Thursday November 12, 1981

 _. We have been married for 138 days today. A wonderful compatible pair. And I'm not bad either. 

A cold, frosty morn. Busy at the YP. Kathleen is laid up with workitis, and Sarah decided to take a half-day to buy furniture. Just 'Mrs Slocombe' and I, and the phone rang like Hell all day. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited York and Chesterfield today . Vast crowds turned out to see the princess who, according to reports, looked pale and uneasy. 80,000 people gathered in Chesterfield Market place.

A tortuous journey home this evening. Three different buses. I deserve the Royal Victorian Chain, or something.

Ally spent the evening working out our finances, or lack of them. She likes nothing better than sitting cross-legged on the floor surrounded by bills and long dormant cheque book stubs. She took my wallet and removed all the notes from it. Whenever I have cash it is soon cruelly taken from me.

Phoned Dave G at 8. Confirm our visit for Dec 12. Garry, he says, is being made redundant on Dec 18. Poor bugger. Always impassive and without expression, I wonder how long his face is now?

I have just taken up the journal of Barclay Fox, a Cornish Quaker, who kept a diary from 1832 to 1844. Very amusing and interesting because I recall many of the places mentioned from our Cornish holidays 1969, 1970 and 1971.

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Wednesday November 11, 1981

 _. Veteran's Day, USA. - Remembrance Day, Canada

Dark and unpleasant it was at 6:15 today when Peter Milburn on 'Pennine Radio' roused us from our slumbers. We bathed and had boiled eggs, bananas on toast, &c. 

Rain. At the YP I decided to take a half day. Back home at 1:30 I painted the hand rail on the staircase, then looked at my flower painting. Made some headway with the roses and brought them close to completion. Some of them look like cabbages, but I'm generally quite pleased.

Phoned Ally.  An inquest is under way at Bradford Area Health Authority regarding the disappearance of Derek's fan heater. He views everyone suspiciously, and Ally is his number one suspect. The man is insane. Ally has also had a very frustrating conversation with Jack Andrews garage. She is in a state of fury over the condescending attitude of the secretary there.

Made a casserole, and we snuggled down this evening. A book arrived in the post from Associated Book Club. Gordon Honeycombe's 'The Royal Wedding', a special edition no less, and costing £17. Very plush.

Mum phoned for a chat. Watched the drama series 'The Borgias'.

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