Monday 1 February
Peter asked Bernie today why he only got 10 out of 20 for his essay as he had the same points as Butwick. When he told Bernie that the essay was copied he didn't believe him but afterwards raised Gregory's mark from 10 to 12 and lowered Butwick's from 15 to 13. I don't know how Bernie's mind works. Had a Castrol chart addressed to E. Greg - two composers so far. After school I watched a junior house match, Carey v Chalmers. Carey lost 0 - 8, most of the mistakes were those usual ones common to all beginners. Dad was much more cheerful today.

Tuesday 2 February
We had another letter from Barry Bird this morning. He seems to be getting on all right although he was confined to barracks last weekend. At last, Peter Jones has had his haircut, it only just comes down to his nose now, instead of to his chin. Our mock exams start next Monday, I haven't been able to do much revision because I have had too much school work, at least I have finished my Liberty essay. Went up to see Dad this evening.  He was much better today and is now in the day room which is the room for patients who are about to come out.

Wednesday 3 February
I think Bernie must be blind.  I pinned a fake 10/- note to the floor by his desk, he walked past it without noticing it.  I turned out for a rugger practice this evening, the first for about a fortnight.  Luckily we didn't do any interval running but played a game of five-a-side rugger - I was the one man scrum. Had a card from Combe this morning.  I am playing for the Colts II XV versus H.M. President 1st XV on Saturday at Thames Ditton.
This evening I have been doing some school work but I turned on the TV to watch Sportsview.  In an FA cup replay Spurs beat Crewe 13-2, also the MCC toruing team beat the West Indies by about 250 runs.

Thursday 4 February
The Head didn't turn up for his period with us so I have had five PSs in a row today.  I have been doing maths mainly.  In music today we heard pieces by Sibelius and part of Dohnanyi's Nursery Variations.  I quite liked it.
After school we played the last house match against Livingstone.  It was a massacre, we won 27-0 (4 tries, 3 tries).  Livingstone only fielded 12 men but even so we were far superior.  I am rather sorry that this week's game should end my career in Carey house.
This evening I went up to the hospital, Dad was pleased to see me and may be coming out on Monday or Tuesday.  Afterwards I did some revision.

Friday 5 February
According to members of the choir the Head has been practising walking into chapel, timing himself with a stopwatch. This is in preparation for the service which is to be televised next Sunday.  The chapel is full of scaffolding and there are a couple of large ATV vans outside.  For our current affairs lecture we had a talk from the South African Government on "The Policy of Apartheid".  It was quite interesting and although we only had 20 minutes there wasn't enough time for questions.  After school I had a tea which consisted of half a loaf of bread, half a swiss roll and some cakes.  I ate this at school and afterwards went to the Film Society's meeting which was a talk by a film director Lindsey Anderson illustrated with some of his films. It wasn't very interesting and I think it was a waste of time and money.

Saturday 6 February
I had a late breakfast and an early dinner so I could catch the 12.22 train to Waterloo.  Then I went with the rest of the Combe Colts II to Old Paulines ground at Thames Ditton, Hampton Court to play H.M. President 1st XV.  This was a team of RNVR people, mostly 35-40, who were only concerned with hitting us hard. They didn't have the least idea of the rules and we were slightly lucky to hold them to a pointless (in more than one way) draw.  Afterwards we had a hilarious journey back to London bringing some souvenirs, an Old Paulines notice and a flag from their flagpole.  I reached home about eight o'clock.
Mum saw Dad this afternoon.  He is very well and looking forward to coming out some time next week.
Wales beat Scotland 8-0 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Sunday 7 February
I watched the service from the school on TV.  It was quite good although it was very difficult to recognize some of the people.  The sermon was very good.  Mr. Cooper spoke about St. Paul's letters to Timothy.  
After an early dinner we went to see Dad, there was just Mum and myself.  He is very cheerful and is making a yacht table lamp.  He thinks he may be coming home Monday or Tuesday.  The rest of the day I have been revising for the mock exams which start on Monday.  I have had hardly any time to do revision. Auntie Win and Uncle Alf came down this evening.

Monday 8 February
First day of the G. C. E. Advanced level mock exams. I have had economics and geography today, half of my exams are now over. It's been very cold today and the gym is exceptionally cold, after three solid hours of writing in there my hands were numb with cold. I don't know how I have done but last year in the economics exam the highest mark was 42%. When I got home Mum told me that Dad was coming home this evening. He was very pleased to be home and Nin (cat) was pleased to see*k him but we have been hearing hospitals all evening.

Tuesday 9 February
Have had seven private study periods today because I have no exams, I've been revising maths mainly for the exam tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to it. The work on the Priory is progressing rapidly, all of the trees to be cut down have now been cut down and the main work now is clearing the debris. The pond has been drained and two Caterpillar tractors are scooping out all the slush from the bed..This evening we had quite a house full, the Biggs's came down and also Uncle Jim, Auntie Edie and Trevor, altogether six visitors. They didn't go till quite late.

Wednesday 10 February
Finished the last of my exams today, a General paper this morning and Maths this afternoon. The maths was pretty stiff and I haven't done too well in it but I have had an encouraging result, I got 58% for economics and came first, I don't know how I fiddled it. Apparently Roy had a puncture this morning because he came home part of the way by bus and picked his bike up at Chislehurst. It seems that I may not have to cycle to school soon because there is a threatened rail and bus strike. I have done practically nothing this evening just read and watched television.

Thursday 11 February
Had another surprise this morning.  I came top in geography with 62%, at least this is a good start but I don't think I have done so well in maths.  Neither the head nor Musgrave turned up for their periods so the only period I have had today is music when we heard parts of Brahms' Violin Concerto and Mozart's 39th Symphony.
After school I played in a practice game for the match on Saturday which is against Colfe's Grammar School. The game was just a mess around really but at least it was good training because I was quite tired afterwards.

Friday 12 February

Very cold again this morning, the wind is biting and there was a trace of snow on the ground. I have asked Peter to come down to watch the rugger international. I have to hook for the first XV tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it because I've only hooked twice this season against the old boys and the Sidcup Colts. After school I saw the TFS film show with films on opencast coal mining and oil exploration in the Assam district of India. I've been invited to Jean's party which is to be on half term Monday. I'm looking forward to it - I don't think!

Saturday 13 February
Played my last match for the 1st XV today.  It was at Colfe's playing field, near Lee station, in the morning.  Chris gave me a lift there and back.  It was a very muddy game which we lost 0-10 although we fought back well in the second half.  The conditions were very bad, there were no oranges, the hot water ran out and we were left with no water at all, the floors were concrete and very cold and there was no heating.  As well we were were given nothing to eat aftewards.
In the afternoon Peter Gregory came down to watch the rugby international on TV between England and Ireland.

Sunday 14 February
Got up about 9 o'clock. Dad had breakfast in bed as usual during his convalescence and didn't get down till nearly 11 o'clock. It took me nearly an hour to scrape the mud off my boots and they still have to be dubbined, quite a muddy match yesterday. While I cleaned my boots I listened to the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. This afternoon we walked up to Spur Road and stayed for the evening. Auntie Win and Uncle Alf came down in the evening. We saw a very good comedy on TV called "Macadam and Eve". It was very entertaining. It was raining very hard last thing.

Monday 15 February
When I woke this morning there was a thick frost which had turned last night's rain to ice and had made the roads very treacherous. Even so it was a lovely, clear, crisp morning which indicates that spring is on the way. My math result isn't so good as my other two, I only got 26%, it shows I'll have to work hard in order to pass. After school I watched a middle house match Carey beat Livingstone 32-3, I don't know what to went w

Tuesday 16 February
Another cold, crisp morning this morning, with very clear skies and a large amount of sunshine. I found out my mark for the general paper it was 50% which is quite good for a general paper. Had a card from, 'Comb (Westcombe Park Rugby Club) this evening, I am playing against Old Bechhamians Extra A XV. This evening I have been doing some school work, Auntie Edie and Uncle Jim came down in the evening. After doing my school work I have been reading some old copies of punch which Trevor has given me, some of the articles and cartoons are very amusing.

Wednesday 17 February
After first period today Peter Jones came up an congratulated me, when I asked him what for he told me to look at the notice board.  I have been awarded my first fifteen colours which entitles me to wear a special tie and blazer.  I am very surprised because I haven't played very welll this season.
In art today we were shown some prints of pictures that were in an art gallery in Moscow.  Some of them were alright but most of them were dull.
This evening Auntie Pat and Uncle Reg came down.  I have started a rug which we are making for the hearth.

Thursday 18 February
I don't know what was wrong with Peter Gregory today, he was very happy and kept on saying what a lovely day it was. He was quite right but it is very unusual for him, he even condescended to play football. After school we watched a cross country match against Alleyn's school. The first and second teams won but the two junior teams lost, the two Waywell brothers came in first and second in the first race. Uncle Jack came down to see Dad today and was still there when I arrived home, as he has a long journey home he left at seven o'clock. Have been doing some of the rug.

Friday 19 February
It was half term today and school finished at 12.25.  This afternoon I have been with the Geographical Society on a visit to Ford Motor Works at Dagenham, Essex.  We saw all the stages of automobile construction.  The old plant refines the iron ore, castings are made and also tractors are assembled there. At the new plant we saw the bodies of the cars being pressed out of sheet metal and cars constructed.  All the Ford cars are made here including the new Anglia.  The works are very large and impressive although they are not very pleasant because of the continuous whinings and screechings from welders, cutters, presses and many other types of machinery needed in motor car construction.  In some parts the fumes are overpowering.  What struck me the most was the scale on which the cars are being produced, about one car every three minutes off each assembly line. 
The tea we were given was not too bad and altogether I had a most enjoyable and interesting visit.  We arrived back at school at about 17.30 after having a good sing song in the coach. Have been continuing with the rug.

Saturday 20 February
I have heard from the other two universities that I applied to.  I have been turned down by Nottingham but accepted provisionally by Reading.
There is great excitement in todays papers because the Queen had a son yesterday.
This morning we went up the road (High Street) to get a pair of shoes for every day wear.  
This afternoon I played for Combe second Colts XV against Old Beckhamians extra A.  We lost 5-8 but it was a very good game which we really deserved to draw.  I have a bruise just under my left eye.

Sunday 21 February

We had a bit of a lay-in this morning. Dad is building in a wardrobe in a recess in his bedroom. Have been cutting up some logs we still have a great number to do. This afternoon I was surprised to have a visit from David Wright, he brought down the money for a holiday. He came down on his new Vespa, he had some difficulty in starting it - he had the fuel tap turned off. This evening Auntie Win and Uncle Alf came down. We saw a farce from the Whitehall theater called "Is your honeymoon necessary?", it was very amusing.

Monday 22 February

Half term Monday, I have sent off the postal orders for our holiday. Went up to the library this morning and took out a book on flying saucers and the southwestern railway. On the way back I bought Mum's birthday present - some bars of Boots lavender soap. This afternoon I have done some school work. The weather has been very bad today, it has been raining practically the whole of the day. Nin went out at dinner time and walked all over Mum's nice clean floor - a row of muddy paw marks across the kitchen. My left eye has gone quite purple.

Tuesday 23 February

School again, only one and a half days for half term, it did have its consolations though, the bus was practically empty. Have bought a colours tie. It is black with gold and blue stripes, later on I shall be getting a rugby colours blazer. This evening I went to Jean's party. It wasn't too bad although pop music was played the whole time - I can't stand it but it's only once in a while. I met a girl called Christine (Payne?) she is quite nice, she lives somewhere in Petts Wood. Didn't get in till just before midnight.

Wednesday 24 February

Was very tired this morning, there have been one or two inquiries about how I acquired my black eye. I've had to explain that it wasn't from a stiletto heel. We have heard from some of the hostels, it's all right at Penzance, Truro, Lostwithiel, Bigbury and Exeter. We haven't had any refusals yet. After school I watched a middle house match, Carey vs Moffatt. I went on at half time to give some advice but in spite of this we won 6 - 0.

Thursday 25 February

We had a mannequin parade today, two suits were paraded in front of us, one wool, one worsted and we had to decide which one we liked the most. They were equally bad. As I am not staying on a third yearin the sixth form I was not entitled to a vote but all those in my form that were abstained. Whoccy got very annoyed at this and said that all those who did not vote would have to go to the Head(master). At this everybody concerned got up and went down to the Head, everybody except John Palmer who very sheepishly went up and quietly made his vote. The whole form hated him for it but it is the thing that I suppose we would do - anything not to go before the Head. As it was the others just explained that they didn't like either suit and escaped scott free.
I have heard from three more hostels Dunsford, Maple and Salcombe. Only two more to hear from.
David has told me that a "Battle of Britain" Pacific No. 34084 was derailed at Hither Green on a good strain. Rumor has it that it is to be cut up. I don't think that this can be true as it cannot be 15 years old. If it is scrapped it will be the first of the class to go.

Friday 26 February
Rather a dull overcast today with some rain this morning. I have been measured for a colors blazer, it won't take very long - about 10 days or twoweeks. For our current affairs we had a talk by Mr McFarland, governor of H.M. Borstal, Feltham. He was rather a queer person and there were several theories that he was drunk. After school I went to a film show - three films about Israel were shown. I found out that Chris Bradnock is in hospital with acute appendicitis. Dad has been discharged by the doctor. He's going back to work next Wednesday. This evening we have heard the news that Princess Margaret is engaged.

Saturday 27 February
Nice bright morning although it was quite windy.  I haven't done much this morning except clean my boots and cut some wood.  This afternoon I played for Combe second Colts XV against Streatham second Colts.  We won 3-0 after a close game which I enjoyed very much.  I seem to enjoy the club games much more than the normal 1st XV games.  We stopped quite late afterwards talking in general. I helped wash up.  David came back to my house and stayed until about 9.30.  Have been watching film of the rugger internationals.

Sunday 28 February
Did an essay this morning on the gold standard, it wasn't particularly difficult and didn't take me very long. Afterwards I heard the Dohnanyi Variations on a Nursery Theme (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). It is a first time I have heard it right through and I rather like it. It has been a wonderful spring-like day today. It has been quite warm this afternoon. I've been trying to burn some of our rubbish. It is quite wet and needed some paraffin and old rubber tires to get it going properly.

Monday 29 February
Another nice day today. Bernie became quite annoyed with me today because I didn't agree with everything he said, admittedly it was nearly a case of me not agreeing with anything he said, but he says the silliest things. After school I watched a Middle's house match. Carey were losing to Chalmers 0 - 5 when I left. I left before the end in order to get to )rpington in time before the shops closed. It is Mum's birthday tomorrow. Haven't done much this evening as I haven't any school work to do. I have been reading.