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Heat and drought; no more sticks; the Schneider Trophy; back on the bike; a resignation; disapproval at a banquet; trying to save Beattie’s field; a new bird at Keyhaven; “Granny” Pickford is 90, and budgie match-making.

The 1976 drought continues and Gran writes on August 8th, “Oh for a few days of gentle rain!”.  Two days later she has a dental appointment and writes gratefully:

It was very hot indeed and the surgery was not yet open – it was ten minutes to two – so I went into the V.G. stores… I asked if I might wait in the cool shop and was kindly offered a stool to sit on by the cold counter.

And she adds that, “Trying to water the garden is a heart-breaking job in this driest Summer since 1727!” [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 151)

An operation; convalescence; a wedding, and home again.

The time for Gran’s left hip replacement is nearing, and during the week before it she receives countless expressions of good wishes from friends and neighbours, several of whom she barely knows but who have seen her going about the district on her crutches over the last few months.  On May 24th 1976, Gran’s husband, Bill, drives her to the Royal Masonic Hospital in London, her place there enabled through his activities in the Masonic movement.  “I clocked in”, she says:

… just before two o’clock this afternoon and was soon taken to my ward, a pleasant four-bed one on the third floor.  Happily my bed is by the window and, though I look out on other parts of the hospital, I can see a tree-lined road at the end and the sky telling me about the weather – with Swifts flying round.

X-rays, blood tests and various examinations follow, and then: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 150)

Misplaced credit; Vera gets wet; Sue loves the garden; Paddy Hine “fixes it”; an Oakley Easter; a heron at Radipole; Saints win the Cup; a green wedding invitation, and tennis at Bournemouth.

Gran, needing to find indoor things to do while still on crutches, writes on March 19th 1976:

I found out the lacquer-covered Japanese album of coloured and black and white prints which Daddy gave to Mother in 1897, and mended the damaged back and stuck in two loose prints.  I believe it would be quite valuable now and Enid wants to see it.

Ten days later her writing reminds us of a strange family anecdote about a family friend who, perhaps luckily in retrospect, avoids publicity about his role in giving the Loch Ness Monster, never officially seen by anybody, the scientific name, Nessiteras rhombopteryx.

A letter from Jane and a Mothers’ Day card from her and Stuart were very welcome.  Jane’s letter included an article and pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, written and photographed by Alan Wilkins, Stuart’s Best Man, who had seen the creature more than once.  It was he who supplied this information to Peter Scott and other scientists who took the credit and publicity, which was due to Alan.  It will be interesting to see if further proof of the existence of the monster is forthcoming.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 149)

Christmas in Lancashire; news from the Masonic Hospital; a proud headmistress; some rare birds – but not for Gran; Gerald Summers and “The Lure of the Falcon”; Margot Fonteyn gives pleasure; catkins for Beverly; “I would not exchange my life…”, and the kindness of a lady bus driver.

On December 12th 1975 Gran receives a visit from a friend she has not mentioned for some time:

A most unexpected and pleasant surprise resulted from a knock at the door this morning.  It was Peg Eagle, whom I had not seen since she moved to Devon several years ago and I enjoyed a good natter with her.  I had just finished putting the marzipan on the Christmas cake when she came.

And later that day:

Anne Hockridge and her fiancé John called in this evening for the mattress that I had promised Jean for her upholstery.  They are nice youngsters and had coffee with me before they left.  Mary rang and I was very sorry indeed to hear that Frank had had a coronary and is in the General Hospital in Southampton, where Brother went.  I trust his recovery will be as complete as Brother’s.  They are such good friends.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 148)

Obliterated stamps; good company; a rare bird at Keyhaven; Frank makes a bookcase; the Rectors of Compton Church; the Kingstons return; a bronze medal; George Green; news from the Masonic Hospital; memories of Father; a Turner Exhibition, and a lost glove.

On August 27th 1975, letters from Marjorie and Vera, Gilbert Whitley’s sisters, arrive at The Ridge, and Marjorie’s encloses a tribute to Gilbert from the Sydney Morning Herald.  “Vera told me”, Gran writes:

… that Gilbert had willed his stamp collection to her granddaughter Vicki, whom Gilbert had often mentioned in his letters.  Vera would like me to send her the First Day Covers and stamps, which I used to send to Gilbert and this I shall be pleased to do.

There is more stamp-related comment a few days later:

Post brought our latest stamps of August 13th, which I posted to myself in order to have them post-marked for my collection.  The envelope was posted in the box in Hursley Road and I noted that it had been franked in Southampton instead of at Eastleigh when posted here.  Characteristically it had been hand-stamped instead of horribly obliterated as happens in Eastleigh.  A tip for the future.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 147)

Gilbert – a tour cut short; Gran – pro Europe? Julian – M.A. (Oxon) and selection for the World Student Games; more changes at Farley Mount; a bright pink posterior; astonishing tennis; a bombshell from Sydney; Gran on crutches – “imagine me!”; a bat in the bedroom, and the Brenans in Austria.

On June 2nd 1975, a day when Gran paints Rhododendron, which, she notes, “… brought my total of flower paintings to six hundred and ninety”, she receives a disheartening letter from Marjorie Frewer, Gilbert Whitley’s sister:

A disappointment by post today.  Gilbert is not well enough to continue his travels so will not be able to come to England.  He and Marjorie are flying back to Australia today.

In the afternoon she visits family members in Bassett:

… sister-in-law Joan Birch, and spent a very enjoyable time with her.  Nephew and niece, Brian and Angela, both married, called in so it was nice to see them also.  I took Barry’s book, two albums of flower paintings and my scrap-book of Julian cuttings, which I thought might interest Joan and Ken, and they did indeed… Ken and Joan gave me some very nice stamps from Virgin and Cayman Islands.

On June 5th, following a day out with Norris on the 4th, Gran does not appear to follow her instincts:

Brother went back to Lyndhurst this morning after taking me to vote in the Common Market Referendum.  I followed Julian’s advice and voted to stay in – he has studied Economics at Oxford and it will be the young people who will face the results of our decision.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 146)

First prize – bath salts; farewell to Mother – sadness but a welcome freedom; loneliness and the importance of friends and Wednesdays with Norris; looking forward to a visit by Gilbert; birding at Stodmarsh, and back-garden wildlife.

On March 9th 1975, Gran is preparing flowers to take to Mary Harding for her birthday.  Mary, knowing this, invites her to tea, and we hear a little more of Mary’s family:

Frank came for me at a quarter to three and I had the extra pleasure of seeing Tim, Daphne and their little girls Judith and Joanne.  I had not seen Tim for years, and Joanne never.  A nice little family.  After tea I went to Church with Frank and Mary, at St Boniface and we were given little posies for Mothering Sunday.  Mine had a Daffodil, a spray each of Rosemary and Viburnum, and pink and white Heather.

Gran is shopping next day:

I went by bus as far as the Station to get bird sand and Budgie seed from Dean’s as our local shop is going out of business, and also to buy a pair of shoes.  Mine are getting beyond repair.

And a week later: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 145)

Anxiety over Mother; friends are a tonic; an owl brings pleasure; some lovely Tristan stamps;  “Greaty” receives sherry; hot water in the taps and a new fireplace; the concern of neighbours; wicked pain; a wonderful surprise; Gran – an “old person”?; Isabelline envy, and a book by Barry.

Gran’s thoughts at this time are dominated by the state of Greaty’s present and future welfare.  On October 30th 1974 she writes:

I rang the hospital at nine o’clock and was relieved to hear that Mother’s condition was satisfactory after an operation last night.  Brother came as usual and was naturally very concerned.

She and Norris visit the hospital later that day having spent some time at Farley Mount where they see a Rough-legged Buzzard – part of a widespread influx of these birds from Scandinavia that autumn, and find Mother, as Gran says, somewhat drowsy, not very “with it” and expecting to be home in a day or two!

On November 1st she is uplifted by a chance meeting with strangers:

I went to see Mary [Harding] and spent a comforting hour with her. She has such a sympathetic and understanding heart.  Near the Lake a very small and enchanting girl, whom I did not know, told me, with a bright smile, that her boots were new.  They were red “puddle boots”.  This led to further conversation with her and her mother, and a peep at baby sister, who was just as beautiful and endearing and their young mother was so obviously proud of them.  A real tonic for me.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 144)