There was a lethal combination of gales, lashing rain and sleet and snow that greeted Sam's first pointing test during a month that came in like a lion and went out like a lamb as Spring arrived. But it was same bitter northerly wind did not cease and set the scene for a miserable EuroDisney trip.
My time was split between Paxton, Paris and Horning, organising the LibDem campaign in the former as we battled on in Priory and the Offords. There was plenty of practical tasks as I erected a pole-cote and cleared up Harnser’s garden.
A good month for Sam’s progress, with plenty of training and experience for him, taking part in his first Spring Pointing Test and earning a ‘Good’ grade.
A cold and disappointing holiday with the family to EuroDisney but we did appreciate our trips to the Paris Latin Quarter, Les Halles, Eifel Tower and a Pont Neuf boat trip on the River Seine; shopping trips to Torcy; and a rail and bus outing Parc Asterix with its themes, rides, and Dolphin display. Also Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show was a highlight.
We had a nice trip to the Theatre Royale whilst in Norwich to see Harry Secombe and cancer victim Roy Castle in their version of "Pickwick” and many other outings besides.
Elsewhere, the month started with the three-day Easter cease-fire announced by the IRA, but real conflict of the month was in Bosnia where there was another Allied air strike that succeeded in its direct aim but failed to stop the Bosnian Serb army from advancing on Goradsne.
A bomb attack by right-wing extremists on Johannesburg International Airport failed to stop the first universal and free South African Elections. It was mechanical failure or pilot error that was responsible for the latest of a worrying series of civil air crashes; this time at Schipol Airport.
England did well at cricket in their 4th Test against the West Indies, but they suffered a massive defeat in the final Test and the ignominy of Lara scoring 375 runs against them; the most ever in a single test innings.
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A month that came in like a lion and went out like a lamb as Spring arrived. It was the lethal combination of gales, lashing rain and sleet and snow that greeted Sam's first pointing test. The same bitter northerly wind did not cease and set the scene for a miserable EuroDisney trip. Then the weather moderated and was quiet idyllic for the run in to the local elections.
My month was split between Paxton, Paris and Horning. At home, I had to organise the local election campaign where we were challenging the new ward of Buckden and developing Eynesbury whilst defending our existing territories of Priory and the Offords. From press launch of the campaign through the whipping up of help to mediation upon election FOCUS copy and the review of canvassing priorities; there was much to do to keep things on the rails Poor Percy was suffering from the process, Derek and Sandy were in an acute domestic crisis and new girl Louise was learning the ropes but I used my best diplomatic skills and the customary mechanism of the campaign manual to aid training and performance.
The new handyman was working his way down from the top of a long backlog of jobs with a new back door the priority. I managed to acclimatise the new white doves in the pole-cote without problem and they achieved their freedom this month. In Norfolk, I had to clear up the Harnser's garden, organise a repair of the sewage pump and prepare for a meeting of the RHDRA to discuss the perennial road problem. Health-wise, I had become half a stone overweight but at least I am relatively fit and healthy. Nigel introduced me to his marital problems and confided in me about his mistress Kate but would not take my advice that it would all end in tears.
My month with Sam was one of good progress. Even if it started with his tummy upset, it ended with him thriving in his holiday kennels and being much happier on two meals of Repnor Gold a day. It was his first introduction to Spring Pointing Tests and I had to fit in plenty of preparation by way of long walks and quartering across fields at home at Paxton and Molesworth, with Jim in Norfolk and with Mr Botterman at the Harlow training session. This paid off as he was graded "Good" at his first attempt and was the only junior dog to achieve this at Trimms Green, Sawbridgeworth. He is thought to be able to run and find game easily but steadiness will be the issue and the month ended with this in mind. His retrieving of real birds improves with less mouthing but his water entries are hesitant and also need work. At least he is markedly better with people and will get the right experience this winter as I joined the N&DWA this month.
It was with great expectations on her part that I took Diana and the girls to Paris and EuroDisney but these were dashed by the atrocious cold and rainy weather and the overcrowded and expensive resort which put real stress on our relationship. At least she enjoyed a hotel stay at the Heathrow Marriot and we did appreciate our trips to the Paris Latin Quarter, Les Halles, Eifel Tower and a Pont Neuf boat trip on the River Seine; shopping trips to Torcy; and a rail and bus outing Parc Asterix with its themes, rides, and Dolphin display. Also Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show was a highlight.
We had a nice trip to the Theatre Royale whilst in Norwich to see Harry Secombe and cancer victim Roy Castle in their version of "Pickwick". Trips also to the Horning Tea Shoppe and Olivers, not to mention a luxury seat each at Carrow Road, but she came back home with stomach cramps and period pains that led to worries about her health. At home, trips also to see the Beatles film "Backbeat" in Bedford and a relaxed lunch to Brampton Garden Centre Arranging Debbie's birthday party was another worry but they went back to school with no fuss or problem and Della had Katie Morris to stay without incident.
Elsewhere, the month started with the three-day Easter cease-fire announced by the IRA but treated with scorn by John Major who is hoping for an unconditional and permanent end to violence and this comes at a time when a third Tory MP has called for his resignation. The real conflict of the month was in Bosnia where there was another Allied air strike that succeeded in its direct aim but failed to stop the Bosnian Serb army from advancing on Goradsne. The UN eventually convinced Russia that there should be the threat of more air attacks and the ultimatum that resulted eventually led to them withdrawing. The US were involved in a terrible so-called "friendly-fire" incident in Iraq when they mistook two helicopters for Iraqis and shot them down, killing twenty Allied soldiers in the process. A bomb attack by right-wing extremists on Johannesburg International Airport failed to stop the first universal and free South African Elections. Administrative problems proved more of a threat and polling had to be extended by a further day in the Zulu areas to placate Chief Buthelesi. It was mechanical failure or pilot error that was responsible for the latest of a worrying series of civil air crashes; this time at Schipol Airport.
Norwich City were losing their last matches of the season due to defensive problems and, though England did well in their 4th Test against the West Indies, they suffered a massive defeat in the final Test and the ignominy of Lara scoring 375 runs against them; the most ever in a single test innings.