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More computer industry calls, correspondence and press coverage on a cold and snowy day before and after a nice family lunch and chance to see The Lady now she has been re-varnished to perfection as home security is a priority with Thatcher hated by many
A short lay in this morning, Diana realising that I had come to bed late. Tea and a fast scan of the paper before breakfast of toast and honey as usual. Up and washed a bit late and out to the doves in falling snow – the barometer had now fallen quite drastically. 5 doves came easily to the table and fed well, but I think it was the indigo hen that was missing. Then to feed the hungry ducks and they had laid 9 eggs for the first time this year! Di is now anxious to sell some as we are getting rather overloaded. To the office before 10.00am and a short morning typing up letters to the BOTB criticising funding cutbacks and offering advice on spending priorities. I also talked to Nigel to update him on the DTI MAP investigation and the IBM’s predatory prices (which I have now cross-checked as being accurate). At 11.30am back to the house for coffee and then off to St Neots to shop. I stayed in the Jaguar as the snow fell heavy and looked after Daniella, whilst Diana bought this week’s provisions at the Co-op. Off then to The Little Chef at Little Paxton for a lunch of liver and bacon and ice cream to follow, accompanied by their generously sized cups of tea. Then to Buckden Marina, where we arrived by appointment at 2.00pm to see over The Lady with the Engineer and Manager, Richard Allen.
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Full day on BMMG and ICL/STC computer industry strategies after some pet and desk husbandry and not back until midnight as the government again rebuffs miners talks and wants unconditional surrender
Awake fairly early and morning tea on a much cooler morning. Still thinking of my reading last night of ‘The Battlefields of Britain’, but the time before and after my breakfast to finish The Financial Times. Up at 8.30am and to listen to the radio news and Yesterday in Parliament whilst washing and dressing. Out to the doves, who come readily to the bird table at some distance and eat a good deal of seed on the cool morning. Only eight ducks were put away last night, but five eggs from them, which is not bad. This tells me (as there are now 8 young ducks to 5 older ducks) that it is probably the youngsters who are doing most of the laying, although the two flocks are virtually indistinguishable. To my office to start work; opening mail and reading and updating both my electronic and pocket diaries for my latest appointments and speaking engagements. News from John Lamb of the relative IBM prices in the UK and US and, after checking with Graham Clifton, we calculate that they are selling the IBM PC AT (basic) for some 30% more in the US and the enhanced version for 33% more. This amounts to predatory pricing in the UK and will be good ammunition against IBM. Reuters phones just before lunch and I brief them on this fact and others affecting the problems in the UK micro industry. Prism and Oric are in receivership, talks of LSI being up for sale, Acorn’s shares are suspended, and the Sinclair Research flotation is put back, yet again, to summer at the earliest. Lunch with Diana’s parents and then back to complete some correspondence. Letters in private to Tom Fitzpatrick and Herman Houser offering support and help, then several on behalf of the BMMG. Phone calls from Martin Isherwood who I brief on events and from Barry Gamble, with whom I discuss my forestry investment. I also touch base with Owles Hall. Helen Gibbons has learnt that Broubster is fine for forests, but to watch out for periodic gales. The land was freed by the knock-on effect of the local Sheriff going bankrupt recently! At 4.30pm I had to stop and rush back to wash and change. Daniel did the ducks and I drove off towards London and ICL.
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Finalising my Broubster Forestry plans and then combining my family duties whilst making computer industry plans as The Lady is finished, a mass army and police presence clears the noble peace protesters from Molesworth and the miners plan a return to work next week
Awake after a slight lay in and some reading concerning my Sutherland forest details before the paper arrived. In comes Debbie and a long session reading half of a crocodile story until breakfast. Quickly after to finish all of my forestry details and so I now consider myself briefed to complete the arrangements. Quickly to the bathroom to wash, shave and get dressed before out to the birds on a mild and misty morning. I get the doves to settle on the bird table again and they eat quite well and they have fresh water also, now that I have re-filled their dispenser. Six eggs from the ducks this morning. To the office by 9.30am and no phone messages received. A few NEDO and Export IT papers setting the dates of forthcoming meetings. Phone calls made to Martin Isherwood, who had got yesterday evening’s message and could offer advice and also from Richard Allen of Buckden Marina, who advised that The Lady is now finished and can be seen later this week and taken away. Then to talk at length to Barry Gamble of Fountain Forestry, who answers my questions on the Broubster Estate.
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With Diana ill at first and the ducks laying well, I make and take industry calls before we drive to Cambridge as normal for a meal and for me to buy some history books and then back to welcome Barry Gamble of Fountain Forestry and to reserve a 270ha estate in Caithness as New Zealand bans US nuclear craft, interest rates rise to 13 3/8% and Spain opens the border to Gibraltar
A lay in, but find on waking that Diana has had a wakeful night. Her heavy cold, sore throat, was made worse by having a sore breast as well. I drink tea and try to read The Financial Times, but Debbie brings in Daniella and reports Di is asleep in the couch downstairs. I get Debbie to clear up her toys and suggest Di either gets up or go to bed properly. She gets to rise and so gets Debbie ready for school as I get washed and dressed. Down to breakfast on my own and then out to the birds. Eight eggs from the ducks today, which is a record for 1985 and also to succeed in getting the doves to feed from the bird table. A fair frost this morning after a cold night, but the sun soon dispels it – though the air stays cool. Over to the office for an hours work, when I discover that I need to pay money into both bank accounts. Also to make out a £40K cheque for de Zoete, but I could not get Prestel to work properly. Phone calls from Computer Weekly and Martin Isherwood.