Monday July 18, 1983

Roy.

 The great day of change is upon us. Up at 5 to the buzz of the alarm. Boiled eggs. Surveyed the house for what could be the last time in many weeks. Out and on the bus at 6:30 weighed down with cases, to Leeds, and from there by train to Darlington and on to Middlesbrough, arriving at 9:27.We found a taxi with a wrinkled old driver with the local, incomprehensible accent. He sounded like the infamous Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer. To the Linthorpe. It is a residential hotel. Met Marie Barnes in the doorway who called for Roy, who arrived looking like an old sea dog, with a bluff face. I do suppose he will stand no nonsense. After unpacking we were thrown in at the deep end  and put in a bar with a girl called Janice. Nervous, but managed quite well. A quick lunch break and then we worked until 4:30. This evening we were in a bar with  seven or eight other staff. Unbelievably busy. Loud music, young people, punks with hair standing on end, &c. Worked until 11 and found the experience thoroughly exciting. I always knew I would like it. Roy ran some staff to their homes and Ally and I made a getaway to our room. Roy laughed saying it had been a quiet night.

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