_. I've been sniggering about something that I know you'll find offensive, but I cannot keep it to myself. Ally has been bombarded at work about the whereabouts of the litre bottle of Martini at Friday's party. She is a very honest person and told them that she had taken the bottle home. The Martini was mine to take. I have the receipt and proof that it cost me £4. In any court of law I would be proved the legal owner. Never once did I inform the hostess that the bottle was hers. I had purchased it to consume at the party, and failing to do so I took it home with me. Naughty of me, I know, but can one be arraigned before a magistrate for having bad manners?
The real horror came when Ally had to deny any knowledge of stealing the hideous little Chinese dragon which at this moment is grimacing hideously at me from my bedside cabinet. Why on earth did I take it? Why does anybody actually steal anything? Why did footballer Bobby Moore pinch an apparently worthless bracelet in downtown Bogata at the 1970 World Cup? Such phenomenons do occur.
Obviously, the half bottle of vodka endeared me to the brightly coloured creature, and that's about all I can say on the matter.
Ally thinks I will be haunted by this dragon for ever. We've decided to call him Duncan.
-=-
20190218
Sunday July 29, 1979
_. 7th Sunday after Trinity.
Up at almost 1pm. Wait for Ally who was blow drying her hair. At 1:30 we went to meet Susan and Peter at the Halfway House pub and sat in the garden eating potato crisps. They have a grotesque Alsatian dog, who resembles a donkey but with fangs.
Back to Pine Tops at 2:30. We sat in the garden. I find it difficult sunbathing in Yorkshire after being in Ibiza. It just isn't the same.
At 4 John, Maria, JPH and Catherine came. Baby is heavier and more gorgeous. They took baby home at 6 and JPH stayed to tea. He sat on my lap dunking ginger biscuits in my tea. He really can converse on a very intelligent level.
-=-
Up at almost 1pm. Wait for Ally who was blow drying her hair. At 1:30 we went to meet Susan and Peter at the Halfway House pub and sat in the garden eating potato crisps. They have a grotesque Alsatian dog, who resembles a donkey but with fangs.
Back to Pine Tops at 2:30. We sat in the garden. I find it difficult sunbathing in Yorkshire after being in Ibiza. It just isn't the same.
At 4 John, Maria, JPH and Catherine came. Baby is heavier and more gorgeous. They took baby home at 6 and JPH stayed to tea. He sat on my lap dunking ginger biscuits in my tea. He really can converse on a very intelligent level.
-=-
Saturday July 28, 1979
_. Woke up at 12 noon. Susan says she fancies a day trip to the Yorkshire Dales. We packed the car with everything imaginable and went first down to the Fox at Menston, and then Grassington via Otley, where I refused to rent a tent - it would have cost £6 for one miserable night.
We ate at the Forester's Arms, Grassington and then drank in the Devonshire and the Black Horse. However, we were not really up for alcohol consumption. Ally looked like an ancient mummified Egyptian Queen. None of us showed any enthusiasm.
At 10pm we drove to Pete's cousin's at Foxup Farm, but the relative refused to offer us any accommodation, not even the use of one of her fields, and so we ventured home where I passed into a coma in a chair. The house was full of smoke. The cause of it was Maria the chimney and John.
-=-
We ate at the Forester's Arms, Grassington and then drank in the Devonshire and the Black Horse. However, we were not really up for alcohol consumption. Ally looked like an ancient mummified Egyptian Queen. None of us showed any enthusiasm.
At 10pm we drove to Pete's cousin's at Foxup Farm, but the relative refused to offer us any accommodation, not even the use of one of her fields, and so we ventured home where I passed into a coma in a chair. The house was full of smoke. The cause of it was Maria the chimney and John.
-=-
20190131
Friday July 27, 1979
_. Tonight Ally and I had a drink with Sue and Pete at the Commercial and then went on to Bradford. Peter refuses to drive into Leeds or Bradford, and so Ally drove there in the style of the late Donald Campbell. We were stopped just outside Shipley by an amiable police constable who lectured Ally for ten minutes about motoring at 50 mph in a 30 mph area. He was a decent chap, and let her off with nothing more than a warning.
She took us to view the little house on Club Street, and from there we went on to a house party. Very unimpressed by the other party-goers. Fuddy duddy characters. The majority worked for Bradford Health Authority, and I bet most of them were mortuary staff. I took a litre bottle of dry Martini, but by 4:30am it was there in the kitchen untouched, and so I took it out and popped it into the Spitfire. Is this ethical? I had been hitting the vodka and so my sense of right and wrong had vanished. Oh, and we also came away with a little green Chinese dragon.
We left the party at 5am and went for a paddle in a stream on Ilkley Moor until 8am. Exhaused.
She took us to view the little house on Club Street, and from there we went on to a house party. Very unimpressed by the other party-goers. Fuddy duddy characters. The majority worked for Bradford Health Authority, and I bet most of them were mortuary staff. I took a litre bottle of dry Martini, but by 4:30am it was there in the kitchen untouched, and so I took it out and popped it into the Spitfire. Is this ethical? I had been hitting the vodka and so my sense of right and wrong had vanished. Oh, and we also came away with a little green Chinese dragon.
We left the party at 5am and went for a paddle in a stream on Ilkley Moor until 8am. Exhaused.
Thursday July 26, 1979
_. Maria's 21st birthday today. We didn't see her. I think John was taking her out for dinner.
Didn't get into the YP until 9:30 and tempers there were frayed. For £45 a week I think I have every right to pinch the occasional hour here and there. Sarah, seeing my depression, gave comforting words. Lynn just needs time, she says. Delia has given me a photo of the two of us at Ivory Towers last September. Sarah says one of Delia's legendary luncheon parties is imminent.
David B came to help Dad and Jim welding on the car. Constantly welding. It baffles me.
-=-
Didn't get into the YP until 9:30 and tempers there were frayed. For £45 a week I think I have every right to pinch the occasional hour here and there. Sarah, seeing my depression, gave comforting words. Lynn just needs time, she says. Delia has given me a photo of the two of us at Ivory Towers last September. Sarah says one of Delia's legendary luncheon parties is imminent.
David B came to help Dad and Jim welding on the car. Constantly welding. It baffles me.
-=-
Wednesday July 25, 1979
_. Susan and Peter's engagement party at the R.A.O.B. Club in Otley. Seventy, or so, guests too numerous to mention here and piles of food which lasted until dawn.
Saw Gus and Frank for the first time since January. Dave Wainwright took a fancy to cousin Diane. All the Gadsby family were there in force, of course.
Home at 12. Drank gallons of beer. Played 'pass the carrot' and 'pass the cucumber', and 'pass the can of Brasso', &c. Auntie Hilda laughed until she cried. However, I cannot remember the evening with happiness because of what followed. Lynn had a burst of hysterics like I had never seen before, and stormed out saying she was 'sick to death of this family'. ___________.
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Saw Gus and Frank for the first time since January. Dave Wainwright took a fancy to cousin Diane. All the Gadsby family were there in force, of course.
Home at 12. Drank gallons of beer. Played 'pass the carrot' and 'pass the cucumber', and 'pass the can of Brasso', &c. Auntie Hilda laughed until she cried. However, I cannot remember the evening with happiness because of what followed. Lynn had a burst of hysterics like I had never seen before, and stormed out saying she was 'sick to death of this family'. ___________.
-=-
20190129
Tuesday July 24, 1979
_. At 7pm went to Ridgeway to see my baby niece Catherine for the first time. Like a tiny doll and perfect in every way. When I held her she opened her eyes and peeped out at me, but only briefly. John had been painting the house and looked like the Abominable Snowman. He never fusses around babies. I think he was the same with JPH. It's not until they toddle around destroying things that he delights in their company. He and Maria had 'fallen out' on Saturday and relations have been strained since - according to Maria - but I'm sure they delight in ceaseless bickering. Jim Senior made some comment about them smashing the bathroom window during one of their tiffs.
At 8:30 I went with a gathering of the Macdonald clan to the Hare & Hounds. Jimmy Jun, Karim, Libby, Maria, John and I. Libby has a tremendous sense of humour. We discussed the film 'Death in Venice'. I quipped: "Isn't that one of Shakespeare's?" The depravity of composers was another topic. Tchaikovsky came off worst, I fear. I told Libby that Grieg had been born in Bradford, and in his youth had worked on the buses, but of course that was Delius. Back to Ridgeway until after 12.
-=-
At 8:30 I went with a gathering of the Macdonald clan to the Hare & Hounds. Jimmy Jun, Karim, Libby, Maria, John and I. Libby has a tremendous sense of humour. We discussed the film 'Death in Venice'. I quipped: "Isn't that one of Shakespeare's?" The depravity of composers was another topic. Tchaikovsky came off worst, I fear. I told Libby that Grieg had been born in Bradford, and in his youth had worked on the buses, but of course that was Delius. Back to Ridgeway until after 12.
-=-
Monday July 23, 1979
_. Eventually climbed out of bed at about 11am and waited for Garry and Bill. The bar was open but neither Dave or I could face having a drink. Garry came in saying his car is 'off the road', and so Dave offered to drive me home. ___________.
Home by 2pm. Mum looks well. She filled us in with all the news and gossip which took us until about 5pm. Poor little Catherine has a heart defect of some kind - probably a hole in the heart. Maria took both babies to the RC church yesterday at Burley-in-Wharfedale and had them christened. It is a sad thought on which to reflect that my tiny, innocent niece is banned by law from ever becoming Queen of England.
Susan and Peter are having an engagement party at Otley on Wednesday night. Dave G cannot make it.
Billy is shattered by the Ibiza experience and has vowed never to go on holiday with us again. They, the lads, stayed to tea, and left for Stockport at about 7pm.
Ally was particularly shy, and dashed off for a sauna with Sue. Susie's hair is permed again.
-=-
to be continued
Home by 2pm. Mum looks well. She filled us in with all the news and gossip which took us until about 5pm. Poor little Catherine has a heart defect of some kind - probably a hole in the heart. Maria took both babies to the RC church yesterday at Burley-in-Wharfedale and had them christened. It is a sad thought on which to reflect that my tiny, innocent niece is banned by law from ever becoming Queen of England.
Susan and Peter are having an engagement party at Otley on Wednesday night. Dave G cannot make it.
Billy is shattered by the Ibiza experience and has vowed never to go on holiday with us again. They, the lads, stayed to tea, and left for Stockport at about 7pm.
Ally was particularly shy, and dashed off for a sauna with Sue. Susie's hair is permed again.
-=-
to be continued
Sunday July 22, 1979
_. 6th Sunday after Trinity
The saddest day of the holiday. We hung around the pool for most of the day just waiting to go home. Spending our last few pesetas on booze and ham and cheese toasties. The flies hanging over the hotel are nauseating. We laugh and say that 'Eva Braun' (the manageress) must be breeding them (the flies) in canisters and releasing them from a high balcony onto the distraught holidaymakers. Chat with Anne and Lorraine. They've avoided us for two weeks. Stuck up sods really. I snapped away with my camera like Lord Snowdon in an attempt to use up my film.
Left at 7pm-ish for the airport although we didn't fly until 10. Ate roast beef and carrots at 35,000 ft. Peculiar, eh?
We landed in Birmingham at about midnight and sat amongst the litter and Commonwealth immigrants faced with the knowledge that we were stranded here until about 8am. Billy refused to accept this and hailed a taxi. It cost us £40 from Birmingham Airport to Stockport. "Oh, it's not bad!" exclaimed Dave, as we sat in silence. "It would have cost just as much by train, anyway."
Hit Stockport at 2am. Greeted by Lily and a toothless granddad. Downed three bottles of Coca Cola in the Hollywood bar. Oh God, we're home. Bed at 2:45am.
-=-
The saddest day of the holiday. We hung around the pool for most of the day just waiting to go home. Spending our last few pesetas on booze and ham and cheese toasties. The flies hanging over the hotel are nauseating. We laugh and say that 'Eva Braun' (the manageress) must be breeding them (the flies) in canisters and releasing them from a high balcony onto the distraught holidaymakers. Chat with Anne and Lorraine. They've avoided us for two weeks. Stuck up sods really. I snapped away with my camera like Lord Snowdon in an attempt to use up my film.
Left at 7pm-ish for the airport although we didn't fly until 10. Ate roast beef and carrots at 35,000 ft. Peculiar, eh?
We landed in Birmingham at about midnight and sat amongst the litter and Commonwealth immigrants faced with the knowledge that we were stranded here until about 8am. Billy refused to accept this and hailed a taxi. It cost us £40 from Birmingham Airport to Stockport. "Oh, it's not bad!" exclaimed Dave, as we sat in silence. "It would have cost just as much by train, anyway."
Hit Stockport at 2am. Greeted by Lily and a toothless granddad. Downed three bottles of Coca Cola in the Hollywood bar. Oh God, we're home. Bed at 2:45am.
-=-
20190127
Saturday July 21, 1979
_. Sue's twentieth birthday. I attempted to phone home all day but failed miserably. Had difficulties with the international code system and made three calls accidentally to Whitby 4302. From Ibiza to Whitby, just 70 miles out. Poor Sue will wonder what has befallen me. Bless her, she's getting engaged too.
I went into San Antonio and bought a Hawaiian-style shirt for 1400 pesetas. What the Hell anyway?
At 4pm Dave, Janice and I decided to crack open a bottle of gin, several bottles of wine, and a selection of squashes. A miserable sort of birthday party in Susan's honour. Billy and Garry came in and we played 'This is Your Life' and 'Blankety Blank' and other party games. I was Eammon Andrews and Terry Wogan. Dave played Lord Mountbatten in 'This Is Your Life' and Janice shone as Des O'Connor's daughter. You know the one I mean.
-=-
I went into San Antonio and bought a Hawaiian-style shirt for 1400 pesetas. What the Hell anyway?
At 4pm Dave, Janice and I decided to crack open a bottle of gin, several bottles of wine, and a selection of squashes. A miserable sort of birthday party in Susan's honour. Billy and Garry came in and we played 'This is Your Life' and 'Blankety Blank' and other party games. I was Eammon Andrews and Terry Wogan. Dave played Lord Mountbatten in 'This Is Your Life' and Janice shone as Des O'Connor's daughter. You know the one I mean.
-=-
Friday July 20, 1979
_. Knackered all day. Went shopping with Billy. Cut my finger on a pop bottle in one of those abominable Spanish supermarkets. It was Billy's object to buy lots of gifts for his numerous relations at home but on returning to the Galfi he had only purchased forty Embassy cigarettes.
To bed at 3pm until 7, and then out on the town until 3am.
-=-
To bed at 3pm until 7, and then out on the town until 3am.
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