Ashursts office at Eldon Street
Ashursts office at Eldon Street

Fine and sunny day in London, impressed by the nicely turned-out ladies negotiating the Kode takeover as progress is made and the West Indies dominate the first Test match against England

The eve of the new fishing season and intrepid anglers have been camping out for the best places in the Little Paxton Gravel Pits and on the river. Up on time and a little tired after the late nights of the last few days. A toast breakfast and then a first class seat on the 8.02 train to Kings Cross to avoid the crush and allow myself to do some work. On by tube to Liverpool Street and a stroll amongst the lightly-clad ladies to the Ashursts office at Eldon Street. Being early, I studied The Financial Times in reception with a large cup of coffee served by Richards secretary. A long morning reading through all the legal paperwork and conversing with Julian George of Townsends. Unfortunately Kode were unwilling to sign a deal conditional on my section 88 and 460 tax clearances for 30 days and so the contract has been delayed for two weeks. We had finished most of the contract and circular and the consultancy agreement leaving the ‘comfort’ letter for the purposes of the circular. Also Powers of Attorney are now prepared for the trustees of my family holdings and wife to sign.

Afterwards to eat my sandwiches in a local churchyard garden where the ladies were out in force, sunning themselves on a very warm and sunny day indeed. Then to visit a Company Brokers only to turn back at the door and change my mind over their lack of credibility and thoughts of the complications that could arise from a change of mind at this stage. Shopping for some nice things and time twice on the way home and once more at the office to enjoy them before telephoning John Lamb and establishing that Ian had now signed his contract with David Fear thinking about it. Three down and three to go! The survey of parliamentary constituencies I bought today listed S.W. Cambridgeshire highly on the list of SDP/Liberal Alliance votes, and it could be winnable in a general election where there is a large anti-government vote. Today the West Indian touring team battled their way to an unassailable position in the first Test Match with Viv Richards and Larry Gomes both scouring centuries.