keeps awake until late, lays in bed until late and is then on a knife edge between glee and gloom in alternating measure.
I had to sort her out for our morning drink, as she was making a terrible fuss. To the Record Office and found my photographs were ready to collect. Nice shots of the old Little Paxton cottages, wrecked in the wartime fires. It is possible to put three photos end to end and gain an impression of the High Street in olden times. All gone now – but not forgotten!! I begin to feel that my book will be a success. The morning looking at the 25 inch O.S. maps of three editions and then an early lunch back with Di and Della at a new lunch ‘kebab’ place that also serves burgers. I took them to the bus station, stowed the push chair and shopping in the Range Rover and then went to the Huntingdon Library for the rest of the maps, copies of more L.P. entries in Kelly’s Directories, and the plates from a C.A.S. report on Early Saxon Finds. Back to the Record Office for a couple of hours to look at the 5 inch maps and take down details from the Little Paxton photographs. Home a little late for tea and then time with the family, before I had to write my journal & get ready for bed. The news today is of a new impetus to the Guinness City scandal and £150million was wiped off the company’s value in the City. They have now admitted dealing in their own shares and £25 million-worth of invoices for share deal bribes are discovered and another Director leaves the Board. The Northern Ireland MP, Peter Robinson, has been fined £15,000 for leading a civil ‘invasion’ demonstration in the republic. It was described as a ‘grossly offensive, obscene invasion’ of the village. A false alarm today over investigations into the murder of Suzy Lamplugh, as a Mr Kybar, alias Rosengarten has been cleared of being the Mr Kipper. Another 3 deaths are reported from the cold spell, but a thaw is beginning. Kent is still badly affected and a ‘snow-blower’ train is on the way down from Scotland. A helicopter relief service has been arranged by the armed forces for medical and food supplies. Electrical unions are now on strike at British Telecom, after already being in dispute with the BBC for some time. President Cordero, President of Ecuador, is being held by army rebels as a hostage. Alex Higgins (Hurricane) has been fined £150 for head-butting a snooker tournament director.