Today is Brexit day so I decided to see if my Grandma had commented on the moment we joined the EU, it is the first time I have really looked at what her collection consists of and realise really they are only a few years and they do not go back that far. It seems that they really are a creation of her very old age (she was 90 when she died) I think she might well have been a blogger though had they been around. There are 7 actual diaries and then a number of notebooks packed with her thoughts mainly on the weather, her sister and her ailments. She underlines regularly too regularly for me to include, uses capitals in slightly odd places and likes her exclamation marks as much as I do!!.
We joined the EU January 1st 1974. Her first diary that I have is 1962 - the diary entries for Jan 2/3 are a bit painful, but on January 1st 1962 she just notes Snow and Frost - judging by the entries for Jan 2/3 that might be a comment on relations between her and my mother, her daughter, or about the weather!
Her first entry in the next diary 1968 was Pay Rise £8 - 10. Tax now 27/-.
31 Dec 1974- Ear Test St Mary's.
2nd February 1976.
27 Dec 1976 very cold 28 very cold. Went to Kingston Crescent for Olive to say farewell to Len. 29 Dec Harry came 4.15 Albert was already here. Letter from Helen to Olive. Len Cremation. Porchester. Olive/Albert - Harry. E and F in own car.
2 January 1978 Met Mrs Sherwan and Mrs H and Tucker, former came back for tea.
30 December 1979 Very cold, but sunny. Called on Lilly 12 noon, no reply. Sat on sea front for a while. Dull afternoon and evening did some reading not good for my eyes.
And on this day all those years ago -
Saturday 29 March.1980 Little shopping. Deb a.g. Tesco pm. very dull day and still strong wind. Telephone connections April 10th.
Wednesday 29 1978 cold still windy very
Tuesday 29 1977, did not go out cold.
Monday 29 1976 Head pain troubling some time
Sat 29 1975 Sunny all day but very cold. Y J and Jennie at Lyme Regis (was that because of my mum's interest in the French Lieutenant's Woman) Len not well.
Thursday 28 March 1968 Y and Jennifer came.
Thursday 29 March 1968. Still nothing from Babs or A ring Win? Wrote J.G.
I of course know who many of these people are so find these bare entries quite poignant. I once thought of being a meteorologist - and my gran definitely seemed obsessed by the weather.
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Sunday March 28th 1982.
If I had not have been defrauded, I would be the owner of a property in Portugal by now and my son would have a permanent home. As it was when I suddenly lost my deposit on another property, I halted the Iberian purchase in case I lost all my money. I did not know what was going on. The consequences of my disastrous business deal with Mr Banjo still roll on as I try and work out whether to try again to buy with my son or give up and move nearer family.
Reading my grandmother's diary and remembering her many run ins with her sister, I can see that this is not always the charming solution it promises to be.
Police car outside when I came into lunch. No sing of policeman route enquiries at Guest House maybe, fat girl and boys often lounging in gateway. How I wish they had never come - Dustbin out back "alley" looks like mine but I cannot see no on it plainly - my colour paint but bin itself looks wrong dirty and paint round top edges sure I never did that, cannot get rid of fish smell (fried cods soft roes (tinned) have been scouring round everywhere with hot water and disinfectant in case I've dropped a piece and cannot see it - not good for my hands!!!
Monday March 29th. Clocks went on yesterday !! I did not know thought my clock had lost 1 hour. Elsie verifeid my Dust Bin was not in, so I just had to push Olive's stones away from door (it is too swollen to shut) and bring the Dust Bin in. Olive might have been decent and brought it in more often than not over the years I have always put out and broought in both bins!! Apparently someone had reported next door (Guest House) for obstruction in back passage hence the Police!! It is all clear now and painted white and smart and my Dust Bin was out since Thursday last. Wonder if police called while I was out (carrying my rubbish to public litter bin! I have to do this every few days I have to do this every few days as I cannot get at my Dust Bin what a life at 85 years I do not always want to go out! leg really bad still swollen from fall weeks ago and right shin still bleeding a bit and oozing will not heal - silly enough to knock left leg again indoors!! on wood corner of small settee if I only money I could have everything well upholstered and padded my eyes do not see except straight ahead with these glasses but I ought to know where everything is, its frightening colder today rain hair - sunshine - Floods in Australia's Alice Spring area first for 10 years (first rain)
Tuesday March 30th cold and dull, sun tries to appear! No post I do want to know that Helen arrived home safely, think she was going to Nic's Sunday so may have news of them all later on hope Helen gets a good job soon otherwise she will brood.
*****************
At 62 I do not always want to go out and the many bins are the bane of my life and many others so nothing changes in that sense, but I cannot imagine the police attending to that nowadays.
Reading my grandmother's diary and remembering her many run ins with her sister, I can see that this is not always the charming solution it promises to be.
Police car outside when I came into lunch. No sing of policeman route enquiries at Guest House maybe, fat girl and boys often lounging in gateway. How I wish they had never come - Dustbin out back "alley" looks like mine but I cannot see no on it plainly - my colour paint but bin itself looks wrong dirty and paint round top edges sure I never did that, cannot get rid of fish smell (fried cods soft roes (tinned) have been scouring round everywhere with hot water and disinfectant in case I've dropped a piece and cannot see it - not good for my hands!!!
Monday March 29th. Clocks went on yesterday !! I did not know thought my clock had lost 1 hour. Elsie verifeid my Dust Bin was not in, so I just had to push Olive's stones away from door (it is too swollen to shut) and bring the Dust Bin in. Olive might have been decent and brought it in more often than not over the years I have always put out and broought in both bins!! Apparently someone had reported next door (Guest House) for obstruction in back passage hence the Police!! It is all clear now and painted white and smart and my Dust Bin was out since Thursday last. Wonder if police called while I was out (carrying my rubbish to public litter bin! I have to do this every few days I have to do this every few days as I cannot get at my Dust Bin what a life at 85 years I do not always want to go out! leg really bad still swollen from fall weeks ago and right shin still bleeding a bit and oozing will not heal - silly enough to knock left leg again indoors!! on wood corner of small settee if I only money I could have everything well upholstered and padded my eyes do not see except straight ahead with these glasses but I ought to know where everything is, its frightening colder today rain hair - sunshine - Floods in Australia's Alice Spring area first for 10 years (first rain)
Tuesday March 30th cold and dull, sun tries to appear! No post I do want to know that Helen arrived home safely, think she was going to Nic's Sunday so may have news of them all later on hope Helen gets a good job soon otherwise she will brood.
*****************
At 62 I do not always want to go out and the many bins are the bane of my life and many others so nothing changes in that sense, but I cannot imagine the police attending to that nowadays.
Saturday, 11 March 2017
March 12th 1982.
It has been an unusually busy week, with a meal in a pub with an old friend, to a day's singing and catching up with other singers, I feel shattered but also that I have a life, back in 1982 though my grandma was battling with her sister.
Friday 12th, very heavy rain and wind during night and early morning went shopping fairly early but milkman did not come till after 1 o'clock did washing and used sping Ringse afternoon. Olive came up evening about 5 water board bill and accused me of interfering re trees and I always tried to ruin her life!! Apparently 2 men called Tuesday previously and inspected Back garden. I only enquired about the tree in the front Olive said it would be £10. - I said I'd pay the £10 and she went on about the back garden trees. I only know it is an apple tree and she insisted that I'd asked for back garden? trees to be inspected and clearance of garden which would cost her. I never mentioned back garden to Council men. Apparently 2 men called - one muddy boots stayed outside front door - other man went through house. I was terribly upset about this attack on me and wrote her note (because I new she would not let me talk and shut door in my face) about my only conversation with Council man was tree in front - note was returned unread Saturday or she would have known I was contacting Council man - so I wrote across "Water Board leaflet (left here) that as she could not read she would not know of action I was taking!!. (writing tree man. Sat 13th letter from Helen posted letter to Tree man eyes very bad though sunny but windy day just bought potatoes and apples sat on seat in strand to rest awhile hurt left leg in evening.Sunday 14th slept late; did not go out. slept afternoon rang Helen morning - she at Brian's for day. Early evening attached note from Olive - I was stupefied first I had head of my "broken pipe" where how can I find out! Did not go into Bathroom this morning or run any water off - loo - twice after 9 am. Wish I could remember which day! Probably early Mon? Tuesday? I told Olive of bad smell coming up especially at night when house closed, she said something? had happened in her bathroom combined look all wet and carpet up trying to dry - my heater would not stretch to her point - since then it seemed to have gone but now - today's demand. It may be connected with my "loo" how can I tell - I want to call in Mr Word but he is the man Olive soured with 3 years ago and accused of upsetting her look when adjusting my loo tank! She does not trust the man plumber over the road no 30!!. I immediately went down to see her and assured her I did not and could not know of broken pipe nothing wrong to be seen and that she knew I always call in workman if I know of anything wrong - tried to tell her that since August 7th when our water big was severed by Gas workmen - and even after permanent repair on the Monday she complained of loo water loss and accused me or Elsie next door who had key ( I was out) of letting workmen in who might have meddled with her loo!!!. I had to tell Else as she was implicated and apparently she, Elsie wrote to Olive that no man entered! Olive now denies that any of this happened. (Only weekend till Monday permanent repairs) and the accusation of Elsie and I a made up tale by me!! but of course what I was trying to tell her was that since that time the water drawn both up and downstairs was sounding terribly loud - but strangely it was quieter about a fortnight ago! I wondered if I was deaf! and was going to check with Janet about difference - but she has missed last Monday - holiday due. I'm so worried think I must try to get hold of Mr. Wood.
Friday 12th, very heavy rain and wind during night and early morning went shopping fairly early but milkman did not come till after 1 o'clock did washing and used sping Ringse afternoon. Olive came up evening about 5 water board bill and accused me of interfering re trees and I always tried to ruin her life!! Apparently 2 men called Tuesday previously and inspected Back garden. I only enquired about the tree in the front Olive said it would be £10. - I said I'd pay the £10 and she went on about the back garden trees. I only know it is an apple tree and she insisted that I'd asked for back garden? trees to be inspected and clearance of garden which would cost her. I never mentioned back garden to Council men. Apparently 2 men called - one muddy boots stayed outside front door - other man went through house. I was terribly upset about this attack on me and wrote her note (because I new she would not let me talk and shut door in my face) about my only conversation with Council man was tree in front - note was returned unread Saturday or she would have known I was contacting Council man - so I wrote across "Water Board leaflet (left here) that as she could not read she would not know of action I was taking!!. (writing tree man. Sat 13th letter from Helen posted letter to Tree man eyes very bad though sunny but windy day just bought potatoes and apples sat on seat in strand to rest awhile hurt left leg in evening.Sunday 14th slept late; did not go out. slept afternoon rang Helen morning - she at Brian's for day. Early evening attached note from Olive - I was stupefied first I had head of my "broken pipe" where how can I find out! Did not go into Bathroom this morning or run any water off - loo - twice after 9 am. Wish I could remember which day! Probably early Mon? Tuesday? I told Olive of bad smell coming up especially at night when house closed, she said something? had happened in her bathroom combined look all wet and carpet up trying to dry - my heater would not stretch to her point - since then it seemed to have gone but now - today's demand. It may be connected with my "loo" how can I tell - I want to call in Mr Word but he is the man Olive soured with 3 years ago and accused of upsetting her look when adjusting my loo tank! She does not trust the man plumber over the road no 30!!. I immediately went down to see her and assured her I did not and could not know of broken pipe nothing wrong to be seen and that she knew I always call in workman if I know of anything wrong - tried to tell her that since August 7th when our water big was severed by Gas workmen - and even after permanent repair on the Monday she complained of loo water loss and accused me or Elsie next door who had key ( I was out) of letting workmen in who might have meddled with her loo!!!. I had to tell Else as she was implicated and apparently she, Elsie wrote to Olive that no man entered! Olive now denies that any of this happened. (Only weekend till Monday permanent repairs) and the accusation of Elsie and I a made up tale by me!! but of course what I was trying to tell her was that since that time the water drawn both up and downstairs was sounding terribly loud - but strangely it was quieter about a fortnight ago! I wondered if I was deaf! and was going to check with Janet about difference - but she has missed last Monday - holiday due. I'm so worried think I must try to get hold of Mr. Wood.
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
Having been totally remise re writing up some of these diary entries a project to keep people's diaries has reminded me to do something with my Grandma's diary and makes me think this project maybe somewhere I can eventually deposit her words.
The Great Diary Project.
Sunday dull then sunshine 10 am out afternoon to post letter to Helen, walked the long way home - legs tried.
Monday 8th March 1982. Did not wake early (7.0) not till Olive brougth me up tea 8.30. Sunny all day but cold. Did not go out back very painful again. Janet did not come.
Tuesday dull then sun - heavy rain evening. Awoke from 5 am this morning "Loo" (not sure if this is correct) up before 7 am did feet!! 3 cups of tea! 1.50 out P.O. and little shopping. legs very slow - back still hurting, despite 4 does of aspiraings - nuisance and letter from Elsie.
Wed Sun and shower cold wind put Dustbins out.
Thursday 11 sun and shower again about noon went to "Waitrose" with "trolly" for heavy stuff, not too much and shop as though fairly empty still trying to stitch pocket in my green coat, very difficult to thread needle. Laura called about 4 o'clock, she had cup of tea with me - she is not very well I think - and depressed as well are by old age. Brought Dustbins in - just as well dids left off and rain in them. Next door (37) still dirty and dustbin stuff littered about wish I had a hard broom!!.
The Great Diary Project.
Sunday dull then sunshine 10 am out afternoon to post letter to Helen, walked the long way home - legs tried.
Monday 8th March 1982. Did not wake early (7.0) not till Olive brougth me up tea 8.30. Sunny all day but cold. Did not go out back very painful again. Janet did not come.
Tuesday dull then sun - heavy rain evening. Awoke from 5 am this morning "Loo" (not sure if this is correct) up before 7 am did feet!! 3 cups of tea! 1.50 out P.O. and little shopping. legs very slow - back still hurting, despite 4 does of aspiraings - nuisance and letter from Elsie.
Wed Sun and shower cold wind put Dustbins out.
Thursday 11 sun and shower again about noon went to "Waitrose" with "trolly" for heavy stuff, not too much and shop as though fairly empty still trying to stitch pocket in my green coat, very difficult to thread needle. Laura called about 4 o'clock, she had cup of tea with me - she is not very well I think - and depressed as well are by old age. Brought Dustbins in - just as well dids left off and rain in them. Next door (37) still dirty and dustbin stuff littered about wish I had a hard broom!!.
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