Saturday March 21, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

As you have no doubt fathomed by now our plans to move from the Moorhouse have grounded on the rocks of apathy. We didn't even bother to apply for the Pig & Whistle because Scunthorpe is no different to Leeds. Since then we have received two interesting circulars - the Botolph Arms near Peterborough - a " restaurant" according to LG, and today Ye Olde White Horse at Spalding, Lincs. Bulb country. Green wellies, &c. Dad phoned tonight and asked Ally if I am unwell because I haven't phoned him since before Monday at least. His guesthouse is currently overrun with army majors, and he is morbidly waiting for the anniversary of Uncle Arnold's 55th birthday on Monday. Well, not morbidly exactly, but it is at the forefront of his mind. Margaret Isabella worked at lunch. Ally and Samuel went to Morrison's. He is a good boy these days and doesn't escape. I took Clemmie downstairs at 3 and some hideously grimacing, gurning customers crowded around her and reduced her to tears. In the screaming and gurgling chaos she clung to me and snuggled close. "Oh, she's a daddy's girl, they always are", came to response. Just Ally and I tonight. Dead.

Duc de Broglie.

WH Smith's new computer, christened Bookfinder, was being shown off at the company's Swindon offices when it was asked to find a book with the word "cat" or "dog" in its title. The machine excelled. "Catholic Dogma", it suggested.

The Duc de Broglie, who has died aged 94, was a giant in the field of physics whose 1924 PhD thesis played a leading part in the development of quantum mechanics. In Paris he was popularly regarded as France's answer to Einstein.

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Friday March 20, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Peter.

Peter James Nason is 29 today. Janette suggested that they should all come here, but we didn't expect a visit. Leeds is far too distant for remote country Guiseley dwellers. Spoke to Pete tonight. He was taking Sue to the Hare & Hounds for dinner. Julie was babysitting. I haven't spoken to Dad all week. Our phone was incapacitated for three days and besides, he never ever rings me. I   renounced Ayingerbrau lager because of my spreading girth, which revolts me. In bygone days I could stand nude before a mirror for hours admiring my lean, yet comely frame. Now I shoot past wobbling everywhere, rolls of white dimpled flesh, &c. The author of this journal is 32 and takes no exercise. It's not that I eat too much I'm sure.

From last week's Western Gazette. "Wanted , full-sized Globe of the World on stand or similar. Good price paid ..."

Simon Brett , who has spent many hours trawling through diaries by Pepys, Queen Victoria, Evelyn Waugh and other daily writers for his new "Book of Diaries", keep a diary himself. He tells the writer of the Telegraph Peterborough column: "Took kids to school, worked on book, had lunch, worked on book, collected kids, had dinner, watched TV". And it's the same every day.

Brig. Ian Macalister, the 13th Laird of Achnacone, Argyllshire, who has died aged 91, was the first British officer to land on French soil and the first to be mentioned in despatches in 1914.

Sir Michael Gore-Booth, Bt, who has died aged 78, was the invalid ward of court whose 3,000-acrre estate at Lissadell, Co. Sligo, was the subject of a celebrated court case. [see detail in journal].

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