To London by train again this time to a Causeway Capital BEF meeting and then back to my office as I follow the England test match before supervising Daniel’s homework and varnishing my steamer chair as Robert Maxwell rescues Sinclair and Sir Clive is dispossessed of his equity
Awake early and very stiff from yesterday’s exertions and my hands sore from the splinters and scrapes. After quickly scanning the morning paper, down to shower and wash my hair and up to shave and dress quickly before breakfast. My morning meal together with the family for once and then off by car to Stevenage and the 9.30am train to Kings Cross. One or two computer papers read on the way and discarded and then the tube train from there on. I was toying with the idea of visiting T Crowther and Son of Fulham, an antiques dealer specialising in garden furniture and ornaments, but there was not enough time and so I diverted eastwards to London Bridge and, after a couple of coffees in a nearby burger bar, I stepped out to the Glaziers Hall for my meeting. It was a seminar organised by Causeway Capital, who are responsible for my Business Expansion Fund. Favourable taxation laws give preferential tax concessions for investments in UK private companies, providing that the money is invested for 5 years, and Causeway have invested my £40K (with other amounts totalling £2 ½ M) in 7 companies. We heard presentations from each company and some overall comments and call to invest in the 1984/5 BEF Fund, which I shall probably do. I chatted to executives of most of the companies and a few members of the advisory board and they are very competent and ethical people beyond doubt.
Away by tube to Kings Cross and the 3.04pm train to Stevenage and then to listen to the test match cricket commentary on Radio 3 as I drove home. England had extended their lead to 200 for the last wicket and the Aussies had lost two wickets so far in reply. I estimated that a total of four wickets down would be the target for laying a foundation for victory today. I checked briefly for messages at the office and picked up my mail, and then watched the TV coverage at home, whilst browsing through my mail. By the end of a day shortened by bad light, the Aussies had lost 5 wickets and were still behind England’s single innings score and so an English victory seems assured for tomorrow. Tea with the children and then out to feed the doves. Strange to see the tameness of the turtle dove who comes to the table as I feed them. A much smaller bird than the fantails, but very pretty. It is a pity that they migrate every year, or I would stand a chance of taming it. I set up Daniel’s homework for the evening and then go across to the office and varnish the steamer chair for its third coat, having sanded the finish obtained by the first two. It looks very good and I shall be pleased to see the results in daylight in the morning. I feed and put away the ducks (who are still pursued by the Aylesbury drake at every opportunity) and note that the gardener has stacked the fence posts nicely. In then to the news and yesterday’s journal. Most of the broadcast is taken up with the TWA hijacking, which has now turned into another Iran-type hostage crisis, reminiscent of five years ago. The Lebanese Justice Minister, head of the Shite Sect, has now taken responsibility for the hostages and dispersed them from the plane, putting pressure on the US and Israel to release Shite prisoners in return. It seems Iran may be backing these terrorist efforts in support of the fundamentalist religious views. Sinclair has been rescued by Robert Maxwell for £12 million and Sir Clive, whilst becoming a “Life President” loses his directorships and control, which is due to pass to Pergamon subsidiaries, Hollis Bros & ESA. The wafer chip project will be sold off or licensed (to ICL?) and they say a Sinclair research chief executive will be appointed within a few days. All very sad, but I am pleased to see the company, which is a BMMG member, stay in British hands. The weather is forecast for showers overnight and early tomorrow and then brighter later on.