Busy day of phone calls and correspondence on Computer Industry matters but a frustrating one because I am unable to speak to my Thurso solicitor about purchasing my Thormaid woodland in Caithness before I watch the House of Commons debate over the Clive Ponting affair as John Stanley, Defence Minister, is given a torrid time, loyally taking the flak for Thatcher
A good night’s sleep and our closed door stopped young Deborah from coming in and waking Diana up. She gets the tea and I sup it as I browse through my last boating magazine until The Financial Times. Up for breakfast and back to bed to finish the paper before into the bathroom in good time to exit by 9.00. Dressed and out to the birds. The doves feed only when I leave them at the table and the only two ducks that I managed to put away last night duly laid an egg each. In to the office and the start of a difficult day trying to catch up on a chronic backlog of correspondence, whilst also trying to complete arrangements for my Thormaid purchase. I start by sorting out my desk and briefcase, filing surplus papers and piling up the action items. Then phone calls to Barry Gamble of Fountain Forestry, who has been speaking to the Perth office and putting my points of Friday’s conversation. Then to try to raise my Thurso solicitor, Mr Robertson, but he is attending the Sheriff’s Court today. I break before starting my correspondence and leave messages for John Lamb, Nigel Smith and Martin Isherwood to phone me back, now that I have listed the principal BMMG action items and wish to discuss them.
Home for coffee and there to meet Linda, Emma and Holly, all visiting Diana and Deborah – for Debbie started a school holiday today. Back to the office and calls from Fountain Forestry and John Lamb. I agree terms for the Forestry Management Agreement and the land sale to my satisfaction. John tells me of his new promotion to Kode Commercial Director, which is career progress and we also discuss BMMG business. Martin discusses at length arrangements for the BMMG Press Conference, the printing of the LAN report, the choice of new BMMG letterhead and document folder, and other arrangements to improve our contact with the media. Home for lunch as we use up some old and rather poor frozen ‘TV dinners,’ but after, my Dad’s excellent homemade apple pie with ‘aerosol’ whipped cream to go with it. A rest after watching the TV Prestel news and City news and I see the stock market is falling. Back to the office and time this afternoon only to type letters to Roger Martin of ICL on IBM predatory pricing and Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran (PITCOM Secretary) on the effects of the moratorium. A press interview with Computing by telephone and then my afternoon and day are finished with the bulk of my correspondence still not done and no contact with my solicitor over Thormaid. Out to put away the ducks (and I managed to feed all of them tonight) before in to tea of toad-in-the-hole and the last of the apple pie and cream to follow. Then to light the fire and tune into the House of Commons debate where the government tactics were to discredit Clive Ponting to create a diversion whilst the government were under attack themselves for misleading parliament. Agreement tonight for Thatcher to meet the TUC tomorrow, at long last, to hear Norman Willis’s view that the gap is very small and a negotiated settlement is possible. Mrs Thatcher came under close questioning from an American TV journalist today and ranted on when asked about the strike. Today only 1044 miners returned, according to the NCB, compared with 1200 last week. In South Africa the anti-apartheid struggle gains pace and precipitated state police attacks with fusillades of rubber bullets at the ‘crossroads’ squatters campus. At least 10 people are thought to have been killed. Late tonight I heard on the radio the last speeches in the House of Commons debate, with Defence Minister, John Stanley, given a very rough time. The weather warmer today with temperatures above zero and similar forecast for tomorrow. I hope for better progress on my correspondence and to contact Mr Robertson.