My granddad died in 1983. For the previous 20 years, he kept a diary, recording his day as a farm worker and then through his retirement. We are lucky enough to have his notebooks, all the entries in block capitals, often in pencil. He always tells us about the weather, sometimes about what is going well at the allotment. We get updates of how Liverpool are doing and the occasional political thought. He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, was always in pain, but you would never know from these entries. My mum once described him as a contented man. Who knows, really, but certainly, there is something soothing about these entries. So I thought I would share them with you. We have a few years to cover so buckle up.
Lovely sunny day though a cold wind still blowing. Burnt a pig.* One of ours. Forking down the drive. Finished it all by five. Awful mine disaster in Germany. Nearly 300 killed.
* I think this says burnt a pig. But why?
(Luisenthal mine disaster, 7th February, 1962.)
Fairly mild but heavy showers at times. Also wind strong at times. Started to fork the big border up the drive. Gordon and Len making place for shed in front of turkey pen.
A bit milder today but wind still strong. Dug the border opposite Mr Muir’s office. Raked twigs off the lawn. Cleaned both jets. Put a new one in No.1 burner. Sent away for new jet.
A very cold wind again today. Car washing S.(P).D. 30 to date. Cleared silage bins again. Bill Edwards came. Got 6 sacks of leaf mould. Sun shinning in the afternoon but still very cold.
Got up 9.30. Cold morning with some rain. Not fit for any gardening. Ron and Dot came for tea. Went to the Wheatsheaf at night. Nothing of importance to report.
Day off again today. Got up at 9.30. Burnt some rubbish. Cut rambler roses. Went to P in the afternoon. Started to prune roses and dig borders. Washed the car. Fairly mild.
Not quite so cold today but still thin. Car washing again today. H.B.S.A.Mc. 28 to date. No. 2 boiler on red again this morning first thing. Cleaned both jets again today.
A very cold N.W. wind again today, strong at times. No. 2 burner on red first thing. Jet blocked. Finished digging around currants. Dug Mrs Henderson’s garden. Cleared silage lab. Swept around bins.
Milder today with a strong north west wind. Digging in between the blackcurrant trees. A.P. brought 1 ton of coke. Gave Gordon a hand to skin a rabbit. Dave Charnley won last night.
(Dave Charnley, “The Dartford Destroyer”, undefeated British lightweight champion 1957–63)
Still a very cold east wind. Finished the windows last night. Swept the incinerator chimney and emptied the sump. Cleaned both jets and put a new washer on No.2 hot filter.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 