Wednesday, March 12, 2008

12th March

Up early and dropped Sophie off to school. She's not well, has lost her voice, but she battles on gamely. She is an inspiration. Off to Watford to pick up L. She is more modestly dressed today, and less pretty with her hair tied back. We deal mainly with reversing manoeuvres. She's not brilliant, but should get by.
Then a drive to Aylesbury for S, and a repeat dose! More bloody reversing. On the way over I listen to the start of the budget day broadcasts.I only actually discovered that it was budget day yesterday, which shows the extent to which the kids' monopoly on the telly has divorced me from the world of current affairs. Being busy also means Radio4 time is drastically reduced.
The budget show is a far remove from the days of the seventies, when each time the chancellor rose the nation quaked. Petrol prices would fly through the roof. Beer wine and baccy costs would soar, taxes would rise. There never seemed to be good news. Queues would form outside petrol stations with punters trying to grab the last few litres st the old price before the hike came into effect, usually at 5 o'clock. The budget always used to be in November, and the grim news seemed well in tune with the dark shortening nights of gloomy winter.
Today it's bright, and very, very breezy. In keeping with most serious outbreaks of weather we miss the worst of it, but there are a few gusts which have the car bouncing on it's springs. Darling's speech attracts only token derision from the opposition. it appears almost totally neutral. Why bother getting to your feet in the first place?
Next up it's to Lt K to pick up T for a first lesson. He is a friend of Sophie, and she is very friendly with him. He recently lost his dad, and I find it painful as he recalls the only other time he drove a car, with his father trying to teach him, without it seems, much success. I really feel for him Apparently his dad's loss has left some financial uncertainty, and I admire his honesty as he tells me of his worries for the family. At 17 he seems to be accepting a heavy burden with much good grace. His lesson goes ok. He seems to get the hang of things, but it is too early to make any sensible judgment.
Back home. Bought a couple of birthday cards for my dad, and hope will have occasion to do so many more times.
Heather has a PTA meeting and we meet afterwards in Wetherspoons. A filthy table, filthy menus and mediocre food delivered rather than served. It's only virtue is it's low price. I can think of no other reason to be there.

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