Early morning reading the newspapers and then to the office to review the mail and take a briefcase of work home for tackling our bank relationship and Directors’ reviews as I resolve to investigate selling the business

Another slight lay in and brief reading of The Sunday Times and business supplements which did not reveal much. A breakfast of fried egg, bacon and bread – the first time for weeks that I have had one of our duck eggs now they have resumed lay. To the car and on to St Neots where I find the Cambridge St. Garage car wash free and I take advantage of it – wash and blow dry for 80 pence. It is normally far too busy with queues of cars waiting but I am glad to be able to use it on this cold day. Whilst the office warms up, I review the mail and in it read the latest letter from that pest Burkinshaw at Barclays Bank. I am so upset by the matter that I write to both him on the details and then to his manager, Brian George, to ask for his replacement as our representative. I do not know what effect it will have but it made me return late home for lunch at 1.30pm.

This afternoon to a briefcase full of work – mainly the Xitan Review minutes and advice and instructions for Geoff Lynch. I break for a tea of crumpets and tarts but resume all evening on general paperwork and an action list for the week ahead. before arriving at the office and parking, I drive around the industrial estate as I do once in a while. Still many units free and available and, though not suited to us, I note them for possible negotiating strength when we resume talks with Barford soon. The heater is left on at the office when I didn’t return but I hope it will be OK. News tonight of the bad weather drifting snow in the North of England and Scotland. Also of Tony Benn receiving a Labour Party candidacy to re-enter parliament. To bed on time for another busy week ahead with plenty of worry by way of Bank relationships and Directors Reviews which I shall be pleased to see the end of. I am resolved to meet Richard James this week to discuss possible disposal of the business anyway.