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 day but fairly mild. Cleaned the moped and fixed the porch door. Watched the Cup Final in the afternoon. LPool won 2.1 after extra time. Good game.
(Liverpool beat Leeds, the first time they won the FA Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPXgX4CGWj0 )
Cold and dull at first. Nice and sunny later. Cleared all lab bins. Car washing H.G. (B1, T, K and Doc’s in the week) making 44 to date. Had 600 gals of oil come. Men finished ventilator.
A bit warmer today with some sunshine. A big calf in to burn and a lot of other stuff. Washed B1 and T car. Dot, Ron, Jane gone to Wembley. Hope they have a good journey.
(assume Dad was going to the final on Saturday)
Nice at first but rain showers later. Got my moped back at noon. Dot took me for it. 3/6. Did K and Doc car and the usual chores. Putting ventilator in boiler door.
A cold day again. Some showers. Went to see Mr Partridge. Said leg was ok. Blasted moped gone again. Had to walk from just past chicken corner. Think the timing gone again. 1 ton coke. C.
A cold day with showers. A gale force wind blowing. Did usual jobs and cleaned both jets. Went for petrol at dinner time. Half a gallon. Poor John Wise gets buried today. A rotten business.
Warmer today. Some showers. Did a bit of digging. Had a nap in the afternoon. The gang came for tea. Never went out. Had no other visitors come.
Not a bad day. Some showers. Got up at 9am. Cleaned the moped and mowed the lawns. The gang gone to Banger races. Watched telly in the afternoon. Went to the Wheat at night.
Rain at first but some sunshine in the afternoon. Car washing B2, H. Did five in the week making 38 to date. A big lot of stuff in to burn one sort or another. Cleared silage lab.
Heavy frost last night but lovely later. Did four cars, A.K.B1.T. John Wise got killed going to work yesterday morning. Dot and Jane home today. Moped back.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 