_. John walked in at 9:30am with JPH and Catherine. My brother is shaggy and bearded looking more Scottish than James Robertson Justice [was he a Scot?] or maybe Robert the Bruce. The children were hot, red and ill. John, fatter, disappeared in the direction of town with Maria and returned later in the afternoon with a van for the forthcoming piano and bathroom suite expedition. I asked to accompany him to Lochans and he beamed. Jimmy is joining us too.
Ally came over and we went to West End Terrace for the duration. She was very sweet about me leaving her tonight. Blimey, when did John and I last have an adventure together? Collected a cooker for Sue and Pete and then went to Ridgeway. Said goodbye to Ally at the Shoulder of Mutton and then John, Jimmy and I left for Stranraer. We made the error of stopping in Ilkley 'for a drink' and subsequently John was exhausted and only just managed to make it over the border without collapsing at the wheel. We had tea and sandwiches in a dreadful border cafe followed by a unanimous decision that we park up for a few hours because while chatting with Jimmy about UFOs and Christopher Marlowe I took a glance at John and was horror-struck to see he, the driver, with his eyes closed at the steering wheel. Sitting in a lay by I drifted off to sleep listening to Jimmy droning on and on expounding his belief that Shakespeare never actually existed. After a couple of hours we set off again for Stranraer.
-=-
20200520
Friday May 23, 1980
_. Delia phoned me this morning to chastise me for my debauched behaviour in recent times. She says, and quite rightly, that I am overdoing things. She also confided in me that Sarah returns home from work these days saying she finds nothing to speak to me about any more and that I am impossible. How peculiar. The tales of Bill North are vomit provoking.
At 6pm Sue and Pete took possession of 23, West End Terrace, Guiseley, and within minutes a gathering of clan occurred with champagne [courtesy of Mama], to commemorate the historic acquisition. Looking around the property I felt panic at the sight of the scruffy decor, cringing at the prospect of been called upon to assist with renovations. Lynn, Dave, Sue, Pete and I adjourned to the White Cross. Joined by Chippy and Debbie.
-=-
At 6pm Sue and Pete took possession of 23, West End Terrace, Guiseley, and within minutes a gathering of clan occurred with champagne [courtesy of Mama], to commemorate the historic acquisition. Looking around the property I felt panic at the sight of the scruffy decor, cringing at the prospect of been called upon to assist with renovations. Lynn, Dave, Sue, Pete and I adjourned to the White Cross. Joined by Chippy and Debbie.
-=-
20200518
Thursday May 22, 1980
_. Felt ghastly all day and incapable of work. Sarah gave we woeful looks as I sat quivering and heaving like a cholera victim, or the Rt Rev William Gordon Fallows, Bishop of Sheffield [deceased], a Parkinson's sufferer. Fortunately Kathleen left at 12 thereby enabling me to do sweet sod all in the afternoon.
To Club Street at 5 for a hurried dinner with Ally and then it was back to Leeds to the Lounge Cinema at Headingley for 'Heaven Can Wait', a Warren Beatty film, and 'Smokey and the Bandit', starring Burt Reynolds. I'd seen the first film before, with Jacq, and Ally was surprised I wanted to see it again 'not a Michael film at all' was her verdict. I do have a soft spot for Dyan Cannon, and do have a small amount of romance in me.
Back to Pine Tops at 11 for drinks with Jim and Margaret. I slept extremely well. Nisi quando Podagra molesta est.
-=-
To Club Street at 5 for a hurried dinner with Ally and then it was back to Leeds to the Lounge Cinema at Headingley for 'Heaven Can Wait', a Warren Beatty film, and 'Smokey and the Bandit', starring Burt Reynolds. I'd seen the first film before, with Jacq, and Ally was surprised I wanted to see it again 'not a Michael film at all' was her verdict. I do have a soft spot for Dyan Cannon, and do have a small amount of romance in me.
Back to Pine Tops at 11 for drinks with Jim and Margaret. I slept extremely well. Nisi quando Podagra molesta est.
-=-
Wednesday May 21, 1980
_> Ally is 22 today. Dry day. We met at 12 and partook in alcoholic beverages at [1] The Ostlers, [2] Russell's Bar, and [3] Jacomelli's, Boar Lane. Afterwards she went skipping into a shop and bought two dresses. Walking hand in hand through town we bumped into Sarah.
We went back to Club Street with a couple of singles, gifts from me. 'Stomp' by the Brothers Johnson, and 'Funky Town' by Lipps Inc, the twelve inch disco single. She bathed. We went to Guiseley, where I did a quick change, and then on we went to Lynn & Dave's [with Sue & Pete] for chicken. Afterwards to the Queen's [Lynn's favourite Burley pub]. Ally and I went to Oakwood, just the two of us, from 10:30 to 1:45.
Back and Pine Tops we ate fish cakes in my bed.
-=-
We went back to Club Street with a couple of singles, gifts from me. 'Stomp' by the Brothers Johnson, and 'Funky Town' by Lipps Inc, the twelve inch disco single. She bathed. We went to Guiseley, where I did a quick change, and then on we went to Lynn & Dave's [with Sue & Pete] for chicken. Afterwards to the Queen's [Lynn's favourite Burley pub]. Ally and I went to Oakwood, just the two of us, from 10:30 to 1:45.
Back and Pine Tops we ate fish cakes in my bed.
-=-
Tuesday May 20, 1980
_. Rain. To work in an overcoat. How utterly miserable. Jim says that Patrick ventured out for the very first time on his own, yesterday. [Well, except for the time last week when he walked into Guiseley to collect a prescription for Muriel's bowel ailment]. The lad went with a few friends to Cambridge where he had 'an experience' in a punt and missed the last train home.
King Henry VIII married Jane Seymour upon this day in 1536. Was she his favourite Queen? I think so. I rang my favourite future queen at the Bradford AHA and engaged in a complex and confused conversation centred upon the trivialities of this world that I've generally allowed to pass me by. Tomorrow is her birthday. Bless her, she'll be 22. We are spending the afternoon in Leeds and going on to Lynn and Dave's for dinner. What time was she born? Her mother cannot remember and so this vital item of information is lost forever. Astrologically, it's a terrible omission.
At lunchtime I went into the Central library and took out a volume of diaries of the Rev William Bagshaw Stevens, who kept a journal from 1792 until his death in 1800 at the age of 45. I do hope one day that someone somewhere will have the good sense to set my journal down in print. I'm not writing crouched uncomfortably on my bedroom floor for the good of my health, you know. Mind you, I hold, and never shall hold, a government post, or be headmaster of Repton, but surely someone will derive pleasure from my illiterate, abusive ramblings? Tonight I sat reading the clergyman's journal which is crammed with Latin and Greek quotes, and little else. Some entries are so brief, they're worthless. I feel quite proud of myself turning out page after page of action-packed riveting script. Goodnight. Magno cum conatu magnas nugas dicit. Caw! Caw! Caw!.
-=-
King Henry VIII married Jane Seymour upon this day in 1536. Was she his favourite Queen? I think so. I rang my favourite future queen at the Bradford AHA and engaged in a complex and confused conversation centred upon the trivialities of this world that I've generally allowed to pass me by. Tomorrow is her birthday. Bless her, she'll be 22. We are spending the afternoon in Leeds and going on to Lynn and Dave's for dinner. What time was she born? Her mother cannot remember and so this vital item of information is lost forever. Astrologically, it's a terrible omission.
At lunchtime I went into the Central library and took out a volume of diaries of the Rev William Bagshaw Stevens, who kept a journal from 1792 until his death in 1800 at the age of 45. I do hope one day that someone somewhere will have the good sense to set my journal down in print. I'm not writing crouched uncomfortably on my bedroom floor for the good of my health, you know. Mind you, I hold, and never shall hold, a government post, or be headmaster of Repton, but surely someone will derive pleasure from my illiterate, abusive ramblings? Tonight I sat reading the clergyman's journal which is crammed with Latin and Greek quotes, and little else. Some entries are so brief, they're worthless. I feel quite proud of myself turning out page after page of action-packed riveting script. Goodnight. Magno cum conatu magnas nugas dicit. Caw! Caw! Caw!.
-=-
Monday May 19, 1980
_. Royal news: The Queen's cousin, the Hon Elizabeth Elphinstone, has died aged 68. Something of a recluse she lived for some years on a commune. The Queen, not plunged into family mourning, today visited the Chelsea Flower Show.
In other royal news, the Lord Mayor of York is to petition the Queen to create Prince Andrew Duke of York. I have every faith the the Queen will one day bestow this much loved peerage on her second son, and doesn't need to be reminded of this by some upstart of a Lord Mayor. King George VI held the title for 16 years, and it 'merged in the crown' on the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936.
The Times today says that the Queen will invite the Pope to make a visit to the UK when she visits him in Rome in October. Hard to believe, isn't it? For centuries we officially boycotted all things papist. Talk of the Prince of Wales marrying a Roman Catholic will be re-kindled, no doubt.
Charles's old flame, Lady Sarah Spencer, married Neil McCorquodale on Saturday. That's another name to cross off the list. The girl has red hair and that, as far as I'm concerned, is far more objectionable than any religious differences. Given the choice of the next Princess of Wales being RC or a red head, and I'll go for the former any day.
A film on the telly. A Burt Lancaster western in which Audrey Hepburn plays a Red Indian squaw rather badly. And so to bed, at midnight.
-=-
In other royal news, the Lord Mayor of York is to petition the Queen to create Prince Andrew Duke of York. I have every faith the the Queen will one day bestow this much loved peerage on her second son, and doesn't need to be reminded of this by some upstart of a Lord Mayor. King George VI held the title for 16 years, and it 'merged in the crown' on the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936.
The Times today says that the Queen will invite the Pope to make a visit to the UK when she visits him in Rome in October. Hard to believe, isn't it? For centuries we officially boycotted all things papist. Talk of the Prince of Wales marrying a Roman Catholic will be re-kindled, no doubt.
Charles's old flame, Lady Sarah Spencer, married Neil McCorquodale on Saturday. That's another name to cross off the list. The girl has red hair and that, as far as I'm concerned, is far more objectionable than any religious differences. Given the choice of the next Princess of Wales being RC or a red head, and I'll go for the former any day.
A film on the telly. A Burt Lancaster western in which Audrey Hepburn plays a Red Indian squaw rather badly. And so to bed, at midnight.
-=-
20200516
Sunday May 18, 1980
_. Sunday after Ascension
Woke up at 8am to swig lemonade. The sleeping arrangements were fun. Ally and I in one single bed, Sue and Pete in the other single bed, Jill and Tim in the double bed, and four more, Karen, Steve, Phil and Denise underneath the piano. We all surfaced at 10 for tea and toast and a photographic session in the garden. Ally went off to work at the Belfry at 10:30, and we tidied things and returned home.
I had poached eggs then took the garden in my shorts where I hung in a deckchair until evening. Marlene, Frank and the children appeared at tea time with the intention of showing us his cine film of Lynn & Dave's wedding, but a bulb exploded in his projector and the plan was thwarted.
Ally arrived at 3:30 in a blue spotty dress. She was far from disappointed at the lack of a film show. She has a peculiar phobia about anything celluloid. Capturing Ally on film is as rare as a shot of an osprey nesting or of Margaret Thatcher picking her nose. The Harwoods went off at 8 towing their caravan behind them, and were replaced by Hilda and Tony. By 11 I could stand no more and took to my bed.
World news from the Sunday papers: President Giscard D'Estaing and Leonid Brezhnev are meeting in Warsaw to discuss Afghanistan and other international affairs. No doubt the Russian leader has taken along his usual squad of randy air hostesses - he has a passion for them according to a recent report.
-=-
Woke up at 8am to swig lemonade. The sleeping arrangements were fun. Ally and I in one single bed, Sue and Pete in the other single bed, Jill and Tim in the double bed, and four more, Karen, Steve, Phil and Denise underneath the piano. We all surfaced at 10 for tea and toast and a photographic session in the garden. Ally went off to work at the Belfry at 10:30, and we tidied things and returned home.
I had poached eggs then took the garden in my shorts where I hung in a deckchair until evening. Marlene, Frank and the children appeared at tea time with the intention of showing us his cine film of Lynn & Dave's wedding, but a bulb exploded in his projector and the plan was thwarted.
Ally arrived at 3:30 in a blue spotty dress. She was far from disappointed at the lack of a film show. She has a peculiar phobia about anything celluloid. Capturing Ally on film is as rare as a shot of an osprey nesting or of Margaret Thatcher picking her nose. The Harwoods went off at 8 towing their caravan behind them, and were replaced by Hilda and Tony. By 11 I could stand no more and took to my bed.
World news from the Sunday papers: President Giscard D'Estaing and Leonid Brezhnev are meeting in Warsaw to discuss Afghanistan and other international affairs. No doubt the Russian leader has taken along his usual squad of randy air hostesses - he has a passion for them according to a recent report.
-=-
20200515
Saturday May 17, 1980
_. Steve Sanderson is 22 today. Up at 10 and straight to Ally's for 11:30. She was scantily clad, and cleaning the house for tonight's 'gala'. I spent over two hours taping a heap of my records and at 1:30 we drove to Halifax, of all places, for a quick drink. We found a pub full of drunks and I found myself standing at the bar next to a little old man propped up farting and belching at a phenomenal rate. Ally was amazed that she now lives so close to Halifax. She kept repeating the name over and over again, almost under her breath, as though she'd just stumbled upon Naples.
At 5:15 we drove to Headingley and the delights of Salvo's. Joined by Sue, Pete, Chippy, Dave W, Frank, Mick Hodgson, Tony Smith, Gus, we queued outside until 7. We ate too much, and sat in the car groaning. We drank half a litre of wine each and made one Hell of a racket. The bill came to £48. Oh dear. On to Mucky Willie's in Lidget Green where we were met by Dave L, Karen, Steve, Jill, Tim, Phil, Denise, Jacq, Paul, Catherine [from the AHA], & her boyfriend, Dave. I felt very uncomfortable after all that food. Dave L suggested I drink something with peppermint. This did help. A party at Club St afterwards. Lynn and Dave came at midnight. I told Dave I'd paid Lynn £15 for her attendance, and he believed me. Everyone danced.
-=-
At 5:15 we drove to Headingley and the delights of Salvo's. Joined by Sue, Pete, Chippy, Dave W, Frank, Mick Hodgson, Tony Smith, Gus, we queued outside until 7. We ate too much, and sat in the car groaning. We drank half a litre of wine each and made one Hell of a racket. The bill came to £48. Oh dear. On to Mucky Willie's in Lidget Green where we were met by Dave L, Karen, Steve, Jill, Tim, Phil, Denise, Jacq, Paul, Catherine [from the AHA], & her boyfriend, Dave. I felt very uncomfortable after all that food. Dave L suggested I drink something with peppermint. This did help. A party at Club St afterwards. Lynn and Dave came at midnight. I told Dave I'd paid Lynn £15 for her attendance, and he believed me. Everyone danced.
-=-
Friday May 16, 1980
_. Hot and sunny. Dave L phoned tonight. He cannot make Salvo's tomorrow but says yes to the party afterwards.
A significant event at the YP. Eileen's departure. I showed her to the revolving door and waved her goodbye. Standing in the sunshine the tears soon dried on my pale, haggard face as I watched her, broken with emotion, disappear onto a bus bound for Dewsbury and the obscurity of motherhood. Sarah had avoided the office today. She hates goodbyes.
Steak and salad for tea, interrupted by the arrival of my Harwood cousins. Mark is now almost 13. Frank says he is going down to the Shoulder tonight with some fellow male campers [they are spending a few days in a caravan in a farmyard in Hawksworth]. Sue and Pete decided to accompany them, but I declined.
-=-
A significant event at the YP. Eileen's departure. I showed her to the revolving door and waved her goodbye. Standing in the sunshine the tears soon dried on my pale, haggard face as I watched her, broken with emotion, disappear onto a bus bound for Dewsbury and the obscurity of motherhood. Sarah had avoided the office today. She hates goodbyes.
Steak and salad for tea, interrupted by the arrival of my Harwood cousins. Mark is now almost 13. Frank says he is going down to the Shoulder tonight with some fellow male campers [they are spending a few days in a caravan in a farmyard in Hawksworth]. Sue and Pete decided to accompany them, but I declined.
-=-
Thursday May 15, 1980
_. Ascension Day
Out at lunchtime for a couple of hours with Eileen and the library girls in commemoration of the termination of her employment. As usual, and in keeping with YP library 'outings' it was a flop. Little merriment was had and we walked back to the YP after 2 hours. Sharon will send a fresh breeze through the cutting files.
Phoned Peter tonight and he picked me up at 8. We collected Gus, Frank and Dave W. To the Shoulder. Something of a booze up. Dave looked like a lobster, from sun burn, and was in agony. We had to drop him off at home on the way to Oakwood. A girl called Julie came onto me: 'Ooh, you don't look 25', she pouted. I bought her a Britvic orange and we stood giggling in the bar. Home long after 2.
-=-
Out at lunchtime for a couple of hours with Eileen and the library girls in commemoration of the termination of her employment. As usual, and in keeping with YP library 'outings' it was a flop. Little merriment was had and we walked back to the YP after 2 hours. Sharon will send a fresh breeze through the cutting files.
Phoned Peter tonight and he picked me up at 8. We collected Gus, Frank and Dave W. To the Shoulder. Something of a booze up. Dave looked like a lobster, from sun burn, and was in agony. We had to drop him off at home on the way to Oakwood. A girl called Julie came onto me: 'Ooh, you don't look 25', she pouted. I bought her a Britvic orange and we stood giggling in the bar. Home long after 2.
-=-
Wednesday May 14, 1980
_. The 'Day of Action' by the TUC. No comment.
A night out with Ally to the Fox and Hounds, the New Inn and Oakwood Hall. We had fish and chips and Ally admitted it was her first hot meal since last Thursday. She starves herself.
At Oakwood we were horrified to discover that the place is for sale. The closing of yet another poignant chapter. Another curtain running down on the great pageant of life. We didn't get round to dancing, but rarely do. We left early [1:30am] because I had an attack of tenacious mucus. But, as far as Wednesdays go, it was a good night. Ally drove back to Pine Tops like Davina Galica, and hiccoughed all the way.
-=-
A night out with Ally to the Fox and Hounds, the New Inn and Oakwood Hall. We had fish and chips and Ally admitted it was her first hot meal since last Thursday. She starves herself.
At Oakwood we were horrified to discover that the place is for sale. The closing of yet another poignant chapter. Another curtain running down on the great pageant of life. We didn't get round to dancing, but rarely do. We left early [1:30am] because I had an attack of tenacious mucus. But, as far as Wednesdays go, it was a good night. Ally drove back to Pine Tops like Davina Galica, and hiccoughed all the way.
-=-
Tuesday May 13, 1980
_. Hot, again. Susie and Pete went off to see a solicitor and signed for the house on West End Terrace. Peter returned and sat brooding in an armchair watching Mr Attenborough's 'Life On Earth' - yet again. I suppose one is allowed to 'brood' when one has signed away ones life for the next quarter of a century or so. The sight of a puma mauling a couple of zebras to death did nothing to lighten the mood.
Mum and Dad went to see Lynn and Dave and returned at about 10.
Tomorrow is Len Murray's 'Day of Action' in protest against Margaret Hilda's administration. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the TUC is lounging in a Madeira bar, smoking his duty frees, and reading all about Britain grinding to a halt in a three day old copy of the Daily Express. For me, and the majority of the nation, it's business as usual.
-=-
Mum and Dad went to see Lynn and Dave and returned at about 10.
Tomorrow is Len Murray's 'Day of Action' in protest against Margaret Hilda's administration. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the TUC is lounging in a Madeira bar, smoking his duty frees, and reading all about Britain grinding to a halt in a three day old copy of the Daily Express. For me, and the majority of the nation, it's business as usual.
-=-
Monday May 12, 1980
_. Very hot. Back to work. Went to my dentist. Whatever happened to Hough? He disappeared without a trace. My teeth are Ok until November 10. My appointment was at 5 and Lynn met me ten minutes later and she drove me home.
TV: 'Not the Nine O'clock News' followed by 'Catch 22', a nauseating film.
-=-
TV: 'Not the Nine O'clock News' followed by 'Catch 22', a nauseating film.
-=-
Sunday May 11, 1980
_. Rogation Sunday
What does Rogation Sunday actually mean? Not long ago I would have been sufficiently knowledgeable in the religious bracket to have been able to make an education guess, but not now.
Out of bed feeling delicate, but so too is everyone else. I sat watching the telly. A film starring Sylvia Syms, John Mills and Anthony Quayle [Ice Cold in Alex] circa 1958. Was joined by Allikins, and we went out for a constitutional. Aren't salads abominable?
-=-
What does Rogation Sunday actually mean? Not long ago I would have been sufficiently knowledgeable in the religious bracket to have been able to make an education guess, but not now.
Out of bed feeling delicate, but so too is everyone else. I sat watching the telly. A film starring Sylvia Syms, John Mills and Anthony Quayle [Ice Cold in Alex] circa 1958. Was joined by Allikins, and we went out for a constitutional. Aren't salads abominable?
-=-
Saturday May 10, 1980
_. Slept until 12:30. Mum and Dad went off with Dave B, Jim and Margaret to the Hermit at Burley Woodhead [Lynn was out with Sue & Ally purchasing bridesmaid gowns in Bradford].
Peter came up for me and we went to collect Chippy, supposedly to go to Menston to be measured for morning suits, but fate took us, surprise, surprise, to the Shoulder of Mutton, where we sat reminiscing. At 3 we went into the tap room there to watch the start of the FA Cup final and saw West Ham score what proved to be the only goal of the match against Arsenal.
In the mood for more frivolity we returned to Chippy's for tequila sunrises and Cointreau. Mrs Ash, Chippy's mother, was furious and screamed at us playing the stereo at full volume. We were so far gone that we talked Chippy out of working his night shift at the asylum, and we went into Guiseley and fell in with the doors as the White Cross opened. I believe that the proprietor asked us to leave, which we did peaceably. Our next port of call was the New Inn where the incumbent landlord was also similarly displeased with our near paralytic behaviour. I lifted a very large ash tray from the bar and inserted it down my trousers and afterwards presented it to Peter as an early wedding present.
From the New Inn we went to Peter's and I phoned High Royds, and told Chippy's superior at the asylum that the poor boy had been inflicted with botulism, and obviously couldn't carry out his nursing duties. I laughed down the phone because as I was speaking Chippy was standing on his head in the corner of the room. Later we bumped into Jim and met Sue and Ally at the White Cross. On to a pub in Leeds, I think in Headingley. Chippy collapsed and vomited everywhere.
-=-
Peter came up for me and we went to collect Chippy, supposedly to go to Menston to be measured for morning suits, but fate took us, surprise, surprise, to the Shoulder of Mutton, where we sat reminiscing. At 3 we went into the tap room there to watch the start of the FA Cup final and saw West Ham score what proved to be the only goal of the match against Arsenal.
In the mood for more frivolity we returned to Chippy's for tequila sunrises and Cointreau. Mrs Ash, Chippy's mother, was furious and screamed at us playing the stereo at full volume. We were so far gone that we talked Chippy out of working his night shift at the asylum, and we went into Guiseley and fell in with the doors as the White Cross opened. I believe that the proprietor asked us to leave, which we did peaceably. Our next port of call was the New Inn where the incumbent landlord was also similarly displeased with our near paralytic behaviour. I lifted a very large ash tray from the bar and inserted it down my trousers and afterwards presented it to Peter as an early wedding present.
From the New Inn we went to Peter's and I phoned High Royds, and told Chippy's superior at the asylum that the poor boy had been inflicted with botulism, and obviously couldn't carry out his nursing duties. I laughed down the phone because as I was speaking Chippy was standing on his head in the corner of the room. Later we bumped into Jim and met Sue and Ally at the White Cross. On to a pub in Leeds, I think in Headingley. Chippy collapsed and vomited everywhere.
-=-
20200514
Friday May 9, 1980
_. Up at 9. Dad drove me at 9:50 to see Dr Purdy. He prodded around under my shirt and gave me a note to take back to the office on Monday.
Later spent a few hours giving Dad some assistance in the garden.
Phoned Ally at the AHA and then set about compiling a massive epistle to her [well over 10 pages], much to Mummy's amazement, who sat gasping in wonderment at my literary capabilities. She was in fact viewing me through he her new £56 spectacles. Peter would call them 'spregs'.
John phoned from Lochans with JPH. He's found a job working evenings as a paint sprayer at a Scottish crash helmet factory [Kangol]. At least he can spend his days getting on with the renovations at Corner House Cottage. Little JPH was amusing, and explained he'd been helping his Dad plastering.
-=-
Later spent a few hours giving Dad some assistance in the garden.
Phoned Ally at the AHA and then set about compiling a massive epistle to her [well over 10 pages], much to Mummy's amazement, who sat gasping in wonderment at my literary capabilities. She was in fact viewing me through he her new £56 spectacles. Peter would call them 'spregs'.
John phoned from Lochans with JPH. He's found a job working evenings as a paint sprayer at a Scottish crash helmet factory [Kangol]. At least he can spend his days getting on with the renovations at Corner House Cottage. Little JPH was amusing, and explained he'd been helping his Dad plastering.
-=-
Thursday May 8, 1980
_. Cold, cloudy day.
Sarah phoned on a matter of business. The YP want to interview any peer of the realm who lives a normal life in a semi-detached house in Yorkshire. The YP are doing a piece comparing the life-style of a wealthy landowning Tory peer and his lefty working class counterpart in the Lords. The Labour peeress Baroness Bacon lives in humble circumstances.
Spoke to Glynnie. His opening words were 'we have had a spot of bother with Billy'. ___________. Obviously, I promised never to tell a living soul of this.
From 12 until 4 Mum and I endured the very dull, boring drawn out 'spectacle' of President Tito's funeral on TV. The poor Yugoslavs did their best, but have absolutely no idea how to arrange a state funeral. The old dictator's coffin was thrown around like a sack of coal. The funeral was attended by many world leaders and crowned heads of Europe. Her Majesty was represented by the Duke of Edinburgh, who flew out with Mrs Thatcher and James Callaghan. It must be said that old Tito was crafty old fox for standing between east and west and managing to appease both sides.
Ally came at 7:30. Lynn and Dave arrived in D's new company car.________.
-=-
Sarah phoned on a matter of business. The YP want to interview any peer of the realm who lives a normal life in a semi-detached house in Yorkshire. The YP are doing a piece comparing the life-style of a wealthy landowning Tory peer and his lefty working class counterpart in the Lords. The Labour peeress Baroness Bacon lives in humble circumstances.
Spoke to Glynnie. His opening words were 'we have had a spot of bother with Billy'. ___________. Obviously, I promised never to tell a living soul of this.
From 12 until 4 Mum and I endured the very dull, boring drawn out 'spectacle' of President Tito's funeral on TV. The poor Yugoslavs did their best, but have absolutely no idea how to arrange a state funeral. The old dictator's coffin was thrown around like a sack of coal. The funeral was attended by many world leaders and crowned heads of Europe. Her Majesty was represented by the Duke of Edinburgh, who flew out with Mrs Thatcher and James Callaghan. It must be said that old Tito was crafty old fox for standing between east and west and managing to appease both sides.
Ally came at 7:30. Lynn and Dave arrived in D's new company car.________.
-=-
Wednesday May 7, 1980
_. An industrious day in bed writing letters to Ally, Dave L and Auntie Delia - it's Delia's birthday today.
My letter to David was a lengthy reply to the masterpiece he sent me way back in March in his famous 'olde worlde' hand.
I didn't wake up until 10. Sat with boiled eggs and toast reading the hideous Daily Mail, which can be digested in total in three minutes. Why Mama insists upon this shocking paper I will never know.
This afternoon I finished reading the laborious tale of Lillie Langtry's romance with Edward VII. From start to finish I had no interest in the book and but for the fact that I am a captive audience [after all I am bed bound] I would have discarded it days ago.
I phoned Sarah at 2:30 and told her she wouldn't be seeing me again until Monday. 'Keep in touch' were her parting words.
-=-
My letter to David was a lengthy reply to the masterpiece he sent me way back in March in his famous 'olde worlde' hand.
I didn't wake up until 10. Sat with boiled eggs and toast reading the hideous Daily Mail, which can be digested in total in three minutes. Why Mama insists upon this shocking paper I will never know.
This afternoon I finished reading the laborious tale of Lillie Langtry's romance with Edward VII. From start to finish I had no interest in the book and but for the fact that I am a captive audience [after all I am bed bound] I would have discarded it days ago.
I phoned Sarah at 2:30 and told her she wouldn't be seeing me again until Monday. 'Keep in touch' were her parting words.
-=-
20200513
Tuesday May 6, 1980
_. I failed to mention yesterday that we stormed the Iranian embassy and freed the hostages, held captive since last Wednesday. We observed the drama on the Makin's telly in Windermere. It was a bit of decent Bank Holiday viewing that put 'Disney Time' and the 'Alan Whicker Special' to shame.
I woke up at 8, and feeling no better, I phoned Sarah with the news that I would not be in the office today. I sat in bed all day reading.
Mum and Dad went out at 5:30 after laying a new pink carpet in the lavatory [it now resembles the Petit Trianon]. Susan made eggs and bacon.
Dave L phoned. He told me that MM and Marita cannot make it to Ally's on May 17. I suppose I will be hearing from them this week. I will write a violent letter to them on the subject.
Ally phoned for a bulletin. I have replaced President Tito as far as medical bulletins are concerned.
-=-
I woke up at 8, and feeling no better, I phoned Sarah with the news that I would not be in the office today. I sat in bed all day reading.
Mum and Dad went out at 5:30 after laying a new pink carpet in the lavatory [it now resembles the Petit Trianon]. Susan made eggs and bacon.
Dave L phoned. He told me that MM and Marita cannot make it to Ally's on May 17. I suppose I will be hearing from them this week. I will write a violent letter to them on the subject.
Ally phoned for a bulletin. I have replaced President Tito as far as medical bulletins are concerned.
-=-
Monday May 5, 1980
_. Bank Holiday in England, N. Ireland, Scotland & Wales.
Suffering from a severe cold. The disease didn't take hold until Ally and I were well on the way to Windermere to spend the day with her parents at the mansion of Frank and Barbara Makin. I could barely focus on the lake and it's beautiful, if crowded, surroundings, due to the constant streaming of mucus.
A pleasant day. Andrew was there with parents. He's 16, and seems insecure.
Home at 11:30. We were held up in Giggleswick by a horrendous car accident. Collapsed in bed wheezing like a fading octogenarian.
-=-
Suffering from a severe cold. The disease didn't take hold until Ally and I were well on the way to Windermere to spend the day with her parents at the mansion of Frank and Barbara Makin. I could barely focus on the lake and it's beautiful, if crowded, surroundings, due to the constant streaming of mucus.
A pleasant day. Andrew was there with parents. He's 16, and seems insecure.
Home at 11:30. We were held up in Giggleswick by a horrendous car accident. Collapsed in bed wheezing like a fading octogenarian.
-=-
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
-
Moorhouse Inn I have the most disgusting hangover I have perhaps ever experienced. Ally too lay whimpering beneath the quilt and refused to...
-
I have just been summoned to thee bathroom by Susie who is sitting in a hot bath in complete darkness. "Michael, the bulb's just go...