Week 24: 14th June – 20th June 1959

 

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• At Disneyland, the first passenger-carrying monorail was dedicated by U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon. When Walt Disney took the Nixon family along for a test ride before the ceremony, the Secret Service detail was inadvertently left behind and the Vice President accidentally “kidnapped”.
• As beachgoers in La Jolla, California, watched, 33-year-old Robert Pamperin was attacked and devoured by a 6 metre great white shark, while skindiving 50 yards from shore. No trace of Pamperin was found, and it was speculated that the shark had swallowed him whole.
• A jury in London awarded Liberace $22,400 in his libel suit against the London Daily Mirror. The Mirror’s columnist, William Connor, had described the flamboyant pianist as homosexual.
• The Soviet Union reversed plans to provide China with a prototype atomic bomb, and secretly informed the Beijing government that it would not supply technical data for constructing more nuclear weapons, unilaterally cancelling an accord reached on October 15, 1957. Nikita Khrushchevnoted later in his memoirs that the working bomb and its blueprints had been packed and ready for shipment, but that the Soviets then decided against sharing their secrets.
• Russ Conway’s ‘Roulette’ reached No. 1 in the UK.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gill playing in Oxshott Woods, June 1959.

Sunday 14th June 1959
Another hot day – & a busy one. We had a bit of a lie in as Jill was sleeping – she slept all night. It was too hot to go on directly after lunch so we had a rest on the bed & went in the woods at quarter to four. Too hot for Jill to get to sleep tonight – so she was up until after nine.

Monday 15th June 1959
After her late night Gillian slept well – until quarter to nine this morning, so I was able to get all the washing out before she got up. Its been very hot – we haven’t been out walking – Gillian has played with her pool. Letters from Molly, Joan & Ben.

Tuesday 16th June 1959
A/N.C. (ante-natal clinic)
Another hot one today. Cyril had the half day to look after Gillian while I went to the clinic. It was a different doctor today – she was a bit more rapid than the other one. However she has said I’m to to go again next week. Caught the ten to four bus home.

Wednesday 17th June 1959
Another too hot for me day! I felt awful this morning. We were up & down with Gillian from 10.30pm until 1.30 am! I let her sit in her paddling pool today but she has since had diarrheo! She’s up now – 9.30pm. 

Thursday 18th June 1959
Gillian slept all night as she should being up all evening! Anyway I was able to get the washing out of the way before she had breakfast. Its very hot again – but I’ve made the effort (& what an effort!) & been up to the village this afternoon. 

Friday 19th June 1959
We had another wretched night last night. Poor Gillian had a few slaps & many tears! I had to have an hour on the bed this morning while Jill rested. Its very hot. We’ve been up to the village this afternoon & done quite a bit of the weekend shopping. Saw Mr. Webb who used to manage Forrest Stores in the Green. 

Saturday 20th June 1959
It was lovely to have a nights sleep last night! Gillian woke once at midnight but went off to sleep after a drink. This morning we caught the 9am bus to Esher & from there to Kingston – we bought Nappies & Nighties for baby brother (how did Peggy know it was a boy?)! – had Gillian’s hair cut & had our lunch out. Gillian was very good. We got home at 2.30 & she’s up in her cot now. We also bought her a pair of slippers! Poor Cyril has had a very expensive Father’s Day! Gillian up all evening again!!!

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Week 23: 7th June – 13th June 1959

 

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• The United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, also known as the New York Convention, entered into force, under terms adopted by the U.N. on June 10, 1958. The agreement encourages international arbitration of disputes, in that all nations that have accepted the 1959 agreement recognize the results of the arbitration as legally binding. The USSR ratified the treaty in 1960, the US in 1970 and Britain in 1975.
• An experiment with “missile mail” proved successful, if not practical. At 10:10 am. the USS Barbero launched a Regulus I rocket, containing 3,000 letters, from a point 100 miles offshore from Norfolk, Virginia. The “wheeled missile” was guided to the naval air station at Mayport, Florida, a parachute deployed, and it landed 22 minutes after firing. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield predicted that deliveries of mail by missile would become a regular practice.
• The first ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington, was launched at 12:40 pm from Groton, Connecticut. On June 28, 1960, the sub was fitted with two Polaris nuclear missiles.
• The West African Customs Union, forerunner of the West African Economic Community, was established by treaty between Dahomey (now Benin), the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Upper Volta(now Burkina Faso), with headquarters in Ouagadougou, Upper Volta.
• A month after withdrawing a six-month ultimatum for the Western powers to withdraw from Berlin, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev issued a new deadline when talks broke down in Geneva. Khrushchev demanded that the U.S., Britain, and France withdraw their armies from West Berlin by June 10, 1960. The ultimatum was withdrawn on September 27 when Khrushchev met with President Eisenhower at Camp David.
• Lady Chatterley’s Lover, by D.H. Lawrence, was barred from distribution in the United States by order of the Postmaster General. Grove Press had announced, in April, publication of the “unexpurgated edition” of Lawrence’s novel, and the Postmaster barred it under section 1461 of Title 18 of the United States Code as “obscene and un-mailable”.
• The first large hovercraft, the Saunders-Roe Nautical One SR-N1, made its maiden voyage on the English Channel.
• Actor Hugh Laurie was born in Oxford.
• Construction began on HMS Dreadnought (S101), the first British nuclear submarine. Prince Philip laid down the first steel at the Vickers-Armstrongs shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness. The sub was launched in 1960 and served until 1980.
• Singer Billie Holiday was arrested for heroin possession while in her room at New York’s Metropolitan Hospital, where she had been since collapsing on May 31. Because she couldn’t be moved, NYPD detectives fingerprinted her and took mug shots while she lay in bed, to face charges upon release. She would die, without regaining consciousness, on July 17.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 7th June 1959
It’s been a nice day today – sunny & breezy. We’ve all been for a very pleasant walk in the woods & had a late tea on our return. Sue’s ear seems much better today – it hasn’t bothered her quite so much.

Monday 8th June 1959
Valerie (birthday)
A stormy day today – a good thing I have the spin dryer & that I got the washing out early. It was all ironed by a quarter to one! – before we had our lunch. I’ve put a match to the fire as its quite chilly after the weekend. Letters from Joan & Mur.

Tuesday 9th June 1959
A/N.C. L’head (anti-natal clinic, Leatherhead)
Very stormy again. I had to go to the clinic – I took Jill in the big pram to the station to meet Cyril then I caught the bus. Had a long wait at the clinic – didn’t come out until twenty past four. Cyril met me off the bus with Gill & Sue. Letter from Mrs. G. 

Wednesday 10th June 1959
I’ve had a writing session – one to Doris, Muriel, Greenie & a surface to Edna with some photos. Its been a better day today – have been to the clinic this morning. Am going to defrost the frig now.
Gillian has been out in the garden a great deal today.

Thursday 11th June 1959
Fine day today. Gillian has been out in the garden & this afternoon took her to Esher to the Bank She was very good & thoroughly enjoyed having ‘cakes’ in the cafe!! No letters – only the M.G. from Joan. Jill had a bad night – slept in our bed!!

Friday 12th June 1959
Raining this morning. I had a lie in with Gillian until 8am – have baked this morning – & iced the sponge! Mum & I have just been for a walk in the woods with the girls! I think we’re going to have a thunderstorm before long.

Saturday 13th June 1959
Very hot today. I took Mum back – we left here at 10.20 – got to Welling about 12.30 & then we had a hot & hectic hour shopping, as Mum had nothing in the house!! – she was much happier when she’d drawn her pension & got some food in the house – I had some tea with her & left at four – got home just before six to find Gillian very happy – she didn’t seem to have minded my being out all day! I must say its nice on our own again. I don’t think Mum was sorry to be going home. Cyril had washed and boiled the sheets for me while I was out – bless him!

 

Week 22: 31st May – 6th June 1959

 

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• Four days after her flight into space, Miss Able, a rhesus monkey, died of a reaction to anesthesia during surgery to remove electrodes.
• The independent Dannon Milk Products Company of Long Island City, New York was purchased by Beatrice Foods from founders Joe Metzger and Dan Carazzo. Over the next decade, Beatrice developed America’s taste for yogurt by introducing the Dannon Yogurt brand across the United States.
• The United States attempted to launch four mice into orbit aboard the satellite Discoverer III, but the mission failed when the rockets fired the vehicle downward rather than horizontally; the satellite burned up on re-entry.
• Singapore was made a self-governing state within the British Empire, with Lee Kuan Yew as Prime Minister, and Sir William Goode serving as Governor-General for the first six months. Singapore achieved full independence in 1965.
• Nikolay Artamonov, commander of a Soviet Navy destroyer, defected to the United States, with his fiancee Eva, after escaping in a motor boat to Oland Island in Sweden. As Nicholas Shadrin, Artamonov, worked for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency until his recaptured in 1975.
• The first satellite communication was made when a radio message from U.S. President Eisenhower was bounced off of the Moon to Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who was dedicating the new Prince Albert Radio Laboratory (PARL).

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 31st May 1959
Very hot today – Gillian has been good – playing out in the garden with a bucket of sand! – I’ve had a rest this afternoon then Cyril & I took Gillian & Sue for a short walk before tea. We’re all set to have the frig (fridge) fixed tomorrow – space reserved!!

Monday 1st June 1959
Margaret (birthday)
I was up early this morning to get the washing out of the way before the men brought the frig – I needn’t have bothered – it’s half past four and they haven’t come yet!! Its been stormy today – the washing was dry before the rains came! Letter from Joan.

Tuesday 2nd June 1959
A/N C. L’head (anti-natal clinic, Leatherhead).
Very hot today. Anne came over this morning & she stayed & looked after Gillian while I went to the clinic – Good thing I didn’t have to take Jill – I was there a long time. Caught the ten to five bus home. Its still hot – I don’t think Gillian will settle very well tonight – she was cross when she went down.

Wednesday 3rd June 1959
Another scorcher today – I don’t suppose the Epsom crowd minded – its Derby Day! Gillian has put in quite a few hours in the garden & she’s gone for a walk with the woman from the end house!  Mum has had a couple of hours on the bed. I feel I could do with a spell myself!!

Thursday 4th June 1959
Had a lot of washing today – it takes so much longer to wash & iron when Jill decides to help me – she has spent quite a lot of time in the garden with her bowl of water. Mum is amusing herself watching the men at work. 

Friday 5th June 1959
A/N C. L’Head (anti-natal clinic, Leatherhead).
We had a terrible night with Jill – she was awake from 1am – 4.45!!! – & she hasn’t been able to have a sleep today as I had to take her to L’head with me! Its been showery today & close. We could do with a storm to clear the air. No letters.
Good night with Gillian- T.G.

Saturday 6th June 1959
We had the vet again today & he’s given Sue’s ear another do – she was very upset for a little while. Cyril has been to L’head (I still want to say Camberley) – & spent all my money – afterwards he took Mum & Jill for a walk round to Browns. Its quite chilly this afternoon – I’ve had to put a woolly on Jill. She has disgraced herself & wet her knickers twice this afternoon – the first time for over a week.
Gave Sue a couple of Disprin before we went to bed.

 

Week 21: 24th May – 29th May 1959

 

 

Gillian Patricia Hubbert (Ward)
22nd October 1975 – 13th May 2019

Peggy’s daughter Gill, who in May 1959 was 19 months old (Peggy refers to her as “Jill”) sadly passed away last Monday evening aged 61. Gill was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2016 and described her experience of cancer in a blog here.

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• The Anglo-Soviet Long Term Trade Agreement was signed, marking the first significant agreement between the U.S.S.R. and a Western nation since World War II, was signed. The five-year trade pact was renewed in 1964 and 1969.
• Sally Brown, Charlie Brown’s little sister, was born in the comic strip Peanuts.
• Two female monkeys became the first animals launched by NASA into space and returned safely to Earth. Able, a 7-pound rhesus, and Baker, a 1-pound spider monkey, were placed in the nose cone of a Jupiter rocket and sent 300 miles aloft from Cape Canaveral, and recovered, unharmed, in the Caribbean Sea 1,100 miles away.
• In what was described as “history’s first international conference in the clouds”, Christian Herter (U.S.), Andrei Gromyko (U.S.S.R.), Selwyn Lloyd (U.K.) and Maurice Couve de Murville (France) continued their negotiations concerning Berlin while flying over the Atlantic Ocean. The four foreign ministers were returning to Geneva following the funeral of John Foster Dulles.
• The first trial of a hovercraft took place at Cowes in Britain.
• Mass murderer Charles Starkweather was granted a temporary reprieve 98 minutes before his 6:00 a.m. scheduled execution. Federal judge Richard Robinson of Omaha had been woken up at 1:45 to hear the motion, and signed the stay at 4:23 so that Starkweather, who had killed 11 people the year before, could have more time to perfect an appeal. The 20-year-old killer lived for one more month before going to the electric chair at 12:02 a.m. on June 25, 1959.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 24th May 1959
Very hot today. Cyril did the house chores this morning & a little digging this afternoon. Gillian has been digging too – I took Sue & Jill out for a short walk this pm. – didn’t get her to bed until quarter to eight tonight.   

Monday 25th May 1959
Its been dull all day – the sun is just beginning to break through – 5.30pm. I don’t think the washing would have dried so well without the spinner. As it was I was finished by 1.30pm. & a record. Jill slept for a couple of hours this morning. No letters.

Tuesday 26th May 1959
Another cold day – I’ve put a match to the fire this afternoon. I fear I’ll need to put the blanket back on our bed – & Gillian’s cot! We’ve been out to Browns & for a short walk in the woods – Jill would like to stay out – she does make a scene when we come in.

Wednesday 27th May 1959
Cyril mistook the time & was up an hour early this morning! I’ve been to the clinic & to the village. It’s warm & sunny today – for a change. Letters from Anne , Dad & Doris I’ve had Gillian out in the garden this afternoon – she’s a monkey though – wanting to walk all over the part that has been dug! Just going to meet Cyril – if she’ll come in!!

Thursday 28th May 1959
Another dull day it started off fine but clouded over. Sun is out again now though. We were just getting ready to go out this afternoon when Anne arrived so she came up to the village with us. Letter from Mur. I must try & write some letters tonight – & do the books.  

Friday 29th May 1959
Yet another of my ambitions realised – Cyril had a half day today & we’ve been to Esher & ordered a frig – a nice big one – 4.6cft – Prestcold. It will be delivered on Monday! Gillian has been very good out shopping – she seemed tired but has woken up since tea!

Saturday 30th May 1959
Mum! Doris & Eileen away for 2 weeks.
Cyril went off at 9 to meet his mother at Waterloo. I took Jill up to the village – & met Cyril & Mum at the bottom of the road as we were all on the way home. Its been a sunny morning but has clouded over during the afternoon. Gillian is in to everything today – I think I’ll have to take her out for a walk!
Yes I did! – I took Mum – Gillian & Sue out in the woods! Quite a job, believe me.

 

Week 20: 17th May – 23rd May 1959

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• Cuba’s Agrarian Reform Law took effect, seizing all foreign owned land and redistributing it to Cuban families.
• Plácido Domingo made his operatic debut, as the character Matteo Borsa in a production of Rigoletto.
• The first Arabic-language commercial television station began broadcasting, as CLT (Compagnie Libanaise de Television) went on the air in Beirut, Lebanon. Broadcasting on Channel 9, the network is now part of Télé Liban.
• What would become known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail began as North Vietnam implemented plans to invade South Vietnam. Vo Bam was assigned the task of overseeing a program of facilitating transportation of soldiers, weapons and equipment, and General Võ Nguyên Giáp created Group 559 to construct roads and tunnels. In 1975, the South was, depending on perspective, conquered or liberated and incorporated into the unified Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
• A group of 4,978 Japanese-Americans who had renounced their U.S. citizenship during World War II were restored to citizenship by the U.S. Justice Department.
• Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany, was nominated for a temporary promotion to Major General, making him the first African-American to be so nominated. His promotion to two-star rank became effective on June 30 and lasted until May 16, 1960, making him the highest ranking African American officer in the United States military.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 17th May 1959
We’ve had any easy day today – haven’t been out at all in the car We took the children & dogs for a walk in the fields. Gillian loves being with the others – I am spending a great deal of time in the garden. It’s been dull & cloudy most of the day – until about 4pm. 

Monday 18th May 1959
Left Sedgebarrow at 10.20. Not a great deal of traffic on the road. We made better time on the return journey. Found a pleasant spot at Maidenhead where we had sandwiches & a drink – & Jill had a roam around. We were home by 2.30 – & ‘Miss’ went down for a sleep.

Tuesday 19th May 1959
I’ve had a big wash & iron today – & had to go to the village – so am feeling fair worn out tonight. Gillian has been good – she slept late this morning & I so I was able to get the washing out before her breakfast. Its been much colder today. We’re glad of a fire tonight.

Wednesday 20th May 1959
A horrible wet day & the first one for ages on which I haven’t been able to put out the washing. We’ve just been for a short walk to the corner shop – & what a scene from Gillian later when we came in!! It looks a bit brighter now so maybe we’ll go & meet Cyril later on.

Thursday 21st May 1959
Its been one of those days for me – I’ve been surrounded by work all day long: washing, ironing, baking. Its been dull & showery too – Gillian isn’t at her best when she’s not out much. We went to the village this am & to meet Cyril tonight. 

Friday 22nd May 1959
A better day today – we’ve been round to “Browns” – the grocer & Jill has played out this afternoon. Rob & Marg on holiday in Nottingham but having lousy weather. We all went to meet Cyril this evening.

Saturday 23rd May 1959
Cyril up early & caught the 8.30 to Leatherhead to do the weekend shopping. I’m having a lot of back ache & don’t feel up to going out. Have got on well this morning – cleaned up by the time Cyril got home at 10.20 – and I’ve done my books this morning. Cyril is out gardening. Letters from Doris, Joan & Mur today. Doris gets home from hospital this am. Jill awake most of the evening and in our bed until 1am!!

 

Week 19: 10th May – 16th May 1959

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• The foreign ministers of Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States met in Geneva for a 17-day conference on the reunification of Germany, without coming to an agreement.
• At 3;29pm on 12th May, Capital Airlines Flight 983 from Buffalo to Atlanta skidded off the runway while making a stop in Charleston, West Virginia and slid down a 200-foot embankment with 44 people on board, although all but 2 survived. Less than an hour later, Capital Airlines Flight 75, a turboprop flying from New York to Atlanta, disintegrated at an altitude of 5,000 feet after encountering severe turbulence, crashing near Chase, Maryland at 4:16 p.m., killing all 31 people on board. It was believed to be the first time that two planes from the same airline had crashed on the same day.
• For the first time, radio signals were bounced off the Moon from one station to another. The Jodrell Bank Observatory in Britain transmitted a signal via the Moon from Britain to the Cambridge Research Centre in the United States.
• Generals Richard G. Stilwell and Edward G. Lansdale delivered what was later described as “one of the most influential military documents of the past half century” to President Eisenhower. The report “Training Under the Mutual Security Program (With Emphasis on Development of Leaders)” proposed using the American military to further “political stability, economic growth, and social change” in developing nations.
• The deadline, for Communist Pathet Lao troops to lay down their weapons or join the ranks of the Royal Army of Laos, expired at noon. One battalion at Xieng Ngeun surrendered peacefully, while the other escaped and continued to fight. Pathet Lao leader Prince Souphanouvong was placed under house arrest two days later, but would become the President of Laos in 1975 after the Communists triumphed over the royal government.
• Elvis Presley’s double A side release, ‘A Fool Such As I/I Need Your Love Tonight’, reached UK No. 1.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 10th May 1959
Coo – its been a scorcher today – Jill hasn’t been in the sun very much – her arms were spotty from yesterday. We went out for 1 1/2 hours at quarter to four. It was shady in the woods. I’m glad Sue was clipped. 

Monday 11th May 1959
Hotter than ever today – Gillian was out for an hour or so this am & 1/2 hr after dinner – but I’ve kept her in since then – shall take her to meet Cyril tonight – be a bit cooler then maybe. Her arms are still very spotty from the sun & she’s been a bit irritable today. Letters from Joan & Mur.

Tuesday 12th May 1959
Another scorcher! I’ve dressed in my maternity uniform this afternoon & feel much more comfortable. We’ve just been as far as Browns & for a short walk in the woods. I think Gillian is finding the heat a bit trying – as I am! Haven’t felt much like work today. No letters. 

Wednesday 13th May 1959
Doris had her op today & is OK.
Jill had a bad night again & wasn’t at all happy first thing this morning. She seemed to be having trouble with her waterworks. Anyway after breakfast she was O.K. & has been so ever since. We went to clinic this morning – & to the village. I was hot when I got back. Went to meet Cyril tonight.  

Thursday 14th May 1959
Hire car this pm
I’ve done well today – a big wash & iron – been to the village – cooked a midday meal & washed Jill’s hair! I’ve just put the polisher over the floors (2.30) & am going to darn. Jill is asleep. I let her have her lunch before resting – as we may go out for a run tonight so she will be later going to bed.

Friday 15th May 1959
Welling.
We took Jill to Frimley last night But she was awfully sick in the car – we were quite worried. Got home just before 10. She had a good night – & we set off for Welling feeling a little apprehensive this am. However she was very good & we had no trouble at all. We’ve all enjoyed our day out – & the driver did very well – got home at quarter to nine.

Saturday 16th May 1959
Malvern.
We set off in the sunshine at 8.20 – but didn’t make very good time – it seemed a very long way – we got to Malvern at 1.20 – five hours exactly. They had about given us up! In the afternoon we went up town, bought slippers & shoes for Gillian.
– left for Sedgeberrow at 6.20. Gillian was overtired & didn’t settle at all well in the cot. It must have been getting on for ten when she went to sleep! Anyway – after that she slept all night. 

 

Week 18: 3rd May April – 9th May 1959

 

Here’s what’s going on in the world this week in 1959

• The first Grammy Awards were bestowed by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The Music from Peter Gunn, by Henry Mancini, was album of the year, and Doenico Modugno’s Volare was song of the year. The Champs’ Tequila won the award for best rhythm & blues performance. “Grammy” is an abbreviation for the Gramophone Award.
• Two burglars broke into the apartment of socialite Mary G. Roebling at the Hotel Hildebrecht in Trenton, New Jersey, loaded nearly one million dollars worth of gems and furs into a cardboard box and rode down the hotel elevator for their getaway—where New York City police were waiting for them. The police had been following the pair and their driver since February 2, after being tipped off.
• The Egyptian tour boat Dandara sank in the Nile River near Qalyub, drowning 150 of the 300 people on board. The overloaded boat, ferrying agricultural engineers and their families to a picnic, was only six yards from shore when a sudden leak caused it to founder and capsize in water 50 feet deep. Most of the victims were women and children, trapped below decks.
• The legislature for Eritrea voted to become part of Ethiopia, with the President being redesignated as “Chief of the Eritrean Administration under Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia”.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 3rd May 1959
We were up quite early – but have had a busy morning. Cyril has polished all the floors & I’ve made a cake – & prepared the washing for tomorrow. Anne was out dancing all morning. Its rained all afternoon so we only had a short walk.

Monday 4th May 1959
Gillian had a nasty fall in the spare room this morning – don’t know what she hit her forehead on but it came up like an egg. Its been a fine day. I rang the vet in Cobham this pm. – he’s coming to have a look at Sue’s ear. Letters from Joan and Dad. 

Tuesday 5th April 1959
A/N Clinic L’head (antenatal clinic, Leatherhead).
Lovely day again – I had a  rush to catch the 12.28 as the vet came just after 11.30! Sue’s ear is just an accumulation of wax – in the hairs. I had to see the Doc. at the clinic as B.P. was up again – but I managed to catch the 2.53. Mrs Mott had Jill.

Wednesday 6th April 1959
A lovely day. We went to the village this morning & most of the afternoon I’ve been sitting outside knitting while Gillian has been in the play pen. I shall probably have tea early then take the girls to meet Cyril tonight.  

Thursday 7th April 1959
Its been like a Midsummers day today – I’ve had to put Gillian into a thinner dress. She hasn’t been too happy today – after her wakeful period between 3 & 4.30 am!! We’ve just come back from a slow walk in the woods.

Friday 8th May 1959
Jill naughty again in the night.
Cyril is at Boscombe Down this pm. So won’t be home till late. I’ve just heard on the radio its the hottest day of the year.  I can verify that! We went to the village this morning & bought Gillian a sun hat! It’s much too hot for her without one. 

Saturday 9th May 1959
Cyril has been shopping in L’head this am. I took Jill to the village to buy wool & met him off the bus. Its hot again – but more cloudy than yesterday. I’ve almost finished Jill’s cardigan so have bought wool to start on the baby vests – at last. Cyril has put the covers on the three piece & they look very smart. Shall have to keep Sue off now.
Olive & Frank came this afternoon & stayed until 10pm. Very nice seeing them again.