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Staff illnesses cause hassle on a fine and sunny day hinder Comart board preparation with the Engineering department the last to report as the Aussies win the America’s Cup
Another very fine and sunny day with the barometer above 1025. Early to the office, having got up to the darker light of this autumn morning. There to get my papers in order and work closely with June to prioritise the time for the little work that we could do. Today both a senior secretary and the telephonist/receptionist were off ill and, with board reports to prepare ahead of tomorrow morning, there was a great muddle of concern. Peter King arrived from Manchester at 10.30am having spent four hours and driving in fog from early morning. It was Peter’s first glimpse of the winter’s fate.
A long day reviewing all Byte Shop matters and agreeing the personnel action required for we have 16 Byte Shop vacancies. I also briefed him about my plans for trademarks and trading styles for the group. Geoff Lynch phoned from Southampton, having interviewed Barry Lock, to report on the result. I consulted with Peter King and Derek Weatherby and decided to transfer Barry to Xitan to avoid any further continuance of doubt. A fuss in late afternoon obtaining all the Comart Board Reports with Ian’s R&D Department bringing up the rear for lack of up-to-date information and also many changes in Product Policy. In the end the remainder of the reports circulated without it and the engineering secretary takes home a word processor to complete it tonight. First report today from the new Manufacturing Manager who has identified what our production requirements really are – He now has the task of fulfilling them and introducing a modular production system to befit our modular computers.
This evening studying the board reports and also meeting an architect about installing a fireplace, garden wall and balcony. He ruled out a loft extension due to the house’s design as I had anticipated.
More concern today over the escaped IRA prisoners with further fact revealed suggesting a breakdown of security. Australia II beat Victory in the last race of the America’s Cup and hence won the trophy. There is a rumour that should the US lose, the captain’s head would replace the trophy which has lain for 130 years in the New York Yacht club – we shall see.
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Sunny family day trip to London Zoo and lunch there after morning read before home to a riverside BBQ and then to clean out the ducks and washing the car with Daniel as 38 prisoners escape from the Maize H block
A beautiful sunny day with the barometer over 1030 and the sun overcoming the chilly morning air to make it comfortably warm. A reasonably early cooked breakfast, quick wash for us all and after reading the Economist report on the world economy (and the Sunday Times), we all set off for London. Our destination is the Zoo in Regent’s Park where we arrive at 10.00am in good time to park easily outside. Debbie is enchanted by the monkeys and a Parakeet called ‘Cocky’ that said “Hello” as she passed its house in the Parrots cage. Daniel is at the age where he objects to doing anything except playing with his computer and friends but I think he enjoyed it too. An excellent lunch in the formal zoo restaurant where the service is excellent if pricy and it makes a pleasant relief from the cafeteria which I have always found draughty and depressing. In the end, and after numerous Ice Creams and drinks we become foot-weary and return to the car and then home.
A pop out to get some charcoal and then we get out the garden table and chairs and have an excellent barbeque of hamburgers, tea, and sausages by the river. A few boats abroad today, lucky to have picked this warm interlude between the cold and wet weather of late. A short play on Daniel’s computer before washing the car together and cleaning out the ducks. We have to take to the dinghy to herd the youngsters in. It has been a good day for ducks with the fine weather bringing out plenty of people to feed them and enjoy the riverside aspect.
An evening watching the fifth episode of the television war programme entitled ‘The Winds of War’ with London depicted in the Blitz.
News today of 38 IRA prisoners escaping from the Maize, H block prison in North of Ireland, stabbing and shooting two prison officers. Tonight 10 have been recaptured. In Lebanon, all the groups involved in the fighting have agreed to a ceasefire this evening but shooting seems to be continuing. Piquet wins the Brands Hatch Grand Prix and gets important builders points for Brabham and brings his own position within two points of the leader in the world championship with only one race to go.
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Rare cooked breakfast, reading and then a walk with Debbie and shopping a trip to Cambridge after collecting Daniel from School. An evening playing games with Daniel as Beirut erupts in fighting again
A very mild day but heavy showers at times. Late up and first to read Personal Computer World and todays Guardian. Then breakfast which I only take cooked once a week after my recent slimming successes and after to take Debbie for a walk along the Haylings to the lock. There was one or two boats moving today but this cruising season has virtually ended.
At 11.00am to St Neots and the Bank, collecting some dry cleaned suits on the way. We collect Daniel from Kimbolton at 12.00 and he presents a wooden spatula that has been his first product of Saturday woodworking lessons. Then to Cambridge, stopping at the Little Chef on the way for lunch. Cambridge was showery and warm with the car parks and streets full of activity. We purchase a large wooden painted toy chest, new sheets, a computer game for Daniel, a reproduction map of old Huntingdonshire and a games compendium for the boat.
Back to Little Paxton for a tea of egg sandwiches and an evening playing with Daniel on his new game – “Killer Gorilla”! Today more fighting and shelling in Beirut and a ceasefire could not be further from sight. David Owen gets a mixed reception at the Liberal Conference because the defence policies of both parties are at variance over nuclear disarmament. Lastly. the final race of the America’s Cup is postponed because of the wind veering dramatically and then falling all together.
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Daniel misses the bus as the family suffer from colds and I start a full paperwork day and note Comart’s good August as thousands of jobs are cut in the health service
A fine sunny day – cool but dry. Unfortunately I was at work in the office all day and did not get time to walk out. This morning a fine fuss as Daniel watches the bus go by not realising it was his own to St Neots! Only just in time to the office and a full day of desk work and personnel activity. The payroll information across to accounts, future structure of the service department resolved, Agenda for next Tuesday’s Board meeting circulated, and my own personnel report (including organisational charts and outstanding vacancy summary) produced. Preliminary figures for Comart’s August where we made a modest profit in replacement of budgeted loss.
News today of Health Service cuts of several thousand workers, mainly in the South East Thames area which brings Union protest and political controversy. Also of a successful conference speech by David Steel ending with a standing ovation. An uneasy ceasefire has taken place in Lebanon today but the guns start up again tonight as terms for a national reconciliation seem impossible. British Leyland announce the first half-years trading profit for some time whilst Michael Edwards prepares for his new job as ICL’s chairman. A British attempt on the Land Speed Record at 617 mph is short by 25 mph but they keep trying.
The family is now suffering from our first Autumn colds but we are forecast a warm and sunny day tomorrow.
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Early dewy morning duck and factory survey before conversations on micro-industry finance and trademark issues each side of management problems and company administration; then late home to my journal, reading and bed. Party conference season in full swing as Dunlop leave Birmingham
A fine clear day with rising barometric pressure. An early morning sopping wet with dew as I walk to the moorings and let out the ducks. Three eggs today and still the youngsters have not started to lay.
Early to the office and first to survey the company at 8.45am for late arrivals. I find that the only recipe for reasonable housekeeping and timekeeping is to take a regular interest and let that interest be known. Then to the mornings mail and successive attempts to clear my incoming tray as company information accumulated fast. Eventually before lunch reasonably up to date and a visit from Tony Diment of ‘Investors in Industry’ who came to see me for discussions on financing microcomputer companies. An afternoon fighting the priorities and consulting with the Service Manager over his staff problems. Then to contact my trade mark agent Mr Axe of Williams & Co about my plans to change the group name and concentrate on the existing names of Comart, Xitan and Byte Shop as registered trademarks. Late afternoon preparing documents for stamp duty and the forms for sending to Companies House.
Home late and time to eat a well stewed meal and complete my journal before some reading and then to bed.
News today of French war planes attacking Syrian artillery emplacements for the first time. Cyril Smith was left out in the cold at the Liberal Assembly as the motion for the election of a deputy leader position was lost and he was left complaining of a hatchet job. The Labour Party election for leader and deputy leader seems dependant on the TWGU union vote. Dunlop sells of its Birmingham Tyre operations and Sir Michael Edwards takes over I.C.L. which news is very surprising to me. The yacht Australia II beats the American Victory to level the America’s cup competition at three all.