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 dull cloudy day with high winds. Got up at 10a.m. Next door went on holiday to Anglesey. Dot, Ron and Jane came. Ron went to football.* Went to P in the p.m. Did mowing, some weeding.
(First Division match at Ewood Park, Blackburn v Liverpool, 1-2; Liverpool goal scorers, Ronnie Moran and Ian Callagahan.)
A bitter day today. One or two slight showers. Car washing again. H.Mc. making 145 to date. Half a weeks bonus today. Very welcome. Did all the toilets. Burnt a lot of stuff.
Another day of showers. Some sunshine later in the day. Hoed borders around the vet lab and squares under fruit trees. Cleaned sump in the incin. out. Did all the toilets.
Rain for most of the day again and strong winds. Cleared the copper on burners and scrubbed the lino and passage way. Did the toilets. Jim here cleaning lights.
Rain at first but fine later with some sun. Rather a cool wind. Cleaned beds in front of main labs and started on the borders round the lab. Did all the toilets out.
A showery day and a bit on the cold side. Got a flat tyre this morning. Used Nell’s bike. Did a bit of tidying up. No cars today. Cleaned the copper in the boiler room.
Not a bad day, but rather cold. Did a bit of tidying up. Dot, Ron and Jane came for tea. Jane is lovely. Mrs Stewart’s little boy baptised. Nothing special on.
Day on today. A lovely warm sunny morning. Got done at 10am. Did the mowing at home. Went to P in the afternoon. Did the mowing. Bert Waterman’s wife died.
A nasty cold wet day. Packed the window job in today. Only did one car. H making 143 to date. Helped Len load trailer. Did all the toilets. N gone to see Dot. Took Anne.*
(*Not me. My grandparents’ next door neighbour.)
Quite a nice day again with some sunshine. Finished hoeing in the currant bushes. Did Mrs Henderson’s garden as well. Did all the toilets. Young started cutting his lawn.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 