Sunday April 5, 1981

 _. Passion Sunday

My twenty sixth birthday. Up in the region of 10 and ate a fried breakfast with Mum, Dad and Ally. Ally gave me the Madness LP 'One Step Beyond' and a batch of ten cassettes upon which I can tape for the next 50 years, she says. All my birthday cards have an air of lunacy about them. Most of them would look acceptable to a three year-old. Lynn and Dave phoned with a singing telegram. Sue is knitting me a cardigan, but as yet it is unfinished.

Ally and I paid a flying visit to Club Street this afternoon and returned to Pine Tops dressed for dinner at 7. At 8 we joined Mum and Dad and Frank and Bessie at the Cow and Calf Hotel. Dinner felt quite a nervous affair. We seemed to be the only people dining. Frank took control of the proceedings and bossed us around, but we all took it in good heart. He chose the wine and treated the staff like servants. But that's just the way he is. Ate far too much. Home at 12. Ally drove home leading a convoy, with F & B following.

Mum and Dad had visited Lynn before coming to Ilkley. Mum's opinion was that Lynn is 'edgy' and on the verge of giving birth.

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Saturday April 4, 1981

 _. New Moon

Grand National Day. Ally put 25p each wayon the winning horse, and scooped over £3. My horse refused half way round the course. Mum's set off in the opposite direction. 

I spent most of the day up a ladder in the cold painting the windows.

Tonight Ally and I dined with Mum and Dad, and Ally stayed over in her suite. At midnight, in my bed, she handed me the first of my birthday presents, viz: [1] a new watch bracelet, [2] The Old Man of Lochnagar, by the Prince of Wales. My birthday card is a painting by Beryl Cook entitled 'My New Fur Coat'. We sat giggling. I do not feel twenty-six.

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Friday April 3, 1981

 _. To Burley-in-Wharfedale with Ally to see the expectant Lynn and Dave. Joined by Sue and Pete, and we all had fish and chips for supper. Lynn's baby is due tomorrow. She looked happy, which is the main thing. But a little nervous. Lynn gave me two chamber pots as a birthday present. She gave them today because she hopes to be indisposed on Sunday. Perhaps I 'll get a beautiful nephew or niece. What a gift that would be.

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