Train journey to London planning the Group 1983 meetings calendar and deadlines and then to the Intercontinental Hotel for Management Incentives seminar after which I skip the afternoon session, eat sausage and chips in Hyde park watching the water birds and walk along historic Whitehall before returning to the office to hear of Derek’s efforts to put off UEH from retaining their Byte Shop purchase option and clear my in-tray

Up on time today and hasty preparations to catch the 8.06 train to London; having let out the eggless ducks and had Diana prepare a toast breakfast. On the train, planned the group calendar for 1984 with payroll and information deadlines and an entire year’s meeting cycle. By tube to Hyde Park Corner and just in time for coffee at the Intercontinental Hotel before the start of a seminar on “Management Incentives.” I stayed for the morning session, and learned a little but soon realised that there was little new to take account of and that each company structure and culture needs its own incentives. Sufficient subject matter, however, to place our plans in the scheme of things and I am not going to propose any changes. A phone call to the office established that Derek had a hard time with UEH yesterday and that, together with some other items needing review, convinced me to stop the afternoon and lunch.

A walk through St James Park and lunch of sausage and chips at the cafeteria within sight of Horse Guards Parade watching the wide variety of water fowl still in evidence. An ideal place, I thought, to bring youngsters to feed the birds. Through the parade ground to see round the Whitehall area including time out to inspect the Banqueting Hall where Charles I left for his execution. Along past Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross Station to the Kingsway Road, Aldwych, where I noted the agency details of some property that interests me. Up Kingsway to Holborn and back to Kings X by tube and home by train to St Neots.

A useful hour in the office with Derek to hear a merry tale of the stories he had been telling UEH to put them off the Byte Shop Option. I will need an Oscar to play the part when I get to meet their Chairman! Back to my own office to find June left but I work my way through my in-tray and pass all paperwork on. A phone call to John to check on the affairs of the day and no word from our US trippers who should have phoned