Thursday November 6, 1975

A bright cold morning. Up at 7.40 and don't have time for breakfast.

I think it is something of a coincidence that Inverary Castle, Scottish home of the Duke of Argyll, is raised to the ground by a mysterious fire on Bonfire Night, the very day before Margaret Duchess of Argyll publishes her memoirs. Old Margaret has little or no affection for her step-son, the duke, and it's a known fact that she would do anything for publicity. I will discuss this affair when more details come in.

Would you believe me if I were to tell you that Franco is being kept alive on a kidney machine? Well, he is. Juan Carlos is the one I feel sorry for. If he isn't a patient man I can't see him being happy at the present time.

Thank God it's pay day. I will have to watch how I spend it this week because I think that Carole's birthday present had better come out of it. Just what I am going to get her is a revolting problem. My imagination just fizzles out when it comes to birthdays, christmases ande christenings. She says all she would like is a solitary red rose, but I must think of something more substantial.

The traffic in Leeds at 4.30 today was like Los Angeles in the rush hour. The bus completely ignored me, and I walked all the way across town to the bus station. It was nearly 6pm when I staggered in for tea.

Mum and Dad are in stitches about Mr Monkman, who came round today to try and solve the 'BUDGIES FOR SALE' sign mystery. Evidently a car did stop on Sunday morning and a chap did enquire about blue breeders! His main reason for coming round, however, was to ask Papa to witness his will. No doubt the whole of the Monkman estate will pass to his beloved son, Tony.

Carole rings me at 8 and we talk for ten minutes or so. Seeing her tomorrow evening. Mum and Dad go to Pudsey to see the Gadsbys. John and I watch a clapped out film starring Michael Redgrave. It's quite good really - just old.

I go for my bath at 11.30.

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Monday April 9, 1973

Got up at nearly 8 o'clock. After breakfast I went to Leeds on the 9 o'clock 55 bus. Arrived at 10 and spent half an hour walking around trying to find the place of my intended x-ray. Cross the threshold of Leeds radiography centre at 10.30. A nasty, authoritarian bitch asks me to take my jacket off and stand in front of a screen pulling my shoulders out of their sockets in the process. She tells me to take a deep breath and then flees the room. Forcing me back into my clothes she shouts "next" and I find myself out in the brilliant sunshine again after only 2 minutes inside.

Being an intelligent person I brought Auntie Mabel's gift voucher with me. I made my way to Boots where I bought the BBC 50 years commemorative LP. It costs me £3.75, but my voucher helps towards the cost. Got a 35 bus at 11.15. Home for 12 - just in time for lunch with Mum and Dad who like my new record very much. I played the entire record which takes us to 1.45.

Mum suggests I stay at home this afternoon to complete my essay on Napoleon III - which I do. After 15 sides of paper and three arguments with Dad I find that is 4.30. No matter what Dad says - even utter rubbish - he can make it seem perfectly correct. He ought to have been a university lecturer. We argued about the Duke of Argyll living in France and only coming back to Britain for free medical assistance. All I can say is: well, it's a free democracy and people should have the right to come and go whenever they please. However, Dad hates the idea of people sciving off paying taxes. Anyway, the Duke of Argyll died yesterday which only goes to show that the national health system is out-moded and useless.

June rang at 7 thinking I must have contracted a malignant tumour after being x-rayed - very sweet and amusing of her.

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