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Group and Company Administration day as we struggle to make 170 systems this month whilst Yasser Arafat is close to defeat in the Lebanon and Andropov seems close to popping off!
Early to the office and first to meet Helen Wilson, June’s new assistant on personnel matters. A fair range of paperwork to complete today but particular care to approve reasonable availability of stock pool equipment for a training course and two exhibitions. Meetings with Ian, Carlton, John, David in passing and production will struggle to make its 170 systems this month but pledged to achieve it. Softening also of the sales performance ahead of some of the volume government orders and some concern as a result of the expansions we are planning. Peter King at the office today and no news yet of the Coventry’s reaction to the company’s line but I express my views that they are bound to leave as they will never conform. Later to complete the Comart Computers Ltd admin, and filing which is now part of the Comart Group with papers up to date. Now to do the same for Comart Limited. Late at the office to prepare the Xitan review meeting agenda after agreeing the scope and timing of Thursday’s meeting with Geoff and also to clear my desk.
News today of heavy shelling of Lebanese forces with the US Lebanese airport positions also coming under fire. The beleaguered Palestinians loyal to Yasser Arafat are starting to retreat and must surely give in shortly. Syria has called up its entire military reserves to ‘counter aggression’ involving US forces. In Russia Andropov misses the year’s largest parade and has now not been seen in public for three months.
Weather still mild and dry but rain is expected tomorrow. The CBI conference today called for expansion and investment to sustain the recovery with which I agree.
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Time completing my Company Administration and catching up on reading about our publicity as Daniel goes on a Game Fair school trip and we play his game upon his return. Diana very tired and grumpy from Debbie’s illness and her own sickness and, possibly, a new pregnancy
Fairly early to wake as Diana is up to get Daniel off to a school trip to London. He goes in company with other pupils to a Games Fair where he buys a new games cassette for his BBC microcomputer; “Dog Fight.” Later today, on his return, I spend a merry hour or two playing the game with him which allows the players to assume the role of fighter pilots engaged in mortal combat. This, after a morning in bed reading the Sunday Times and pleased to see myself, Comart and Byte Shop as well as the British Microcomputer manufacturers group mentioned in an article on the microcomputer industry. The theme is the sort out that is presently taking place; as IBM take an increasing hold on the market and many other suppliers falter.
In late morning, Becky comes round to play with Debbie and it is a pity that David’s visit has coincided with the one Sunday school trip that has been organised for Daniel. Before lunch to feed the ducks who seem none the worse for their night out away from the riverside fireworks. An afternoon and evening mostly on company administration but distracted by an afternoon football match televised live and an evening film. In the end I manage to complete the Comart Ltd returns in draft and also compile a register of sealings from passed application. A row today with Diana who is very tired and irritable after Debbie’s night time sickness. Her mood provokes me to slap her which I am afterwards very sorry for. There is a good chance that her morning sickness means that she is again with child. To bed later than intended after a hundred dog fights.
News today of the aftermath of all the recent bomb outrages, and also of the suspected ill health of the Russian Premier, Andropov. The PLO leader Yasser Arafat is besieged in Tripoli by the rebel soldiers and the Syrians and his forthcoming defeat will herald an end of an era.
The weather has been quite mild this weekend with temperatures in the fifties and no rain.
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Debbie is unwell as I work on company administration and then welcome friends for tea before we have a fireworks party as a North Sea oil rig diving bell fails, killing its crew
A very unsettled and sleepless night with Debbie awake and sick a half-dozen times. Early to rise and after breakfast to St Neots and the doctor with Debbie. He diagnoses a tummy upset with no medicine or treatment needed other than plenty of liquids and rest. Later to mind Debbie and get my personal accounts up to date, paying over above £1000 to Diana for the monthly housekeeping and expenses ahead of Christmas. To watch television and films about the Monaco Grand Prix motor racing and, after lunch, the story of the Mayflower.
In late afternoon to undertake company administration for Comart Ltd before John and Brenda Tomblin arrived with Becky and David. They had recently moved from Gordon Road and had returned for the evening Guy Fawkes bonfire, fireworks and celebrations. First to a handsome tea of cakes, sandwiches, tea and soft drinks and, after helping them unload and get installed in 39 Gordon Road, to Eddie and Stella’s for the celebrations. A good feast of fireworks and food and wearily home to writing and bed after setting off numerous fireworks and playing with the youngsters.
News today of the recapture of Arthur Hutchinson, another murderer who had escaped a month ago after a triple murder. A disaster on the “Byford Dolphin” north sea oil rig where several men were killed in a diving bell accident after the bell sections separated and exploded. Defence secretary Heseltine is attempting to excuse his insensitive remarks on shooting Greenham Common protesters today but nobody is convinced. Further comment today on yesterday’s explosion in the North East garage in Bradford where gas cylinders are thought to be responsible.
Debbie tonight has lasted the days exertions well after a sleepy morning. The ducks were let out for the night to avoid the noise and flashes of the riverside celebrations. These days they are only laying a single egg per day between them which is a great disappointment. On time to bed to catch up on some rest and sleep.
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Working day of meetings on Quality, Public Relations, and Comart and Byte Shop performance, which look good but I worry about growing competition before a family bonfire party and tea whilst Daniel gets on okay at Kimbolton and Killer Nielson’s dastardly deeds are revealed and world leaders tussle with the atrocities at the Lebanon, Grenada and Ulster
News today of the conviction of Nielson the horrific killer who strangled his victims and boiled their heads etc. Another atrocity in Lebanon where the Israeli base was subject of a bomb-packed lorry attack whilst the Geneva talks on Lebanon break up for the time being. In an IRA bomb attack in Belfast, two police were killed and many more injured at the Ulster Polytechnic. In Grenada, Russian diplomats were bundled out ignominiously after cases of weapons had been found amongst their possessions. It seems that the relationship between the USA and Russia deteriorates by the day which is increasingly dangerous for world peace.
For my own efforts, early to the office and there to prepare my papers for the day. A quality meeting this morning with a programme for incoming material under discussion. Lunch with MEPR, the new public relations consultancy selected by John for Comart and with good prospects of obtaining much better coverage in the journals. An afternoon clearing mail, completing correspondence and filing the review minutes of the last Comart and Byte Shop meetings. Afternoon discussions with John and David who are optimistic of the future product and sales prospects. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that we face an uphill battle against the microcomputer manufacturers who can marshal large resources.
The family are well and arrangements are in hand for the Tomblins to visit overnight tomorrow for tea and a bonfire/firework party. Daniel enjoying Kimbolton School and learning etiquette and French with equanimity.