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.
A few showers but warmer today. Cleaned both the jets. Swept up round the bins and did all the toilets. Put some late spuds in last night. The yanks sending up a space man today.
(Mercury Atlas 9 (MA-9, designated also Faith 7) was the fourth and final manned orbital flight of the Mercury program. The pilot was L. Gordon Cooper, Jr.)
Not a bad day but the wind still cold. Mr Green got beat by 6 votes. Jack Elliss passed away. Car washing again. S.B.Mc.K. making 92 to date. Only time to do outside toilet.
Not a bad day but wind very cold. Did the mowing and dug some of the borders. Went and had a chat with Mr Reeves. Went to E Port with Nell, D,R, and Jane. Got home 9p.m.
Day on today. Showers and very rough. Got done about 10. Not fit for any work at home. Went to P. Planted the bedding plants. Voting in the local election.
A nasty wet day with no sunshine. Loaded the trailer with rubbish and did the usual chores. Only washed one car today. Howarth’s, making 88 to date. Men putting partition in office.
Went to Tommy Jellicoe for a load of firewood and cut it up. Maintenance man came in the afternoon. Two pigs to burn. Finished all the windows last night. Quite a nice day. W. M.
Showery at first but fine later on. Chester Cup run today. Dot brought Jane to see us today. She is fine. Did all the usual chores and swilled round the bins. Brazil playing England.
(1-1 draw, at Wembley. Goals from Bryan Douglas and Pepe.)
Not so cold today but cloudy. A lot to burn from Hans Hall. Young Peter* came to see me. Cleaned both the jets. Had a leak on one of the oil pipes. Got Bernard to help me to fix it.
(I think this might be my mum’s cousin, generally a bit of a ne’er do well.)
Wind not quite so cold today and some sun. Car washing again. S.B.Mc.K. making 87 to date. Lot of stuff to burn today. One half grown pig.
Got up at 9.30. A very cold wind still. Did the mowing and forked the herbaceous border. Ron, Dot and Jane came for dinner. Jane is lovely. Did some talking.*
(*Not sure who this refers to. Can’t imagine my sister was talking at 3 months old.)
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 