Sunday May 23, 1982

 Sunday after Ascension

Stayed late in bed. Up and moved bottles to the cellar. We consumed 30 bottles on Friday! Damp and humid. Didn't go out to paint the back windows until after 4. Had lamb for dinner.

Ally watched a ridiculous Agatha Christie film based on the book 'Ten Little Niggers', but no doubt due to pressure from the likes of Lord Scarman it 's now 'Ten Little Indians'. Pathetic.

Watched an interview with the Duke of Edinburgh on the BBC at 10:30. Such silly questions. 'What's your opinion of the Crucifixion, Sir?' Does the BBC think he's the bloody Pope? And on the subject of the Pope I'm saying nothing. The devious little man has apparently deferred his decision on whether to come to Britain in June, handing over the responsibility to our RC bishops. Talk about Pontius Pilate. This pontiff may be the darling of the media, but I have my doubts.

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Saturday May 22, 1982

 Hideous. Up at 10. Gave coffee to the two Davids and 'Knocker', and they left at 11 looking worse for wear. We took Glynnie to Leeds and said goodbye at 1pm. On to Valley Road to see poor Timothy, who was encased in pot. On to see Auntie Mabel. Her friend Eveline Falkingham died on Tuesday. She was very upset, but looks at it in the right way. 'We all have to go one day'. Poor Mabel. She's all alone again. Auntie took us to Pudsey Market and Safeways, or somewhere, and we bought kidneys and bits of dead sheep. Home for the evening knackered.

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Friday May 21, 1982

 Ally is twenty four today. I was awake at 6 feeling festive and not wishing to return to the land of nod. We squealed with delight like children. I brought a tray upstairs  with boiled eggs and toast and a bottle of fizz [Pomagne]. Ally opened presents. I gave her the Soft Cell LP 'Non Stop Erotic Cabaret' and Simple Minds 'Promised You a Miracle' plus mounds of toiletry requisites for the bath and under arms, and blue plastic earrings &c. The book 'Therese Raquin' by Zola and Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun'. Bessie sent £10 and Mum a fiver.

To Guiseley and stole Mum's glasses for the party. On to Leeds and spent three hours in the shops. Hideous. Nowhere could she find size three shoes.

Met Glynnie at 3 after a swift one in Jacomelli's. Went to Da Mario's running through torrential rain. We sheltered on the way in Dacre Son & Hartley and saw Jacq.

Home at 5. Glynnie advised Ally on the making of her Quiche Lorraine. Glynnie and I went out to the mysterious Staircase Bar where he expected to find tarts but in fact the place is full of aquaria and OAPs. We left at 8 disappointed. Ally, a bombshell in a new blue mini-dress and blue earrings. Tragedy struck though when Karen phoned to say that Tim had fallen off a roof in York and had broken his leg. He and Jill didn't materialise.

Guests: Sue, Pete, Lynn, Dave, Glynnie, Dave & Elaine Allinson, Karen, Steve, Di, Paul, with some friends, Jacq, Jackie, Barry [who was violently sick], Dave L and 'Knocker' Knowles, his 17 year-old friend, who wore a suit, and looked like President Galtieri.  ___________. Dave L gave Ally fireworks which he wanted to ignite at 1am, but we refused to let him. 'Knocker' played all my records with typical teenage bravado, and his presence irritated Ally. Sadly, my reports of parties are always bitty because I recall very little. Glynnie was with Sue all night ~ they are very close. He took to his bed at 3am to escape Dave and 'Knocker' and the idiotic conversation.

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Thursday May 20, 1982

 Ascension Day

To the Co-op. Bought party food and then set to making a party. I made a mackerel pâté. Ally thought about a quiche lorraine but decided to leave it until tomorrow. Re-arranged the chairs, selected the music, squirted cream onto trifles until almost midnight.

I read with interest an article in today's Times by Robert Muldoon the New Zealand PM. It is sickening to think that such a good spirit talks such sense from the southern hemisphere when people at home like Michael Foot and Tony Benn would desert the Falklands and creep away from British territory as if it didn't matter. The Labour party members should be forcibly deported to the South Atlantic. Bed after 12.

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Wednesday May 19, 1982

 Sarah worries who will pay the mortgage when Trevor is called upon to sail with the Task Force to the South Atlantic. ________.

Ally ran a gauntlet of pickets at Chestnut House. Both NUPE and COHSE are grousing about pay and Ally, not being a member of either union, is stuck in the middle. She waited at the office with a few of the girls until a suitably sized 'task force' was assembled and then they marched through 'the big men with sticks' to the safety of the works department. Sit over dinner tonight listening to Ally's dramatic account of the latest industrial dispute.

'Coronation Street'. Ally put Jacobean wood dye on the front [and indeed only] door. The rain prevented a show of labour on my part.

Mum and Dad arrived in Portorož, Yugoslavia, today.

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Tuesday May 18, 1982

 Ally spoke to Bessie, in lieu of Frank, and they talked about the tattooed kitchen man. Frank was out at Rotary Club  and couldn't speak before 11. Ally cannot possibly stay awake so long. He has taken a close look at Kitchen Studios, and when he is satisfied all is well we'll have to go ahead. £1600 isn't too much, is it? __________.

Monday May 17, 1982

 Stephen Sanderson is twenty four today. He phoned this evening asking us to join them for drinks at the Stansfield Arms, Apperley Bridge. We went. The barmaid was stone deaf and the place cold and unfriendly. Steve wanted to move on to the George and Dragon but we had to wait for Tony, who was in a meeting. Hilda came in with Jill and Tim. Discussed the Falklands. Steve says they'll never land [the British that is], but I hold the view that the prime minister will not call a halt now. Hilda told me of their visit to Buckingham Palace where Diane received a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, not from HRH's hands, but he was present. Hilda says Prince Philip is only a tiny man. I'm sure he's 5' 10ins, or even more. On to the George & Dragon and then back to Wilsby where we admired Tony's parabolic archway separating the dining and sitting rooms. Home at 12.

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Sunday May 16, 1982

 Rogation Sunday

Unable to get out of bed until after 2pm. Ally kept coming into the bedroom and looking solemnly down at me. She was making busy downstairs and eventually I struggled down and played with some paint on the windows. At 6:30 a horrbile little man bedecked in tattoos came in and talked about making us a new kitchen. It was a far cry from Kitchen Studios. He made a pitiful drawing and went away leaving us despondent. It is going to cost us £2,000.

Mum and Dad left for Yugoslavia on a coach at 7:30am and they are staying somewhere in France tonight.

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Saturday May 15, 1982

 Went into town and bought baby Christopher a china mug and egg cup from Rackham's. I painted before going into Bradford, and again afterwards. To Guiseley at 6:30 and sat with large whiskies in jovial spirits with Mum & Dad. The subject of John and Maria was only lightly touched upon ________. On to see Sue and Peter. Sue wearing a mini skirt. Peeped at the baby. A gathering of both clans ~ including Pamela and the elderly Peter. Much drink. Home at a disgusting hour.

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Friday May 14, 1982

 Took a half day and climbed up the ladder to paint the window frames, much to the curiosity of my neighbours. Ally came home for salad sandwiches at lunchtime and we had a great pile of them. She was home again at 4:30 and I painted until 8. We went out at 9 to buy fish and chips on Duckworth Lane.

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Thursday May 13, 1982

Bought birthday presents for Ally at lunchtime, and got paints from Lewis's. This evening to the Co-op ~ devoid of all human life ~ and we walked around the aisles in a state of unease contemplating the possibility that perhaps there is an anthrax outbreak which we haven't heard of.

Had sausages at home, and put our feet up. Ally, overcome by tiredness, went to bed leaving me watching the end of a thriller.

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Wednesday May 12, 1982

 YP, dull. Home, bright. Piggy and I sat watching TV this evening.  A ghastly film starring Mark Lester ~ 'The Prince and the Pauper'. Shocking. And the final part of 'Woman in White'. We sat on the sofa disapproving, eating chocolate and drinking coffee. Mark Twain and Wilkie Collins cannot be lying at ease in their graves after tonight's TV offering. Ally has been weakening for sweets lately and I was despatched to the corner shop, where the tatty woman, clutching at least three babies, handed over the provisions.

Mum and Dad go to Yugoslavia on Sunday and they have yet to hear from John [that is since May 5].

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Tuesday May 11, 1982

 Ally moved to Chestnut House from Daisy Bank and rid herself of the hideous Gillian and can now mix with normal women. She was beginning to go insane, you know. 

Painted the house and took a bath. Ally sat studiously watching the International Young Musician of the Year Award on the BBC. I believe an effeminate West German youth won playing Mendelssohn [sic]. Nothing other than peaceful domesticity reigned this evening. ____________.

Falklands: Mrs Thatcher is battling on and sticking firmly to her principles.

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Monday May 10, 1982

 It's going to be brief. YP nothing. Told the EP that a daughter of the Duke of Norfolk is going to marry, and the newsdesk gave me £2.50 for the tip. Phoned Mum who is back on her feet and shrugging off suggestions to go to hospital for an x-ray. Very naughty of her.

This evening I took myself up a ladder and poked about in the gutters. Ally bought a pot of grey undercoat and I deposited it with some success upon the bare wood.

Watched 'Minder' at 9 and went to bed afterwards. 

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Sunday May 9, 1982

 4th Sunday after Easter

Frank and Bessie left after 11, and Frank promised to look into Kitchen Studios and let me know his thoughts in the week. Bessie wanted to stay in Yorkshire. She looked sickened. We sat twiddling our thumbs after and decided to go and see Mum and Dad for a crisis conference on John and Maria. At Guiseley we found Mum tucked up in bed with her gall bladder thing again and the doctor pacing around. It was touch and go whether she should go into hospital, but the doctor decided against it. Poor Mum. We left her sleeping.

Dad was in a state about John and was sat almost tearful.

On to Burley-in-W and had a roof rack fitted to Audrey so that we could go back to Pine Tops and collect Dad's ladder. Frances was having a bath like a pink, wet angel. Lynn wouldn't be drawn on John's plight and I decide it must be a subject that isn't included in her list for the day. David was very helpful and he took me into the garage and heaped tackle on me. Poor devils, they are taking Henry and Audrey's caravan to Wales in July.

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Saturday May 8, 1982

 A day with Frank and Bessie. Much activity. After a large breakfast we went off in the BMW  and found ourselves at Starbotton for luncheon which went down very nicely. We didn't see Mrs Heap which is a relief because I feel uncomfortable meeting people who have recently lost someone. Afterwards we drove to Skipton and trudged around the shops and took tea in a room above the bustle of the market. Bessie is a comedienne.

Back to Bradford for 5 and had big gins and talked about kitchens. Frank is very dubious about Kitchen Studios and think they should be looked into before we spend £1500. However, Frank doesn't think the price is too steep.

Frank and Bessie took us out to dinner at the Pizza House on Sunbridge Road. Excellent. I had lasagne, trout and Peach Melba. Ally had veal in a garlic sauce, Frank chicken. Home at 12 all jolly and bloated.

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Friday May 7, 1982

Bessie: scatty.

 A half day. Home at 1pm. I met Ally at Barclay's Bank and paid in a cheque for £10. To the bakers and the Co-op and back home for 1:30. I spoke to Papa on the phone. He is upset about John and Maria _______. He pleaded with John to seek legal advice. ______. In the midst of our chat Frank and Bessie arrived and so I put the phone down. Frank dropped Bessie with us and then changed and went off to Liverpool to the leaving party of a former colleague. We entertained Bessie to dinner ~ chicken. She is very scatty and told us that we are all well provided for should they come a cropper on the M5. During dinner we played Debussy and Eric Clapton. I think Bessie preferred the piano. Frank came back pissed at 1am. He'd been drinking champagne and he sat swinging his legs on the 'breakfast bar'.

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Thursday May 6, 1982

Walked into town with Sarah and lingered in Boots buying ale [for home brew] and smelly bottles of lotion for Ally's coming birthday. A dismal day. Poor John's news is like a nightmare and all day I've been thinking of him.

This evening we went to Morrison's and spent half an hour hiding from the  ______ behind the frozen peas and Weetabix. They didn't see us but it was a close shave.

Afterwards we made pigs of ourselves eating fish and chips and looking at the television. Richard Griffiths in a play, but no Robin Day because he's got pneumonia. I cannot tolerate Ludovic Kennedy. To bed quite done in.  

Wednesday May 5, 1982

 Mum phoned tonight in a highly emotional state to say she had just heard from Scotland that John and Maria are to part. It is a shock. She had phoned John to talk about the loss of the Grassington guest house [which has gone to a man with cash], and she spoke to Maria first, who sounded quite normal. They are selling the [Corner House] cottage. _____________.

To bed with sombre faces.

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Tuesday May 4, 1982

 A terrible day. YP gruesome. Kathleen will not be drawn on the Falklands anymore. She is as spineless as Wedgwood Benn. Sarah was dull. 

Home at 6. We had fish fingers and watched Thora Hird on the TV.

Horror. The 9 o'clock news: the little Ministry of Defence spokesman came on looking particularly sour and announced the loss of HMS Sheffield and a Harrier jump jet. Oh God. It seems the Sheffield was bombed and was abandoned after the fire could not be controlled. Ally was close to tears thinking of the poor sailors in the freezing South Atlantic. We haven't lost a ship since the last world war. I hope the Commons remain firmly behind Mrs Thatcher and don't coward out. To bring the boys home now will mean that all the lives of the Sheffield's lost crew will have been wasted in vain. Went to bed and listened to John Nott on the radio saying that maybe thirty have died.

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Monday May 3, 1982

 Bank Holiday in UK

To the YP. Town was like one of those gold prospecting towns in the wild west forty years after the gold rush had died. The only thing missing was the blowing brushwood. Felt as though I was the only person heading out to work. 'To Labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing we do thy will. Amen'.

At the office at 9 o'clock and found that we had sunk the General Belgrano, the Argentine's biggest thing afloat. Splendid work. The prime minister is the best we've had since Lord Palmerston. Phoned Ally. 'Nicholas and Alexandra' was on TV.

Home at 5:30. We had mince in suet but the electric hob thing packed in mid-way and our dinner was a prolonged and bitty affair. Back to the crockpot once again. Dear old Florence Nason gave the electric rings to Sue & Pete in 1980 when they bought West End Terrace.

Ally looked tired and miserable. A man came to the door and asked me to vote Conservative on Thursday. The poor chap, the candidate called Lewis, doesn't stand a chance.

Watched Lesley Anne Down in a dreadful TV film of Agatha Christie's 'Murder is Easy'. Buggered, to bed.

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