Saturday 1st July 1972 (My birthday)

That’s me sweet sixteen. Or not. 

Paul Forbes came up for me early although I’d been out to work several hours beforehand. We went down to Colinton Mains Park and with some of my birthday money I bought a half decent tennis racquet off the parky. I had an enjoyable game with Paul for several hours. On a lovely summer Saturday morning it was just great to be out. It was a very different Saturday morning with a dreamlike quality to it. It just felt great to be out playing tennis with Paul feeling fit and us scampering about the court. I almost felt like being in one of the Bunty comics where some of the kids who live in the English counties play such sports on lovely such mornings. A really great morning. 

In the afternoon to try to improve the appearance of the racquet I gave it a coat of light blue paint and also painted Les Ramage’s racquet too. They look okay. Mum put on a nice birthday tea for me which included Nana’s chocolate cake. Paul and Ali Douglas joined us all for tea. Afterwards we sat in to watch the film Dr Who and the Daleks. It was okay but odd seeing Peter Cushing as the doctor.

Thursday 1st July 1971 - My 15th Birthday

Well I'm no longer 14 and a half as it's my 15th birthday today. I kicked off the morning with my paper round but of course I didn’t venture into Boroughmuir School; after all it is the second last day of term not to mention my birthday! 

Mum and Dad on honeymoon Islay September 1955

I'd be stretching it a bit to say it was a birthday present but Mum and Dad's divorce came through. Rather strange and poignant that it should be on the date of their first born's birth-day; life’s gone full circle. On a happier note I did very well for my birthday. 

I got Aunt Heather's typewriter so perhaps I might do some writing; also a wee transistor radio which will be handy to listen to Tony Blackburn to in the morning when I'm out 'n about doing my paper round and also for listening to the football and Radio Luxembourg in the evening. 

I also got Rags to Riches by Elvis; it’s a great track; and also a fiver from Dad. In the evening we all enjoyed a wee birthday tea with Nana’s fantastic home-made chocolate birthday cake, always a highlight. We all had a good game of football after tea. The day was finished off with a poke of chips from Rissi's; not a bad birthday at all; actually it was a pretty good one all round.