Friday October 12, 1979

_. After leaving Oakwood Hall in the early hours of this morning Ally and I sat on the wall at the top of the garden watching the stars. I can never see the so-called 'Great Bear' or the 'Ironing Board' or any of the other formations. I have always been able to see things clearly but my artistic creativity seems to conflict with my apparent blindness to the wonders of the firmament.

David G phoned tonight. He's having a few difficulties with Janice who seems to dislike his drinking. I laugh a great deal at this. She clearly has no common sense. David does live in a house specifically set aside for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. An atheist should avoid living in a monastery, and wherever possible vegetarians should steer clear of abattoirs. Janice doesn't want to be included in the Ibiza trip next summer. It looks to me that the relationship might be in decline.

John walked in this evening. He arrived late last night at Ridgeway, but only made his presence known this evening. Mum was disgruntled at this.  John, Maria, Ally, Lynn, Dave and I went down to the White Cross and then to the White Swan at Yeadon [a revolting place]. Maria, with a new hair-do, wanted to see Andy, Linda and Carol Smith, and Carol's husband [Trevor] who frequent this obscure West Yorkshire tavern. I enjoyed myself chatting with Brian Gilks, who I haven't seen since the Bill Dixon painting days in 1972-3. He told some hilarious jokes. The other surprise was Andrew Dean, whom I haven't seen since 1972. His voice has finally broken. Home with the mob for drinks and music.

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Thursday October 11, 1979

_. Dreadfully drunken night. Thick fog. Out at 8:30 with Ally to the Drop where we stood at the bar with Martyn Knipe and his girlfriend, Alison. He's no longer in the navy, and now a professional golfer at Rawdon. From here we went to Oakwood Hall which was hot and packed with merry revellers. We had a daft half hour juggling with lemons and generally performing like a circus act. At one point we attracted quite a large audience. Saw little Janet Simon, who was horribly pissed, with a friend celebrating her 21st birthday. Janet is an odd girl. She has many of Susan's mannerisms and traits, but a crude version of my sweet sister. She's told Susan I talk 'posh'. Home at nearly 2am.

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Wednesday October 10, 1979

_. JPH has been spending the evening with his grandmother again. We sat drawing together. It was noted by the others just how bossy my nephew is with me. "Do this" and "do that", "you sit here", "you have this pen, and I'll have this pen" &c. I must look like a soft touch - a walk over- even to a three year-old. It's going to be so sad next week when he returns to Scotland. Mum will be distraught - she dotes on little John.

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