Tuesday January 9, 1979

Slight snow. Boring at the YP. We played cards all lunchtime. I'm becoming quite fanatical about poker. I do have an addictive personality. It was Dave Lawson who said that greyhound racing would be my downfall.

To the library in town with Sarah. Took out the Crossman Diaries 1964-68 which should see me nicely into autumn.

Poor Sarah wanted a volume on rugby league, but the whole of Leeds City Library was ransacked without success. Ray Fletcher will see her right.

On the subject of books I have just finished reading "Handful of Dust" by Evelyn Waugh. Quite the most entertaining volume I've read in years, but sad and frustrating.

Went to Delia's with S(arah) this evening. Delia gave me red wine and spoke about the possibility of decorating the exterior of Leeds Town Hall with garlands of gladioli, &c. She is insane. She is a marvellous friend is Delia Collis with the mind of a teenager. She cooked pork fillet in prunes which was delicious. Sarah and I ate chocolates afterwards and enjoyed a few hands of rummy. The dog, Sophie, resembles a long-haired caramel seal.

At 6:30 we left for Leeds and met Marilyn (Wheeler) at the ABC cinema. Saw Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando and others in 'Superman'. It started well but was weak. Did a good deal of laughing, but in inappropriate places. It's Sarah's opinion that the advertisements are very often better produced and far more entertaining than the epic on screen. Marlon Brando was paid £200,000 a minute for his brief appearance, I believe.

The journey home was tedious. Marilyn is no conversationalist. She sat there like a dummy. Sarah sat smoking like a chimney, similarly uncommunicative. Pissed up football hooligans were on the upper deck of the bus. Much use of the word 'fuck'.

Home at 11:45. Had cheese on toast. To bed at 12:53am.

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Sunday May 28, 1978

1st Sunday after Trinity

Breakfast was fun. Pete S screaming and shouting about his diet resembling that of a Paki's after a large bowl of cold leftover rice was thrust before him. He's got a way with words.

Trixie, Jacq and I walked to the Alexandra Palace were CAMRA were 'throwing' a beer festival. We sat on the lawn drinking pints to the sound of a German band until after 5. Yet another incredibly hot day.

Trixie told Jacq she's buying her a car for Christmas _____________-.

Ate pizza and sank 'real ale'. Jacq was wearing her 'lampshade' outfit __.

Tonight we dined quietly with Trixie and saw a bit of The Godfather with Marlon Brando.

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Monday April 23, 1973

The smell of Dad's breakfast awoke me at 10 o'clock. Mum was surprised to see us all up at such an early hour. At 10.40 everyone, much to Dad's disgust, went into the lounge to watch a Tarzan epic. Wot a load o' rubbish it was.

The weather is really terrible. All those poor Easter campers will be sick to death - typical Easter weather conditions. Mum made my lunch at 12 in order that I could be at the CW by 1 o'clock. I had turkey again - highly delicious. Walked down Thorpe Lane in the drizzle arriving exactly on time at the CW. Not many people in. Pauline arrived at 1.15 - we had a laugh together. She complemented me by saying that I worked better than Martin, who, If I understand correctly from Sue, talks down to Pauline all the time. She's a real nice girl really. Sue is offering my job to Lynn or Sue when I depart in September. Keeping it in the family. Sue seems interested. Two Sues working will certainly confuse things. By 2.30 everyone had gone - we staff drifted into the restaurant and devoured several cheese and onion sandwiches. Pauline sat knitting. It got busy again at 3.30. Worked until 5.55. Sue gave me £1.50 and I walked home in the rain. Had tea and sat waiting for June and Dave to ring about tomorrows goings on. I hope and pray that Mr Lawson will not need the car tomorrow. And with these terrible weather conditions I think they may decide to stay in, but all I can do is wait patiently. She rang at 8. We talked for three minutes but still undecided she promised to ring again at 9 o'clock. We decided to meet with the fishing tackle outside the Station Hotel at 12 o'clock. She's buying some maggots in Rawdon. What a wet, yet exciting day we are in for. Dave rang at 9.10. He may be able to get his Dad's car, but he's not sure. He says he'll ring back with the news at 11 tomorrow morning. Saw "Mutiny on the Bounty"with Marlon Brando - such an anti-climax at the end! Came to bed at 12.30am. John and I rumaged for suitable clothing. I can hardly wait.

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