Sunday 17 March.
No diary for a long time. Nothing exciting has happened - in fact I haven't even been out of Reading except to go home with Pat for the weekend. At last the cold weather has gone and it is quite mild. Had the usual heavy rain for Rag Day but we collected a record £3000. The stunts were pretty good - they included a relay run to York along Dick Turpin's route, floating a car down the Thames and a marathon oration in Hyde Park. I went down to see the Reading Head of the River Race - the weather wasn't too bad. I am now working pretty hard - for the last three weeks I have been averaging four nights a week at the University library. I think the pace is beginning to tell. I'm looking forward to a couple of week's rest during the vacation. My interviews have been going reasonably well - I have second interviews with Leo Computers, Michelin and International Computers and Tabulators and have yet to hear from British Railways (Traffic Apprenticeship), Nestlés ( market research) and Dexion.

Wednesday 20 March
I came home today - Pat is staying a few days.

Thursday 21 March
I took Pat round to see Dave and Paula this evening.

Saturday 23 March.
We went up to the Chinese restaurant for dinner - I quite enjoyed it. Pat was going to go home this evening. We were sitting in the train at Orpingtonton station when the signals failed so that we could not have got to Kings Cross in time to catch the train for Retford. She is now staying until Monday.

Monday 25 March
Pat came up to town with me this morning as I went for an aptitude test with Leo computers. The test was difficult and I don't think I did very well. After the test I was kept waiting for 4 hours to be interviewed. The building is rather depressing - I don't much want the job.

Wednesday 27 March
I was turned down at Leo Computers. I caught the 14.25 train from Euston to Stafford where I changed for Stoke-on-Trent.  I have a Group Selection Board with Michelin Tyre Co. tomorrow and Friday.  The train was 30 minutes late to Stafford because of electrification work in progress south of that point.  There are twelve of us on this board, we are all staying at Keele University.  We are in huts but these are really good - the rooms are large and very warm.  I spent this evening in the Students' Union Building which has only just been opened.  Saw the TV programme on Dr. Beeching's report on the railways advocating the closure of about one third of the BR stations.

Thursday 28 March
First day of the Michelin Selection Board.  After an introductory talk we were shown around the bicycle tyre production part of the plant.  After dinner in the canteen we were put through a group Discussion and then had to construct a bridge over an imaginary river with the help of some scaffolding.  Had free drinks all evening at the Michelin Sports Club.

Friday 29 March
Second day of the Michelin Selection Board. After an interview I had to construct a box like structure from wood which slatted together. I failed miserably.  Have also had a ride around the town and took the WEIS IQ test.  Left the factory at 16.20 and arrived at Stoke-on-Trent station at 16.30.  I was eventually to make my way to Worksop. The only way was through Macclesfield, manchester, Woodhead Tunnel and Sheffield, changing trains at Manchester Picadilly and Sheffield Victoria.

Stoke	arr.	16.30
Stoke	dep.	17.30	1 hour waiting
Manchester Picadilly	arr.	18.39
	dep.	19.15	36 minutes waiting
Sheffield Victoria	arr.	20.15
	dep.	20.49	34 mins waiting
Worksop	arr.	21.17

The journey was quite interesting.  Stoke-on-Trent was very good for steam although half the passenger trains are multiple unit diesels.  In my rather cold hour's wait I saw a Jubilee, a class 5 4-6-0 (LMS), 2-6-4 tanks, Stanier 2-8-0, LMS 0-6-0 tender, LMS 2-6-0, BR (2-6-0 and 4-6-0).  Unfortunately it was dark when I reached Manchester so I could not observe much.  I did see a rather dirty 25 kv electric loco.  The Manchester to Sheffield trip would have been interesting in the day time.  It was behind an electric locomotive, called, I think, "Pandora".  My first trip in this country behind an electric locomotive.  It seems that the schedule could be cut on this trip, we seemed to coast all the way once through the Woodhead Tunnel except for starting the train away from a station.  The acceleration of these locomotives is very good and also very smooth.  At Sheffield I had plenty of time to observe the station pilot, a very grimy B1 4-6-0.  A new diesel electric (D 68xx) backed on to some coaching stock.  It succeeded in enveloping its front end in steam (which incidentally showed that the train heating boiler was working correctly) until the train heating pipe was closed (as it should have been).  I arrived at Worksop on time and managed to find a 68 Kingsway without much difficulty. I was extremely tired.

Saturday 30 March
The weather has been rather miserable today. We had a look around the town this morning then came back to watch the Grand National - a very exciting finish.

Sunday 31 March
I went for a short walk with Pat this morning, the country is quite pleasant. I have spent some time listening to their stereo record player.