Catching up day domestically and playing with Debbie and Daniel before I turn to planning the week ahead as Reagan seeks US Presidential re-election and The Times suffers from union action and Ireland simmers from Bloody Sunday commemorations

A slight lay in today and chance to read further The Economist and Sunday Times colour magazine (the paper not appearing today) before writing up yesterday’s journal. My customary Sunday breakfast of fried egg, bacon, mushrooms and bread which I thoroughly enjoyed. A morning cleaning out the ducks and then washing and vacuuming the car, removing straw from both! (I have been ferrying bales of straw in the boot recently). Then to watch television before lunch. The Weekend World had Len Murray, the Director General of the TUC, being interviewed about the future now that such events as the GCHQ ban had taken place. A good lunch and then after to make a start on my business work.

I am somewhat melancholy over having to spend such time on the business when I would prefer to lead a family outing; but I make a start. Tea of crumpet and cakes and then back to the papers for most of the evening. An extraordinary amount and depth of work this week and so I am at some pains to carefully plan the priorities so as not to miss out on some vital actions. In particular I have to clear out of the way some items so as to spend time on the BMMG merger talks with UKITO and also the Export IT FCO Briefing Course which are a worry. Diana is much improved in health and has encouraging advice from her anti-natal visits – we can try to resume a more normal life including social pursuits. Debbie has become quite a joker and, though messy, is good company for Daniel and the rest of the family. Daniel is a little at a loss now that Di took his computer into Cambridge Computer Store for repair; but exchanges visits with Paul to play with him. News late tonight of President Reagan offering himself for re-election and in Ireland a Fireman has a finger shot off trying to fight a fire caused amongst a number of incidents held to mark Bloody Sunday. On time to bed and for a good night’s sleep for a hectic week ahead.