Monday March 2, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn

Pig & Whistle.

Sunshine, but windy. To Scunthorpe after breakfast to the Pig and Whistle. We were very impressed. Like the Butcher's in Pudsey to look at, and in the market place, but with some daunting rough-looking flats hovering on the horizon. The couple there showed us the upstairs, and excellent flat and the lounge is 'us', you know Victorian flower pots and gilt framed portraits. The place had no tap room and in a very good position for lunchtime customers, who all seemed 'normal'. Lots of business types coming in for food. We sat outside because they did not approve of children, and ate fish and chips (again). Samuel is a fish and chips maniac and he sat in the driving seat peering above the wheel. From Scunthorpe, which is a much better place than I imagined, we went to Barton-upon-Humber, passing Normanby Park, home of the Sheffield baronets, of whom the pouting Davina is an off-shoot. (See journal 1976/77). She is now Mrs Jake Morley, but was almost Princess des Galles. Anyway, we passed over that fine erection, the Humber Bridge, to Howden in search of Jean and David (Watts), but failed to pin-point the actual street. We drove around like idiots after phoning and having no answer. Back at the Moorhouse we enthused abut the Pig & Whistle. 

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Sunday March 1, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn

St David's Day

Quinquagesima

Pouring rain. Dismal. We got to Whitby for 12 and immediately felt disappointed by the so-called Jolly Sailors. Mediocre Sailors, more like. The manager was very unhelpful. Certainly this place is not the one for us. Pool-playing deep sea fishermen with unwashed armpits. Oh, no. We ate fish and chips in the car and headed home for 4 calling at the Barleycorn at Scholes, and Drighlington where we checked out the outside of the Valley Inn, which LG had mentioned is shortly to become a managed house. This did fire something and we returned home for tea excitedly. Just Ally and I tonight. Much whispering together.
 

Saturday February 28, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn

New Moon

Our envelope from the brewery reveals two available pubs:

(1) The Jolly Sailors, Whitby

(2) The Pig & Whistle at Scunthorpe.

We resolve to venture forth tomorrow and on Monday to inspect these hostelries.

Chris.

Christopher's party: We first went to Lidget Green where Ally and Sam were coiffured. Saw Club Street. The Whetnalls have put up net curtains. On to Janette's but she wasn't in. To the Royalty pub for a quick pint in the cold. Sam played on the swings with another Sam and a Jade, as in Jagger. We went to Sue's at 2pm. A jolly afternoon. Much wine. I drove Janette to Menston to collect some 'home brew'. She wanted to see me at the wheel. We found Susan greatly changed. ________. Peter was creating such a 'to do' because Sue spent £15 on a leg of pork. Ally is lucky that I do not know or care what she spends our money on. Home at 6. I have lost my watch.

Over zealous Chinese officials desperate to reach their targets during s campaign to exterminate rodents made some couples produce a rat's tail to get a marriage licence, a Peking newspaper said yesterday.

A letter in the Daily Telegraph from the Rev Brian Anderson, of Bromsgrove: "Sir - Now that push button telephones are so common, the verb 'to dial' seems to be wholly inappropriate. Do your readers have any other ideas? Push, prod or poke just do not seem right especially when we would need to have a replacement for something like 'dialling tone'."

Also from the Telegraph: "... part of a programme published by Manchester City Council for its International Women's Week next month: 'March 8 - come and share the day with deaf lesbians, and start to learn their language. With workshops and videos. All lesbians welcome."

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Friday February 27, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn

Christopher Paul is 5 to-day. Party tomorrow.

Thursday February 26, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn

Clemmie was awake at 4, 5 and 6am. By breakfast I was comatose. Feeling vile. I took a hot bath and threw open the pub doors at 11. Upstairs at 12 I felt so shocking that I took to my bed much to Ally's chagrin. She believes in batting on and ignoring pain. I emerged at 3. Samuel was fun. They had just had a gas leak at the nursery and the numbers were depleted because the kitchen there was out of bounds. This evening Maureen opened up and Ally and I went down at 8. Busy tap room. A very large 18 stone bespectacled ______ was celebrating his birthday. Seven pints a round. I phoned Beverley who took her driving test at Eccleshill this afternoon, and failed, but she is firm and resolute to pass next time. Janette phoned to say that T. Brotherwood is having a surprise 40th birthday party on March 16, a Monday. Phoned Dad. His teeth are coming along splendidly, all gold caps, &c. He'll be worth a fortune.

The Queen has appointed Sir Yehudi Menuin, aged 70, a member of the Order of Merit. The honour is the personal gift of the Queen and recognises outstanding achievements in the arts and sciences.

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