1978 May

May 1^st
To say it is the first day of May, today has been a horrible day. Very windy weather with some rain. However the ground is covered with young Sycamore tree shoots, and the green buds of the Sycamore tree which are tinged with pink are beginning to open.

May 3^rd
The weather has been lovely, and because of the rise in temperature people at school were running about with just shirts and blouses. Everywhere was so calm and the Skylarks sang triumphantly their beautiful song. The Celandines are opening up, and so are the leaves on the Pussy Willow trees.

Across at Pump House Wood I found an Ants’ nest quite by accident under a rotting log that I turned over. At first I was amazed to see the busy little ants at work but decided I had best get away quickly before the soldier ants started to bite me. However I changed my mind, remembering how much more work the ants would have to do if I didn’t replace the log where it had originally been. So I did move the log back and I didn’t get bitten once.

May 5^th
When I woke up this morning the sun was shining, with small patches of blue sky. The rest of the sky was overcast and a sort of misty haze lay over the land. But the sun was lovely and warm. I arrived downstairs at ten o’clock. Then I hear a wonderful sound. It was the first Cuckoo, calling its enchanting call through the wood.

Later I saw the lovely emerald leaves of the Wood Sorrel pushing out on the well. The weather was so lovely that I couldn’t wait to get going on a walk with Cindy. We started to go up the back. I wondered whether the Gorse bush would be in flower, and it was. Sprinkled with golden blossom the bush looked lovely. Quite a few 6-spot Ladybirds were crawling about the bush.

On May 3^rd, I thought I saw a Swallow fly across the Lane Field but I wasn’t certain so did not mention it in my notes. As I went further along today, I saw a Swallow fly across the fell. This to me is wonderful news. The swift, pretty, delicate Swallows have returned, and so has the Cuckoo. I’m very glad to have them back. In the evening on the fence below the Ash tree I saw a male Kestrel.

May. 7^th
Today the sky was deep blue with white cotton wool clouds. The sunshine was glorious. When I went across to Pump House Wood I saw a pair of Great Tits and a pair of Blue Tits. Tits are my favourite birds and I could have watched the games they played for ages. Each one was like a miniature acrobat.

On top of the Pump House three Stock Doves alighted. Most people would look at them and think just another Pigeon, but if you look closely you will see how lovely they really are.

May 9^th
The weather has been gorgeous today. A clear blue sky with no clouds and lovely hot sunshine. It has been the warmest day so far. All dinner time I played rounders on the grass at school. On the top of the tarmac on the tennis courts at school you could see the heat shimmering. It must have been warm, because the man from number 120 came outside his house. He is an old man and only comes out of his house went it is very warm.

May. 10^th
Today the sky has been blue with sunshine but a cold wind was blowing. In the front garden the Globe Flowers are ready to flower. When I went up the back, I saw some Daisies flowering by the clay pigeon shoot. Then all of a sudden I saw some smoke drifting rapidly over the hill. As soon as I had climbed the hill I saw that Radcliffe’s Moor was on fire.

The moors are set alight every year. This is done so that the old dead grass will be burnt. Then young grass will find it easier to grow. From where I stood I could see where the fire had burnt. It looked as black as charcoal. Just behind the gorge some fire had broken into the Back Meadow.

I went right up to it, and threw some grass on the dying flame. The fire began to burn rapidly again and sprang to life so quickly it was quite frightening. I love the smell of the smoke when the moors are being burnt. To my surprise a flock of Starlings flew over the smoke. Then eleven Stock Doves flew over my head and out of sight, heading towards Anglezarke.

May 11^th
Today has been much cooler. There has been a slight wind and the sky is completely overcast. Also it has rained today, once at dinner time, and at half past six the rain belted down cats and dogs. Now at seven o’clock everywhere is wet through. Sparkling little water droplets cling to every blade of grass, and to the fence.

This morning I found a Horse Chestnut twig on the floor. The frail green leaves had burst out of the sticky brown sepals. On the twig itself the horse-shoe scars could clearly be seen. Nearby I found the first bird’s egg shell I have seen this year. It was definitely a Starling shell. On the hillside, I found some Wood Anemones in bud, and on the banks of the stream I found some Violets. They were lovely little Bog Violets, mauve in colour, with purple markings and an orange centre.

May 12^th
All day it has been freezing, with grey sky and a cold wind. It has rained heavily at intervals. In the Lane Field I saw my first Marsh Marigold flowering.

Today I went to my first football match. Guess who was playing? Liverpool, who have just won the European Cup Final, and Bolton Wanders. Bolton is the nearest town to my home. Over twenty thousand people turned up to support the two teams. A total of ten goals were scored – five to each team, so it was a draw. It was a fair result.

May 13^th
All day there have been grey and white clouds in the sky. At intervals blue sky and sunshine showed through, but it was still very cold because a cold wind has been blowing. Outside I found some Dandelion flowering in the Main Field. By the House Field Bridge little Fern fronds are beginning to open up. At the side of the drive Dock leaves nearly cover the ground.

When I was down at the reservoir today I saw a flock of about sixty Pigeons. Some were multicoloured, so I guess the flock came from a nearby town. In a sheep’s carcass up the back I found an orange and black Burying Beetle.

May 16^th
Today the sun has been shining and it was quite warm. The sky was mainly overcast with blue patches and there was a slight wind. On the telephone wires near the Pump House Well I saw the Cuckoo closely for the first time. Usually it flies away before I have time to lift my binoculars. When I passed the Sycamore tree in Radcliffe’s field I saw a pair of Cuckoos fly over my head. I also saw a pair of Curlews in the Hay Meadow. In the evening I found some Wood Anemones flowering in My Place. Daddy saw a Fox on Hill Sixty but I must confess I haven’t seen one yet this year.

May. 17^th
Today the sun is warm with blue sky and big whitish grey clouds. I went a walk up the Back Meadow with Ling and Cindy. On the fence posts at the back of the Croft near to the Mountain Ash Tree Valley I found loads of Weevils. They were a brown or green colour. On every post there was always at least one, and sometimes as many as eight.

Before I reached the fence I saw what I thought was a Kestrel but it was a Cuckoo. Many birdwatchers, both amateur and professional, make this mistake. It is because when in flight the Cuckoo has a shape of a hawk. By the Pump House Well, I found some lovely May Flowers blooming. (Lady’s Smock).

May 20^th
Today the sun has been warm but a wind was still blowing. The sky was a washy blue colour. The Wood Anemones have opened up completely in My Place. I have seen two Cabbage White butterflies today. They are the first I have seen this year.

May 24^th
In the morning my feet were soaked in dew as I walked down to the village. In Radcliffe’s field I saw two House Martins. They are the first ones I have seen this year.

May 25^th
Today a force eight gale was blowing and the weather was like yesterday, with fewer clouds. At school I had my Geography, R.E. and History exams today. I think I did all right.

May 26^th
In the evening I went a walk onto the island, because the water level has dropped so far that you can get across. The things I found on the island were absolutely wonderful. About 200 Seagulls, mainly Black Headed, were screeching overhead. I found two nests, which delighted me because I don’t often find bird’s nests. In one there was two eggs and in the other three. The eggs were an olive brown, blotched with dark brown spots. They belonged to Lapwings. Everywhere the island was covered with tiny white Cotton Grass flowers.

The Rhododendrons in Pump House Wood are starting to bud. On the Ash trees you can clearly see reddish purple flowers. Across in the middle of the Main Field I saw nine Wood Pigeons busily eating. I could tell they were Wood Pigeon by the white on the wings.

May 25^th
Today the sun was shining and the sky was a deep clear blue. It has been the hottest day so far and it is Kelly’s birthday. I bought her a chocolate orange, besides one for Sharon (who I forgot to give a present to on her birthday). Today has been a super day: we have finished our exams, and the weather was lovely. On the moss I saw a pair of Swifts. They were the first I have seen this year.

May. 26^th
Today the weather was the same as yesterday, only hotter. I found a dead Hedgehog. People have seen Hedgehogs along Abbey village and at the Wright’s Arms in Belmont, but I have never seen one. I wonder where it came from and how it got there.

In the evening I went to see ‘Saturday Night Fever’ staring John Travolta. It was brilliant. Georga, Sharon, Kelly, me and Amelia went. I am now writing this at exactly midnight. Amelia has left school today, and many more people are leaving. I hope she gets a good job. In Radcliffe’s field today I saw a pair of Tortoiseshell Butterflies. They were fluttering over the rushes.

May 27^th
Today the sky is a very faint washy white blue colour. The sunshine is warm but there is a cool breeze. The island is nearly covered with white spots from the Cotton Grass flowers. The fields are dotted with Marsh Marigolds, Mayflowers, Dandelion, Buttercups and in wet places Violets and Cresses, besides some Chickweed. Across in My Place, the Wood Anemones are fully out. All the trees are covered with emerald green leaves, except the Ash and Oak. The Ash leaves are beginning to bud into leaf.

The sun was boiling hot today, and many insects, flies and Cabbage White butterflies were flying about. I saw a large brown and yellow Wasp on the curtain in the front room. So I attracted it onto a Dandelion, that I put that into a glass. Then I put a book on top, and released it outside.

Up the Back Meadow Bluebells and Cinquefoil flowers are flowering. I found some pink-white Valerian flowers in the Rushes. In the streams little shrimp like larvae are crawling about. There are also many Stickess stuck to the stones. 'Stickess' are Caddis Fly larvae, in little stone cases.

May 29^th
Today the sun has been lovely and warm. The sky was clear and blue but a slight wind was blowing. In the morning there was less dew. In the Hawthorn tree across at the Tip there is a nest that had some Crow chicks in. There were also some young Crows in a nest up Mountain Ash Tree Valley. Daddy shot them today because crows are very common, and I’m sorry to say, a bit of a nuisance.

The water level has dropped at an incredible pace. With there being very little rain the grass is not growing as it should. However there are loads of flowers, especially Buttercups and Daisies in the fields. I went swimming in the lodge today. The water was very murky, and Radcliffe's cows and a bull came paddling whilst I swam.

There were loads of flies, and Cabbage White Butterflies flying about today. I also saw a pair of Tortoiseshell Butterflies across in My Place, and one in the Main Field. There are many 6 and 7-spot Ladybirds about as well. I found a small yellow and black Ladybird on the House Field Bridge yesterday. It had about eleven yellow spots. I found a Weevil on the sideboard this morning, so I put it outside.

Across in My Place, the yellow Globe Flowers are in bloom. On the Hawthorn trees there are blossom buds. Horsetails and Fern fronds have opened up and by the house Wood Sorrel is flowering.

May 31^st
Walking down the Hay Meadow early this morning, I saw six Lesser Blackback and eight Black-headed Gulls. There was a pair of Stock Doves in Jack Ash Tree. The grass was wet with dew, and a weird mist arose off the lodge and reservoir.

Later in the day it became very warm, though a slight wind was blowing and the sky was overcast with clouds. Sometimes the sun shone through. Ellen, Georga, Kelly, Delia and I went swimming in the lodge. I came back to see how Grandma was. She said “The leaves are starting to turn, and that’s a sign that it’s going to rain. The air outside is so hot and stuffy, I know it is going to thunder.”

I didn’t believe her and said that it wouldn’t thunder or rain. I went back to swim in the lodge. The water was lovely and warm. We got out of the water but couldn’t sunbathe because there was no sun. Then there was a loud clap of thunder and it began to pour down with rain. There was a panic. Towels, feet, hands, legs Cindy, rugs and everything went flying. It was a real tisswas! Lightening lashed through the sky as we ran towards the farmhouse. We arrived drenched to the skin with rain. I showed them round the farmhouse once they were dry. Everyone had a drink of orange and a biscuit.

Ellen and Georga are really bonny, good looking, attractive girls. It’s a pity Albert and who-is-it? Haven’t noticed. Or have they? Well Tom certainly doesn’t fancy me. Anyway no one else would have him except me! So I’ve still a chance. Latter they all walked back to the village. When I went down to the village in the evening we all went to explore the old chapel.

We pretended to preach sermons and marry each other. There were some lovely hymn books and we tried to sing ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. Actually it sounded quite nice. Earlier in the day Ellen, Georga and Kelly went up the spooky bell tower. Georga wore a ‘God loves us’ sticker for safety. I think someone took a cross. However I say there’s nothing like a pinch of garlic to protect you from the supernatural.

Later it began to thunder, rain, and lightening. The sky was light blue in patches with grey, dark grey, white and pink clouds blowing about. I was frightened of walking home on my own. So everyone took pity on me, or at least I hope they did. Anyway I’m glad they walked home with me. Their reward was another cup of orange and a chocolate biscuit each. Then they walked quickly home because it was quarter to ten.