1954 (iv)

[46th page – August/September 1954, in ballpoint]

was Petersfield Market with Marg & family had to carry lunch etc & Ianthe Roger & I went to Denmead Flower show. Sat:  it cleared up about 3 but underfoot was absolutely a quagmire  They had littered the place with straw to help but it was dreadful  considering the weather the exhibits were good.  a very nice turn out in spite of the weather  Nan had no puppies sad to relate.  trying to clear up the mess here & get straight once more  feel Im getting beyond having this place too crowded  old age creeping on I suppose.  Had a very good 61st Birthday on the 8th  a home perm Silvikrin hair tonic 40 cigs “Senior Service” Winter vests. chocs 10/- & 4/- & a drink

26 Aug:  Firstly it’s a most beautiful day.  a cloudless sky & very hot.  may it keep like this for a while  the Farmers will be pleased although for some it must be too late.  I’ve done a whole lot of washing & got it all dry.  must hurry & iron & I’ll be able to air it outside  such a treat that will be.  Im all alone once more   Roger went home last night as he has an outing to Whipsnade Zoo today.  Im am glad the weather is good for them  I took him to Petersfield yesterday & managed to get him a really good stout pair of shoes  they we priced at 68/6 but I got them for 35/-  I hope Joan will be pleased.  Marg: & Girls came in last night  Marg: has heard from the Depot & Im sure shell get a job there soon.  then I hope she’ll be pleased. & not regret giving up “McIlroys” managed to get together a nice bunch of Flowers for sale yesterday  Its so very pleasant here I just love it

Sept 6th  our good weather seems to have forsaken us the farmers have been working day & night to get the harvest in but in some places its impossible  although the days have been good weve had rain as well  now its raining again & a cold south wind blowing  Im hoping it will dry up

[47th page – September1954, in ballpoint]

a bit later this is a month of anniversaries  Joan, David, Derwent & Margs birthday & our wedding 39 years.  we are not doing too bady for Runner beans & marrows  the fruit is no good & the blackberries will not ripen  had a day out Thursday  went to Clanfield to see some Peke’s  then into Waterlooville & into Portsmouth   got Marg & Joan a pair of nylons for their birthdays & bought myself a pr  have never paid so much for a pr of stockings  I trust they will be as good & last as long as they say.  had a quiet week end  no one came to see us  I think Derwent & George had finished renovating a car & they wanted to try it out before putting it up for sale.  an Austin Ruby saloon not large enough for such leggy people as his family   a most notable thing I must mention was last Monday a week ago today  I was in a nice pickle making up my mind to have a clean up right through when Henry arrived  he was the last person I expected to see  however I just pushed things back in position & that was that  Joan & the boys came up in afternoon which pleased Henry very much  Joan went to Winchester for the day on Tues:  I kept the two bigger boys so that she only had Peter.  Henry gave me advice on the fruit trees for which I was very pleased as something must be done about them  now I can get on & do it myself. & trust I’ll have some good results  cant seem to cut my trees successfully so far.

Monday Sept 13.  A very busy week last week  went into Town one day & tried to clean up indoor  Weather still appaling  Friday was terrific wind & rained in torrents  we bought a pullet & Cockerel and had rto get them Sat: so had to work in rain. to get a place ready for our own cockerels  now the wretched Stupid Birds will not go into the house at night  Goodness knows what’ll we’ll do

[48th page – September/October 1954, in ballpoint]

Dick had the day off last Wed & we went to South Parade Pier in the afternoon & saw the final for the Bathing Belle of Southsea   a School girl of 16 got it  personally I dont think the under 18’s should be allowed to compete.  the sun is shining today quite a treat but doesn’t look as tho its going to last  its very cold at night  we’ve already had Frosts in August  had the Sheldrake come in unexpectedly yesterday  I wonder what they really thought of this place  we were in a nice old mess indoors  we were struggling to get as much done in the Garden in between the showers  am buying an all night burning fire this week.  it will save a lot of cleaning & lighting in the morning besides keeping the place warm all the time  Richard came up Sat: in his school clothes to show us what he looked like in long Trousers.  really looked very smart

Sept 23rd  Weather has been kinder dry & warm during day but very cold at night with Frost.  very windy as well today but it’s a treat to have the sun Monday I met Dick at Road House  had lunch there & then went round shops & Dick bought me another wedding ring so that I look as though I belong to some one (in his own words) went to Joan’s to tea being her birthday went for a drink with her & came straight home both Nan & Loo were thrilled to see us return & whilst I was trying to keep Loo from Laddering my stockings Nan bounding up & knocked me in the same eye as the Cockerels had damaged  therefore I have a very Black eye

Oct 8th  Have just lit fire for the first time although we’d had to have radiator on its been so cold first thing & last thing at night but the weather has certainly been dryer but its trying to rain this morning & very cold  went in to Portsmouth & visited Freddie & Chris Ford  they are living at Doyle Court a

[49th page – October/November 1954, in ballpoint]

very nice flat they’ve got.  hadn’t time to go to Margaret but would have made time had I know that Ianthe has hurt her foot  Dick says Derwent said she’d fractured a bone in her foot.  went to Mrs Oliver to tea Wednesday  she has got a grapevine for me to collect a little later.  so must get ground prepared  can’t think where to put it  difficulty is I havent a South Wall here  I’ve concreted a path in front of Balcony I think I’ll have to make a place for it the South Side of Shed.  We lost one of the Cockerels. died on us.  pleased to say others are OK. but we’ll be real glad when Xmas comes & I can get rid of them   no more cocks for me   greedy awkward silly things  ah the sun is coming out so I must away.  I seem to have had a week out  went with the “Bird in Hand” coach to visit a Pub in Gosport not too bad could have been better.  I would like to have a day in London & see the new film projection “Cinerama”  one is suppose to be in the film itself with all the thrills  its means a fiver for us both to go   however will see
[now in pencil]
Nov 9th 54
Nothing worth writing of  had the boys & girls up here for their half term holidays & have been feeling very sick  the weather has been wet & Cod & hot in spells  today is absolutely beautiful  sun shining clear sky & no wind & its warm  nature seems to be at sixes & seven.  Sparrow feeding theire young out on the Lawn  this morning I could hardly believe my eyes  I also picked some huge Raspberry the size of strawberries  still have gladioli in bud & bloom.  – lots of things that shouldn’t be.  Im hoping that this will continue so that the ground will dry up  its soaking at present

10th  Sad to relate its raining & windy & cold

12th  Appalling two days  at present its trying  to dry up  Flooding everywhere not only in England but overseas as well