Tuesday 13th July 1971 - Who Says Men Can't Multi-task!

I did the milk around the lovely tree lined streets of Morningside. Once I'm up I enjoy being out 'n about on a lovely summer's morning; I like this time of the day; it's got a different feel to it. The birds are in full voice and singing away, particularly the blackie. It's already warm and light; the world is still quiet but slowly coming to life with all the potential of a full day in front of me. I love the sensation of the physical exercise hopping on 'n off the milk float darting up 'n down the garden paths with either silver, red or gold tops; it's great building up a wee sweat and enjoying the feeling of being lean, fit and athletic; I'm definitely in my prime. It's all enhanced by knowing that I don’t have to go into school; it's something parked away on the horizon in August or the Twelfth of Never! 

After some cornflakes 'n milk I went down to the garage to put in another shift at the National Garage. When you’re multi-tasking on the work front somehow the variety makes it feel like it's not really work at all plus it's all new and novel. My wee kiosk on the forecourt is great; I have to nip out every now and then to serve petrol to the customers. You tend to feel a wee bit more of an expert with the women customers than the men but they're all very pleasant to me and you get an occasional tip too. 

Mid-afternoon I went down to Baird's Newsagents. Pamela Baird was very pleased with me as yesterday I'd sold every single Edinburgh Evening News around the City Hospital wards. It's a good feeling getting positive feedback. It makes you want to get out there and deliver the goods again to get more praise. I suppose that's what they call motivation but I think it's more than that, because I like pleasing people through doing something for them. 

I don't know why but late afternoon I felt very sick; it wasn't a nice feeling' perhaps I maybe had too much sun. However I made a decent recovery as Ali Douglas and I have been out looking for the 'icey'. Whilst we were doing that we went down to the dodgy Rowntree's vending machine. Ali got three extra packets whilst I got one. We eventually found the 'icey' but only after searching Tony's down, way up at Oxgangs Farm Drive.

Monday 12th July 1971 It's work Jim, but not as we know it!

Well it may be the school summer holidays but compared to last week's leisurely week I put in a heck of a good shift today; and yet busy as I was it didn’t really feel like working at all. I really enjoyed myself. 

I started a new milk run this morning so I was up with the birds at the crack of dawn; however on a light, summer's morn and with no school I took it in my stride. After a wee bit of scran for my breakfast I went down to job number two at the National Garage to work on the pumps. Mrs Munro is as big a character as her hubby. They're like two peas in a pod. 

Mid- afternoon I took a number 16 bus down to Bairds Newsagents to begin my new paper-round for Pamela Baird. 

Pamela Baird

She gave me a bundle of Evening News' to sell around the City Hospital wards. It's completely different to a few years back when I did the early morning slot where I saw some bonny (not) sights. On a bright, sunny afternoon the hospital is a much sunnier place to go around in both senses of the word; there's more staff on the go and the visitors were in. Anyway, I managed to sell all the papers so Pamela will be pleased, which makes me pleased too. 

Photograph courtesy John Stirling, Currie

Afterwards I had a quick tea then I went back down to put in a few more hours at the garage - my pockets will be jingling this week. Meanwhile John and Mum are up the The Good Companions having a wee tipple or two; I've just had some chips.

Friday 9th July 1971

I worked for a good part of the day at the National Garage at the back of the Store on Colinton Mains Drive. Mr Munro the owner is a big, bluff sort of a character but is okay. I got the job through Iain and Ali Douglas who have both been working there too. I quite enjoy being at the garage and serving the petrol from the wee kiosk. The petrol's straight forward enough but it's a wee bit trickier with the oil 'n petrol mixture for the motor-bikes. 

There's a great smell about the place; it’s the mixture of petrol and heat. It's been another hot and sunny day with the sun beating down. I like the whole feel of the place; there's a certain timelessness and tradition about a garage. It's a wee bit messy with odds 'n ends and some car stuff lying around. I also like the free badges we get to distribute to the customers. On a warm, dreamy afternoon it's a good way to spend a school holiday. 

Pamela Baird

Later on I cycled down to Morningside Drive to re-introduce myself to Pamela Baird and pick up another job at Bairds Newsagents. I've always enjoyed working at Bairds - it's in my DNA. It's actually been a wee while since I've been in the shop. 

Mr Baird

The shop has a good feel to it with the double shop at the front with newspapers; chocolate; cigarettes; stationery and cards and a few toys and then the contrast of the smaller, secret world of the back shop where we fold the newspapers and make up the rounds; brew the tea as well as the wee sink and loo. 

Gaga picked up Iain and me and we went down to Porty where he treated us to a St Andrew’s Restaurant fish supper; they must easily be the best in the world. Like the weather, the golf is hotting up and there’s only a stroke between Lee Trevino and Tony Jacklin. We sat in and watched a great film, Robin Hood; I've always fancied a life in the greenwood. Before bed I settled back to read my comics. All 'n all a fantastic day - another excellent day of holiday and work too, but with lots of good stuff packed in there - happy days!