Gorbachev praised from the west as Thatcher calls him "A good partner in Peace" and suggested that he should take credit for the Eastern European reforms
Gorbachev praised from the west as Thatcher calls him "A good partner in Peace" and suggested that he should take credit for the Eastern European reforms

As Di dropped Debbie off at the stables and went shopping at Tesco, I did my chores on a still, if chilly, morning with the weather forecast tonight being 3degF and slight fog; and then took all of the rest of the morning to complete my journal entries for the previous day, month and decade. A break to tend my father’s grave and check that we could ‘box’ Sundance ready for tomorrow and back to type up a FOCUS questionnaire for Eaton Socon.

International praise for Gorbachev with even Thatcher calling him "A good partner in Peace" and suggesting that he should take credit for the Eastern European reforms. Czech President, Vaclav Havel announced an amnesty for 30,000 prisoners guilty of non-violent crimes The huge oil slick off the Moroccan coast is causing extreme environmental concern. Kenneth Clarke, pronounces himself "very pessimistic" of any settlement moves in the Ambulance dispute

This first day of the new year was spent quite quietly. Diana brought us our drinks and there was then the customary invasion of the girls until I could wriggle free of them. Diana went to Bar Hill today to see her mother and used the opportunity to go to the Tesco supermarket there as well, which is open on the Bank Holiday. In fact, she found very few people there and I think that is a good thing as shops should not be open anyway. On the way, she dropped off Debbie at the riding stables and Daniel at his friend Gary's house in Coton. Della just tagged along. I tended my doves, fish and conservatory plants on what was quite a still day, if a bit chilly. Then I sat at my computer and completed my journal entries for the previous day, month and decade and found the news of the past quite interesting. This took me until quite late in the morning after which I only had time to make myself a cup of coffee before lunch.

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After the meal, I took Debbie back to the stables to see if we could get Sundance into the trailer. We could eventually by tempting him in there with his feed and so I will be able to take Debbie and Sundance to the Rally in Brampton tomorrow after all. After this, we went up to Little Paxton cemetery and tended Dad's grave, putting laurel leaves in place of some of the flower heads that had died on his wreaths which was quite effective. When it was dark, we came home, and I collected together some things that we will need for tomorrow so as to be ready ahead of time. Tea in the lounge whilst I then watched an exciting televised football match in which Notts Forest drew 2 - 2 with Liverpool. Later this evening, I worked at my desk clearing outstanding items into various priorities and then typing up a FOCUS questionnaire for Eaton Socon. The news is of the international praise for Gorbachev from the west at a time he needs it most. Thatcher calls him "A good partner in Peace" and suggested that he should take credit for the Eastern European reforms. Bush says that "This progress gives me confidence" and the Russian himself warns all those trying to stop disarmament and the era of peace as being "naive, preposterous and dangerous" which is all a sure sign that he is in trouble with the hawks at home. Czech President, Vaclav Havel announced an amnesty for 30,000 prisoners guilty of non-violent crimes, ceasing sentences of 2/3 years and shortening others. The huge oil slick off the Moroccan coast is causing extreme environmental concern. It has been building up for two weeks after explosions on board doomed tanker, Kharg V which has unleashed 70,000 tonnes of crude spread over 200 sq miles. Health Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, pronounces himself "very pessimistic" of any settlement moves in the Ambulance dispute and is writing to his managers emphasising that they "must stand firm". Cabinet papers released after the 30 years of secrecy show that McMillan's government were beset with spy problems. The weather tonight is forecast as 3degF and slight fog with tomorrow being mostly dry and becoming brighter which all means that we should be all right for Debbie's Horsey event tomorrow.