Sunday April 13, 1980

_. Low Sunday

The Observer has a piece on the Prince of Wales and Lady Amanda Knatchbull's relationship. When the boring old Observer gets on the bandwagon I feel it must be serious. They say she'll use one of her middle names and be 'Queen Victoria.'

Ally and I watched 'The Dam Busters'.

Ally went off to the Belfry. I spent the evening compiling a lengthy letter to her. Watched 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' on BBC2, the funniest thing on TV at the moment. An up and coming actress called [Pamela] Stephenson gave a remarkable impersonation of Angela Rippon.

-=-

Saturday April 12, 1980

_. Ally and I ate toast and marmalade and made faces across the dining table. We wanted to do something exciting and so I suggested we go Bramley in search of the cemetery to locate my great-grandfather, John Rhodes, and his wife Christiana Ross, who died nearly 40 years ago. Ally spent hours in the bathroom making herself look pretty. One would think we were having cocktails with Princess Michael of Kent and not grovelling around in the graveyard of a muddy Leeds suburb.

We got to Bramley for about 1pm and soon located the Baptist Chapel. We found it quite easily considering I haven't been since Dad took me there about 10 years ago. We trudged around in the long grass. It was a futile search and we gave up. It seems that John and Christiana are at rest, in secret. We went on to Pudsey for a drink at the Boar's Head. Ally posted some cash through Auntie Hilda's door for some reason, and then we returned home to see Sue and Peter.

I phoned Sarah and told her about the 'film show' tonight and she was beside herself with excitement. Ally and I met Dave L at the Cow & Calf. They do get on very well. At 10 we joined Sue, Pete and co at the White Cross, and we all went back to Pine Tops for a 'blue film' marathon at 11. Sue, Pete, Ally, Dave L, Dave W, Chippy, Debbie, Frank, Gus, Sarah, Richard Burke, Ken [the projectionist] and his lady wife. After 10 minutes I was thoroughly bored. In fact it was quite revolting. Like looking in a butcher's shop window.

We all smoked and drank profusely and did a good deal of tittering on the settee. Sarah found the whole thing an education, but Richard's jaw dropped at my joke about the Pope and Ursula Andress. He is a good catholic, I think.

As soon as the film reached it's climax the house cleared as if we'd been raided by the vice squad. Sarah and Richard excused themsevles and shot off to Black Louis's party in Leeds. We were invited too, but Ally pulled a face and declined the offer.  Just Dave L, Ally and I remained and we decided to eat. Dave refused to share my garlic beans and stuck to poached eggs, fruit cake, and a pot of tea. Pornography certainly gave me an appetite, if nothing else. We sat around the record player having a 'sing along'. 'Sweet Takin' Guy' by the Chiffons has a good chorus for dabbling in descant. Dave departed in full voice.

-=-

Friday April 11, 1980

_, I spent the small hours washing glasses and was joined by Dmitri, the Persian cat from next door.
By the time I climbed into bed I already had a hangover. At 7 I regained consciousness and ignored Ally's pleas that she may be excused her daily labours at Bradford AHA. I was firm and poured hot, black coffee over her to persuade her to quit the festering pit. Once up she scampered around and left at high speed at 8am.

I had lunch with Jacq at the Ostlers. She arrived looking very dull and proceeded to describe how her house has been burgled and stripped of every item of value over the Easter holiday. She and Paul returned from Trixie's in London to find a desolate ruin. The thieves swiped all her record collection, and even her leaking iron. Saturday's party is now cancelled. The poor girl is really disillusioned with mankind. Had a few pints in the dismal atmosphere and returned to the YP at 2.

Mum and Dad left for a weekend of peace and tranquillity in Northumberland. At 7 I phoned John at Molly's and he came over at 8:30 - Maria drove him to ours with Janette. We went to the White Cross , then the Fox and Hounds (with Sue and Pete) and then on to the New Inn at Guiseley, which was packed. We saw Ken, and I asked him to come show a few 'films' tomorrow. John and I were quite pissed, whisky. On the way to the New Inn we saw Maria parked up there, gassing with Christine Airey. _______. Ally came at midnight and stayed the night. We drove John back to Ridgeway and the two of us sat in the car, still open roofed._______.

-=-

Thursday April 10, 1980

_. Lynn and Dave came to eat and were singing the praises of Stranraer to the extent that I thought they may soon be crossing the border and join the prodigal John Rhodeses in the heather.

Ally came at 7:30. We went to the Menston Arms. Joined by Mum, Dad, Sue, Pete. John & Maria didn't arrive until almost 10 o'clock accompanied by Jimmy Macdonald, Karim and her sister. Jimmy and I had our usual political debate. This one concerned the House of  Lords and the hereditary principle. Why should the upper house be dominated by life peers, retired MPs and personal friends of Sir Harold Wilson? The hereditary element brings younger people, not just professional politicians into the chamber.

At 10:30 we returned home to continue the party. Neither Karim or her sister joined us but Jimmy came along and the heated debate continued. I sat smoking on the fireplace. Maria, in good form, asked me from which jumble sale I'd bought my white jeans.

Ally, exhausted, collapsed in my bed. I carried on smoking and putting the world to rights.

-=-