Day off taking family to Cambridge to upgrade Daniel’s BBC Micro and Diana’s Motherly shopping as I researched  Little Paxton History and the garage fixed my Rover after which I play with Daniel and his new toy as the Miners’ Strike becomes National

Awake at the usual time but spent the time until 10.00am sitting in bed and reading business and current affaires papers. Except, of course, for a brief sojourn downstairs for my customary breakfast. Up and dressed eventually as the cleaning maid and builders workman had already arrived and then out with Diana and Debbie for a day trip for local and Cambridge shopping. No further, however, than Cosy Corner and St Neots Tool Hire before the slightly warm car engine refused to restart. Eventually a breakdown service arrives and we get the car to the garage for the rest of the day and take off for Cambridge in Diana’s mini metro.

We stop on the way for a nice lunch at the Little Chef, although I do have to make a little fuss in order to get served. Then to the Cambridge Computer Store with Daniel’s BBC microcomputer to buy a dual disc drive for his birthday. I find that they had not installed a disk interface as promised during its return to the shop in January, and in the end they fit another and promise a refund if we can provide evidential proof of payment. On to Mothercare for Diana to do some more motherly shopping and to Cambridge Library for me to look at the company directories. It seems that I will need turnovers above £50M to enter the top 1000 UK companies, but am probably already within the top 1000 as far as private companies are concerned. Back to St Neots by car and to the local library to read the local historians notes on Little Paxton. Until the 1840s the area was dominated by the Mansion House overlooking a well wooded park. It was formerly owned by Sir William Booth (of Booths Gin fame) and was auctioned in 1848 for demolition and the start of Little Paxton Parks development began. Population was falling slightly in these days but mass increases in housing and occupancy occurred in the 1960s and 70s. I collect my Rover and hope that their adjustments solve the problems. Home to a fine tea and then to play with Daniel and his new toy. An evenings relaxation in front of the fire, lit for the occasion. News tonight of widening concern and progress on what is becoming a national miners strike.