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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