Thank God for diaries. Days zoom past, things happen, trips are made and all events recede like snow off a dyke. Photos do conjure up the moment, but not like the words used to describe the feelings at the time. I listened to Samuel Pepys’s diary being read on Radio 4 and it was just so absorbing, full of his jealous rage directed towards the dancing teacher he had employed for his wife, then of course the poignant diary of Anne Frank. Mine is less dramatic. It sort of reads: Slept well, met Dilly for coffee, did some weeding, John and I watched Breaking Bad… soo cool. Not exactly world shattering, but, very good if you want to win a million dollar bet. On 28^th April we DID go to Haddington. No arguments, it is all recorded in blue biro. I have so many Five Year Diaries in my camphorwood chest, all recounting the years of my children growing up, wine being made from birch sap and primroses, school teaching, holidays and so on. And further back I have small Collins diaries for the years 1968-72. I spent a couple of nights with my old school friend Sheila recently,

and she had unearthed her diaries for us to peruse. Oh my! We laughed till the tears ran down our faces at the obsession we had with the Boys’ School at Morrison’s Academy.

In 1969 she wrote:

Gael’s heart goes boom bang a bang  for Doley. She met him after Youth Felly. Washed my hair.

Didn’t smile at church.

Gael is not going with Doley.

Got a new algebra jotter and ate Susan’s apple.

Phimmie and Rhona  got caught pinching cornflakes.

I wore new Pretty Polly tights (apricot) and strawberry meringue lipstick. Went to see Shalako with Brigitte Bardot at the flicks.

Listened to Je t’aime in the Games Room.

A Gideon was in church today and we are all now converted.

In the previous year, 1968, she recorded our trip to Dalwhinnie for half term: (We changed out of our Harris Tweed coats and kilts at Perth station into something extremely unsuitable for the February weather.)

Arrived with sling backs and snow was ankle deep. Went sledging at night. Went to a licensed bar and drank Babycham.

Went to a disco in Aviemore and saw a fight. Lots of blood. Went to bed at 4 am. Aunty Mary was frantic.

Slept till 2 p.m. Went to Granny’s and took out a cow’s eye with a rusty nail, dissected it and got the lens!

Went up upon the moors and it was gorgeous and we sunbathed. A Land Rover passed.

No train ticket, sat in first class. Two inspectors.  Hid in the bog.  Belted for it .in Perth.  Was scared.

The Bible Class Party Sheila, Margie and Gerry Gerry MacKay with Pete McNee Me with Campbell Holden Pup Balfour, Charlie Harley and Sheila Oh how wonderful to relive those days and hear our voices. Sheila had a selection of my letters that she had kept and I have a bag of classroom ‘notes’ from Lyn and Gerry that just take me back to the moment.  We sat up too late and I took a while to nod off as names of once white hot passions whirled around my head. I must make a bonfire… but not yet! In the meantime John and I have been out and about enjoying spring, April showers and eating the spoils of our foraging trips –  wild garlic pesto, nettle and garlic soup, and from Tesco’s, kale and avocado and kiwi to make delicious healthy shakes. It has been lovely rediscovering the city at this time of year. That’s trying to climb on to a branch in the Botanics…not as easy as you think!

I had a week down in Wales meeting up with Natasha, Leo and Bonnie.

It was all just perfect, and I became part of a normal week with them. I visited the playgroup (Bonnie loved the car), swimming lessons, and Natasha and I went on the train to  Barry Island and sat on the sand and then did a little light gambling in the amusement arcade. We both lost £3 each. Bonnie was quite intrigued with it all.   It was fun just watching her walk about, and I suddenly saw the world through her eyes. She fixes on the minutiae, the tiny insect, the snail, and everything is a miracle. We introduced her to a fish, and after looking at its eye and its teeth, and bending over to give it a very close look, she decided it was good enough to kiss. So she did! John has been running. He is determined to get fit after all his desk work in Doha, and has taken to run down the Water of Leith most mornings. He feels great and when his son Matthew came up last weekend they both entered the Park Run out at Cramond and took part in a five km run, along with 474 others. He was jubilant when he returned, and made a good time and is all set to go again this Saturday. The Lady of the House, needless to say will be at home in bed with her novel. We had a fabulous time with Matthew and his girlfriend Alex. Saw the sights and ended up watching Acoustic Dave in the Royal Tavern on the Royal Mile. A hen party was in full swing, and the ‘bride’ was a sweetheart from Liverpool. A fight broke out in front of us (between 2 men, not the hens), much to the amusement of our visitors, but Acoustic did some heavy peace-making outside, and soon the party resumed. The bride took such a shine to me and I ended up dancing till dawn and John with the bridesmaid. His son watched quite bemused! Later we made our way home, with three phones not charged and no taxis in sight. So we decided to go to Fingers Piano Bar, but the queue was miles long, and the heavens opened. Oh it was wet. Then suddenly there were rickshaws just waiting to be hired, so we sped home, with the poor lads pedalling their legs off, and us warm and cosy wrapped up in a blanket, watching the rain fall. Felt like that Mitford sister saying: ‘I  felt so sorry for the poor people that have to walk whilst I am so cosy in the car!!’ Anyway, a good night. My diary entry looks a bit wobbly. The writing looks spidery and I run on to the next line. Must mean something!

Whilst I was in Wales John made the most beautiful fairy house for Bonnie (when she visits). It truly is amazing. It will see her through till her teens as the roof is solid cement! I shall put a quilt on the ground for her to sit on while she plays.

Now off to book our tickets to see ‘Dolly West’s Kitchen’ at the studio at the Festival Theatre. My friend, Irene is starring in it, and I can’t wait to see the show. But first must hang out the towels… the sun is shining. Adieu!