Back home from cruising on a windy day and a goodbye drink and snacks with our favourite friends and neighbours before I help a stranded boat and then catch up with work papers and go into the office to prepare for the week

The day started quiet but the wind gradually increased all day. Fortunately there was no rain apart from a slight trace in the air at times. We awoke after a good night in Godmanchester and let the children play in the climbing frame and on the swings. We set off without shopping and make good way against the breeze, recharging the battery well as we go. We are soon through the two locks at Houghton and Offord and home before lunch.

Daniel is sent to retrieve the shed keys from our neighbours who have been looking after the ducks, but John and Brenda Tomblin call us in as they were having drinks and snacks to say goodbye to the neighbours. They are leaving the district next Tuesday to move to an address in Sandridge near St Albans and our children will miss two good friends in David and Rebecca. Then to lunch and after to reading all manner of post and papers that have come to the house during our absence. This process interrupted by the arrival of a small cruiser at the bottom of our garden which had broken down. The crew had hired it from Kelpie Marine and were not operating it correctly.

I make the adjustments, give them a trial run and send them on their way and return to find lunchtime over and my food in the oven. After completing my private papers this afternoon, I drive to the office and both look round and ready my in-tray. As far as I can see, business has been progressing but the finished goods store is too full for my liking. There is an agenda round for a sales meeting on Tuesday that will be of interest. My trays have no matters of critical note but many personnel issues for solution. I suspect that I will soon have to consider a Personnel Manager to take these over. I will look in detail at these papers this evening and so be ready for the day tomorrow when I will not only be just returned but also without my secretary June Hamilton.

The papers today are still full of the Russian incident, with the Americans keeping up the pressure. It seems that certain parties on both sides do not see the wisdom or need for reconciliation. Only 5 adult ducks still in our flock of Khaki Campbells but all 11 juveniles still with us. These will soon be taking over the egg-laying which will be well received. The gardener does not seem to have recently called and Diana is not very pleased with him.