23October1996

My dear folks,

It’s a short one. Time’s just after 10.pm. Mave is curled up on top of my wheeled (aircraft cabin) travel bag which remains on the couch following last week’s trip to Portugal. I rushed straight back to work the following day, taking out only the washing & the substantial supply of dried figs which go down so well at work. Then I discovered that I had five consecutive days off this coming weekend & spent a long time on the phone to travel agents trying to get another ticket down. Eventually I did, but only to Lisbon, where I’ll meet Jones at early Friday p.m. - returning Tuesday 29.

She’s been badly shaken by the sudden death of a near friend whose funeral she attended today. She found it rough. The guy just keeled over one night. But the trip - if I needed a reason - will give me a chance to sort out other items as well as spending a few extra days with Jones ahead of my trip to RSA in mid November. I’ll not see her again till the end of that month.

I’ve been working on Asia this week, editing the early morning programme & handing my efforts over to the night producer each evening. It’s been a fairly easy week. I was delighted to be asked to join a trial of the BBC ON Line project next month - as the Beeb joins the big boys on the Net. CNN are said to have hundreds of people working on their Web Pages. I don’t know. But for weeks there’ve been a couple of dozen computer bods from a commercial company (which the Beeb is partnering) working busily in the adjacent office setting up the web page structure. They’re providing the computer expertise, we’re to bring the journalism to the project. I’m considering an application for a transfer to the dept. once it gets underway. Would help me polish my computer skills.

Am also considering a computer course to give me a paper (if that’s the word) qualification. One of my Quinta guests has sent me details of one he recommends.

We’re told the weather is set to cool tomorrow after several heavenly days. I’ve been cycling in shirtsleeves each morning and evening - going in the sunshine & returning in the dark. It’s quite good to be working days again - just for a break - & to living like a normal human being. I think I told you that all the journos at the Beeb have had a letter saying there will be more redundancies & that anyone with an interest in going voluntarily should make inquiries without prejudice. I’ve registered that interest but haven’t had a chance to find out what’s on offer. Unless it’s a bomb, I suspect that I’ll have to keep my nose to the grindstone for a year or two yet.

There, I’ll keep it short as I promised. Think of lots.

Blessings
T