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The Hayling View Gardens flood and we prop things up and drive around the flooded roads on to Cambridge for shopping as gale force winds and heavy rains lash Britain
Awake after another good night and I read several days of Samuel Pepys as the post and paper are slow to come this morning. The opening curtains reveal widespread flooding of the valley and the river still rising. I finish my breakfast, wash and dress so as to go out fairly early. First to clean out the doves and feed them. They are quite hungry and appreciative of the attention after two days. I toy with the idea of letting them out this morning; the sky is blue and the sun shining with this easterly aspect protecting them from the fresh westerly wind. I decide against it after talking to Diana as I would not be able to supervise them properly with our weekend chores listed. I let out and feed the ducks and by now the water is lapping around the legs of their hutch. Debbie is out in coat and boots to help me, but falls over backwards whilst wading through the submerged grass and gets soaked! I then spend time and effort carrying the loose timbers to the old riverside gardens and storing them above water level.
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Suit fitting at my new tailors, Huntsman’s of Saville Row , before on to Bishop’s Court for an Export IT Council election and some de Zoete stockbroker action before home to a rising river Great Ouse as several sea rescues are needed off of the south west coast in high storms
A good night’s sleep, but a somewhat groggy start to the day. I wake gradually to the morning tea and Financial Times, rising for a breakfast of toast and the last of the melon. Quickly washed, shaved and dressed and, just managing to collect this morning’s mail, I set off by car for Huntingdon and the railway station. There is always a delay at the Brompton airbase entrance with workers and forces personnel (British and American) arriving for the 8.30am start. I managed to make the station in time for the 8.40 train to London and settled down in a first class carriage to read my post. Confirmations from de Zoete and Bevan of the sale of our part-paid gilt edged stock and some informatics daily bulletins. Then time to study the Investors Chronicle before arriving in Kings Cross. I duck out to the more convivial atmosphere of the Great Northern Hotel and use their public telephones to call my tailors; Huntsman’s of Saville Row. I was pleased to hear that they were ready for my next fitting and so I took the Piccadilly line tube straight over there, walking from Piccadilly Station via Regent Street. A blustery and unsettled day.
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Day of successful BT financial investments and press interviews with Jane Bird of the Sunday Times and other coverage as a Labour party delegation visits the Soviet Union and Miners approach holiday pay deadline
A slow start in view of an office day ahead. A time in bed reading Pepys 1665 journals and then The Financial Times when it had arrived. A breakfast of melon and toast and then a quick wash and shave. Out to clean out the pigeons and replenish their food and water after a stormy, wet and windy night. They still seem to be thriving, but the older of the Indigo cocks and the Grizzle have set up their territory on the feeding tray and repelling all borders. I also let out the ducks and fed them before setting down to a couple of hours office work. I sort out my desk papers and reconcile my last two bank statements – working out how to purchase ¼ million British Telecom shares and sell some partly paid government stocks. I receive my Homelink Prestel Building Society pack today and start to ‘play’ with the facilities. Phone calls to Nigel Smith to compare notes on publicity – he tells me of some front page Computing coverage and I brief him on our dominance of this week’s Computer Weekly. We agree some action items for a new campaign to get a cross-party IT policy accepted for Micros and to use next month’s PITCOM meeting to start such an initiative. A call also to Jane Bird of The Sunday Times for briefing on a story. A letter from ICL this morning suggesting further meetings to discuss collaboration.
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Off to London for NEDO meeting at Millbank Tower and then meetings and exhibition visits before home in the dark to hear of good press coverage as East West arms talks may resume and the miners dispute becomes decisive
Awake at the normal time and, after much goading, Deborah brings up my paper, which I partially read before breakfast. I finish it afterwards; then wash and dress and set off for Huntingdon station, dropping Daniel off on the way in St Neots to catch his Kimbolton bus. In good time for the 8.40am train and I buy a Guardian to read on the train. Opportunity during the journey also to read the papers for my meeting and note down some ideas. Across London by taxi and to arrive at the Millbank Tower 20mins early for a meeting of the NEDO/BOTMA Editorial Group. An awkward affair with a number of self-interests pursued by a few parties, which did not help, but a productive session in agreeing the guides form and methodology. A buffet lunch afterwards and chance to talk about the wider issues before leaving by taxi for Great Queen Street and a meeting with Shean Maroney of IC Publications.