_.Went to the airport, just a few miles away, who took £8 each from the four of us. I snoozed all the way. We were due to fly at 8:15 but the flight was delayed until 10:30.
To the Hotel Galfi in San Antonio where the manager looks like someone from a 1950s epic about the Spanish Armada. You know the type. Philip II's devious ambassador to the court of Queen Elizabeth I. His wife, hereafter called Madam Commandant, is German and resembles something like Eva Braun with a hint of Cruela de Vil.
To the beach, baring our white, purulent flesh. Rick spots us almost immediately and makes out that all is well, when it is obvious that he is on a downward, slippery slope. We can, he says, go on one of his confounded beach parties at a reduced price of 500 pesetas.
To Tony's Bar for chicken. Out in the "west end" tonight. How wonderful it is. Drank Pernod. Spewed up back at the Galfi.
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20181129
Saturday July 7, 1979
_. To the YP from 8:30 to 1:30. Ally drove me to Leeds with my luggage and a hangover. It was so very good of her. I wish she could have climbed into my suitcase and come along too.
Took a train to Stockport and got there at about 4pm. Dave G was in holiday mood and raring to go. I can never see us going anywhere but to San Antonio. And to think I laugh at people who holiday in Blackpool year after year.
Went at 5pm to collect Garry with his permed hair and shy aspect. Joined by Billy, Neil and Steve. We went to Didsbury (Steak Kebabs?) and for one of the nicest dinners of my dining-out life. My T-bone was succulent. Back to the Hollywood until about 4am. The lads played pool whilst I sat smoking with Jim and Lily. Billy is going to be absolutely fatal.
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Took a train to Stockport and got there at about 4pm. Dave G was in holiday mood and raring to go. I can never see us going anywhere but to San Antonio. And to think I laugh at people who holiday in Blackpool year after year.
Went at 5pm to collect Garry with his permed hair and shy aspect. Joined by Billy, Neil and Steve. We went to Didsbury (Steak Kebabs?) and for one of the nicest dinners of my dining-out life. My T-bone was succulent. Back to the Hollywood until about 4am. The lads played pool whilst I sat smoking with Jim and Lily. Billy is going to be absolutely fatal.
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Friday July 6, 1979
_.Out tonight to the Hare and Hounds with Mum, Dad, Sue, Pete, Ally, Lynn and Dave. When was the last time we had such a meeting in a public house? Probably Lynn's birthday at the Coniston back in March.
Judith R was floating around with a new hairstyle and acting like Marie Antoinette & refusing to acknowledge my frantic gyrations and yells. Obviously, her new found position (as the pub landlady) renders it impossible for her to converse with her former acquaintances. Tim must be the jealous type. Mum told him to have a juke-box installed and he bleated some excuse. Judith seems to like the Mike Sammes Singers going round on a musical loop.
Lynn looked pale and showed some strain. Back home I went to bed leaving Lynn and Mama having a weep together.
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Judith R was floating around with a new hairstyle and acting like Marie Antoinette & refusing to acknowledge my frantic gyrations and yells. Obviously, her new found position (as the pub landlady) renders it impossible for her to converse with her former acquaintances. Tim must be the jealous type. Mum told him to have a juke-box installed and he bleated some excuse. Judith seems to like the Mike Sammes Singers going round on a musical loop.
Lynn looked pale and showed some strain. Back home I went to bed leaving Lynn and Mama having a weep together.
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20181128
Thursday July 5, 1979
_. Quiet day at the YP and at home. I packed a few things into my suitcase in readiness (for the holiday), but feel a definite lack of enthusiasm. I put it down to the fact that nobody else is going from this end. I bet the excitement in Stockport is gripping them all. I suppose the thrill of the Ibiza '79 expedition will sink in on Saturday afternoon when we all get together.
I won't be meeting Miss Catherine Rhodes until after my holiday when she'll be a month old. I met JPH on the very day that he made his entrance into the world, and shall never forget that bundle of tranquillity. There is something magical about new born babies. No doubt some people have other ideas.
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I won't be meeting Miss Catherine Rhodes until after my holiday when she'll be a month old. I met JPH on the very day that he made his entrance into the world, and shall never forget that bundle of tranquillity. There is something magical about new born babies. No doubt some people have other ideas.
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20181127
Wednesday July 4, 1979
_. Independence Day, USA.
Praise be to God. I've found my fountain pen. June bought it for me in April, 1973, and I've used it every day since. That was until I mislaid it last week.
What can have befallen the sweet June Bottomley? She became engaged to a large, flabby accountant and has probably disappeared into Shadwell and obscurity with two delightful children and a £9,500 mortgage. No doubt they have a caravan and go whenever possible to the Lake District. June will be dabbling in French at night school and attempting dressmaking because children's clothes are such a price these days, aren't they? And Horace, the husband, whatever his name is, will smoke ready rubbed tobacco, wear baggy Arran sweaters. Early in the relationship he bought a few Pink Floyd LPs but now he's into James Last and his Orchestra. "Oh, we saw him live in Manchester last Christmas. He's absolutely fantastic...."
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Praise be to God. I've found my fountain pen. June bought it for me in April, 1973, and I've used it every day since. That was until I mislaid it last week.
What can have befallen the sweet June Bottomley? She became engaged to a large, flabby accountant and has probably disappeared into Shadwell and obscurity with two delightful children and a £9,500 mortgage. No doubt they have a caravan and go whenever possible to the Lake District. June will be dabbling in French at night school and attempting dressmaking because children's clothes are such a price these days, aren't they? And Horace, the husband, whatever his name is, will smoke ready rubbed tobacco, wear baggy Arran sweaters. Early in the relationship he bought a few Pink Floyd LPs but now he's into James Last and his Orchestra. "Oh, we saw him live in Manchester last Christmas. He's absolutely fantastic...."
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Tuesday July 3, 1979
_. Had little or no conversation at work and escaped at 4:30. Tonight Ally, Sue, Pete and I went to Burley with a large bunch of flowers for Lynn. Audrey and Henry Baker were there. Lynn has been told not to try for another baby for at least six months. She flustered about making coffee ignoring commands to 'sit down Lynn'.
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Monday July 2, 1979
_. Phoned Auntie Hilda and Auntie Mabel. Mum, Dad and Maria came in a 3pm. Mum, very tanned, sat in silence listening to all the details, and then phoned David, burst into tears, and soaked a couple of large handkerchiefs.
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Sunday July 1, 1979
_. 3rdSunday after Trinity. Dominion Day, Canada.
A nightmare of a day. Poor Lynn lost her baby this evening, and to say we are all distraught is an understatement.
This morning Ally and I went to Chippy's to collect our records and afterwards went on to Burley where Lynn and Dave were looking after JPH for the day. We took JPH to the park for an hour.
Lynn was clearly unwell. An ambulance came, lights flashing, and took her and Dave off to Airedale (Hospital) and we heard nothing more until Dave phoned at 9:45 pm asking for a lift. Pete took Sue, Ally and I to the hospital where we collected a distraught David. He told us the worst.
Back at home we phoned Dad, now in Scotland. He was stunned,
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A nightmare of a day. Poor Lynn lost her baby this evening, and to say we are all distraught is an understatement.
This morning Ally and I went to Chippy's to collect our records and afterwards went on to Burley where Lynn and Dave were looking after JPH for the day. We took JPH to the park for an hour.
Lynn was clearly unwell. An ambulance came, lights flashing, and took her and Dave off to Airedale (Hospital) and we heard nothing more until Dave phoned at 9:45 pm asking for a lift. Pete took Sue, Ally and I to the hospital where we collected a distraught David. He told us the worst.
Back at home we phoned Dad, now in Scotland. He was stunned,
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20181126
Saturday June 30, 1979
_. Chippy's 21st birthday part at 2, Walker Road, Menston. I'd done nothing all day but collect my air tickets from Smiths. We ate fish and chips in the restaurant at Harry Ramsden's.
We met at the Shoulder and went to Chippy's at 9pm. Ally was out of it but soon perked up with the punch. We stood with Chris Baker and Julie Harris all night. Tetley's hand pumped bitter from a barrel in the garage was a success. The proceedings were marred somewhat when a dispute flared up between Mrs Ash and Dave Sanderson, Pete's cousin. A street brawl followed and the Nason contingent withdrew from the festivities. __________. It did not deter us from staying until the cold, ghastly dawn.
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We met at the Shoulder and went to Chippy's at 9pm. Ally was out of it but soon perked up with the punch. We stood with Chris Baker and Julie Harris all night. Tetley's hand pumped bitter from a barrel in the garage was a success. The proceedings were marred somewhat when a dispute flared up between Mrs Ash and Dave Sanderson, Pete's cousin. A street brawl followed and the Nason contingent withdrew from the festivities. __________. It did not deter us from staying until the cold, ghastly dawn.
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Friday June 29, 1979
_. Ally and I were quite unfit for work and decided to forgo our daily labours and stayed between the sheets. Susan was displeased, not with our decision but at being disturbed in the small hours. I fell back to sleep to be awakened at 9:30 by Sarah C on the telephone. I told that I could not possibly get into the office today. She slammed down the phone saying I was impossible and it was about time I grew up. Goodbye Sarah.
Slept all day. Delia phoned and laughed about her daughter. Up at 6:30pm. Peter was watching Wimbledon. We stayed home until 10 and then went down to the White Cross. We intended coming home at a reasonable hour but Helen Scott's party lured, and Ally and I went to Hyde Park (Leeds) and drank gallons of wine, which I simply couldn't keep down. Vomit and 3am and back to Guiseley. It was a weird party.
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Slept all day. Delia phoned and laughed about her daughter. Up at 6:30pm. Peter was watching Wimbledon. We stayed home until 10 and then went down to the White Cross. We intended coming home at a reasonable hour but Helen Scott's party lured, and Ally and I went to Hyde Park (Leeds) and drank gallons of wine, which I simply couldn't keep down. Vomit and 3am and back to Guiseley. It was a weird party.
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20181123
Thursday June 28, 1979
_. A drunken session. Ally and I had an evening meal together and then watched TV. Sue was at Janet Simon's and so we were alone. I arranged to go out with Pete & Chippy. Ally wanted an early night. Pete arrived from a drunken afternoon session, fell into a drunken heap on the sofa, and snored through 'Top of the Pops'. Chippy and Dave W rolled in at 8:30, and we left Pete asleep, and went to the Shoulder for the night. Joined by Flu, Sean, John Sumpton, &c. Chippy was so pissed that when a Labrador dog walked across the pub car park in insisted it was an 'Albrador'. Either a cross between a Labrador and an Alsatian or an Albatross. Afterwards we went to Oakwood in the usual alcoholic cloud of lusty, coarse energy that sweeps over the metropolis on Thursday nights. Met Sarah (not Collis) and we drank Campari and soda together for what might be our last meeting. She says she's going off to Liverpool next week and may never return. Obviously, people seldom return from Liverpool once trapped there. Never make the mistake of venturing to Merseyside. The natives of that primitive place are cannibalistic, so I've heard. I planted a long lingering kiss upon her lips and left her for ever. Home to Pine Tops with Chippy and Flu. (It was Chippy's birthday yesterday).
Ally had the stereo bashing out tuneful ballads. Susan was upstairs with the Lone Ranger, and we saw nothing at all. Flu and I smoked like chimneys. We had fun with an exploding bottle of ginger beer. Susan peeped from her bedroom window and reminded us that small, red-faced children slept only feet away next door. At dawn Ally drove Chippy and Flu to Menston in Peter's car and then she returned and we crashed out upon my bed.
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Ally had the stereo bashing out tuneful ballads. Susan was upstairs with the Lone Ranger, and we saw nothing at all. Flu and I smoked like chimneys. We had fun with an exploding bottle of ginger beer. Susan peeped from her bedroom window and reminded us that small, red-faced children slept only feet away next door. At dawn Ally drove Chippy and Flu to Menston in Peter's car and then she returned and we crashed out upon my bed.
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