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Family time and reading Pepys in the morning before an afternoon visit to my parents despite Daniel’s cold as the UN votes for the Russians to withdraw from Afghanistan
A fair lay in this morning with Diana and after we made love I am so taken back that I rise and get the mornings drinks and before long the whole family in our bed slurping! A breakfast as usual of toast and juice and then for me back and the entire morning reading Pepys 1662 autumn journal. Up, washed and dressed before lunch which was cold turkey and ham salad. This afternoon off together by car to Stanton in Essex to visit my Mother and Father who seem well and in hope over the chance of a hip operation to release Mum from her wheelchair.
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Boxing Day reading and relaxing playing computer games with Daniel before Cambridge visit to Di’s family as another Oxford bomb strikes
Boxing Day. A good lay in till 7.45am before waking to a cup of tea. After yesterday morning’s disaster, I cook my own breakfast of fried egg, bread, bacon and mushrooms which I do well. Daniel has let the ducks out today and I spend the morning reading Pepys and playing with Daniel on his new computer games. Another nice lunch and the rest of the crackers. Together to the car and over to Cambridge to see Mr and Mrs Jackson and Chas and Chris and Sue for tea.
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Christmas Day to ourselves opening presents, eating and relaxing for a walk and to Pepys 1662 journals as another Harrods car bomb victim dies of his injuries
Christmas Day. Awaken on time with cup of tea as usual but urged to go down stairs straight away to see the children open a large pile of presents. Deborah receives a Doctor’s set, a teapot dolls house for her people, a play-by-numbers piano miniature and a whole host of chocolates, sweets and other things. Daniel receives his three different games for his BBC computer, his joystick control, and a large Lego set for construction. Also again a whole number of bits and pieces. Diana her camera from me and from her, a new dressing gown for my other had become full of holes through wear. The Queen speaks her Christmas address to the Commonwealth on the theme of the improved abilities for communications and travel.
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Christmas Eve relaxing, reading and attending to the ducks and family matters before Diana’s family visit for tea and Father Christmas gets a helping hand
Up at my normal Saturday time and via my normal routine of toast and marmalade breakfast and read of the paper and Economist. Dressed and washed and after to let out and feed the ducks with Daniel. For some days he has been complaining that only the younger ducks are coming in each evening and that the big ones have flown off. I soon find out that they are in the flock all the time! He was expecting them to be still whitish brown but they have of course moulted fully and are the same colour as the rest!
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Steady day working on paperwork and seeking Gordon Coventry’s final decision as staff excesses are curtailed and our DTI grant application is filed. Further funerals of Harrods car bomb victims complete the sobering thoughts and deeds
Only on time to the office and a slow steady day working through the paperwork. I compile a long and detailed letter for Gordon Coventry explaining his position and asking for a final decision. We have all exhausted our patience and are quite unconcerned about the outcome. A sober and steady day at the office – a memo had been circulated about avoiding drink and extended celebrations and it had been heeded. Also today to complete with Derek W and Ian N the application for financial assistance from the DTI.