Early dewy morning duck and factory survey before conversations on micro-industry finance and trademark issues each side of management problems and company administration; then late home to my journal, reading and bed. Party conference season in full swing as Dunlop leave Birmingham

A fine clear day with rising barometric pressure. An early morning sopping wet with dew as I walk to the moorings and let out the ducks. Three eggs today and still the youngsters have not started to lay.

Early to the office and first to survey the company at 8.45am for late arrivals. I find that the only recipe for reasonable housekeeping and timekeeping is to take a regular interest and let that interest be known. Then to the mornings mail and successive attempts to clear my incoming tray as company information accumulated fast. Eventually before lunch reasonably up to date and a visit from Tony Diment of ‘Investors in Industry’ who came to see me for discussions on financing microcomputer companies. An afternoon fighting the priorities and consulting with the Service Manager over his staff problems. Then to contact my trade mark agent Mr Axe of Williams & Co about my plans to change the group name and concentrate on the existing names of Comart, Xitan and Byte Shop as registered trademarks. Late afternoon preparing documents for stamp duty and the forms for sending to Companies House.

Home late and time to eat a well stewed meal and complete my journal before some reading and then to bed.

News today of French war planes attacking Syrian artillery emplacements for the first time. Cyril Smith was left out in the cold at the Liberal Assembly as the motion for the election of a deputy leader position was lost and he was left complaining of a hatchet job. The Labour Party election for leader and deputy leader seems dependant on the TWGU union vote. Dunlop sells of its Birmingham Tyre operations and Sir Michael Edwards takes over I.C.L. which news is very surprising to me. The yacht Australia II beats the American Victory to level the America’s cup competition at three all.