1892

Friday January 1

They say it is an unlucky day to begin anything on, but today was a splendid day and well suited for the first of a new year, fine, bright and cold, the very opposite of yesterday.

Sunday January 3

I went to Chapel this morning. This afternoon I took Henry a picture consisting of several photos mounted in an oak and gilt frame. I have made two of these, one for myself and one for Henry. In each one there are five photos of the camp, Eversley Church and three others, and they made very fine pictures indeed, and I am much pleased with them.

Bertha has not been very well, some days very bad, so Mr Jelley came down by the last train and sat up nearly all night to attend to her and did her a bit of good. He had to get back to London by 9 o’clock in the morning, so had to walk to Twyford to go by the early GWR, which he did.

Wednesday January 6

Was just the kind of day I wanted, mild and damp, for I wanted to finish my garden paths, which I did, and very much to my satisfaction. I should have finished them some time ago but have had to wait for the materials and also been hindered by the frosts. But what of that, now they are done. I have had a lot to do in the garden and have now got the foundation in good order and ready for planting. I have put in several trees – 5 standard, 2 wall, 12 gooseberry, 18 raspberry canes.

Thursday January 7

A very cold, frosty and exceedingly windy day. I got over the journey very well and in good time.

Sunday January 10

I did not go out but was occupied by various jobs all day long. I fixed up the blind rollers in the attics, papered the cupboard on the landing, and in the evening finished off some pictures.

Monday January 11

Was occupied all day with the book and my accounts.

Tuesday January 12

Booking again. Called upon Mrs Walden about her March [illegible] interest. Paid Mr [illegible name] and Mr [illegible name] £1.0.0 due yesterday.

Sunday January 31

I spent this morning in the garden, and amongst other things, I cut and trained the creeper along the trellis work. Went to Chapel in the evening.

About a fortnight ago, the Prince of Wales’ oldest son died after a very short illness. There has been universal regret at this calamity. The same week, Cardinal Manning died, and now today, Spurgeon passed away at Mentone.

1892

Monday February 1

I ordered some wood off Mr Phillips to make my arbour. At 6 o’clock I took Bertha to Reading and we went to the pantomime ‘Dick Whittington’ and enjoyed the piece very much. Unfortunately, we had to leave before it was over so as to catch the 10.30 train home.

Wednesday February 3

Did a little towards making the framework of the arbour but did not get on very well.

Thursday February 4

Henry and Kemp went for a walk round Seale, Puttenham, Compton and Guildford and had a very good day. I did the journey as usual.

Friday February 5

Was rather a miserable day to me. I had a headache and I had to go to Tangley to see about the oats, which were not good enough.

Saturday February 6

Yesterday I had a letter from Mr Ryder informing me he has to leave Bill Hill in two months’ time, because now the Captain is dead they are going to reduce their expenses. Mr Chappell went home this evening for tomorrow.

Sunday February 7

George Sale preached. I heard him this evening, and a very good sermon he preached.

Monday February 8

Bertha took Hilda with her to see her father at Hounslow. I went down again to Reading to see ‘Dick Whittington’ and liked it much.

Wednesday February 10

I commenced putting up the arbour. Bertha and Hilda came home this evening from London.

Sunday February 14

I took my Whippet to pieces so as to send the plated parts off to be replated.

Monday February 15

I placed the arbour frame in position, and as I had the rest of the frame work ready cut out, I soon had a good show for my day’s work. It was a very nice day and I enjoyed the job. Just as I had done as much as I could for the day, a severe and very cold snow storm came on. Such a remarkable difference in the weather in one day we very seldom get.

Tuesday February 16

I was at work at the arbour early, and very, very cold was the weather, as was also

Wednesday February 17

but much more so. I had a turn at it early this morning in a most piercing and cutting wind. Then again after dinner, I had another go in still worse weather, until at last the snow came down again and drove me in. It has been a more winterly and cold day than we have had all this year, or I think for many years past. I never had such a cold, out of doors, job.

Thursday February 18

Was another cold day for the journey. The horse ran away while I was at White’s but stopped all right at the Chequers, for which I was mightily glad. Henry has been in bed all the week.

Monday February 22

Went to Reading by the 6 o’clock train and to the theatre to see ‘The Mikado’, and enjoyed it very much. It was played by the same company as I saw there some two years ago. The house was full in every part.

Wednesday February 24

I sent Mr Chappell to London by the excursion to call upon Beerbohms for our money, but he failed to see them.

Saturday February 27

Bertha and Frances went to Reading to see the opera ‘Iolanthe’ by the same company as played on ‘The Mikado’. They liked it very much.

1892

Wednesday March 16

Having put Beerbohm’s case in Cooke’s hands and got no answer for their letters, I made a journey up by the 2.11 to call upon them, but when I got to the house they were just going abroad, and as they were not at home, then I called again at 6 o’clock and then Mr Beerbohm had gone to the Hotel Continental in Regent Street, so I went round there to see him but only his luggage had arrived and he was expected about ½ past 8, so I called again then and he and his luggage were gone and no answer left to the letter I had left with the porter to find him. It was too late to catch the last down SWR. I hurried off to Charing Cross and took the underground to Paddington and came home by the GWR to Reading and then by the last up SER. It was a splendid train the 9.15 from Paddington to Reading, the best 3^rd Class carriage I have ever seen, and such quiet easy riding. It was the only nice part about my day’s journey.

Friday March 18

Mr Jelley has commissioned Bertha to get a house at Earley for Mr and Mrs Sale and to furnish it from the Berkshire Furnishing Company, but not liking their things and ways, she took a journey up to London to see Mr Jelley and also her father and mother about the job.

Saturday March 19

Bertha came down by the 8 o’clock train. Having talked the matter over with the people at London and Hounslow, they have come to the conclusion for Mr Eaton to come down here on Monday and see Mr Sale’s creditors and make a composition of 2/6 in the £ and so clear up his liabilities so that they may use their own furniture and be free from any fear of distraint. I finished putting the Whippet together after having had the bright parts replated, and arranged with Mr Rednall to go out tomorrow at ½ past 9.

Sunday March 20

I was up about my usual time and did several odd jobs before Rednall called. We started off for Eversley but stopped on our way to inspect Mr Rednall’s piece of ground which he had just purchased off Mr Hall at East Heath. After a ½ hour there, we went on to Eversley, calling round at Richard Kelsey’s to see a railway carriage which he has on his farm as a granary, Mr Rednall thinking about purchasing one to put on his ground for a house to live in. We had a pleasant run to Odiham and thence on to South Warnborough, where, at the Plough, we had our lunch, for which we were quite ready, and enjoyed. From there we went on to the Golden Pot and to the right for Herriard and then home through Upton Grey, Greywell, Hook and Hartley Row.

It was a very nice bright day and the roads were in excellent order, and I enjoyed the run very well until I got to Greywell. There I came over very tired and had to lay up in the hedge and have a rest and a sleep, but even after that the rest of the journey home was most painful, and when I reached home at 6 o’clock I was far too tired to enjoy my tea. I lay down on the bed all the evening but could not come round sufficiently to be at all easy. If cycling punished me like this every time, I would have nothing more to do with it.

Monday March 21

Mr Eaton came down at 10 o’clock. He called upon Mr Horn and they came to the conclusion that it would be best for Mr Eaton and I to go to Reading and settle with the creditors there and then for him and Mr Eaton to do the same with the Wokingham people. So, after dinner, Mr Eaton, Bertha and I took the train to Earley and called in on the way to Reading to see the house she has taken for Mr Jelley, a very nice place which met with both Mr Eaton’s and my approval. We then went on to Reading and called upon Mr Jockem and settled with him easily enough, then to Mr Simmonds and did the same there. From there to Derwent brothers and then to Hills of the S.W. Coal Company. With him we had some difficulty, as he would not agree until the Wokingham people had. In the evening, Mr Eaton settled with some of the Wokingham people, and Bertha and I went over to Tom’s place to look out some furniture.

Tuesday March 22

Bertha and I looked out and got ready for the furniture for the house at Reading, and I arranged with Mr Loader to cart it over tomorrow. Mr Eaton, having settled all Mr Sale’s accounts, went back to Hounslow by the 8 o’clock train, tired but pleased with his work.

Wednesday March 23

We looked out from Gordon Villa the things we were going to send from here to Earley and got Davis to cart them to the Works with the other goods, and then we loaded Mr Loader’s van full, leaving some boxes for Davis to bring by the horse and cart. Bertha and I went by the 2.20 and got to the home nearly two hours before the furniture. However, when it did arrive we soon got it in, and just as we were taking in the last piece from Mr Loader’s van, Davis drew up with the remainder of the boxes. After they left, we soon got the place a bit straight and had a cup of tea and a slice of bread and butter. Before we left, which was 9 o’clock, we had got the place quite comfortable like. We had a pleasant walk to Earley, where we had to wait ¾ of an hour for the last up train. We got home tired but were satisfied with our day’s work.

Thursday March 24

Although I felt rather tired, I did the journey completely enough. When I came home, I and Bertha went in to Mr Saddler and bought ‘The Lady of the Woods’ for £3.3.0.

Friday March 25

When I came home to dinner, Mr Saddler had brought in ‘The Lady of the Woods’, and I, in taking it out of the frame, found a copy of ‘The Vale of Tears’ at the back, which Mr Saddler had left in purposely and said nothing about it to us, so that it might be in years to come when we discovered it, we should have had the proof of his great and gentle kindness.

Sunday March 27

Mr Rednall and I went for a day’s run, taking for our course the road to Easthampstead and Bagshot, thence to Pirbright and then a short way on the way to Frimley, back to Pirbright and away to Ash, and home through Farnborough and Hawley. It was a very nice day and a tolerably good run.

We had lunch at the White Hart, Pirbright, and while we were resting after dinner under a tree on the Frimley road, a person of unsound mind came up to us and began a long rambling tale of his being on the track of Jack the Ripper.

The afternoon was very hot and as we rode along the road to Ash, we were quite warm enough.

35 miles

Tuesday March 29

Dear Mr Saddler hung himself from the post of a bedstead about 1 o’clock this afternoon. Yesterday he had a serious fallout with Millie and Henry, and that was too much for him under his present state. The dear old man had only just brought in ‘The Waning of the Year’ to Bertha.

Wednesday March 30

I attended Mr Saddler’s inquest.

1892

Friday April 1

We buried the dear old man, and long may his memory be fresh and green with us. I will not say here anything about his blessed memory. If it needs a diary to keep fresh in my mind his many acts of kindness, I am more ungrateful and much worse than I think I am.

Wednesday April 6

Began the closing at 3 o’clock. I trained the creeper round the back of the house.

Monday April 25

Got up at 6 o’clock, and to Phillips to order some wood to be sent to the Town Hall by 7 o’clock, back to breakfast, and then up to the Hall to make the frames to hang the engravings from Mr Saddler so as to be on view by 10 o’clock. I finished my part by the time, but the pictures were not fitted out in order by the end of the day. There was a smoking concert this evening in the Hall, so I had to take most of the pictures down, and some of the frames.

Tuesday April 26

Was up early and put up the pictures again. We got it all ready for the public to view the engravings, and this evening I just had a glance over the several lots and marked in my catalogue what I wanted and the price to which I would go.

Wednesday April 27

Was busy the first part of the day helping with the pictures in the Hall, and the rest of the day after 11 o’clock. I was at the sale and bought several lots.

Thursday April 28

Chappell did the journey while I attended to the business at home, Henry being engaged at Park Villa.

1892

Saturday June 11

Again, I have missed keeping up my diary from day to day because I have had so many jobs on hand and really have not had time enough of an evening to fill in my day’s performance. I have been up early and have not gone to bed much before 11 o’clock and all the time have been fully occupied. There have been many things transpire which I wish I had noted down at the time, but I did not and so they must remain unrecorded.

We have had extraordinary fine weather but I have done very little, scarcely any, cycling, having been occupied out of doors a great deal, especially of a morning before shop hours, so that I have not had any great relish for cycling.

I never knew a year with such nice bright sunny mornings as they have been this year, and especially this spring. It has been a great treat to be able to turn out and enjoy them, and I have been able to do a lot of work before the time I usually got up other years. I have not done so very much building, for most of my time has been in the garden, which I have kept well watered, for we have had wonderfully dry weather for a long time. I have done a little more to the arbour but have not finished it yet. I have made a rustic wood rake for the front garden, and also a flower stand for either side of the breakfast room window.

The pictures I bought at Mr Saddler’s sale have taken up a lot of my evening, for I have looked over them many times, and also shown them to several friends, and there being so many, over a hundred of them, it takes an hour to go through them roughly. I am going to frame most but have not commenced that work yet.

I have had one or two bicycle rides, one about three weeks ago yesterday to Hare Hatch and then one over Ashley Hill and out by the Seven Stars. It was a very pleasant little ride and very pretty, especially through the woods, where I had to walk. On Sunday, May 22, Mr Rednall and I had a very nice ride to Farnham on to Frensham, Churt, the Devil’s Jumps, Tilford Bridge, Elstead, Shackleford and to Compton to tea, and then home via Ash and Blackwater. It was a splendid day and a jolly good run. I was very pleased with the lane leading from Elstead to Shackleford, one of the prettiest pieces I have seen. We got home in good time and not too tired.

54 miles

My next run was to see Mrs Newcombe. Mr Newcombe, having died suddenly, I was afraid I should lose my account there, so I called round to see her and she set me easy upon that point. One Wednesday afternoon after we had shut up, and we shut up now at 2 o’clock, Henry and Rednall on the tandem, and I on the bicycle, went over to Greywell to tea, intending to have a walk through the woods after, but the evening turned out so cold and rough that a walk was out of the question.

30 miles

For Whitsuntide, Mr Rednall and I were going to the New Forest, but Saturday night setting in very wet (the first wet we have had for a long time), we had to abandon that undertaking. Sunday, also, was wet first part of the day, so I did a little at home. I was not at all disappointed at not going for a ride today, for I very much wanted the rain for the garden and I did not feel up to a two day run. I called upon Mr Rednall Sunday evening and arranged to start off at 8 o’clock Monday for a run to Selborne if fine. Well, Monday turned out splendidly fine, a most perfect day for a Bank Holiday. Mr Rednall came down to my place to breakfast, which we had just after 7 o’clock, and by 8 we were off in good health and spirits and had a pretty and easy run to near upon Basingstoke, where we turned off to the left for Hackwood, a pretty piece of road by the Park. At the ledge stile, I rested a while and had a smoke while I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Park. We had a drink at the Public at Herriard’s and then a very pretty ride into Alton between the hills. Called at Mr Chappell’s and had a few minutes there and a glass of wine, and then on for Selborne. In a field on the left just before entering the village, we saw two yoke of oxen ploughing, or harrowing. A very pretty run down brought us to the foot of the Hanger, which looked at its best today. Mr Rednall filled the can and then we took our machines down to the Long Lithe and, under a tree by the stream bank, we had our dinner and then a lay down and a smoke for an hour, and while I listened to the birds and let my eyes feast upon the pretty surroundings I fell asleep for a short time. Then, getting up refreshed, we made our way back to Alton, rode up the Golden Pot hill, had a drink, and while descending towards South Warnborough, met Mr Heelas coming up on his bicycle, then when descending the hill for Odiham Clump to Greywell, we met Mr Ducrocq. We had a good tea at the Fox and Goose, and after, a most enjoyable walk by the canal to the castle, then I sat down and washed my feet, and then back to Greywell for the machines, and on to Odiham, where we called in at the Angel and found the Club had just finished their tea, they having called there on their way up from Southampton. We did not stay long but left them behind and made our way towards home, which we reached as fresh as we left it this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed this run. Bertha and the rest went to Earley for the day and got on very well. The Club started off Saturday for Easthampstead and, just as they left, the wind blew up very strong and wet came down, which spoilt their ride home.

56 miles

Sunday June 12

Mr Jelley came down last night looking very pale and tired, but got up fresher this morning. The morning was wet, so I had a day at home and did a bit in the garden. Mr Chappell brought home a squirrel yesterday.

Tuesday June 14

There was a very sharp frost this morning, and in many places quite cut down all the green stuff in the gardens. The ferns also out in the open were entirely cut down. It did not touch my garden.

Wednesday June 15

Did some nice work at home.

Friday June 17

Bertha had a letter this morning from Mr Donaldson informing her of the death of poor George, who died of sunstroke just as he was about to sail home from Calcutta. It was a terrible shock to her, poor thing. She went down to see the people at Earley.

Wednesday June 22

I intended going on the canal at Odiham this evening, and directly after tea I started for that place, but the day, which had been bright, now came over dull and windy, so that by the time I got to Hartfordbridge, I had had enough of it and so turned home.

Thursday June 23

I did not go the journey today. This week I have been busy putting the shutters in order, and I stayed at home today to finish them, which I did just in time to shut up, and made a first rate job of it, all three of them going up and down better than they ever did before. I had five of the long springs to mend and the middle shutters to resteel and weld.

Sunday June 26

Mr Rednall and I had a very good run today. We had arranged to go to Hascombe, but the wind was too strong for that distance, so we took matters very quietly and went to Elstead instead. The day was delightfully bright, and fine and warm, and the wind was soft and very pleasant. We directed our course to Eversley and then, instead of going across Yateley, I took Mr Rednall on to the top of Star Hill and then along the Flats and so to Frimley. I took him this way because it was such a beautiful fine morning and the wind set straight down the Flats and put us along grandly, which pleased Mr Rednall much. We had a liquer up at the Ginger Beer House on the road towards the Hog’s Back, which so refreshed and strengthened me, that mounting again, I rode right up on to the top of the Back. We now had a very pretty view by Seale and on to Elstead. The uphill good and a rare lot of down, and down which we bundled along at a grand pace. I had a rest by the stream at Elstead while Mr Rednall went to the pub to fill the can, which he was a long time in doing. Having filled it, we proceeded back to Cut Mill ponds and there sat down and had a nice lunch, and a long sleep after. The weather was delightfully warm that laying in my shirt and trousers only, I did not feel in the least chilly or feel the wind at all uncomfortable. After an hour and a half rest, we made our way back to Elstead, and thence by that pretty lane to Shackleford and Compton, where we had a refreshing tea, and then a very enjoyable ride home via the Hog’s Back and Crowthorne.

66 miles

1892

Sunday July 3 – Hospital Sunday

I did not go out today with Mr Rednall because I have to go for a run early tomorrow. Did a little work at home.

Monday July 4

Was up early this morning and had breakfast and was off on my way to Richmond by ¼ to 6. Mounting at the Market Place, I did not halt until I reached Richmond. The morning was nice and bright with a stiff wind at my back, and good roads under me, so I made a very good time doing the 26 miles in 2 hours 5 minutes.

From Richmond, I took the train to Waterloo, and at once made my way to Beerbohm’s, but alas, I was not there early enough, as they had just gone out. I then took the bus to Charing Cross and had breakfast at the Shaftesbury, which is a dear and not altogether a good place. Then I went off to the National Gallery and had an hour or two there, and when I came out I thought I would have a look in at a print shop in Pall Mall, but when I got there, there was nothing of interest to me in the window, so I looked up to see whose place it was, and when I found it was Graves, I made up my mind to go in, so entering, I saw Mr Graves and asked him for permission to see round his show rooms, which he readily did, and seeing one of Mr Saddler’s ‘Lady of the Woods’ there, I had a talk about Mr Saddler to him and I also enquired the price of the picture Tom wanted, which was sold in the Hall to Mr Sturges. The name of it was ‘None but the Brave Deserve the Fair’, the price £3.3.0.

Had dinner in The Strand and then trained it back to Richmond and from thence home on the bicycle. I made a great mistake of taking the Twickenham, Sunbury and Staines road instead of the way I came this morning. The wind was very strong and the road bad as it usually is. I had company from Sunbury to Staines of three other cyclists. We rode along the foot track in the grass between the path and hedge, and that was lots better than the road. By the time I got to Virginia Water, I got so much in want of my tea that I called in at the Rising Sun and had it, and they had me – 2/-. It took me a long time to get home, the wind was so strong.

52 miles

Tuesday July 5

Mr Jelley came about 2 or 3 o’clock this morning. He trained it to Reading and came from there by trap. He could not wait for this morning’s train although he has a fortnight to stay. We have had delightfully fine weather, but today, as Mr Jelley’s holidays commenced, down came the rain, and a very wet day we have had.

Wednesday July 6

The morning was nice and bright, damn it, and looked like a very good day, so I got Barnes’ wagonette and drove Mr Jelley, Bertha, Frances, Eva and Hilda to Odiham for the day. We no longer started than in went the sun and a cold wind sprang up, and a very dull day we had, damn it. I have nothing pleasant to record about this outing. We went on the water, had dinner and tea, and came home. I think the others enjoyed it very well. I hope they did. I did not because of the weather.

Thursday July 7

Was a very wet day for the journey.

Friday July 8

We decided to take a walk this afternoon, so went by the 4.40 train to Blackwater, that is Mr Jelley, Bertha, Eva and Hilda. Frances came from Reading by that train and joined us. She not having any tea, Mr Jelley took her into the White Hart Hotel and got her some. We walked up to the Flats hill and over the Heath to Yateley, Sandhurst and Well Coll and took the train home. It was a pleasant evening and I enjoyed it very well.

Sunday July 10

A very nice day. I pottered about at home all day and went to Chapel in the evening. Mr Rogers preached, a very poor preacher.

Monday July 11

Mr Jelley, Bertha, Hilda, Eva, Frances, Mary Walden and I by the 2.26 train to Reading and then on the water. We went as far or a little farther than the Red Lock and had tea in the boat. We brought all the necessary things with us and had a very nice tea. By the time we had done and cleared up, it was time to turn for home. Had the weather been brighter, we should have had a very nice time of it. As it was, we enjoyed ourselves. I went to Sanger’s Circus and the others home. The circus, for Sanger’s was very poor.

Wednesday July 13

Bertha, Frances, Eva and I went by the 1.36 to Ash and walked to the Hog’s Back down to Puttenham, across the Common to Compton, where we had a very good tea, and thence by the Pilgrim’s Way to Guildford. This was a splendid turn out and all enjoyed it very much indeed. We had excellent weather, and the walk from Compton to Guildford was especially liked by all.

Altogether, it made a very nice turn out. There is the little railway journey, then a pretty walk from Ash by Ash Green to the Hog’s Back, the walk along the Back for nearly two miles with the extensive view all round, and then the sudden and steep descent by the footpath to Puttenham. And now one is in the valley hemmed in with beautiful and luxurious foliage, relieved by the old village of Puttenham. From Puttenham across the Common to Compton is a walk of a different character, and very pretty, and then how refreshing is the tea, and how convivial and cheerful we all are in the pleasant room at the Coffee House. But the best walk by far is the tropical Pilgrim’s Way. The road is below the surrounding country, and the high banks on either side are clothed with a great variety of plants and creepers, and the trees meeting overhead make it a beautiful place on a hot day.

And then, after the walk, we finish up at Guildford, where the election was on. And then take train for home, which we reach before 8 o’clock, and all are each pleasant and satisfied. I came up in the town and went to the Liberal meeting in the Town Hall, which is the last meeting before the election.

Thursday July 14

The election took place in the Hall. I voted and then went the journey.

Friday July 15

We all went down to Reading by the 2.26 for another go on the river. Mary Walden went with us. It was a very good afternoon and we had an excellent tea under the tree beyond the Roebuck landing stage. After tea, we went as far as the lock and then back to Reading and home having had a very enjoyable time out this time.

Saturday July 16

Mr Jelley took the family on the water to Sonning, where they had tea and then back to Reading and home. They had an unpleasant incident by running foul of a steamer, but no harm came of it.

Sunday July 17

It was a shocking wet day, but cleared up by early evening, when we took a walk to Barkham and Sindlesham, home by Scot’s Farm. Henry and Millie to London.

Monday July 18

As it was Mr Jelley’s last day down here, we determined to have a whole day on the water, so we got the things together for dinner and tea out and made a start by the 11.18 to Reading. We got off in very good order and it looked like coming out a very good day. We had a nice boat, and I dare say would have gone along tolerably well, but there was a strong wind against us up river, and up river we went. I rowed because I was afraid of Mr Jelley getting his hand blistered if he pulled against the stream and wind. We moved under the same tree where we last had tea, and there had a very good and most enjoyable dinner, and the meal was a great success, and it certainly was very pleasant as we sat in the boat and enjoyed the pretty scenery and refreshed ourselves with the views. We did not hurry, but as soon as we had cleared up, we went on again still up the river. Just after we had got through the lock, a change came over the weather and it began to rain a little, but still I did not anticipate any wet much. However, the further we went the wetter it was, until before we reached Whitchurch bridge, it came down very fast. We foolish like ran the boat under a tree, and for tea, and just as it was ready, the rain, which was now coming down very thick and fast, found its way through the tree and drove us up just as we about to pour out. So we packed up and made a hasty retreat to the boat and scuttled off home as fast as we could. As I was already wet through, I did the rowing back also, for I thought it a pity for ten to get wet when one would do. Had it not been for the rain, which came on about 4 o’clock, we should have had a very enjoyable day out, but as it was, the rain very much spoilt our outing.

Tuesday July 19

Mr Jelley returned to work today. Mr Walden paid a back ½ year interest by cash and Samuel’s bill. Mrs Newcombe sent a cheque for the amount of her account.

Thursday July 21

Mr Chappell did the journey because I had to be at home, Henry being at Margate. Had the toothache.

Sunday July 24

Mr Chappell and I arranged to do the Hascombe and Dorking run today. We left about 7 o’clock, the weather being dull but looked like coming out bright and hot presently. In that, we were mistaken, for it was shockingly dull and cold up to 12 o’clock with an easterly air which nipped us up and spoilt our day out. I was not in good order for a ride, and then the cold east air so paralysed my muscles that I was quite thankful to get to Ewhurst and have a rest and a feed. We both agreed to make straight for home from Ewhurst, which we did by taking the road to Albury, which led us right over the high hills. It was a long pull up and it seemed a longer run down. At the top of the hill, we gathered some berries. The weather was now very hot and pleasant, and had we not been so tired by the morning work, we should have had a very nice time of it now, but I was, and so was Chappell, too done up to be able to thoroughly enjoy the remainder of the day. We got to Guildford very comfortably. Put our machines up at the Angel and had a very comfortable and nice tea at the Coffee House at the foot of the hill, cheap and good. We then took a walk by the river for an hour and then over the Hog’s Back for home.

67 miles

Monday July 25

Henry came back from Margate.

Wednesday July 27

The cycling club got up a party for Wargrave, and I should have gone but that I had the toothache and was out of sorts, so I stayed at home and did a little gardening

Sunday July 31

I was at home all day. It was a nice bright morning but rained in the evening.

1892

Monday August 1 – Bank Holiday

Bertha, Frances, Eva, Sissy Barkshire, Hilda and myself to Odiham in Barnes’ wagonette with our horse. It was a very nice day and that was more than we expected, for the early morning looked like a wet or dull day, but by 9 o’clock, the sun came out and the weather got better and better. We all got off in very good time and had the best ride out I have ever had. Frances, Eva and the two children sat behind and Bertha and I in front. There was a beautiful NW wind blowing, soft and warm, and the weather was bright and cheerful and very pleasant it was this drive over to Odiham. When we got to Odiham, all the boats were out and they did not know when they would be in, so we packed our dinner in a bag and I took that in a canoe up the canal while the others walked along the bank until we came to a nice spot for dinner, which we had on the bank under the trees, very pleasant and nice. While the dinner was being cleared up, I took a paddle round and then back for the basket. We then went back to Odiham to see if there was a boat come in. There was not, but we did not have to wait long for one, and then we had a row up the canal taking it quietly and enjoying it. When we came to one old tea ground, there we encamped, boiled up the tea and then sat in the boat and had it. The tea was a grand success. We had plenty and enjoyed it, and very lovely it was sitting in the boat moored under the shade of a large oak tree and looking out on to the bright sunshine. After tea, we had a nice time on the water, each of us doing some of the rowing, even Hilda and Sissy. We got off before 7 o’clock and then had a beautiful ride home such as I have never had before. The outing altogether was a great success, and very, very much we all enjoyed it. We could not have had better weather. The wind was NW and tolerably strong but very balmy and warm, very pleasant for this kind of outing, but would not have done for bicycling. Mr Rednall wanted me to go to the New Forest with him, but I did not feel up to it Friday or Saturday, and very glad I am that I did not go. I should not have liked working the bicycle today from Ringwood to Salisbury against the NW wind. Rednall went and had a bad time of it.

Wednesday August 17

Henry and I on the tandem and Chappell on his Safety went to Odiham this afternoon, leaving home at ½ past 3. We took our tea in the multum-in-parvo. Had a very nice time on the water, very nice indeed. We enjoyed our tea, we enjoyed the water. The weather was hot and calm, just suited for the water. After tea, we rowed as far as the Barley Mow and then back to Odiham, and a nice ride home on the tandem.

36 miles

Thursday August 18

I was out in the heaviest thunderstorm this afternoon that I ever remember being out in. The morning was very sultry and close and about midday it became overcast and had the appearance of rain, and about 3 o’clock it came on and with its thunder and lightning, and as the afternoon proceeded it became worse until from White’s to Finchampstead and round the barracks it was tremendous. I was glad when it gave over, which was as I left North Court. The lightning was very near. It killed a colt of Mr Palmer at Bircheninhams. The downpour of rain was something tremendous.

Monday August 22

The roads being so good, and the weather having such a settled appearance, I made up my mind for a run to Brighton today and back tomorrow. Yesterday, I was pottering about all day in the garden instead of resting. I went to bed a little after 9 and, by taking a dose of Henry’s mixture, got to sleep by ½ past 10 and slept til 2 o’clock. Eva got up at 3 o’clock and prepared breakfast and I was down at ½ past. I made a start a little after 4 o’clock in most glorious weather.

It was a bit cool starting off, but that I did not mind as I knew it would be warm enough presently. To get to Guildford, I went via the Hog’s Back, and a very grand ride it was too along there. The fog or mist lay in the valleys on either side just like large lakes. In fact, had I been placed up there for the first time and looked out on this scene, I really could not have told whether it was mist or actual lake before me. Where the fog did not reach was perfectly clear, so that all the lower parts of the valley looked just like water surrounded by the wood and heights above. It was the same on both sides of the Back.

A long downhill brought me to Guildford, but late, 20 minutes late, and that, added to the 20 minutes late in starting, made me fully ¾ of an hour behind the time I anticipated to be there. Had a cup of coffee and some bread and butter, and then on my way to Shalford. At Shalford, instead of going straight on for Bramley, I turned to the left for Cranleigh. After passing Wonersh, I spent over ½ an hour in cleaning up my bicycle, for the morning mist had gathered the dust so thick that the chain got clogged up. A level run on good roads brought me to Cranleigh, and from there I had a tolerably level run until I struck the Horsham road. Of course. I had breakfast at Horsham – two eggs and coffee – and then I started for Brighton via Steyning. The uphill out of Horsham, I did not find anything so long as I expected, and then from the top it is nearly all downhill to within two miles of Steyning. I enjoyed the run to Steyning very well, but from there by Shoreham to Brighton was very trying to me. I was tired and could not bowl along as I ought. It was nigh upon 1 o’clock when I reached Brighton. I put the machine up at the Clarence stable on North Street. Looked out a place to sleep at 1 West Street. Changed my clothes and had dinner and then down to the beach and had a bathe and a lay down on the shingle, after which I went out in a row boat. The sea was nearly as smooth as the canal, in fact one of the party made the remark that they might just as well be on the canal. After tea, I had a stroll about the beach and on the parade. Just before I came out of tea, a carriage and horse ran away and broke up a dog cart.

I was too far gone to be able to enjoy my eels this evening. What with being up so early, having had a bad night and very little rest lately, the journey down told upon me. There was nothing much going on on the parade but people. There was no band, none on the pier that I could hear. There were a few tricks going on on the beach, and I heard a very excellent singer on the parade, one of the best lady singers I have heard.

I was glad to turn into bed, which I did before 10 o’clock and had a good night’s rest. It has been splendid weather all day, but being no wind at all in the afternoon, the sea was too quiet to be pretty. There was not enough air moving to shake out the flags let alone drive a yacht along.

Tuesday August 23

I did not get up until nearly 8 o’clock. Had breakfast at the house where I slept and then down to the sea. It was a lovely morning, hot and bright with a soft wind blowing, and a very pretty sea on, so different from yesterday’s. Then it looked smooth and yellow, today, broken, sparkling and green.

The first thing I did was to have a bathe, and a splendid bathe I had. The tide was coming in, and I walked out to my depth and swam in on the rolling waves. It was beautiful indeed, so that I stayed in the water longer than I have done before. I felt loath to come out. I found that I could swim better today than yesterday because I was fresher and not so tired as yesterday. The next thing I did was to go out on the Skylark, and had the best time on the sea I have ever had. It was just lively enough to be pleasant without getting wet. There was a good company on board and they sang several songs, and very well. Fred Collins was there of course, as jolly as ever, and sang his bit. It was very delightful sitting on the forecastle and sailing over the pretty sea this bright warm morning. I had very good company in a young lady who sat next to me. She was very respectable and seemed pleased to have someone to speak to, for she, like me was alone.

I have never thoroughly enjoyed a trip out before this, but this I certainly did. It was ½ past 12 when we landed, so it was not long before I went for dinner. I got served well and in grand style at the old skating rink, and very cheap. This is the best place I know of for meals. The place is grand, the food excellent, the accommodation first class, and the charge ridiculously cheap. Feeling all the better for my dinner, I took a walk up to the station with my luggage and sent it off by rail, then went for my bicycle, and at 2 o’clock I left Brighton and had a very happy and easy run to Horsham. Although it was afternoon, and generally considered a bad time for work, I went up the 5½ miles of uphill to start with quite comfortably and enjoyed it. And then, oh how lovely it was to Henfield and Cowfold, and recalled pleasant recollection. The harvest was about, all was pretty and peaceful, and as I swiftly sped along the roads, I had ever and [illegible word] grand views of the South Downs and the country round about. I reached Horsham in a little over two hours from Brighton. There I had tea, and while I was having tea, the sky became overcast and looked like rain. However, by the time I had finished tea and was ready to start, which was a ¼ to 5, it had a better appearance, so away I went, and had a very easy run before me.

It would have been a most enjoyable ride but that it threatened very much for wet. The clouds were gathering up from all round, and every now and then I would receive a few large spots of rain, so I made up my mind if I reached Guildford in the dry, I would train it from there. I called in at the Halfway House, not so much for a drink, but because just then a few extra drops of rain fell, and I thought that would be a good shelter in case it came on heavily, which it had the appearance of doing. However, it passed off and I was off too, and so got to Shalford in the dry, and from there it came on to rain quite fast, which quite decided me to train home. So up to Guildford and straight to the station, which I reached at a ¼ to 7, and just had time to run across to the hotel, have a last glass and to comfortably seat myself in the 7 o’clock down SER, which was punctual to the minute.

I must have travelled at a very good pace from Horsham, for besides the few minutes at the Public House at Alfold and also Rudgwick, I had to stop and mend my rubber about eight miles from Horsham. It would have been a very pleasant evening had it not been for the threatening aspect of the weather and the fear of a thorough wetting. The evening was oppressively close, but that I rather enjoyed. I got home at a ¼ to 8 and went straight to the shop to put up the bicycle and get the rashers for the morning. Now although we did not have any rain, I was thankful I trained it from Guildford, for there was vivid lightning from all parts of the sky. The night was dark and exceedingly weird looking, and it would have been a very wicked ride home, and possibly it might have rained heavily between here and Guildford, for in the next morning’s paper, there was an account of thunder storms such as had not been known before at Newbury, Bournemouth and other places, where both cattle and human beings were killed by the lightning.

To sum up this run, I must own it was not a success. I was too tired starting off and never recovered myself. The whole of Monday, Tuesday, I enjoyed very much, but even then, I was not sufficiently recovered to get home without the aid of the railway, which added to my too large expense. However, I hope early next year to redeem my laurels and so ‘Hope springs eternal in the human breast’.

Tuesday August 30

Geo Woods, Mary and Margaret came to stay a week at the shop. I reset out the window with salt.

Wednesday August 31

Bertha, Eva, Frances and I, Henry, Millie, Geo Woods and Mary, with about 70 others from Wokingham, went for a trip on the Thames in the steam launch ‘The Fashion’. We left Wokingham by the 10 o’clock train, so that it was nearly on quite 11 before we steamed off up the river. We went a mile or so beyond Wallingford and back. It was a bad day for the river, rough and stormy and wet. Mary caught a cold and did not recover until she went back to Hastings.

1892

Saturday September 3

Chappell went today for a week’s holiday after he had done the journey.

Tuesday September 6

Geo Woods, Tom and I went to see the excavation at Silchester. We went by the 10.40 to Reading, thence to Mortimer, and from there we walked to the old Roman camp, and by the way we sat down and had our dinner We had a good look round the place, and Tom bought a silver coin which a boy found there for 2/-. We were very pleased with the very perfect piece of mosaic work which we saw in the ruins and which was about to be covered over again. We called in at Mrs Waite’s and had a nice tea, which we wanted and felt all the better for.

Wednesday September 7

Was a beautiful fine morning so I hurried up to the shop and got Henry, Tom and Geo Woods off to Odiham by times. I followed after I had closed the shop, and putting up my bicycle at the boat house at Odiham, I took a canoe to Greywell and landed just in time to sit down with them and have a jolly good tea. I very much enjoyed the paddle up to Greywell, except where the scum was so thick that I had great difficulty in getting through. However, there was not much of that and the rest was quite clean. It certainly was very pretty on the water this afternoon. Well, after a jolly tea, I paddled back, and much easier than when I came up to Odiham, and mounted my bicycle and joined the others near Phoenix Green, and from there we had a nice ride home. They thoroughly enjoyed their outing.

30 miles

Friday September 9

Geo Woods and family went back to Hastings. Mary has been laid up with neuralgia ever since the boat journey, but is now better and able to do the journey home.

Sunday September 18

Rednall and I went to Guildford via Bagshot, and intended going to Cranleigh and round to Albury, but when we reached Wonersh, so much time had gone that we had to alter our course and turn back to Shalford and thence to Albury and up over the Downs to Merrow, back to Guildford and home over the Hog’s Back. It was a beautiful day out, and after we had dinner at Merrow Downs we lay down and went to sleep for an hour, and then a quiet run to Guildford made it about the right time for a cosy tea there, and a very pretty evening ride home. Composed a few verses coming home. The Monday after Geo Woods got home, he sent me his field glass and I at once sent the money – 30/- – for them.

1892

Thursday October 13

Having done so very little riding lately, I have not kept up my diary from day to day. I have been busy with jobs which were not worth recording, most of which have been putting the green and hot houses in order and painting them. Mr Jelley was here on Sunday, and I wish he were here now, for I have been very feverish this week, and today, instead of being at Eversley, I am at home nursing myself a bit so as to be able to do my work tomorrow.

Sunday October 15

Was not well enough to go out yesterday, and the weather being bad, I stayed in, but this morning being very warm and bright, I went out. Took a walk to Tangley in the morning and to shop after dinner.

Sunday October 16

Did not go to Chapel but did a little painting in the greenhouse. Mr Jelley came down this evening.

Wednesday October 19

Had a telegram this afternoon to say John would be down this evening. John Briginshaw, who has been staying at Brant’s, called in to see us just before he went back to London or wherever his home is. He had not left but a few minutes before John came in. He, having come via Reading and walked from thence to see Mrs Sale and Jamie at Earley, and from there he came up by the 5.20. After 10, he went up in town, and then we had a pleasant evening looking over the pictures, which he very much liked.

Thursday October 20

John, Henry and Tom took a walk this morning, and John went back by the 1.36 SER. I did the journey, and for a wonder had a fine day.

Monday October 24

Being a very bright morning, Mrs Sale brought Jamie over for a day or two. And as the weather was so bright and calm, Henry and I made up our minds for a run to Marlow to see the Woods in their autumn glory. For this purpose, we had an early dinner and were ready to start before 1 o’clock, but a quarter of an hour before we started clouds came up and obscured the sun, and they got worse and worse so that we saw no more of the sun today. This very much disappointed Henry, as he particularly wished to see the Woods in the sunlight. The chain wheel of my Safety is worn out, and this gave me a good deal of trouble on the journey. I got along very well to Marlow, but from there I had a job and did not enjoy the remainder of the journey. We had tea at Henley, where we saw Mr Molt. It was very pretty from Henley to Wargrave, and I liked that piece very well, but as I say, the remainder I did not enjoy.

33 miles

Tuesday October 25

Was wet during the morning.

Wednesday October 26

A nice fine day. I did some work at the greenhouse but did not feel quite well enough for much work. Bertha and Frances went to Chapel Green to an entertainment.

Thursday October 27

Did the journey and had a soaking wet day for the work. Rained all the time and heavy.

Monday October 31

Frances went to a party at the shop and came home with a bad throat.

1892

Wednesday November 2

Frances still being unwell, I telegraphed to Mr Jelley, and he sent down some medicine by a young lad from London, who came via Reading at 4.40 and left at 5.20. Mr Jelley came down by the last GWR and left by the Twyford train next morning.

Sunday November 6

Mr Jelley came down last night. I pottered about doing a little to the greenhouse, and went to Chapel in the evening.

Thursday December 22

Mrs Sale and Jamie came today to spend the season. They came by [illegible word] and though they left a little after 5 they did not arrive at my place until past 9 o’clock, and as the weather was very cold they were not very warm.

Sunday December 25 – Xmas Day

It was a lovely morning, and the roads in such excellent order, that I thought I would go for a ride on Mr Chappell’s bicycle. I did what few jobs I had at home, and then at a few minutes to ten, I went up to the shop for the bicycle. Going up the street, I met Mr Rednall coming down on his tricycle, so I stopped him and told him of my intention of going for a run, at which he was very pleased and came back and waited for me, which was not very long. Of course, we made for Eversley, and as soon as we passed Warren Lodge, the roads were excellent. From Eversley we made for Elvetham, Winchfield, to Crookham, Fleet and so home by the same route as we came. It was as perfect a day as could well be, a fine crisp air, bright sunshine, yet freezing all the time, and everything looked like a typical Christmas Day.