Dined out much better dinner. After dinner all the family trained to Lartington and walked to Cotherstone. Fine day. Charlie and I went up to the leap† at the top of the moors. Filled in time with bagatelle and reading Strand magazines1.
Strand magazines: monthly magazine, 1891 – 1950; contributors included Conan Doyle, E W Hornung (writer of the ‘Raffles’ novels), W W Jacobs, H G Wells, Agatha Christie, E Nesbit, Dorothy L Sayers. See also: The Strand and Arthur Linfoot’s Library ↩
The Strand Magazine was a monthly magazine founded by George Newnes, composed of short fiction and general interest articles. It was published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950, running to 711 issues.
Arthur Linfoot noted, in his diary entry for 30 June 1914, that he had “filled in time” reading Strand magazines. This may suggest that Strand Magazine was something he was inclined to take less seriously than some of the other items in this list.
Hottest day this summer. Walked with Charlie to Cotherstone over moors, and up by Lartington to B. Castle1. Train back from Barnard Castle home at about 6 o’clock. Had grand day and were tired at night. Began to play with bagatelle board.
The map shows the entire journey, from Bowes (A), to Cotherstone (B), via Lartington (C) to Barnard Castle (D). See also Bowes map. ↩
Got up late. Didn’t go to church until night when Charlie and I went to the Wesleyan anniversary. Singing was awful. Had 3 walks, up moor in the morning, round the south side in the afternoon and at night. Met old farmer and talked with him and his wife. Fine day. Liked the place all right. Wrote to Ernie.
[Written in longhand above date -] Advance in wages. Went to Bowes.
Got up at about 7.30. Family went with 9.13 train to Bowes.1 I worked until 12.30 and then rode home on bicycle. Hurried up to station. Met Charlie there. Travelled with him. Left Sunderland by 1.26. Arrived Bowes 6 o’clock. Spent time in Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle. Fine day. Had short walks at night. Went on to moors last thing. Received advance in wages from Mr Scott. 30/- per week now. Bowes is a small village built on the main road to Tebay. The houses are mostly stone. It stands high. The air is good and the village very quiet and pretty.
Got up at 6 o’clock. Went to the baths and had a good time. Finished in good time. Luggage sent on. Made final arrangements last thing. Had walk out. Very unsettled. Not much to do. Fine night. Went up to the library and left a book there.
A bit row first thing about the letters being left. Edward turned over new leaf and helped us a bit. Finished shortly after 5 o’clock. Fine day. Had a bath at night and put up papers ready for going away. Walked down and saw Sherwood <Spain> and had long talk with him on the step.
Not very busy at work. Finished in good time. A bit of a row about closing the letters and we left them so John had to close the big ones. Went across to Roker at night with Willie Whittaker and heard the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the pier. Walked home. Wrote letter to Ernie.
Not very busy at work. Went down and played at class meeting at night. Played ping pong until late. Had hair cut. Joe, and Willie Whittaker down helping to take down platform. Received letter from Ernie with regard to the insurance question.
Got up about 7.45. Not much to do at work. Finished in good time. Played a bit and read a bit. Cleared papers out.