To St Ives to arrange some auction lots and then home via the Jordon’s Mill at Biggleswade to hear of their fire and rebuilding plans before home to clear the 39 Gordon Road loft of my things and then supervise Daniel’s homework and revision as an IRA plan to bomb British seaside resorts is foiled and terrorists arrested and computer shares are in free fall with Acorn shares suspended again
Awake groggily to morning tea and then the paper until breakfast. Diana brought up cornflakes, milk and fruit juice and after this I finished off The Financial Times. Up, washed and dressed and out to the birds. The doves continue to incubate the two eggs conscientiously and the ducks laid another 10 eggs. To the office and a busy morning sorting my papers, paying a few bills and handling a few calls. Two of the American servicemen called again and I had to tell them that the house was already let. I tried to get the other sides agreement to work on the riverside land but, when they could not muster a reply, briefed Mr Tee on doing the work anyway. He will start tomorrow by lopping the overhanging branches and clearing the undergrowth. Diana back from Bedford for a late lunch and then I took off for St Ives, after briefing Joan and Pete on the new arrangements with the houses. At Ekins, I marked up my silver lots and filled in the form so that my excess silver will be sold in the forthcoming antiques auction. Back and to Biggleswade to buy 2 bags of layers pellets for the ducks. Holine Mill is still out of action and they are getting their milling done by another firm.
Evidently they were only insured for half of their losses, but hope to be back to normal production by September and fully recovered from the fire. Home to a delayed tea of meat and veg and our own ripened strawberries for after. This evening I get Daniel’s help to empty the loft at Gordon Road and brought over some old rugs, carpets and my old college books and papers. Then to help Daniel with his revision, check his maths and English class tests and then test him myself on his physics. He starts his exams with English tomorrow. By this time quite late and only time to make up a second press cuttings book and insert the excess cuttings and then update my journal before bed. News today of British detectives foiling an IRA plan to attack many British seaside resorts with bombs. Many terrorists are arrested, including escapees from the Maze Prison. English clubs are taking UEFA and FIFA to the high court over the legality of the international soccer ban. In the USA the authorities seem to be preparing the US public for military and economic action against the Lebanon, Syria and Iran and Libya as the hostage crisis deepens. On the stock exchange, the free-fall continues, with the computer shares leading the way. Acorn has its shares suspended for a second time and the market looks grim.