Tending the birds on a record cold and frosty day, then working on Computer Industry affairs and my accounts before playing sleds with Debbie, homework with Daniel and toys with Della as the CEGB generates record electricity levels and we have 10 degrees of frost and the temperature in London is the lowest since 1953
An early awakening as both Daniel and Debbie are at school today. Morning tea and then a full period to read The Financial Times before breakfast of melon and a half slice of toast as usual. After the children had gone, up, washed and dressed and then out to do the birds myself for the first time since Dad came to stay. I took the ladder to clear the snowball remains from the back wall – I saw no point in encouraging other local boys by example – and then cleared the dovecot out before thawing their drinking vessel. The night had seen temperatures of at least 10 degrees of frost, with a further covering of powdery snow, but it had stopped by now. The doves were not very hungry as Dad had left a fair amount of seed for them last night. Out to the ducks to release and feed them, but only one egg today as they are still deterred by the cold weather. Dad leaves before coffee for Papworth as he is taking Mum home today. Then to the office and a few calls whilst tidying up my papers. Nigel Smith phones to report all preparations are in hand for the BMMG/LAN seminar and I brief him on the Which Computer show.
I order the extra accessories for the Blue Peter dinghy – a launching trolley and a cover to keep the weather out when not in use – and also arranged for them to deliver it to save collecting from Peterborough. I miss Graham Clifton again and will have difficulty getting him to Friday’s NEDO meeting. Diana calls me to a lunch of soup and salad rolls and I eat a couple of fresh conference pears to follow. An afternoon typing letters and paying bills. I send off my Council nomination to PITCOM, regret the PC Trade Show speaking engagement and write claiming a half year’s consultancy money from Kode. I also settle bills for Prestel and my yearly Fellowship of the British Institute of Management before Diana suggests that we take Debbie to Priory Park for a go on her new toboggan. There are no iced paths – just dry snow – but I find a reasonable slope and give her a few runs. On to St Neots to post my letters and collect Daniel from the market square and then home to feed and put away the ducks. I was annoyed to see four more snowball marks around the dovecote after the Longsands pupils had passed by on their way home. Time on Prestel and then in to tea of pork chop and cake to follow. I light the fire after tea and play with Daniella for a while before going through Daniel’s work with him. Television in mid-evening, my journal, and then a haircut from Diana before the evening news. Stories tonight that the rail strike is on for tomorrow and that British Rail is to seek compensation through the courts under the new Industrial Employment legislation. At the TUC there is still debate on whether they should work with the act. A record power consumption was contained by the CEGB today by burning oil and Thatcher is talking of victory. There is another attack on a taxi taking a welsh miner to work. The pound is more stable – only a 1/5th of a cent down at $1.1180. Snow has spread north and in London the temperature was the coldest for 21 years since 1953. A new weather radar facility is scanning the rain and snow showers. In the cold weather, a suspension bridge collapses in France and a row of six houses in Belgium are demolished by a gas explosion. To bed with more cold weather forecast and a difficult journey to Birmingham in the morning.