The year of our Lord – 1885

Thursday January 1

Having given up possession of the house at Eversley, I am now comfortably settled at the Post Office Wokingham. This evening, Bertha and I went to a party at the shop.

Friday January 2

Only had five pigs and the sale was such that even that did not clear off any too readily.

Saturday January 3

Business somewhat dull.

Monday January 5

Sent a heavy load of corn to Eversley. Commenced to put the rolling shutters in order.

Tuesday January 6

Henry and Kemp went for a good omnicycle ride round Mortimer and Bramley. I finished the shutters.

Wednesday January 7

Set out the shop window. I have had the face ache this week.

Friday January 9

Was a busy day. We had eight hogs from Sherfield and from Ryder and from White. We made a show of meat in the window.

Saturday January 10

Was a wet miserable day.

Sunday January 11

Mr Ingham preached at the Baptist Chapel morning and evening. A united Lord’s Supper in the evening.

Monday January 12

Henry had to attend the Assizes at Reading.

Tuesday January 13

I set out the provision window. In the afternoon I came over very bad and was unable to get back to the shop after tea.

Saturday January 17

Have been indoors all the time since I came home on Tuesday. Have been very bad but am better now. Henry was away Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at the Assizes Reading. Mr Micklem died today.

Sunday January 18

I did not go out today. Put several clocks in order.

Monday January 19

Henry was knocked up and did not get out. I was better and so went to work.

Tuesday January 20

Drove to Sandhurst with Bertha in the afternoon and bought some corn off Mr Pigg. Had tea there and then home. They were busy preparing for Polly Pigg’s wedding which is to be tomorrow.

Thursday January 22

The boys coming back to Wixenford tomorrow. I called upon Miss Bartlett this afternoon and did a part of the journey. Bertha came round with me and had a very cold ride.

Friday January 23

We were very busy and did not finish until past 11 o’clock at night.

Saturday January 24

Mr Ryder called in and paid.

Sunday January 25

Cleaned the Matchless and had a short run in the afternoon, but the roads were very heavy and I was tired so only went three miles.

Tuesday January 27

After dinner, I drove round Farley Hill and took Bertha with me. I went round to see if all accounts were right that way. Collected very little money in.

Saturday January 31

Have been arranging the cellar and packing the papers and bags from the warehouse there this week. George was very late home from the journey in consequence of the exceedingly rough weather.

1885

Sunday February 1

Commenced doing up the cuckoo clock. Cut out some bone figures for it. Lord’s Supper in the evening.

Tuesday February 3

After dinner, Bertha and I did a part of the journey. Had a very pleasant afternoon.

Wednesday February 4

Went to Basingstoke to look after the Court case and so see Well and Lear about Denham. They paid me £11.15.0. Christie brought his bicycle over and I lent him Henry’s old one to go home on.

Thursday February 5

At the warehouse again.

Saturday February 7

Put new keys to the shop door. Business quiet.

Sunday February 8

Was bad with a pain in the stomach so that I could not go out to the evening service.

Monday February 9

Receiving an intimation from Mr Lush that the trap was done, I commenced to put up the house for it.

Tuesday February 10

Went to Eversley to see Carter and called round at Wixenford and at West Court. A very nice day out. Bertha went with me.

Thursday February 12

Finished the trap house.

1885

Monday March 9

Having been very busy and also very late at work every night, I have neglected my diary. On the other hand, I have had nothing very interesting to record. After putting up the trap house, I prepared and sent off Henry’s and my own bicycle to be re-plated. Then I altered the mahogany fittings which I brought from Eversley and made them a stand to cover the fireplace in the shop and finished several other little things for the shop, so that last week I got the place into capital trim, and was very pleased with the whole appearance of the shop.

Bicycling has been quite out of the question all this year with the exception of one, or at most two days in January. Neither the roads or the weather have been at all suitable. This has somewhat pleased me for it has given me more time to get the place straight and I have done my best to get it so, ‘though I says it as shouldn’t ought.’

Although I have had the toothache and neuralgia a good deal, yet I have been very happy and enjoyed myself. Today, I have been the Eversley journey, and a very, very cold day it has been.

Tuesday March 24

Having fitted up the two bicycles after their being re-plated, I took a run round Hurst this afternoon and enjoyed it very well.

7 miles

Wednesday March 25

After dinner, to Sandhurst via Crowthorne to buy some oats and had a very nice little ride.

10 miles

Thursday March 26

Having a tooth loose, and having suffered a great deal from neuralgia, I went to Reading to see Staveley. He could not fix it, but gave me a prescription.

Monday March 30

Henry and I went to Burchett’s Green on the bicycles this afternoon and had tea there. Mrs Micklem was gone to London and only Frank at home. We took a walk to Camley Corner church to see Mr Micklem’s grave. The weather was very good and we enjoyed the run.

1885

Wednesday April 1

First day of closing. Not a very cheerful day. I took a run to Bracknell and home by Binfield. It came on to rain just before reaching home.

Thursday April 2

I went the journey.

Friday April 3 – Good Friday

All three of us at the orders up to 1 o’clock. Went to Finchampstead tea meeting and home by the ridges.

Saturday April 4

Went the journey.

Sunday April 5

To Chapel in the morning and evening. L.S. in the evening.

Monday April 6 – Bank Holiday

Was very bad and out of sorts. I laid the gas in to the workshop in the morning, and was indoors the rest of the day.

Tuesday April 7

Was very bad and kept to my bed.

Friday April 10

Have been in bed all the week except Monday. Turned out today to put up the orders, there being only Henry at the shop, Kennedy having left on Wednesday. George went with oats to Wixenford and got drunk and very much disgraced himself.

Saturday April 11

Sent Jamie the journey.

Sunday April 12

Jamie and I took a walk round Gorrick during the morning.

Sunday April 19

Was a bright sunny day but with the weathercock pointing N.E. Jamie and I took a run round Elvetham before dinner and one round Hurst after tea. We enjoyed both runs very well indeed. The country still looks very bare, as scarcely a leaf is out and all things seem backward. Even today was too cold to thoroughly enjoy it.

24 miles

Monday April 20

Went the journey.

Tuesday April 21

Jamie and I started off for a run at 6.30 round Holme Green, N. M. Ride, the square pond, Shoulder of Mutton and home by 8 to breakfast. Jamie came to grief at Spencer’s Corner. Cleaned out the windows.

10 miles

Wednesday April 22

Was somewhat windy all day and at 4 o’clock it came up quite a hurricane and very dull and heavy. However, in spite of this, Henry and I had a pleasant ride round Binfield, Warfield and Winkfield. Went over the church and then on to the beginning of Windsor forest and back home through Bracknell.

16 miles

Sunday April 26

Was a bad day and I was bad, which was a very bad job.

Monday April 27

Had a [illegible] load being West Court day for forage.

Tuesday April 28

Jamie and I went a nice little ride round Billingbear to Nichol’s corner and through Hurst to the Reading road and so home by 8 o’clock. It was very pretty and we enjoyed it much.

11 miles

Wednesday April 29

Henry and I had a capital run to Maidenhead, Cookham and Marlow. There was scarcely any wind and the weather was tolerably cheerful, the roads were good and a happy turn out we had. Going to Maidenhead via Waltham and Shottesbrooke, we saw the country just coming out in a new suit of green. The pear and plum trees are covered with blossom and the apple is just coming out. Ray Mill Lock is being repaired and we stopped a minute or so there to look round.

Capital run to Marlow where we bought some buns and gingerbread, and then to the George and Dragon to wash it down with a pint of ale. We left Marlow at 8 o’clock, lit up the lamps and had a straight run home by moonlight. The evening was quite a success.

33 miles

1885

Saturday May 2

Jamie and I did a pleasant little run to Binfield old church thence by The Stag and round to Bracknell, by the station to Easthampstead Church and home by Lock’s farm at 8.5. There was quite a wind blowing, but being nice and sunny, we did not mind that much. Just as we got home, a shower came in. Had a very heavy load for Eversley and was late in starting, having to mend the harness. The day and night was very slack. Jamie did not get back until past 10 o’clock, but came home alright.

12 miles

Sunday May 3

Was a very nice bright sunny day and quite calm. I went to Chapel in the morning and heard Mr Rose chatter. L.S.

After tea at 5 o’clock, Henry and I with Jamie Sale went for a run intending to go to Odiham, but when we reached the Flats, the weather looked so very threatening that we determined to wait a little while where there was shelter. It lightninged and thundered several times, but the wet not coming, we made a start, but had scarcely done so, when down came a terrific hail storm. We had just descended the hill from the Flats to Fleet so we had a splendid shelter ’neath the Alpine firs, but the storm was too heavy and of too long a duration for us to escape without a wetting.

However, it did not come through our clothes, and when it was over, we took off our coats and shook the wet off. The lightning made us somewhat nervous. After the storm, we made our way to Fleet and thence to Hawley and very pleasant going it was too, but from Hawley the roads were a little heavy to Finchampstead and thence home, very good. We, all three, enjoyed the run immensely, perhaps better than as if it had been all fine. It was very pretty after the storm. I had a walk round the Holt before service this morning and admired the new leaves. George came home from where he has been.

26 miles

Saturday May 9

It has been wet every day this week and no chance of a run.

Sunday May 10

Dry but very cold and strong winds. Went to Chapel in the morning and heard Mr Scorey. Gave up all hope of a run because of the wind but Henry sending across at 5 o’clock to see if I were going, I determined to make the attempt. It was 6 o’clock before we started on our way to Finchampstead with the wind at our right, passed by the old place at Eversley, and by Wixenford to the Monument hill, which was directly against the wind, but it troubled us a great deal less than we expected. In fact, it was quite comfortable going. Heckfield hill looked very pretty with the sun shining down it this evening. It was just a year ago that I saw the sun lighting it up the other way about 4 o’clock in the morning. Pushing up the brow of the hill, and turning off to the right half way down the straight we made our way to Mattingley, and straight on over the Basingstoke road to Odiham and Winchfield, Hartley Row and home. We had a most enjoyable and unexpectedly easy run, and although the weather was cold and a stiff wind up, we had a happy time of it, and were very pleased that we turned out.

Tuesday May 12

Having made some coffee the overnight, I turned out at 3 o’clock and called James. Had breakfast and at half past 3, we two left the Market Place for Marlow. We took the way by Waltham and Shottesbrooke there and came the old way home. It was very cold at first, the frost laying white on the grass, but by the time I reached Cornish’s farm, I was all aglow and very comfortable the rest of the journey. It was a beautiful morning by far the best we have had this year, calm and bright and when the sun came, warm. How the birds enjoyed it and what a noise they made at Billingbear. More but those that have heard them early in the morning can tell.

It was light long before the sun actually rose, which it did when we were crossing the line before Littlewick. At Marlow, we leaned our bicycles against the bridge while we took a walk in the public gardens. A mist rose out of the water and followed the stream about one foot high, but in a quarter of an hour it rose so thick and high that we could not see the view from the bridge. Quarry Wood looked as though it was standing in a sea, only the top of the trees standing out. After spending a pleasant quarter of an hour by the river, we made our way home, and very pretty it was on this nice bright morning. We were rather late home and did not get to bed again until nearly 7 o’clock and up again at half past 8. The apple and pear blossom was very grand. Henry and Millie started off for Marlow at 10 o’clock and had a good day out. This has been the best day of the year as yet.

28 miles

Wednesday May 13

Anniversary of my wedding and falls on the same day of the week. Today was a very different day from yesterday for the wind changed to the East and brought up a thick black air and cold weather. However, being fine, we made up our minds for a run after closing. Had tea, and then off with the wind to Barkham, Arborfield and Swallowfield. We were afraid we should not care much for the run as the weather was so dull, but before reaching Swallowfield we had settled down into comfortable going, and had a most enjoyable turn out. From Swallowfield towards the Monument and thence to Mortimer and away to The Round Oak, Sherborne St John, Bramley, Sherfield, and home by the Cross.

I felt rather tired and not up to the run before I started, but warming up into the work, I had the easiest run I ever had. Came home much fresher than when I left home. I would not lose runs like these for a lump of money. At Sherfield, we had a glass of ale and in the Public House, we came across two of the Duke of Wellington keepers, or rather rather persons who looked after the fishers there, and they invited us to have a day’s fishing. They also told us that they killed the Jack donkey used for the breeding of the Duke’s mules, the height of which animal was 16.5 hands, his ears measuring 16 inches.

It seemed to me very strange when I passed the Wixenford turning on the way home not to go that way as I used to for Eversley. Amongst other pretty sights we saw was the vast plain of gorse which presented a grand appearance. With the exception of the little rise at Aldermaston Soke, we did not make a dismount from Arborfield school to Bramley gatehouse, and there we should not have stopped, only there was a luggage train across the road. The train was composed nearly of a private firm’s trucks, the number in some being over 200. We reached home just at 10 o’clock, so that we must have travelled at a good pace.

Friday May 15

Had ten hogs to wind up the season with and a good sale for the meat.

Sunday May 17

Jamie and I went a run round Hurst before Chapel but it was much too cold and windy to be pleasant. Had a heavy thunderstorm after dinner.

Tuesday May 19

Up at quarter to 6 and off at 6.20 for Sonning. Had a very pleasant ride and home by 8 o’clock. The morning was bright and calm. The day rough and wet.

15 miles

Wednesday May 20

Was a wet windy miserable kind of day. No chance of a run whatever, so I took out the shop window and partially replaced it. I came over very queer towards the evening and had to leave my work unfinished. Mr H. Barker called in and settled his account.

Sunday May 24

Had a nice little run to Hurst by Billingbear before service and then off to Chapel. The day was bright but very windy. At 5 o’clock, Henry and I started off for Eversley, the Monument, and Mattingley, Hook, Odiham, Crondall, Fleet etc. and we had a very pretty and pleasant run round. The wind dropped very considerably so that we found no inconvenience from it. From Odiham to Crondall was exceedingly beautiful and quite worth the run if we had seen nothing more than that. It was a very pretty evening and everything prognosticated a fine day for tomorrow, so we arranged to go to Selborne and Guildford for Whit Monday.

Monday May 25 – Whit Monday

Woke at 4 o’clock and lay awake until half past 5, then up and called Henry. Had breakfast at the office, and at 7 o’clock, was off for Selborne. At 4 o’clock, the sky was quite clear and no wind at all, but by the time we started, it came over cloudy and dull, but the glass being high, and still on the rise, we made sure of a fine day.

Alas! Alas! The further we got the worse the lookout, the stronger the wind until by the time we had covered the two miles beyond Odiham, we were tired and the weather being black against us, we turned back and wisely too, for before we got home, the rain came down and continued to do so all day, so what promised to be a beautiful day turned out to be the very worst Bank Holiday we have had. Cold, miserable, wet and windy.

When I got home, I had a good bread and cheese lunch and at 11 o’clock, went to bed and slept right off to 3 o’clock. Got up at 4 and had a good tea and then down to see Mary etc. James Sale and party had Dick and a wagonette and went to Windsor. James Butler and Dawn on a train to Farnham.

Tuesday May 26

John came up from Hastings.

Wednesday May 27

Being a nice fine day, Henry and I agreed to go off on our run at 3 o’clock, but it was a quarter to 4 before we started. Our course was Farnham, the Hog’s Back and Guildford. The wind which was not very strong was South so that we had it against us going to Farnham. We took the road, by the old shop at Eversley, to Fleet, Crookham and up Beacon Hill.

From the top of the hill, we had a most magnificent view, and saw the soldiers practising the mirror telegraphy, and flashing the light from the Frimley Hill to ours. From Farnham, which took us two and a quarter hours to reach, we had tea at the Temperance Hotel, and regaled ourselves with shrimps and winkles which we bought passing through the town. From Farnham we passed on over the Hog’s Back to Guildford which was a run to be remembered. How to enjoy it though we did not know. Describe the scenery, I cannot.

The road is perfect broad, smooth and of a very easy gradient from Farnham, and a safe run down to Guildford. I have seen Guildford under many pleasing aspects, but none like this evening’s, with the old red brick houses laid up the side of Merrow Hill, and rising one over the other with the setting sun shining upon them presenting a charming view. We had a liquer up at the ‘Angel’ tap and then at half past 8, away at a grand pace right up to the hill leading from Ash which we pushed up and then fast away again right the way home. There was a club on at Yateley which made that place very lively and pretty. Both Henry and I pronounced this a very great success and mean to have it over again. The weather was all we could desire.

50 miles

Sunday May 31

John, I and Jamie Sale took a walk round Bearwood Park before dinner. Had an early tea and then Mr Jenkins and I, on his tandem, Henry on the Salvo, and John on the new omnicycle, off to Eversley, Elvetham and Fleet, where John left us for home, while we went on to Cove, Hawley and Yateley. I was very pleased with the go of the tandem and had an easy ride of…

26 miles

1885

Monday June 1

Bright and warm day. Had an early tea and then off to Burchett’s Green via the old way. Aunt, only, was at home and we took a walk through Ashley Hill Wood, and very lovely it was too, then I had a nice run home.

20 miles

Tuesday June 2

Was up and off to Sonning by quarter to 3. George Sale came with me, and at Sonning we took a walk by the river from a little before 4 to half past and then home by Sandford. George enjoyed it amazingly. I was not quite so fresh as some mornings.

15 miles

Wednesday June 3

Being a very bright and hot day, Henry and I proposed going to Alresford, so I had dinner with him at half past 12, and John came up to mind the shop and exactly at 2 o’clock, we left, and made our way to Eversley and Basingstoke against a strong S.E. wind, so strong that across Hook Common, it was positively hard work to do seven miles an hour. In fact, down East Court Hill, we had to work the bicycles. It occupied just two hours to reach Basingstoke so that we had little hope of doing the round we proposed, as from Basingstoke it would be directly in the teeth of the wind. We had a good tea at The Angel, and when we came out, the wind seemed to have stopped so we made an attempt for Alresford and reached the top of the hill about two miles from Basingstoke quite as easily as we anticipated and after a little rest, we got on capitally well, for the further we went, the less the wind troubled us., and gradually died away, so by the time we reached the yew avenue, it had dropped to a calm. We enjoyed a smoke under the old trees and then away, and up the hill beyond Lord Ashburton’s very much easier than we expected. At Alresford, we regaled ourselves at the same pub as on our former visit. In the garden by the pond, we did our glass of ale and bread and cheese, and spent a few happy minutes. While we were here, a bicyclist from West Meath dropped in and we got into conversation, and as he in the same trade as ourselves, we had quite a chat. He asked us to stop in when passing his place. Leaving Alresford, we had six miles of uphill to do and got up very well, only pushing a very short distance. A splendid run down brought us to Chawton and thence to Alton where we had a liquer up. It was just about 9 o’clock when we left Alton, and then we had a nice night run home. We were hindered considerably by Henry’s bicycle head squeaking. He could not get the oil into it. It was half past 10 before we got home. On the whole, we enjoyed the run very much. It would have been better if there had been no wind, for while it was blowing, we had to go against it and before we turned with it, it had dropped to a calm. However, the roads were first rate and so made up for the adverse wind. I make the distance 64 miles. While stopping at the yew avenue, I noticed that each tree seems composed of a combination of new leaves cemented together. Here and there, are deep fissures or cavities where they have partially joined. I had a good feed of bread and cheese and onion and a warm bath before going to bed and got up in the morning none the worse for the run.

64 miles

Tuesday June 9

I drove round Farley Hill to collect in some money but met with very poor results. Eva went with me.

Wednesday June 10

Was a bright fine day. Henry, not feeling quite up to the mark, did not care for a bicycle ride, so I went by myself. Had tea, and at 4.29 I left for Guildford which I reached through Easthampstead, Bagshot, Brookwood, and Worplesdon, at 6.19, just one hour and 50 minutes. The roads were in excellent condition and the wind which was quite strong N.E., it seemed a little against me going to Easthampstead and in my favour all the rest of the way to Guildford and home again.

I only made one dismount and that was to look at a snake crawling across the road just before coming to Bagshot. It was rather a large one and was decidedly lethargical, and moved very slowly. I expect he had just been gorging upon a frog.

I reached the Bagshot road in 30 minutes and Bagshot in 55, and from there, I put on the pace so that when I landed at The Angel at Guildford, I had only used 1 hour and 50 minutes from the Post Office. Had tea at the West’s Temperance Hotel, where I came across two young men on a walking tour to Portsmouth. After tea, I had a stroll down by the river and I never enjoyed myself much better. How to make enough of it, I did not know, and I just did enjoy my smoke down by the river. It was exactly 8 o’clock when I mounted my bicycle and made my way home via Henley Park and the ridges. The sand hill occupied just six minutes of walking. Frimley Church was reached at 9 o’clock and then through Blackwater, the R.M.C. grounds and the Well Coll grounds, by the Crooked Billet and to the office which I reached at 10.2, having had a very pleasant ride. The wind seemed to be with me all the way there and back with the exception of to Easthampstead, although it was a N.E. all the time and did not drop much as the sun went down.

Sunday June 14

Having made up my mind to have a day outing on the bicycle, I got very little sleep and when I turned out about 6 o’clock, I felt much worse than when I went to bed last night. The morning being very fine, I determined to go in spite of feeling seedy, and at 8 o’clock, James Sale and I made our way to Bagshot in fairly good time. We called in at Frimley and stayed one and a half hours there and that made us late in getting to Guildford. It was very warm and by the time we had put up our bicycles, it was time to look round for some dinner, which we did on bread and cheese and ale. Then took a walk by the river and up to the Priory and did a lay down for an hour or so. At half past 3, we made our way to Compton, taking the Godalming road for two miles and then to the right over the railway bridge and to a level run to Compton. Had tea at the coffee house where I came across a young Mr Herington and his friend. After tea, took a walk round and then home over the Hog’s Back to Farnham and Fleet etc. It was very nice weather and the roads good but I was too tired to thoroughly enjoy the ride. The weather was magnificent and scarcely any wind.

52 miles

Thursday June 18

I did a part of the journey on the bicycle, while James did the rest. There was no riding yesterday, the weather being too bad. Today was a very good day, but I was too much out of sorts to enjoy it. Today was the grand day at Ascot. Yesterday, I set out the provision window with brooms and brushes.

12 miles

Sunday June 21

Was a cold. Miserable kind of day, and not feeling well, I went to bed directly after service (morning).

Wednesday June 24

Was a very hot and still day. Henry and I started for a run but a storm came up and put a stop to it. Called upon Mr Saddler.

Thursday June 25

Did the journey on the bicycle and Jamie in the trap.

12 miles

Friday June 26

Got the orders up early. After 8, I went to Sandhurst to see Mr Pigg, but he was out.

8 miles

Saturday June 27

Took £50.0.0 to Wixenford on the bicycle after tea.

12 miles

Sunday June 28

The day was very warm, but very windy, blowing from the N.E. Henry and I went for a run in the evening, but as the wind was so strong, we did not hurry in getting off, so that it was past 5 o’clock ere we started and made our way to Easthampstead. And although that was against the wind, we found it very little hindrance. On we went to Bagshot and towards Chobham, but instead of going to Chobham, we passed straight on to Guildford, but did not go into the town. After a rest of a few minutes, we mounted for home via Normandy and Ash and had a good run home. We were very pleased with the run and found no difficulty with the wind.

At the handpost near Chobham, we came across a woman who knew all the roads round for many miles, then hills, condition etc. Quite a female map.

We quite enjoyed the run and went very much for the item we anticipated.

40 miles

Tuesday June 30

James Sale and I went to Bagshot after tea, there being a flower show on there in Duke of Connaught’s Park. We went over the private grounds and into the park. Henry came to meet us. We were a little too late to see the rhododendrons at their best, but they still looked very beautiful.

1885

Wednesday July 1

Henry had to attend a Volunteer drill and could not go for much of a run this evening. I went the Mortimer, Sherborne and Bramley run, and a very beautiful evening it was too. I should have enjoyed it more if I had had company.

Thursday July 2

Went the journey.

Sunday July 5

Henry and I left here at quarter to 4, and got to Burchett’s Green at 5. Had tea and then off down to the river at Hurley, and took a walk by the towing path. Coming home, Henry collected a lot of Burnett cocoons. The roads are beginning to break up and get loose.

Monday July 6

James Sale, Davis and James went to Brighton by the excursion. I did the journey.

Wednesday July 8

James and I went to Wargrave and had a couple of hours on the river.

Thursday July 9

Did a part of the journey on the bicycle.

11 miles

Sunday July 12

Henry and I had a very nice little run to Mattingley, Phoenix Green, Dogmersfield and Elvetham, and we very much enjoyed it.

Wednesday July 15

James Sale and I went to Hurley after tea, and took a row on the river to about a mile beyond Hambleden Lock and back. It was a pleasant evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the water. Had a good run home and altogether had a fine outing.

Thursday July 16

I did the journey taking Hawkins with me.

A young lady came to see Bertha this evening.

Wednesday July 22

Sunday School treat at the Holt. I did nothing this evening, not feeling over well.

Sunday July 26

Henry and I took a run this evening to Fleet and thence to Odiham and home by Hartley Row. It was a glorious evening and much we enjoyed the run in spite of the roads being in a bad state through the continued dry weather. We have had a very long time without any rain and some is wanted badly, yet the crops look well and vegetation is flourishing. The old mill just after Crondall on the way to Odiham, is Itchel Mill where one of the Butlers lived some years ago and we had pigs from there. The poor old place looks in a very dilapidated state. It has been a very hot day.

Monday July 27

There was an excursion advertised to leave Wokingham at 7 o’clock for Portsmouth, so thinking to give James a surprise, I had him called at 6 o’clock and got him and one of the office boys, ready to go. I went to the station with them, but when I got there, I found the train was postponed for a week and so we were regularly sold. George and I drove to Heath Pool for a bathe.

Tuesday July 28

James and I did the journey and came round by Heath Pool for a bathe.

Wednesday July 29

George and I again went to Heath Pool for a bathe in rather dull weather.

Thursday July 30

I did the journey taking Griffin and little Fred Kent with me. Came home by the pool for a bathe. While we were in the water, Master Fred came walking in after us, and I was only just in time to save him from going over his depth. When I had dressed, I stripped him and put him under the water much against his inclination.

Friday July 31

Having finished the orders, Tom and I and George drove to the pool again.

1885

Sunday August 2

After tea, Jamie and I to the pool for a swim.

Monday August 3 – Bank Holiday

Went to see the cricket until 4 o’clock and then Henry and I had a run to Mattingley, Hook and Hartley Row. Jamie and I went to the pool in the morning and I swam tolerably well. James and Davis went to Guildford. The day was not very bright or hot.

Tuesday August 4

I went to the pool and had a swim.

Wednesday August 5

There was a tea meeting on at Mr Scorey’s, a band of Hope meeting. Henry and I went a very pleasant little run to Yateley, Hawley, Fleet and home. There had been some rain out Fleet way which made the country look beautiful. We had a very little rain here today, only just enough to lay the dust. We have not had any for eight weeks and the country is crying out for it.

Sunday August 9

Was too windy for a run. Went a walk in the evening.

Monday August 10

Went round Eversley and Farley Hill after tea to collect in money. Took £50 to Wixenford.

16 miles

Wednesday August 12

Was too wet and drizzly for a run. Did a little at the office in looking over the house for repairs.

Sunday August 16

Henry and I went for a run after tea. Just as we were leaving, Mr Renoff called to see us, and as we opened the street door, there lay a fine Death Head moth which Henry immediately captured. Geo Woods and Tom have been very enthusiastic in moth and butterfly collecting and have been many miles after them. This year, there seems to be a good one for the caterpillars of Death Head and they have done their best to get some but have only managed to secure one specimen each, while Henry, who has not gone into it, has had seven or eight brought him, much to George and Tom’s dismay, and tonight’s catch is a finishing stroke.

We went round Eversley to the Monument, and to Bramley where, at The Six Bells, we had a liquer up and then home by Sherfield.

Monday August 17

Davis and James went by the excursion to Portsmouth. I went to the station to see them off. Mr Lawrence called in and bought 25 sides of bacon at 60/-. Henry and I washed and sent them over.

Tuesday August 18

I went to Eversley after hours to collect in some money and met with moderate success.

Wednesday August 19

We had a most enjoyable and pretty run tonight. From here, went to the College by the Crooked Billet and on to the R.M. College, through the grounds and on to Frimley. Went round the church and to the right to Farnborough and Hawley and home by Yateley. It was a beautifully pretty summer evening, and we both, Henry and I, enjoyed it very much. These are the sort of runs that give us something to think about all the week.

Sunday August 23

We started a little earlier today for our run, getting off by half past 4. Went to Eversley and up the Monument hill and by Holdshot, Hazeley Heath and Mattingley to Hook, thence to Odiham, Winchfield, Hartley Row and home. This also was a very nice run.

Monday August 24

Henry, Millie, Geo Wood, Mary, Tom and C Rainbow went to Farnham, and through the hops to Dogmersfield.

Wednesday August 26

Was too windy for a run so went to see a cricket match on the Wokingham grounds.

Sunday August 30

Had an early tea and then Henry and I went for a run to Elvetham by the lanes to Crookham and on to Crondall. From there to Farnham and home by Beacon Hill and Fleet. It was a very nice evening and on the whole a very nice run. We saw the hops in their prime. We missed our way coming home.

1885

Wednesday September 2

Was a dull looking day and it turned out wet. I set out the counters and put up a fresh clock in the shop.

Sunday September 6

Mr Scorey preached. Henry went to Finchampstead to have a walk with William Rainbow. I went to B. Green to tea and had a nice little run there and back.

Tuesday September 8

Went on the bicycle to Farley Hill and collected in 5/- only. Called at the Royal Oak when Mr Vass paid £2.3.11.

Wednesday September 9

Made nine scoops for the sugar drawers. Too windy and dull looking for a run. Farmer Show at the Drill Hall.

Sunday September 13

Henry and I went for a run after tea, which we had early. Through Hartley Row, we went by the old church and round by the Winchfield Union and home by Elvetham. It was a very pretty and enjoyable run.

Monday September 14

Henry went to London by an excursion train and bought some cheese.

Tuesday September 15

Henry was unwell and upstairs all day. I set out the large cases.

Wednesday September 16

Henry still abed. Had a good hard day’s work. Shut up at 4, had tea and off by 20 to 5. Not having been to Marlow for a very long time, I proposed going today. I took the old course by Bill Hill, Stanlake and Ruscombe and Burchett’s Green. Did not stop there but right on to Marlow. Sat on the bridge from 5.45 to 5.55 and then to Henley and Wargrave and home. The roads were in excellent order and there was no wind. The country looked very beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. From B. Green to Marlow was extraordinarily beautiful and then from Marlow to Henley, I had before me a magnificent sunset which looked enchanting. Oh How I enjoyed it! And bowled along merrily. From Wargrave home, it rained.

Thursday September 17

Henry still being laid up. Hawkins did the journey, and as we are pig killing this week for the first time this season, I telegraphed for John to come and help for tomorrow. He came up this evening. I had a long and heavy day and was very tired at night.

Friday September 18

Had six hogs from Wescott and got on very well.

Saturday September 19

Wet. Raining. Sold out of meat.

Sunday September 20

Went for a run round Marlow and Henley, going Henley first which is decidedly the wrong way. Could see nothing because of the gnats.

Monday September 21

John went back. I went round Eversley after dinner on the bicycle. Saw Mr Arnold at Wixenford. Had tea there.

Tuesday September 22

After tea, I went to Hurst Chapel anniversary and heard Mr Archibald Brown. His text was ‘And he was moved with compassion and stretched forth his hand and touched him and straight away, the leper was whole’. He gave us a very good discourse and I enjoyed the meeting. I came home by the old course.

Wednesday September 23

Was too windy and dull for a run, so I made the yard’s gate to shut and a few other jobs after 4.

Saturday September 26

Henry went by the 5 o’clock train to Hastings to go with John to see a business at Margate on Monday.

Sunday September 27

Was a cold, very cold and miserable kind of a day. No walk and no run except for a mile or two after tea and before Chapel.

Monday September 28

Went round Marlow and Henley. Left here at quarter to 4 and home at about quarter to 7. The day was bright and calm but turned out dull and windy as soon as I started. I cared very little for the run.

Wednesday September 30

Last of the closing days and a most wretched day it was too, very wet and cold. Henry came home.

1885

Sunday October 4

To Chapel in the morning and to Burchett’s Green after dinner. Nice bright calm morning, but came on cold, windy and dull in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the run. Both Henry and I went. There was at home, Mrs W, Frank and Edwin. After tea we came home via Waltham where they had had a considerable amount of rain while we were at tea, so we were fortunate at getting home in the dry.

Monday October 5

Went to London by the excursion. As soon as I got to London, it commenced to rain. Went to the National Gallery, had dinner and then off to Christies. Tea at the Shaftesbury Hotel and to Drury Lane in the evening. Saw ‘Human Nature’ and a good piece it was too. Had a comfortable ride home.

Tuesday October 6

Went round Eversley after tea and a very rough and wet time I had. While I was in Wixenford, the pony wandered off and I had to get a lantern and find him. A very dark ride home.

Wednesday October 7

After dinner, I went to Farley Hill on the bicycle and collected in 30/- from W. Thatcher. Sold Mr Jones a bicycle.

Thursday October 8

Henry went to London to meet John about a business. I went the journey. A very rough and wet day.

1885

Monday November 2

It has been such very miserable weather that there has been no chance of any good runs out. The only one that I have had has been a run to Beech Hill to see Mr Ronpel but he was not at home. Today I made up my mind for a run up to London to see ‘The Private Secretary’. I went to the station at half past 8 and got an excursion ticket for 2/6 and went up by the 5.20 and got through with the excursion ticket. Went straight to The Globe and saw ‘The Private Secretary’ and then home by the excursion. I enjoyed the run and it only cost me 4/6 all told.

Sunday November 8

Mr Cave began his ministry here this morning by preaching from ‘Brethren pray for us that the word may run and be glorified’ and in the evening from ‘and with him were crucified two thieves, one on the right hand and one on the left’. The morning service was very good, but the evening, was one of the best I have ever heard. The text was ‘One on either side and Jesus in the midst’.

1885

Monday December 28

During the last part of the year, I have failed to keep a firm day to day account of my life, principally because it has been so uneventful and of an everyday type. There were some outside events I should like to have recorded such as the election of Councillors and Aldermen for the new Borough of Wokingham, and the imperial election of Members of Parliament, but as I was too busy at the time to do so properly, so left it entirely.

The election of Aldermen and Councillors for the new borough caused a great deal of excitement and there was quite an evening of rejoicing when the first Mayor was elected. Fireworks in Langborough and a huge bonfire. The people gathered thicker in the Market Place than I have ever known them to do so before.

I had nothing to do with the parliamentary election except to attend the meeting held here. There have been some excursions by the L&SWR to London and back by midnight for 2/6. I went by one and went to the ‘Christie Minstrels’ and then in Drury Lane where I saw ‘Human Nature’, a splendid piece. The second time I went, I went up by the 5.20 and off to the Globe to see ‘The Private Secretary’, another very good piece. Came home by the excursion train.

Christmas has passed very, nay, exceedingly quiet with me. The two days previous to Christmas Day were bright, clear, fresh and calm and the roads just got very good, so that I arranged with myself for a good run on Christmas Day, but alas, the day came, the frost went and a fine drizzle set in the whole of the day, so that I could do nothing, and did it. Went to sleep nearly the whole of the day.

At the Office, the only company was Fred Kent, James Barkshire, his wife and Redgie, who were all very quiet. The next day being Saturday, we were closed, as also were nearly all, in fact all of the trades which were of any account. However, I sent the goods round the journey as usual, Hawkins getting off by half past 8 and home by 2 o’clock. The day was fine but foggy and I went a run on the bicycle to the Shoulder of Mutton and round Easthampstead and home by the Nine Mile Ride and Crooked Billet. I enjoyed it very well, but the roads were very bad. Next day, Sunday, I went for a run round Eversley after dinner, and although the roads were very bad, I enjoyed it. It has been a very bad year for bicycling, the weather being most uncomfortable nearly the whole of the year, and the roads, for months, being in almost an undesirable state.

The first part of the year was cold, miserable, windy weather right up to June. Of course there were some good days in it, but on the whole it was most unenjoyable stuff. Then the summer came all at once, hot and exceedingly dry, so dry that the bean crop was a perfect failure and most of the root crops nearly so. The roads for weeks together being unrideable because of their looseness and dust. The summer went all at once and from then to now, we have not had half a dozen really good days.

When I look back on it, I am perfectly astonished at the miserable kind of weather we have had. I do not think there has been a time during the whole of the year when we could have picked three consecutive days that would have done for a tour out on the bicycles, where wind, weather and roads would have suited.

My health this year has been very much below other years of my existence.