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| Greg's diary |
| April 1964 |
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| Wednesday, 1 April 1964 | Combeinteignhead → London → Dover → | Images for 1 April 1964 |
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Woke up at about 0725 hrs this morning, and got up, etc., and so on. Breakfast was early for me, etc, and a specially ½ boiled egg for my benefit. I must wonder what makes them think I liked them like that.
Then got all my stuff together, went into the dining room, and kissed all the girls goodbye. Soon, however, Mrs Baudouy managed to drag me away, etc, and into the car.
Arrived at the station, got all done despite the great crowds about, and got onto the train, and a hell of a squeeze it was too.
Read “Teach yourself Calculus” on the journey, and managed to concentrate a bit more than before, and managed to do the exercise given without any mistakes.
Could not get a copy of the Times, although I tried, but eventually managed to borrow one from the fellow sitting opposite me. Apart from that, life was deadly boring, and I was at an exceptionally loose end.
Then, finally, 10 minutes late, we came in, and nowhere could I find Mrs Treays, and in the end rang up and discovered that she was supposed to be there. Anyway, got a taxi, and when I got there she was very apologetic - until she saw my trunk. However, she did not go on as long as did Grete, and that was to her credit. She got me an excellent lunch, and then went into minute detail about what I was to do in France, and gave me 1000 NF for paying Mme de Bournet, and so on. However, although I did not particularly enjoy it, I managed to get away to go to town and buy all the stuff I needed, and got María's autotransformer for 12/6, which was not bad. Also a couple of condensers and chokes. Then to Foyles, bought a book on clarinet - not bad. Then along to Bill Lewingtons to buy some bassoon reeds - bought 4 for $1-12-0, and then had a look at the contrabass clarinet they had there. What a beautiful instrument! I must get one - only £304··10··6d.
Then back home, and let Mrs Treays hear me on the clarinet and flute. She was delighted. Then along to Victoria, and got everything arranged. Interesting french bird on the train, opposite me. Was observing her.
On the ferrey [sic] met a few fellows from Isle of Man. One claims to be a friend of George Harrison. When that ...
| Thursday, 2 April 1964 | → Dunquerque → Paris → Angers → Nyoiseau (La Couëre) | |
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... lot went off to bed, I tried sleeping in the smoking room, and was not completely unsuccessful. I woke up at about 0240, and we were supposedly coming into Dunquerque [sic], but it took us until 0320 before we got got off, and I spent the time freezing. Then onto the train, and after writing a variation on “Greensleeves”, went to sleep.
Woken by the ticket inspector, and for some reason he started having a row with the other fellow in the carriage - probably to keep me awake. Slept nevertheless, and woke up at the Gare du Nord, and took my stuff down to the Gare Montparnasse via Métro. What an odd thing the Métro is! Still, it works, and I had breakfast at the Gare Montparnasse, and then left my case there, and went to a mob which claimed to be Selmers of Paris, and bought a box of Vandoren reeds - 10 of them, and it only cost 6 Frs - about ½ the price I paid for some yesterday. Then tried to find Buffet-Crampon's showroom, and nearly got mixed up with a homosexual, but got off just in time, got off at the wrong Métro stop, and by the time I did find the place, they were shut until 1300 hrs. As my train left at 1310, I could not do much. Had lunch at the Gare du Nord, then back to Montparnasse, and onto the train, and started staring at an interesting looking french bird opposite me. When the other person got off, she started talking to me, but I found it rather difficult to carry on a conversation, and before long we gave up, and just sat making eyes at each other. She also got off at Angers, and almost immediately I ran into Mme de Bournet, who is readily distinguishable by a black spot on her nose. Her son, Bruno, is about as tall as I. We started back to Nyoiseau, and finally got there, and I discovered that there were 2 other english people there - a boy and a girl, the latter of whom seems intent on wearing low necklines and wide for some reason or another.
Supper was very good, but I was nearly burnt to a cinder by the fire.
After that, I decided to retire almost immediately, as I felt dog tired, and finally turned the light off at about 2030 hrs.
| Friday, 3 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Woken up today by the breakfast gong, and hurriedly got dressed, in order not to miss it, and when I got down, Lesley (the english girl) was the only other person there. Soon a couple of other people came, however, and that was that.
After breakfast, Oliver (english boy) and I decided to write some letters, and for this purpose I borrowed some paper from him, and wrote 2 letters - 1 to Mrs Treays, and one to María Cristina, explaining how to use the autotransformer which she has doubtless got by now, and I only hope it is clear.
Then downstairs, and a bit of trouble paying for the stamps, and neither Oliver not myself were very sure what was going on, but in the end I borrowed 10 centimes from him, and decided that all was square.
While practicing my flute a few minutes later, up came Lesley and said that there were 10 centimes too many on the tray. I wish they would make up their minds. Then wrote another variation on “Greensleeves” - with Sylvie (Mme de Bournet's daughter) watching me all the time. Wrote down also “Was eilst du so du Bächlein froh”, with intent to vary, but felt to [sic] tired, and went down to let Oliver beat me at chess, which he did twice, and in the end I gave up After a very good lunch, I went upstairs again and started sorting out all of my new clarinet reeds, and got them more or less in order. I don't think that it is worth numbering them. I never get to know any good numbers, after all.
Then had another look at the bassoon reeds, and discovered that one of the italian ones was in rather poor shape, but the others were quite all right.
Went down again for tea, and after that played a couple of games of chess, one with Sylvie, who has absolutely no idea of how to play chess, and beat her hollow. Did a bit of reading, and then, like a flash, supper, and Mme de Bournet's sister in law and kids were there. Interesting-looking girl, of about my age. Had a few more games of chess with Oliver, and once again he beat me every time, although only just. Talking to Lesley about musical appreciation and participation.
| Saturday, 4 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Up at 0730 again today, and when I got down, I discovered that Charles, who came yesterday, and Véronique, Mme de Bournets niece, were already down there, apart, of course, from Lesley.
After breakfast, which always seems to last for about an hour, I went back up to my room, with nothing in particularly in mind, and decided to tidy up my clarinet case, and also did some practice on both this and the flute.
Then downstairs again, and Bruno insisted on having a game of chess with me, and beat me quite absolutely and utterly hollow. After a while, I had another game, with Oliver, and also put Bach's 2nd concerto for flute and strings on, and whether this inspired me, or whether I would have won anyway, I do not know, but win I did. Then in came Mme de Bournet, and asked who wanted to go dancing tonight, and Oliver and I decided to, but it eventuated that we needed to wear suits, and I told her that my suit was in my trunk. She rang up Angers, discovered my trunk was there (how it got through customs, I do not know), and arranged for us to pick it up and visit the Château d'Angers at the same time. Then nearly beat Bruno at chess by the same method.
After lunch, all went as planned, and before long we were in Angers, and had picked up my trunk, and were trying to squeeze it into Mme de Bournet's not-very-large tartan car.
It was a Renault 4.
Finally, we succeeded, and went to see the castle, which was (and still is, after 700 years) a magnificent pièce of work. The towers were calculated at about 80 metres high (by dropping a stone from the top, and seeing how long it took). The tapestries, which are supposed to be the best in the world. certainly lived up to their name. Blew 15 NF on books.
Got back, got my trunk out, and discovered that I had not packed my suit. Told Mme de Bournet. She was, I trow, more upset than I. I wonder why. Kept trying to console me. It nearly made me cry. Mains transformer came loose again on PCR2, but I managed to fix it, and all is now well.
| Sunday, 5 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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The bell woke me up this morning at 0815 this morning [sic], and I was once again down before anybody else. Lesley decided that she might as well have it then as later, and explained that the de Bournet family rarely got up for Sunday breakfast anyway. Nevertheless Mme de Bournet came down, said bonjour, and went back to bed again.
After that, did little. Sunday seems to be well and truly a day of rest in this country, and as a result it went very quickly. At breakfast, Lesley had asked us who was going to church today. It eventuated that she was, in fact, a convert, but has to wait until she is 21 before she can be baptised. She also said it was worth going just to see the priests reactions when we came in (late, as ever). However, but the time we did actually get there, it was 1010, and the consecration was going on. It eventuated that the service had started at 0930 instead of 1000 as we had guessed.
Then went back home, and did damn all until lunch time, except for getting a few Malay stamps in better semblance of order.
Nothing much happened at lunch, but, as was expected, it was rather better than usual, and that is saying a lot. After lunch went back upstairs to do nothing in particular, and finally decided to do some flute practice. Just as I was changing over to the clarinet in walked Charles and asked if I wanted to go to the flicks, and I decided that I might as well.
We left almost immediately, and arrived in Segré not much later. The theater is about as amateur as they come, and after an initial cartoon (in english, with subtitles), we had a strong man act with a difference - the fellow seemed to have detachable chest and shoulder blades. At one point, he emptied his chest into his stomach, which brought roars of laughter from all. Also swung by his shoulder blades from a shower. The film itself was not much cop. Waited for about ¾ of an hour after that, and then went to church again, to do it properly.
At 2200 hrs, Oliver and Charles came into my room and we listened to the Top 20 on the PCR, and took it down for Lesleys benefit (She had flatly refused to join us)
| Monday, 6 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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I was woken up this morning (by the gong) to discover that, for the first time since I have been here, the sun was shining, and doing a good job of it, too. As a result, I got up PDQ and down to breakfast.
After breakfast, Charles and I noticed a boat chained up on the river, and decided to go and get our cameras, go upstream, and take a few photos. This we did, but as the sun was in our faces, we went over to the opposite bank of the river, and took one from there.
These must be the first photos I took with my Diaxette:
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Then we came back again, and decided to take a few photos from the mill house. Then I went upstairs and did a general tidy up of my room, and came down to find everybody playing bowls.
Did a bit of looking around for cane, in view of making some clarinet reeds, but the only stuff I found was far, far too coarse.
Then downstairs again for lunch, and all were very sad because la belle-sœur and kids were leaving this afternoon, in fact directly after lunch, and this necessitated us going down and saying “au revoir” to them all, although we were to see them at the circus tonight. Also, I had to play my flute to them, as she wanted to hear me before she went. Then came some pommies, for what purpose I know not, and after a bit of discussion Charles and I decided to work out how much energy could be developed from the mill-stream, and did all sorts of experiments on it. Then up to see Bruno's house, and then Mme invited me to lunch with some of her relatives tomorrow, and I went up and took the 2nd rather unsuccessful ANL that I have put in the PCR out, and used the tag board to consolidate the Power Supply, which had hitherto been all over the shop.
Then, after supper, to the circus, and it was as in a spanish bullring, only more so hellishly cramped. However, by putting my feet on the front seat for the row in front of me, I managed to be reasonably comfortable. The circus itself was nothing spectacular.
| Tuesday, 7 April 1964 | La Couëre → Sablé → La Couëre | |
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After last nights late night, I found it absolutely impossible to get up in time for breakfast today, and just lay in until about 0900, when I got up, and only just in time, too, for Madame had sent up somebody to wake me up.
Got up, went downstairs, declined breakfast, and examined the two indian girls who were supposed to have arrived last night, but who, in actual fact, arrived here at 0200 hrs this morning, and, since they had not had much sleep, they were rather tired.
Then, along came Madame, grabbed me by the neck . I stood up, grabbed her by the neck, shook hands, and said “bonjour”. Odd customs these frogs have.
Then she told me to hurry up and get ready, and before long we were in the car. Stopped at Nyoiseau post office, and got a few letters, including one for me, from Mum, in which she agrees with me about going to Deutschland, but wants to go to Hamburg. What could be better? She did not say much else, apart from the fact that Dad reckons that we will have a house by the summer holidays. I don't know how Dad does it.
Carried on for quite a long way before we got anywhere, and in fact, into another “département” before we arrived at the Château or whatnot where these friends live. Had a talk with their son about Australia. He thinks there are nothing but sheep there.
Lunch was good, and, although we started with vin ordinaire, we ended up with some 1952 Bordeaux stuff, which was very good. Mme de Bournet, however, was worried that I might not be able to take it. I showed her.
Then back home again, and stopped in Sablé on the way and bought several things, including a screwdriver set and a file, and wire for connecting up the room next door to my radio.
Got back at about 1730, and went upstairs, made a new aerial with some of the wire, and tried to fix up the rest. I was interrupted by supper, and was called down to play the flute after that. When that was over, I finally managed to find some other wire and, with Charles' help, connected it up and all worked well, apart from a bit of trouble at the beginning.
| Wednesday, 8 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Up on the gong again today, and breakfast was rather shorter than usual, as the taxi-driver was due to come at 0830 this morning, and so I went upstairs and got ready at about 0800 hrs, and waited up there until he came.
Finally, he was there, and Lesley gave us the picnic hamper and let us go, putting one of the indian girls who arrived yesterday in charge.
First stop was in Segré to let this girl change money for the journey. Then carried on, with little happening, and Charles, Oliver and I talked about cars in general.
Finally got to the first Château, the Château de Plessis Bourré. Managed to get in on reduced fares as students, and everybody expected me to lead the party. I wonder why. At any rate, a very vielle madame came and took us over the bridge, explained that the thing was started in 1468 and finished in 1473, thus being a) the quickest built Château of the Loire and b) the one of the oldest.
Wikipedia claims that it was finished in 1472.
Then we were shown round all of the rooms, and all of the lovely old furniture, which was nevertheless just like the stuff at La Couëre. Then walked round the moat, after buying the usual souvenirs, and then along to the next one.
After buying some bread for lunch, we went along to the second Château, and found it closed, and went and had lunch. Then along to see the Château de Montgeffroy, which was one hell of a dump. Then on to the next, and en route I ran out of film, but could not get any more and instead went to see the third Château, the Château de Brissac, and were shewn the place by some french aristocrat, who acted as if he owned the place, and probably did, and looked as if he had been recently guillotined. Then discovered a bar selling wine at quite cheap prices, and Guita [one of the Indian girls; correct spelling is Geeta] and I bought a bottle each. As she was feeling rather thirsty, she had it open in the taxi, and we all had some including the driver, who was very grateful. When we got to Château Serrant, however, Guita felt a bit worse for the wine, and was rolling all over the place.
Got back at about 1805 hrs, and the taxi-driver did not want his money immediately.
Pretty soon after supper, went to bed, but was disturbed at 2230, and they had all gone for a boat ride. Then carried on a conversation with indian girls until 0115.
| Thursday, 9 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Today started off fairly normally, but that was about as far as it went. Got up for breakfast not, although I was supposed to be waking everybody else up as well.
However, I was got up eventually by Charles, who wanted also to know why I had not woken him up. Breakfast was still going on when I got down, and I also asked Lesley to get me an EBC33/6Q7 when she went into Segré, and had a private bet with Charles that she would not be able to get one. Then went upstairs and tidied up my room, went out, and did a bit of walking about aimlessly, and after Gabrielle had cleaned the room out, went back, and started playing the Altblockflöte etc. Soon, all were back, Lesley demanded 12,00 NF, and the Postman demanded 0.70 F, and I had to pay Charles 0.50 NF. The valve was a 6Q7, metal type, and most small. Still, it looks nice, and that may make it worth the (rather exorbitant) price.
Fairly soon, the gong for lunch went, and during lunch Mme confirmed that we would be having supper in my room tonight, and insisted that I supply “Music while you eat”.
After that, did not do much, until some people (Lesley, Oliver, Ujwala [other Indian girl] and Keith, who came just before lunch) decided to go for a boat ride, and so up to the Château that they had been annoying last night, and had a look, but did not do much today, as Lesley was needed to help in the kitchen, and so we had to go back with her.
On typing this in, I found the addresses of Geeta (in Osterley, Middlesex) and Ujwala. Her surname was Gaekwar, and the address was Shivmahal, Baroda. So it seems that she was of that noble family, though her spelling (in her own hand) is Gaekwar, not Gaekwad.
She also gave a second address, K.S. Gaekwar in Bombay. He seems to have been a well-known cricketer as well as the Prince Udayasinhrao Shivajirao Gaekwad mentioned in the article about the Shivmahal, so it's reasonable to think that she was his daughter. It's not clear what K.S. stands for.
Then went upstairs, and did a bit of reading, and later went into Segré to buy some film, but discovered that I had left my money behind. He gave it to me on credit, however.
Great preparations were going on when I got back, and carried on for nearly 2 hours, and finally we got started on it, with the radio supplying the music while you eat. In the middle of it all the fuse went, and there was a hell of a lot of confusion for about 2 minutes, and then got going again. After that, Sylvie pulled the bookcase in which my books were off.
Then went for a boat ride again, and let off all sorts of bloodcurdling screams, and I got soaked on the way back, and did the splits into the river in the classic style while getting out, and had to have a bath.
| Friday, 10 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Things seem to be going from bad to worse.
Once again I missed breakfast this morning, as I was absolutely exhausted after last night, but was finally got up by Gabrielle, who wanted to clean out the room, and wandered about for a while aimlessly, and then decided that it might be fun to try taking a few photos of the place, although the people for removing all the dead ivy had come, and there were great piles of ivy at the bottom of the house. Took a picture of the water going through the gates, where there were 2 decided levels of water, varying by about 25 cm, and in the process lost the top of my camera case, which had been loose for a long time. Then took a few others from various points and went out in the boat with Keith, and took some of the river. He wanted to hear the 1100 hrs news, so I had to let him off, and take the boat back myself, and decided to take a few photos of the PCR2 as it was, but decided also that I would have to do something about the heater wiring, which dated from the days when I first decided to rewire it for 6.3 V, and was green wire with brown stripes, and did so, and took the photos, all except of the front, which was in a bit of a mess, and I must do something about it.
After lunch, did not do much at all, but just sat in my room reading, and so on. Did not bother to go to tea when the bell rang, but looked round for my other pair of trousers, as the pair I had been wearing had developed a hole in the seat, and was forced to wear the pair in which I fell in the river last night, although they had creases all over them, when I went into Segré to get my film.
First of all, however, we went to a Château to return some cutlery which had been borrowed for last night. When I got my photos, they were not all that wonderful. I had opened the camera before rewinding, so only some of them came out at all.
In supper, Mme insisted that I get my trousers ironed before going to Angers tomorrow. Got Lesley to do this.
At about 2230, she came up, and pinched my socks, insisting that they smelt to high heaven. What an insult. It was a smell of gas, anyway.
| Saturday, 11 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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After what happened last night, I decided not to go to Angers, and instead decided to sleep in for a while.
I was finally got up by Gabrielle, who wanted to do the room, and I was at a rather loose end, and decided yet again to go out in the boat, and took my camera but did not get much on the way of photos, but such is life.
Then came back in again, and started doing a bit of reading about music and musical instruments, and so on, and then got some of the malayan food out of my trunk.
Did little else until lunch, which, as everybody else had gone to Angers, was attended to only by me and Madame de Bournet. She sounded very displeased about something, but seemed also to be trying to hide it, and we had a rather strained conversation about school, and so on, and it was also an unusually short meal, and the fire had not even gone out when we left. That woman is odd.
After lunch, I decided to go upstairs and do a bit more reading, and read a thing called “Doughty Chieftain” in September's “Argosy”, and then gave up and thought about a communications receiver on the lines of the one I designed at the end of last term, but had a bit of trouble about the tuning mechanism and rate of tuning, and in the end I decided to use a commercial turret, with a 30 pf tuner, with a 10 pf condenser in series for narrow tuning, and 12 switched condensers to complete the band of the turret, which required a 315 pf tuner. In the LW band, one revolution of the tuning knob would give a 35 c/s change in tuning, but it was not so good on the 10-30 mc/s band, but still quite adequate.
This took me all the time to supper on the front end and 2nd converters and IF amplifiers, and when I got down, Keith had been lost, and the rest were back, and had not done any visiting at all, but had spent the whole time going round the town.
Soon, however, he rang up, and Madame went to pick him up, and we had supper without her, Bruno, nor Keith.
After supper, carried on with the circuit diagram, which I was intending to file. I was interrupted by Charles, who wanted to get a cork, so polished off ¼ litre of Rosé left over from last Thursday, and then he offered me some vin ordinaire.
As a result, the end of the circuit diagram was not quite so well done as the previous ones.
Got to be at 0030 hrs.
| Sunday, 12 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Today as Mum's birthday, as well as Lalat's birthday, but neither of them got a card from me, I am afraid.
Somebody came in and woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go to church. I nearly told them that Church could go to hell, but restrained myself, said no, and went back to sleep, and remained asleep until about 1030, which seems to be the usual time I get up now. I got up, anyway, and, after washing, etc, went in to see Oliver and Charles, the latter of whom was playing guitar, and had a bit of a conversation, and, after Gabrielle had done my room, I went back in and did a bit of reading about SSB exciters, etc, and that was about all I had time for before lunch, but I did decide d that I would use a phasing type exciter, and operate it on 9 Mc/s, heterodyning for all the amateur bands, and probably a TT21 linear again as in the RSGB handbook. I don't know what to do about VOX and that type of stuff.
Directly after lunch, the taxi to take us to the races at Château-Gontier came, and it was the same fellow as took us on Wednesday. We had a but of a laugh at Guita, who had allegedly fallen in love with him.
Anyway, before we knew were we were, we were at the racecourse, and watching the first race. On the second I put 5 NF on No. 7, and he responded by coming 2nd to last. Exactly the same thing happened in the 3rd. No. 4 in the 6th was called “Padang”, and I decided that this was a good enough sign, and put 10 NF on him, and he started off well in the lead, but quickly fell back and ended up 4th from the end. That was really the end. 20 NF down the drain.
When we got back, I got down to the doing the SSB exciter circuit, again with intent to file, and got quite some way before supper.
Fortunately, in supper, Mme did not speak about the betting on the horses today. I felt a right fool about it, especially as Oliver had won some money on it.
In the evening, carried on with the SSB transmitter, and got as far as the mixer, and then decided to turn in, and got into bed just in time to hear the top 20, but soon everybody came in, and had a party. In the end, I got up again, and carried on talking to the indian girls about their language. It seems that Ujwala is married. Start young, eh?
| Monday, 13 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Woke up, as usual, at 1030 this morning, after getting to bed so late, and as soon as I stepped out of my room, Ujwala asked me to turn the gas on in the bathroom, as the pilot had going out. There was also, as a result, a hell of a pong of gas, and as I result I opened the window to let the smell out, and meanwhile Jeanne-Marie went and called Madame de Bournet. However, by the time she came up, I had got the thing going. When I got downstairs, all thought that I had been cleaning my socks.
Mme had a fellow about to evaluate the value of the premises, presumably in order to insure the place, and when he had gone, along she comes and asks me the usual question: “Avez-vous bien dormi?” Then she did a bit of enquiring when I got to bet last night, and was rather shocked when I told her.
In lunch, she told us about the evaluator, and that he valued the place at 140000 NF. Typically, she put it as 14000000 old francs. It still doesn't look as if it is worth it.
Sixty years later, the historical currency converter put this at USD 288,914.82, pretty much exactly 10 times the value. I'm sure it's worth much more.
After lunch, I went upstairs, and worked out the rest of the SSB Xmitter, and decided to use a TT21 linear, as the RSGB suggests, and a 3-valve VFO, all very nice and so on, and then tried to work out the power supply, but failed, and gave up, as the thing was so complicated, especially as I intend to use 20 BY100's in the P.A. power supply, which I still think is better than 4-5R4GYs, with all sorts of accessories, delayed switching, etc.
At tea, Madame decided to take our clothes to the laundry, and I gave her some, and also got her to buy me some socks, and gave her 10 NF.
She came back with 3 pairs, costing apparently 2,80 each, and of the most gaudy colour. Still, they work.
After support, I decided to carry on with the SSB Xmitter, but did not get very far, and decided to do a bit of reading about calculus, and after that decided to get an early bed, and then read about it. The first chapter is decidedly odd. Outside, as usual, ran into Guita, Ujvala, and Oliver, and got into a conversation.
Got to bed at 2330 hrs, and Keith, who is back in this room, snored his head off. What a row.
| Tuesday, 14 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Lesley came in to wake Keith and me up this morning at 0655 hrs, and I got up a quarter of an hour later, and was the first down to breakfast despite.
After breakfast, madame asked me if I wanted to go into Angers, after having told me that I might not go there yesterday. As I hesitated, I was lost, and perhaps just as well, too. Anyway, enjoyed myself at home.
Spent most of the morning listening to the radio, and also fixing up the final details of the Xmitter and Xceiver, various details, etc, and this took me all the time until I was kicked out by the cook, who was doing Gabrielles job for her today, and went outside again and did a bit of reading, until I finally managed to get back in again, but did not have any time to do much before lunch. Unfortunately, however, Madame was back in time for lunch. That woman annoys me. She made some not-very-nice comments in lunch as well.
After lunch, went upstairs and started reading for a while, but got a bit fed up and decided to oil up my clarinet and take all the keys off the top joint, and, just as I was in the middle of oiling the thing, in walks Lesley and tells me that Madame de Bournet wanted to see me. It turned out that she wanted me to pay for staying here, and barely would let me leave an hour earlier than possible, and charged me 75 NF for transport, and I have to give the servants 40 NF in pourboires. By the time that was over, I had 14 NF left in the world, and, after putting the top joint of my clarinet back together, I wrote a letter of distress to Mrs Treays, and asked her to send me 100 NF, which I will probably need if I want to stay much longer here. Tea was one hell of a farce.
After supper, I decided to do a variety of different things, and started doing a bit of work on calculus, and then changed my mind and went to look for a couple of books to read in bed, and got caught outside with the girls by the fire, but fairly soon Madame came up to put Bruno to bed, but started to talk to us.
Promptly went to bed, and started reading „Die Verwandlung“ by Kafka, but did not get far.
| Wednesday, 15 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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What a day! To start with, the gong went an hour late, at 0830, and I thought it could not possibly be the breakfast gong, and so stayed in bed, intending to get up at 0900 hrs. Enter Mme de Bournet at about 0850, and asks a few questions, then enter Keith with rather a hell of a nose bleed, which I insisted was due to the fact that he snores too much. Anyway, Madame thinks that she knows how to cure it and spent the next half hour saying that she knows how to do it, because Bruno always gets it, and so on, and so forth, and at the same time disproved this claim. When she had gone, I got up, and went downstairs, and had breakfast (at 0945!). Then went upstairs and got something to read while the cook did the room again, and decided that I should buy a Heathkit RG-1 receiver for the ham bands, and increase the coverage of the PCR2 to go over all the bands from 150Kc/s. - 30 mc/s, and as a result went downstairs and tried to work out what type of coils I would need, but did not get very far, and soon gave up, and got “Die Verwandlung“ and read a couple of pages more, but could not go much further, and went and got “Musikinstrumente”, and read that first. Then went and did a bit of rowing, and decided to stop over the other side of the river, and while I was over there the gong went. I never have rowed so fast in all my life.
I suspect I had never rowed at all in all my life until a few days before.
In the lunch, Mme wanted somebody to come with her to Segré, but nobody would go. What a laugh.
In the afternoon, I spent most of my time listening to the radio, and did very little work of any type, but did do a bit of thinking about the SSB Xmitter, but that was about as far as it got. Then did a bit of experimenting with my old flute, and got quite a good scale after I had removed the cork.
In tea, a couple of people complained, so afterwards I started taking my new flute to pièces, and cleaned off the dust underneath, and had quite a bit of fun putting the thing back together.
More about the SSB Xmitter after supper, and I decided that it might be fun to use a Heathkit SB 1U with a homemade VFO, as Dad could get Mr Choi in Malaya to get it, getting the cheaper, at wholesale price.
Decided to have a look at the circuits of linear amplifiers in bed, and went to bed quite early, but turned the light off at 2230 hrs. Keith came in about 15 minutes later, and thought that I was asleep.
| Thursday, 16 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Gong went late again today, at 0800 hrs, but everybody else was there on time, which is just as well, as we had to go and visit the laiterie immediately afterwards, and as a result we got off at 0845, and arrived at about 0900 at a ramshackle looking place, which Madame insisted was the laiterie. I was nobody to argue with her, and besides, the place smelt to high heaven of cheese. In the next 2 hours, we smelt more unpleasant smells than I have ever smelt before. How the people manage to live there I don't know. In the thing downstairs, saw the small section for making butter, which looked quite disgusting, and the cheeses drying, and giving off NH₃ by the litre.
Then we were shown around the testing laboratories, (with a few comments by Mme de Bournet),
which also smelt like hell, and then the powdered milk factories. By the time we had
finished, one might think that we were sick of cheese for life, but nevertheless Geeta and I
bought 1,8 and 1,7 kg of cheese respectively, costing 7,82 NF. Got back home at
about 11201110, and lunch was, as is usual here, at 1130.
After lunch, went upstairs, waited until 1300 hrs, and turned on the radio and read a diversity of things, when I was not listening to the radio, and learnt a bit more about linear amplifiers. I am still undecided as to what to do about the same, but I think I will incorporate a CRT modulation indicator. It looks as if I could do with it, especially considering the English government regulations. Later, I was feeling lousy.
In supper, I did not feel at all well, and considered it it [sic] was the cheese. Nevertheless, I had some.
Feeling both tired and lousy after supper, and went to bed at only 2030 hrs, as there was nothing else to do.
About an hour later, in walks Keith, and tells me we were are going out in the boat, and so I get dressed, a Dispirin [sic] from Charles, a head of a flute, and going.
Soon we are making our way upstream in a very waterlogged boat. Lesley was rather annoyed because I brought my flute head, but when we got up to the Château I managed to play the last post on it.
Got Geeta's and Ujwala's addresses - got to bed at 0030 hrs. So much for an early night.
| Friday, 17 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Yet again I woke up late today, and a dreary day it was, too. I was feeling about as lousy as was the weather, and went along to wash, got dressed, etc, and went downstairs to do some reading about SSB out of the ARRL handbook of SSB while the maid, etc, was doing my room. She took a lot more time than usual, as, as the indian girls had gone, Keith and Oliver were to have their rooms. I went up a couple of times, but it was quite late before all was finished. Before this, however, all the remaining people decided to go upstream to the next mill (a little way above the famous château whose owner we have been annoying so much later. [sic]
First, however, we had to bail out the boat, which was absolutely full of water after yesterday, and this took us about 15 minutes to fix up. Finally, we set out, and, after getting about ½ way up to the château, we decided that we could not possibly make it up to the mill and back before lunch, and stopped, drifted back for a while, and got into one hell of a mess, but got back and changed before lunch nevertheless.
After lunch, I retired once again to my chambers, as I was not feeling particularly well. I really must spend less time there. Apart from at mealtimes, I am there nearly all the time.
Soon, Charles poked his head in, and asked me if I wanted to go up to the next mill again, but I decided not to, and carried on listening to the radio and reading, etc, but did little constructive work.
Then decided to write some variations on „Was eilst do so, du Bächlein froh“, and used „Die Blockflóte und ihrer Spielweise in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart“ to give the master code for the divisions.
Supper was pretty average, although I arrived late, as I had to put my flute away.
After supper, I wondered whether it was worth going to bed early, but just sat there reading and listening to the radio, and was visited by Bruno, who came in to tell me that he had got 14/20 in his physics, in which I helped him on Tuesday, but he did not tell me how good that was.
Finally went to bed at about 2100 hrs after borrowing a book from Charles by P.G. Woodhouse: “The inimitable Jeeves”, and went to sleep about an hour later.
| Saturday, 18 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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Although I got to sleep quite late last night, I was rather exceptionally tired, and,
although I had planned to get up at 0600 hrs, I slept on, and on, and was woken at about
0800 hrs, 0830 hrs, and 10250925 hrs, to be told each time that the car was just
about to leave for the farm, the last time by Mme de Bournet. Farms never interest me, and
the proposition of going to a french farm after just having been woken up turned my stomach,
and, rather than tell Madame that she should go to hell, I told her that she should go to a
french farm, but she would not have the (dis?)pleasure of my company.
In actual fact, I got up almost as soon as she had muttered something about being “le garçon le plus parasseux qui je connais”, and I had heard the car disappear in a cloud of smoke, dust, and especially, noise.
I did not have much to do, but did carry on reading “The inimitable Jeeves, gave up for a while to let Gabrielle do the room, and then started trying to finish and write out the first variation on „Was eilst do so, du Bächlein froh“, finished it, and started promptly to try to play it on the clarinet, and then entered the cook, asking if I was hungry, and told me to keep up with the good work on the clarinet. Then returned Madame and mob, and promptly went the gong. Lunch was pretty average. Véronique, Madame's nièce, is back for ⅓ term - apparently they have 2 or 3 a term.
Retired to my room again, and carried on reading, and finally finished the book. Excellent fun, but a bit old-fashioned. Then did a bit of radio listening, but not as before lunch, when I picked up Radio Switzerland and discovered that its Swiss Watch was in time with mine to the second.
Now, however, I did not do at all much, but kept feeling that I should. Tea was pretty boring.
Carried on being bored, and did little until, when I went down for supper, Lesley presented me with her recorder for examination. This I did after a fair supper. It is almost identical to mine. The bore is rather narrower than mine, and all dimensions (holes, tenons) are generally smaller, but it was about 2 mm longer than mine. The fipple is too low, and the roof too high, so the tone is rather fuzzy, Told her what I thought of it. Then looking through old books - found one of 1685. How ancient.
Lesley was wearing no bra today - sexy.
| Sunday, 19 April 1964 | La Couëre | |
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As I had intended, or perhaps because I was afraid what Keith might to do me when he came in to say goodbye, I woke up at 0630 hrs this morning, and enter Keith about 10 minutes later to say goodbye and watch me cheer my head off. I managed to stay awake long enough to be able to drag myself out of bed, get up, dressed, etc, and listen to the radio until the gong went for breakfast, and then went down. Lesley said her customary “tiens!” to see me up so early, and that was all there was to it.
After breakfast, I started doing a collection of german folk tunes, arranged for 6 recorders, and supposedly representing a day in the life of a hiker - starting off with “Auf, du junger Wandersmann“ and carrying on with “Es, es, es und es”, “Muß i denn”, and “Auf, auf, ihr Wandersleut”, and so on. Before long, however, the horn of the car went, signifying that we should be going to church. I went down, but was not allowed to go, because I had not told her before hand. Gawd (apt, eh?). The sooner i leave this place, the better.
Got back to my music, but had to leave it for a while while the girl did my bed (apparently Gabrielle is unwell)
Lunch was pretty average, below average considering that it was Sunday.
After lunch, I decided to carry on where I had left off when I had gone for a boat ride with Charles before lunch, and carried on the scoring, voicing, etc.
Carried on like this until tea time, and then I decided to go down for once, and there happened to be a couple of english girls there, and of course I happened sit down near the drack looking one. However, the conversation was not much, anyway.
Got back upstairs, tried to burn the lavatory salts that Madame put in to vinteogat [?] my socks, gave up, and tried to go for a row, but as Lesley had pinched one of the oars, and nearly went over the falls. Went back again, and fixed the oar up for Lesley, and went upstairs again.
After supper, Mme tried to get me to do the washing up. I commented that that was not much good for 30 NF/day, which when said was absolutely and utterly the height of rudeness, and sent me up to my room, and asked me to apologise.
No party for top 20. I wonder if the rest of the mob agree with Madame.
| Monday, 20 April 1964 | La Couëre → Angers → Paris → Dunquerque → | Images for 20 April 1964 |
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So open many days. Today, I once again I woke up at more or less the time intended, at 0705. Mme de Bournet was so kind as to come in with a telegram from Mum to the effect that I might leave immediately if unhappy, she was sending £10, and she would also pay the balance from here.
I promptly upped out of bed, and got my trunk from the shoe cleaning room, and started packing for all I was worth. At about 0755, I went downstairs to see what had happened to breakfast, had it, got back to work, and by 0830 was finished, and started to do a bit more on the „Der Wanderstag“, as I had decided to call the collection that I started yesterday, and got just about to the end of „Auf, auf, ihr Wandersleut“.
Then went downstairs, and Madame flatly refused to let me go before I had payed for everything through the nose. Just at that point, the postman having arrived, I was called to sign for 2 registered letters, the first from Mrs Treays with 100NF, and the second from Mum with £10, so all was well, and I payed through the nose. Then had a very rough lunch with white wine to make up for it. The taxi came to take me to Angers, and putting the trunk into the boot, he undoubtedly did say “merde”.
I no longer recall what went wrong at La Couëre. From the diary entries it's only barely clear that things went downhill. My guess was that Madame de Bournet was to treat me specially for the sake of her friend Inez Treays, but that I misbehaved. Certainly there was an incident of my bedside lamp, made from some ceramic material and potentially quite expensive. I accidentally knocked it off the table, and it broke, so I threw it into the river outside the window. Unfortunately, I didn't check the river: there was a bank there, so the broken lamp lay there for all to see. Madame was not amused.
Got to Angers, paid the taxi (more or less - mainly less, but he accepted) and for registration, and ended up with £7 and 50 centimes in the world - £7 and 50 centimes more than 12 hours ago. Went to sleep on the train, and when I woke up we were still an hour out of Paris.
When we finally got there, I somehow had to get a 55 c. Métro ticket for 50c., but after a bit of high speed french, I finally got one for 37¢ on the blackmarket from a paper stall nearby.
This was, in fact, a single ticket from a book of 10, which at the time cost 3.70 NF.
At the Gare du Nord, got rid of my luggage, and changed some money, and had a good meal, which was just what I needed. Then spent a bit of time looking for clarinet reeds, but all I could see in Buffet's window were the reflection of brassières from the opposite window. Thus, my search was in vain.
Got back at about 2015 hrs to the Gare du Nord, and into the train, and met a bird and a couple of boys, one from Canada, and got into a conversation with them, discussing at some length the difference between America and England.
| Tuesday, 21 April 1964 | → London → Exeter → Newton Abbott → Netherton | Images for 21 April 1964 |
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Once on the boat, got into a conversation with a chinese fellow who was pretty tipsy, and he was the first fellow I have met who admitted he was drunk. Shouted me to a beer, and then got into a conversation with a pole from Danzig about whether the germans were sorry for what they did in the war. Got fed up and went to sleep, as the rocking of the boat disagreed with the beer.
At Dover, had to walk about a mile and then wait an hour before we got going. Interesting bird on the other side of the table. Dozed off, and woke up about ½ an hour later.
In Victoria, got my baggage put into left luggage, and went to Foyles and bought books on recorder and clarinet, and then went to Schotts and saw about the Recorder and music magazine, and had a look at the Küng bass and great bass recorders. The latter is a truly beautiful specimen, with a firm and rich tone. Only £49, and worth every farthing.
How times have changed. As of early 2015, the Küng great bass costs CHF 3280, corresponding to £2259. That's quite close to my estimate of a 50-fold devaluation of the pound in that time.
Then rang Mrs Treays after I had booked a plane to Exeter this evening at 1730 hrs. Mrs Treays told me to come round and have lunch, but I went along to Victoria first, and they said that my trunk had not arrived when I got there, but they would send it on.
Then on to Mrs Treays, and, as I had gone more than 6 miles, the taxi driver charged me 12/6. Damn him.
The meal was not so good as when I came last time. She must have got some food for me specially last time. I hope she did not go too far out of her way.
Then, after a bit of reading, I had to go and take my case to be sent to Netherton, and that cost me a hell of a lot too. It also took me a long time, and when I got back to Mrs Treays, there was only time to gulp down some tea, and off again, as we had calculated that I would spend about an hour on the tube.
In actual fact, the figure was closer 30 minutes, and I was at the airport with piles of time to spare, especially as the plane was about 10 minutes late.
At Exeter, shared a cab with a fellow, and then waited about 20 minutes for a train. Arrived in Newton Abbot at 2045, and rang up, and discovered that Mrs Baudouy had gone to bed, but Kirsten got me into Raymonds bedroom. Bev is back, next door to me. Spent about ½ hour talking. Quite enjoyed ourselves - Got to bed at 2230, after 40 hours with hardly any sleep.
| Wednesday, 22 April 1964 | Combeinteignhead | |
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Bev woke me at about 0630 this morning, and I got up about 10 minutes later. Van saw me outside, and said good morning to me, and then went to the kitchen and asked Mrs Baudouy and asked her if I was here. She told him that he was having a dream or, probably, a nightmare. Then I walked in, and she had the shock of her life. All part of the fun. Brian also nearly fainted.
Bev then went by bike to see Susan off, and I went with her - in thongs, as my socks now smelt to high heaven. God seemed to be complaining, too, for it was raining like stink.
Got back, and had breakfast, again, for Bev's benefit (had it in the kitchen 1st time). Then up to Bev's room, where the other 2 girls were having breakfast in bed. For her age, Carolyn is very well developed. I must get on with her.
Then did a bit of music practice, and wrote out the clarinet part to “Never love a Stranger”. Acker Bilk must have no speaker key, or not know how to use it. He never leaves the chalumeau register.
At this point I started the first of my changes in handwriting, writing d as ∂. I don't seem to have had any relapses.
Then up to Bev's room, and she tried to do my portrait for me, but by the end gave up in disgust, and we went down for lunch, to discover that the gong had gone about half an hour before.
After lunch, decided to go into town, as I needed a new pair of trousers rather desperately after what happened at La Couëre. Bev needed some new clothes too.
After all the clothes buying was over, (Kirsten was helping us, and, as usual, she takes her time), we had a general look around town, but, apart from buying a folder at Smiths, I did not buy much. Bev bought some paper for sketching, etc, and then we discovered that we were all but broke, and walked back home as a result.
We got back not long before the mob who had gone to see the flicks, but did not turn up for supper until it was about ½ way through.
After supper, I was given strict orders not to go into the pink room in which Bev and mob live, and as a result I kept going to the door, saying goodnight, and a few other things at the same time.
Had a bath - let Mali and Barry in, and the bastards promptly called all the girls in the neighbourhood to come and inspect my magnificent torso. Damn them.
| Thursday, 23 April 1964 | Netherton House. | |
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Today started off at about 0730, when Kirsten came in and woke me up. I went into the girls room, and Bev was still in bed, and all 3 of them wanted breakfast in bed, and so I took orders, signed autograph books, etc, and checked that there was no mail for any of them. Then went downstairs, had breakfast, and swiped one hell of a lot of food for the girls breakfast, including 2 knives an egg, a spoon, and a pot of jam.
Stayed there until about 1020 hrs, when Kirsten came in and told them to get dressed. They promptly kicked me out. I wonder why.
Went downstairs, did a bit of flute practice, and soon Mali poked his head in the window, and before long I had put my flute away, and was going with him down to the village, where I discovered that I had exactly 8d to my name, and promptly blew it on some food, 50-50.
When I got back, I noticed that an expedition was being made into town, and quickly got in, thongs and all, and got £1 from Mrs Baudouy, and went with Carolyn and Irene, and bought the stuff for tonight.
Got home quite late, and nearly missed lunch, after which we had an expedition into town to see “Dr. No”, and Bev & I decided to go and see it, and I wrung an extra 10/- out of Mrs Baudouy. I really must kerb this expenditure.
The film itself was very good, although nothing like the book. Soon our 10/- was gone in food, etc, and I borrowed 2/- from Fadel, who was indebted to me for buying some fags for him.
Got back just in time for supper. Nowadays we never have a minute to spare. It really is quite disgusting.
Got into a conversation with Mrs Baudouy at about 2015 and finished at about 2115, when she said that Gerald Bate was coming back.
Meanwhile, the girls wanted to have the midnight feast, although Kirsten was still prowling round. A few embarrassing moments. Entered also Cynthia in transparent negligée (wow - this really is the limit. Sexy) and Jean, who was content just to wear no bra and have her blouse undone. One on each side of me. Later, enter Gerald Bate, so Cynthia put her dressing gown on.
| Friday, 24 April 1964 | Netherton House. ( ←→ Exeter) | |
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Up fairly early this morning, and went downstairs, and was promptly asked by Kirsten if I would like to tidy up the playroom. After taking some mail up to Bev, I did so, and in the process found a few letters of Bevs.
After breakfast, reading about english wood-carving of recorders, and it eventuated that there was something to do with the subject in the nave of Exeter cathedral. As Régine was supposed to be going today, therefore I went with her to Exeter. Going through Combeinteignhead, we saw a black cat, symbolising good/bad luck. At any rate, she missed the plane.
At Exeter cathedral, I was disappointed. To start with, the minstrel's gallery is about 10 m up, and there is little doubt that the figure in question is playing the shawm. However there was a wood carving which is pretty obviously some type of fipple flûte, and of this I took a photo.
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On the way back, went into Wheatons, and discovered a malay dictionary, which I promptly bought. Also saw an advertisement for some kind of sweets, with a fellow playing the recorder (or trying to. What an insult to the recorder).
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In the afternoon, got back too late for lunch, and Mrs Baudouy prepared some specially for me. Then went into town to do a multitude of things, and started of by taking Bev's radio into Pollards, and then along to a printers to have some rubber stamps made, and then bought some insulting [sic] tape at Woolworths, after I had found out that I cannot get a quote for redoing the billiard table here.
Then met the others lot in the Parkona, as usual, and settled my debts with Fadel.
Got back home, and was rather at a loose end until supper time, and then I got talking to Raymond about voices, and so on, and he now wants to start up a pop group centered on Netherton. He will sing (Gawd!) and I am to play the clarinet. I am not very enthusiastic.
After the usual rumpus in the evening because all wanted to see the Rolling stones, many went out for a midnight walk.
Régine soon came in to see us, dressed in only her night gown, and slowly started removing that. If Raymond had not been there, I would have accepted the invitation, but as it was, we both missed our chances.
In fact, Raymondo obligingly left the room, though I wasn't sure for how long. The real issue was that I didn't really know what to do.
| Saturday, 25 April 1964 | Netherton House → Plymouth → Netherton House | |
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Bev woke me up fairly early today, and I got up, and discovered a couple of letters from Mum downstairs.
Bev turned up for breakfast this morning, but still seemed a little uncertain as to how we were to get there.
After about an hour of waiting, I decided to do a bit about it, and as a result, we ran to the bus stop in time for the 0910 bus, and in town canceled the rubber stamp for the malayan address, and got the photos from Boots, which came to only 3/-. And, what is more, all of them came out. However, as I anticipated, the first one was hopelessly blurred. I must a) do something about my nerves or b) buy a tripod, which is probably easier.
Arrived at the station just in time for the 0950 train, and after we had had a look at the photos, started talking in malay, just to keep our hands in. However, we soon got into such a jumble of recollections that our malay failed us.
When we got to Plymouth station, Harriette was not there, but quickly appeared. After getting into the centre of town, we went through nearly every clothes shop in town before we decided to have lunch, and bought some chish and fips at the same old place where I always buy my chish and fips when I go to Plymouth.
I can't recall that I had ever been there before.
After that, to some ferry or another, and then a bus, which effectively transported us to Harriettes front door.
Mr & Mrs Andrews are a very nice couple of people indeed, and have 5 kids, of which H. is the eldest. Then cometh [sic] Vicki, at 13, who is very attractive. After being introduced, went upstairs and played their only son William at darts, at which he beat me hollow. Then went down and played cheat and pontoon, in the latter cheating as much in the former. As we spoke malay, nobody knew what was going on, but noticed the word “bagi” [“give”], and thought it meant “ace”.
After watching TV for a while, had a high tea, and then went down for the bus. However, we missed it, and missed the ferry by minutes. It then eventuate, that owning to work on the bridge, there were no more trains to Newton Abbot. Mrs Andrews was all for us staying until the next train on Monday, which would have suited me, with Vicki about, but Mr Andrews decided to drive us back, which was very kind of him, I suppose. Régine had well and truly left when I got back.
Based on the ferries, it's likely that the Andrews lived near Torpoint, which, owing to the lie of the land, would be a journey of round 83 km to Newton Abbott. There's still a ferry there, to Devonport.
| Sunday, 26 April 1964 | Netherton House | |
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Today was a pretty average Sunday to start off with, and I did not wake up until about 0730. I really must carry on getting up before 0700 hrs. It is amazing how fruitful this time can be.
Did little before breakfast, especially as there was nothing like mail to hand out, and also did not get a chance to have breakfast with Mrs Baudouy, since by that time they had already had it. In actual fact, I spent breakfast reminiscing with Gerald about what happened the Easter before last, when all the eggs were soft.
After breakfast, decided that it might be just as well to make my bed, and then tried to work out how to miss going to church. As usual, passive resistance is a wonderful thing, and before long, I had simply missed going to the thing, and all was well. How sacrilegious!
Spent most of the morning doing little, and made frequent visits to the kitchen to see what was to be had.
However, these were of little avail, and it was not until I had rung the lunch gong that I knew what we were having.
After lunch, feeling nice and bloated, I went outside, and it was a lovely day indeed, and started staring intently at the girls, and soon went and got hold of my camera, and took various photos, and soon the subject became exclusively girls. Changed my clothes, for these were too hot. Then got a surprise shot of Cynthia, and a nice pose by Carolyn.
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After that, Cynthia went down to the beach, so I stalked her. Got another impromptu shot of her.
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She was temporarily furious, but soon calmed down. That was the last shot, so could not get one of Jean, who looked damn good.
Decades later I heard from Cynthia again, complaining that there were photos of her on the web. She admitted that some didn't look bad, but wanted the others taken down. She still hasn't told me which.
After tea, which was outside, Cynthia came into the drawing room, and we started doing some music practice there. Might be a good way to get on to her. I hope I can.
After supper, learnt a bit about the night life in this place, and it really rather shocked me. After being sent to bed by Kirsten, I decided to go for a walk with Richard at midnight. While I was waiting, I heard Mrs Baudouy outside, and, with my help, she caught Barry and Cynthia in Malis room. Then, after Mrs B. had gone to bed, Bev was sick. Kathy, Jean, and I had to clean it up.
Went for the walk, and when we came back, we discovered pretty obvious proof that Mali and Barry had been seducing Jean and Kathy. How disgusting.
... because it happened to them, not to me.
| Monday, 27 April 1964 | Netherton House | |
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Das Leben wird langweilig. Mrs Baudouy came in at about 0630 hrs this morning, woke me up, and I got up, set the table for breakfast, and then went into the kitchen to try and get some breakfast, and nor were my efforts in vain. Then had to hand round all the mail. 4 letters, and Kirsten got 2. It really is not fair.
In the middle of breakfast, in which I was serving, Raymond and Irene decided to leave, and I went into town with them and left breakfast to Kirsten. In town, I went along to see about Bev's radio, not ready, but should be by this evening.
Took my film in to be developed, and left it at another place, who reckon they can have it done faster than at Boots.
Then realised that I had not brought the sheet saying which enlargements I wanted done to which negatives, and what not.
Gave up in disgust, and bought some K₂SO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O [Alum] for my piles, and, after a drink at the Parkona, caught the bus back, and when I got home, grabbed my camera, went into town with the car, which was only just ready, and bought some filters for my camera, and also a lens hood, which cost me a guinea.
Back home again, pretty well in time for lunch, and once again I was serving. Cynthia seems to have given up (or perhaps she is too lazy).
After lunch, got hold of Cynthia, and started taking a couple of pictures, after I had worked out my new close up lens characteristics. Got one of Mali and Abdul doing an advertisment [sic] for anti BO stuff, which should come out well. Then got one of Cynthia, looking about as sexy as she could, which will probably not come out as much.
The photo of Cynthia came out, and wasn't bad.
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I can't find any photo of Abdul and Mali, though I have one of Abdul and Cynthia together:
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Abdul, damn him, caught one of me moving towards Cynthia with intent.
This photo, too, is missing.
After that, I read “The beach of Passionate love” by G.
M. Glaskin, about Pantai Chinta Berahi. It is exceptionally good, and he even mentions the
Odeon [cinema], which belongs to Pui Tiong YeongDr Arulampulam, and was designed
by Dad, twice.
The correction was added at a later date, possibly after correction by my parents. Pui Tiong Yeong lived just round the corner (he ran the Ford dealership), but had nothing to do with the cinema.
After supper, got talking with Mrs Baudouy again, and she decided that it was time for me to make a full report, and this I did. She was really as shocked as I had been last night, and will not allow Mali to come again. At about midnight, Gautam and Rohit came. I helped Mali finish of [sic] a bottle of Martini, and ended well and truly up under the affluence of incohol.
| Tuesday, 28 April 1964 | Netherton House | |
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Woken up early yet again, and up, out of bed like a flash (or, to be quite honest, not very like a flash) and downstairs. No mail, as usual. Lay the table for breakfast, and then had some with Mrs Baudouy and Miranda.
Kirsten has now come to have breakfast with the kids, and today sent out an almighty plea for Käse, and to this I responded, and we both sat up at the end of the table, guzzling cheese on our rolls.
This appears to have been the cheese I brought back from France.
After, doing little except read “Pantai Chinta Bĕrahi” in the morning, I decided to go into town, and do a bit of shopping, and sat patiently waiting for them to get ready, and finally discovered that they had already gone.
Disgusted, I went downstairs, and started taking photos of everybody, and trying to find out when Mali was leaving. He was finally gone, and, I am glad to say, probably never to return. Pity, in a way.
Then my trunk arrived, and we had a couple of bob to pay. In a way, it is just as well that it arrived late. I would have had to pay a small fortune otherwise.
Enlisted Richard's help to bring it upstairs, and pulled out the PCR2 to discover that, as usual, the mains transformer had come adrift, and had removed every last bit of the 6V6 envelope. Must buy a new one. Also must buy a new mains transformer and larger mounting screws.
In the afternoon, Bev produced a prodigiously large shopping list, and told me that she needed all these things before going back to school.
I went and roused Mrs Baudouy, and as usual she told me to come back in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, wrote a letter to María Cristina, and got into a conversation about her with Paul, who is also madly in love with her. He came in with us in the end, and we had quite a laugh about some of the items of clothing that Bev bought. I also bought a considerable amount of stationary.[sic] Then, after having Bev's watch seen to (strap too big), and had a look at various watches at the same time. Then to Parkona. When we got back, the Stover girls were just leaving, and I did not even get a chance to kiss them goodbye. Went upstairs, and examined my purchases, and finished off my letter to María Cristina.
Down to see Alain's new radio - not at all bad. Lent me Thunderbird [sic] (James Bond type).
| Wednesday, 29 April 1964 | Netherton House | |
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I felt deathly tired this morning, and, as a result I did not get up until Kirsten woke me at 0740. Promptly downstairs, but no mail, and got the table laid, etc.
Once again, cheese at breakfast, and enjoyable it was, too. Rather fun. Kirsten wants to know what I am going to do with it when I go back to school. She will be disappointed.
After breakfast, went upstairs again and carried on reading “Pantai Chinta Bĕrahi”. I really must cut down on my reading. It is getting almost as bad as “La Couëre”.
At any rate, I carried on reading like stink (or like something, anyway), and before long had finished the book. Commended it to Bev, but she did not want to read it.
Then decided to go into town to see about a few things and above all to get a new 6V6 GT. Went to Teignmouth first, and posted the letter to María Cristina, as Neil and Gerald, who were waiting in the car with me, wanted to examine the contents. Alain took about ¾ hour over having an injection. Finally got into Newton Abbot, and went first to Marks and Sparks to change a pair of shorts for Cynthia, and then started looking for a 6V6, and eventually got one at Pollards for about 16/5, including PT. Nearly got left behind, as Alain was in a hurry to get back before his arm killed him.
In the afternoon, did even less, and tried to get the PCR2 going. It is really sick this time. I shall have to have a good look at it when I get back to school.
When I finally put all the connections back together, one of the tags on the power Xformer had had it, and so I had to put it onto a bridge rectifier, but for some reason the HT was not getting through.
Gave up in disgust, and went into town again, mainly to get a paper and photos, and could not get that. Nor were our rubber stamps ready. Got back, said good bye to Paul, and went in to help in the kitchen, where were Mrs & Mrs Crumby, Mrs Baudouy's parents. No wonder she was in a hurry to get married.
Pinched the rope from the big boys dormitory - apparently they all slept in the caravan last night. Then enter Barry after supper with the news that he had pinched my flute. The bastard. And he reckoned that Mrs Baudouy was on his side. Complained most bitterly, but nothing could be done until the morning. Spent the rest of the evening trying to fix a booby trap to the big boys dormitory.
| Thursday, 30 April 1964 | Netherton House | |
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Mrs Baudouy woke me up at 0615 this morning, and I promptly up and dressed, had breakfast, and went up to see Bev, who was disappointed that there was no mail for her, and she was to go back to school today.
At breakfast, for some strange reason, probably best known to God, everybody turned up without any further prompting. I was reasonably happy, as Mrs Baudouy had got Barry to give me back my flute, and once again all was well.
Almost immediately after breakfast, into town to see if I could get my film developed, and enlargements made by tomorrow. They said that they could.
Then back home again, and did little but read. I really must snap out of it. Anyway, this helped me to all but finish “The Offenders”. I do not think that it is a remarkably good book.
After that, I did not do much until lunch, and even then it was a rather boring meal. Bev, for some reason, had flared up just before lunch, and was still not in a very good mood.
Then, not long after lunch, she had definitely to go back to school, and we went to see her off, and spent almost 15 minutes saying good bye to her, but in reality staring at Miranda's low neckline.
Then decided to go and have a bit of a look around town, and realised to my dismay and horror that it was a half-day, and all the shops were closed.
When we got back home, I went up to read “Thunderball”, and promptly dropped off to sleep, and woke up at about 1730, went downstairs to discover Kirsten coming up with a South African girl, Jacqueline, whose case I had to carry into her room, and then show her round the place. She apparently thought I was one of the Baudouys.
After an equally boring supper I decided to do a bit of packing so that I did not have to hurry like mad tomorrow. Enter, however, Kirsten, and after she had shewn Richard how to play Sopraninblockflöte, I shewed her how to put a plug onto a cable, and then watched her make up her expenses account.
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