Wednesday June 6, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn

D-Day and Derby Day. HM has missed the Derby for the first time since her coronation to go to Normandy. Our so called day off. We spent the morning watching TV coverage of the 'allies' gathering on the French beaches. Very touching. Especially the sight of little grey haired war widows stumbling upon the graves of their husbands for the first time. 

We packed the car (including the TV) and went off at 2. Visited more pine shops and found some little pieces on Burley Rd. On to Bradford and we settled down at Club St to tranquil domesticity. Saw the Queen, Uncle Ron, Queen Beatrix, King Baudouin, King Olav, President Mitterrand, Pierre Trudeau, &c. Knee deep in sand and nostalgia. Not a German in sight - obviously. Prawn curry and pots of tea. We want Samuel to know Club Street. I think we shall never sell it. 

Back for 11:15 to find I have won £5 on the tap room Derby sweep. Didn't see the race, but it was a photo-finish.

-=-

Tuesday June 5, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn

We went on a little expedition today looking in the junk shops on Kirkstall Road and Burley Rd. Ally, in a buying mood, wants more pine furniture. We saw quite a lot but couldn't reach a decision. Bingley was too far away and so we went to Cheap 'n Cheerful, full of nice things already sold and awaiting collection. Bought an old picture called 'Anchored', knocked down from £17 to £11. Ally doesn't like it, and thinks I'm mad to have purchased it. A woman in the shop told us that Samuel is too pretty to be a boy. 

Tomorrow is the anniversary of D-Day. They seem to be making a big fuss about it. The Prince of Wales is in Normandy today and HM sails to Caen tomorrow in Britannia.

-=-

Monday June 4, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Bank Holiday in the Republic of Ireland

Cold and wet. Poor Samuel is snuffling and wheezing, and with a runny nose. He is drowsy and exceptionally cuddly. Wisps of hair on top of his head. He looks like a duck.

An awful breakfast. Ally burned the eggs and sulked. I hid behind the Daily Telegraph.

Lady Joanna Knatchbull is engaged to Baron Hubert de Breuil, of Paris. Diana's cousin, Lord Annaly, has wed for the third time. Ronald Reagan and Nancy come here from Eire today. He has been back to his Irish roots, and whenever I caught sight of them on the telly today they were wailing and sobbing in true Hollywood tradition. Ally, not usually a cynic, says he is just a very good actor. Later, we saw them arriving in London to kisses from the prime minister and a greeting from the poor Duke of Gloucester, who looks very un-royal. Richard looks more like a bank clerk. However, it is good to see that Reagan is so enamoured of the PM. The last close relationship twixt a PM and US president was Macmillan and Kennedy. Just imagine what damage Neil Kinnock could do?

Quiet night. Samuel was awake until 10:30.

-=-