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Optimistic Comart Computers Sales Meeting and valuable conversations with D of I’s Tony Keston on contracts for British micros as the Jumbo downing row smoulders on
Another fine but cool day, though I hardly venture out during the daylight hours. An exception to this was first thing when I help Daniel to release the ducks on a beautiful morning by the river. The ducks are moulting and only laying 2 eggs per day. We now retain six adult ducks with one returning to the flock, but now only 10 juveniles remain. They are all eating far too much and the youngsters are now due to start laying.
To the office and another large post which I leave to join the Comart Sales Meeting. This meeting, under David Fear’s guidance, brings together the volume sales executives and reports forecasts of future business, reviewing product problems and opportunities along the way. Prospects look good for a £1M first quarter – well ahead of the forecast and budget for the slack season. Then to my desk and the mail of 1st and 2nd posts whilst snatching a snack of water and sandwiches.
After to return phone calls of a venture capitalist who seeks a meeting on capital for the micro industry and Tony Keston of the D of I to exchange interesting views on the NEDO Tariff’s working party report and computerisation of the DHSS’s benefit office. Concerted effort is needed to ensure that the mammoth application for 2600 microcomputers is landed by British microcomputer companies. I press for a publicity initiative on the Doctors micro scheme which by my judgement has been a great success. Also lobby for consideration of BMDS’s claims on investment in any forthcoming Dentists scheme.
News today of the admission by the USSR of actually shooting down the South Korean airliner. Also the US release tape recordings of the intercepted voice communications between the Soviet pilots and their control. The International Pilots Association has banned members flying services in and out of Moscow for 60 days. In the Lebanon, the fighting by artillery shells with the US positions on the receiving end. At the TUC, the unions vote by 2 to 1 to maintain a dialogue with the government on union reform.
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Back to work and to many personnel and other issues as June has prepared my desk with care and efficiency as Debbie and Daniel play with Rebecca and David Tomblin for the last time
A cool but fine day with only a breeze and no rain. Early up and to the office after a rather sleepy return to my work schedule. There to find again my backlog of work neatly arranged in sections for action, reading etc. plus a typed report on the status of personnel matters and other important work. Many messages to return calls but highest of all needs to talk to Peter King about personnel issues. Soon to follow the mail in large quantity and the rest of the morning sorting the workload and reviewing the status of vacancies, offers outstanding and accepted.
Lunchtime for a drink with John Lamb and David Fear. Business is looking good with SDL OEM orders for £30K of Communicator modules and government contracts coming on stream. A Comart sales meeting due tomorrow will see good backlogs of orders for a solid September. An afternoon reviewing press comment and reading material, passing on the bottlenecks of work to my subordinates. I note that Mrs Little has had a letter published on me in Informatic Magazine and conducts a dialogue via the media as one is not possible direct! By the end of the day, work under control but much to do in the rest of the week.
News today of another coach crash, this time in the Scottish Highlands. Also more interchanges on the S. Korean incident, now that Russian news reports are becoming more detailed. But still they are short of an apology and reparations which is the minimum the western nations would settle for. Israel’s withdrawal from Beirut and Begin’s retirement leaves power vacuums in both countries.
At home Diana is in bed tonight with a headache. The children have played with Rebecca and David Tomblin today and will miss them tomorrow. A late evening for me watching the first of four episodes of ‘The Godfather’ epic, which will make me quite tired by the end of the week.
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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.
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From St Ives to Godmanchester after a windy and rainy night as the Jumbo row developed into a war of words
A rough and windy night with torrential rain to start the morning. But with few leaks, we are very snug in The Lady and slept dry and content last night. Unfortunately, my thermometer (which had been left outside to record the overnight minimum temperature) was either stolen or more probably blown overboard by the stormy winds. We resolve to cruise straight home today but, after some good shopping in St. Ives, I find that the steering wheel has broken – the plastic hub being worn in tussling with the wind. Daniel and I walk to L H Jones and order a replacement and spare but they do not stock the parts and I have to change back to the old ships wheel.
Eventually we move off but the high winds cause us to crash the front of the boat at the next two locks; so we stop at Houghton Mill now open this year for the first time. There has been a mill at this place for over 1000 years and the machinery is as originally run until 1930. Later we move on through Godmanchester lock and moor safely at Godmanchester playground. This evening we watch ‘Close encounters of a third kind’ on television but I am weary of it now having seen it four times.
News today is of a battle of words between America and Russia over the S. Korean aircraft crash. Also French troops in greater number to Chad. We hope for better weather tomorrow and it is forecast dry and bright for tonight but wet and windy tomorrow afternoon.
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Liaising with my office on a day of violent winds as we cruise through The Old West river and lunch at The Pike and Eel before eventually mooring at the St Ives Town Quay as Western leaders react to Russia shooting down a South Korean Jumbo Jet
A day of winds storming up to 50 miles per hour, the barometer dropping fast to 996, and slight showers during the day ending in heavy rain at dusk. The overnight 56degF minimum rose to about 70degF out of the wind and so at least the temperature was mild. I lay in late whilst the rest of the family get up and about. Daniel’s rush to be dressed and out at the swings end in disappointment as his girlfriend in the next boat sets off early.
After breakfast, I set to repair my helmsman’s chair and the ships wheel. The first had recently failed to exhibit its prime feature – pneumatic up/down lever control – and the latter had worked loose and was wearing its hub. Both were fixed. Then a tortuous journey through the rest of the Old West River and manned locks, with a brief respite at The Pike and Eel for lunch. The wind was the worst I had experienced and we were pleased to eventually moor at St Ives Town Quay in late afternoon. In the wind was carried excessive stubble burning smut and leaves. Also grit and dust. Poor Daniel suffered most with an inflamed eye.
I quickly found a telephone to contact June Hamilton as arranged. She is off to holiday next fortnight and this is my way of ensuring good communication. A full situation report and many messages is on my desk and most urgent matters are of personnel but nothing critical. John Lamb tells me of a productive Glasgow meeting but disappointment at the financial divergence between local and central accounting practise, which is resolved to be in better communication from now on. Gordon Coventry is resolved to stay but seeks a three month contractual notice period which seems a good idea and would lessen the pressure induced by the present 12 month notice period.
News today is dominated by the Soviet shooting down of the South Korean Jumbo Jet airliner. As two days have passed all National leaders have had time for research and reflection and now make comment and criticisms. Tonight, after strong condemnation from US President Reagan and all other Western leaders; and after a further inadequate authorised statement by the Russian Official News-agency, Tass; a meeting of the United Nations Security Council had been called. In Lebanon, the Israeli troops are pulling back and out of all but southern regions and in Jerusalem Begin’s coalition parties have endorsed Defence Minister Shamir as his successor. Unemployment in Britain has moderated slightly for the first time in many months but is still above 3 million or 12.8% and Regional Health Authorities have still to implement the latest government cutback orders.
Victory II lost the second match to Australia in lighter winds and the scores are now 1 each.