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.

It is a rather exaggerated and sketchy effort but is sufficient to start the ball rolling. On time to finish for the day and return home to sherry, nuts and a casual evening reading local papers and watching a frontier film and then a Royal Tour documentary on television. News today of further funerals of people killed in the Harrods car bombing and of visits by the Prime Minister to Northern Ireland and the Defence Secretary to the Lebanon. To bed on time for a well-earned rest.