Problematic day with cars, Tecmar and Ken Goddard as Derek returns from holiday and I have a negative reference for Carleton whilst Peter King returns home via Nottingham and the world goes mad

A cooler breezier day and some fun and games this morning with cars! Diana persuades me at short notice to swap cars and I chunter to work in her small Austin Metro. Then she calls me because the Rover has broken down and back I go. Fortunately the garage manage to start it during the day and its back in action this evening.

This morning Derek Weatherby has returned from holiday and I brief him on all known developments in the group. He, like John Lamb, reports having had his best holiday ever and it is good to see that the sacrifices of recent weeks have been worthwhile. For all that I will not want to see so many executives on coincident holidays in subsequent years. Another session this morning with Ken Goddard sorting out problems of Tecmar and Ken Goddard! A phone call later with Caroline Alport where she promises all items can be delivered in 30 days.

A frustrating day today taking up references for Carleton have, where his principal referee provided a very negative opinion and referred to Carleton as having been dismissed from Ferranti after a late lunch celebration. I am still pursuing other references in the belief that he is still for us but I must say I was taken aback.  Peter King completed his journey home today after an exhausting weekend and had to drop by Nottingham on his way back to review the situation. 

News today of the second day of The Helsinki World Athletics Championships, of more turmoil in Sri Lanka with the Tamil conflicts and of efforts to tow offshore the wreckage of the oil tanker from the South African coast. I hope for a better day tomorrow.