Friday January 1, 1982

 Bank Holiday in UK., Republic of Ireland, USA & Canada

Rectory, Kings Worthy.

Hoarse all day. Frank and Bessie took Ally and I to Chandler's Ford [where we'd left Audrey last night] for the 'Young Dixons' first 'drinks party'. Bessie interjecting some tremendous fun comments. Had a delicious fish paté. Most of the Hampshire guests left at 2:30 and Ally and I sat huddled on a settee for a further three hours. We took Michael and 'Dids' Lynn back to Kings Worthy rectory and then on to Chillandham Cross for the night. We declined Graham's invitation to join him at the Cart and Horses. We must be growing old. Cold ale on cold nights no longer fascinates.

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Thursday December 31, 1981

 Fried breakfast [again]. Joined Graham and Gill at the New Inn at Easton for a lunchtime drink. Had cheese toasties and lungs full of cigarette smoke. Felt horrible. Caught sight of myself in a mirror in the gents and reeled with horror. My features white and baggy. My eyes bloodshot. The general effect is reminiscent of Robert Mitchum, and he must be 67.

On to Graham and Gill's at Chandler's Ford for coffee and back to Chillandham Cross at 5. Had grilled steak and salad. Frank and Bessie went off reluctantly to a Rotary Club dinner dance at 7 - they usually see in the New Year in bed. Bessie told us that when they lived in Wallasey in the 50s they'd lay in bed listening to the ships at Liverpool hooting and booming in celebration of the New Year. Romantic.

Ally & Gill

At 8 we went back to Graham and Gill's at Chandler's Ford. I had a whisky, and Ally had something Italian and wet and we went, the four of us, to Midge and Eugene's hideous pub at Southampton. Ally glorious in her pink tulip frock. The pub was crowded and hot, but at least it was lively. Streamers, silly hats and that sort of thing. Midge, bedecked like the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, came over and made us feel like VIP guests. Joined by Barbara and Mel. He was very thin, skeletal, and supposedly on the wagon. Barbara planted a kiss of my cheek leaving an impression of her lipstick across my face. She prodded me and said that marriage has turned me into a fat slob. 

Frank, Bessie, me, Ally, Graham.

On at 10 to collect Peter and Dee Lynn. To the deserted Plough Inn at Itchen Abbas. Empty but for a grey old lady throwing darts. The landlord inspected us through narrowed eyes. A dismal place, and tonight especially gruesome. We left and went to the New Inn at Easton. Not much better here. The drunk locals were huddled at one end of the bar and we stood at the other. The landlady, clad in a fur coat, was slumped over the bar bemoaning the fact that her 'after hours' party was in ruins. We decided enough was enough and left at 11:45 and bombed back to Kings Worthy rectory, just in time for the chimes of the clock heralding the New Year. Did the usual 'auld langs ayne' routine. I stood with Dee holding baby Patrick. We drank punch and Bell's whisky.

My voice disappeared completely. Florence gave me spoon after spoon of cough mixture. Much of the conversation was rugby union based. Graham tried to persuade us to visit the nearby fish farm where a wild party hosted by the eccentric Michael Wilkinson-Warburton was in full swing, but Gill and Ally were strongly opposed to the idea.

Back to Chillandham Cross at some fortgotten time.

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Wednesday December 30, 1981

 Winchester shopping. Feel slightly better, but by no means robust. To Graham and Charlotte's at 8 for dinner. Cats. Bloody cats. The allergy, on top of the cold. Feline hairs, ugh.

Chicken with Brussel sprouts. We had a film show of their Egyptian holiday. Exited in deep fog after 12. Got lost on the drive home. The fog so dense.

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Tuesday December 29, 1981

Bournemouth.

 A fried breakfast. To Bournemouth for the day. Feel horrible. Hot, sweaty. Diabolical throat. It is only to be expected. I'm ill every Christmas. Bought new jeans in the January sales. To our horror, the sale at Habitat doesn't start until January 2. Sod it. Back to Chillandham Cross at 6. Too hot and snotty to eat. Sat talking with Frank and Bessie about the Dixon ancestry. Bed at 12 gasping like a bronchil Spaniel.

Notes:

Alison Mary, my wife, was born at Wallasey, May 21, 1958, the second child and only daughter of Frank Dixon [born Sept 15, 1927] and his wife Bessie Braithwaite [born June 4, 1922]. Frank was the youngest child and only son of the three children of Thomas Dixon, of Colne, Lancashire, and Mary Ellen Dixon [nee Jobling]. Thomas Dixon died in November, 1955, shortly after the birth of his grandson, Graham Dixon, born Nov 3, 1955. Mary Ellen Jobling's family arrived on a barge in Colne from Liverpool. She died in May, 1978, aged 92 [?]. Thomas Dixon had a brother, Ernest, and two sisters, Clara and Ada.

The Braithwaite siblings.

Bessie [yes, Bessie not Elizabeth] is the eldest child of Albert Braithwaite, of Colne, and Nora [nee Birch]. Albert died in January, 1966. Nora died in Oct 1958. Bessie was followed by Joan, Margaret [deceased], Hilda, Allen [the wild only brother]. The Birch family had connections with Hubberholme, and one uncle occupied the George Inn there. But you know how people are. Things get passed from generation to generation and become muddled.

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Monday December 28, 1981

 _.Fog, but passable. Up at 9:30. Ate, then packed, and left for Winchester at 12. A dull journey on the M1 thanks to the fog. Stopped at 2 at the Crossroads Motel at Weedon, Northamptonshire, for scampi and chips and lager. Then back on the road south. We are in holiday spirits - no work for one week, and it was so good to see Ally's glee as she neared her parents home. 

Arrived at Chillandham Cross at 5. Presented Bessie with her flower painting and it seemed to go down well. Bessie was pale, complaining of dizzy spells. Frank, fatter, blamed his increased girth on the Christmas fayre [Graham and Gill came for Christmas dinner].

At 8 the Lynn family came for Christmas drinks. The Rev Matthew and Florence Lynn. Bed at 12 feeling groggy. Sore throat.

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Sunday December 27, 1981

 1st Sunday after Christmas

Had a large breakfast and then managed to get the car to go.Freezing fog and ice. Home to Ash Tree Cottage and plunged into a hot bath and dressed for Sue's Christmas party. Back to Guiseley at 5:30 - thick snow. Joined by Mum and Dad [nearing the end of their festive celebrations, and they left shortly afterwards]. Joined by Karen, Steve, Janet Simon and her betrothed, Lynn, David, a chubby Frances, John, Maria, JPH, Catherine, &c. [Maria took the kids home at 6:30 and didn't return], Hilda, Tony, Jill, Tim, Chippy, Gus, Johnny, Dave L &c. 

Dave L finds the Sandersons compulsive company. He is having his annual 'do' on January 2. We don't think we'll be back from Winchester. I have never missed a Dave Lawson party.I suppose it's a watershed.

We left the party at 9:45 [me complaining severely] in order to have a decent night in bed before our Winchester extravaganza. We took John to Ridgeway. 

To bed pissed. Deep snow.

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Saturday December 26, 1981

 New Moon

Bank Holiday in UK & Republic of Ireland [a day may be given in lieu]

Slept until lunchtime and then had a substantial breakfast with Mum and Dad. No sign of John & Maria today and the four of us sat in peaceful solitude. Watched a Harold Lloyd film and Lassie too [pass the sick pan, Mavis]. Had a large dinner at 6.

The car decided to be awkward and so we spent another night at Pine Tops. Ally was furious and close to tears with rage at Audrey's obstinacy.

Bed at 11:30 to escape Perry Como on the BBC.

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Friday December 25, 1981

The Family.

 Christmas Day

A white Christmas. Sunny and bright. Up at 7:30 with great excitement. Our first Christmas morning together. We sat by the glow of the Christmas tree tearing open presents. Ally gave me a Ella Fitzgerald LP, Givenchy after shave, a bright pullover, undies, socks, artist canvas, a tube of black oil paint. She thought mine romantic. 

Took Mrs Greenwood a large glass of rum. She said she would drink it tonight watching Morecambe and Wise and then roll into bed. Bless her. 

To Guiseley at 12. We were first to arrive and sat with Mum and Dad waiting for the others who came in and blocked out the Queen's Christmas message. Chaos. Pandemonium. Havoc. 

Dad read us Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. Hilarity.

Mum organised a running buffet once again. It's the only thing that works for so many people. 

Bed at Pine Tops.

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Thursday December 24, 1981

 Christmas Eve. Snow. YP until 12. Central until 2. Home at 3. Burley in Wharfedale at 5.Guiseley at 6. George & Dragon, Apperley Lane at 8. Splendid dinner.

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Wednesday December 23, 1981

 Pay day. Received lots of money. Vast amounts in fact. Went out at lunchtime, sliding across town, looking for gifts for Ally. I bought her a suspender belt and received some odd glances in the process. Bought a record of Debussy's 'Claire de Lune'. Bought a fountain pen because in the New Year Ally is to keep a diary. Yes, a rival diary. It's a wonderful thought because I hate being the solitary commentator on the earth shattering events occurring in 20th century West Yorkshire. Ally's version of life will no doubt be a healthy competitive narrative, don't you think? After all, didn't Wordsworth's life receive the added complement of his sister Dorothy's writings?

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Tuesday December 22, 1981

 You aren't getting much today. In fact you're getting nothing at all. It is the festive season after all.

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