Daniel with his sisters
Daniel with his sisters

Daniel’s ‘O’ Level Maths Exam – Apart from Daniel’s exam today, we were also continuing to plan and execute the scheme for extending the storm drain to pass from the original sump and through the piling of the quay-heading. ‘World Economic Summit’ of Western nations ends today with Reagan looking increasingly old, tired and confused, further tit-for-tat expulsions are taking place between British and Iranian diplomatic missions and the South African State of Emergency is extended after previously being due to end at midnight tomorrow.

Awoke on time and was ready for breakfast likewise. It was the day for Daniel’s first ‘O’ level mathematics exam and over breakfast he was closely questioned on his state of readiness, but took it all in his stride. I started the day in my office, printing out the investment and income summaries and phoned Nigel Smith, who came over later to discuss my drainage problem with me and advise me accordingly. Whilst we chatted, Mr Reed of Hunts DC turned up to look at the open excavations. He went off to chase up delivery of the pipes and Mr Larkin cruised off to Wray House to do some dredging there, before returning later. Ended the morning digging out some of the spoil and filling in behind the piling in places.

In for a salad lunch with Di, who had returned from Playschool. What with this and Tumbletots from yesterday, Daniella is getting quite a lot of company and stimulation lately. Returned to this project this afternoon and then the Council lorry turned up with the pipes. They were huge and heavy and Pete and I had to roll them down the grass verge from the main road and store them on planks on the riverside land. We consulted Mr Larkin, who agreed to install these 16 inch inside diameter/500mm outside diameter pipes in the morning, cutting a hole in the piling and using his winch and crane to manoeuvre them in position. He also has to lengthen the individual downstream pipe to clear the piling adequately. Today he finished off Marilyn’s frontage and did a little dredging here and there, working quite late into the evening to do it all. I was watching the weather and river level closely, because it managed to stay dry today and I hope for the same overnight. Then the river was up six inches and fell back as we could not do the work effectively in the morning if it is too high. News tonight is of the end of the ‘World Economic Summit’ of Western nations. Few economic issues were resolved, but it is always necessary to show the world a degree of unity. Reagan, in particular, seems out of touch, old and tired and is becoming an embarrassment. Further tit-for-tat expulsions are taking place between British and Iranian diplomatic missions. The State of Emergency is extended in South Africa, after previously being due to end at midnight tomorrow. At the end of the general election campaign there is some hope for Labour and the Alliance in marginal constituencies, but the Tories are still in the lead. Rain is forecast overnight and showers for tomorrow.