tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52433638577058418332024-02-20T01:44:49.452-08:00Letters From HomeLetters and postcards from my family when I was a student at Manchester Art School and between 1967 and 1970. Also later when I lived in France from 1973 to 1974. Also my diary entries from 1973 -74.Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-63414726372787950282021-08-06T08:11:00.008-07:002021-08-06T08:11:59.085-07:00Letter to Bill , Lynne and Liam - Tuesday 19th April 1977<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GIQ3xkKsOrXm4QKzVTExLwqnZ7yxfG7wIa7F3FI_1uBKh5hlsOxGKQDKOwBrYWBDyUa_o2kUnQJeUlbA8pnaRUQAmnO0yCOy2CuveyIpI1RgNtFuJNQYz-efekBBa99o0HUZ70VLdgBh/s2048/envelope+france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2048" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GIQ3xkKsOrXm4QKzVTExLwqnZ7yxfG7wIa7F3FI_1uBKh5hlsOxGKQDKOwBrYWBDyUa_o2kUnQJeUlbA8pnaRUQAmnO0yCOy2CuveyIpI1RgNtFuJNQYz-efekBBa99o0HUZ70VLdgBh/w400-h274/envelope+france.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Dear Lynne, Liam and Bill, Here Iam having a post Easter/Spring holiday with Tony Eve and family. I've been making dolls house furnitures, piano, snazzy kitchen sink unit and un-draineretc. and printing miniature wallpaper. Generally playing and messing about with Jo's toys and making a terrible mess. Have managed to fit in quick pints and games of darts and walked to the local tip the other Sunday afternoon. Found a blackboard and abacus attached - a strange pink light fitting and several old Victorian magazines. ........It was Tony's first day back teaching yesterday and I accompanied him on his journey for a nostalgic day in Manchester. It was really weird seeing the art college again and all the studios we used to work in. All Saints has cheanged quite drastically, lots of new buildings and new shops. Johnny Roadhouse is still there but he has only half a shop. So is the Grosvenor Cinema and Billiard Den. I had a drink with Barry White and a few others in the "Sally" at lunch time, which is just the same only different bar staff and clientele of Irishmen, Barry has a show at the Peterloo Gallery but seems a bit pissed off. He said he hadn't heard from Vic Mills for ages. ...... It was like being in a time warp really and bit hard to take sober. I got quite drunk and on an empty stomach too!..... In the evening we went to Stockport with Joe Wilson and Nick somebody for a game of pool in the pub next door to the brooery........Then on to another horrible modern pub with Ken ( a lecturer ) who looked and sounded like Danny La Rue.... I got very drunk and sulked most of the evening as I was left out of the darts tournament. Awful thick northerners kept asking me what football matches I had been to in London and what crap beer us Southerners have to put up with!..... Anyway, the very kind fellow called Nick drove us (Ton and I) all the way back to Alsager afterwards, about 30 miles out of his way!.....O dear, what a headache the next day!.....Nvermind. I have stayed an extra day to make up for it (and recover) playing the 78's I bought at Mazell's ( still there miraculously!) "What did the poor little moths live on when Adam and Eve were here? " "Tip Toe Through The Tulips" "The Laughing Policeman" and also an LP by Sir Douglas Quintete. Played at ticket offices, beach huts, Noah;s Arks and wafflers nosserouses etc..... Have to sign on late today..... Dirty trumpets!..... Stupid |Red Clay!.....A couple of Jo's expletives.......STEPNEY........ Monday 25th. Well, here I am back in the old mud hut.Busy planting seeds in marge pots to put in my new propogatory window shelves. Toms , courgettes, herbs etc....<br /><p></p>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-86279015552513411522019-11-17T01:36:00.000-08:002019-11-17T01:36:58.824-08:00To Dave Segrave - 23rd Sept. 1969<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EYA2ndHmmjylfHUIv3CzNGWwokVw8AzNeI7sAxzcer4EyNHWyXKmfGCBYJeIrTkJl9c4_WuaeTw31b16IELhlwCt3oRvTRyoD-mTQ-q1QfEV7KGbSdf2h1f815SfjFp_hahxguAJmI_2/s1600/dave+env.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EYA2ndHmmjylfHUIv3CzNGWwokVw8AzNeI7sAxzcer4EyNHWyXKmfGCBYJeIrTkJl9c4_WuaeTw31b16IELhlwCt3oRvTRyoD-mTQ-q1QfEV7KGbSdf2h1f815SfjFp_hahxguAJmI_2/s400/dave+env.jpg" width="400" height="281" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1124" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r81GMULOrgeCHWCXcjw795zuGv6f8XF7tbzFHyv6afU3tDFrCCpa3uoeYfRgygtzWEJ3HsP2djXbe48AUR2DztO0RDzlEsMkC2gdFrhyphenhyphen4IdX5b9E7Fvi-Ih_I8Rmkf9QV32wMh8glbM-/s1600/dave1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r81GMULOrgeCHWCXcjw795zuGv6f8XF7tbzFHyv6afU3tDFrCCpa3uoeYfRgygtzWEJ3HsP2djXbe48AUR2DztO0RDzlEsMkC2gdFrhyphenhyphen4IdX5b9E7Fvi-Ih_I8Rmkf9QV32wMh8glbM-/s400/dave1.jpg" width="311" height="400" data-original-width="1178" data-original-height="1517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj4csW5TujzSVIh_PxWPimu4No8e5GzYrbOALsjlD6zsyj9DmreUdBScYXxcyASzd5AK8MpJYcobhDbb-q0z1tGHBuHlxVc7OFzMblyBP99AaC_JJQRhcvtMR1J4NC5vDjUixyeLMdpjh/s1600/dave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj4csW5TujzSVIh_PxWPimu4No8e5GzYrbOALsjlD6zsyj9DmreUdBScYXxcyASzd5AK8MpJYcobhDbb-q0z1tGHBuHlxVc7OFzMblyBP99AaC_JJQRhcvtMR1J4NC5vDjUixyeLMdpjh/s400/dave2.jpg" width="310" height="400" data-original-width="1192" data-original-height="1537" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxWx41DirK4fpXtfc6X23sRKsp9VBfC544o6KKyPRsvPmruRwIig9frOGG2Na12E1h1QzUdwahfU42QEBL8OKwbaEjFh_IXXlUAzIl3frlgN-ZEnwcTLrrepQd_nXOIZd_yNqqfgexQgi/s1600/dave3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxWx41DirK4fpXtfc6X23sRKsp9VBfC544o6KKyPRsvPmruRwIig9frOGG2Na12E1h1QzUdwahfU42QEBL8OKwbaEjFh_IXXlUAzIl3frlgN-ZEnwcTLrrepQd_nXOIZd_yNqqfgexQgi/s400/dave3.jpg" width="310" height="400" data-original-width="1152" data-original-height="1486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08qoqffful7uKjaQsMiA4JWeEAvlMHKkJYWglaFIyjiYofZa3bo6fmMNcG5dsOrC1qZgsGaTf2w96ufxXvwxToIPK5Rad1BuGiEqg-MT3nLT-m7YIIt_YH7mnDXNPXOiHI9NAzMCAYkEO/s1600/daveps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08qoqffful7uKjaQsMiA4JWeEAvlMHKkJYWglaFIyjiYofZa3bo6fmMNcG5dsOrC1qZgsGaTf2w96ufxXvwxToIPK5Rad1BuGiEqg-MT3nLT-m7YIIt_YH7mnDXNPXOiHI9NAzMCAYkEO/s400/daveps.jpg" width="306" height="400" data-original-width="1146" data-original-height="1496" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-30775959697420146212019-11-17T01:33:00.000-08:002019-11-17T01:33:01.481-08:00To Dave Segrave and Dick Woods - 28th Feb. 1968<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoWX4aR7k_ZyCB-cUi0JkDXXuMTTQw8oT5zkwtrSpvb7Guh_-1qflqLjFWPA9A5ap-KXoWbtnEi_D4hrh8RiHjLTlG_Gxc3VyiVvABRj5VAqy2xYWsgf13qrpyg7D3lN3VXcyfqvgXejO/s1600/rich+dave+env.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoWX4aR7k_ZyCB-cUi0JkDXXuMTTQw8oT5zkwtrSpvb7Guh_-1qflqLjFWPA9A5ap-KXoWbtnEi_D4hrh8RiHjLTlG_Gxc3VyiVvABRj5VAqy2xYWsgf13qrpyg7D3lN3VXcyfqvgXejO/s400/rich+dave+env.jpg" width="400" height="266" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1063" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6byMa5XO3-yG8F_0k0DPgxRUYO9l2JJpV3n_Q9AXlJ1DAzrzGEhIrp71JTN6rDVdLWObLBdckJkrlzPl4uFVC_m6Eyvs9zDzgJtSiBgjY90SLaLDA0Lpct26tLSBSiTqjXiAFs04GeV/s1600/letter+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6byMa5XO3-yG8F_0k0DPgxRUYO9l2JJpV3n_Q9AXlJ1DAzrzGEhIrp71JTN6rDVdLWObLBdckJkrlzPl4uFVC_m6Eyvs9zDzgJtSiBgjY90SLaLDA0Lpct26tLSBSiTqjXiAFs04GeV/s400/letter+68.jpg" width="400" height="289" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1154" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSK6UT9iM-l0u1dqhgk5Fv31ILnWdnE7PMxBMmzq6kkt_1kiwnosxMkKlMdvORcqb7C8WVFOoyRGOGU1jELDIWozyowxgWYOjpkAWuYkeicdY2xcLp2cyEctaplZ-SVWWLJvLz_omD3x/s1600/collage+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSK6UT9iM-l0u1dqhgk5Fv31ILnWdnE7PMxBMmzq6kkt_1kiwnosxMkKlMdvORcqb7C8WVFOoyRGOGU1jELDIWozyowxgWYOjpkAWuYkeicdY2xcLp2cyEctaplZ-SVWWLJvLz_omD3x/s400/collage+68.jpg" width="259" height="400" data-original-width="1026" data-original-height="1584" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaZrNoWEqzeFPfK3ctxAd5jKjQ9Bf1N1YB50axA99zYi5EVI6zNaE5Xek22pnR6jomdLmwJrh2x1uwmp57LG16lfDIq2Tu8-NmQ7nMQ6ZwsdTLa98XT95ge6BIY65XXBwO2o_DuM3piWB/s1600/metal+letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaZrNoWEqzeFPfK3ctxAd5jKjQ9Bf1N1YB50axA99zYi5EVI6zNaE5Xek22pnR6jomdLmwJrh2x1uwmp57LG16lfDIq2Tu8-NmQ7nMQ6ZwsdTLa98XT95ge6BIY65XXBwO2o_DuM3piWB/s400/metal+letter.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="864" data-original-height="1152" /></a></div>The typed bit of tin foil is hard to read so here's what it says - " Dear Dave, Thanks for your letter. You seem to be having a tough time at the moment, too bad, I hope it gets better for you. Wish I could say it was better here.We are still carrying on with projects although we have been alloted working spaces. BIG DEAL! I shall probably see you around Easter. Cheribye til then. Hajduk Split" ( nickname I was given by Trevor Councell after I wrote the name of a Yugoslavian football team on my life drawing!)Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-87850777930732983652018-08-02T23:19:00.002-07:002018-08-02T23:19:33.184-07:00Dear Mike - 28th July 1969<b>Dorothy was looking through one of your art books yesterday and came across the enclosed £5 note; you may have left it there and know about it but I thought you could have left it there some time ago and forgotten about it, anyway right or wrong you have it now. Your watch is OK again but I am wearing it until mine is repaired. I'll send it on if you need it. Did you get your spec's O.K. ? Dick (?) came after I sent it, hope your bag of "jumble" was intact. Barbaba is at Butlins Bognor this week, you'll be getting your cheeky postcard soon. I hope she and her friend aren't too occupied in fighting off the "wolves" although she knows what life is all about by now. Weather has been grand this last week but cloudy today. Don't work too hard. Love from Mum and the twin fighters. Dad/</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-48868311947779424342018-08-02T23:08:00.002-07:002018-08-02T23:08:43.251-07:00Dear Michael - 15th August 1969<b>As usual not knowing what to do with the enclosed cheque I have forwarded it to you; it's rumoured you're coming home again soon but I thought you might be getting in the red.. I have just come back from Uncles, been down there jawing and fishing, he's still waiting on a move, houses empty all around him, weeds knee high along all the back gardens. Ref your watch, I dropped it just after I told you it was O.K. so now it's "up the creek" again until I go back to work again on the 19th ( been off since the 4th ) mine is still with the repairier, soon be able to tell the time by the sun when I go fishing. Didn't go away this year as I am still paying off moped etc. and couldn't afford it. All send their love from home. Barbara has been home from work for three days, tummy trouble; can't get over her holiday I reckon. Pleased to know you are getting out a bit and it's not all work, but kite flying "uuugh". Will close now. All the best from Dad /</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-52939831856124786862018-08-02T11:27:00.000-07:002018-08-02T11:30:24.030-07:00Diary Extracts - 20th and 21st,Dec.1973<b>Fandango on wailing wall keeps me constantly twixt sleep 'n' slurch so doesn't help mornings dismal awakenings. Did I say I'd go home today? Well perhaps I was a bit hastey. Still got 200f to keep my pocket happy 'til Feb. at least. Thinking of going to pictures in Albi, five cinemas! 101 Dalmations on this week, also Lawrence of Arabi- yuch! Got a runny nose!? A man in an ear flap hat came to the door this morning as I was making tea but I couldn't understand him, nor he me! "I had a red door but a had it painted black". Just wired up the extension speaker from the record player in Lynne's room, bored a hole in the floor to put the wire thru'. Sounds alright, Yoko's <a href="https://youtu.be/Team0gr41B0">"Cat Man"</a> is on now. Bill's gome wood cuttin' on his own - leaving me to get on with my water colouring. Bill and Lynne have gone to Albi ( I think - that direction anyway) on a secret mission. Bill has met some new people today, a sculptor, a woodman whose given us a pile of his wood for nothing and an English couple who have some land near Cordes somewhere................. Bill is getting it off his chest about record players - seems I've had it for far too long and played it too loud. Naughty me. "Eeeraaaaagh !" goes Yoko " Ooooowgh!" Went to saw mill on <a href="http://www.completefrance.com/living-in-france/have-you-ever-explored-france-s-tarn-valley-1-4083498">River Cerou</a> today to collect off cuts given by the little baggy eyed man today. Its beautiful around there, nestling in a wooded valley among many hills with towers and secret dwelling places. I got a parcel in bed this morning that cheered me up no end - a packet of custard and a Mrs. Peaks Christmas Pud! From Dick and Cheryl. - cost £1.40 to post!! Madness!! Got two loads of wood, one stacked outside gate - fine spindles and sawed other at Marcs - drank some potent wine - we may buy some off Marc! Perhaps a turkey! It rained.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQOBQpWDwNNyuMt6-2tiFpe0Yim_bJV0hkO0veO_E2rPooG94ULcBc6Q-KxYwOxfyYR-fBXwOsBeU3rNCwqM980OeX86dcQrEr6TlV1WTLmVgmPCrwzFBbIddQ8HPXk_h-u935uZ9LZal/s1600/5077843571_113b8cdf4f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQOBQpWDwNNyuMt6-2tiFpe0Yim_bJV0hkO0veO_E2rPooG94ULcBc6Q-KxYwOxfyYR-fBXwOsBeU3rNCwqM980OeX86dcQrEr6TlV1WTLmVgmPCrwzFBbIddQ8HPXk_h-u935uZ9LZal/s400/5077843571_113b8cdf4f_o.jpg" width="400" height="233" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="932" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-30642746833758419452018-08-02T08:25:00.003-07:002018-08-02T08:25:47.978-07:00Dear Mike - 21nd March 1970<b>Have sent your specs off today, you should receive them about Tuesday, let me know if you get them O.K. I signed the form when it came back as that was the order according to the queer fellow at the ops. Have you heard anything that effects your next move college wise, or is it "try somewhere else", hope you get fixed up as I know how you must feel. All at home are well and full of the usual arguements. Dee starts working for the Governemnt after Easter. She will be at the H.M. Sationary Office near the Town Centre training to be a duplicator operator. The job sounds alright, hope she likes it. How's the veg & veg dinners progressing? Hope you are able to satisfy your long frame on such meals. I guess it is the cash mainly that puts you on such a diet, as you always liked meat in the past. How was your journey home or should I say back to Manchester? Dee had a long trip last Friday, she went on a day coach trip to Longleat near Bath with her class, ten or eleven hours travelling she said it would have been O.K. but it rained a lot of the time and the views en route were spoilt. Will close now Mike but will write again soon. Love from all. Dad/</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-31952160647323059812018-08-02T07:59:00.000-07:002018-08-02T08:00:21.499-07:00Diary Entry - 14th October 1973<b>What a night! Gales blowing shutters about - bang crash! Couldn't stand it no longer and did them up, walking over Bill's walnuts in bare feet ugh! Not much sleep again. There must be a cure. Rain comes through window too, and big drips in B's studio. Moustache man gets big wind blown nuts. Down deri to get windows , hinges etc. But make quiet back exit when two people stop to look in ! Up the secret path to the mayors cess pool. Have to go back tomorrow. I seem to have something wrong with my internal functionings! squirt- plurp! This Bournevita is nice change. Table is position , needs nice legs. Perhaps orange box shelf units at end to make it look more weighty. Lovely big area to work on for a change. Egg and chips for tea. </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jWvE7mTV8T-WF_xqyPPnxGi1aOMOlzcpIjPK3qitjkIo1uxEA8H6dXX2T2GD1GnDvbXvf8PnODv0hujLBE-PZskA88qwDB5FAltL3T6tu7fr4B1_nR8WPlZxTlegqUu8216LOK2CcDxQ/s1600/bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jWvE7mTV8T-WF_xqyPPnxGi1aOMOlzcpIjPK3qitjkIo1uxEA8H6dXX2T2GD1GnDvbXvf8PnODv0hujLBE-PZskA88qwDB5FAltL3T6tu7fr4B1_nR8WPlZxTlegqUu8216LOK2CcDxQ/s400/bat.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-48695433692452764152018-08-02T07:45:00.001-07:002018-08-02T08:02:27.197-07:00Dear Michael -= June 1970<b>Happy Birthday. Hope you are O.K. After the greetings I will tell you the latest news. I still work in the dark rooms of the stationary office and getting along fine. I go to Southend Technical College every Friday, but I'm not starting a course until September, after the Summer holidays. I start my two weeks holiday this week. I'm not going anywhere. Me and Angela ( my friend ) will probably find somewhere to go. I expect there's a lot of entertainment up your way. I bought a pair of Levi's last week, getting groovy ain't I. <a href="https://youtu.be/2c6pkDP-gsc"> Basildon</a> is celebrating it's 21st birthday this week and next and there holding concerts and fairs and carnivals and things. There is a pop festival in Gloucester park with the<a href="https://youtu.be/VcF68grb_Ow"> Pretty Things</a> and other weird groups ( WOW). We will probably go. Looking forward to seeing you when you come home,if you do. Love Dee. P.S. Happy Birthday.</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-60387077445350007122018-08-02T05:08:00.000-07:002018-08-02T07:33:57.639-07:00Diary entry (copy of letter} - Friday 28th Sept. 1973<b>Dear Mum and Dad et al, Here I am at last in the land of peaches and custard. What a nightmare journey over! The ferry was some old tug that had no seats, so half the 200 passengers( including us ) had to sit in the rain outside on wooden benches or inside on the floor! It was like a refugee ship or something. Then we were an hour late for the train to Paris, so we missed our connection. We had to wait in Paris for two hours so we didn't see much only the metro and going over the Seine to the big station. Coffee was 5/- a cup! Eventually at 12.20 Saturday afternoon we left for Cordes and after jumping out onto other trains trying to make ourselves understood by silly guards etc. We arrived at 10.30 that night! We had been travelling for 30 hours! and slept hardly at all. Bill was there to meet us at the station with his friend the Mayor and his wife, who drove us back to the Presbytere. It was great to sleep on the floor in and empty room with beetles. Now it's Monday night. I've just returned from working all day picking grapes for the local farmer. Back aching work too! from 7-30am til about 7-30 this evening! In return for breakfast and two huge 4 course meals plus money ( we don't really know yet how much or if indeed any 'cos our French is bad and their English is worse!) They are really friendly though and try their hardest to comprehend our weird English ways. All kinds of fruits,veg and nuts grow around here so we could live quite well on those during the Autumn if one wishes. We got a huge sack of walnuts yesterday which are delicious, so too are the figs and peaches that grow in abundance. Lynne and Bill have a vegetable garden which still has tomatoes, cabbage , leeks, onions and beetroot etc. growing. It was really hot on Sunday. Bill showed me places of interest - lovely views along the valley and Tummy Belly man's house ( He and some others were picking his grapes ) We went in the church also, which is good. Such a shame it's unused ( perhaps not ) for all the vestments and robes etc. are rotting in the woodwormy cupboards. What treasures also , gold goblets and candlesticks just left for anyone to take! Strange figures of painted plaster stand around staring into space. ( Some saints etc. in the loft at the presbytere too ) The door is locked to the bell tower. Bill and I stumbled in the dark to the farm nearby for some fresh milk from the cows that escaped that day. Mr & Mrs. Grits? were there milking by hand as well as machine. They seemed a jolly couple. The sky was spotty with stars - the Milky way was really evident, never seen them so bright. The milk has to be boiled before you use it to kill the germens. Little lizards on the well and on the wall in the sun. Gyp bites their tails off. A jumpy cat that bites and scratches for fun. Bill has almost finished the shower bath and toilet area - another bottle window to go in yet and electricity connected. Have to wash in a bucket 'til then. I have a very nice looking wooden bed from the mayor but it's very uncomfortable with just wooden planks and thin lumpy mattress. No more grape pickin' for me. I went sleepy eyed this morning and found it really hard going 'cos of the rain during the night and all the vines were wet and the huge lumps of cruds! So when it was dinner time I said Au revoir to the Monsieur farmer and his pals. I was only doing it cos Bill was anyway - and to be neighbourly. We have to cook on a small stove range heated with a wood fire ( stumps ) very old fashioned! It stands in a huge fireplace with an old wooden beam going across. Its a bit smokey. You can stand under the chimney and look right to the top - soot in the eyeballs!</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7CFXhz-AKfva1cddCVZ6r6ZQdAGWLR22Co56B8RxIP9oVUqhWb0IbUBAF5hHOQkEtla1R4tav6k7XBVM7zxjwo5ERjyak13CjEwdTqi031b1BrymqBHeqneXNAMA6xPyvDvxcBxiY379/s1600/diary+scri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7CFXhz-AKfva1cddCVZ6r6ZQdAGWLR22Co56B8RxIP9oVUqhWb0IbUBAF5hHOQkEtla1R4tav6k7XBVM7zxjwo5ERjyak13CjEwdTqi031b1BrymqBHeqneXNAMA6xPyvDvxcBxiY379/s400/diary+scri.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-71607415226999506202018-08-02T00:04:00.000-07:002018-08-02T00:04:56.467-07:00Dear Mike - 12th December 1969<b>Hope you are well and I'm very sorry I haven't written to you for such a long time. It soon will be Christmas now won't it. When are you coming home. Do you watch <a href="https://youtu.be/rpXOpYdGFTk">Curry and Chips</a> with Spike Milligan. I think it's one of the funniest programmes on at the moment. How's that little dog you've got above you, is it a bitch. I'm still courting, are you? John gave me an LP he had by Ramsey Lewis , it's piano Modern Jazz I think. We found your old cartoon book last night with teeth man and Frankystein in, we were in fits of laughter. John thinks you are very talented , how about that then! I'm going to a 21st birthday party tomorrow night, one of John's friends., who he went to school with. Mum says sorry she hasn't written but she has been working a lot lately and hasn't had much time to herself. I still haven't got your Xmas present or would you like some money? I never know what to buy you. Well Mike must go now. Soon you very soon. Take care Love Barb xxxxx</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-75017875427340466872018-08-01T23:34:00.002-07:002018-08-01T23:34:50.572-07:00Dear Mike - May 1970<b>The letter arrived this a.m. and being from the cashier I knew you would want a quick turn round. Many thanks for the book, it was just my type, sorry it originated from a place called Ramsbottom. I came back from Uncle yesterday afternoon, had a rest from decorating the hall and staircase. He finished up on Sunday with no voice whispering away, he had a cold and it had affected his throat or perhaps it was all the jawing he did. Tonbridge and area looked nice , all the orchards in full bloom; our two trees are full of blossom this year so hope to have plenty of apples for the Summer holidays. Had any luck yet with your application to the R.A. or any alternative college? All are well here, hope you got Mum's letter O.K. Cheerio fior now. Love from all. Dad /</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-18414750076371727882018-08-01T12:57:00.000-07:002018-08-01T12:59:17.851-07:00Diary Entries - 11th 12th October 1973<b>Misty moisty morning. To Cordes to buy provisions - walk to very top this time , phew! What a climb through the narrow cobbled streets. Not much to se when you get there - a big portico market place thing and lots of arty crafty shops,like St. Ives in the air.No people - deserted. Down again for food, bottles of plonk, weird old postcards and cheap envelopes, writing paper. Afternoon struggling with screwdriver and monkey in the deri, at last all the planks are transported. Not without much transputation and nervewacking over being spotted about my devilish task. Better to be a table in a presbytery than a port in a storm , that's what I say! Put out more figs. Great moon this night - quite early. Bill went with "dangle arm" and got some champignons after work. Vin helps to sleep at last. Friday. Send P. C's to Rose Croft and Bob Rider, also lettre to Philip and M. No more to send now- just replies to recieve. None today though. <a href="https://youtu.be/kHnifVTSFEo">Carry On Scraping</a> starring Kenneth Bucket, Hattie Rag, Joyce Stepladder and Sidney Scraper. Lynne's gone off up hill with Bill to do her coupe de raisen bit. Draw insects , strange leaf shaped ones on the droopy sunflowers. Get planks sorted out. Think about tables, window seat and shall I do stuffed peppers or a curry- plump for latter - big mistake! Took some photos of Gyp, cows and the church. Now it's dark 7,15pm. by my watch and Bill & Lynne noshing at Emmanuals no doubt. I have the radio tuned to some crappy Italian station, Elton John , now blurp blurp! Turn it off. Strange van playing loud music? <a href="https://youtu.be/pKYiwugh3ak">Bread van</a>? Too much vin de plonk.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWSp3vxzJKQWST1sHZbjZB-6Q_vXsHCRGTfnyqP-6hHK6AZwdgX6LHxBOvmz6t5elLZo1shxJqWMJCXdNL6aKmbnSM1erysEHkmB-LROC4eOM6zA7y0kwLeXOlyJZmu1XNRMV5tumwPMp/s1600/coffepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWSp3vxzJKQWST1sHZbjZB-6Q_vXsHCRGTfnyqP-6hHK6AZwdgX6LHxBOvmz6t5elLZo1shxJqWMJCXdNL6aKmbnSM1erysEHkmB-LROC4eOM6zA7y0kwLeXOlyJZmu1XNRMV5tumwPMp/s400/coffepot.jpg" width="275" height="400" data-original-width="1100" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-31727854291913588012018-08-01T11:53:00.001-07:002018-08-01T11:54:17.610-07:00Dear Michael - 31 st Aug. 1969<b>Thank you for your letters. Sorry I don't write a lot but I have "nowt" to say most days. However had to let you know we now have a phone installed. Handy if you want anything urgent, or when you come home? Your friends can contact you easily. It's quite a novelty at the moment, everyone is phoning like crazy , but am making them put tuppence in the box. Iris and Nod have bought a bungalow at Leigh, off the London Road , and they, and Tony, are moving in on the 16th September, and will eventually get around to getting married. Then you will have a new little Uncle. Dorothy is going on holiday with her friends family to Yarmouth tomorrow. Barbara is staying with her friend Christine for a week whilst her parents are on holiday. Father is one night work. That leaves Ginger John and I, to get on with it, he can't go far , poor lad, as he has an evening paper round to earn himself a few bob. Just going up the vet with Seepy Doo ( last time I hope). So will say bye bye the noo. Hope to see you again before you start back to college. Look after yourself and get yer 'air cut ! Love Mum xxx</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-16653236901819031922018-08-01T10:42:00.000-07:002018-08-01T10:42:54.405-07:00Diary Entry - 9th October 1973<b>Mornings jottings. Walked with Bill to Cordes. He decided to take the scenic route up citroen hill and through scrubbly fields, nutbush cite limits about half mile out of our way! Tres idiot! At Cordes friendly clerk changed my money for me £70 into Bill's account ( for rent ) and £20 cash pour moi. The exchange rate had dropped to 9.80f per £1 . Sent a goat postcarte to Trevor, Jenny and Perce. Foode. Met three farmers at wrong times. Beraque told Bill to come coupe la raisen. Sarfternoon after dinner. Bill said O.K. Tricky French devil! Walked back eating walnuts. Afternoon wash body . clothes , hair etc. Long look at wood/ room/ table to be made. Typed a letter to Dave.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Ox3AB-omukn0D5OSV9PfCLD826vU5vhQ_nvGAUtcPM2vu9YNcBrGwm18OqNMbnOxcJYVvmJ1n4bzoIwpHcdg5aMrhVLNlJkQKgCrP8xuXXCFJ30CDVvriNgystnaidQqxwahPylAyIZ/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Ox3AB-omukn0D5OSV9PfCLD826vU5vhQ_nvGAUtcPM2vu9YNcBrGwm18OqNMbnOxcJYVvmJ1n4bzoIwpHcdg5aMrhVLNlJkQKgCrP8xuXXCFJ30CDVvriNgystnaidQqxwahPylAyIZ/s400/candle.jpg" width="262" height="400" data-original-width="1046" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-24498429150785612342018-08-01T08:55:00.000-07:002018-08-01T08:56:17.158-07:00Dear Mike - April 1970<b>Mothers speaking. Hope you are keeping in peak form? Have you anything lined up for the Summer yet? There is not a lot of jobs advertised at the moment, but expect there will be in the next few weeks. The weather does not improve does it? Was hoping to take a few snaps as I have a colour film to use up. We are watching <a href="https://youtu.be/wejNjdPndLI">Dud & Pete</a> on the telly at this moment, very funny, and I am on ( cloud nine) as <a href="https://youtu.be/ActBBfu-5to">Frankie Vaughan </a>is the subject of "This Is Your Life" earlier this evening, don't suppose you saw that. Life goes on just the same here, except for the odd " exhilerating" moments like F.V. Father says thank you for the gardening book, very funny. Look after yourself. Love Mum xxxxx</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-20284239574594412722018-08-01T06:11:00.001-07:002018-08-01T06:11:40.288-07:00Dear Michael - June 1974<b>Enclosed is £5.00 to get yourself a hair cut ! Ho Ho ! Hope you have a happy birthday, I shall be thinking of you, don't get drunk, you will only feel bad in the morning. Father went in for his moped test yesterday and FAILED. Oh well better luck next time. That was a nice photo of you. Father thought it was a girl in the boat. All Nod's relations are coming down from Manchester for their wedding, yes it really is happening on 2nd. July. Father and I are attending as witnesses at Southend registry office. Have to rush up to the shops because I want to go to Southend market with Iris. Yes, our garden looks a picture and I have a beautiful plant pot on my porch complete with lovely mauve flowers. Hope you will be home soon to see them, our apples and plums are coming on a treat. No more news for now. All our love. take care, Mum xxxxxx</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-73002032549598208352018-08-01T05:44:00.000-07:002018-08-01T05:45:37.414-07:00Diary entries - 26th - 27th December 1973<b>Misty and horrible. Thought the bed was vibrating during the night! Too much rhum and coke I guess! Played hangman, battleships , cards, dots and other party games listening to records from my room. Eating and getting Christmas sicknss in France.No letters or parcels pisses me off even more. Eat turkey, Lynne's special victorian gravy; sprouts spuds mincemeat stuffing and listen to canal men. Play cards. A greasy man comes to the door selling beds. Lynne and Bill cannot understand him but he is evil looking they say. Off to Albi to the flics later. Search for ages to find a decent one with English and eventually find VOX opposite the gare (station ) , a little pea flit , strange 50's entrance but unfortunately modernised inside, small for small audience of neat and tidy french. Horrible films. One about french fish guts, another that I didn't understand about women telephonists etc. and the feature was a spaghetti western dubbed in French starring <a href="https://youtu.be/7---6gJR38E">Henry Fonda</a>..............(Thursday) Ah! at last! A nice letter from Dick ( with Tony Eve's address ) and a present from Barb - The Goon Show Scripts by Spike Milligan. Great ! Then it's reply to T.E. and rest of gobbler. After a trick in the van over hill and dale to dead ends and little houses, binoculars looking water mill, river and round about a nice little village called<a href="https://www.francethisway.com/places/a/salles-tarn.php"> Salles</a> with a rickety church tower, dogs, that we climbed through holes, and old ladies came out. Bill found a deri. Whilst I was in the van, and two old tins of tapioca that looked like beans. Blown a cleeping hairy eight legged monster that sounded like leaves rustling. Nice carved heart and club on brick arch on one deri house near mill. Rhum and coca cola.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxZ4UW6WC96AfkL_Y8nNDUBnOzp2Ix2IXijoUiqui6kbQercFLuxtX0cWo24T7zHAVSoQGUKzkQc-vYWenxvwQ69GSM4KwWCA6TeM6lSFG1PqMq3eCF4ves772k9b0mAdQsD9f3q513SS/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxZ4UW6WC96AfkL_Y8nNDUBnOzp2Ix2IXijoUiqui6kbQercFLuxtX0cWo24T7zHAVSoQGUKzkQc-vYWenxvwQ69GSM4KwWCA6TeM6lSFG1PqMq3eCF4ves772k9b0mAdQsD9f3q513SS/s400/coffee.jpg" width="400" height="249" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="996" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-42481580064994898932018-08-01T01:40:00.000-07:002018-08-01T06:28:06.098-07:00My Dear Mike - Monday June 1970<b>Thanks a lot for your nice letters. Am on holiday at the moment, so am able to sit down and pen you a few lines. Hope you are well and happy. Will be sending you some birthday money this week but don't know what I should do! Shall I send a registered envelope? I don't suppose you saw me on T.V. yesterday at Sunday cricket, I went to Ilford with Iris and Sid, to see Lancashire play Essex, and it was televised, and father saw us in the crowd, how thrilling !! Am not going anywhere special for my holidays. Father never wants to go anywhere, so just get the house in order a bit and keep Bugs and Seep company while everybody is at work. Might go down to Surrey to see Auntie Doodie. When will you be coming home? Will have to have a sort out of bedrooms when you do, and put you and John our big one, and there is not a great deal of room in that box room. J. next door has her "lover" living there now, is getting divorced from his wife. "M" has been in hospital to have a throat operation. Little T is working now ( if you can imagine it, he comes home all dirty in his dungerees). DC is still courting strong, very much in love. Our John goes to Yorkshire for a week in July with his school on a Geography trip. Dee still likes her job. Barbara's still going around with her boyfriend. Iris is getting wed on the 2nd of July to Sidney Lewis ( I'll get her married off yet) Tony and Chris are having a weeks holiday down in Doodies caravan near Southampton. They have both got long bobbed hair. Tony had a long dago moustache but has shaved it off I'm glad to say. Our Ginger John could do with a hair cut but refuses. He is full of freckles! Hope you are getting the same nice weather as we are, and are making the most of it. Will be writing again in a couple of days. For now take care. Lots of love. From Mum xxxx</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-3501322457572515112018-08-01T01:15:00.000-07:002018-08-01T01:15:10.814-07:00Dear Mike - Date unknown 1969?<b>Thank you so much for the lovely apron. Hope the other "pickings" were good. What beautiful weather we are having here, I do hope yours is the same that end. Father is on a weeks holiday, and is papering the hall, not before time. Don't suppose it will please your artistic taste, however it certainly has improved the look of the old place! He ( your father) is going to Tonbridge tomorrow to stay a couple of days with Nunkie Bill. Shall no doubt hear some old "Rang Tang" when he returns. The apple blossom on the trees here is terrific and we look like getting a bumper crop this year, everywhere looks so nice and green, hurry up and come home and have a rest! Twill do you good. Hope you are eating again, you must have proper diet, else you will come out in pimples and no doubt get scurvy or something 'orrible. Dee is liking her job alright at least she likes pay day and Fridays when she goes to Southend Art College. Everybody is happy and well here, and trust you are the same. Is Barry taking that little dog home? Do hope it doesn't get left behind! Dee and I went to a dance with Iris and Nod at the Civic Hall at Southend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also went to see Ivy in Chadwell and went out in the evening for a drink with them at the<a href="https://www.francisfrith.com/stanford-le-hope/stanford-le-hope-the-catcracker-c1960_s258066"> "Cat Cracker"</a> in Corringham. Wild living eh! I'll have to calm down a bit. I hope you have some luck regarding your college. I suppose it is a rather sad occasion, breaking up finally and all going your different ways. I daresay it will take some getting used to, you have been together quite a while now. Well, must away and put the kettle on for Ginger John who will be in shortly from school and he loves his cup of tea. By bye for now dear. Look after yourself. It's Father's Birthday today and it will be soon yours won't it? Love Mum xxxxxx What do you want??</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-8616361954133335782018-07-31T05:36:00.000-07:002018-07-31T05:36:03.566-07:00Dear Mike - 21st November 1973<b>Received your last letter O.K. it took the usual four days, sorry you get a spell without receiving any letters. I can only ask them to write; you have been getting the music papers though, I have sent several. I trust the stamp I put on them covers their trip, don't want you to pay any excess charge. Just finishing off a week of nights so if the pen wanders forgive me. All well at 48, all three of us. John is going to the Pontins dance on Saturday at the Albert Hall or some joint like that, I expect he'll crawl in during the early hours Sunday morning having had a rave up with his holiday friends. Steve started on his own as a fully fledged plasterer this week, he was looking for a labourer and tried to get John interested but to no avail. Haven't heard anything from Bill yet. I haven't seen any record players as yet, I was hoping to hear from Bill first just incase he has aquired one, no sense in getting one as well. You seem to be busy doing "Do It Yourself" it all sounds crude to me, furniture made from boxes but that's how you want to carry on and have done for some time, you seem to be enjoying it, that's all that matters. I suppose your weather must have changed by now, there is thick fog here at the moment, also frost. I'm not looking forward to the ride home, it must be quite a few degrees warmer where you are, seeing the place on that map you sent you are not far from the Pyrenees Mountains are you? By the way, thanks for picking it up out the road and sending it home, most hygienic. I hope a French horse hadn't performed on it. Sorry about the income tax form I enclosed in one of the papers, it has to be filled in it seems but that won't take too long. Once you start work here you can't get away from the "bumf"! Mum came last Wed 14th and made a Christmas cake and is going to ice it today, knowing the Leighs I expect I'll be taking it to work after the holiday as I was last year. Will have to close now as I am getting drowsy so will have to do soemthing energetic 1.e. mop out the office; so cheers Mike, keep well and write when you can. Best wishes from all x Dad</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-42647295959704813892018-07-31T05:15:00.000-07:002018-08-01T03:55:49.345-07:00Diary entries - 5th and 6th December 1973<b>Not much sleep again last night. Awoken by chinese drip torture other side of wall next to head. Rapid drips and echoing down below and omnibus large drip! Quickly sleep jump out of bed to find gaping hole in plastic pipe near tap in Bill's stewdew. So then downstairs finding drippings in hall on table I made. Lynne has been awake all this time but thought the noise was from outside! Look around for more leaks, don't see any so outside so cut off the tap near the graveyard. The snow is thawing, drips everywhere. The useless torch doesn't find tap under manure? First time second time turns the water off. Back to quiet comparitively warm uncomfortable bed. It can't go on like this for much longer surely?! - A travelling barber calls but we need all our warm hair. Thought it was the gendarmes again. Abortive attempts to fix pipe ( I hope ) Water from pump is going now so alright. This has filled Wednesday up quite nicely. Nothing else will happen, or will it? THURSDAY. No nothing much did. A General Strike today in France but postman came and went just the same. Thursday is a bit more exciting though - to a degree. And talking of degrees - it's a lot warmer ( milder) today- feels warm outside although a ceiling of grey cloud still covers the sky. It's as if it never snowed - no trace of it is left, just it's faint ghost, the flattened grass, the bedraggled flowers and plants. Feel like an old peasant , puts me in another distant time long past , slooth! slooth! creek! slooth! Putty stuff on broken pipe still as soft as a baby's bum! Went to Cordes this afternoon on the <a href="https://youtu.be/CvWOarRwpNY">mobydick</a> for d'ashe and veg. and stop at garage for two litres of juice and ask for a pompe - but the man explains that he has none and that a certian type of pompe will do - not a bicyclette pompe or a foot pompe but a mobylette pompe. I drove slowly as to not attract large lorries on sharper bends.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rjaQgfYJjz9i3rDAaqQEk__PiO9El5N9AwBVXbIV1KvjP7cSPr8fKdNuIymXyOQ3kLudg6Rjx8LvN31YdtX0Wr1rdzU3z4hqu4_n2XX6F5-tzhyDUknVXMyKOAUeMlltP9IpASekIJYw/s1600/bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rjaQgfYJjz9i3rDAaqQEk__PiO9El5N9AwBVXbIV1KvjP7cSPr8fKdNuIymXyOQ3kLudg6Rjx8LvN31YdtX0Wr1rdzU3z4hqu4_n2XX6F5-tzhyDUknVXMyKOAUeMlltP9IpASekIJYw/s400/bill.jpg" width="400" height="273" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1092" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-14752257090138116012018-07-30T11:50:00.000-07:002018-07-30T11:50:26.241-07:00Dear Michael - Sat. 6th December 1973<b>Haven't had a lot to write about for a while but know I am getting in arrears keeping in touch. Mum has been sending mags and papers I understand, as there appears to be a newsprint shortage still lots of weekly books are short and music papers are at a premium. Know doubt you are pleased with anything except Danny La Rue stories etc. Hope the two Evening Echoes pass half hour away. Your friend Bill rang up the other day and John answered as I was at work. I had no record players I'm afraid, haven't seen any advertised as all the local papers have and still are on strike, the Echo has only started again this week. Have no idea what you were able to receive via the post for Xmas, not too flush with cash either after Barb's wedding, It'll be tame here this year as Dee is going to Butlins again. Have you sawn all the trees down yet in your area? It sounds as if your bed needed burning, it looks like one of my <a href="https://youtu.be/yS2e_ZipOpY">P.O.W.</a> beds after using some of the boards for brewing up. Will close now as I am on late shift and have my chores to do. John and Dee are still upstairs getting over Friday night activities. Cheerio for now. </b>Dad.Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-40688067212335597602018-07-30T09:11:00.000-07:002018-07-30T09:11:32.732-07:00Diary entry - 12th November 1973<b>Wrote to Leigh's - a little drawing of gate on the bottom - ooh saucy! Still awful - but a sunny day at least. No lettres as usual. Cold. Some must come tomorrow, surely?! Lynne's gone off to see if Marc will give her a lift into Cordes for shopping. She only has 50f so insists on eating in garden! I walk over the Tummy Belly track to the local rock and wreath pile. To view the valley and two white towers ( walls ) where we once saw one and found the other. ?! Too cold and nature calls to write a brief word of praise on the lessons we learn from postmen, The cauldron is boiling , so i must away and don my kitchen slug outfit. Bubble-hubble toil and trouble. Hiss! Spit! The logs scream, the coffee pot harmonises. Kite broke in breeze, Gyp jumped on falling remains. Tried to saw/ machine some muslin for another but it kept going wrong. O what a day. Lackaway! </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M_18ovPo3u7-6UpSe3rdpi4N9PtwtTUOIN31Q8DbbZmj27IItzsIzN4iU5F9H91Ap-9yPCqKw2tOAGA6tEq3vG7Bk4xwlwnm6bxRA1J_K0QOQ0XnbGzBtZd8tYN9N2jBH6FyFE7GbPH0/s1600/cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M_18ovPo3u7-6UpSe3rdpi4N9PtwtTUOIN31Q8DbbZmj27IItzsIzN4iU5F9H91Ap-9yPCqKw2tOAGA6tEq3vG7Bk4xwlwnm6bxRA1J_K0QOQ0XnbGzBtZd8tYN9N2jBH6FyFE7GbPH0/s400/cats.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5243363857705841833.post-84036728896320941582018-07-30T08:58:00.001-07:002018-07-30T08:58:54.810-07:00Dear Mike - 10th April 1974<b>Received your last letter and a couple of cards. So sorry about the cat, you nearly had us in tears, it wasn't one of your cheeriest letters. You never mentioned anything about the wedding photo I sent, did you ever receive it? As for the two rolls of film, did you get them both? Pleased to say Mum has been home a week or more and putting the place into shape, she wants to be around when Barbara has her baby. You must be missing Bill's wife now, or is the cooks job taken in turns? As regards winning the pools that is several million to one. How can you possibly stay there if money is running out; you are not replacing what you spend and I just don't know how you are managing to stay as long as you have. Barbara is disappointed in not hearing from you for some time, she has stayed a couple of nights as John is working away at Felixstowe. The weather has been good here for the last week, know doubt better where you are, the best is surely to come. Dee, John and Steve are doing there usual thing. Steve had is car stolen a week or so ago, it was found in Edmonton a week later in good order, documents as well. Will close now Mike, sorry I don't write more often. Love from all, Dad./</b>Wastedpapiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833050707322694789noreply@blogger.com0