Saturday March 16, 1974

Grandfather John Wilson born 1890. Very quiet Saturday really. Awake at 9.30 when I should have been at work at 9 o'clock. Give the YP a ring and Anne laughs at my plight. Arrive in Leeds at 10 o'clock and do all my work by 12. Home exhausted at nearly 1. Do absolutely nothing until evening.

Up to the Emmotts at 8. Peter Mather and Chris, not forgetting Andy - and not one female. Haven't seen Christine W for weeks. Peter is in high spirits and poor Chris is the the butt of his sharp, sarcastic humour. We all go on to the Malt Shovel at Menston where it is unbearably hot and smoky - we all leave after only a few beers and Andy makes up his mind he wants fish and chips from Harry Ramsden's - we all go. I loathe the ruddy place and prepare to make a quick exit, but John had to have his fun unscrewing the salt shaker - so that poor, innocdent Chris ended up with a ton of salt on his scrappy chips - terrible they were as well - 22p. We all deide to call it any early night and Pete drops me and J at home.

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Tuesday January 2, 1973

I awoke at 12 lunchtime. It's Mum and Dad's birthday today. They're 38 and 39 respectively. We haven't bought them a present yet. Lynn is hiding the money somewhere - and besides - it's half day closing down in Guiseley. In the afternoon I went to Bradford Library and took out a book on the Spanish Civil War 1936-39. Arrived home on the 6 o'clock bus. Rushed up the lane to find the family sitting around in their splendour waiting to go for tea to Harry Ramsden's. I've lived on Harry's doorstep for 5 years and this is my first visit. Dad says people come from Australia simply to eat "one of each" and a carton of mushy peas. It's hardly worth the journey I can assure you. In the evening (7.45-10.45) I did my history essay entitled: "Why did Germany and Italy involve themselves in the Spanish Civil War and what were the consequences of this war". Mum and Dad went up to the Albert at Yeadon for a drink - coming home at 10.45. I had supper and retired to bed at midnight. Back to school tomorrow - History, economics and current affairs all in quick succession - yuk. Mum and Dad are playing romantic love songs downstairs. They've had a happy birthday.
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