Wednesday 11th August 1971

I discovered that after the two long cycles out to Dalkeith and Porty that I've wrecked Dougie's gears. I feel pretty bad about that and of course it means the bike's not available for my paper runs or going for more cycle rides with the boys. 

As my pockets are jingling I went into town and bought another Elvis record. It's got the very classy ‘There Goes My Everything’ on it. As Nana says he's (Elvis) got something extra. 

It was a fine summer's day so I played tennis with Boo-Boo down at Colinton Mains Park. When I got back unfortunately Stephen Westbrook; Les Ramage and Keith Robertson had broken into our gangy breaking the lock and they’ve stolen all our stuff from it and wrecked the place; the police were involved. It’s unbelievable; if that's what your pals do who the heck needs enemies. We were all really unhappy about the whole incident. Anyway what can you do; hopefully they'll reflect on it but I'm not so sure. 

In the evening Nana and Gaga were out to see us and treated us all to a Tony's ice cream. I had an oyster - not like me; if I get such a treat I usually go for a black man - but braw all the same. On the optimistic front I'm happy to report that I fancy some girls. You could call today a sweet 'n sour day!

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!

Thursday 15th July 1971

I was out first thing on the Edinburgh & Dumfrieshire milk float. The big news is that our boss, Sid, is leaving; it took us all by surprise. 

I came home for my breakfast before going down to the National Garage to put in a wee shift. I'm starting to get used to the job. I'm much better now at the oil 'n petrol mix; I've got my customer-care off to a tee and I'm better at dealing with the quirks of old man Munro whose bark is worse than his bite. 

Mid-afternoon I went back down to Morningside to collect the Edinburgh Evening News' to sell around the City Hospital wards; once again I managed to sell every copy but I had to work hard to get them off my hands; anyway Pamela will be pleased when I go into the shop tomorrow. 

Later on Boo-Boo; Ali; Iain and I went to the Dom (Dominion Cinema) to see That's The Way It Is with Elvis. It was absolutely brilliant. I'm a big fan of The King. There were some great numbers in there -  'I've Lost You'; 'One Night'; 'Suspicious Minds' all alongside Elvis's good humour. 

I'm hoping to see something decent on the box tonight. 

On the big world news front President Nixon says he's going to China. It must be the same in America as Scotland - difficult to find a good local Chinese Restaurant! We're lucky with The Bamboo and the old boy's pal Ben who opened up his own place up at Bruntsfield.