Sunday 1 January
Got up very late this morning and we had a late lunch. I haven't done much this morning. We have had several visitors before lunch, including one of Dad's colleagues at Harris's. At least I have been able to write most of my thank-you note letters. This afternoon I helped Dad in the garden - mainly clearing up in preparation for digging. The new saw works a treat, it's a real pleasure to cut to logs now. It's been a spring-like day today although it has been raining this evening. According to all reports 1960 was the wettest year since records have been kept.

Monday 2 January
Got up late again this morning. Went up the road to see if the record I have ordered had come in, as usual, it hadn't. Called in at the new library and collected my tickets as the others had expired. I also picked up six for Mom, as Dad also intends to join. I shall be able to take out up to 18 books at any one time. The new library will be quite good when it gets into its stride. Unfortunately at the moment there are more empty spaces than books. Had a letter from Johnny Marsh, or rather an SOS, he has left his essay question behind at Reading and asked me to let him have it. I thought someone would do that. Have been inquiring at shoe shops about the price of boots fitted with Commando soles, my walking boots are just about finished. Chris Bradnock came down to ask me to play for the Old Boys Colts XV against Sidcup cup tomorrow. I said I would even though my kit is still soaking wet. David Tyler came down this evening straight from work. It seems his work is just a big fiddle with expenses. We played records in the evening and discussed plans for a hostelling holiday.

Tuesday 3 January
Got up late again this morning. Have actually been thinking about my British constitution essay. Heard the Haffner Symphony this morning. Collected all my rugby kit together and went over to Chris's house to find that the match this afternoon had been canceled because the pitch at Foxbury was waterlogged. Went up the road this afternoon with Mum to buy her a silver thimble. I promised to buy one with my first week's wages. We bought one from Bernhardt's. My record hasn't come in yet. Had a card from John Palmer this morning asking me to go over on Friday evening. About 6:00 this evening there was a knock at the door and in walked John. He starts at King's College Newcastle next October and is working in the County p+Planning Office at Chistlehurst until then. He stayed the whole evening during which we played records and talked. He didn't leave until about 11.30 with the result that I am writing this entry nearing midnight.

Wednesday 4 January
Have begun to plan my essay about the changes in the Constitution 1832 - 1922 but unfortunately the books I have at present are only for the period 1822 – 1900. I shall have to go to the library again. Had an early dinner today and then went up to the dentist for my regular checkup. He found one small cavity which he filled on the spot. Even though it was a small cavity I was given an injection. I didn't feel a thing, not even when the effect of the injection wore off. I believe they now use novocaine instead of cocaine. Collected my record from Lectrix on the way back. It is two Mozart piano concerti (nos. 23 and 24 K488 and K491). The soloist is Solomon with the Philharmonia orchestra conducted by Menges. Caught the 471 bus with Mum and Dad to Pratt's Bottom (A part of my Christmas post round). We went to Mr and Mrs Harris's to tea. They have a very nice house. It was a party mainly for the work people, Mr Harris brought as part of the way home in his car. It is a lovely job, a Citroen, really luxurious.

Thursday 5 January
Went round to the library to get some books out about the 20th century section of the period for my essay. I eventually found two which should give me quite a good outline even though they are not among the recommended ones on my reading list. My new record jumps just like the last one did. I played it on the next door's equipment to make sure that it wasn't the player and again phoned up HMV. I was put through to the same man as before and again they promised to replace it. Did some preliminary work on the essay this afternoon. Colin Bishop came down this evening and brought some records down including the Eroica symphony. This is the only Beethoven symphony that I hadn't heard, so now I have heard them all, although I don't know them all very well. COLn is coming over to John's tomorrow.

Friday 6 January
Mum went up as usual to Mrs Mason's, so I had the house to myself this morning. I have really started my essay now, I have written over a page - mainly on introduction. Peter Dolman called in and I had quite a chat with him. He was telling me about his holiday last summer in Ireland. The only trouble is that he talks too much. Copied up some lecture notes this afternoon and also heard a performance of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony on the wireless. They conductor was George Hurst and the performance was really atrocious. It was much too slow, particularly the last movement, and the tempo of the main theme to the slow movement was all wrong. Had just time to see Huckleberry Hound on TV and caught a bus to John Palmer's house. Dave Tyler and Colin Bishop were also there. After that we saw some slides that John has taken of various holidays and afterwards we played a game based on the stock exchange I wasn't the outright winner but it was certainly good fun. John brought me home ( via Eltham and Shortlands to set the others down) in the car.

Saturday 7 January
I went to see the rugby International between England and the South African touring team. Caught the 10.49 to Charing Cross and made a short visit to the Youth Hostel shop in John Adams Street where I bought a Cornwall badge for my rucsack. Met Colin Bishop at 12:05 and we had dinner at Lyons Corner House. After dinner we walked over Hungerford bridge to Waterloo and caught a train to Twickenham. Arrived at the ground at 2:00. We were amazed to see the number of ticket touts between the station and the stadium. The game was very disappointing indeed. The Springbocks won 5-0 but they closed the game up completely and kicked for touch throughout the whole game. It was a scrappy game and there was a lot of fighting. Came back to Waterloo and spent an hour in a news theater where we saw some amusing cartoons. Had to tea near Charing Cross and tried to get into a cinema but the performances mainly started at 8:00 and there were large queues so after a visit to an amusement arcade we came home.

Sunday 8 January
We all got up very late this morning and didn't finish breakfast until after 11:00. Consequently, we had a late dinner. This morning I repaired a hole in my rucksack. It was a very small town which was done last year. Nevertheless if it was allowed to go without attention it might have become much larger. Went up to Auntie Vi's for tea as it is her birthday tomorrow, Uncle Reg Auntie Pat, Richard and Auntie Cooke besides Uncle George were also there. I haven't seen Auntie Vi since sometime before Christmas as she had flu over Christmas. We came home by bus. Uncle Reg could have brought us back but his excuse was that he didn't have room with Auntie Cook eas well. I think it was very mean of him, it wouldn't have been too much trouble to make two Journeys or for someone to sit on someone else's lap.

Monday 9 January
Have been continuing with my essay. I have nearly finished it and it should be complete by this time tomorrow. The replacement record has arrived from HMV and this is much better although I think the pick up needs a new stylus. Went around to the library this afternoon and took back some of the books I had taken out for the essay. I found a very interesting book on the Narrow Gauge Railways of the British Isles. It is very interesting and of course now I want to go back to Northwest Wales to explore some of the lines still open and some now closed in that area. This evening I have been helping Dad reframe the painting of Orpington All Saints church.

Tuesday 10 January
Went up the road first thing this morning and bought two drip dry shirts for when I am in Reading. I will be able to cut down my laundry bills quite substantially, I hope. Came back and finished off my essay. Have been studying the book on Narrow Gauge Railways as I shall have to take it back tomorrow because I leave on Thursday. I would very much like to go to North Wales again, I shall have to try to arrange something with Johnny Marsh either for Easter or for the long vacation. Dave Wright came down this afternoon. He has crashed his Vespa but has been able to get it repaired even though there was a great crack across the front of the frame which was just kept together by the leg protectors.

Wednesday 11 January
My last day at home for some time. Went up to the shoe shop to collect my games bag - the handles had practically come off. Dave Wright came down on his scooter and took me back to his place for the morning. We came back and Dave had dinner at my place, it was Dad's day off and Auntie Vi came down. We went round to the library in the afternoon and was thrown out of the Reading Room for talking. I have also taken my walking boots in to be repaired, I didn't think they they could be. I don't need to buy a new pair so I shall be able to afford an anorak. Dave left at about 4.00 as he hasn't any lights at the moment. Pete Dolman called in just to see me, I think. I don't know why this is so, he's been down about three or four times before this holiday. I have spent most of the evening at home except for half an hour or so that I spent next door saying goodbye. Even Jean was quite friendly - please to get rid of me!

Thursday 12 January
Had to get up at 8:00 this morning and didn't feeling much like it. I've been packing this morning and managed to get it all into the one case, which was bulging quite ostensibly. Have also strapped my rucksack on to the side of my bag because I hope to go hosteling sometime this term.  I took a bus to the station and caught the 12.19 train up to Waterloo where I arrived just in time to see the Reading train just leaving platform 20 which meant half an hour to wait.  Both the London and the Reading trains go at 30 minute intervals but they are such that one leaves at the same time that the other arrives.  The journey to Reading was rether uneventful.  Saw three S15 4-6-0s and a saddle tank shunting in the Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory yard.  I shall have to investigate that (see 6 November 1961).  It is black and is numbered One. Arrived at 65 Berkeley avenue at about 3:15 and had sufficient time to unpack before going up to Whiteknights via David's. Saw my tutor and handed my essay in. Went into the Union bar this evening with the gang. We played pontoon with matches afterwards.

Friday 13 January
Timetable same as last term so I have an early 8:00 breakfast on Fridays - talk about Friday the 13th. Have just had the one lecture, psychology today, and have had the rest of the day free. Spend some time with Martin James in Pat's this morning. He now has a gramophone and some records, he played two Bach Toccatas and Fugues and the Dvorak ”From the New World symphony. The electric current is 200 v AC in this district (standard 250v AC) and his gramophone is set for 250 V so that the turntable is revolving slower than normal which makes the reproduction slower, with the Bach this gave a very queer effect. Came back to David's and went around the town with Tony and Tommy. We had to look in the sale at Smith's and then finished up in the Reading Room of the public library. Have spent the afternoon and evening reading. We turned the television on in the Griffin room for Huckleberry Hound to find that it wasn't working so there was a mad exodus to the students union.

Saturday 14 January
Had the normal geography lecture at 9:30 this morning, we had a late breakfast so that it was a bit of a rush. We are having practicals on geomorphology this term instead of on meteorology. Went into the General station with Johnny Marsh as usual afterwards. The railway workings were the same as usual except the 11.30 from Oxford didn't come in at all and the 11.35 arrival, 11.45 departure from Cheltenham had a Hall 4-6-0 instead of the normal Warship class diesel.  It was ten minutes late arriving  but they cut the station stop by five minutes.  There were quite a few Southern engines in the Western station including two S15 4-6-0s and a 700 0-6-0. Had dinner in the Buttery with Tony and we went up to Whiteknights in the afternoon to watch the rugby and hockey. The Griffin room was quite deserted around 5.00 because the television is still out of order. We came into David's in the evening and played table tennis for over an hour.

Sunday 15 January
It's been very fine today with quite a bit of sunshine although it has been quite cold. I did some work first thing and then went for a cycle ride around Huntley and Palmer's biscuit factory and the gas works. I also did some exploring around the area to the northeast of the stations. It seems that there is a new gas works being built, the rails have been partly laid and they are about to put in the connection with the main sidings. The wind is very cold especially on the bike. Went into David's this afternoon. There wasn't much going on. I played table tennis with Tony and managed to win three or four games - quite an improvement. Stayed in this evening - reading and listening to the wireless.

Monday 16 January
Had quite a surprise cycling to the university this morning.  Instead of the normal 0-6-0 tender engine shunting in the Central Goods yard, there was a 2-6-0 No. 6324 which frequently does station pilot duties at General station.  This is the first time I have observed an engine of this class doing this duty, although I have observed a  Hall 4-6-0. Spent the morning copying up lectures in one of the David's studies. Had dinner in the Buttery with Tony, Dave, Terry, Simon and Ken. Had my only lecture today at 2:10- meteorology, very interesting. Afterwards we went to the fees office to connect our grants and then into the town where of course the bank was closed so I cannot cash it until tomorrow. Had tea with Dave and Tony, we had a violent discussion as to the possibilities of China being able to produce hydrogen bombs with Chinese peasants using division of labor. Stayed in this evening revising for a psychology exam tomorrow.

Tuesday 17 January
Had to have an early breakfast this morning because Mr. Perry showed us how to take the daily meteorological readings which I have to do next week. I had to dash up to Whiteknights for a 10:00 lecture and we had a usual hectic dash down again at 12:00 only to find that the geography lecture had been canceled. I sat my first psychology exam this afternoon. At least it was only 2 hours and that was enough. I suppose it could have been much worse but it was certainly bad enough, good job I had done some extra reading on the subject. I've done many things this evening. Have read Lady Chatterley's Lover and done some geography. Then went up to David's and played table tennis and cheat and also darts in the Union.

Wednesday 18 January
I didn't have time to write this entry today because I didn't get to bed until just before midnight. I attended the 9.00 lecture at Whiteknights which was done by Mr. Sainsbury and then came back and went around the town to pay in my grant at the bank. I also went to the library. There is a very good concert being given in the town hall by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Basil Cameron. I must certainly go to see it. Came back and had dinner with Tony in the Union bar. At 1245 we joined the coach for the rugger fixture against King Alfreds College Winchester.  The sun was shining brightly and it was a very pleasant journey through ground I haven't seen before.  We went via Basingstoke. The game was very good indeed although I had to play in the left front row instead of the right.  (who won? After tea we went to a pub with the opposing team and after a couple of hours we went to another pub, which ran out of bitter, and stayed there until closing time - 1000, then back over the Berkshire border to a pub which closed at 1030.

Thursday 19 January
Had the first lecture by Mr Wade this morning, he was very good and made it very interesting. Afterwards I went into David's and wrote an overdue letter home and then had a bath. Went to the J.C.R. after dinner and then had to dash up to Whiteknights for a British Constitution lecture. Afterwards I paid my fees and then went down the town with the boys. I have bought an anorak. It is quite a good one and has three pockets, including one with a zip fastening, and also has a hood. It is fully waterproof and will be much better than my wind cheater which is rubberized. Have also bought a ticket for the concert with Basil Cameron on the 31st. Most of the seats had gone and it was a good job I didn't delay any longer. Had a surprise this afternoon. My back tire was completely flat. Went into David's and played table tennis and darts in the union bar.

Friday 20 January
I had to walk up to Whiteknights because of my puncture. After psychology I went to Mr. Sainsbury to get back my political economy essay. After that I walked back to the digs and repaired my flat tire, it was very easy to find as there was a great big piece of flint in the tire. Spent the afternoon in David's reading and playing table tennis. Had tea with Dave Cameron and watched Huckleberry Hound and after dinner went back to David's where we again played table tennis. The Griffin room was crowded this evening because the television in the union has gone wrong. It is raining quite hard this evening - my anorak came in very handy.

Saturday 21 January
Had the geography practical this morning and then went straight down to the Genereal station where there were several interesting things of note.  One of the diesel multiple units  was of the original W500xx series, a type which I haven't seen at Reading before.  There were three special trains for Newbury Races, at least two hauled by Castles of the 70xx series.  Several new diesels were in evidence, from a single coach unit W55028 to new Warships D842 from North British loco. and D830 running in from Swindon on the 11.35 (5 mins late) arrival to London (with at least ten people on board the locomotive).
I played for the 4th XV this afternoon against Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough.  I had to play on the wing, the first time I have played outside the scrum in my life.  I quite enjoyed it although it was rather tame.  There was a great deal of waiting around and I got a bit cold.  We lost 3-8.

Sunday 22 January
Went for a cycle ride with Johnny Marsh this morning. We went to the site of the new Gas Works and also round by the diesel depot that we were thrown out of last term. Finished up down by the river in between Caversham and Tilehurst. It is very pleasant by the river, there was a fishing competition in progress, we saw one man catch a fish - though it was very small. Watched television in David's.

Monday 23 January
My first day of reading the meteorological observations so I had to have an early breakfast. Went round to the public library afterwards and did some shopping which included a small packet of Persil which I eventually obtained in Woolworths. Went back to David's and did my washing. There was quite a lot as it was my first wash this term. Had dinner in the union and then went to a t2.10 lecture. Mr Perry had difficulty in starting because people kept coming in. Went with Johnny Marsh to a disused chalk quarry near Caversham to look for fossils. It is very nice country and I shall certainly have to come out that way again. We did find one or two fossils but nothing to talk about.

Tuesday 24 January
Got up early and did the meteorological readings. Went back to David's and did some work. The psychology lecture was canceled and recycled up to Whiteknight's only to find that the political economy lecture was also canceled. At 12:00. 00 we went to geography but Professor Miller was 15 minutes late, he lectured for 30 minutes and then had to stop to be eventually helped out of the room. Had dinner in the union bar and then played table tennis at David's until 200. Had the results of last week's psychology exam, I got 54% which for me is pretty good considering that I really didn't have a clue. We did an experiment about the different thresholds of intensity of sound, I didn't know what it was meant to prove. After tea at David's I wrote some letters and have spent half the evening at home working and the rest of the time at David's.

Wednesday 25 January
Did usual meteorological readings and then belted up to a Whiteknights for a 9.00 lecture. After that I did some work and then had lunch in the Union - meat pasty, cheese roll and a cup of tea - 1/7. Very tasty! Had a game of rugger this afternoon.  I played for the 3rd XV against 5th Training Regiment R.E.M.E.  They were very fast and very fit and when they scored a try under the posts in the first minute I thought we were in for a slaughtering.  At half time the score was 13-6 to them and they could have anihilated us at any time. But we really pulled our fingers out in the second half and the final score was 13-11.  A very good and hard game which I enjoyed very much indeed.Went out with Dave Cameron this evening to sell Rag Draw tickets. We went into a pub and also to the Police and Railway stations. The police told us to come back tomorrow. Have sold 36 so far. Not bad for a start.

Thursday 26 January
Have only had one lecture today, human geography this morning while political economy, this afternoon, was canceled after we had gone up to Whiteknights and waited for 15 minutes. This morning I went into the bank and have bought an OS map of the district. I also had a bath, I took off for 3/4 of an hour and read a book, went to the laundry this afternoon and have been doing some work- Wonder of wonders! This evening, after Flintstones, David and I again try to sell some draw tickets but weren't half as lucky as last night and at last gave up in disgust.

Friday 27 January
I had to do the weather observation at 8.30 this morning because of my 9.00 lecture, psychology, at Whiteknights. After that I went back to Pats with Martin James where I had coffee. He has just bought a new record which includes the Haydn Trumpet concerto. It is a very good record and I would like to buy it. Came back to David's and did some work until 1:00 when we had lunch in the Union. We seem to be using the Union coffee bar a very great deal this term. This afternoon I went to the library and did some work until about 4.30. Had tea and then watched Huckleberry Hound. Wrote some letters this evening and then went into David's and spent the rest of the evening reading.

Saturday 28 January
Usual British weather this morning overcast and raining. It made the weather observations a bit unpleasant. It got even worse during geography and it was raining very hard at 11.00, so hard that we didn't go down to the station but stayed in the Long Room, reading, talking and listening to Saturday Club. Had lunch in the Union and then went into the town during a break in the rain. Watched the television this afternoon, there was some very good professional wrestling including a Peruvian with a long mustache and wearing old style wrestling tights. I finished up at David's this evening and spent the time in the Griffin room.

Sunday 29 January
Had an early breakfast and cycled over to Johnny Marsh's digs and then hitch hiked to Oxford in two lifts, one to Wallingford and the other right to Oxford.  After that we got a lift to the little village of Woodstock, 8 miles to the north of Oxford. It is a pleasant village which has been virtually unspoiled.  The houses are all of the same honey yellow stone.  All new building has been blended in well with the old.  We followed the course of the old branch from Woodstock to the main line, it has been closed for some time and the track has been lifted.  We found some very good fossils in a cutting.  Close to the main line we found a GWR notice attached to a gate.  Walked on and eventually finished up at Kidlington where we caught a bus to Oxford and, after a little delay, another bus to Reading (it took 1 hour 40 minutes). Had something to eat at Johnny's place and then came home.  It has been a very enjoyable day, even though it rained all the time.

Monday 30 January
Did my last day of weather observations today which means that I will now be able to revert to getting up at 8.30. Did my washing this morning, there wasn't very much this week as I did a lot last week. After that I did some work in the library, looked up a reference in the railway magazine about the Edge Hill Light Railway. Had a 2.10 lecture today and after that we went round the town generally being a nuisance. We went into Browns and heard some records and then came back to David's for tea. Stayed in this evening, writing up a psychology practical and then doing some letters. As usual I have a great number of books to read

Tuesday 31 January
Had a full day of lectures. No lecture was canceled. Had Professor Campbell for the first time today. He is very good but tends to be a bit boring because he reads his lectures out. Professor Miller is still indisposed so we had a lecture by Mr. Wood on human geography. After tea I went with Johnny Marsh to Broadbent's where I was greatly tempted to buy a deleted record of the Overture “The Caliph of Bagdad" but I managed to overcome the temptation. There was a terrific freak storm and we sheltered for 10 minutes or so. It was announced on the wireless that four houses in Reading were hit by a thunderbolt