1954 (iii)

[42nd page – April 1954, in pencil]

so went over with him & prospective buyer. to make sure of the measurements  really sorry I sold it but this here is better.  done a gardening competition yesterday  lay out a new garden  £25 1st prize  would like to get it & we’d have a Greenhouse.  I want Dick to get some money on the Provident Policy or surrender it  it doesn’t mature till 57 but I feel a bit of money now we need it will be better than waiting till I’ve at least half killed myself trying to get all  done.  however I cant do ity myself as its in Dicks name but he cant see it like me  maybe hes right but I dont think so  I’d give a lot to have that money at hand  I really feel so tired & ill at times its hardly worth going on  however another few years & I feel I will be finished and anyone then can enjoy the money I’ve saved. & it has been a worry to get that money together at Times  I say this now if I have my time over again it would be very different in lots of ways  Im invited out to tea tomorrow & then go on to the Crystal Palace Hotel where there is a Dog Match  I saw in last nights paper The Manor House Buriton is to be preserved as of National Interest.  I think it’s a very nice old & I love my old bedroom where I sleep when visiting although its supposed to be Haunted no one worried me.  now for the garden  I just do love it.

April 14th  Have been very busy  put in the first Early last week Peas & Lettuce yesterday   I had  a demonstration with a motor mower.  very nice but one needs £48 odd.  then in the Evening Capt Shakespear brought over his wee tractor a “Monrotiller” & rough up some garden for us  jolly decent of him I think it will make a great difference to us when we dig  he has loosen up the heavy stuff. & if we would let him hed come back & do it over a second & third time but we

[43rd page – April, June 1954, in pencil]

just cannot let him  he has such a lot of his own garden to do  a very nice couple they are & thoughtful

April 28th  W’hew!  A very busy Easter  had all the Kids here  the weather was dry & still is but oh so very cold except in a shelter spot in the sun  hard Frosts every night  the ground is so dry it hardly workable. but we’ve not done too badly but unless we get rain everything will be stunted or die  The Farmers are praying for rain  it overcast this morning but still that keen N.E wind that’s no good to man or beast  I’m feeling miserable with the cold & wind  Richard & Roger has been a great help in the Garden.  they started school this morning & Joan her new school in Portsmouth  I do hope it’s a happy school for her. 

May gone and this is the 18 June.  and oh how cold I feel  a very heavy day  Had children here all Whit Holiday then Dick Birthday  he was lucky every one brought his gran a Pipe  rather a nice one fr Richard & Roger who were disappointed they couldn’t get him a “meechum”  Grace & David were also here  David brought them down  & stayed over the Whitsun  went back Whit Monday evening left Grace & David here for the week then Came & fetched them Rained all the time enough to drive one mad.  Now Peter has mumps & Joan wants me to have him next week.  Im feeling very tired & feel I need someone to give me a change. for once.  the ground is so wet one Cannot garden  Derwent has finished chicken house and we are getting 12, 8 week old bird this week end  another job for me I’ll guarantee. & I hate doing chickens  they all know it but it makes no difference  its only me  Im feeling very tired & sad but why worry  I’ll get over it & if I dont I’ll get under it

June 25th  Had Peter here all last week  he is a very nice child well behaved & quite a smiler   he had a (super) time in his own words.  I’m glad to be alone so that I can clean up & not have to bother about meals etc. & I can I hope 

[44th page – June/July 1954, in pencil and ballpoint]

finish getting in my Flower plants  the weather is still very unsettled.  Flaming one minute & freezing the next  Miriam Wells that was is in Hosp: so I picked some roses & sent her.  I wonder if I’ll get a reply.  Richard has passed his exam for the Grammar School.  I wonder if Ianthe has  we’ll know today when Father see Derwent  we are borrowing £100 from the Bank instead of surrendering the £400 Policy which is due in 3 yrs. so we can get the necessary things for the Garden  our chickens are growing fast

[now in blue ball-point]
July 12th 8 AM.  must write here whilst I think of it  got up at 5.15 this morning  done my washing & can now clear up after Dick having 4 days off.  we’ve got an overdraft from the Bank for £100 so have invested in a motor mower& have bought Dick a long needed raincoat  gone off to work this morning quite pleased with himself  I had a day in Portsmouth Sat: with Joan & quite enjoyed myself going around the new shop that has been rebuilt  my only purchases being 4lb Dog meat & the raincoat  got off at the “Bird in Hand Pub” at 9.50pm. just in time to have a Guinness.  Marg & the Girls came up yesterday.  Der busy reassembling an old car.  they have their Hols on the 9 Aug: & hope to come here but Im wondering if it will be poss: with Nan if she has puppies  never have I known such weather  its still very unsettled on Tues very very cold  on the 6th I believe it was we have a ground frost & one night a freak storm hail stones. that had collected in a shelter spot had formed a block of ice which was photographed the following morning    although we did have lots of apples & pears. there is scarcely any now  doesn’t seem to have affected the Plums those trees are loaded  managed to bottle some Gooseberries  the Blackcurrant hasent [?] ripened very quickly  digging our own potatoes thank Goodness & have sold 2 dozen lettuce & 5/- worth of flowers  hope to continue doing a little selling now.  Im quite thrilled

[45th page – July/August 1954, in ballpoint]

July 26th  Terrible weather wind & rain very heavy beating every thing down.  thank goodness we have invested in a motor mower so that we haven’t got to worry how hard its going to be doing the lawns  the grass is about the only thing doing well.  other stuff such as Peas Bean & marrow like this weather but the ground is absolutely sodden.  another Gale warning just being broadcast to shipping  this is “Goodwood” week & we are supposed to be going on Wed: but if this weather continues we shall forfeit our seats  “Nan” should be producing her puppies next week this time si I’ll be tied to the place for a while  have got the standing order for 5/- Flowers every Wed: but with this weather Im wondering if I’ll be able to keep it up.  the rain & wind spoils them for picking but we hope for the best.

July 29th  First & formost is this weather never can I remember such a long cold wet spell for Summer  yesterday we went to “Goodwood Races”  it was so cold that Dick put on his winter pants [?] & I think everyone was in the winter cloths macks & fur coats was the dress with fur lined Boots.  I’ve never known my own hands go dead & absolutely blue with the cold  a terrific wind with it  today is not quite so bad still very unsettled & cloudy& when the sun goes in its bitter  for the first time T Goodwood I came back with more than I went so that cheered a bit  we left the party at Horndean & took a bus home after having a nice tea in Petersfield other wise it would have meant a very late return.  they were going on to Rowlands Castle to a pub.  manage another 5/- worth of flowers in spite of weather

Aug 23rd  Since writing last Marg Der & Children stayed for 10 days.  The weather appalling rain Thunder & Frost  so what!  today is very nice at present but its becoming Cloudy.  Joan Roger & Peter came a couple of days. Richard being at scouts Camp.  Roger is still with me.  the only outing’s weve had