Thursday October 31, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Hallowe'en

All Hallows Eve. The new girl Elizabeth Melvin started. She will pick it up, I do suppose. All Crimplene and no finger nails. She lives with her boyfriend and 15 month-old daughter, Clare Louise, and saving to buy a house. She will only take £10 a week from us. In contrast the Daily Telegraph has a stunning photo on the front page of the Waleses waltzing around an Australian ballroom. The princess wearing a priceless emerald and diamond necklace , but as a headband. It is reported to be a gift from HM. Diana never fails to stun the public with her little fashions coups. The Royal Yacht has sailed into Grenada. Isn't that the place the US invaded a couple of years ago at the invitation of the government? I have given up on John Updike. I only ever read exceptional works of fiction, and The Witches of Eastwick isn't one. Don't get me wrong. It will be hailed as a 20th century classic. Twentieth century writers are few and far between. N. Coward, E. Waugh, G. Greene, D. Du Maurier, C. Cookson, J. Collins, &c. (That's enough authors -Ed.)

-=-

Wednesday October 30, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn Leeds LS11 5NQ

Dad went off at lunchtime to Settle via Guiseley and then stonemason. He has withdrawn £280 from his TSB account to pay for the stone. He has of course provided for this. I have been feeling very low. I could scream and bang my head against a wall. What is the bloody point of our existence? Ally phoned Bessie to enquire about the proposed weekend there with Lynn & Dave. Oh, no. The weekend in question is the Rose Growers dinner in Jersey and they'll be away. Never mind. Bessie was gloomy. Andrew and Lorraine have announced that they are buying a house and setting up home together in the New Year - a union sealed only by an engagement ring. F & B are both livid and say they are "old fashioned". Odd, eh? They were not old fashioned in the past with other family events _________ (sensitive redaction). I do not mean to be unkind. Just Ally and I tonight. A women's choir came in. I recognised a face. It was Margaret Edwards from my old Benton Park days. What a frumpy thing she looks, but on chatting with her she most certainly isn't. 

Other news: An inquiry into the recent spy trial has been ordered. Less said. The future Sir Lester Piggott had his last race yesterday. He has ridden 3,349 winners. Charles Douglas-Home, editor of 'The Thunderer' died yesterday. He was a nephew of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, and was heir presumptive to the heir apparent to the Earldom (of Home), and a first cousin of John, Earl Spencer, MVO.

-=-

Tuesday October 29, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn Leeds LS11 5NQ

Uncle Peter.

We discuss the proposed movements for our holiday next month. Lynn and Dave want a weekend without the children at Winchester and so we suggest Nov 22/23. They will ask Audrey if she can cope with the three. I think that Dad would manage better. The Christmas programme has also cropped up. Dreaded Christmas. The first one without the woman who was Christmas epitomised. Mum was Santa Claus, the Christmas fairies, and the Queen's message rolled into one. Dad has said he wants to come here because he can be more useful while we are working. Lunch was busier. Ally and Dad stood in the bar. Someone came in and remarked on Dad's youthful looks. Mum and Dad were always the youngest looking grandparents. Uncle Peter appeared and we all had a morbid conversation about graves, Uncle Albert's death and Uncle John Wilson's tenure as president of Pudsey Conservative Club, &c. He asked whether we selected the spot for Mum's grave because he thought it was in a strange place, tucked away in a corner. Mum, of course, would have wanted a quiet spot. I do not think Dad and Peter are on the same wave length at all. News: the £5m Cyprus spy trial has resulted in a man's acquittal. Deaths include Lord Davis of Leek, a Leftie. Births include a son to Alexander and Joanna Haddo (Earl & Countess?), so a grandson for Lord Aberdeen & Temair. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Bridgetown yesterday. It that Barbados? My geography of the Caribbean isn't good.

-=-

Monday October 28, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn Leeds LS11 5NQ

We woke very much regretting our late night with young Booth. To Morrison's and then back for 11:30 (Maureen opened up) and found Dad at the bar. He was expected but was earlier than anticipated. Samuel's face on seeing 'Gan Gan' was a picture. How magnetic he is to children. V. quiet at lunch. Dad and Ally stood leaning on the bar as I worked behind it. The Egans flew to "España" at dawn yesterday. Few customers. Only the dour Kentish man, bearded Brian, who ranted on and on about Stalin's daughter. Plus the man who drinks 'Rusty Nail' cocktails. Poor Dad - how brave he is. At the mention of the headstone he looks so weary and mutters: "five months now, Michael." She has been gone now longer than the entire length of her illness. Hard to believe. Dad was tired tonight and retired at 10. We did pool sandwiches but few turned out to play pool and so it was a waste of time. We have succeeded in the space of 12 months to kill our tap room stone dead. To bed at 12 with sandwiches. I am sick of John Updike.

-=-

Sunday October 27, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

21st Sunday after Trinity

British Summer Time Ends

Up early. Samuel confused by the time difference. Pottered around and went to Guiseley cemetery at 10 to look at the stone. It was a jolt. Ally wanted to weep but held her composure. Samuel played dropping stones int the flower bowl. Mum would like this.  The stone reads:

                                                     In Loving Memory of

                                                               NORA

                                               Beloved wife of Lawrence Rhodes

                                                      Born 2 January 1935

                                                      Died 18 May 1985

On to Lynn's. No Lynn. Dave in overalls. Dad and Charlotte Nora were in the garden. It was cold. Janette was at Maria's collecting the children and John was working. We went back to Leeds for 11:30. The Leeds Marathon was running. Chicken for lunch. Visited the Sandersons afterwards. They are in a state of refurbishment and working on the lounge. Interviewed candidates. Four in all, but only one suitable. Elizabeth Melvin (?), 26. A boy called Chris is coming tomorrow at 7:30. He's only 18 though. Sue and Pete came here at 7 dropping Dave B at the Dragonara Hotel where he's attending a function. Black tie 'do' &c. Peter always refers to David as 'Shortie'. The Nasons didn't stay long enough and left at 10. We sat up until about 2:30 with Gary. It was his last night. A lonely lad despite his wild, exhausting social life.

-=-

Saturday October 26, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

LG came on Thursday. I am forgetful. He was out of sorts and shot me down about the piano. 'Can't afford one', he said. When he sampled the ale from my cloudy barrel and blamed me for the bad management of it, which was stupid of him, and advised me not to return a single drop. Silly bugger. It was all Egans, Egans, Egans tonight. I did the parachute and the blind Irish pilot routine this afternoon, with the help of Margaret. Terry almost shit himself. Ally recovering but remains weak and washed out. Samuel, thank God, is untouched by the malady. Gary and I worked tonight. His penultimate shift. I placed an advert for staff in tonight's Evening Post and it attracted several calls. We are interviewing tomorrow. Upstairs at midnight. Saw a marvellous old film, Bette Davis/Claude Rains, &c. British Summer Time ends. We have an extra hour longer in bed. I want to go see Mum's stone tomorrow.

-=-

Friday October 25, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Ally and Audrey both have red, running noses. Margaret's celebrations go on. Sandwiches and cakes tonight and floral tributes from around the globe. The Egans were quaking about the coming flight to Spain. Margaret and I joked about making a parachute for Terry at lunch tomorrow. This evening Ally stayed above. Weak knees, &c. She watched a programme on the suspicious demise of Marilyn Monroe. The Kennedys were behind it. Phoned Dad. Mum's gravestone is now erected. What can one say. _________.

-=-

Thursday October 24, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn Leeds LS11 5NQ

United Nations Day

Margaret: 40

Busy. The 40th birthday celebrations of Margaret Milne though the auspicious anniversary doesn't actually fall until tomorrow. Margaret and a group of friends filled the lounge tonight, hitting the hard stuff. Joined by Audrey and Maureen, &c. They chattered about our lack of staff and suggested possible candidates, i.e. Margaret's niece, Ann. (Our staff hours are of course ruled by the brewery). John and Janette appeared at 9pm with George and Jayne Waite. Janette giggled and asked whether I'd seen the item of news on 'Calendar' about George's joinery business burning down. The expression on George's face revealed all. _______. (sensitive redaction). All the Scots stayed on afterwards 'for one'. Charlotte Nora is to be christened at Esholt and I am to be the godfather. Deeply flattered and pleased. John was puzzled. It was the first he'd heard of it.

-=-

Wednesday October 23, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Susie.

To a piano shop in Kirkstall where we saw a battered old thing for £189 which might please LG. I think it would go down well in our back bar. On to Guiseley. We haven't seen Susie for yonks. She looked very well and frequent scans reveal a healthy, kicking embryo. The kids, as usual, went berserk. Even Samuel looks possessed after only ten minutes with the bouncing Christopher. Sue is really hoping for a girl.

Tonight: Gary Booth came in and gave his notice. He has sold his house and is now a man of some means. We sat the bar waiting for LG, who didn't materialise. I sampled the Diet Pils and had six and a half pints. Fell about pissed. Everything is blank.

-=-

Tuesday October 22, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Nothing much to report. It was the usual mausoleum in the bar downstairs this lunchtime punctuated only by the arrival of Uncle Peter in his overalls. I gave him a pork pie and we stood leaning on the bar. He recently bumped into Hilda in ASDA. He can be very naughty about our relations. Beverley, he says, wants to be a policewoman but failed the test by three points but can re-apply in 6 months. Late dray delivery. The saga of our sensitive 'Skivvy' glass washing machine continues. I tried to get hold of Les Gledhill without success, but eventually Ally succeeded. He was out of sorts and grumpy and said he would come to inspect the barrel of OBB tomorrow, which is our evening off. Never mind.

-=-

Monday October 21, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Ally and I are back on a peaceful ship on a calm sea after several stormy weeks. Don't get me wrong. It was nothing serious. We sometimes have disagreements. My wife can become inflamed so very easily and can make a squabble out of anything:- Tomatoes, the price of fish, an untidy room, a misplaced newspaper, &c. Very wound up. I wish she could unwind more. Yesterdays royal interview was well received in the Press. Good egg. I have a rotten barrel of Old Brewery Bitter to return (36 gallons). Pity. I have had so much look with the 18 gallon casks. Phoned Horton. Lynn and the girls and Thomas are staying with Papa. Picnics, &c. I think she said today they'd been to Hardraw Scar. Our barmaid Marjorie Murphy has left to work at a greeting cards shop in Leeds Market. Poor buggers.

-=-