Some time on my financial summaries and information for tax purposes and then contacting the BMMG which seems to be going off of the boil before some time with the children as the government plans to curtail pensions and with it end the all-party consensus for the first time since Beveridge
Awake early by prior arrangement and my breakfast in bed. I manage to read the paper by 8.00am and get washed and dressed by 8.30am. Out to the doves, still incubating two eggs, and the ducks that yield 10 eggs. Another bright and sunny day, but the barometer has been falling steadily and it will soon come to an end. To the office much earlier than usual and to complete my reading of journals and sorting of all my papers into some sort of order. Then to try phone calls to Nigel Smith, Owles Hall and John Lamb, but all to no avail and so I fall to updating my accounts. I work out how much has to be transferred from the Gateway into the Abbey to prepare for next Mondays cheque for the new house. Also how much is needed to top up my Barclays and Abbey cheque accounts to cover cheques and payments outstanding and expected. Lastly to check my Homelink balances and pay my boat registration fees by electronic funds transfer.
Across to the house for an early lunch and to watch the first part of the third, England vs Australia, one day cricket international, televised from the Lords Cricket Ground. Back to speak to Nigel Smith about outstanding BMMG issues and to Owles Hall about recent correspondence and I find that it is not worth driving to London for the PITCOM reception, as my BMMG colleagues will not be there. I am also rather disillusioned by the efforts others are able to make and fast coming to the conclusion that the recession in the micro industry is causing it to break down the resolve to cooperate and act. I take a drawer full of the past years expenditure receipts back to the house and sort them out as I watch England soundly beat Australia by 8 wickets and with 6 overs to spare. England Captain, Gower, and opener, Gooch, each get centuries in a 200 partnership for the second wicket. I then read Debbie another fable, check Daniel’s classwork books, put the ducks away and spend a long evening completing my analysis of expenditure last tax year, which will be necessary for my accountant’s meeting on Wednesday. News tonight of the Green Paper from the government on social benefit ‘reforms’, which opposition parties and relief groups immediately decry as spending cutbacks. Fowler, the Social Security Secretary, wishes to abolish SERPS, introduce more means testing and generally depart from the all-party consensus that has existed since the war and the Beveridge plan. Less controversially, the government lists the measures to be taken to counteract violence at football grounds and is given all-party support. The day ends with a sharper breeze and some clouds in the sky in what is the end of our warm spell. We managed to have a large barbecue tonight and take advantage of the end of the better weather and Daniel got another trip in the dinghy.