Morning studying the papers as Thatcher comes under pressure as currencies fall and cricket fans mourn the demise of Yorkshire cricketer Geoff Boycott and then work on my application to the Royal College of Arms before Roast Beef and a late return to the office managing administration and reviewing the profit sharing scheme
We lay in even later, recovering from the exertions of last night, and I to catch up on reading the Economist and Sunday Times. Much speculation therein on the future of Cecil Parkinson and I am sure he will have to resign as Industry and Trade Minister. Harsh criticism also of the Conservative Party’s direction under Thatcher. Since the election her policies are becoming increasingly unpopular on cutting Health and Local Authority spending and her own eye operation and the indiscretions of her ‘self-made’ cabinet colleagues have made her government appear ‘accident-prone.’ Standing on the eve of this coming week’s Conservative Party Conference – always a public stage-managed affair but with events off the floor the key- her party members are in a rebellious mood on several counts.
The Business sections are full of the cut and thrust of the market-induced events. Bankruptcies, births and takeover wrangles predominate but some industrial companies are returning to profitability – though on a much poorer scale in the case of UK companies than their US competitors. Exchange rates this week have been very volatile with US and UK rates and interest levels vying for attention as they promise to continue downwards. I hope this is not misplaced optimism on my part but I do so hope that they do start to spiral for the good of the economy.
Cricket circles are preoccupied with the fate of Boycott, and from both sides firmness of view and position but sadness from the public that a means could not be found of managing the club and its people more effectively.
The rain of this morning finished by the time I rise at midday to wash and start my proposal for the College of Arms. Lunch of Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding done nicely by Diana, after getting some advice from cleaner Joan on how to keep it moist and tasty. Then to complete my proposal as a long and detailed document giving my family and personal history in biographical form and including suggestions for the coat of arms as a description and sketch.
In late afternoon I help Daniel to clean out the ducks who are still only laying two eggs per day with no contributions yet from the youngsters. Then a tea of toasted currant buns, cheese rolls and flapjacks taken early before going to the office to collect Diana’s car and spend the evening on secretarial work. I have set myself the task of creating Document Registers and listing all statutory and contractual documents and their whereabouts. It is also led to a survey of the state of the Profit Sharing Scheme and the steps that had to take place in the next few months.
Home late to find Diana engrossed in yet another televised repeat of “Gone with the Wind” and then to bed late a further time.