My Mum and Dad, Fred & Grace, Nov 1984
My Mum and Dad, Fred & Grace, Nov 1984

Early bout of reading in bed catching up on industry news nursing my uncomfortable cold and then a family day hearing of Daniel’s French test triumph under my tuition but Mum goes into hospital for tests as conflicts of all sorts dominate the news

Up to a worsening of my cold, which is becoming more uncomfortable. Toast and honey breakfast and then back to bed to read The Financial Times. Just as I am finishing that, The Economist arrives and another hour in bed! Eventually up at 11.00am and, after a quick wash, shave and dress, out to feed the pigeons and release the ducks. My Dad phones to tell of Mum entering hospital for a few days’ tests on Monday. She is losing weight and ground with it, spending much of the time in bed. Then into St Neots with Diana, picking up my office mail on the way. Di takes Debbie to the ballet and goes shopping and I shop for some herrings and prawns before settling down in the car to read today’s office mail. Journals, Computer News and Datalink and papers from the BOTB on its proposed strategy to help British Exports on a reduced budget; and from the Federation of Microsystems Centres seeking at least two further years of government DTI support. At 12.30pm I hop out of the car and meet the whole family in Readwells.

Debbie has bought her Saturday sweets and Daniel, back from school, announces that he has been marked ninth in the French exam. His schoolwork has made a good improvement this term under my watchful eye. Back to the car, all, past the Round Table’s sled, reindeers and Father Christmas playing Christmas carols to donors in the Market Square. Off to The Happy Eater and the children well behaved for a pleasant meal. Then home, for Daniel to visit his friend Gaz to play Commodore 64 games, for Diana and Debbie to decorate the Christmas tree, and for me to light the fire and, by its comfort, watch televised Rugby. Australia beat Scotland by 36-12 pts and, with it, complete a grand slam of victories over all of the home countries. A tea of grilled herrings, which I enjoy, but I can’t get the family to try grilled herring roes on toast. They are so set against all fish foods under the influence of Diana’s prejudice. Out to attend to ducks and pigeons and then Diana announces that she has managed to sell her Mini Metro Estate for £1895 to Mr Wright of Barclays Bank, which is a good price. She is somewhat sad to see it go though. Early evening reading my papers and collating copies of my PITCOM report for Monday.  Then to today’s journal and the TV news. The Arab hijackers in Iran release more hostages, but others are under imminent threat of death. In Londonderry this afternoon the two IRA terrorists shot dead the other day were buried with their coffins draped in tricolours and the guns firing salutes over their coffins as an IRA demonstration. Indian authorities announce that the Bhopal Union Carbide had a history of accidents, some fatal, and a damage claim for £15 billion is being pressed. The Union Carbide president is leaving the country. Concern is mounting in the EEC and developing countries over the emergency Ethiopian famine relief drawing funds from the Overseas Aid Budget rather than being additionally funded. Union leaders from West Germany, Holland and Belgium have pledged aid to the NUM in reducing extra supplies of strike breaking oil and coal imports. In demonstration of the bitter NUM/NCB attitude, no miners assistance is forthcoming to help fight a serious underground fire at the Rossington, Doncaster colliery. The weather was clear, sunny and fine today, but the wind is now very cold.