A sunny start to the day, ending in torrential rain as we collect another 10 duck eggs and sell the backlog of eight dozen! The Lady has her new curtains and is deemed waterproof after the renovations on a day that is dominated by industry and press phone calls and Ted Heath and Jim Prior’s opposition to Thatcher’s austerity and news of a US major being shot dead by a Russian in east Germany for taking photos
Awake a little early and to read the paper until breakfast. I help Diana clear away the breakfast things and get Debbie to tidy the toys away from the lounge and bedroom. She is still emulating the baby from jealousy and needs a firm hand. To the bathroom for a quick wash and shave and then out to the doves on a sunny morning. They fed well and seem to enjoy the mixed seed that I have been giving them lately. Ten more eggs from the ducks, but Diana managed to sell our backlog of eight dozen this morning to net over £5. To the office and to clear my desk of papers before trying to contact several BMMG officers on the phone. Eventually to get through to Owles Hall and update myself on the council nominations for the AGM. A call also from Martin Isherwood on the DTI press statement due today. An early lunch and then ¾ hour working on The Lady putting up more curtain rails. Back to the office at 2.00pm and, after talking to Geoff Knight of the DTI and their press office, I complete telephone interviews with Computing, Electronics Weekly and Computer Weekly over the announcements. Relief, mainly, at the end to this wretched moratorium. Later to talk to the BMMG Treasurer over Martin Isherwood’s invoice and the Secretary over his invitation to next Wednesdays AGM. Also to Nigel about completing arrangements. I finished at 5.00pm, backed my briefcase for tomorrow, and went out to finish putting up new curtain rails in The Lady.
News today of an American Major shot dead by a Russian soldier in East Germany. Conflicting reports alternatively claim that an unarmed soldier was shot dead, whilst the Russians claim that the Major was killed after a warning shot, whilst taking pictures inside a Soviet installation. In Lebanon, another two men are kidnapped, including a Briton, to make 3 Britons missing in all. More controversy over the unsatisfactory smear tests as the Labour Shadow Health Minister criticises further the poor recall system for following up smear tests. In the coal dispute, the first case of unfair dismissal has been upheld for a man whose offence was not serious. More escalation of the teachers strike with over 50% of children away from school in Scotland, where the teacher’s resolve is at record levels. In the Commons, Ted Heath has made his attack in the Budget debate, urging the government to change course to avoid economic dereliction. James Prior also had no sympathy for the economic policy and Roy Jenkins joined the attack. In the Lords, the Bishop of Durham made his maiden speech, but as the custom dictates, avoided controversial and critical issues. Later tonight Peter Kimber came round with a sob story on the loss of his house purchase due to some unethical dealing by his builders and the estate agents. I decide to go ahead with our planning application and purchase, even with no planned date for their departure. The sunny weather duly turned into torrential rain this afternoon, but there was no leak in The Lady and the heating was working well.