Thursday July 11, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Uncle Peter called in for lunch. I gave him a pint and a bowl of pie and peas. He says that when Dad phoned him to tell him that Mum had died he just sat down on his stairs and sobbed his heart out. Julie is to marry Steven Dean (?) in August 1986. Off he went boisterous as ever at 1:30. 

This evening we made a pilgrimage to Sam Smith's brewery. 32 of us. John and Janette came at 5:30, and Marlene followed at 6 but Samuel refused to go to bed , and squealed like a scrubbed pig. Ally didn't like leaving poor Marlene with our naughty son. All to Tadcaster by coach (£50) and to the Angel & White Horse. It was a brewery excursion lasting an hour or so followed by samples, free ones, in the cellars. In the cellar Janette explained that she'd spoken to someone at the Clarendon Wing who told her that the baby can take the surname Rhodes, if the father agrees. It was back up to the Angel after looking at wooden barrels. Good food. Saw Ronnie Simpson with a broken arm received playing cricket. Home at 11:30 after much merriment. Sat with Marlene, John and Janette. A few drinks. Bed very late. Ally did the tills as we sat and watched. We squabbled about the NHS, and the chatter turned to Mum.

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Wednesday July 10, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Hilda phoned. We went to Pudsey and had a sandwich with Rob (at the Butcher's). We went by bus (Samuel's first taste of public transport. The car is away until tomorrow morning), and we walked from the Butcher's Arms to St James's Crescent. Sam enjoyed his afternoon. Coffee at Wilsby. Jill was with Hilda looking close to confinement. Sam played in the garden there. So many generations have played on that sloping lawn. Back for 5:30. Janette phoned. She came out of hospital on Monday. We are the last to know.

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Tuesday July 9, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Me and a rusting Mandy.

MM & Marita came at 5:30 with Samuel's mattress. We sat at the lounge bar swilling lager until 10:45. The Matthewses talk of buying a nine bedroom hotel at Scarborough for £90,000. This seems reasonable. They are driving a Maestro. Ally wants one. Our car, Mandy, is very old now. She is an X-reg and is beginning to rust. She will have to go. Karen Hudson suggests I take my test in my own vehicle, but the (mini) metro is too pokey and box-like. I'd prefer to be in Karen's. Besides, Mandy's speedo has packed in. All this mechanical talk must be stunning you after years of silence on the subject of our transport. Janet worked. To bed pissed. Goodnight.

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Monday July 8, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Very warm. Went driving at 4:30. I went for it like a bull at a gate. She (Karen H) is forever asking me to slow down.

Ally went to see Janette who told her she might be out of hospital tonight. We expected John, but he didn't appear. 

Phoned Ken Gilbertson to finalise our remaining holidays for '85. We are taking twelve days from September 19 and a week from November 21. No plans about destinations as yet. 

The decorators are booked for next week to do the outside work. MM & Marita are bringing Samuel's single mattress tomorrow at 5:30.

Graham J. Dixon appeared at 5:30 and Ally brought Sam down to see his uncle. He stayed an hour before bombing off to see Anthony.

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Sunday July 7, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

5th Sunday after Trinity

Warm. Very Busy. Bruce Springsteen was singing at Roundhay Park and we had a few concert goers in our midst at luncheon. How they found us God only knows. He has a large following, so they say (Springsteen that is, not God). I am not one of them. I cannot name a single thing he has 'crooned'. Come back Al Bowlly, all is forgiven.

John appeared at 2pm with JPH and Catherine. Ally and I did the lunchtime session without staff and managed well. J fixed a leaking pipe and then they went to see Janette. We had roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, &c. Samuel is fatter of late. He has the appetite of a small bear.

Dad phoned from Tenby. Pleasantly surprised with the place. He took himself off for a pub crawl on his own.

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Saturday July 6, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Warm. Sun. Dad has gone to Wales with Lynn, David, Chris B and Julie B. I was late up at 8am watering my hanging baskets. Splashed in the tub afterwards. Ally and Samuel left and went to Club St, Linfood, &c. From 10:30am I worked. Marjorie came in, grumpy, and told me she cannot work tomorrow but will do if I insist upon it. She complained about not receiving a rota last week. I told her to have the lunch session off. We can manage. _________. Ally yesterday had a fracas with Teri, the cook, over some trifle, and it looks like we'll be on the hunt for a new assistant next week. Teri said she doesn't like Ally's attitude! _________.

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Friday July 5, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

I now have a hanging basket watering ritual to go through on a daily basis. Hose pipe trailing everywhere. Sam is attempting sentences: "Go down now", "Go see Katie". Dad appeared at 12 . Looking pale. He'd had a two hour drive from Horton. He had a car full of flowers. He gave Ally and enormous bunch, and is taking the rest of them to to cemetery later. He said that Hilda and Tony's visit had been horribly weepy ....___________. 

We had lasagne. Dad, looking forlorn, said he isn't looking forward to his Welsh sojourn. Lynn has banned him from taking bottles of 'home brew' to the caravan citing lack of space. The headstone will be ready for August. The mason is posting Dad a photo of the memorial before it is erected because seeing the lettering can be distressing. 

Janette has been re-admitted to the Clarendon Wing. She went in at 6:30pm yesterday after having had a good telling off from Mr Glass. She is now resigned to it. Ally and Dad went to visit her 3-4pm. I relaxed listening to Santana's 'Abraxas'.__________. 

It was a busy evening again. The third consecutive day of taking over £400. John came here at 8:30 after seeing Janette and stayed until 1am. We stood in the tap room. It's his usual night for going out with Chris and Peter M but they leave for the Lake District tomorrow. Later watched a Hammer horror. To bed. __________.

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