A hot and sticky Summer escaping on occasion to our boat and then a cold start to winter suffering family illnesses and preparing for the far-reaching events for me and my family of 1984 that were to follow. I work hard and manage the Comart Group and increasingly lead the British Microcomputer Industry in its fight for a level playing field in the face of a US and Japanese onslaught and their national policies to favour and protect their own . Thatcher now unfettered after the Falklands War and oblivious to the Middle East conflicts and the rising clamour for nuclear arms control as she incurs the wroth of both sides in Ireland.
A half year of preparation for the far-reaching events for me and my family of 1984 that were to follow. First the very hot and sticky summer months were to be endured as, in June, Thatcher emerged unfettered after a landslide post-Falklands election, I sensed that business problems were bubbling, national BMMG responsibilities burgeoning and ducklings growing as I manage to spend some quality time with the family on The Lady More time in July tending Ducks and varnishing The Lady as I manage Comart Group problems and prepare for the BMMG Minister’s meeting as we suffer the hottest July since 1659! August was a month of Comart management, Industry leadership and political progress together with family fun aboard ‘The Lady’ as Thatcher presses on in controversy and there continues instability and conflict around the world September a good Comart development month still leaves me busy as turmoil develops in the micro-industry but the boating season ends and family problems are an issue all in a troubled and turbulent world made worse by Thatcher.
The season changes and tempo change in October, as I find time for family life as the kids grow up and Daniel starts Kimbolton School but I achieve major reforms of the Comart Group; take part in very many microcomputer industry roles and gain potential recognition as a consequence. The Tory government struggles with the economy and industrial unrest and the US invades Grenada. Winter arrives in November as Diana falls pregnant and I work hard and manage the Comart Group and increasingly lead the computer industry. Missiles are installed at Greenham Common, the PLO’s Arafat fights on against the Syrians in the Lebanon and the Brinks Matt Gold Robbery and NGA printers dispute all hits the headlines. December was a busy month organising the Comart Group and the industry as IBM launches its microcomputers. Also family illnesses strike but still time to ourselves in London but national strikes and the Harrods car bomb set a grim note. So the year ended with a very busy month of work organising Comart, The Byte Shops, Xitan and the Group, encountering problems and solving them and also laying plans for increased investment in future products all whilst completing Company Administration and Annual Reports. Trouble with executives and directors but then a fairly successful Xmas dinner/dance for 140 of my staff . All this, whilst also leading the British Microcomputer Industry in its fight for a level playing field in the face of a US and Japanese onslaught and their national policies to favour and protect their own industries. I start an anti-IBM campaign and win CCTA support. In my own time, I was reading 17thC history and getting my achievement of arms designed between times managing the ducks with Daniel and Debbie Daniel starts his exams, getting told off for borrowing money and not working hard enough on his schoolwork and I snatch him from a girls arms at his school disco. Family coughs, colds and then Debbie has chicken pox! Diana and I get a day or two to ourselves in London as the month closes. The national news is full shipyard and NGA strikes and then the Provisional IRA Harrods car bomb kills seven people and injures scores of others. A man hunts follows in the Republic and talks begin here on banning the Provisional Sinn Fein. The UDR were also questioned about atrocities. The Syrians shoot down two US planes over The Lebanon. Russians call off Geneva Arms talks. Latest Women’s Lib Bill lost in parliament. Russians and the US struggle in Geneva arms limitation talks. 3000 people form a ring around Greenham Common and HMS Invincible refused berth in Sydney