1902

Wednesday January 8

Frances and I had a very pleasant little ride this afternoon. We went to Earley Church and looked at the grave stones to see if we could see one suitable for Bertha. We then went on to Woodley and Sandford Mill by Dent Lane and so then to tea. It was very nice quiet afternoon and the roads round Woodley and Sandford were in perfect condition, as good as the best of summer time.

12 miles

Friday January 10

I had a heavy lot of orders and was not very well.

Saturday January 11

Was bad and could not get to work after dinner.

Sunday January 12

Was in bed all day and so I was on…

Monday January 13

Tuesday January 14

Was better and got to work.

Wednesday January 15

I went very much the same run this afternoon as I went last Wednesday, and a very beautiful afternoon it was.

12 miles

Sunday January 19

Went to the Monument via Swallowfield and Eversley before dinner. The roads were good and the weather perfect.

20 miles

Tuesday January 21

Went to Twyford and round Woodley and Sandford and very pretty it was too.

14 miles

Wednesday, February 12

Frances was married today. The weather was perfect in every way. It had been beautiful and fine since Saturday, bright, sunny, calm and frosty, and the roads beautifully clean and hard, and today was the best of them. The sun shone from first thing in the morning until it set. It was calm and altogether a lovely day. The whole of the ceremony went off without a hitch and Frances and Edward left at 4 o’clock in a fly for Reading to catch the 5 o’clock express to Bath in first rate spirits. Annie Donaldson has been up to superintend the arrangements and help Frances.

Monday February 24

James died at 12 o’clock today. I have been very busy packing up goods to go to Littlehampton and goods van started off this morning with them.

Saturday March 1

Annie Donaldson went back to Trowbridge by the 2.30 train, taking Hilda and Mr Sale to live with her. I am very bad today and could not get to business after dinner. After Annie and the rest were gone, I went over to Newton Terrace and went to bed.

Monday March 10

I have been laid up all the week, but went back to business today.

Sunday March 15

I went for a run to Hartley Row and Elvetham this morning. It was very pretty out, but I was not quite well yet and so could not enjoy it as I should like to have. Round Hurst after tea and to Chapel in the evening and heard a missionary from the Congo, Mr Clark, who spoke very well.

28 miles

Wednesday April 2

Mr Gorely, Henry and I after tea to Marlow and home via Shotterbrook. Pleasant but cold.

Sunday April 6

Went for a run this evening, but it was very cold. Saw the blackthorn out. Went to Eversley and Elvetham.

22 miles

Sunday April 13

Was a splendid day, like summer. I went to Eversley and the Flats before dinner, and Henry and I, after tea, to Odiham and Dogmersfield. Did not see any swallows.

44 miles

Saturday April 19

I intended going to Littlehampton today and to start at 3 o’clock, but the weather has so changed and there is a strong SSW wind blowing, so I made up my mind to train it to Guildford by the 3.20, but after dinner, it came over dull and every appearance of wet, so I telegraphed to say I should not come, but while I was at tea, it brightened up a bit and I determined to go by the 5.50.

I had no sooner got into the train than the weather again turned worse, and we had quite a storm before reaching Guildford. However, getting out at Guildford, I made my way towards Godalming, and reaching there all right, I went on. Of course the wind was dead against me, but in spite of that, I got along quite as well as I expected. I had to stop several times to put my cape on, and from Petworth, the roads were quite wet. It was moonlight, and had I a little more time, I should have enjoyed the run. I got to Littlehampton about 10.35, and after knocking at No 18 in the wrong street, I found Frances’ new home, and had a bit of supper and a talk, a wind down, and into bed. The house looked lovely inside, so bright and cheerful.

36 miles

Sunday April 20

Edward and I had a walk through the fields to the sea, and home through the town. It was bright and sunny, but a strong wind from the South made it feel a bit chilly by the seafront. I left Littlehampton at 5.5 and came home via Wisborough Green, Loxwood, and Alfold and Guildford and Bagshot. It was a very nice ride with a good strong wind at my back, and the roads in excellent order. It was very pretty, too, although it kept threatening for rain, in fact for miles it did rain a little, but not enough for the cape. I got home at 10.5.

Frances’ new home is a little palace inside, all over. Everything is so very good and comfortable, I was quite charmed with the place.

57 miles

Sunday May 4

After tea at 6 o’clock I went for a run to Swallowfield, the Monument, and Eversley. Mended a tyre for a young man and girl at Swallowfield Park. The weather is still very cold. I have not yet seen a swallow or swift. I enjoyed the ride and it did me good.

20 miles

Saturday May 10

I left here at 4 o’clock for Littlehampton, via Bagshot, Guildford, Loxwood and Pulborough. I had a splendid ride down. The sun came out just as I started and kept so until it set. There was a strongish NNE wind which helped me and the roads were good. The country looked beautifully green, and although it was piercingly cold, I did not feel so, neither did I get hot. I got to Arundel at 8.20 and called in for Edward, and fortunately I did so, for both he and Frances were there to supper. Before I left here, I bought a ½ lb of sausages, and I had some of these cooked for my supper and had quite a nice time with the Heringtons. We left at 10 and all three of us on bicycles had a nice little spin to Littlehampton.

56 miles

Sunday May 11

We went to Chapel and, after dinner, I did a few jobs. I left at 5 o’clock. The weather looked threatening all day, but came out bright just as I left. The wind, which in the early morning was about NE, changed to South and quite a strong breeze it was, and just in my favour for the return journey, and I had a splendid ride home, arriving here exactly to my time to a minute, 10.15. After leaving Littlehampton, I called in at Arundel and left there at 5.45. I very much enjoyed both the journeys, and also my time with Frances. The bicycle went easy and gave no trouble.

56 miles

Saturday May 24

I left here for Trowbridge at 3.20pm in nice bright weather. Unfortunately there was a strong breeze from the NW which quite spoilt the journey. I got to Newbury 5.23 and had tea at the Guildhall, and that, instead of making me feel lively and fresh, quite upset me and gave me the wind, so that by the time I got to Marlborough, I felt quite done up, and as it was just 8 o’clock, I was much behind time, and should have trained from there, but there was no train, and so I had to go on. However, after I turned off the Bath road for Devizes I felt much better, and bowled along quite comfortably. From Devizes to Trowbridge, the lamp gave me a lot of trouble, and I had to stop several times and try to put it right. I only partially succeeded and, as I say, was hindered a great deal. Otherwise, I should have enjoyed this part of the ride more than any. I got to Don’s about ¼ to 11. Annie and the two girls had only just returned from Bristol for the examination. We had a comfortable supper and talk, and then to bed.

70 miles

Sunday May 25

Was a hot and bright day with a strong NW wind on. I was very tired and weary, and took the 5.25 train to Hungerford for the return journey. From Hungerford, I had a middling ride home, too stale to enjoy it thoroughly.