Daniel was still in car learning mode after recently passing her driving test
Daniel was still in car learning mode after recently passing her driving test

Preparing the Paxton Princess on the eve of our epic voyage on a another hot and humid day with temperatures well into the 80'sF - and the thrips had come back in there billions. Diana and I prepared for the inventory for the boat and then, once the sun had gone down a little, we loaded it up ready for the next day. Working on my video tape recordings from past holidays archiving two year's worth of film and making sure that the video camera was working properly for this one.

Daniel’s car broke down in Gordon Road and they had to push it back into our garage! To bed as it got dark as it was still in the 70'sF and lay with the bed covers off and double doors and curtains flung wide open. The news was about the resignation of that idiot, Nicholas Ridley, as DTI minister.

It was another hot and humid day today - in fact the hottest day again this year with temperatures well into the 80'sF - and the thrips had come back in there billions. The hall lino was covered in them and the air must have been thick with them as well. It was therefore a most uncomfortable day and Diana, being rather overweight, was really suffering as a consequence and I pledged to make her slimmer during her holiday. Nevertheless, both she and I worked to prepare the inventory for the boat and then, once the sun had gone down a little, we loaded it up ready for tomorrow.

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The day started somewhat lazily as I read the weekend newspaper all about the resignation of that idiot, Nicholas Ridley as DTI minister. It then continued with me putting away the books and materials from my display at the Village Hall Fete yesterday and having to write a couple of chasing letters to shops that have not paid my bills for past supplies. The morning gardening routine was then down to me, as Mark was not working on a Sunday, and it was lunch time before I was able to go on to other things. This afternoon, I went into the lounge and worked on my video tape recordings from past holidays and made sure that the video camera was working properly for this one.

I had to copy and archive two year's worth of film as I had been so behind and also made notes in the accompanying folder of what the films had featured. This took me until tea-time and then Di and I loaded the boat and I put on the fenders and burgees etc. and tried out the new boat video player until dark. Debbie was staying with her friend Helen Cranston last night and only came back this evening. She then took pride in showing both Helen, and then her neighbourhood friend Amy, over the Paxton Princess and they both wanted to come with her!

Daniel was out and about today, making use of his last few hours with his friends but he came back with bad news this evening as his car broke down in Gordon Road and they had to push it back into our garage. We went to bed as it got dark on a night that was still in the 70'sF and lay with the bed covers off and double doors and curtains flung wide open. I was pledged to get up early and complete my last administration before the decorators arrive.