Morning Quality meeting and then calls from BMMG members and several Journalists about my absence due to illness from the Export IT VIP table yesterday as I try to struggle on meeting commitments whilst Thatcher is upsetting everyone but the French lorry strike ends

Up on time and to the office and soon to settle to the task of writing up recent meetings and notes. To my surprise, an unscheduled quality meeting at 10.00am where our new Quality Engineer popped in for the day for us to involve. Lunch together in the White Horse and then back for an unsettled afternoon. Phone calls from several BMMG members and I note that there are many matters I am not able to pursue effectively due to lack of time. Telephone interviews with three journalists and also from David Fear and Nigel Smith to hear how both noticed my absence from the Export IT VIP table and tried to stand in for me yesterday. Home early and to bed with the television and my briefcase rather ineffectually trying to catch up. For the last few days I have struggled with the work and, due to my cold, been unable to complete it. I hope this weekend will see me clear.

The builders have finished the fire except for a cosmetic plastering job and the family seem fine. News today of Len Murray’s anger over Thatcher’s lack of cooperation as he calls for Tuesday afternoon as a time of protest for all trade unions. Stormy reception today for Margaret Thatcher, Norman Tebbit and Cecil Parkinson as the government’s popularity drops below that of Labour for the first time since before the Falklands War. The weather to turn cold again as I am increasingly ready for a break of milder weather. To sleep early with hope to shake of my cold. The French lorry drivers’ blockades end today.