Saturday February 7, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

35 years ago today our Sovereign Lady was proclaimed throughout her Kingdoms. She's fresh back from Kenya, now 61, beloved by all, and growing old. No side saddle at this years Trooping the Colour, an open carriage like the Queen Mother. Not a whiff of abdication. 

Temple Newsam.

Margaret R appeared at 12 with a supposed kidney infection. _____. She was almost sacked and then I thought back to Karin Ireland, and refrained. This afternoon at 3 Ally dropped me off at Temple Newsam with the children and for a few hours we romped amongst the damp rhododendrons. Samuel racing around the ancient trees. Sadly, the farm was closed. The light soon faded and we were left in darkness with only the spotlights from the roof of the house to illuminate the situation. Samuel thought it a real adventure. He chased me with a big stick. Clemmie, in her pink layers, beneath plastic sheeting, looking wide-eyed. Ally came back at 5:20. Home for tea. Worked tonight. Margaret R again. The bearded 'Our Billy' from Spofforth stood at the bar drinking vodka and looking glum. At 10 Dad came in with John, an impromptu visit. We went upstairs and watched Dame Edna Everage until 2am. Clemmie cried at the sight of strange men drinking beer in her home. A petty little thing she is.

In the news: Duchess gets her wings - The Duchess of York is expected to pilot her husband when she flies in to collect her private pilot's licence from Mr Christopher Tugendhat , chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority on Thursday. The ceremony will take place in the main hanger at Oxford Airport, Kidlington, after a trip from RAF Benson, Oxon. The duchess is the first woman member of the royal family to have learned to fly.

Liberace burial halted by Aids check - Liberace's burial at Forest Lawn, Hollywood, will have to wait because the coroner has rejected his doctor's death certificate in order to find out if he died of Aids. A post-mortem examination may have to be performed.

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