May 14th (Weds)

The one reasonably busy day of the week! Nothing too stressful mind, starting with S at 12:30. Decided to give him a mock test and seewhat he could find to mess up this time. To my astonishment he drove like a dream and managed only four minors, though he did pull out at a roundabout in a very tight situation. Maybe there is hope. He has been learning for 13 months after all!
I pick up S in Aylesbury and we drive back to Wycombe. He is so brutal with the car it's untrue. And he thinks he is really good. His driving shows absolutely no foresight or planning. he just charges from one near disaster to another, whilst trying to destroy clutch and gearbox simaltaneously.
What a relief then to have A for the last lesson. So smooth, so gentle, so polished. he has about six weeks to go till his test and should walk it.
I take him for a drive out on the road from missenden to Chequers. the sun is shining on the rolling landscape, which has exploded into luxuriance. Fields have become meadows covered with a froth of buttercups and daisies. The cow parsley is running wild and giving the landscape a soft, welcoming look, which almost begs you to roll and frolic in the grass. It all looks so wonderful. I think back wistfully to when I was learning to drive and follwed these same paths in the blistering summer of 75. Bloody hell, 33 years ago.
After this I go to watch Dan play cricket. Or rather to field. He doesn't bat or bowl. We go for a drink afterwards and he is sulking. Decide to go for someething to eat in the Sushi bar. Dan doesn't want to come and stays in the car. Emsy decides she's too tired and demands H takes her home. So I sit like a plonker with two plates of food and two beersin front of me for half an hour.
The full scale of thecatastrophe in China is becoming clear, leaving the Burmese bastards to run for cover for the moment. Still hardly any foreign aid is getting to that disaster.
The Chinese government has actually responded very positively and vast battalions of soldiers are tackling the horrific task of trying to dig people out from under tons of concrete. Whole schools have been lost, and all their pupils with them. It's so desperate.