New Moon
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.
-=-
 |
| The Family. |
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.
-=-
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.
-=-
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?
-=-
You aren't getting much today. In fact you're getting nothing at all. It is the festive season after all.
-=-
Ally came to Leeds to deliver a contract and met me at 2pm. We went to Da Mario's for food. I had a panzerotti and she had a lasagne. Mine was brill.
Life would be such fun if Ally worked in Leeds. She went shopping afterwards and picked me up at 5. She managed to get rid of her awkward present buying.
-=-
4th Sunday in Advent
Thick snow falling throughout. It's OK for the likes of Bing Crosby but he doesn't have to shift the bleedin' stuff, does he?
We have the table set, the cocktail cherries ready and expect a nil turnout because of the weather but not so. We had a flickering fire, enough booze to sink a ship, and Ally looking like a debutante from the 1950s.
The first guest to arrive was Mary Moore from across the road. She is a splendidly eccentric spinster who tells us that for a bet she once swam across Dover Harbour on Christmas day. It was too cold she says, because she wasn't properly greased. Others arrived. Cousin Jackie was followed by Sarah and Trevor [unbelieveably] and then the family. A real shindig. Quite perfect. Dad had to dig the car out and he and Mum came with Lynn, Dave and Frances. Jacq & Paul, Karen and Steve, Dave L, Hilda and Tony the last to arrive and the last to leave.
-=-
 |
| Dickensian? |
A bright, crisp, and almost Dickensian day. Send for Nicholas Nickleby.
Back at Club Street I inserted the new battery and, as if by divine intervention, old Norman from across the road came staggering past and he took an immediate interest in Audrey's spark plugs, and he fiddled around helpfully. He gave life to the hapless vehicle. I am eternally in his debt. How can we thank him? He walked away in the deep snow with a look of my dear Uncle Albert stamped all over him.
Ally and I to Morrison's. Spend a king's ransom on party food. On to Lazenby's at 11pm. [Tony] Harney was violently sick and collapsed in the bathroom. Otherwise a quiet party. Home at 2am.
-=-
Snow abounds. Christiana Ross was born this day in 1865. To the YP as usual. I have yet to make editor.
Audrey wouldn't start and so we resolved to buy a new car battery tomorrow. We sat watching TV quite calmly knowing full well that we are about to wave goodbye to £22.
-=-
We intended going out tonight to buy food for our Christmas party, but we couldn't dig the car out to go to Morrison's. The battery is flat [again], and the snow doesn't help. We sat with long faces grumpily eating fish and chips.
Ally has received a Christmas card from the Pinders addressed to Miss Alison Dixon.
-=-
Snow and Poland. Little else.
The snow delayed my journey and I didn't get home until 7:45pm. Coronation Street was in full swing when I fell through the door blue with cold and shaking with rage. I had been stood outside the YP for an hour, and the temperature on the clock there proclaimed 21F.
 |
| Club St or Gstaad? |
For the first time in many years the River Aire has frozen in Leeds. Some say that it last froze over in 1963, and you always get one who throws in 1947. I certainly never remember anything quite like it.
We dined on spaghetti. She was worried about me. I've never been so late home. Not like _____ who only returns home to his wife when the pub closes.
Dad phoned asking for his car battery charger. His car is having trouble now. No way can we dig out the car and drive over. Club Street looks like Gstaad.
After thawing in front of the TV we retired to bed.
-=-
