A day of improved family health whilst I catch up on my reading of the financial and business press, take a long walk around Paxton Pits and then cleaning out the ducks before going in to agree BMMG press launch kitsas the most expensive and divisive strike in British history draws messily to a close
Awake in the early hours when I managed to assist Diana by stopping Daniella crying, but otherwise she slept until morning. Awake to a cup of tea and I finished reading yesterday’s Investors Chronicle and Economist before The Sunday Times arrived. Up to another fine Sunday fried breakfast and back to finish the Sunday paper. Then by 11.00 to dress, wash and shave and out to feed the doves and let the ducks out – 8 eggs today. Morning coffee and then an hour’s walk until 1.00pm, over to the gravel pits to see the Heronry. No sign of the herons and I fear that the extra activity of the sailing club is putting them off. The pit it overlooks is planted with small white willow saplings, studded with racing marker buoys, and they were today using a noisy mechanical excavator to improve the road and site drainage. Back in time and a fine lunch of pork and after, the football on television. At three I decided to work a couple of hours or so in the office and found Martin Isherwood urgently trying to contact me, having finished the task of putting the BMMG press kit together and wanting me to approve its contents. We are well satisfied, but I call Nigel Smith, back from his Austrian skiing holiday, to add his views as well.
Out late to feed and put the ducks away. I had changed their straw in the rain this morning and cleared out the hutch, which had become most foul. Diana had sold 3 dozen duck eggs today, which will be welcome space. In to tea round the lounge with the baby in better spirits, rolling around in her trolley and making a mess. The Money Programme and The Sword Divided on the television and then to get up-to-date on my diary. The work this afternoon on my IT paper and speech was a good start, but I must be up early in the morning to finish it off. News today of the NUM delegate conference voting narrowly to call off the strike by 98 votes to 91; but the dispute will go on at least until an amnesty is agreed for the men dismissed as a result of conflict in the dispute. The executive had split 11 votes to 11 votes to make the national delegates finally decide. Crowds of miners lobbying the meeting today were bitterly disappointed and reacted angrily afterwards. A hard line from the Coal Board tonight says “no amnesty”. The cost of the strike has been £1.5bn according to the government, but up to £3.5bn according to the City. The most expensive strike in British industry in both financial and human terms. The weather today equally bleak, wet and windy, with the outlook similar.