Day of reading and recovering from my cold and moving our bedroom for building works as American withdraws troops from Beirut and also of mounting support for Tuesday afternoon’s Public Sector strike in sympathy with the GCHQ unions

A good lay in this morning and rest after the recent efforts and exertions under my cold. Up to a fried breakfast of a double-yoked egg and then back to bed until 10.00. Then up, dressed and out to let out the ducks and clean out their hutch. I collected seven eggs today and we sold 1 dozen eggs to a passer-by. Another bitterly cold day which confined us all to home more or less as we suffered from our heavy colds. I called my father by telephone and heard that my mother is recovering very well from her hip operation but her thigh bone is cracked and will need six weeks to heal before she can exert her full weight to it. An afternoon and evening reading business papers and writing out policies and instructions. Most weekend comment and analysis is suggesting improving economic fortunes and sustained recovery but I am more cautious of it until the government stops cutting back on essential services and investments.

This, before finally completing my weekly action list and then finishing before bed time to wash my hair and prepare my clothes for the morning. Today we moved our bed into the spare room as we are expecting the builders to start work on the bedroom balcony this week as well as finishing our chimney and fireplace tomorrow. News today of the final exit of the American troops from Beirut and also of mounting support for Tuesday afternoons Public Sector strike in sympathy with the GCHQ unions. Also tonight of Britain’s Davis Cup defeat in tennis in the hands of the Italians. Our sporting fortunes do not seem to be very good at the moment.