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Morning sorting out trustee powers of attorney, Comart executive share options and contracts and then by fast car to the Westminster for a PITCOM meeting and then a House of Lords reception with the European Commissioner M. Carpentier in close conversation about IBM as Arthur Scargill again injured in miners’ skirmishes and detained in hospital
Up on time but delayed on completing my journal for yesterday and so a quick breakfast and rush to the office to get there just in time. First to sort out my papers and dispatch them to file or others and then to try telephoning Ashursts and others to review progress with the Inland Revenue on tax clearances. Then to set up appointments later in the morning with Roger Brittain of Whitmarsh Sterland and David Christie of Wade Grey and Brackenbury to brief them on the sale and obtain their signatures by power of attorney so that on eventual contract and completion they would not have to be in attendance. I met both of them in late morning at their St Neots offices and by the end of the day they had signed. I have now decided to take half of the childrens’ holdings each in cash and Kode shares and have the rest of the Kode shares distributed between Diana and I in relation to our holdings.
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Trip down memory lane to my place of birth, Brocket Hall, on a hot and sticky day after some strimmer repairs and before evening visit of Diana’s sister Sue as the delayed counts from Thursday’s Euro Elections have the lowest electoral turnout in Europe and the Labour Party gaining seats at the Conservatives expense
A good lay in and up at 8.15 with a cup of tea and to a fried breakfast of egg, bread, bacon and mushrooms. Back to my room with The Sunday Times and to read it on the balcony in the warm, bright and humid morning air. The weather today, whilst in the 70’s, was very sticky and humid with misty clouds filtering the sunshine and making things less than pleasant. During the late morning, out to the riverside gardens where we collected a maximum 13 eggs for the first time in a long time. Then to sit in the boat with toolbox repairing both of our hedge trimmers before, after coffee, trimming the two principal and visible hedges. A hot sticky job getting covered with insects and foliage before showering and washing my hair. After lunch the drive to Brocket Hall and, on arrival, not disappointed. A splendid four storey brick building of red brick and 17th century origins, itself build on the site of a previous manor overlooking the valley of the River Lee which forms part of the estate.
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Very hot and sunny day for relaxation and time with the family as my ducks form two flocks
The first day of the fishing season. A very hot, sunny and humid day with plenty of insects abroad. Diana woke me up, unfortunately, at 6.15am when I could have used a bit more sleep. Up to a toast breakfast and read of The Times and Economist then out to the ducks and to clean them out with Deborah’s ‘help.’ Too tired to do much today although I could have started to sand off and re-varnish ‘The Lady’ as it was dry enough. Out to collect Daniel at lunch time and take everybody to the ‘Happy Eater.’
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Fine and sunny day in London, impressed by the nicely turned-out ladies negotiating the Kode takeover as progress is made and the West Indies dominate the first Test match against England
The eve of the new fishing season and intrepid anglers have been camping out for the best places in the Little Paxton Gravel Pits and on the river. Up on time and a little tired after the late nights of the last few days. A toast breakfast and then a first class seat on the 8.02 train to Kings Cross to avoid the crush and allow myself to do some work. On by tube to Liverpool Street and a stroll amongst the lightly-clad ladies to the Ashursts office at Eldon Street. Being early, I studied The Financial Times in reception with a large cup of coffee served by Richards secretary. A long morning reading through all the legal paperwork and conversing with Julian George of Townsends. Unfortunately Kode were unwilling to sign a deal conditional on my section 88 and 460 tax clearances for 30 days and so the contract has been delayed for two weeks. We had finished most of the contract and circular and the consultancy agreement leaving the ‘comfort’ letter for the purposes of the circular. Also Powers of Attorney are now prepared for the trustees of my family holdings and wife to sign.