September 21st 1973

“Moved into spare room”

Wow…. I must have argued with myself and got thrown out?

Actually, I this was part of my necessary ‘teenage remodeling’ years. It is CERTAINLY something that my Dad remembers with a little bit of horror.

He reminded himself of it – and then me – when, last year, I told him I had finally finished painting “the bloody dining room” here at our house in Newport.

The room took me ten times longer than I felt it should have done for the simple reason that my wife & I chose a deep red paint colour for the walls. Anyone who has done painting will know that dark colours never quite look right after just a couple of coats, and thus require several more to give them the depth and strength they deserve.

Thus, my dining room became “that bloody dining room”, just as – I’m sure – my bedroom became “that bloody bedroom” for him in 1973.

The reason being that I chose…. wait for it… a deep purple for two of the walls.

He should have been happy I wasn’t into Black Sabbath!

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September 20th 1973

“Found chain” / “Got official o’level certificate”

I think this goes down as an official “good day” for me in 1973.

Not only did I find the elusive identity bracelet, but I also collected the official certificate proving I had already passed my Maths O-Level a year earlier than many of my peers.

In an occurrence that I still find “curious” after all these years, a neighbours kid claimed he found the bracelet in some hedges or other up near the Fox & Hounds pub. He saw the name on the back, associated it with me and got his folks to bring it to us. He was rewarded.

However, I have no idea why it would have been found up near the pub – no, really, I don’t! – and I suspect instead some kind of mischievous foul play.

36 years later I know where the chain is, but haven’t got a clue where the certificate might be. I wonder if I could even get a replacement in the highly unlikely event I would need one?

September 18th 1973

“Went to Hi-Fi exhibition in E’Leigh”

In a run of synaptual successes, I can also remember this exhibition… although – naturally – nothing whatsoever specific about it.

It was held on the badminton courts at Fleming Park Sports Centre, dealers laying their wares out on a series of tables and/or having sizeable marquee-style displays.

I’ve often wondered if this kind of exhibition actually does dealers any good. I can see something big like the (for instance) London Earls Court exhibitions having an impact on what people buy… but a little regional set-up like this?

I can’t say I remember anything on show having an influence on what I eventually bought – remember I was in the market for some new ‘whammy’ equipment – but after 36 years you surely can’t have expected me to.

September 17th 1973

“Had a look for chain at school – could not find it – damn!”

I do remember that this lost chain saga really dominated my thoughts back then.

Maybe its why I went to church yesterday?

Considering the “damn!” however, maybe not?

September 16th 1973

“Went to C in morn”

On this occasion the much-maligned “C”-word refers to “church”

Something that is as alien to me now as never being grumpy.

September 15th 1973

“At work all day. Came home and played with organ”

September 14th 1973

“Think I might have lost chain at school. Hope not”

Oh man… I DO remember this!

(Pauses for readership to sit up and suddenly take notice)

I had a silver identity bracelet, given to me by my folks. It was engraved on the inside and outside and I wore it pretty constantly.

It did have a tricky – and somewhat poorly-designed – clasp though. It used to get caught on the sleeves of whatever I was wearing, something which doubtless contributed to me mislaying the chain somehow.

September 12th 1973

“Went wiv Dad to thing at school – quite interesting although very borin'”

Thing?

WHAT thing?

Sometimes my diary entries can be VERY frustrating 36 years later.

What do you mean “Join the club“?