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Published: 22 April 2014

Easter Sunday - Relaxing day creosoting Duck City and then working on landing stages as we hear of Old Bill’s sad frailty and of the Libyan diplomats being expelled

A long lay in with the kids kept quiet by Diana and then up in search of a cup of tea. A fine cooked and fried breakfast of my Sunday tradition and then washed and dressed in readiness for the day’s activity. A full 13 eggs from the ducks this morning before cleaning them out and applying a liberal coat of creosote outside and in with Debbie in close attendance. Then home to a mug of coffee and after to study The Sunday Times before a lunch of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce washed down with a glass or two of Liebfraumilch.

Read more: Sunday 22nd April 1984

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Published: 21 April 2014

Easter Saturday - Family Day trip aboard The Lady to St Neots and Conygeare on a beautiful day, taking lunch ashore and then home to a barbeque to hear poignant news from neighbours of the illness and death of other river plot users

Awake to another beautiful day and first to read The Times in detail before a wash and hair shampoo which was much overdue. After the normal Saturday preparations I suggest we go to St Neots for our shopping on The Lady. So, after a ‘pressing’ exercise with Daniel, we cast off and made our way to the Paper Mill Lock in beautiful sunny and warm weather. I had managed to repair and commission the fresh water and toilet plumbing and Di spent most of the trip compulsively cleaning the galley and rear cabin areas. Dan was my crew member and I also let Debbie out to help and she held the ropes as we rose gently in the lock.

Read more: Saturday 21st April 1984

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Published: 20 April 2014

Good Friday  - Briefing Diana and Daniel about selling Comart and then some family time and we collect The Lady from Buckden Marina and then enjoy a riverside garden barbeque as two are seriously hurt by a luggage claim bomb at Heathrow Terminal 2and the Nottingham Miners vote for an official strike

Awake early to strains of Debbie and the television. Eventually Diana up from her other bed and brings coffee and I spend time with both her and Daniel briefing them on my plans to dispose of the business which is sad but inevitable. Then a toast breakfast before Daniel off to his friends to play and the rest of us to St Neots, parking at the riverside car park for a coffee and chance for Debbie to play on the climbing frame, before into town for some shopping. We just miss an Easter open air Salvation Army church service in the market square, but they were still in evidence with their shining instruments.

Read more: Friday 20th April 1984

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Published: 19 April 2014

Finalising the Comart Business plan and organising the disposal of the business before a struggle to get the board papers ready for circulation as a rather low key funeral of Tommy Cooper takes place.

I linger in bed with Diana sleeping in the newly delivered single bed in the spare bedroom, and eventually rise to breakfast a bit late. To the office just on time and straight down to the day’s work. Final preparations of the Comart Business Plan and several phone calls with parties about the disposal of the business. Tony Diment of 3i has been asked by his chief executive to prepare a report on The Comart Group by Brammer and I explained my situation and feelings towards Brammer’s suitability. I call Robert Ffoulkes-Jones who understands my position and seems to express the view that he would not want to hold up or frustrate the sale of the concern and I leave him to consider what offer they would be prepared to accept for the disposal of The Byte Shop option. Then Peter Smith of Kode phones with queries on the UEA option agreement which he is obviously regarding in some detail.

Read more: Thursday 19th April 1984