Saturday 7th August 1971

In the morning I went into town and bought myself a new Elvis L.P. 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. There's some pretty good stuff on it – ‘Peace in the Valley’; ‘I Believe’ and the title track ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’. 

In the afternoon I went to Tynecastle to see the pre-season friendly between Hearts and the English League Cup winner's Tottenham Hotspur. 

The Jam-Tarts did really well to beat them 2-1 especially as it was a full strength Spurs team full of big names and choc-a-bloc with talent including Pat Jennings; Alan Mullery; Mike England; Ralph Coates; Steve Perryman; Martin Chivers and Martin Peters. Spurs had an Edinburgh laddie on the subs’ bench called Graeme Souness. 

Neil Murray and Roy Kay scored for the Hearts before Chivers pulled one back after halftime for the Englanders. 

I really enjoyed being there; a braw atmosphere on a lovely summer's afternoon. There was a good feeling about the place; the fans were all happy to be back at Tynie after the summer break and all looking forward to a fresh new season. The only drawback was I had to stand for ages afterwards at Ardmillan Terrace awaiting a number 4 bus back home to Oxgangs. 

There were a couple of turn-ups today; Aberdeen beat Celtic to win the Drybrough Cup whilst Colchester United won the Watney Cup. 

Apollo 15

On the big world front. it was good to see the Americans arrive back safely on Earth after their adventures up on the moon however a wee bit of a scare as one of the parachutes failed to open; aye belt 'n braces every-time as the auld yins say!

Saturday 31st July 1971

The moon car was driven today - no road tax or a licence needed up there. 

Meanwhile back on planet Earth Iain and I took the number 16 bus from Oxgangs down to the bottom of Leith Walk where we bought our new Ben Sherman shirts; they're both brilliant. Iain's got a very cool long sleeved one whereas my one is a lighter yellow/ orange and is short sleeved; it hangs on me well. 

A year later Iain wearing his Ben Sherman

I did my papers up at the City Hospital; I was in no hurry; being a Saturday and a holiday I just took my time. I collected my pay, chatted with Pamela Baird and tootled around the shop before cycling up to the hospital. 

A wee Saturday evening in watching the telly. The football is back on with Sportsreel; earlier on we watched The Streets OF Laredo aka The Cowboy's Lament. 

With the moon landing on I've also been studying all about space which would surprise my teachers.

Friday 30th July 1971

I enjoyed one of my T.V. dinners from the Store - another turkey dinner; it’s a great innovation that you don’t have to wait for Christmas to enjoy a wee bit of the bird as it used to be only once a year. I bet it was the Americans who came up with that idea. 

Keith Robertson, Colinton Mains Park

I was down at Colinton Mains Park playing tennis this time with Keith Robertson. In the afternoon I cycled down to Baird’s Newsagents to collect my papers to sell at the City Hospital. It was the first time on my own this week and less enjoyable than when I had Iain and Ali Douglas's company. 

Talking about the Yanks they're going to land on the moon (Apollo 15) at 12.02. Things are okay so far. I'm sounding like mission control! 

Last evening I stayed in and watched a good film Alfred the Great; what a man: I like my history.