- Details
Shopping and refreshments in Cambridge with Diana after Debbie returns to school and an evening helping Daniel with his school work in front of a fine log fire as the full scale of Bhopal gas disaster starts to unfold and overshadows the Salford train crash and the government’s internal disputes over student grants and local government reorganisation
Up at the normal time and a chance to read most of December 1665 Pepys journal. In India the death toll has risen to a feared 1200 people from the gas poisoning with much more affected. The worst victims are the poor people in the slums – the rich evacuated quicker than their poor and illiterate fellow citizens.Then down to a breakfast of melon, toast, honey and apple juice and up again to read The Financial Times in bed. At 8.30am I rise to wash, shave and dress whilst listening to Radio 4’s ‘Yesterday in Parliament.’ The government were under some pressure on the BT premium (which missed over £1billion of revenue), but even more from their own back benchers over local government reorganisation. Out to feed the ducks and pigeons where there was no change, except that the doves are increasingly difficult to keep off of the house roof. I am settling for ensuring that they at least roost on the dovecote. To the office for an hours work, checking out the Binatone answering machine, which has been giving trouble. I changed round the cassettes and got Diana to re-record the three outgoing messages and it now seems to work fine, but I am determined to get a newer and better one. A letter also from Eddie Bleasdale resigning his company from the BMMG, which is sad. Off then with Diana first to St Neots where I collected my statement and £100 cash from Barclays Bank, my brown suit from the cleaners and put Diana’s film in to be processed at Boots the chemist.
- Details
Publicity for Microcomputer industry affairs after an early morning domestic panic and car care exercise with tariff’s and IBM micro impact on the UK industry a concern as the BT share issue proves to be under-priced and the first news filters through of the Bhopal gas tragedy whilst the NUM defies the courts again
A lay in as Diana forgot to set the alarm and I read The F. T. as she and Daniel scrambled to get him out to school on time. Then down to breakfast of melon and natural honeycomb with toast before back to finish reading The F. T. Up at 9.00am and to get washed and dressed in the company of Deborah who has been kept at home today with a heavy cold. Then out to the doves and ducks again before round to the old house and the Mini Metro in the garage. We set off to St Neots so that Diana can drop off her Escort Estate at Hunts Motors for repairs to her tailgate and I stop on the way and buy a new battery for the Mini Metro and the new tyre and battery station, ‘Supafit.’ On our return I spend an hour fitting the new battery and drive the repaired car around Lt Paxton and back to the house. It runs well and the bright red colour looks very attractive. Di’s advert will be in The Trader this Wednesday and she is hoping to sell the car for nearly £2000. Just time to check the office for messages and mail and I phone de Zoete for advice on selling my British Telecom shares, but Nicholas is not there. News on Prestel of prices of up to 90p quoted on the unofficial market, which is interesting. A lunch of pork roast intended for yesterday, then back to the office to successfully speak to Nick de Zoete. He reports latest news on a 80/85p stock exchange debut and recommends selling – I’ll think about it. Message to phone Tessa Curtis of Computer Weekly, which I do.
- Details
Lively and happy domestic day of dove training, Christmas shopping and log choreography as the Miners have to respect the Courts authority
An early awakening when Deborah left her bedroom door open, broadcasting light and cassette stories throughout the house. Some time reading my Economist and Investors Chronicle from yesterday and then down to my Sunday breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, tomato and bread. I receive a phone call from my log supplier who offers to deliver the logs early this morning and I accept the plan. So after breakfast I quickly shower, shave and get dressed to be ready. A fair load of logs arrives, costing £35, and it takes me most of the morning with Daniel and his friend Paul to stack the logs at the back and side of the garage, with the remainder by the fence. Time out to feed and tend the pigeons and ducks. The doves have started to roam around the roofing and I am determined that they should stay on the dovecote. The older Indigo cock is causing the problem by guarding the surrounding territory for his Grizzle mate jealously. No eggs again from the Campbells.
- Details
Family trip to the new Jordon’s Mill Shop after chasing a dog-walker off of my garden and managing some financial transactions as The Miner’s High Court Appeal fails and two of them are charged with taxi-driver David Wilkie’s murder
An early start to the day and Diana up on the alarm as usual. First to read much of Pepys; downstairs for my breakfast and up again for the most part of The Financial Times. Then disturbed in bed with tales of the pigeons roosting on the roof and, whilst dressing to investigate, I see a dog owner following his black/white spaniel into our riverside land. I shout, remonstrate and, eventually, go down to challenge him as he walks away about not keeping his dog on a lead. Poor fellow, upset by this behaviour, skulks off and perhaps I was a bit harsh on him. Out with fishing rod; after much effort I get the doves to settle down on the dovecote again and feed them plenty of seed. Also to let the ducks out (still no eggs) and to clear out the duck house, leaving the doors open for it to dry out. Off then by car to St Neots whilst Diana gets the baby ready. We received our Kode share dividends this morning (£4200 each, £8400 in all) and I pay it into The Abbey National building society – The Gateway interest rates have now gone down. Back to collect Diana and Daniella (Debbie has gone with Emma to the ballet this morning). We drive to Biggleswade and go first to Holme Mill, buy a sack of layers pellets for the ducks, and pay our first visit to their mill shop. A good display of gifts and health food, but we limit our purchases to four quality Christmas crackers to enjoy with the lunch itself.