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Awake to find an invasion of Moles in my new lawn on a colder day but then to Cambridge shopping where I could find plenty of information and a cutlery cabinet but no resulting silver and Diana had appalling problems with the Car Park lifts but lunch in the Copper Kettle before home to a ‘mole-meeting’ with the gardener as Thatcher blames the £900M UK visible trade deficit on industry leaders rather than being of her own making!
A good night’s sleep and I wake to my morning tea less tired and more relaxed than I was with the recent days exertions. The morning paper before much consternation as we all looked out of the windows at the mole hills that had started to appear on our lovely riverside lawn. It seems that I may have disturbed a mole during my efforts to uncover the logs last weekend and it has drilled a fairly straight path across our lawn, with heaps of earth erery so often. Breakfast, washed, shaved, dressed and then out to the birds. All feed well and the ducks deliver 10 eggs, but their house is getting rather dirty and still needs repair by fixing new hinges. In to the office for a while and I phone Helen Gibbons to discuss Group finances and then Martin Isherwood to return his call. I also tried Tim Keen, but could get no reply. Out with Diana and the baby by car and off to Cambridge where we park in the Roundchurch Multi-story car park and start our visit with a coffee at Belinda’s coffee bar. After, to Heffers where I see editions of Jackson’s for £25 and the works on London Goldsmiths for £65, but decide to buy neither. I read a little more, however, about Samuel Hayne and Dudley Carter. I visit Buckies, the Antique Fair, and the Belgravia Plate Co, but do not find any further silver that I want and then set off to meet Diana for lunch at the Copper Kettle.
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Day started groggily for me from my travels and the kids from their school tribulations but then again by train 1st class to London reading the Financial Times and by tube to Victoria and the DTI at Bressenden Place to negotiate them over the BMMG LAN proposals but they wanted ACT or ICL support and then time at the London Silver Vault before home and the necessary telephone calls. 40 children are arrested for throwing stones at Reading police over YTS plans, the teachers’ action continues and a DHS review is delayed. All this on the 10th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam and World War in Germany
Awake a little earlier at 6.30am with morning tea. Both Daniel and I groggy from our heavy head colds and exertions of the week – me from travelling and he from return after the school holidays. Breakfast of toast, as usual, and a growing disillusionment with this ‘seedy’ wholemeal bread, which may be “good for you” with roughage, but is as dry as a board as well. The bathroom, which I shared with Debbie – more relaxed and friendly than usual, now that the school are allowing her to take a packed lunch. Dressed and out in a rush to arrive at St Neots 10 mins early for the 7.39am train. I was greeted by a bearded man who hailed me a “good morning” and addressed me by name. I confess I could not recognise him at all and felt he must be a neighbour. Even by 1st class ticket, only just a seat on the train with the second class passengers standing everywhere. The journey to Kings Cross and time to read my Financial Times and then across London by tube on the Victoria line, arriving at 8.30am and with time for a coffee and cake at ‘Grandma’s Coffee Shop’ opposite Victoria Station. To the DTI at Bressenden Place by 8.40 and there John Dipess of LDR Systems and, just before 9.00, Chris Shelton.
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To Oxford for a meeting with Research Machines MD, Mike O’Reagan who treated me to lunch and asked about management and decision-making before I fell to purchases more silver from silversmiths in Oxford High Street and then home to call Nigel as the embattled Education Minister, Keith Joseph, government emphasises Maths teaching with 27,000 teachers striking in Scotland and the US and USSR row over the shot Major in East Germany
Awake at the normal time and morning tea to awake gently before down to breakfast with the family. No time to read the paper, but washed and dressed afterwards, ready to leave for Oxford by car by 8 o’clock. A long 2 hour journey across country through Bedford, Buckingham, Bicester until, finally, Oxford is in sight. A bright, sunny day, with a cool wind, but the traffic was reasonable. At Oxford I bought a street map before parking at my appointments premises, Research Machines, and went in for my appointment with Mike O’Regan. An interesting session and we talked for two hours about RML’s progress, the BMMG LAN, government purchasing and sales opportunities, and other topics of interest. Then they treated me to lunch and asked advice on management and the decision making process – they value my advice and I hope it will be of assistance to them. Afterwards, dropped off at Oxford High Street and I visit a couple of silversmiths and buy two more TH/DC dinner forks to match my others. By taxi back to my car and then to drive home. Home in time for tea and then to feed and put away the ducks before coming in to sort out my silver. I phone Nigel Smith and offer him my surplus items so that I can concentrate on completing my chosen sets.
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Early start for my state of tiredness and off to London by 1st class train ticket to White Lion Street and the BMMG LAN and Council meetings where six new members made good news and then by taxi to SW1 for the BOTMA Steering Committee and Members meeting where my support was sought and then home to tea and to tend my boat, ducks and doves before admiring my silver collection
Awake at 6.45am with morning tea after a short night’s sleep. Tired and grumpy at the lack of time; up to a shower, shave and quick breakfast. Only just in time to catch the 7.39am train from St Neots and had to buy a 1st class return ticket from an inspector on board. The train journey to read my Financial Times and then across to White Lion St by taxi, arriving a half hour early at 8.30am for the BMMG LAN meeting. A painful meeting, struggling with the technical and commercial detail of a complex proposal. Then into the BMMG Council meeting with a relatively poor turnout, but pleasure in approving new membership applications from ICL, Sinclair, FTS, ABS and HM Systems, together with a telephoned message from Tim Keen of Nine Tiles later today that made a total of 6 new members to replace the two of CASU and Armstrong lost. I left early by taxi to travel across to SW1 and a meeting of the BOTMA Steering Committee, followed by lunch.