December 31, 1978

This morning we woke to find the ground covered in snow. We went out and came in many times, in between which I read the Guinness book of Records. It is super, great, FUN. We (the Leamintons) went skiing. Loverly! We should have driven home, but there was too much snow, so we stay here. I also should have had Biddy and Catherine to stay. Boo-hoo

My abiding memory of Christmas holidays in Exeter as a child is going to the pantomine, and coming out to find it snowing. This time it was clearly a bit later, but it is very rare now to have that much snow that far south-west, or that early in the year. My family were always keen on cross-country skiing, but the skis at my grandfather's house were probably left over from when my parents bought cheap, secondhand skis in the 60s - or even when my grandfather skied.

I've still got quite a bit of April to June, I think, to type up, so I'm going to start on that next, but dating it 2007. After I finish each month I'll redate them all 2006 so that the year stays in roughly the right order. Enjoy!

December 30, 1978

This morning we had the dress rehearsal of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, but the boys would not co-operate first go (the telly distracted them, and I was quite crossy + bossy). We did it + it went dreadfully. Bleuch! Ah well, bad dress rehearsal, good first night. Seems to be true, for our performance at 2 o'clock was superb.
In the evening we went to a panto, it was Cinderella, nowhere near so good as Robinson Crusoe. It was all soppy, and they didnt throw nuffin to the audience.
We had Chinese supper, yum. We saw 'Oliver'.

December 29, 1978

Today the kids (us three) stayed in Sowton at home. We played around, rehearsed Ali Baba, romped, fought, 'claimed' property for fights, etc.
Later on we went out in the garden. We tossed, kicked, thumped, whacked, boxed, dribbled (in other words, manipulated or propelled) a football between the three of us. Then we climbed a tree or two.
For dinner there was goose.

I have no doubt that the goose was raised in the field that my grandfather rented to a farmer. In fact, I think the goose, and a Christmas turkey, was the rent.

December 28, 1978

This morning we went into town (Exeter) and I got a Letts Schoolgirls Diary and four postcards of stamps. Then I went to the library where Daddy was and we had inspirations and puzzlements over my Christmas House Quiz. We all had a jam doughnut in the Milkmaid. After lunch we played around with Action men. I kitted one up for Arctic weather. We did lots of stuff, including our first rehearsal of Ali Baba, the play that came with Davids theatre.

For those not familiar with the British school system, often schools are divided into "houses" which, in a boarding school, will be where you sleep, but in a day school, will either be just a group for pupils to compete with other groups, or will have a bit more internal structure. Ours had a tradition of fiendishly difficult Christmas Quizzes - think Times Crossword coupled with general knowledge - my dad was addicted, I think he suffered withdrawal symptoms when we left the school.

December 27, 1978

This morning we played in the garden until it was time to leave for Exeter. On the way we stopped at Stonehenge + had lunch. We would have stopped at Montacute but it was shut. We got to Exeter at 2.16. We played with David and I made (started making) his toy theatre. It is super. We opened our presents from them, and I got five pounds!

David (my uncle, who is two years younger than me) ended up taking Theatre Studies at university.

December 26, 1978

This morning we (Jocelyn, Jane, Daddy and I) went to Aunt Ginnys. I played my flute, the carols that I played before + Jo sang. We gave her her presents and she gave us our presents. When we got home we had lunch and then opened those pressys. I got a book, the 'Girls Companion'. This afternoon we played around, I sewed, and other things. We saw Its a Knockout, then we went to Oxford St. to see the Christmas lasers. I preferred the traditional lights in Regent St.

I bet the shops weren't open and the whole of Oxford St. and Regent. St. packed with shoppers...

December 25, 1978

Christmas Day, 78! First we opened our stockings. NO, first Joc + I woke up at 4.45 a.m.. Then we opened our stockings. I got a 'bag o' bells' for soft toys. Then we had to play Monopoly because the dads were at church. Then we opened our pressys! I got a school scarf, some gloves, some Turkish Delight, a book, a ring tree, two tokens, a CALCULATOR! and lots more. We went to the Rec for a while, came back + had dinner with crackers + indoor fireworks! Then this afternoon we played with our presents, watched tely, etc. We saw The Sound of Music and a James Bond, Diamonds are Forever.

This is exactly what I remember doing every Christmas Day of my childhood - watching James Bond, and getting very functional presents.

December 24, 1978

Christmas Eve. After breakfast we went to church. After lunch Jocelyn + I polished the silver so we wouldn't have to go on a walk. Then we went to a carol service and I played the flute. Then we got home, had supper + hung our stockings up.

I must have really hated going for walks...

December 23, 1978

It is M's birthday today. First he opened his pressys and we watched him. Then we had pancakes, some with maple syrup, some with blueberry syrup. Yum! Then we decorated the Christmas tree, and put the presents under it. Then, after lunch, we went for a look at Hampton Court, but the maze was closed, so it was no good. We had a birthday tea, J + M's mum + dad went out, and we had fondue and strawberry ice cream (not together!)

I know Morgan always hated having his birthday so close to Christmas. I imagine we thought that fondue was terribly sophisticated in the 1970s!

December 22, 1978

We went to the panto! Daddy didn’t’ feel well so we took J’s friend Phillippa to it. It was glorious. It was called Robinson Crusoe. There was him, his mum and his brother (played by ‘Pike’ of Dad’s Army) Billy. Billy was a bit soppy and soft. There was a man-eating plant and a Fairy Detergenta, who fought the Demon Oil Slick.

If you aren’t familiar with Dad’s Army, Pike is also quite soppy and soft

December 21, 1978

This morning I got everything ready of mine for our journey to Oxford and further. At 10.15 we set out and arrived in oxford at 11.30. We went to Browns for lunch. I had a club sandwhich, it was yum. We arrived at the Rees just after I finished sewing my elephant’s ears + tail on. M, B + I ran an errand. Then when J arrived we practiced our carols. After supper we went to a carol practice + then we had lovely cake at the Vicarage. Then it was bed.

I don’t think I can still sew in the car.

December 16, 1978

This morning I did various things. I cashed my 50p postal order from Aunt Deb, spent 40p of it on a model for Bobby, made a ‘Memory Board’ for Mummy, went to Dale St to help at the coffee morning, etc. etc. After piano I WENT TO THE BALLET with Janet, my godmother. We went to Coventry Theatre. It was “La Fille Mal Gardée”. Although I have seen that production before I thourooghly enjoyed it and I loved every minute.

I somewhat lost touch with my godmother for a while but my mother suggested I ask her to our wedding and I’m really glad I did – it’s been nice to be back in touch.

December 10, 1978

Dear Yolande,

I haven’t written to you for ages! (except yesterday). Sorry. I apologise. Beg puddin’ (yes please!) This morning – hum – what did I do this morning? You won’t know. Yet. Oh yes! This morning I slept late, and then when I woke I read ‘A Little Princess’. Then after breakfast I began to sew the costume (mine) for the nativity play. Then after lunch I made cards (Xmas). There were some with glitter! This is ! because they were very nice but ¡ because I had to clear up! We went on a walk later, then there was a church nativity play rehearsal. In the evening I listened to ‘The Messiah’. It was beautiful.
Lots of love,
Katie

December 9, 1978

Dearest Yolande
This morning I walked around complaining of my homework, practice being hard done by etc. When I had practiced the piano I rang Catherine. She came round. We made a study of the class’ foot shapes (so that Lucy wouldn’t expect any Xmas presents when we drew round her feet for ballet shoes). We then gave them a rest lesson by listening to a concert. Then they had a craft lesson (we decorated the room with paper chains, snowflakes from cut-up paper, angels from doilys, Xmas trees and balloons from tissue paper. After lunch we made stuffed dates. After piano I went to the library and then prepared a talk for English. It is on ‘Dolls Now + Then’. In the evening there was a dinner party. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Yesterday I passed my Bronze Self-Survival test! Love, Katie

Hope you realise these are my dolls we are talking about!

December 2, 1978

It snowed! The first snow of winter! I sewed + sewed + sewed on my nelliphant. Then Amanda came and invited me to play. After lunch + piano I did so, and we got some sweets each. We invited Cath. and we all played a version of Blind Mans Buff where you hide an object (that rattles) and the blind man has to find it, drop it, try to catch another person, + the others have to try to get the object that rattles. I borrowed ‘The School at the Chalet’ from Amanda.