Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

[Enclosed in front cover: typescript description of usual cycling routes to and from and Kent, June 1934, signed ‘S.F.’; leaflet advertising accommodation at Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Wantage, Berkshire.]

23/12/33. I managed to get to work this morning but I didn’t feel at all fit. Page 1 However, I didn’t have to go out and I received at Christmas box so I didn’t do so badly.

24/12/33. Christmas Eve. s unable to get out yesterday so apart from what Mum bought for me my presents will have to wait till after Christmas. I must say, though, I feel a lot better than I did. Needless to say, I didn’t go out on the bike.

25/12/33. Happy Christmas everyone! We had a quiet day, listening to the Wireless. There was good stuff to listen to. “To Distant Friends” in the afternoon with Christmas greetings to and from London, Dublin, Hamilton (Bermuda), Ottawa, Wellington, Sydney, Bombay and Cape Town terminating with a speech by H.M. the King. A pantomime in the evening and, later, the second act of the “Mikado” provided further entertainment.

26/12/33. Boxing Day. Spent as quietly as Christmas day. My cold is a little better but, I am sorry to say, Mum seems to have Page 2 caught it now.

27/12/33. Back to work. Not feeling very business like but making the best of it. Mum’s got the cold properly. George came over on Christmas Eve to say that his mother was very ill again – so ill that the crisis was expected on Boxing Day. She is suffering from congestion of the lungs. I rang George up to-day and he says she is a little better and past the worst. We’ve given up hope for poor old Art1. now.

28/12/33. There’s been a considerable drought of rain throughout the country this month and the few spots of drizzle we had to-day haven’t ameliorated it to any noticeable extent. Mum’s cold is a little worse while mine is somewhat better. Dad seems to be contracting a cold too.

29/12/33. Everywhere people seem to have colds. At work nearly everybody has one; S. was away yesterday morning but managed to come in for a short while during the afternoon. Mum’s Page 3 cold is about the same. Dad’s is a little worse.

29/12/33. Have been looking at the lists I got from the cycle exhibition to see [sic] what saddle I’d like to get with the money I had at Christmas. I can run to about 15/-[.] My present saddle (Dunlop) always makes me begin to ache after about two hour’s riding so that I have to get off and

1 Arthur Ritterspach, the Flinns' next-door neighbour, reported missing on 14 December (see MSS.328/N90/2 page 236). Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

walk occasionally. I’ve a good mind to get a spring-mattress seat saddle – the prices are very reasonable and they are not so heavy as one would imagine – in fact, they weigh, generally, about as much as the old Brooks I used to use (that was always a comfortable one).

30/12/33. On the way home to-day I called in at Bates’s and purchased a spring-mattress seat saddle for 7/6 – make unknown but it seems allright. I also bought a Lucas “Challis” bell for 2/4 as my old one is not as loud as I should like and the chromium plating is peeling off as though it were tin foil[.] The new bell is black enamelled. I went to the “Premier” this afternoon and saw Tom Walls and Page 4 Ralph Lynn in “A Cuckoo in the Nest”[.] A jolly, good film with plenty of humour. The supporting picture was indescribable. There was a Mickey Mouse which, like all others of his breed, was very funny.

31/12/33 I got up just after eight o’clock and set off on the bike just before ten. I rode the usual route to Harold Wood but turned down the Southend arterial road as far as the Spring where I rode up to Upminster Common and walked up Warley Hill. I then went down past the barracks and along Thorndon Park Avenue and Hanging Hill Lane to Hutton and took the old Southend Road to . (Just outside Hutton there was a 4-seater saloon car lying on its side but no-one appeared to be hurt). From Billericay I turned off, intending to return via Laindon but missed the road and came through Little Burstead to Dunton. Hence I took the road which leads to Horndon on the Hill but turned right before reaching that place and came through and across the Fen to Upminster and Hornchurch whence I came home via the Page 5 very short route (via the Barking Road). My milage for to-day I did not ascertain but, as it is the last day of the year I took particular care to take the reading on my cyclometer to- night which was 3,957∙8 miles. From this the following facts are apparent:- The total milage [sic] for the year is 3,242∙8 “ “ “ since I had the cyclometer is 3,957∙8 “ “ “ “ “ bike is 4,500 approx. I had hoped to do 4,000 this year or, at least, to get the total up to that figure but, owing mainly to my colds this last week-end or two I have not been able to get out. I will, however try to do more next year. One thing is certain. If, as I intend, I go for another tour next year, I shall certainly do a thousand miles at least. I had intended to write a summary of the year’s events but as my memory is short on many things I will leave it. I will, however, try to introduce matters of a more public nature next year though, of course, they will only be things in which I am Page 6 likely to find an interest. I have one regret, and that is, I could not get the whole of the present year into one book. A good resolution for next year would be to write events up regularly once a day – I nearly had to give up at Christmas as I was almost a fortnight behind. – but I’ve broken the resolution already since these last two lines are written on the 5th January next year. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

I think I will make sundry alterations in the setting out of entries. One thing in particular, I think needs attention, namely, the setting out of dates. I will, for the present at any rate, try writing down the names of the days of the week as well as the dates for easier reference. I shall probably experiment in other things, too. Well, I think that is all I have to say for the present, so I will leave 1933 and go on recording the doings of the world and myself throughout 1934 if God preserve me. Sydney Thomas Albert Flinn 142, Kingsland Road, Plaistow, (London) E.13.

5th January 1934. [Blank] Page 7

1/1/34. A nice day with which to start the year. Page 8 Monday Fog! Plenty of it – everywhere. We had it at Paddington Street – a white mist to begin with and becoming more like pea-soup later. Going home to-night it took me nearly an hour to get to Aldgate and, as I went above ground to change on to the District Railway at Aldgate East, I was amazed at the crowds of people waiting for buses and trams and to find Aldgate East station was closed. I walked to Whitechapel station only to find that trains were running only as far as Upton Park beyond which there was no service at all but these trains were packed tightly and ran about every half hour. So I took the nearest road through to the Commercial Road having decided to walk. There was little traffic. The first tramcar (crowded) passed me at Stepney station and the first bus (also crowded) at Burdett Road. However, after a crush I was able to get a tram at Poplar. Now, from Aldgate to Poplar it had been tolerably clear (one could see the moon) but no sooner had we crossed the Lea than the fog was as dense as it had been all day. So we crawled to the Boleyn and I reached home a little after half-past eight o’clock. According to Mum it had been so thick at Page 9 home that the lamp outside the house could only just be discerned while Dad had taken an hour and twenty minutes to come by train from Mark Lane to Upton Park.

2 Tuesday. Much clearer to-day, thank goodness, but it started to rain during the afternoon. On my way home I called in at Grey’s to see if I could buy a couple of Telsen screened, iron-core coils but was unlucky as they had none in stock. I had thought of getting these and putting them in the set while I was still on holiday from night school

3 Wed. We still keep up the custom of going to the Fish Shop2 every Wednesday – that is le and I do. We didn’t go last Wednesday as it

2 "at the left hand corner (blind end) of Barratt Street, Oxford Street, W.1" (entry for 1 November 1933 in MSS.328/N90/2 page 218). Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

was the day after boxing day and we couldn’t very well expect the fish to be fresh. I went to Bates’s after tea to-night to change that saddle I bought on Saturday. It wasn’t exactly a success as it hurt more than the Dunlop and seemed to be far too narrow. I received in exchange a 15/6 Terry – 8/- more. It’s rather a lot to pay but it looks far January. superior to the other saddle. Page 10 On my way out of the shop I met Brett, a chap at night school who cycles a good deal. He is the chap I met while I was out Ongar way on the 5th of November last year. He was purchasing a brake (Resillion Cantilever) and a sou’-wester and we went home as far as my house to-gether and made arrangements to go for a spin on Sunday – I to meet him outside the Town Hall, East Ham opposite the Police Station at ten o’clock on Sunday morning.

4 Thursday The wireless went wrong to-day. I found Mum listening on the phones. Now, this just shows the use of jacks: (1) Mum was able to listen on the phones on one valve (2) I plugged in the milliammeter in each anode circuit and located the fault on the 2nd L.F. stage. The valve having been replaced by another the fault was still there so it wasn’t the valve’s fault. Next I got down the Pifco voltmeter and tried to see if there was any H.T or L.T. reaching the valve. L.T. was getting through. I replaced the valve and shorted the transformer with the voltmeter – still no reading. I got Dad to lift up the set so that we January could see the wiring beneath the baseboard and there she was – a Page 11 broken connection on the H.T. side of the m/a jack. That resoldered and the set was O.K.

5 Friday The weather this week has been mild again and though there was fog a little on Tuesday it has been clear since. I think I’ll go to the White City to-morrow afternoon to see the Schoolboys Exhib. The last one (held at Olympia two years ago) was one of the finest exhibitions I’ve ever seen. It covered three floors of the Empire Hall and included the New Hall also.

6 Saturday I went to Wood Lane on the Metro. and visited the exhib. It was a very disappointing show. The floor space was very small and the stands were so few as to leave great open spaces between. The most interesting exhibits were very few.

7 Sunday I arose at eight o’clock and got to the East Ham Town Hall as ten o’clock struck. I had to wait ten January minutes for Brett and we set off down Catherine Road to the flats Page 12 following my usual route to High Beech passed on to the Wake Arms where we turned left for . From here we went through Waltham Cross to Broxbourne and turned along the road to Little Berkhampstead but turned north again before reaching that place and came through Hertford and Ware and had our lunch in a drainage gully at the side of the road near Wareside. After this (about half-past two) we proceeded through Much Hadham and reached the Cambridge road at Sawbridgeworth. Here we began to get the full force of the south-westerly gale which had been mostly behind us on Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

the way out. We took about an hour and a half to get to Epping (8 ½ miles) and had a little refreshment there in the shape of chocolate. To cap it all, rain was trying to drizzle down although it felt more like heavy dew. We made tolerably good progress from Epping, reaching Woodford (7 miles) in an hour and I reached home an hour later (we parted company at the Flats) at about half past seven. I was dead tired when I reached home and after a light meal went to bed at half past nine. January Started Evening Classes again to-night. We had an old exam. paper Page 13 8 Monday to take Geometry questions from. Mostly concerned with scales, proportions and the like with two “solid” questions thrown in.

9 Tuesday Started out in very thick fog this morning. Luckily it cleared off later in the day so that the experiences of last Monday week were not repeated. Began Science again to-night – porosity and damp-proof courses.

10 Wednesday Construction seems curious without old Howe3 but far more interesting. Howe’s assistant Williams has taken over both this and the geometry class whilst we we [sic] have a new fellow for his assistant. We took a window opening with details of a casement window and cill therein. Brett and I have made arrangements to go out again on Sunday, same time and place as before.

11 Thursday Did my homework to-night – thanks to January there being very little I can do in either Geometry or Construction Page 14 away from Class I had only to finish off the homework that was set for Christmas and that I hadn’t done.

12 Friday The weather this week has been gradually getting milder although a strong wind is still blowing from the southwest. To-day it has been raining – up to about midday, after which it cleared up allright. There seem to be no indications of breakup as far as the drought is concerned – I see, according to the papers, that the Thames at low tide at Teddington is a mere trickle. On my way home to-night I picked up a pair of Telson matched, screened, iron-cored coils for insertion in the radio set. I had ordered these coils after visiting the exhib last Saturday. They cost 14/-

13 Saturday Fixed up the new coils in the set and switched on. Got as good results as before with a little more selectivity but at the top end – about 30° January of the medium band I get no reaction whilst I cannot get out of Page 15 oscillation throughout the lower 60° of the long wages. That is with four valves. With three valves I get much better results.

14 Sunday I got off this morning just before ten but was not disappointed at not seeing Brett at the Town Hall. There was a south-westerly gale blowing – I averaged 25 m.p.h. getting to the Town Hall and walked most of the way back and though I was out half-an-hour altogether

3 The former teacher of this course (see MSS.328/N90/2 page 238). Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

including waiting about I still averaged 6 m.p.h. when I reached home. So I mucked about with the wireless pretty nearly all day long. George came over during the afternoon (with news that his mother is progressing favourably) and we experimented a good deal with the radio trying to see if we could arrange it so that the trickle charger could charge all the time and yet the set not hum but with no luck. This rather upsets my ideas of remote control and doing away with that 12-point switch at the back of the cabinet. January I met Brett at Night School and found, as I had guessed, he had Page 16 15 Monday awakened early yesterday and, after taking note of the weather, had turned over and gone to sleep again. I cannot yet tell if these new coils have any real advantage over the former ones. I cured much of the inability to oscillate on the medium band yesterday by altering the coupling between the S.G. and Def. to H.F. transformer instead of gridleak tuning. It also gets rid of the violent reaction on long waves. But, apart from this, to-day sees the inauguration of the Lucerne Plan under which most of the European stations change their wavelengths and, in some degree do less jamming than before. I understand from this week’s “World Radio” that although six countries did not sign the Plan they have agreed to comply with it in so far as the medium band is concerned but wish to retain their present long wave positions. One result of this is, so I hear, Eiffel Tower, Paris, which is supposed to close down altogether, is jamming Daventry very badly. January Further dampcourses to-night, slate, brick and the like, together with Page 17 16 Tuesday further porosities. The wind is still blowing strongly from the southwest and there has been some heavy rain of nights lately.

17 Wednesday More window (casement) fittings to-night - and details.

18/Thursday I think I must have left my umbrella at night school last night as, when I came to look for it this morning I couldn’t find it. I went along to the Tech to-night and made a claim but they informed me it hadn’t been found. I shouldn’t like to lose it. Perhaps I left it on the bus coming home. I’ll wait till I see the other fellows before I apply to the L.P.T.B4 Lost Property office as they may know about it

19 Friday The gale is still out. I had meant to get on with my homework to-night but forgot it was bath night. Mum and Dad want me to go to Grandma’s with them to- morrow so I shall have to do it after I return on Sunday - January I’ve arranged to meet Brett again to have another try. Page 18

20 Saturday A glorious day. Cloudless sky, brilliant sunshine though very cold - 29°F at nine o’clock this morning. I met Mum and Dad at Broad Street and we caught a fast train to Kenton – didn’t stop between Dalston and Stonebridge Park. We found Grandma in but Auntie Ethel was at Harson seeing a football match and Auntie Norah had gone to Spleen. Mum and I went for a walk up to Belmont during the afternoon and by the look of the sunset

4 London Passenger Transport Board Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

it should be an equally fine day to-morrow. In the course of conversation with Auntie Ethel about aeroplanes (she recently had a free ride in one of Sir Alan Cobham’s) I suggested “What about our going to Clacton and back one Sunday this summer by air?” and she said she would like to. It’s only £1 return each so we’ll see what can be arranged.

21 Sunday F O G!

22 Monday We had a change at Geometry to-night – started on cones. A change is welcome but it January bring[s] back those cursed ellipses. Page 19 The weather to-day was a little clearer but that didn’t make up for my disappointment yesterday. Brett and I sympathised with each other about it to-night.

23 Tuesday Another change to-night. We started on coefficients of expansion.

24 Wednesday What a day as regards weather! Fog in the morning – pretty thick with consequent delay in getting to work and the trains crowded.- cleared off about eleven o’clock [.] Going home it was misty at Baker Street at six o’clock and more so at East Ham whilst at the junction of the Barking Road and High Streets it was very thick. We took lead rolls, drips and nosings at Evening Classes. Coming out from school we saw the fog was extremely thick – visibility about two yards. I walked with Brett as far as the White Horse and caught a bus but it got no farther than 100 yards down the Barking Road and I had to walk the rest January I only missed the curbs once but as vision was so limited and one was Page 20 constantly nearly bumping into people I wonder that I found my way home at all.

25 Thursday A very good day as regards weather though the wind (south-west) is beginning to spring up again.

26 Friday Rain in the morning but otherwise sunny. Did my homework to-night. While I thought of it I gave my fountain pen to Smith’s the booksellers at Upton Park station to have a new nib fixed.

27 Saturday Such a glorious afternoon, though very cold, that I decided to have a run to-day in case the weather is off to-morrow. So I set forth about half-past three and went to Rainham along the Southend Road turned up to Hornchurch, down through Squirrels Heath and Ardleigh Green to Gallows Corner, up Straight Road and almost to Noah Hill to Havering and down the other side to returning home via End, Row, January Woodford and Wanstead. I reached home at ten minutes to seven. It Page 21 was exceedingly cold and the roads were filthy with mud. Still, I enjoyed it very much. I managed to do exactly 30 miles.

28 Sunday I met Brett at the Town Hall at ten oclock and we went the usual Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

route to Harold Wood and Great Warley, down past the barracks and along Thornton Park Avenue and Hanging Hill Lane to Hutton. Then on to Buttsbury and Stock and had lunch on Common – jolly cold it was too. We set off again at two o’clock through the outskirts of and along the main road as far as Margaretting where we turned off to the right and after about an hour of trying to miss we arrived at the water splash near Blackmore where we turned off through Doddinghurst and on the Brentwood Ongar road near Kelvedon Hatch where we crossed so as to get via Navestock to Havering but missed the road and found ourselves heading for South Weald instead. About two miles short of this place we had to light up. We reached the main Brentwood road and proceeded along it as far as January Gallows Corner soon after which we turned down Upper Brentwood Page 22 Road which led us out into South Street, Romford from which we proceeded home via the usual route. I arrived at twenty minutes past seven. I don’t know the exact mileage but I should think it about 70. The weather was mostly fine though it tried to rain near Galleywood but it was extremely cold. The wind was from the north-west.

29th Monday Further cones and ellipses at night school. Weather continues cold.

30th Tuesday More coefficients of expansion, this time as regards liquids with special regard to water. We learn to-night that the Building Science is to be transferred to the Grammar School in High Street South from next Tuesday onwards. We knew this was going to happen but were uncertain as to the time of the change-over.

31st Wednesday Another change in Construction. We started on staircases beginning with a simple stone one with a half landing and iron balustrade. We got in a good deal this evening Page 23 all told. I see I haven’t mentioned any public event during this month as I intended doing. The only one I can call to mind at the moment as being of special interest to me is the discovery of “heavy water”. It seems that some American scientists have, by electrolysis, discovered a new hydrogen which is heavier than ordinary hydrogen. They have combined this with oxygen to produce a new “water” which is twice as heavy as ordinary water and possesses entirely different qualities. It seems to be of some value and is present in very small quantities in the waste water from factories where oxygen and hydrogen are separated by electrolysis. There is only about a couple of pints of the “water” in existence and it sells for £15,000 a gallon. Another rather lamentable public event has happened only to-day. The U.S.S.R. balloon which created an altitude record last year went up again yesterday and has since been missing. The gondola of the balloon has now been found with the bodies of the three aeronauts January inside. It appears that soon after the commencement of the descent Page 24 the gondola became detached from the balloon (it is thought a squall may have hit it) and the gondola fell to the ground killing its three Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

occupants and wrecking all the instruments.

February This evening on my way home I called at Smiths for my fountain 1 Thursday pen. They charged me 1/11 for the new nib and, as can be seen, it seems to work all right so far. While I think of it I’ve had a very interesting selection of library books of late – among them “The Andree Diaries”, “History of the C.T.C.” (which I did not finish) and a book on locomotives whose name I forget for the moment. At present I still have the locomotive book, the piano version of Gounod’s “Faust” and Daniel Defoe’s “New Voyage Round the World” and “Life of Duncan Campbell.”

2 Friday Mum has gone to Kensington with Auntie Flo to-day to see the shops. – At least Mum was but Auntie Flo wrote to say she couldn’t go. February I took Mum to the Tupps this afternoon to see Wallace Beery and Page 25 3 Saturday Marie Dressler in “Tugboat Annie” – a very good film. There was also a blood and thunder cowboy yarn with the usual piffle. George rang me up to-day to ask me to go over to Upminster to- morrow to tea. I told him I’d go over after I’d been for a run.

4 Sunday I was late starting this morning and reached Brett’s house just about a quarter past ten. We set off about half-past and went the usual route to Wanstead, past the Red House to Woodford Bridge whence we kept to the main road as far as . Here we turned off for Toot hill and and tried to have our lunch before going into Ongar but it was too cold. We went North through and Fyfield where we turned East through the Willingales and took a lane that brought us out not far from Norton Heath. Here we were so hungry (it was about half past three) that we sat on a heap of sand and finished our grub. February As it was now too late to think of going any further we took the road Page 26 back to Blackmore. Here the trouble started. Brett has recently come into possession of an acetylene lamp (Lucas), from one of his brothers and the thing leaks so that he didn’t put any water in it when he came out to-day. We filled it at the pump at Blackmore and I took a sniff at the burner to see if any water had leaked through and was nearly knocked unconscious[.] The water seems [sic] to have gone straight through. I examined the lamp thoroughly and found the part into which the needle valve screwed had become loose and would go on turning for ever. Somebody told us there was a shop in Blackmore where we could get what we wanted but as we couldn’t find it we pushed on to Brentwood in the hopes of finding a shop open there but were again unlucky. We stopped at the drinking fountain and after several unsuccessful attempts I succeeded in getting the felt washer round the valve a little more watertight and we recharged the carbide chamber (Brett carries some spare carbide Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

February in a tin) and relit the lamp. We proceeded slowly down Brook Street Page 27 Hill and turned left along Nags Head Lane. After a short preliminary flare-up the lamp settled down to a good, steady light and gave no further trouble. I left Brett at Upminster and called at George’s and found him engaged in getting an all-mains transportable to work. We spent the evening about with it. George has recently become interested in Dario valves – he got new SG, det, D.F. and super power mains valves for this particular set for 25/- (that is, with 33⅓ % off) – not bad!

5 Monday The weather continues cold though it is a little milder this afternoon Went to Evening Classes to-night and was glad to hear Brett say he reached home without further mishap.

6 Tuesday Attended Science in the new extension to the Tech. in High Street South. I won’t say it was any better than our old quarters but it was much chillier. We continued with February heating and hot water systems and wastes and traps. Page 28

7 Wednesday On wooden Staircases to-night. These stairs are certainly interesting if fatiguing. le was away to-day so I went alone to the fish shop.

8 Thursday Spent most of the evening doing homework. Owing to my putting off homework on Thursday last, having a bath on Friday, going to the pictures on Saturday and being out all day Sunday, I was unable to do any homework last week so I have a double burden this week. I completed the Geometry part to-night and hope to [do] the Construction to-morrow night. I forgot to record that, while I was on Sunday, Uncle Syd called. Le has written to say that he is down with tonsil[l]itis.

9 Friday Finished off my Construction homework to-night Lovely day - brilliant sunshine and somewhat warm. February Not such a good day as yesterday. Page 29 10 Saturday I spent the afternoon cleaning up the bike – I got about a ton of mud off it. I expect, if the weather keeps as it is, we shall pick [up] a further large quantity to-morrow.

11 Sunday Enough adventure for a week to-day. I left home in time to get to Bretts house a little after ten o’clock and had to wait till twenty past while he got ready. It was a little foggy – visibility about 400 yds – when we started we went the usual route to Havering but at Becontree Heath we struck thick fog which lasted till we were past Romford Hospital. After we left Romford it was clear and the sun continued to shine in a cloudless sky all day. We proceeded via Navestock to Kelvedon Hatch and turned off for Doddinghurst where we took my usual road to Blackmore but, instead of going through that village we went out of our way through Mill Green and Highwood. We sat on Mill Green and had our lunch (about 1.30 p.m.). Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

We took the Blackmore-Writtle road for a while February and then turned off for Roxwell. On the outskirts of that village I had a Page 30 puncture in the front tyre but we found it quite easily – a flint was the cause and set off again well within a quarter of an hour after stopping. From Roxwell we took the road to High Easter but turned off after a mile for Good Easter and then turned right again and reached our objective (Pleshey) at about four o'clock. My rain reason for visiting this interesting village was that in my library book “Unknown Essex” there was a lot of description of this place which proved very interesting reading. There is a moat running round the whole village enclosing another moat which surrounds a castle (or what was once a castle, as nothing of it remains except an ancient red brick arch connecting the main castle with the keep). All round the main part of the castle is an embankment about twenty yards across at the base and twenty or thirty feet high. One enters this part through a gap which leads from a bridge over the moat. This part of the castle is about February two hundred feet one way by about 100 ft the other. Along the Page 31 opposite side to the entrance of this part is another moat crossed by the brick arch I have just mentioned and on the opposite side is huge mound about 100 ft higher than the main castle and about 20 ft diameter at the top – this was formerly the keep. It wants seeing to get any idea of the place. We spent roughly an hour exploring the place and then set off for home. We took the main road back to Chelmsford which we reached shortly after lighting up time and paused for a quarter of an hour at Widford to finish the rest of our food. We took the main road as far as Ingatestone and then turned off past the station till we reached Hutton whence we came home the usual route via Hanging Hill Lane, Warley, Harold Wood, Hornchurch, Rainham, etc. But not quite so quickly as that. We caught a small patch of fog just outside Harold Wood – so thick that we crossed the Southend Arterial road without noticing. After leaving Page 32 Hornchurch we had scarcely crossed the railway line before we ran into fog as thick as one could wish for – not that we wished for it at all. To cut a long story short, we reached Dagenham (The Chequers) at half-past ten and, as the fog left off there, we got home by eleven o’clock. My lamp only lasted three hours as that is all the water will do at a time so it went out in the middle of the fog and as we were too anxious to get home we didn’t trouble about getting any more water so I came home the last part without a light.

12 Monday. Foggy most of the day though it cleared off by five o’clock to-night. I went round the St. M library to look up more particulars of Pleshey but I was unlucky so I contented myself with looking at maps of London in the Reference Department. Further cones at night School to-night with development of surfaces. February Pancake day but no pancakes. Page 33 13 Tuesday We had an agreeable diversion at Evening Classes when we were Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

shown round the new Plastering, Plumbing and Painting Shops in the new extension of the Tech. by the head of the Building Dept. For the rest of the evening we took notes on limes and cements, etc.

14 Wednesday A similar day, as regards weather, to Monday We took (another change) trussed partitions at Construction to-night. Mum is down with a very bad cold which she thinks she caught on Sunday when she went with Dad to Streatham. Le is still away.

15 Thursday. I felt lazy to-night so I didn’t do any homework to-night but mucked about with the wireless and played Russ. Pat.5 with Dad. I altered the ganging of the tuning condensers again to make them match up more easily but didn’t have much time to try them out in the new position. February I put off my homework to-night and spent my time tuning in. The Page 34 16 Friday revised ganging seems to have a more sensitive effect. I was able to cut out London Reg. & Nat. within a couple of degrees. I heard Moscow broadcasting in English for the first time to-night – it was very interesting and I shall try to listen at other times to it. We grumble about the cold but it was 12°F in Moscow to-day – “very mild” the announcer said.

17 Saturday As Mum’s cold was a little better she and I went shopping up Green Street. By the way, I see the proprietors of the Boleyn Pictures have made full use of Boleyn Castle as an advert. For the film “Private Life of Henry VIII” which is showing there next week.

18 Sunday Bitterly cold day and chose a cold district district to go to. I voted for Ostend (why, I cannot now think) and Brett for (I wish we’d gone there). We went via Hornchurch and Wingletye Lane to Upminster Common and Warley, through Thorndon Park to Hutton and Billericay to . Here we took the main road to Bradwell-juxta-Mare but stopped short a couple of miles from that town to have lunch Page 35 (about three o’clock – when we were really past it). We felt we couldn’t go any farther so we turned back the same way as we had come as far as Wickford where we joined the Southend-Woodford road as far as East Horndon, where we turned off, past the station to Upminster and the usual route home. We arrived about nine o’clock dead beat. There’s no doubt about it we were too rash in going so far. We outdid ourselves and wen too long without a meal. It was too cold to stand about long. I suppose we covered about 90 miles. There was no sun to-day and very little moon to-night.

19 Monday I must visit Mr. Oggins sometime this week. After my escapade in the ditch at Hornchurch yesterday week the striker on my cyclometer clouted that instrument rather heavily and yesterday morning whilst waiting for Brett I attempted to adjust it but was so far unsuccessful that the striking pin came adrift altogether. So I’ll have to get a new striker.

5 Russian patience Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

February Le is back to-day – looking rather bad but feeling better. Page 36 We had a change from cones to cylinders to-night but still have the ellipses.

20 Tuesday Got a bit of a cold coming along. Dad had a letter from Aunt Norah asking, among other things, if I could go to the Lyceum pantomime on Friday next – to meet her outside the Gaiety at six o’clock. Had notes to-night mostly about limes and cements about which though I am very vague I am a little clearer than I was.

21 Wednesday Le and I went to the fish shop as usual My cold was much worse to-day and I had filled up five handkerchiefs before noon. I called home on my way to Night School for some more handkerchiefs. After evening classes I felt very dopey and went to bed early after having a hot drink and very little to eat. Mum rubbed some Vick on my throat before I went to bed. We took further lead work to-night. February I sent a note to Aunt Norah confirming the meeting to-morrow night Page 37 22 Thursday though at present (10 a.m.) I don’t feel very much like it. However, the weather having improved, which bucks one up no end, I feel a lot more cheery now (4 p.m.) My cold is certainly not half so bad to-day. When George was over here last time we mucked about wit the L.T. side of the set and found a big voltage drop when the four valves were switched on. George promised to lend me his big 100 ampere-hour accum. To see if it made any difference and brought it over on Monday morning. Tonight is the first opportunity I have had of trying it out and the quality on four valves certainly does seem a lot better.

23rd Friday I met Aunt Norah outside the Gaiety at six o’clock to-night and after dinner at Slaters went to the Lyceum pantomime. The show was very good though not so good as it has been. George Jackley, Naughton and Gold, and Dick Tubb were all very good. February As I had not had any time previously this week I proposed going Page 38 24 Saturday along to Oggins’s this afternoon about my cyclometer striker. Imagine my dismay on going to the bike to find the whole gadget missing – nothing left but the bracket and the clip for the striker! I had an appointment with the Co-op optician this afternoon as my present glasses, though good enough for short distance work such as this, positively make me afraid when I’m out on the bike of running into something I cannot see in time[.] He recommends that I have a pair of anastigmat[ic] lenses in addition to the present spectacles. The new glasses to be only used for distance working. These lenses are even dearer than the ones I have now and he says the new glasses including frames will cost £3. I called in at Halford’s on the way home and bought a Lucas cyclometer. This is of British make at 3/6 and compares favourably with the Veeder I had which cost 6/9 when it was new though now the tariff has gone on (Veeders are made in U.S.A.) they cost something over 9/- Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

February That is, the price compares favourably. Time will show how the new Page 39 meter performs.

25th Sunday Had a bit of a drizzle starting off this morning but it was too fine to warrant putting on capes till we reached Wanstead and it left off before we reached Woodford. We turned off the Epping road at the Wake Arms for (the first time I’ve been there, I think, for fifteen years) and then a heavy drizzle set in which compelled us to wear our waterproofs again. Our objective was in the direction of Thaxted and finding we could get no nearer from our present position we got back to Epping again and took the Ongar road as far as North Weald where we turned left through the Lavers and to Hatfield Broad Oak where we arrived at three o’clock. As we both wanted to be back early we turned back along the road to White Roding and Fyfield and February as it was all down hill, reached Ongar at four o’clock (15 m.p.h.) We Page 40 continued to Passingford Bridge where I parted from Brett, he going on home while I made my way up through Havering and Harold Wood to Upminster to see George. The rain had finally left off at Ongar. I was too tired to do much at George’s after tea and set off for home at half-past ten. I took the wrong turning at Hornchurch (purposely though I thought it would be a short cut) and landed the other side of Rainham whence I came home the usual route finally reaching home at a quarter to twelve midnight. Apart from the rain it was a very good day – fine and moonlit to- night. The wind was in the south-west in the morning and later from the west but as we were cross-wind most of the time we didn’t notice it much.

26 Monday Mileage for yesterday 67. More complications with cylinders and ellipses at night school to- night.

February Notes on heating systems at Evening Classes. Page 41 27 Tuesday Had a revival of “The Arcadians” to-night[.] Leonard Henry as “Simplicitus” – very good as usual. (On the wireless, of course).

28 Wednesday Sleet fell this morning but did not lie. Was hoping it might lead to snow but it seems to[o] mild although it is still rather chilly. The sleet continued to fall most of the day round Baker Street but at home there was none at all till the evening. Took various fire-resisting floors at Night School.

March 1 Thursday Heavy frost overnight and, though it was bright this morning we had it dark and inclined to be foggy about midday. Got through some of my homework (I’m three weeks behind) but couldn’t resist a turn of the dials. A rather curious circumstance but unfortunately a rather common occurrence March happened to-night. After hearing a very good rendering of the Page 42 overture “Fingal’s Cave” by Mendelssohn from Budapest we picked up the second act of Gounod’s “Faust” and identified the transmission as Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

from Florence after the act. We found it was a relay from a theatre in Turin and was being broadcast from Milan, Trieste, Turin and the rest of the Northern Italian Group. As the act we had just heard was rather notable for its bad and slow fading I tried to get Trieste[,] Turin and Milan in turn hoping to obtain more reliable reception. But I was unlucky[.] Trieste was being heterodyned, Turin was bang on top of London National and Milan I couldn’t find anyhow. So we listened up to the middle of the fourth act from Florence before we went to bed.

2 Friday I finished the rest of my homework to-night, all except last Monday’s Geometry. Auntie Flo came over this evening.

3 Saturday Mum’s vacuum cleaner went funny yesterday and, as the brushes Page 43 seemed rather worn I took them to work with me to try to get a new pair[.] I asked at several shops but was unlucky. So I lengthened the copper springs of the vac. when I got home and refitted the old brushes. They don’t seem to spark over much. Grandma and Aunts Norah and Ethel are coming over to-morrow to celebrate Grandma’s 78th birthday so I shall have to be back from the run early – about six o’clock if possible.

4 Sunday We started off about 10.20 this morning and, for a change, decided to go into Kent. We crossed the river at Woolwich and made our way up through Eltham and Sidcup to Farningham where we took my old route almost into Otford. We stopped somewhat short of Rodrow hill for lunch and repaired a puncture in Brett’s rear tyre. Before we got to the bottom of the hill we turned sharply left to Wrotham and climbed up the March hill intending to make Gravesend, cross by the L.M.S. Ferry to Page 44 and work our way home from there but after leaving Meopham we began to have doubts as to whether the ferry would be running on Sundays so we turned back a little way and turned off for Ridley and Ash. What happened after we left the latter place I do not know, only that after about ten miles of coasting and climbing we found ourselves back on the Folkestone road about 3½ miles from Wrotham. As it was getting late we put on our best speed down to Farningham and climbed up to Swanley junction returning the way we had come. We had to light up at Sidcup and by the time we had reached Woolwich it was twenty minutes past seven. I reached home just before eight o’clock. I was wild with myself for not getting back earlier as I missed the opportunity of joining in the festivities and, also seeing Grandma and the others – they left about 15 minutes before I arrived. I was dead whacked to-night though we couldn’t have done much above 50 miles. I suppose it was the climbing that did it. Page 45

5 Monday Partly owing to Grandma’s coming over yesterday and partly to Mynthurst’s becoming vacant next June talk at home centres about moving down to Speen to live there. I wonder whether it will all fizzle out as all the other proposals to get out of Plaistow seem to do or Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

whether – but I’m a little superstitious I suppose, I don’t like prophesying too riskily. Anyhow Dad and Mum and I were working out train times and fares from Great Missenden to Baker Street and Liverpool Street and to-morrow I intend to go to Marylebone to find out the season rates from High Wycombe.

6 Tuesday We went back to plane Geometry last night. To-night we did heating and ventilation.

7 Wednesday A glorious day. If it weren’t that I’d made arrangements to go to the fish shop March I’d have had my lunch in Regent’s Park. Page 46 I went round to Marylebone station and got the season rates I needed and also a brief timetable. At Construction to-night we had a most boring time – back on windows and from memory!

8 Thursday Not so bright this morning. We had a good play on the radio to-night, “Quarrel Island”, being about incidents in the last years of Napoleon whilst on St. Helena. We also had a very good narrative play on Monday night – “The Egypt’s Gold”. I had a game of chess with Dad to-night. He won. Mum reported that when using the iron to night smoke issued from the mains connection and smelt like burning rubber. I investigated the cause and found a short inside the rubber cable just before the adaptor.

9 Friday Mum says she still has trouble with the March vacuum cleaner - a smell of burning issues from it when it has been Page 47 in use for sometime. Listened in to-night to Moscow and also to Sir Oliver Lodge.

10 Saturday Went to the Premier this afternoon to see Cicely Courtneidge in “Aunt Sally”. I had to line up for more than forty minutes to get in the sevenpenny’s but I didn’t get out again till about four hours later. They had Mickey’s Gala Premier and I stayed to see it twice. Dad and I had a look over the vacuum again to-night – personally I cannot see anything wrong with it – it always did spark well at the commutator – there is certainly a small like burning enamel but I think this may only be particles of carbon.

11 Sunday When I got up this morning there was such a steady drizzle that it looked as though it had set in for the day. The weather forecast from Heston was more Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

March favourable however and by ten o’clock it looked really bright. I found Page 48 Brett ready and waiting for me and as I had to go back to get my lunch we decided to go across London and get out through Bucks. We finally set off about eleven o’clock and had a harrowing grind dodging belts of rain to Uxbridge. Soon after leaving that place we struck off through Chalfont St. Peter and had lunch soon after at half- past two[.] We proceeded almost to Amersham Common and came home via Watford and London. Uncle Syd was at home when I arrived[.] Dad had been over to Camberwell to see him about having the Clyno if we moved down to Speen. We had a game of Whist – uncle and I beating Mum and Dad.

March I called in at the Co-op on Friday and bought my new glasses. I Page 49 12 Monday certainly can see with them and much appreciated them yesterday. Incidentally I believe I’ve found out why it is that whenever I get a new pair of stronger spectacles I’m always frightened of negotiating curbstones. My vision is naturally extended and things are contrasted more. The proportion is normal although all round things seem smaller and further away. Now as one walks subconsciously and has a sort of mental estimate as to how far it is from one’s eyes to one’s feet it is a little disconcerting to find that the distance is constant although with the new glasses it appears to be a foot greater. I shall not wear the new spectacles to work as the others will do for reading and I read going to and from Paddington Street. I shall, therefore, use the new ones mostly at week-ends and during holiday times. Brett didn’t turn up at Night School to-night – I hope he’s allright – he seemed so when he left me last night. March We took further Plane Geometry to-night. Page 50

13 Tuesday Brett turned up allright to-night. It appears he sat down last night to do some homework and, after about what he thought was half an hour, looked up to see to his annoyance that it was close upon nine o’clock so he missed his lesson. We took more notes on ventilation and touched on oxidation. The weather is wet. I’m sorry to say that our removal to Speen is all off, for the time being at any rate. It would mean, of course, a daily journey by bike to Missenden as no buses run that way and there is a worse service of trains to Wycombe and Dad thinks he couldn’t stand it in all weathers.

14 Wednesday Weather is more like April – showery. At Evening Classes to-night we took notes on plastering with details to supplement them. We were also told where to meet on Saturday – we are going over an all-but -completed Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

School in Goodmayes Lane near Ilford[.] We have to be there, if Page 51 possible, by half-past two and I’m going to try to get off early in consequence.

15 Thursday It was such a nice morning that le and I decided to have a row on the lake in Regent’s Park but just about dinner time we had a very heavy shower with thunder so that was all off. I set to, to-night, and completed my homework.

16 Friday I wanted to go to Regent’s Park this lunch-hour but it was too cold to sit about so I stayed indoors. I went round the St. M. library this afternoon and changed my books. I’d had “Faust” – Gounod – and “Die Fledermaus” – J. Strauss – (Music) out again. For reading I’d partly completed “East London” by Sir Walter Besant – very interesting. I got out Vol.II of “War in the Air” and Vol III of the March same consisting of maps to accompany the second volume. In fiction Page 52 I took out J.B. Priestley’s “The Good Companions”. The weather the past few days has been fine in the morning and showery later. There is also a regular March wind getting up from the south-west.

17 Saturday I went over to the school at Goodmayes and, to say the least, I was disappointed. I expected to find it in a half-finished condition instead of which apart from its being unfurnished the building was almost ready for occupation. Even the floors were polished. Brett did not turn up We had Will Hay on the radio to-night – jolly funny as ever.

18 Sunday Brett and I had arranged to start an hour earlier to-day but it was twenty minutes past nine before we left his house. We went the usual route to Havering and, having refreshed ourselves at the pump, coasted down the hill to Stapleford Abbots where we turned off for Navestock. We turned Page 53 left again at Navestock Heath but missed our right road and came out in the main road at Kelvedon Hatch. We followed it to Ongar where we turned off for Moreton and Matching Green. We arrived at the first ford across the road at midday and stopped for three quarters of an hour for dinner. We passed alongside Matching Green and turned right through Hatfield Broad Oak to Takeley where we arrived at half past two. As there was a howling wind blowing from the south-west we decided to turn around so we went along Stane Street towards Bishop’s Stortford for about a mile and then left alongside Hatfield Forest to Hatfield Heath. From here we had the wind against us most of the way home which lay via the Lavers, North Weald, and Epping. I got home by eight o’clock. Mileage 69. The wind was tough. I don’t know what velocity but coming down from Epping we Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

March had it full in front of us. Strange to say we had no rain apart from a Page 54 very fine shower near Takeley. We had a hail shower too at Stapleford Abbotts.

19 Monday I forgot to mention that George came over on Friday night and we went round Manor Park way to see a 7 valve superhet. that was going cheap. It’s a big thing, the valves seem to have three S-Gs. It’s wired for D.C. mains which is a pity. Still there are about six coil units and a jolly good 3-gang condenser which would come in useful. We made an offer of four pounds for it. George phoned through this afternoon saying the set was ours so I made arrangements to go round and fetch it on Thursday night. At night school to-night we continued the plane stuff with a little solid as well.

20 Tuesday At maths to-night we took more heating and ventilation

21 Wednesday Went back to casements again to-night - this March. time a centre hung sash. I was in a good mood too and enjoyed it Page 55 immensely.

22 Thursday George met me at the Station and after tea we went to collect the set. It is about 2’6” long by 1’0” wide and weighs about 56 lbs. By the time we’d got it home it seemed to weigh half - a- ton. There is certainly a lot of stuff in it. George is making enquiries at his place to see if we can’t step down A.C. by resistances – there are three resistance mats in the set – to obtain the necessary 20 volts heater current for the D.C. valves. Made an arrangement for George to come over on Saturday to have a go at dismantling it.

23 Friday I felt lazy and did not do any homework to-night. Which, with George coming over to-morrow, means I shall not do any all this week-end.

24 Saturday Rather miserable weather – bright in the March morning but later settling down to a steady drizzle. Page 56 George came to dinner and had got well on with dismantling the set by the time I arrived. We got the thing apart and made an inventory – I don’t think we were done for our money. We then set about working out the circuit for AC working but using the existing valves till they’re done for and were all the rest of the evening trying to work out a template for a metal baseboard but with little success.

25 Sunday. Poor old Brett was ill to-day with a sore throat so he couldn’t come out. He expects to be back by Tuesday. The weather to start off with was very dull but, before ten o’clock the sky was almost clear of cloud and the sun beat down till sunset. I went the usual route to High Beech and back to the Epping Road at the Wake Arms, I didn’t quite touch Epping Town but turned off past the old church and Epping Green to Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

March Roydon which I reached at midday. I turned east after crossing the Page 57 Stort Navigation and then north again through Widford and much Hadham and Little Hadham. I kept going north till about a quarter to four when I turned sout[h]-east to Manuden and came through Stansted to Takel[e]y. From Takel[e]y I went down the side of Hatfield Forest to Hatfield Broad Oak and matching which I reached at six o’clock. I travelled thence by the way we came home last week only that I turned off for Moreton and came via Ongar, Abridge, Woodford Bridge and Wanstead. I reached home at half-past eight having done 79 miles. While I was out – near High Beech – I took the saddle off the bike and tightened up the nuts that hold the saddle-bag lugs in position – I’ll have to alter that a bit before I go on tour next week-end. Before reaching Widford I had my lunch and was just about to start again when I March noticed that the front tyre was nearly flat. I thought it was only a Page 58 “slow” puncture and pumped it up again but I had scarcely gone a couple of miles before it was flat again. I went round the outer cover but couldn’t find any leak and had to take the tube out. Even then I couldn’t find it. I happened to have brought a bottle of water along with me so I filled my sou-wester with it and located the trouble after passing nearly the whole tube through the water. It was a very slow leak coming from an old patch so I stripped the patch off and put on a new one. I had no trouble afterwards – (Except that I ran out of water in the lamp at Wanstead)

26 Monday I’m beginning to get excited about going away at Easter (yesterday was Palm Sunday). Of course I’m doing a tour. I’d made up my mind about that at the beginning of the year. Brett and I discussed the matter last Sunday and we will try, both of us, to get the four consecutive days. The route, as yet is uncertain but I think I’d like to go West – as far as Somerset if possible. March We took perspective drawing at Geometry tonight, very interesting Page 59 too.

27 Tuesday Rotten luck! Brett announces that as his firm has such a lot of Easter work on he can only get Bank Holiday Monday off. That means a revision of the programme, what little was formed. I’ll have to think it out. I could, of course, start out Friday and come back a little on Saturday to pick him up – he reckons to be able to start by two o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Or I could have a day out on Friday, come home at night and start afresh with him Saturday afternoon. Anyhow, I’ll consider it. At evening classes we took revision to-night – mostly maths.

28 Wednesday We took skirtings and mouldings to-night. Brett and I couldn’t settle what to do to-night so I’ve arranged for him to come over to-morrow night and agree whatever we plan then.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

March Brett came over to-night and we settled that he should call for me as Page 60 29 Thursday soon after mid-day as possible on Saturday and we should catch a train to High Wycombe and so catch up some of the mileage we should lose by starting so late.

30 Friday Good Friday Spent the whole day at home cleaning up the bike and getting nearly everything ready in the morning and in the afternoon mileing most of the time. I had a job finding last year’s C.T.C. handbook but found it at last. I’m getting very excited.

31 Saturday We’d settled to try and catch the 2.25 from Paddington and I had some qualms about the rush in getting tickets. But Dad had the brainwave of getting tickets at an agency in High Street North, East Ham and I was able to get them there. Brett arrived by half past one and we put on as much spurt as possible across the City and arrived at Paddington station at a March quarter past two. We had ample time in which to catch the train and Page 61 reached high Wycombe soon after half past three. We took the main road to Speen and went down the Devil’s Elbow and up Darvills Hill to Lacey Green whence we went along the ridge to see the view. As the sun was in our faces it was a bit misty in the distance but we sat down awhile in a field near the “Pink” before pushing on to Risboro’ and had a spot of food. My watch is up to some sort of caper about stopping just later [lately] so I don’t know what time we got to Risboro – about half-past five I imagine. Anyhow we pushed on to Thame which we reached soon after six and after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain water to drink from a tap that wouldn’t function we proceeded to Tiddington. As by now the sun had set we consulted the Hand book and found a place at Wheatley going for 3/6 bed & breakfast at which place I am now writing these notes. I hope it is only 3/6 March but for the sumptuous way we have been dealt with so far I imagine it Page 62 to be somewhat more. The country we have passed through has not been particularly exciting, at least after leaving Princes Risboro. It rather reminds one of Essex though perhaps that is because we are getting near the river though I see from the map to-night we are getting near the Cotswolds. The weather has been beautiful. By a curious coincidence we met Auntie Norah between Wycombe and Speen. She had missed the three o’clock bus back and was walking it down to Wycombe. Mum and Dad intended going to Kenton to-day so if they see Auntie Norah they will at least know we reached Wycombe allright.

April Easter Day. 1 Sunday We got up this morning about eight o’clock to find it somewhat dull but soon after we set off it became fine and warm and remained so till well into the afternoon. We started at ten oclock going north-west through Islip and by- passed Oxford by Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

April way of Kidlington, Bladen and Long Hanborough and regained the Page 63 main road at Witney. Here the road assumed a grand aspect as it swept alongside a beautiful valley and we were lucky to have the wind mostly behind us till we reached Burford. This was a very charming town built for the most part of yellow stone. By the way this part of Oxfordshire seems to be overrun with dry stone walls similar to those in Derbyshire. From here we took a smaller road to Lechlade where we crossed the river Thames – a very small river here, about as wide as the Lea at Ware. (This point, by the way, is in Gloucestershire). From Lechlade we climbed up to Highworth on the Swindon road and turned off through Shrivenham to Ashbury at the foot of the Marlborough Heights. We had a hard climb to the top which when we reached it had an appearance similar to that of the Snake Pass near Glossop. It was very windy and getting on for April dusk so we put on our best speed for Lambourn where, after some Page 64 trouble we were able to put up for the night. I, for one, was very tired so after tea we went straight to bed.

2 Monday I awoke this morning with a thorough cold and aching all over and did not enjoy the day one little bit. We took the main road to Newbury passing another place called Speen – a hole – before reaching the former and then left the main road at Thatcham crossing Bucklebury Common, through Bradfield and Tidmarsh to Pangbourne where we hoped to recross the Thames but couldn’t find a bridge. So we took the main road to Reading – a horrible place with trams – where we couldn’t get across either and proceeded along the Maidenhead road through Sonning (you remember that in connection with the “Flywheel” incident)6 and Twyford and turned off through Marlow whence after a hard climb we reached High Wycombe at a few minutes to seven o’clock April We met Mum and Dad outside the station and they looked after the Page 65 bikes while we went down to Lyons’s for something hot to drink. We were back at the station by a quarter past seven and caught a train for Paddington. Owing to an accident on the line from Marylebone that morning all the trains for the rest of the day had been thrown out of gear and our train arrived at Westbourne Park at nearly nine o’clock. We had to change at Westbourne Park and did not reach home till after ten o’clock. I went straight to bed.

3 Tuesday I feel rotten to-day. I came to work but couldn’t concentrate at all.

4 Wednesday I had to come to work to-day as S. is away and it leaves us short staffed.

5 Thursday I have combined these three days as I stayed away from work and 6 Friday really was ill. 7 Saturday George came on Friday night but I couldn’t

6 See entries for 23 August and 7 September 1933 in MSS.328/N90/2. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

April attend to him. He took away with him all the papers relating to the Page 66 superhet.

8 Sunday I do feel a little better to-day but Mum seems to have caught the complaint. I helped Dad fix up a buzzer for Mum to ring from the front door. I still have a bad headache.

9 Monday I resumed work to-day though I didn’t feel like it first thing this morning. Mum seems no better and spent the day as yesterday in bed. We took revision in ellipses to-night.

10 Tuesday Mum is still the same. To-night our time was merely wasted trying to get new laboratory apparatus to work.

11 Wednesday Dad had a day off and got the doctor to call and see Mum. He says she has had the ‘Flu. We took a little revision in brickwork April to-night. We have exams in Building Science and Construction on Page 67 next Tuesday and Wednesday respectively whilst Geometry follows on the succeeding Monday. I’ve been too ill so far to do much swotting.

12 Thursday I was so tired to-night I went to bed at half-past eight. I’m pleased to say Mum seems brighter.

13 Friday A glorious day – the rest of the time since Easter has been dull though this week has been warm too. I went to see “Turkey Time” at the Premier. It starred Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, Robertson Hare and Mary Brough. It was very good though not so funny as I thought it would be. Mum seems a lot better to-day.

14 Saturday Mum was so much better she did a little work. I spent the afternoon cleaning the front doorstep down and polishing the knocker and brass doorknobs. It’s not my ideal as regards Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

April work. Page 68 We had a good variety concert on the radio to-night – reminiscences of the past twelve years. The featured stars were Norman Long, Elsie & Doris Waters, John Henry, Clapham and Dwyer, Mario de Pietro, The Roosters, Helen Millais, Tommy Handley, The Eight Step Sisters, Henry Hall and his band, and others.

15 Sunday I was late waking up to-day but, as I felt far fitter than I had during the past fortnight I left home on the bike shortly before eleven o’clock. I went the usual route to High Beech where I dismounted and had something to eat. I resumed my way after half-an-hour’s rest to the Wake Arms where I turned downhill to Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross. Here I took the main road through Cheshunt and Hoddesdon almost as far as Ware but turned off right through Stanstead Abbotts on to the Widford Road. I turned off right about half way between Widford and Much Hadham and after passing Tye Green found myself at Sawbridgeworth April I cut across the main road to Hatfield Heath whence I kept on to Page 69 Matching and had a good drink from a pump on the Green[.] From here to Moreton I began to receive the full benefit of the south- westerly gale that had sprung up but I took the road from Moreton to and crossed the Epping-Ongar road crossing the railway at Blake Hall. I climbed up to Toot Hill and swooped down again by a route I haven’t been along before till I came out on the main Ongar road opposite the road that leads to Shanks Mill. I took this turning and again turned off by the mill in order to get on the Stapleford Abbotts road. I reached the latter just as the sun was setting and as it was getting dark and I was beginning to get back into traffic I lit up at Havering. I came home thence by the usual route. It was very hot to-day even with that gale blowing and even after sunset April it wasn’t much cooler. Page 70 Mileage = 68.

16 Monday We had the last geometry lesson tonight before the exam. which takes place next week. Not that we did anything but revise a little cone-work. I see yesterday’s average temperature was 76°F in the shade. It was hot again to-day.

17 Tuesday The Science exam took place to-night. We had eight questions with no choice and they were mostly descriptions interspersed with a few calculations. It was simply a grind all the evening. We compared results afterward and I don’t feel too frightened about the result.

18 Wednesday Building Construction exam. to-night[.] Ten questions given of which six had to be done. I answered on an egg shaped sewer, skirting, some carpentry joints, an angle in Flemish bond, a section through a window cill etc. and three steps of a staircase. We again compared answers after the show and though I found I’d made a few Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

mistakes I was able to pick a few of the others up over one or two Page 71 things.

19 Thursday It was somewhat cooler on Tuesday and more so on Wednesday – so much so that I wore my overcoat to-day. It went hotter again, however, to-day much to my discomfort. It took advantage of a brief excursion this afternoon to call at the C.T.C. office and get this year’s handbook. I also ordered a copy of the new Kuklos Annual. I’ve been thinking some time – and since Easter matters have been brought to a head – of investing in a new bike. The one I have is too heavy really and after a few miles – say sixty – one begins to feel it. My idea is to order a bike (I’ll have to get it on instalments anyhow) in time at least for my holiday this year (last week in June and first in July if I can manage it). The bike to be reasonably light, have a Sturmey-Archer three speed with hub brake, a hub brake on the front wheel and 1¼ tyres, handlebars to be shallow drop (about 2½”) – what type, I’m uncertain of at present – a spring seat saddle (probably Terry “C.T.C.”). I’d like the frame April to be finished bright blue, the mudguards white celluloid and the Page 72 handlebars white celluloid covered. As regards the size of the frame I’m uncertain but think I’d like a 24” – so far as I’ve seen from catalogues frames don’t seem to go much above 22” as far as light weights are concerned. Now I’ve found at least one bike to conform with the above conditions and that is manufactured by Bates Bros., the people from whom I got my present bike. After a little calculation I find it works out at about 4/- per week. I picked up a fine programme from the Midland Regional to-night. It was a programme arranged by the vicar’s wife and the schoolmaster of a village, Clunbury by name, on the banks of the river Clun in Shropshire – I found it on the map – it was really one of the best things I’ve heard for a long time. There were a discussion on poaching, another on gardening and farming, talks by many of the local folk on their conditions and ways of earning a living, followed by songs and it really did sound as though they were enjoying themselves. April Summer time starts up again on Sunday and with it the B.B.C. is Page 73 20 Friday proposing to [ ] the 24-hour clock. In this scheme it will number the hours from midnight to midnight. This of course presents no difficulty as far as the hours before noon are concerned but after midday it will seem somewhat strange[.] All the same do not be surprised if I unconsciously burst out into “classes at 19.30”, “home at 22.10” or “tea at half past seventeen” though the last seems very remote. There are several arguments supporting the departure and several against but personally I cannot find any that say definitely why the scheme should not be adopted.

21 Saturday A nasty sort of day for a Saturday – dull and wet. It cleared up during the afternoon only to resume in the evening. After helping Dad with some [?]sash lines I went round to Bates’s this afternoon and ordered one of their “Ideal” models to conform with my remarks under Thursday’s heading. The price works out at £9-8-6 Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

April cash down but as I am having it on instalments I have deposited £1 Page 74 and have to pay 4/- per week for 49 weeks and one final payment of 1/- which works out at £10-17-0 altogether. I signed an agreement to that effect and got Dad to stand as guarantor. The bike will be ready on the 11th May next.

22 Sunday. It was a bright day – not so hot as last Sunday – but up till midday Times from very cloudy and after that the sky cleared up till it was very warm at hereon B.S.T. about five o’clock. I met Brett at his house soon after nine though we didn’t actually start till about half past. We took the usual route to Havering and continued along the main road to Fyfield soon after which we turned off through Berners Roding and High Easter so as to get to Dunmow without touching the main road. We had lunch at two o’clock just the other side of Dunmow and proceeded to Thaxted which owing to the wind and the climbing we did not reach till nearly four o’clock. We had intended pushing on April to Ravenhill but it was obviously time we turned back. Page 75 So we went towards the north-west as far as Debden Cross where we turned south-west dodging back and forth across the single railway line from Thaxted[.] We came through Henham and Elsenham to Stansted where we turned sharp left again intending to get to Takeley but missed the road but after manoeuvring with the map we found ourselves on the Stane Street between Stortford and Takeley. Here we stopped for a little refreshment and proceeded past Hatfield Forest along the and Sawbridgeworth [road] but managed to keep to the east of the main road till just south of Potter Street after which we took the high road home via Epping and the usual route. I arrived home at a quarter to nine and had to light up for the last two miles. Mileage for to-day 85. April The wind was strong though variable in direction. It started from the Page 76 north-east but by the time we reached Dunmow it was from the north- west. We had it behind us most of the way home though it was gradually working round to the west.

23 Monday Had the Geometry exam. to-night. Fair paper with a decent choice. I finished well before time and filled up the remaining space by copying out the question paper. I wasted half-an-hour trying to do a problem with a cone and finally had to leave it out and do another question instead. Of course it must happen that after I’d filled up one side of a sheet and worked out a massive problem on the other side full of points which had to be marked, old Williams tells us that we are to work on one side only of our papers! Wind is back in the north-west to-day and rather cold.

24 Tuesday Typical April day as far as showers go. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

April We have a heavy shower about every two hours. It grows Page 77 monotonous after a time. There’s not much of a sign of the drought abating yet. I went to the Tech. to-night to get my Maths. result. 85% - less than last year and only a first class pass.

25 Wednesday I went for the last time to Night School – at least till next September. I got 83∙3% for Construction. Better than I expected. I left my name at the Enquiry Office for a report to be forwarded on.

26 Thursday The weather, if anything, is getting worse though rain is certainly badly wanted. The showers and sunshine continue though the showers are longer. I picked up a talk in English on “Denmark, the Land of the Sea- Kings” from Kalundborg relaying Copenhagen to-night but it developed into an advertisement to spend a holiday in that country instead of a brief history as I thought.

27 Friday It seems the drought really has broken. To-night, just before five o’clock, it came over very April dark and looked as though we were going to have a heavy Page 78 thunderstorm but, apart from raining “cats and dogs” and continuing heavily pouring throughout the evening that was all. George rang me up this afternoon and asked if I would go over on Sunday. I accepted. It appears he has one of his telephones working on his exchange and has provision for six more lines.

28 Saturday Listened in to the Cup Final this afternoon – a very exciting game. Even the commentator so far forgot himself as to nearly short the mike by shouting so loud when one goal was scored. I suppose it’s because I’m looking forward to that bike but this last week has dragged. It seems as though May itself will never come let alone the 11th.

29 Sunday I met Brett and we got off soon after nine o’clock. We took the usual route to Wanstead, then up past the Red House to Woodford Bridge and past Claybury through Chigwell Row and Lambourne End to Passingford Bridge[.] April I find, according to the map that this is a much shorter route than Page 79 keeping to the main road but do not think I shall use it much on the outgoing trip as there are one or two nasty climbs on it. All the same I think I’ll make it my “usual” route home from Ongar. We kept to the Ongar road almost to where we turned off through Toot Hill and Blake Hall to Bobbingworth. Here we took the White Roding road but turned east again through Abbes Roding back to the main Dunmow road which we crossed to Good Easter. Here we turned back, taking the lanes through the Chignal[l]s to Chelmsford and climbed up to Galleywood Common. We rested awhile here and then proceeded through Stock and Hutton by the usual route to Warley and Upminster Common where Brett and I parted – he going on home and I turning left for Upminster. I arrived Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

at George[’]s at about seven o’clock I didn’t have much time at George’s but he showed me how his telephone exchange worked April - very efficiently, I must say. Mum and Dad paid a surprise visit while I Page 80 was there but left before I did. The weather up till about midday was foggy and inclined to rain but after clouds cleared off it became unbearably hot. There was a full moon to-night though not high enough to give much light.

30 Monday Mileage for yesterday – 73. An extremely warm day to-day – getting hotter and hotter even after three o’clock which time is usually the hottest part of the day. I developed a slow puncture in the front tyre yesterday and, though it was very slow indeed, it necessitated the use of the pump while I was out and before leaving Upminster. I therefore had a look at the tyre to-night, clearing out the outer cover and having a look at the valve, which you will remember is of the Schrader type. I found a small portion of grit in the valve and thinking the leak might be due to this I replaced the valve and inflated the tyre. May The front tyre was flat again to-night! I took the tube out of the cover Page 81 1 Thursday and went round with it under water, valve and all, but could not locate anything. I therefore took the wheel out of the machine and took the tyre completely off the wheel, examined the fabric of the outer cover to see if there were any fragments of grit, and again passed the tube under water. Still no sign of a leak! I therefore put the tyre back on the wheel and pumped up hard and then I found it! In putting the dust cap on the valve I detected a slight hiss and when it was slightly unscrewed the air could be distinctly heard coming out of the valve. What had happened was the valve cap had a rubber lining which had somehow worked into such a position that when the cap was screwed tightly down the rubber depressed the valve piston, so causing the escape. So that was that – or, at least, not quite that because somehow I loosened the cones of the front wheel in getting it back so I’ll have to adjust these to-morrow night.

May I arranged with George to go down to the Marconiphone place on Page 82 2 Wednesday Tottenham Court Road to see about using the valve of the joint set on AC mains so I went down there to-day. They gave me the O.K. provided I used a rectifier for the H.T. so that’s settled. I put the bike in trim to-night – the front tyre was hard all right.

3 Thursday I rang George up and arranged that he should come over on Saturday and we’ll get on with the wooden template for the metal baseboard, etc. of the joint set.

4 Friday Only another week before I get my bike. I expect next week will seem twice as long as the two last ones have. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the old bike. I had a notion of letting Dad have it but we find when he is on the machine he cannot touch the ground.

5 Saturday Mum and Dad went to Kenton so George and I had the house to Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

ourselves. We were surprised that we didn’t get on very well with the marking May the template but owing to wrangling and wangling the positions of the Page 83 components we only got as far as completing the parts above the baseboard. We put the valves into their respective holders and I must say they made a very imposing array.

6 Sunday I overslept this morning and didn’t get off till after half-past nine. I found Brett about to come out and we set off for Woolwich as the wind was blowing from due south. We took the usual route to Eltham and crossed the by-pass to get on the Orpington road. Just as we were leaving the latter place my front tyre gave a great bang and promptly went flat. I thought it was a burst but on examination we found that the cut in the cover which, it may be remembered, Dad and I stopped up last Easter twelvemonth had become open right through the fabric – the stopping has been working out for a long time. There was a nasty gash in the inner tube but we patched it up and proceeded. We joined the Hastings road soon after May and after several attempts to get off the main road by routes which Page 84 invariably led us back to it again we arrived at the top of Polhill where we stopped for lunch. We turned down the side of this for a space and then recrossed the main road continuing in the direction of Westerham till we came to Sundridge and Ide Hill. I don’t like to acknowledge it but I must say that the view from here beats the ones from the Ridge near Speen and from the top of the Marlborough heights near Ashbury into a cocked hat. It was marvellous. If I get a pair of binoculars next September (which is promised for my twenty- third birthday) I’ll bring them here and have a good look round. We stayed an hour here and left at a quarter to five for home. We crossed the Sevenoaks road again and, with the wind behind us, soon made Otford. We continued towards Shoreham alongside the railway and stopped just before Eynsford to finish our eats. Soon after we reached Farningham and made good speed to Woolwich via May Sidcup and Eltham. Page 85 The mileage was very little (I haven[’]t ascertained it yet) owing to the wind which was very strong. With the wind behind us coming home we got very hot – even against the wind we were far from cool. I found Uncle Syd had come over for the day when I arrived home. He is much taken up with the superhet. and the idea now seems to be that Dad and I get on with the template and get the metal and Uncle Syd will cut the holes and help erect the set. To tell the truth I’d like to do George in the eye and have it already working by the next time he comes over.

7 Monday I went to the Premier to-night to see “The Invisible Man”, a film adapted from the novel by H.G. Wells and a marvel of trick photography – miles ahead of the superimposing of “King Kong”. The other picture featuring Slim Summerville – I didn’t notice the name of the film – was also very good – and very funny. May When I reached home last night I found Dad ruminating over a radio Page 86 8 Tuesday set brought round by Mrs Norman (the lady who does our washing) to Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

be put right if possible in time for the Royal Command Performance at the Palladium. I found him at it again when I arrived home to-night. It is a straight o-v-2 wired up by a blind man and, with due respect to him, it looks like it. The detector stage seems allright apart from the absence of reaction. I didn’t get any further than this to-night.

9 Wednesday Had another go at this set. We found we could get good results as far as the primary of the second L.F. transformer but could get no further than the secondary. I was puzzled for quite a time about how the HT – reached earth. The set has a metal panel (swank!) and I keep forgetting it. The cussed set gets on my nerves. After all this wangling we’ve decided to dismantle it and rewire it. I had to go down to the fish shop on my own to-day as, owing to office arrangements, le couldn’t go.

May Had a rest from wireless to-night and spent the evening reading. Page 87 10 Thursday The weather lately has been about normal for the time of year – no rain and occasional bright sunshine.

11 Friday It’s arrived – at least the day has. I didn’t think three weeks could go so slowly. I’m going straight from work to Bates’s to-night and I hope the bike will be ready. I’m a peculiar bloque but I always begin to doubt if a thing will happen just before it is due. I suppose now I’ve mentioned it, it won’t happen but I hope it will. Forgive me for rambling on like this but I’m very excited and have been these past three weeks over this new bike. I wonder if I shall like it better than the old one. I’ve a feeling of affection for the old Hercules, we’ve travelled about 5,000 miles to-gether and I’ve seen opened up to no small extent on it. Sunday’s run on the new bike (if I have it) will be a trial for the following week end (Whitsun) when I expect go on tour with May Brett again. I’m uncertain still whether I can stick him for a fortnight. Page 88 Alack! what did I say? I was unlucky. Bates spun me a yarn about having 30 bikes to make before Whitsun necessitating the employment of two extra men and the opening of an additional workshop. I was shown a frame which was said to be mine and was told the bike would not be finished till next Friday. I spent the evening having a go at repairing as well as possible that cut in the front cover of the Hercules. I put a lump of solutioned fabric on the inside and filled the cut with stopping. I’ll give it a trial to- morrow afternoon to see how she goes.

12 Saturday A heat wave seems to have arrived. Thursday was warm, yesterday was sweltering and to-day it was hotter still. I went out on the bike this afternoon to give the repair to the front wheel a trial. I took the usual route to Romford and on towards Havering as far as where the road comes through from Collier Row May where I turned off through Noak Hill. I regained the road at Stapleford Page 89 Abbotts and proceeded down the hill turning off through Lambourne End returning via Woodford Bridge and the road past the Red House at Wanstead. I was surprised to find I had done 30 miles. I started about four o’clock and arrived home just before eight. The tyre Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

behaved itself perfectly.

13 Sunday I met Brett and we set of[f] at about fifteen minutes past nine taking the usual route to High Beech and past the King’s Oak and Wake Arms to Epping and Harlow. Here we went along the tow-path of the Stort as far as Sawbridgeworth and kept along the main road again as far as Bishop’s Stortford. We meant to take the road from here through Manuden but somehow we took the wrong turning and found ourselves at Little Hadham. Here we turned north again through Stocking Pelham to Newport and, as it was only five more miles, determined to push on to . We tried to find out the time here May but didn’t notice any clocks so we put our best feet forward down the Page 90 Thaxted road turning south-west for Debden, south-east for Debden Cross and again south-west for Elsenham. Here we saw a clock pointing to half past six which left us three hours to get home in before lighting-up time – we neither of us had lamps. We took the road to Stansted and Takeley and ploughed along through Hatfield Broad Oak and Matching Green to Moreton. We missed the road through Bobbingworth and found ourselves at Ongar. We took the main road hence to Passingford Bridge and took the Havering road as far as the top of the first hill where we turned off through Lambourne End returning home by the same route as I took last night. It was a glorious day though, thank goodness, cooler than yesterday. I developed a “slow” in the front tyre near Newport which necessitated the use of the pump every hour afterwards. Just after leaving Matching Green my back May. tyre went flat but after re-inflating it it gave no further trouble. Page 91 We made fairly good progress in the race against lighting-up time coming home the only agony being that we were both very hungry. I pulled up at Ongar and bought some chocolate which helped to stave off hunger for a bit. Sunset at Ongar. Lighting-up time at Lambourne End. After that a continual dodging of policemen. The mileage at Woodford Bridge was 93. I haven’t looked at it since but I expect it’s not far short of 100.

14 Monday Brett came over by arrangement to-night to settle about going away next week-end. We’re going to the East Coast – he wants to see the Broads so we shall try and include those as well. I’m uncertain as yet as to the actual route; I don’t like the idea of sticking to the main road as far as Ipswich but the only alternative is to branch off at Chelmsford May for Sudbury and then across country roads to Stowmarket which will Page 92 take a lot of time as there is no direct road. Mileage for yesterday – 99.

15 Tuesday I took Mrs Norman’s set back to-night but, as I expected, couldn’t get any results. I don’t know what is wrong with it. The heat-wave has definitely broken and yesterday and to-day were very cold in contrast to the week-end weather. It looks like rain to- Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

night but I hope it will clear up by next week-end.

16 Wednesday When Mum and Dad went on their usual excursion to Upminster last Sunday Mum inadvertently left her handbag in the train. I went to the Lost Property Office of the London Passenger Transport Board in Baker Street yesterday but was told to get a written authority before I claimed it – if they’d got it. Mum met me to-day after dinner and went to the place but we were unlucky. They think that the L.M.S. under whose surveillance that part of the District Railway between Bow Road May and Upminster comes might have it. Page 93 I called in at Bates’s on the way home but could get little satisfaction. They said the bike would be ready on “Friday or Saturday” but when asked would not promise definitely for Saturday. So after tea I set to on the tyres of the old bike. The front puncture was easy to locate and was soon mended. The rear one was easier than the front but I was uncertain when I replaced the tyre as to whether there was not another leak in this tyre.

17 Thursday To my surprise the front tyre on my bike was flat again this morning but I did not do anything to it to-night as I was fed up with the thing altogether.

18 Friday Went round to Bates’s but was unlucky. They said they couldn’t do it before 4 o’clock to-morrow afternoon. I took out the front tube again of the old bike and found a slow close to two recent patches. I examined the cover and found the cause – a long thorn piercing right through. Brett came round to-night and we arranged May to ride as far as Chelmsford to-morrow afternoon and catch a train Page 94 thence to Ipswich. Mum tells me Auntie Lil and Uncle Ken and his wife and son called this morning and that if we go anywhere near Claxton we will be made welcome.

19 Saturday I rang Bates’s up during the morning and they spun some yarn about having trouble in obtaining the Sturmey-Archer gear and, having got off especially early, I called at the shop at half-past one and they said, with luck, the bike would be ready by three o’clock. Again I was unlucky and had to wait till well after four before it was ready. Brett and I decided it was then too late to start touring but after tea we gave it a trial run of about 30 miles going via Wanstead along he Southend Road as far as Wingletye Lane, down that to Hornchurch and along Hacton Road to Corbet’s Tey and almost to North Ockendon but turned back again to Rainham and came home along the usual route. May It is a vast improvement upon the old bike but I’ll give a fuller Page 95 description later.

20 Sunday We suddenly made up our minds last night to do the tour after all, even if we had to curtail it slightly. We set off this morning from Brett’s house at 8.30 and took the usual roads to Romford whence we kept to Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

the main road as far as Chelmsford where we looked up a train. We had a strong wind behind us so we decided to get the next train at though we had a bit of a rush to catch it. We caught the train soon after eleven o’clock and ate our sandwiches on the train. We took return tickets to Ipswich where we arrived at half-past twelve. As it was so early I suggested that we should put up at Auntie Lil’s which suggestion was accepted with qualms as Brett didn’t like the idea of sleeping at a parson’s house. We turned off the main road at Scole and went the way I did last Easter twelvemonth through Bungay and Thurton – the roads are still as bad as ever. We arrived at Claxton May at about six o’clock. Page 96 After tea I took Brett down to Rockland Broad and we had a rowing boat out for a couple of hours – they only charged us 1/- for the two of us. We got back to the house at about half past ten and retired about an hour later after an interesting discourse on life in Canada.

21 Monday We set off for Claxton about eleven o’clock and headed via Loddon and Haddiscoe to Lowestoft where we arrived at about one. We bought some pastry and fruit and had a bivouac on the promenade and afterwards strolled along the beach. The water was pretty rough. We left rather late – after three o’clock – and took the London road where we received the full force of the south-westerly wind. It was a good road with plenty of shelter from trees but all the same there were many open stretches and a few steep gradients which made me appreciate my three-speed gear. It took us three hours to reach Saxmundham – a distance of 22 miles and we went to the station to find the time of the next May train proceeding towards London. Page 97 We found a train that left at 6.44 and would land us at Ilford at about nine o’clock. So we went into the town to get something to eat and arrived back at the station in time to see the train just leaving. I won’t swear to it but I could say that that train certainly left about two minutes before time. I suppose we did run it a bit too fine. We caught the next train – a wait of about ten minutes – and had to get out at Chelmsford – I wish now we’d kept on to Liverpool Street. We didn’t reach Chelmsford till sunset so that lighting-up time overtook us at Brentwood. From then on we had to “’ware cops” as we had no lights and had to walk most of the way home with the result that I didn’t arrive home till a quarter to one to-morrow morning. (Sounds absurd, that last). I was worried about Mum though she says Dad was worrying the worst. Apart from the wind we certainly could not grumble about the weather. We took off our jumpers near Lowestoft yesterday and did not have to put May them on again. We had the wind behind us going, of course, and that Page 98 probably helped us to make the time we did. But coming back – no, thank you!

22 Tuesday I had a slow develop in the rear tyre on Sunday so I repaired it to- night. It was due to a thorn similar to that I had in the old bike last Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

week. Brett came round to-night to settle up. I find on reckoning up that my total expenses for the two days was about 13/6. The mileage cycled was about 158.

23 Wednesday I took the new bike round to Bates’s to-night for several reparations. The head wanted tightening up, the rear wheel was stiff, one of the nuts under the saddle was missing, a spoke had been knocked out of the front wheel due to a collision with Brett’s machine when we were nearing Lowestoft (this last was entirely my fault). There was no oiler in the front wheel but I was told this was in order as the makers were afraid of oil getting into the brake drum. There was also much more chromium plating on the frame than I ordered but I admit the May specification could be read two ways. The machine is, as I have Page 99 already remarked, a decided improvement on the old and the reduction in weight has to be felt to be believed. I left the bike at the shop and it is to be ready by Friday. I asked them to make sure it was Friday this time.

24 Thursday On Sunday I transferred the cyclometer from the Hercules to the new machine. It indicated 917·9 miles. Now, my pocket diary indicates that up to last Sunday week (the 13th) I had done 1301 miles on the old bike. Add this to the total since I had the cyclometer as recorded on 31st December last and we have 5,258·9 miles or 5,800 miles approximately since I had the bike. (Two years and two months).

May Don’t die of shock. The bike was ready when I went to Bates’s! At Page 100 25 Friday least, the back wheel was still stiff but apart from that it was ready. I found when I got home that the brakes (particularly the back) required adjustment. They had altered the pedals so that they can be oiled with the gun instead of an ordinary can, and also carried out the things I mentioned before.

26 Saturday I changed after dinner and took the bike out for a trial spin. I went the usual route to Havering – I tried to ride up the hill but, the wind being against me, I thought better of it. – and took the road for Navestock Heath but turned off before I reached it and came down that rough bit to Shanks Mill. From here I kept to the main road past Passingford Bridge and came home the usual route through Lambourne End and Snaresbrook. I stopped near Shanks Mill and looked at my three-speed gear which required adjustment. The wind was from the north-east. I made 32 miles.

27 Sunday I set off about half-past eight and had to wait till about nine for Brett. We were uncertain as to which route to take but decided to get on the Epping May road and think it over. We alighted in Wanstead Park and decided, Page 101 after much deliberation to make for Burnham-on-Crouch and get the Ferry at Creeksea and come home via the Southend Road As were so far north we went along the main Southend road as far as Ilford and then turned off over Hog Hill to Collier Row – a bigger Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

hole than ever – and kept to that road through Noak Hill to Pilgrim’s Hatch. We took a footpath from there to Shenfield, I having a minor mishap through falling down a ditch and slightly spraining my left ankle. From Shenfield we kept to the old Southend road to Hutton where we turned off down Wash Lane through Buttesbury to Stock. We turned off short of Galleywood Common and passed through the Hanningfields, West, South and East. As it was now gone one o’clock we changed our destination to and reached that place about two o’clock We went along the Marine Parade (Flash name!) and ate our lunch and afterwards had a boat out. The tide was going out fast and it May took us an hour and a half to come upstream the distance we had Page 102 gone down in half an hour. Coming back, too, we repeatedly grounded on the numerous shoals which seem to abound in the river. We finally set off about five o’clock from Maldon and took the way we had come as far as Stock where we rested awhile and had a light snack and a drink at the pump. We left Stock just before eight oclock and travelled quickly by way of Buttesbury, Hutton, Thorndon Park, Warley and reached Upminster Common just before sundown. We came home thence through Audley Green, Hornchurch, Romford and Becontree and I arrived home about a quarter to ten. We did 81 miles to-day. That ankle of mine didn’t hurt enough to notice till I got off the boat at Maldon when it gave me beans. After I’d done about 10 miles on the bike, however, the pain gradually eased off and by the time I reached home it was scarcely noticeable. But when I went to bed, after supper, it had started up again. May I forgot to record that just after eight o’clock on Saturday night who Page 103 28 Monday should pay us a visit but Uncle Ben and Walter with a younger brother of Wal’s and Walter’s brother-in-law[.] We hadn’t seen Wal since about 1919 and Uncle Ben since Gran died in 1921. They had a hearty welcome you may be sure and didn’t leave till after ten o’clock. And while I’m on the subject of unrecorded incidents I ought to mention that Uncle Syd came over for Whitsun and is still staying with us, while Auntie Ethel stayed from Saturday till Whit Tuesday. Also, in the excitement of getting the bike I have not said anything about my watch. It will be remembered that I had trouble with it over Easter. Well, I had not worn it since then till the last day of April when I took it along to Ingersoll’s to have it cleaned. It arrived from them by post last Saturday week and I was thus able to [?]run it over the holiday. It is up to its tricks already, having gained about a quarter of an hour during yesterday.

29 Tuesday I suppose it had to come out. I wasn’t going to May mention it if possible only a policeman came round this afternoon and Page 104 gave Mum a nasty shock by asking if I lived here – you see we were nabbed on Bank Holiday for being without lights. I was caught with Brett near Ardleigh Green and Brett was caught again (I was walking that time so I escaped) at Emerson Park Halt. I suppose we shall hear further.

30 Wednesday I could think of nothing else to do so I decided to get on with the Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

super-het. to-night. I dismantled the parts from the top of the base board template (except the valveholders) after moving the tuning coils further forward and set about seeing to the arrangement of parts on the underside. But it wants a lot of thinking out so I left if for the time being till to-morrow night. The weather lately has been typical May weather the temperature about average and not worthy of special remark. The wind, if any, is mainly south-west. The drought seems to have resumed its sway.

May I started putting the underneath components on the super.-het. Page 105 31 Thursday Baseboard to-night. It was pretty simple and apart from making the fixing bolt of one of the fixed condensers come dangerously near the underneath of a I.F. transformer I had no difficulty till I came to the power stage which, being different from the blue-print by omission of one pentode stage and the transferance [sic] of the mains resistances and smoothing chokes and condensers to a separate unit, presents a puzzle as regards arrangement[.] Phew! What a sentence! You may or may not notice that at last I have my fountain pen in operation once more. It doesn’t seem to write much differently from the ordinary pen.

June Dad went up the road to-night to get a sheet of tin for the super.-het. 1 Friday but the piece he returned with was too thin to support the weight without considerable sagging. So I’ll go and change if for a sheet of stouter gauge to-morrow.

June I changed the sheet of tin for cash. They hadn’t any stouter gauge Page 106 2 Saturday but could let me have some mild steel sheet for 1/8 (the size required is 21” x 28”) which they could not guarantee from rusting on one side; or if I wanted galvanized the price would go up to 2/5. So I had my money back till I had decided. I went to Ilford with Mum, Dad and Uncle Syd (who is still staying with us), they to go to Valentine Park to see the rhododendrons and I to the rolling stock exhibition at Ilford Goods Station. It was a very good show. They had the latest types of passenger coaches, including a rail motor, a Pullman, a third-class tourist coach, the Flying Scotsman” dining and sleeping cars and others. Among the locomotives were the L.N.E.R’s latest, the “Cock-of-the-North” which has 1,000lbs. greater tractive effort than the G.W.R. “King” class; also the “Flying Scotsman”, “Claude Hamilton”, and some others. The “Cock-of-the-North” was only there for to-day (the exhib. is open to- morrow, too) and judging by the dust that had Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

June accumulated everywhere, I should say he’ll want some cleaning up to- Page 107 night before he departs. Among the other interesting exhibits were a couple of long bogie wagons, a refrigerator and meat van and milk tank, a transformer trolley truck and a girder truck (which two last I should say took some getting round the narrow curves of the Great Eastern). I was very interested in the signalling demonstration van and asked a lot of questions about interlocking so much so, indeed, that one of the chaps asked me if I was really interested in interlocking apparatus and, when I replied “yes”, took my name and address and said he would look up some books on the subject and let me have them for which I was truly thankful. He also threw out a hint about an introduction if possible to a man at Ilford who was an authority on mechanical signalling and who might be able to take me over the east and west signal boxes at Liverpool Street Station.

3 Sunday I got off by half-past eight this morning but June had to wait some time for Brett who had had an accident by tipping a Page 108 saucepanful of hot milk over his brother while the latter was in the bath. We got started by nine o’clock and, for a change, went the usual route to Wates Lane and by the side of the Great Eastern Railway to Odessa road down which we turned proceeding along that and Leytonstone high road to Snaresbrook. We kept to the main road almost as far as Epping but turned off to Roydon. We here crossed the and turned east and again north and between Hunslet and Widford such a bang came from Brett’s rear tyre and it immediately went flat. To get to a shady and quiet spot we turned down a farm road just short of Widford and sat down by the side of a wood and had our lunch. The burst, for that was what it was, was about the size of a pen. We stuck a puncture patch on the inside as well as the outside. Old Brett’s tyres are certainly in a bad state. The rear cover particularly has cracked in several places June and there are many holes which pierce the cover all round. The front Page 109 tyre is not much better. In these circumstances, therefore, we decided to curtail the days projected wanderings (we were going to try to get to Royston) and take it easy. After lunch, about half-past one, we went through several footpaths and unmetalled roads before we came to Green Tye, after which we found our way to Sawbridgeworth[.] We took a by-lane from here to Harlow where we sat by the river and I had a short nap. We set off again half-an-hour later and didn’t take much more than twenty minutes to reach Epping (having the wind behind us) and, as it was still early decided to go home via and Abridge. We left the main road at the “Robin Hood” and after a stroll through the forest took the road to Chigwell whence we came home via Woodford Bridge and Wanstead Park. As we had plenty of time I accompanied Brett round Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

June the back streets of East Ham as far as his house. I arrived home Page 110 about half-past seven. Mum, Dad and Uncle Syd had been to Laindon for the day and had walked from there to Crays Hill near Wickford and they didn’t arrive home till just before nine o’clock. The weather to-day was very pleasant and, had it not been for a strong north-east wind, would have been very hot. I much appreciated the lesser weight of the new bike to-day as even against the wind I was able to surmount hills easily (in some cases without changing down) that before I have always had to walk up. Coming home the effect of the wind behind was such that we might have come home from Epping in half-an-hour had we so wished.

4 Monday Such a change in the weather – cloudy and cold – the temperature dropped at least 20°F. It looks like rain and, to be sure, we certainly need it.

5 Tuesday Cooler still this morning though we don’t get any rain yet. It cleared up this afternoon and we had plenty of sunshine though it was still very cool. Page 111

6 Wednesday Derby Day and, consequently, rain at last. I caught a packet coming back from the fish shop and got pretty well soaked. It rained heavily but was mostly showery and dried up almost as quickly as it fell. If we could have a couple of weeks of good liquid rain conditions might resume their normal position. This drought has been on nearly a year now. You remember I had one or two sharp showers on my holiday last year? Well, that was the last time we had any real spurts of rain apart from a few showers about April. Mum and I had a shilling each way on a horse that failed to secure even a place.

7 Thursday The wireless is giving trouble. It kept fading away. I jacked the valves and found the emission falling of[f] on 2nd L.F.so immediately diagnosed inadequate L.T. and found the accumulator almost discharged. On enquiry I find that Uncle Syd June in switching off the other night failed to pull the switch right up to the Page 112 charging position with the result that the set went for over 24 hours without recharging. So these last two days we have had to do without radio. I sent the old 2v. 2o up to be charged last night and when that comes (to-morrow) will do the same with the big accum. To-day is as fine as ever and a lot warmer. So the drought hasn’t broken yet.

8 Friday I had a nasty surprise to-night after tea when Mum handed me the official summons to appear at Romford County Court at 10 a.m. on Thursday the 21st June next. I think if I can I’ll write to the magistrate to see if I cannot pay the fine without attending court but I don’t know exactly what to write or how to put it. Dad changed the accums. round to-night – the newly-charged one certainly makes a heap of difference.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

9 Saturday Dad has today off in celebration of the King’s June birthday. So Uncle Syd and I will be on our own this afternoon. Page 113 I asked P. about writing to the magistrate at Romford and he suggests that as they will probably charge me twice as much if I do not attend court I should go there as indicated in the summons. All the same I don’t quite cotton on to the idea of being in the prisoner’s dock. I’ll wait and see Brett before I decide, I think. Uncle Syd and I biked (I on my new one and he on my old) to High Beech this afternoon. Mum and Dad went to Cobham (Surrey) to see Dad’s cousin Stanley Bishop and greatly enjoyed themselves.

10 Sunday Brett and I left about nine o’clock and went over the Ferry to Eltham and through Sidcup to Farningham. Here we turned off the main road and went through Eynsford to Otford whence we took the Pilgrim’s way to Wrotham near which we stopped for lunch. It was oppressively hot even June though there was a stiff north-easterly breeze. Page 114 We resumed our journey at half-past two and by devious ways found ourselves at Snodland close on four o’clock. As it was getting on we decided to turn back and fought our way against the wind to Cuxton where we turned left and over the hills to Cobham and Gravesend where we took the L.M.S. ferry across to Tilbury coming home thence by the main road with a little deviation through . I’ve seen a bit of Kent to-day by the aid of a map (an inferior one, worse luck, and not to be relied upon) that I think I’d like to explore. This “pilgrim’s way” which is the one used by Chaucer’s Canterbury Travellers goes all the way from Winchester to Canterbury and the parts we struck to-day were certainly most attractive. From Otford almost as far as Wrotham it was a good road and then a footpath. From Wrotham it was a country lane for a mile and then a beautiful footpath through some woods. One of these June days I am resolved to journey along it from end to end. Page 115

11 Monday My twenty-third birthday. I received a handsome present of fifteen shillings from Mum and Dad and a postal order for five shillings from Aunt Norah. They’ll help me with my fine on Thursday week. A very hot day again – most oppressive in the train to-night. All vehicles controlled by the London Transport Board are exhibiting notices urging the public to use less water so the drought is more serious than ever.

12 Tuesday Helped Mum to-night to choose places to go to for her and Dad’s holidays. They are not fixed up yet and we leave on Saturday week. For myself I have planned a general outline, namely, to go as far North as Newcastle, then along the Roman Wall to Carlisle and then come home through the Lake district and, if I have time through North and South Wales. I shall, as before, try to visit Mum and Dad June during the second week. Page 116 And while I’ve time to spare I may as well give a description of my new bike. It is, as is known, by Bates Bros. and bears a transfer and one or two plates to that effect. It has a 24” frame finished medium Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

blue with chromium plated crown and fork ends, and is built of chrome-molybdenum steel tubes that are very light and strong. Drop out (self centering front) forks. Bluemel’s “Noweight” white celluloid mudguards with spear point extension in front. Brazed on front lamp bracket, the rear bracket being bolted to a brazed on reflector eye. The eyes for the attachment of the mudguards are also brazed to the forks. Handlebar, North Road Swallow Drop, fitted with Constrictor grips and finished in white celluloid. Saddle, Lycette Aero-Dual (spring seat with elastic springs – narrower than the old Terry but exceedingly comfortable nevertheless). Brampton pedals, Renold chain and Williams cranks and chainwheel. Dunlop wheels with Sprite (open-sided) tyres 26” x 1¼”. Wheels fitted with double-butted spokes, the front with a Sturmey Archer hub brake and locked cones and the back with Page 117 S.-A. three-speed gear (KB type) and hub brake. Both wheels have light aluminium butterfly nuts. The finish of the wheels, spokes, chainwheel, cranks and pedals and handlebar stem is black enamel. As equipment there is a celluloid coated inflator which is attached to the frame by brazed-on clips.

13 Wednesday I had my lunch at one o’clock to-day so that le and I could go to the fish shop together but we both got so famished we were almost past eating. We have therefore resolved to transfer fish shop day to Tuesdays in future.

14 Thursday The weather still keeps very hot. No sign of rain at all yet. Something went wrong with one of the signals near King’s Cross to- night which delayed our progress rather up to that point. To save further happenings like that on Whit Monday I bought a Pifco electric headlamp for the bike – a mere “bobby-dodger.” June As I was stumped for a camera now I’ve got the new bike S. has Page 118 15 Friday kindly consented to lend me his (With the old bike I carried the camera in its case slung on the roller brake lever but with the new cycle there is not enough room, even if there was the thing bumps about too much.) S’s camera is a Kodak folding type fitted with time, brief time, 1/50 sec and 1/25 sec. shutter, about 4 stops, and seems a serviceable little machine[.] It will easily slip into my pocket. This week-end I propose to give it a tryout.

16 Saturday I went to Upminster to visit George but couldn’t obtain any admittance so I concluded he must be away. I know one of his weeks coincides with one of mine but had forgotten which. As it was only about five o’clock I decided to have a run round before I went in so I took the road up to the Common and Warley, down Thorndon Park Avenue to Brentwood, on to Pilgrims Hatch and South Weald, through Noak Hill to Havering and home through Romford – 40 miles in all. June A really scorching hot day. Page 119 17 Sunday Brett and I set off at about a quarter to nine and we took the usual route to Stock (via Harold Wood, Warley, Hutton and Buttesbury). Here we turned off for West and East Hanningfields and reached the Burnham-on-Crouch road near Woodham Ferrers along which road Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

we travelled to Creeksea Ferry where we lunched. We stayed there about two hours or so and left at four o’clock. We had intended to take the ferry across from Creeksea but the head had made us thirsty so we decided to have a drink at Burnham and get the ferry from there. We procured the drink all right but the ferry was not running and, as by the time we left Burnham it was about half-past four, we decided to make for home by the shortest route. We kept to the main road as far as Wickford after which we crossed the Southend road at Nevendon and kept climbing up to , down to Bulphan, across the Fen to June North Ockendon and Upminster and thence home via the usual “short” Page 120 route. It was very hot indeed to-day though I must say it seemed cooler riding than standing about. We accomplished 90 miles all told.

18 Monday Mum is very poorly with a sore throat. I hope it won’t prevent our going away. I only took three snaps over the weekend (one of South Weald and two of the Crouch) so I took the camera to work and snapped the films off at odd subjects. They will be developed and printed by to-morrow.

19 Tuesday The doctor came round to-day at Dad’s request and was able to assure Mum she hadn’t got tonsillitis but only a bad, sore throat. He thinks she will be well enough to go away on Saturday.

20 Wednesday We had a fish dinner yesterday (Bill and I) and to-day as Mum is queer I had one of Sainsbury’s prickins – all right! I got the snaps this morning. They have come out June very well, every one being a success. Page 121

21 Thursday Brett called round for me this morning soon after half-past eight. We got to Romford at half-past nine and mucked about till the court opened. They kept us waiting all the morning till one o’clock when the magistrates withdrew for dinner and, as it was early closing day, we had to be content with chocolate for our lunch. Court resumed at two o’clock and we were called (separately) at about half past three. The least said the better upon the subject except that Brett was fined 10/- and I 15/-. We left Romford about four o’clock and arrived home (Brett having a puncture on the way which delayed us 15 minutes) at ten past five. The day was not at all fitting to its title of “longest day”. It began well enough but soon after ten we had some showers whilst from one o’clock up till about four it rained continuously. Thereafter it showered all the evening. June Spent the evening in packing and making ready for my departure to- Page 122 22 Friday morrow. Put in approximately the same as last year but leaving out the spare vest whose place was taken by my pullover in view of the cooler weather lately. Of course this diary is to go – it gets in some miles in a year! Also oiled up the bike and gave the brakes a final adjustment.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

23 Saturday Start of the tour. I went by bike to work so that my holiday should start from the moment I left the office. I don’t know whether the new bike is more resilliant [sic] than the old but the Commercial Road didn’t seem as bumpy as usual. I went via Cheapside and Oxford Street, turned off at Oxford Circus and up Portland Place. I got off from work about twenty minutes to one and took the main road through (I don’t know the names of the places but it’s the road I generally come back on from Watford or thereabouts). I found myself eventually on the Great North Road a little June north of Hatfield. I intended to get as far as Welwyn before I turned off Page 123 the main road (it was beginning to pall) but the wind was blowing strongly from the north-east and I didn’t see why, having a fortnight before me, I should face the wind to start off with. So I turned off near Welwyn Garden City and took the same road as I did first day out least summer holiday via Wheathampstead to Luton but kept right on to Dunstable. Here I turned along Watling Street and, except for the road, I believe it’s the longest distances I’ve ever kept to a main road at one time. It was being repaired and widened for a distance of about ten miles. I passed through Fenny Stratford and Sony Stratford and have put up for the night at Towcester. The place I put up at was a commercial hotel and I was rather disappointed in it. The food was good to be sure but the towels were dirty and the bed as hard as a board. Still I slept well except that at about June half past one the following morning I was awakened by a deluge of Page 124 rain. It did pour down.

24 Sunday My mileage yesterday was 73. I set off this morning soon after ten and took the main road to Northampton (which possesses trams) and turned north along the Leicester Road. I turned off the first class road at Kingsthorpe and climbed through Brampton and past Spratton to Thornby after which there was a steep descent to Welford where I crossed the Welland river. Then there was a stiff climb and another descent through Shearsby and Arnesby and Wigston Magna so that I reached Leicester at about one oclock. [sic] I bought a pound of apples and half a pound of biscuits in Leicester and shortly after leaving the town I went down a country lane and had these for dinner. Afterwards I kept on through Thurcaston, Swithland and Woodhouse and joined the main Loughborough road at Quorn. I had seen a sign directing me to Derby the other side of Leicester so I thought I’d push on in that direction and if I could, put up for the night at Belper at the same place I stayed at last year. I therefore kept to the main road from Loughborough June to Derby which latter place I reached at five o’clock. From Derby I Page 125 took the main Buxton road to Belper but was unlucky in that the place where I had intended putting up for the night was closed so I had to push on to Matlock where I succeeded in getting very comfortable lodgings. It has been a very miserable day as far as the weather is concerned. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

It commenced to drizzle soon after I left Towcester and, though it eased up after a time, it continued as a heavy mist till I reached Belper when it began to rain “cats and dogs” only finally leaving off soon after I reached Matlock. From Derby to Matlock the road was crowded with cyclists and even in Matlock itself the place was thronged with them.

25 Monday I left at about ten o’clock this morning keeping to the main Buxton road as far as Rowsley where I kept straight on to Baslow. Here I missed my route but corrected it at Stony Middleton and Eyam regaining the Hathersage road and Grindleford. The scenery round these parts is unspeakably beautiful[.] June I continued through Hathersage and Bamford to Ashopton where I Page 126 stopped for lunch (about half past one) at the place where I put up last year. After this I continued along the Sheffield road for about two miles and turned left past the Stynes Inn and between here and Penistone went across the loveliest country I’ve ever struck – barring Dartmoor. It was all continuous climbing and dropping. The hills were so steep and the bends so sharp that I thought at one time my brakes would burn out. I nearly burnt my fingers when I felt the drums. I don’t suppose, for the distance between Ashopton and Penistone, that, apart from one village near the latter, I met more than six persons – certainly none walking. From Penistone I took the main Huddersfield road to Denby Dale where I turned right for Wakefield. I passed through that town as quickly as I could and tried to fix up for the night at the village of Methley but couldn’t find the place given in the C.T.C. handbook. So I had to push on to Aberford where I was June lucky enough to be able to fix up in some most comfortable digs. Page 127 The weather has been a little milder to-day though I kept my jumper on throughout. It was very misty coming across the moors from Ashopton and what with that and the eerie silence and loneliness I was – well- frightened almost at times.

26 Tuesday After a good night’s rest I left soon after ten o’clock this morning and made straight for York stopping only to enter the above details until my pen ran out of ink at the third line down this page. Of course, I visited the minster and am sorry to say I was somewhat disappointed. It did not seem nearly so vast as I had imagined – perhaps it is a matter of proportion since the principal arches in the nave are over 100 feet from crown to floor and they certainly did not seem that. I left York just before three o’clock and took the road to Scarborough as far as Malton. For the first part It was flat and I made a good 15 m.p.h. But after that it began to get hilly and, after turning off at Malton I arrived at June Pickering soon after six. Page 128 From the last place I pushed north-east over moors and with a strong wind behind me made good progress reaching Whitby soon after eight o’clock where I put up at the “Jolly Sailors” facing the Harbour. It was most interesting coming across these moors. I didn’t meet Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

anybody till nearly halfway across when I met a man driving a large pink sow and, soon afterwards, another man with two dogs rounding up sheep for the night. Just as the moors end there is a drop of about 700 feet within half a mile – easily the steepest gradient I have ever been on. My bakes stood up to it very well as did the tyres too considering the rough nature of the road.

27 Wednesday I had the wind dead against me nearly all day. I took the road out of Whitby through Sandsend and up across the moor to Guisborough – a distance of only 22 miles but it took me fully four hours to accomplish it. I think I walked half the way. From Guisborough I decided to cross the Tees at Stockton and, if I could stand the wind, get west through Durham (county) or, if not, to work June north to Newcastle. Page 129 I got across at Stockton and, thanks to a treelined road was able to make Darlington in good time. This bucked me up quite a lot so I continued across the Great North Road (I had last crossed it at Aberford) and took the main road to Barnard Castle which I reached at about half past seven to-night. The surface of the road, I am sorry to say has not improved since I left Darlington. It appears to be tarred macadam but with a scarcity of tar – there are several holes and ridges on the road which are not conducive to comfortable riding. Stockton and Darlington have between them caused me to change my ideas somewhat about these northern industrial towns. I had always imagined that these northern counties were covered with tramlines. Instead of which I met with exactly 20 yards of tramline in Stockton and none at all at Darlington – in fact Darlington, especially its western end, is a very nice place. June Oh, what a day for biking – Rain! Rain!! and still more Rain! in fact Page 130 28 Thursday capital RAIN! It knows how to rain up here all right. I left Barnard Castle soon after ten o’clock this morning and took the main road up to Middleton-in-Teesdale. I kept on past High Force and about four miles further on turned right along a gated road to St John’s Chapel. This road is easily the most lonely I’ve been along so far. It rose, according to the map, to over 2,000 feet though I stopped and chatted with a party of men about half way along who were engaged in cutting back the grass verge and they said it only went up 1800 feet. From St John’s Chapel I went up Weardale to Wearhead where I turned right up and over another high pass to Allenhead. (incidentally as I went up I saw the main road working its way up to Killhope Pass which is the highest in England). From Allenhead was a magnificently engineered road at the side of the dale with a drop of June some varying 600-500 feet to the River Allen. It was like a terrace Page 131 between the mountains and the river. With the wind behind me I made exceptionally good speed down to the town of Allendale and so on to Hexham. I did not fancy the last town very much so I pushed back to Haydon Bridge. As it had been raining since eleven o’clock this morning you may Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

well imagine that despite my rainproofs I was pretty well soaked by the time I reached here at half-past seven. I took off my wet things and changed into dry stockings and the eldest son of the people I’m lodging with was good enough to lend me a pair of shoes for to-night. This coupled with a good fire soon put me right. I’d only had some chocolate since breakfast this morning so you may be sure I did ample justice to my tea.

June I properly overslept myself this morning. I didn’t wake up till nearly Page 132 29 Friday nine and didn’t leave Haydon Bridge till nearly eleven. I took the road to Fourstones and worked my way through to the Newcastle-Carlisle road that runs close to the Roman Wall. Here I was subject to another disappointment for the wall was more of an earthwork than the stone edifice I had imagined. It may, of course be better preserved towards Newcastle or where it is a little away from the road. However I wasn’t going towards Newcastle again so I climbed over the hills westwards towards Carlisle. Again I had the wind ahead of me and had a very tough time before I got to Greenhead. After this the going was not so bad and soon after leaving Brampton I turned south hoping to get on the Penrith road without touching Carlisle (After due consideration I have come to the conclusion that I shall have to miss out the Lake District if I June am to call in at Somerton, where Mum and Dad are, on the way Page 133 home:- Besides it avoids a nasty lot of cutting about getting out of Cumberland). In making this deviation I came through Armathwaite which I consider for prettiness in such a small space beats everything I’ve come across so far. It is on the river Eden and I think the river is most appropriately named. I reached the main Penrith road at last – it’s a proper arterial road of the new sort (or appears to be) – and have put up at Penrith for the night. And while I think of it I will try to recapitulate the scenes I have taken photographs of. I didn’t buy any films till I reached Baslow and as far as I remember the following is the sequence of photographs from then on:- Stony Middleton (over-exposed, I fear). View along the Sheffield- Manchester Road near Ashopton. One or two across the moors thereabouts. June One of the interior of York Minister Page 134 Two of the North Yorkshire Moors Two of Whitby (the last one spoilt, I think because of the film getting out of order so that I had to take it out to wind it up fully) Two views of an interior of a shelter on the road to St John’s Chapel and an outside view therefrom It was a real scorcher to-day so that my thirst went up a good deal.

30 Saturday I was not much impressed with Penrith. For one thing it is a town and for another the “Anglo-American Wall of Death” – one of those sideshows you get at a fair – had set itself up before the house where I lodged and chose last night for rehearsals before settling down for the weekend. However they packed up shortly after nine o’clock so I got to sleep pretty easily. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

I set off this morning shortly after half past nine but as the sun came out and I started climbing I was glad to remove my zipper. I climbed nearly the whole way up to Shap June Summit and then had a beautiful coast down to Kendall. From here I Page 135 took the Skipton road and after a brief climb of a few hundred feet I again coasted down to Kirkby Lonsdale reaching that place at two o’clock. I stopped and had lunch here. Then, crossing the river Lune, I rose and fell to Settle after which I had a magnificent run down Airedale to Skipton. As it was yet only six o’clock I decided to push on to Keighley but did not fancy the place at all so I pushed on to Haworth which isn’t much better but fixed up here for the night. It was eight o’clock when I arrived here and I know I’ve done over eighty miles to-day. But the streets hereabouts are not conducive to pleasure being surfaced with great setts that would make the Commercial Road seem like a carpet in comparison. And the roads take up an incline of about 1 in 6. The surface of the road over Shap Summit was also in poor condition being formed after the style of those around Barnard June Castle. Page 136 I’ve got more sunburn to-day than during the rest of my holiday – to- night I drank about a pint and a half of milk and where I stopped for lunch I drank a quart of water.

July Haworth, as I have said, is a hole. Its main street is paved with flags 1 Sunday of irregular size and is about a mile long and at an angle of about 1 in 6. The middle is lower than the two ends but that only adds to the difficulty in negotiating it. I got out of it as quickly as possible this morning and climbed over the moor to Hebden Bridge – not a bad spot until you get into it. Then I struck the tramlines – about 20 miles of them round Halifax, Elland and through Huddersfield. From Huddersfield I worked my way via the main Sheffield road round to Midhope Stones and retraced my route of last Monday back to Ashopton and put up there for the night. After supper I learnt that a dam is to be constructed across the valley and that the July villages of Ashopton and Derwent will be under water when it is Page 137 finished – in about five years’ time. This is a great pity for the valley of the Derwent, and particularly this end, is one of the prettiest dales in Derbyshire.

2 Monday I didn’t set off to-day before half past ten and took the road down to Bamford soon after which I turned right through Castleton on the Chapel-en-le-Frith road but after climbing up past the Shivering Mountain and the Blue John caves I turned off through Sparrowpit and to Buxton where I had lunch. From Buxton I climbed over the border and descended into Leek whence I took the road to Stone. The country from hereon was mostly of a flat nature and it seemed strange after so much walking uphill that I could go for more than five miles at a stretch without walking. I left the main road at Stone and passed through Eccleshall to Newport where I rejoined the main road to Wellington (Salop.) and Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

continued across July Watling Street to Ironbridge where I put for the night. Page 138

3 Tuesday Being anxious to rejoin Mum & Dad I lost no time in setting off this morning. I kept through to Bridgenorth – a real old country town – and from there took the main road through Kidderminster to Worcester – where I had my first “Snofrute” since leaving London. I then continued to Tewkesbury and Gloucester whence I took the Bristol road. I did not realise Bristol was so far from Gloucester – over 30 miles – and put up for the night at Almondsbury – abou8t 10 miles short of Bristol. The country I’ve come through to-day was most pleasant and somewhat resembled Herts. and Bucks. At Ironbridge is the first iron bridge erected in this country – I remember seeing a picture of it in Smiles’s “Life of Telford”. It is closed to vehicular traffic but can still be crossed on foot and is a very beautifully designed bridge. The weather this week has been getting more and more glorious as I go South. To-day has been rather July warm and it seems curious now that enjoyed sitting by the fire last Page 139 week both at Barnard Castle and Haydon Bridge.

4 Wednesday I set off this morning at about ten o’clock and soon reached Bristol which is like another London. I seemed to be an hour finding the Wells road and another getting into the Mendips. The hot sunshine soon made itself apparent and I was cussing my luck as regards weather all the way over the hills – there was a slight – oh! so slight – breeze from the south-west which did not help matters. However I had a three mile drop into Wells itself with an extensive view all the way down. I reached the city by three o’clock and pushed on through Glastonbury to Street whence I took the Somerton road to Littleton and after enquiry duly found Mrs. Wrench’s house. It is a pretty, little, four-roomed country cottage in which, coupled with the pleasant surroundings I wouldn’t mind living myself. July The sole of my left shoe, owing to the walking I have done during my Page 140 5 Thursday holiday, has almost come away so to-day I cycled into Glastonbury and bought a pair of shoes with crepe soles and fabric uppers similar to those I used to wear before I bought my cycling shoes. I also called in at Street and left a couple of films to be developed and printed. The day was very hot and I spent it lounging in the garden the rest of the morning. This afternoon Dad, Mum and I went for a walk round the hills at the back of Compton near a monument to a certain Sir Samuel Hood[.] The surrounding country is a lot hillier than I had supposed – I had expected it to be something like Suffolk.

6 Friday I went into Somerton to order the motor car to fetch Mum and Dad from Littleton to Somerton Station on Sunday. I’m not looking forward to setting off to-morrow especially if the wind keeps in the direction it is - east. About eleven o’clock I set off to view the July Cheddar Gorge and work my way round to Wells where I was to meet Page 141 Mum and Dad between two and three o’clock. To save time, as I thought, I went to Street and took one of the roads Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

across the moors – some moors, too; more like marshes than moors – in the direction of Shapwick and after losing myself once or twice I found myself at Meare after which the road to Wedmore was easy to pick up so that I arrived at Cheddar at half-past one. The Gorge was a disappointment at its lower end owing to the number of shops which make it appear more like a seaside town than a country village but further up and away from the crowd the scenery is certainly wonderful, the only thing spoiling it being the entire absence of water except at the bottom end. I climbed the length of the Gorge and took the road along the top of the Mendips in the direction of Wells. It was broiling hot and a strange hot breeze was coming July from the east with the result that I did not reach Wells till well after Page 142 three. I stored my bike and had dinner with Mum and Dad after which we went to the Cathedral in time to see the famous clock strike the hour of five. I must say I was disappointed in it. The clock dial is only 6’ 4½” diameter whereas I had thought it to be as big as one of those circular windows at Exeter cathedral. The jack that strikes the hours and quarters was of the size I had expected only the quarter bells seemed to have no ring left in them. The knights who joust at the hour I had expected to be in proportion to the striking jack but the horses could not have been two feet long. Still the mechanism does all I had expected of it. We left Wells at about six o’clock and visited the ruins of Glastonbury abbey which are very beautiful. It is a pity that there is not very much left of what must have been a fine building. I did 51 miles to-day all told. July I walked into Somerton this morning with Dad to ascertain the single Page 143 7 Saturday fare to London (16/9) and after due consideration both of the expense and heat and direction of wind have decided to go home by train to- morrow. I spent most of the day sitting in the garden reading, writing and playing Bézique of which Mrs. Wrench has given me the rudiments. it is an interesting game and, though somewhat hard to follow at first, seems easier and less trying to the nerves than chess. Anyway Dad and I are going to give it a good trial when we get back home. I cycled to Street and back to collect films and prints to-night else that is the only cycling I did to-day.

8 Sunday Another very hot day. We spent the morning packing up and I left at three o’clock so that I had plenty of time to get my tickets. Mum and Dad arrived at the station by car as arranged and we July caught the local rail motor car to Castle Cary. We had thought we Page 144 should have to wait here for about two hours but presently a train came in the front part of which went to Bristol whilst the rear portion went to London. We lost the Bristol part at Frome and after a tiresome wait of half an hour at Westbury so that another express could be hitched on to the front part of the train we made good speed (though it seldom rose above 70 m.p.h.) to Paddington which we reached shortly after eight o’clock. I got on the bike and rode home Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

across London via Praed Street, Marylebone Road, Portland Place, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Strand, Cannon Street, Leadenhall Street, Commercial Road, etc. arriving at 9.10 p.m. So ends my second tour. I have enjoyed it immensely and find on reckoning up that I covered 893 miles on the bike and 126 miles by train so that I have, as I set out to do, covered 1,000 miles altogether. My ideas of the North have changed considerably (for the better, let me say) though my experiences and I certainly wish to visit Northumberland and Durham again. Next year I hope to see Page 145 something of the West Country though many things will happen before then that may alter my plans. My furthest North (in my life) was near Simondsburn north of the Wall (which latter I hope really to see some day) and my greatest height (also in my life) was on that loneliest stretch of road between Langholm Beck and St, John’s Chapel – over 2,000 feet above sea-level. The bike behaved perfectly and suffered no damage apart from a broken spoke in the back wheel which I discovered when oiling up last Sunday morning at Haworth. Particularly the brakes which behaved almost perfectly – only once did I suspect burning (between Strines and Midhope Stones last Monday week) when a little oil must somehow have got on the lining of the front brake. The only source of trouble was that little Pifco lamp – it developed a squeak as I came out of Derbyshire and after I had oiled the back spring to stop the noise it continually worked its way loose till, coming down through Bristol it jumped off and I ran over it smashing it. The July battery had already long been exhausted by the rain getting through Page 146 the ventilation hole.

9 Monday Back at work again not feeling very businesslike to start with but hope to settle down shortly. The day was fine but a lot cooler than of late. When we arrived home last night we hadn’t anything to eat as a letter Mum had written Mrs. Nicholls ordering some food hadn’t arrived so she kindly let us have something to get on with for last night. I had to have my dinner out to-day as a consequence and had two “Pickins.”

10 Tuesday Those two pickins seem to disagree with me. The last seems to have returned again.

11 Wednesday Went with le to the Fish Shop for dinner. We had some showers to-day but not much rain fell.

12 Thursday Heavy rain fell for a time to-day and settled down to a drizzle during the afternoon but left off altogether in the evening. July I seem to have neglected my record of library books lately. The Page 147 ones I have out this week are: “Tono Bungay” by H.G. Wells (this for Dad who started the book while on holiday), “Reynard the Fox” by William Caxton, and “Model Steam Railway Locomotives” by Henry Greenly. 13 Friday The weather is a lot clearer to-day. Mr. Belcher, whom I don’t think I have mentioned before, is Foreman Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

Painter where I work and is greatly interested in photography and all things appertaining thereto. I tried to get a camera off him (he has a friend in the trade) before I went away but the one he was trying to get for me at the time was unavailable. To-day, I mentioned the matter to him again and he is going this afternoon to try to procure it for me. 14 Saturday I had the camera on loan to-day to try it out over the week-end. It is a “Baby Box” by Zeiss, Zeiss [blank] lens; Speeds: Instantaneous 1 (about /25 sec.), Bulb and time, Focus of lens July 5 cms.; aperture f/6·3 shutting down to f/11; the speed of the shutter Page 148 varies automatically with the width of the aperture; there is a direct view finder and until this is fully opened for use the shutter trigger cannot be depressed; it is very small and light and has holes in the base and side to enable it to be fitted to a tripod; roll films are used, 16 pictures to one film. A very good model for the price 29/-. I went down to South Kensington this afternoon to check up the names of the birds I saw whilst on tour but either I did not look in the right places or was not observant but I did not find what I wanted. Afterwards I visited the Science Museum but did not move much further than the entrance hall. I was studying locomotive drawings most of the time – they have a fine one of the L.N.E.R. 10,000 which carries a water tube boiler. I walked back across Hyde Park and caught the train at Baker Street arriving home in time to hear a good Variety including Will Hay and his scholars. July I called on Brett at nine o’clock this morning and we set off soon Page 149 15 Sunday. after half past. We were undecided as to where to go but made for Epping as a start. On the way there I gave him a fairly detailed account of my doings over the holiday. At Epping we sat down to look at the maps and eventually decided on a route which would carry us over several country lanes and land us at Tollesbury on the Blackwater estuary. We therefore took the main Ongar road as far as North Weald where we turned off up through the Lavers to Matching Green. We then turned East again to White Roding where we joined the main road to Leaden Roding and then took the lanes again to Great Waltham. We took the main road thence to Little Waltham and turned off through Terling to Witham where we crossed the Colchester road and climbed up to Tolleshunt Major and Tolleshunt D’Arcy and then descended to Tollesbury itself We arrived at about half past three and July after having lunched we watched the bathers nearby. The place isn’t Page 150 exactly on the river but near enough. The ground is mostly saltings with large deep pools between. While we were there the tide went down fully two feet. We left at five o’clock sharp and took the Maldon road back. We had a good drink at a pump just outside Maldon and crossed that town coming through Woodham Stephen and the Hanningfields to Stock whence we returned home by the usual route with the exception that instead of climbing Thorndon Park Avenue we turned north into Brentwood and came down the main road as far as Gidea Park and then worked our way through Romford. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

Owing to the stopping of my watch – nearly an hour elapsed before I discovered it – we had to put a move on to reach home before lighting-up time and I was glad to find Mum and Dad still out (they had gone to Kenton for the day) when I July arrived. Page 151 The weather to-day was just right. Not too hot. The wind was against us coming home but we made good progress. I have beaten my previous record to-day. My largest mileage for one day’s journey up to yesterday was 103 – from home to Speen and back via Barnet, etc. which I have done several times. To-day I did 108 miles.

16 Wednesday I forgot to mention that George came over last Friday and explained he was at Southend on the Saturday that I called. He and his Mother and Father went to Cromer for their holiday last Saturday, that is, the day before yesterday. I had a look at my rear wheel yesterday and found no less than three spokes were broken – at least, the heads where they are attached to the hub were broken off. To-night I took the bike to Bates’s and told them to put this matter right, true up the wheel, and tighten up the head which is a bit loose. July I also told them to fit an oiling nipple to the left pedal which has been Page 152 missing for some time – the nipple not the pedal. They say the bike will be ready to-morrow night – I wonder.

17 Tuesday I called round at Bates’s to-night and the bike was ready! They wanted to charge me 1/6 for the repairs but I pointed out that it was only ordinary wear and tear that had caused the trouble and they agreed to waive their charge. They appear to think that the hub brakes are the cause of the spokes going at that end owing to the tremendous strain put upon the spokes by the brakes – I suppose this is right.

18 Wednesday We had a thunderstorm to-night and the flashes of lightning were so vivid and near that we couldn’t listen in on the outdoor aerial. Last Sunday, while we were out, I proposed to Brett that we should go down to Speen to collect some of the fruit at “Mynthurst” that wanted picking and he came round to-night to see me about it. We finally, after due July deliberation, decided not to go as it would cost at least 3/6 to put up Page 153 for the week-end and for that sum we could buy more fruit than we would be likely to pick. Besides he goes for his holiday on the twenty- eighth of this month and wants all the money he can get for that.

19 Thursday The film of that small camera was developed for 4d. and there were 15 pictures. – I know I mucked up the first one through not being used to the shutter and clicking it several times to make sure. Dad has taken the film to work with him for one of his chaps to enlarge and print. The pictures have come out very well as far as can be seen though in one or two places spots have got on to the film probably through the presence of grit on the film rollers.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

20 Friday It was much cooler yesterday but to-day it seems to have got gradually hotter as the time went on. July. I told Mr. Belcher this morning that we should probably be buying the Page 154 camera and asked him to bring it, together with its accessories and instruction booklet, to-morrow morning (after we had seen the enlargements). Instead of which he goes out this afternoon and buys the thing which, I suppose, compels us to buy it off him also. The enlargements, on the whole, were very good. Some were spoilt by the movement of the camera when the view, etc. was being snapped. Two I took of Windmills (one at Little Waltham and one at Terling) were over exposed – due I think to my using to[o] great an opening. Otherwise they were very good and the lens has a very good depth of focus. One I took of young Brett standing by his machine was particularly clear. On the whole I do not think I have struck a bad bargain – it will be 27/- instead of 29/-.

21 Saturday Paid for the camera. Stayed in all the afternoon and evening with the exception of taking some films to be developed July - old films that have been littering the place for ages till nobody knows Page 155 exactly how old they are. They’ll probably be blanks but then only the developing will be charged if no prints are taken.

22 Sunday I got round to Brett’s house soon after eight o’clock this morning and, as he wasn’t ready, I told him I’d wait for him at Epping. He kept me waiting till eleven o’clock and made some paltry excuse about being tired or something. I had control of the route for the day and took about the miserablest one I could find. It mucked up my day completely and I little enjoyed it. I’m thankful he’s going away next week end because on my own I can do what I like on my own. And perhaps I will give him the slip when he comes back though I don’t like to do such a thing. I’m sincerely glad I didn’t tour with him. It’s not that I don’t like him but – oh, I don’t know – we don’t agree or something’s wrong somewhere. July However, I suppose I’d better give a brief outline of our route. Page 156 We went to Epping Green and turned off down a country road and thoroughly lost ourselves till we found Waltham Abbey after which we kept through Waltham Cross and Enfield to Potters Bar. Thence we turned North to Brookman’s Park and east to South Mimms whence we went via Aldenham Reservoir to Elstree and home via the once “usual route”.

23 Monday It still keeps warm. Somebody has conceived the idea of a mimic aerial raid on London so we are kept awake all night nearly by aeroplane engines kicking up the deuce of a row.

24 Tuesday To our great surprise the painters came to-day to clean and paint the outside of the house. Somebody must have injured [injoined?] the landlord in a desperate manner. The last time it was done was about ten Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

July. years ago. The British Empire Exhibition was on at Wembley, Page 157 anyway. I went round and collected the films to-night. One lot was an absolute dud. The other we had a job to identify at first but the repeated appearance of Uncle Syd’s motor cycle made it plain that they were taken in August 1932. And they are as clear as if they were taken last week.

25 Wednesday Yesterday we had a storm. It rained pretty heavily too. But not so hard as it did up in Durham that time. The drought has not necessarily broken nevertheless. To-day it is as bright as ever and, after the cooling which generally follows rain, it is becoming gradually hotter. Since we have been back from holiday, Dad and I play Bézique nearly every night. The luck is equal. Sometimes he wins for two or three nights running and sometimes I do. July. Regarding library books. I liked “Reynard the Fox” (Caxton) very Page 158 26 Thursday much and changed it for “Model Railways” (Greenly) which book I may buy some day. This in turn I changed for a “Life of James Watt” but it was not so interesting as that contained in the “Lives of the Engineers” (Smiles) that I started but never finished some time ago. I changed “Tono-Bungay” (which dad never read) by Wells for “A Knight without Armour” by James Hilton and it seems a very good novel. Also “Model Steam Engines” (Greenly) was changed for a book on Roman Britain which I have only glanced at so far.

27 Friday I went round Churchill’s this afternoon and purchased a Lucas rear acetylene lamp for the bike. I had hoped to get one that would attach to the bracket I have at the rear of my new machine but had to be content with a clip-on type. I also got some rubber clips intended to secure brake cables to the frame but which it might be possible to use to hold the rubber tubing to the bars. I tried them to-night but the experiment was unsuccessful. Page 159

28 Saturday I changed the “John Bull” rubber clips for cash and had to be content with securing the tubing with rubber bands similar to those I used before. The bands, incidentally are almost the same shade of blue as the bike so that they are not too conspicuous. I had to buy another six feet of gas tubing as, now that my front lamp is down on the fork bracket, my old tubing isn’t long enough.

29 Sunday What a relief it is to be on my own once more. I got up soon after six this morning was off by eight. Coming through Enfield, etc. last week reminded me that I hadn’t been that way for a long time so I went what I may call the “usual route[“] to Rickmansworth and Chorleywood where I turned off through Chenies and Latimer to Chesham. Chenies and Latimer are very pretty spots but Chesham is a hole – far worse than July Amersham. I turned north up Chesham Vale which is very beautiful till Page 160 I came to Cholesbury. Here there is a sort of common and with the wind blowing unobstructed right across the strength of it was enough to blow one to pieces. I rested a short while and then turned back Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

through Bellingdon to Chesham returning thence by much the same route as I had come. It is in weather conditions such as to-day’s that I begin to appreciate the lightness of my new bike. The wind was from the north-west (almost a gale) and I kept up a dogged 10 m.p.h. on the way out. Coming home I dawdled as much as I could but got home at half past seven instead of eight o’clock as I had intended[.] I did 93 miles to-day.

30 Monday The strong wind is still blowing though it is a little warmer and there are less showers than yesterday.

31 Tuesday I may as well confess. I’ve been so busy this week that I’m writing these notes next Friday July and I cannot for the life of me think of anything particular that Page 161 happened during yesterday and to-day.

August I went to the “Premier” to-night to see “Man of Aran” being a film 1 Wednesday about the life of the islanders living on Aran off the coast of Ireland. It was an exceedingly good film. The other film was “Twin Husbands” – silly, but good entertainment.

Next week-end (or beginning, rather) contains August bank holiday 2 Thursday and I’ve a mind to go for a cycle tour despite the holiday rush. I’ve been studying my Bart’s Hertfordshire map a lot lately and think I will confine myself within its limits. The wind doesn’t seem to drop off yet and last night we had some heavy rain showers.

3 Friday One thing I did forget to mention. My saddlebag has a loop which is strapped to the saddle pin and , through constant use, this loop has come away from Page 162 its lashings. So, last Saturday Mum and Dad got me a beeswaxed thread and I sewed it on again. I had to use a nail to make the holes through the leather fabric and lining of the bag and, as the barbs on the end of the cord came adrift I had to use a bodkin – two, in fact, as one broke in halves in the process.

4 Saturday I did not go on tour after all. I had a lazy mood on and thought I would save my money. I cycled over to George’s and we spent the evening mucking about with a mike on his set. When I left his house I was surprised to find my front tyre flat and, on investigation I found that the rubber of the valve had split round the shoulder of the valve spindle. By pushing the sleeving further up I was able to make the valve sufficiently air-tight to enable me to reach home. 5 Sunday A glorious day through the wind was strong and veered from south- Page 163 east to south-west. I did not get up till after nine o’clock and arranged to meet Mum and Dad near Stapleford Abbotts. I got there about an hour before they did though we started at the same time. We had lunch and I left them Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

and came home via Noak Hill and Gidea Park. I only did 32 miles all told but enjoyed it all the same.

6 Monday Again, I did not get up until late – this time at eight o’clock. I was out, however, by ten o’clock and took the usual route to Elstree where I turned off along the Watford Bypass and regained the main road out of Watford in the direction of Aylesbury. I kept through King’s Langley and Tring, at the latter turning south through Dancer’s End in an endeavour to reach Great Missenden but missed a turning near St. Leonards and found August myself at Cholesbury, where I was last Sunday week. I kept down Page 164 Chesham Vale to Chesham and then climbed over the watershed into Amersham and from there to Beaconsfield. From Beaconsfield I took the main London road via Uxbridge as far as Hyde Park which I turned into and came home thence via Westminster Bridge and the Old Kent Road, Blackheath and Woolwich. It may be remembered that about this time last year I reckoned to make this my usual route from London instead of the Commercial Road and I still agree with that idea. The road has a very good surface and despite the long way round and the climb up to Blackheath it is a much better road altogether. There weren’t many people about on the roads – at least on my way out – mainly owing to the weather. It was dull and a strong breeze was blowing from the south-east. I managed to secure one or two snaps though I had to work with the largest August stop. As I came home, of course, I had all the people with me who Page 165 had spent the week-end away from home. My mileage for to-day is 99.

7 Tuesday Back to the grind again! We had a good deal of rain to-day but towards evening it cleared up and was very close once more.

8 Wednesday I went to the Tupps to-night and saw “On the Air” a film featuring many of the best known wireless stars such as Roy Fox and his Band, Clapham and Dwyer, Davy Burnaby, Reginald Purdell, Derek Oldham, Mario de Pietro, Anona Winn, Hugh E. Wright and others. It was a very good performance. The other films weren’t bad either. I see our friend George Lacy (who, you may remember, we saw in “Mother Goose” at Daly’s the winter before last) is in a film there at the end of the week. I know Mum would like to see it.

August George came over this evening and picked up a transformer Page 166 Thursday 9. (Ferranti), an Ormond slow-motion dial and a switch (the last off the all-mains set).

10 Friday I went to the Tupps to-night and saw George Lacy in “Oh! What a Duchess” – the inimitable George – and another silly film “Four Frightened People. As far as I can remember this is the first time since we’ve had wireless (Feb. 1923) that I’ve been twice in one week to the pictures.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

11 Saturday Uncle Syd came over to-day to spend a few days with us. I went to Bates’s this afternoon and paid off another instalment on the bike and, with the money saved by not going away Bank Holiday week-end I treated myself to a cape. It cost 15/6 but is of oiled silk, guaranteed, will not crack, tear or stick and is plenty long and wide enough.

12 Sunday Weather mostly unsettled; some heavy showers and occasional thunder though, when the sun did August come out it scorched – otherwise dull and cool. Page 167 Much to my surprise Brett called for me this morning - while I was still in bed, in fact. However we managed to get clear soon after ten o’clock and took the roads across London following the Watford and Barnet Bypasses till we reached the Great North Road beyond Hatfield. We climbed up past Ayot Green and descended right into Welwyn itself which is a very charming old country town. We regained the North Road a little to the north-west and after proceeding along it for half a mile we turned east to Datchworth Green where we refreshed ourselves at a tap and where we found a whipping post on the village green that was last used in the year of the Great Plague. We continued in an easterly direction through Watton, Little Munden and north-east to Great Munden whence after climbing to 400 ft we had an easy descent into Puckeridge. Here we turned North a little along Erming [sic] Street as far as Braughing and then north- August east again to Furneaux [Furneux] Pelham where we turned south as Page 168 far as Patient End, then north-east and again east through East End to Manuden. Here was our real turning point and we kept to the main Cambridge Road through Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow and Epping. The country between Welwyn and Bishops Stortford was really lovely and I, personally, hope to be further acquainted with it before very long.

13 Monday The weather has suddenly taken a cold turn – so much has the temperature fallen that I have been glad to wear my pullover. I had a twiddle at the dials to-night but there was nothing much on.

14 Tuesday I picked up Hilversum (the low wave Dutchman) at amazing strength just before eight o’clock to-night – Poste Parisien was also very good.

15 Wednesday For the first time since I don’t know how long I saw Londoners standing about in groups looking up into the sky as I went down to the August fish shop to-day. An autogiro was hovering about. It is a new Page 169 departure by the police in connection with trying to solve London’s traffic problems. To-night I paid a visit to Bates’s to get a cap for one of my pedals. I only noticed the cap was missing on Sunday morning last. I had to file a bit off the nipple before the cap would go on tight. While I was at it I oiled the bearings of the bike and give it a wipe generally. I notice there is another spoke gone in the rear wheel through the same Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

cause. I also took the saddle off and had a go at tightening up the topmost nuts but with little success. These nuts are a real nuisance as owing to their repeatedly coming loose the loops of my Brook’s quick-release bag attachment constantly slide along the bar and make the bag hang from one point which throws a heavy strain on these loops. I shall have to get Bates’s to tighten them up and, if necessary, locknut them.

August After being chilly for the past few days the weather has begun to get Page 170 16 Thursday warm again.

17 Friday I took the saddle round to Bates’s to have the looseness put right but while I was there as they turned one of the nuts the bolt broke so that they will have to dismantle the saddle before they can put a new bolt in the other one’s place. So I left the saddle with them.

18 Saturday It is very hot to-day. Brilliant sunshine. I collected the saddle this afternoon – they made no charge – and refixed it on the bike.

19 Sunday Rather dull and looking like rain this morning. It cleared off about midday however and the sun shone brilliantly till sunset. The first quarter of the moon was also clear to-night. I got round to Brett’s house shortly after eight o’clock to find him nowhere near ready. I thought that, after the last occasion, he was improving but apparently I was mistaken. I arranged to wait for him at Epping at the same August place as before and would stay till half-past ten. I dawdled on the way Page 171 up and walked across Wanstead Park – there were about fifty people fishing in the ornamental lake there. I didn’t reach Epping town till nearly ten o’clock so I gave Brett till half past and the, as he wasn’t forthcoming, I sheered [?or shoved] off. I took the Cambridge road as far as Sawbridgeworth where I turned left through the Hadhams and then north through Furneaux [Furneux] and Brent Pelhams till I reached Langley[.] My object was to reach the highest point of Essex which I now discover from the map to be situated not far from the last mentioned place and is just over 450 feet above sea-level. One cannot see very far from the top as the surrounding country is mostly between 300 and 430 feet up. I descended into We[n]dons Ambo (curious name for a quaint little village) crossed the Cambridge road and, via Newport, turned south- east through Debden to August Debden Cross. Here I turned south-west past Sibleys (which, up to Page 172 now, I had always considered the highest point in the county – it is just over 400 ft above sea-level) to Elsenham whence I turned south through Takeley, Hatfield Broad Oak to Matching Green where I had a refreshing drink at the pump. After a little refreshment I pushed on through the Lavers to Moreton and from there to North Weald and Epping coming home by the usual route. I reached home a quarter of an hour before sunset and just in time to say good-bye to Uncle Syd who has gone home to-night. I enjoyed myself all right to-day but I will not say anything further Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

about Brett.

20 Monday George rang up this afternoon to say he had procured some sheet steel he had his eye on for the all-mains set. He called over this evening and collected the wood templates for the set. Personally, August I shall be glad to get on with the thing especially as it is only another Page 173 month now before Evening Classes recommence.

21 Tuesday I wanted Mum to go with me to the Premier to-night but as I was late home I put it off until to-morrow evening.

22 Wednesday I met Mum and Dad outside the Premier to-night and we went in and saw “Princess Charming”, a British film featuring Evelyn Laye and Max Miller. Also there was “No More Women” with Victor Maclaglen. Both films were very good, the first one a silly tale but funny.

23 Thursday The weather continues warm but with local showers.

24 Friday George rang up this afternoon to settle about our meeting to-morrow afternoon before going to the Radio Exhibition at Olympia. We arranged to meet outside the Main Entrance near the Station and, if possible he is to book up a couple of August seats for the theatre before we go in[.] Page 174

25 Saturday I met George as arranged and, after lunch, we saw the exhib. and also the theatre show. I cannot say I was particularly impressed with the exhibition – perhaps I am getting tired of radio. The show was very good however though as far as I was concerned I couldn’t see the artistes distinctly owing to the fact that I had the wrong glasses on. We heard Clapham & Dwyer, Stainless Stephen, John Rorke, and Stanelli to mention only a few. George and I reached home shortly before nine o’clock and he took with him one of my old wall telephones together with a hand set to help him with his telephone exchange.

26 Sunday I overslept this morning and didn’t get up till eight o’clock. I set off about ten o’clock and went via Khedive road to the Flats mostly to see in what direction the wind lay. I was determined to do a good long journey to-day as it marks the second anniversary (near enough) of my purchasing August my acetelyne [sic] headlamp. I had thought of going to Speen but did Page 175 not pleasurably anticipate the ride across London and when I found the wind was more or less due east I determined to have another go at Bradwell-juxta-Mare. I therefore went along the Wanstead-Southend road to just beyond Ilford road to just beyond Ilford where I turned off through Collier Row and Noak hill and North Weald to Brentwood where I refreshed myself at the fountain. Here I took the Colchester Road down the hill and turned off at Shenfield along the old Southend road as far as Billericay where I turned off through Ramsden Heath and Rettendon. I continued easterly till I came to Latchingdon and Snoreham whence I took the Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

direct route through Steeple and St. Lawrence to Bradwell. And, this time, I succeeded in finding St. Peter’s-on-the-Wall. St. Peter’s is very old. It dates back to circa 250 a.d. It was built by the Romans of Othonia as a Christian Church but after the departure of the Legions was used as a barn by the Saxons August and Danes until they were Christianised when it was again used as a Page 176 Church. After the Norman Conquest, however, it was used as a barn and it was not until 1921 that it was reused as a Church. I took a photograph of the view towards the sea from it and also one of the interior. I was informed by the lady who was in charge of the key that they have one general morning service every year conducted by the Bishop of Chelmsford and two or three special communions which are conducted by the Vicar of Bradwell. The church is of a fair size and from outward as well as inward appearance resembles a barn still though it is a big barn. I didn’t reach Bradwell till half-past five and by the time I got back to that village it was twenty-minutes past six. Now I began to appreciate the easterly wind. I made good speed along the South minster road at which place I branched off the Burnham road through Althorne whence I took the main road through Fambridge to Wickford. Here I kept to the old Southend road as far as Crays Hill August where I turned sharply left and again right along a road which runs Page 177 parallel with the Southend-Wanstead arterial road. I lit up before joining this road at Dunton Wayletts and, after some bother getting past the traffic which had somehow got blocked, I succeeded in turning off past East Horndon Station to Upminster coming home the by the usual short route Mileage for the day 99.

27 Monday The weather yesterday, but for the wind, would have been hot. Mum and Dad who had a 10d return to Upminster were directed into the wrong train where first stop was at Leigh[.] They stayed there without paying excess fare, coming home early in the evening by bus.

28 Tuesday The weather is much cooler to-day. If it gets much colder I shall have to start wearing my jumper.

29 Wed. Le’s being away on holiday I went down to August the fish shop alone – not that that is very unusual, short-handed as we Page 178 are nowadays. Started wearing my jumper to-day on account of the weather being so cool.

30 Thursday A real autumn morning. Sharp and clear but the afternoon gave rain though, fortunately, only occasional showers.

31 Friday Seem to have been up to my eyes in work this week. It isn’t often I bring the state of the office into this journal but I simply cannot help remarking that this week I have had to get through an enormous amount of work.

September - So enormous indeed that I’ve had to bring my diary home to get it Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

1 Saturday up-to-date. Apart from a brief spell last Monday I haven’t been able to look at it let alone write anything in it. I’ve been looking out a route for to-morrow. If the wind is suitable I think I’ll have a go at getting as far as Ashwell in the north of Hertfordshire.

September For a change I heard the alarm go off at six o’clock this morning so I Page 179 2 Sunday was out by eight o’clock. I took the shortest route I could find along High Street North and Romford Road to Ilford, up the side of Valentines Park to Chigwell and then through Loughton reaching the Epping road at the Wake Arms. I turned off this road before Epping and going down the Roydon road turned through Parndon to Burnt Mill where I crossed the Stort into Hertfordshire. I crossed the main road and passing Gilston I continued north along some roads marked on the map as “Unfit for Motorists” and truly so, indeed. They started as rough unmade earth roads and gradually became nothing more than paths with ruts on each side, the whole enclosed by hedges not more than five feet apart. I came out near Tye Green whence I had no difficulty in finding Much Hadham. Leaving Much Hadham, I forked left to Stanford and passed on along Erming Street to Puckeridge near which place I was much amused to see a fellow riding September an old “Ordinary” bicycle. I had my lunch near this town. Page 180 After a brief snooze I went through Great Munden and after an unsuccessful effort to locate another disused track I regained Erming Street at Buntingford. Here I again turned west through Cottered and eventually reached the main road leading to Ashwell – my destination. (Incidentally on comparing the mileage indicated on a direction post with that recorded on my cyclometer I round I should have done 55 miles before reaching Ashwell and I generally like to turn back soon after I have accomplished 50 miles). Two miles from Ashwell I crossed Icknield Street and, after climbing the local heights, dropped gently into that picturesque village. It is a charming spot with many old and quaint buildings and streets. Someday I hope to visit it again. Reluctantly I turned back, recrossed Icknield Street and climbed up about five hundred feet to a ridge whence there was a September view almost excelling the one near Speen. I turned south, after Page 181 following the ridge for about two miles, and, passing through [blank] I regained Erming Street at Reed End. Up till now I had had the wind, which was strong south-westerly, behind me but I now had to face it fully. I decided to keep to the main road as far as Puckeridge as, although the wind would impede me, yet the contour was gradually descending. From Puckeridge I turned through Stanford (which I passed at six o’clock) to Much Hadham where I turned due south through Widford and Hunsford and eventually bypassed Roydon taking the road that led me [?]ought on to the Epping road between that town and the Wake Arms. The weather had, so far, remained fairly fine though, soon after I turned back it became cloudy, but now, as I reached the Wake Arms and I lit up, I had to put on my cape and it poured with rain till I reached Wanstead. I deviated from the Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

September usual route at Wanstead, coming down Forest Road across the Flats Page 182 and through Upton Lane and Khedive Road Mileage for the day – 102.

3 Monday I’m certainly doing well in my bike mileages this year – I’m already well over the total for last year and hope to be something well over 4,000 miles before the year is out.

4 Thursday The weather continues much the same. It is dull and bright at intervals though it is a lot warmer than it was over the week-end. Indeed last Friday Mum lit a bit of a fire owing to the sudden coolness.

5 Wednesday I brought my maps (Herts. And Essex) to work to choose a route for next Sunday wondering if I could manage to visit Thaxted Church and Pleshey and Hadleigh Castles in the one day but I think I will content myself with leaving out Thaxted for the time being.

September Mum went with Mrs. Nicholls to Upminster this afternoon to see Mrs. Page 183 6 Thursday Norman’s (our washlady) new house. I meant to ring up George this afternoon and ask him how he was getting on with the super-het.

7 Friday I received a letter from Grandma to-night asking me if I would care to call on Sunday as Dunstan was there and that she would expect me to dinner – that knocks Pleshey and Hadleigh on the heads.

8 Saturday I went over to George’s this afternoon (by train for a change) and brought back the chassis for the superhet. I must compliment George on the fine way he has put it together as for the way in which he has made the various holes etc. Mum thinks it would be a good idea if I asked Dunstan over for next week end. I can meet him at Baker Street Station on Saturday and we could go to the museums and on Sunday we could go out on the bikes. September I thought I might as well kill two birds with one stone so I set off at Page 184 9 Sunday eight o’clock to have a good ride round before I went to Grandma’s. I took the usual route to Wanstead intending to cross the Lea at Waltham Abbey and have a cruise around Hertfordshire before making for Kenton but, in Woodford, I fell into conversation with a fellow cyclist bound for a place halfway between Ely and March in the Fen country and I did not part from him till we reached Potter Street, beyond Epping. Now there was a strong southwesterly wind blowing so that I received the full benefit and, to cap it all, I had forgotten to bring my map. I succeeded in making , Waltham Abbey, Waltham Cross and Enfield before I had to ask the way but after that I don’t exactly know where I went. Somewhere near New Barnet, Totteridge, Mill Hill and Edgware but it was nightmarish and I didn’t expect to reach Grandma’s before three o’clock[.] What a pleasant surprise it was, then, to Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

September find when I reached there, that it was a good deal before one o’clock – Page 185 my cyclometer registered 48 miles since I had left home! After dinner Dun and I went for a walk. Not much country but mostly building estates around these parts – a sort of glorified, unfinished Becontree. I invited Dun over for next week end and he seemed only too pleased to accept. We made arrangements to meet outside a particular entrance to Baker Street Station next Saturday as near one o’clock as possible. I left Grandmas shortly after eight o’clock having lit up before I started. I had to come home via Elstree and Enfield as there was an anti-Fascist meeting taking place in London and I did not want to get mixed up in that. I arrived home shortly after eleven o’clock. Mileage for the day 77.

10 Monday A rather curious thing happened last night which I am at a loss to explain. Just before reaching Barnet my lamp ran short of September water and I had to refill at a roadside drinking fountain. Now, apart Page 186 from about an hour’s use of the lamp last week-end, I had only been using it about another hour by the time I reached Barnet and I know that, with the lamp turned fully on, I generally have three hour’s supply of water when the lamp is full (I had not troubled to refill the lamp to its full capacity this week-end). So I cannot understand how the remaining water got out – certainly not by evaporation.

11 Tuesday I’m trying to think of a route to take Dun by next week-end. Havering we must go to. I’d like him to see the King’s Head at Chigwell too. I mustn’t make the route more than about thirty miles or the poor chap will be tired out before he reaches home.

12 Wednesday More definite ideas about the route for Sunday and perhaps an extension through South Weald. The way up could take in Wanstead Park, Chigwell, Lambourne End, Havering, Noak Hill, South Weald and the way home via September Nag’s Head Lane and Hornchurch so that we could get along the Page 187 Bypass before the homecoming traffic really started.

13 Thursday I’d never thought the choice of this route could be so hard. There are so many spots even within such a short distance that a stranger ought to see but which cannot be put on one circular tour that I am at a loss exactly which to touch.

14 Friday I think my final choice lays with the route indicated under Wednesday’s entry with a possible return via Brentwood and Warley. However, we’ll see how we go.

15 Saturday Met Dun as arranged and we walked over Hyde Park and visited the Science Museum at South Kensington. I must pay it another visit shortly – there are many interesting additional exhibits and, in the transport section at least, the exhibits have been more up –to-date. There are Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

September several gear boxes in the motor section which are very interesting. Page 188 We came home by bus from the Marble Arch arriving soon after eight o’clock.

16 Sunday Arose at half past eight and Dun and I were off by ten o’clock. We took the usual route to Wanstead Park and walked by the lake and so down and out the other end crossing the Southend road turning past the Red House till we came to Woodford Bridge. Here we took the Ongar road through Chigwell to Abridge. As Dun had been making better time than I had expected he would I changed course drastically and we followed the course of the Roding along its north bank to Passingford Bridge and then turned off a little way up the Ongar road to Shanks Mill whence we went via Stapleford Abbots to Havering. We had dinner on the green by the stocks. Here we consulted the map and as Dun wanted to see I took him through Lambourne End, Abridge (again) to Theydon September Bois where we left the road and, half riding, half walking, made over Page 189 way through the Forest to the Wake Arms. It was lovely in the Forest with hardly anybody about. From the Wake Arms we went to High Beech and down past Turpin’s Cave coming up the other hill past High Beech Church where we again left the road for the forest eventually reaching the main road near Woodford whence we came home on the usual route. We got home about seven o’clock having done 43 miles. Dun says he enjoyed it though he is a little saddle-sore.

17 Monday As we came home yesterday Dun had a puncture in the back tyre but it was soon located and mended. He went down to Woolwich to-day to see the Docks and Mum took him through Central Park to East Ham Town Hall where they very kindly got me a prospectus for the East Ham Tech – Enrolments this week. September It is a pity Dun cannot stay any longer but he is expected home to- Page 190 18 Tuesday morrow. By the way, I don’t think I mentioned the fact but his family have moved from Claxton to Cheswardine in Shropshire – not far from Eccleshall which I passed through on the tour. I met Dun outside the main entrance of Selfridges to-day at lunch time and we had a fish dinner at the Fish Shop. Afterwards I bade him “au revoir” and he went off in the direction of Gamage’s to do some shopping.

19 Wednesday As Dun has gone back I suppose I must ask George over for next week-end so that we can get on with the new set. I tried to get him on the ‘phone this afternoon but instead of asking for his extension number I merely asked for the “Traffic Department” and heard nearly every other department in the C.W.S. apart from his. So I rang off in disgust. I must write to him.

20 Thursday Wrote to George S. is away on holiday this week which leaves us very short staffed. I am in his office and have to get there at eight o’clock every Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

September morning. It saves me 2½ d every day (paying for a tram up to the Page 191 station and a ticket through the barrier) and so far I’ve reached the office about ten minutes before time. I get pretty hungry by the time twelve o’clock comes along and there is so much extra work to do that by the time I reach home I’m tired out. The arrangement was that I should leave half-an-hour earlier but so far I’ve only done that on Monday. I shall apply for overtime for the rest.

21 Friday Autumnal Equinox and Harvest Moon. I wish now I hadn’t asked George over the week-end. This continual tiredness of a night and early morning rush is running me down. I’d like to get out of town during the week-end. Hooray! George has just rung up to say that he cannot come over this week-end (to my secret joy) as he has some concrete to do before the wet weather sets in.

22 Saturday A dismal day. Started very dull and towards lunch time turned to drizzle - heavy September drizzle too. Page 192 I had meant to go out on the bike this afternoon but I’m not keen on getting soaked. However, I got the lamp cleaned ready for to-morrow when I propose doing the Hadleigh-Pleshey trip.

23 Sunday I rose early this morning and was off by just after eight o’clock. I took the usual short route to Hornchurch remembering as I went through Becontree Heath that I had meant to have taken a shorter route via Rainham[.] I passed Hornchurch Church at nine o’clock, turned down Hacton Lane, through Corbets Tye and North Ockendon across the Fen to Bulphan and up Langdon Hills. There wasn’t much to be seen of the view as there was too much haze though the sky was brilliantly clear. I soon reached Vange and, after about five miles of the Southend road, I came to Hadleigh. There is about as much left of Hadleigh Castle as of Glastonbury Abbey – just the outlines with a few pieces of masonry still standing to show its former glory. There is a wonderful view, however, across the Thames marshes though this morning it was too hazy to see far. September Even so, Thames Haven and could [be] made out with Page 193 the greatest of ease. I turned my back on Hadleigh shortly after eleven o’clock and took a northerly direction to Rayleigh. Seeing this on the map reminded me there was a castle here once upon a time and maybe there would be some ruin. I searched in vain. I found the site – still called Rayleigh Mount – but nothing apart from the mound and moat was left. There was a large brick-built windmill on the top. I therefore continued along the main Southend Chelmsford road only deviating at Rettendon to find a quiet spot where I could eat my lunch. I turned off at Great Baddow, where the road turned sharply north- west, so that I might bypass Chelmsford and continued till I came to a marvellous ford over the that is really unfit for anything short of a horse and cart to cross. I went over the footbridge and shortly afterwards crossed the Roman Road near Springfield Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

September whence I kept to the byroads and, crossing the Braintree road at Little Page 194 Waltham, and the Dunmow road soon after, I reached Pleshey about four o’clock. I didn’t stay long at the Castle as time was getting on and I had a roaring wind from the south-west in front of me. I dodged about, finding my way through Good Easter and so through Berners Roding and the Willingales to Norton Heath and Blackmore where I put some water into my lamp and had a spot to eat. Then I continued through Kelvedon Hatch, lost myself round the back of Navestock Heath, and finally discovered Stapleford Abbotts whence I came home the usual route via Lambourne End, Woodford Bridge and the Red House. Total mileage for the day – 92.

Monday Having registered on Thursday last I started at Night School to-night 24th. (7-9.30). I managed to get off early from work and so had tea before I went. Construction III was on September to-night but we didn’t do much – only some squint corners in English Page 195 and Flemish brickwork.

25 Thursday It has been considerably cooler lately. One of those “Equinoctial Gales” we hear so much about is raging at the present time – a very gusty one too. On Sunday I had it mostly behind me till I reached Pleshey and, luckily, it eased up a little towards sunset.

26 Wednesday Evening Classes again to-night. Building Science II this time and a better man than young Rawles whom we had last year. It seems that we shall begin to learn something more useful this year. The only snag is that we have to fork out quite a lot of money in books though the bloque we had to-night says we needn’t get a text book if we don’t wish to. But he advises is [us] to get one at 4/6 and also a ? sale – 3/9 upwards – We settled down to work after a few preliminaries and took “Stresses” September Another Night School class – Builders’ Quantities I. This is the real Page 196 27 Thursday stuff and, according to the blighter who teaches us, means real hard graft. He is a most amusing fellow – something after the style and build of the chap we had in Elementary Maths. at the West Ham Tech. I think I shall like him anyhow, though I’ve not much fault to find with the whole bunch. Expenses for this class are rather high – text book 10/- and another, though not so essential, book 10/6 (though for the last we can get a 50% reduction as we are students).

28 Friday One of my free nights – Tuesday is the other (part from the week- end). I went to the Premier to see Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn in “A Cup of Kindness” – very good with the greatest amount of action I have seen put into a film of ordinary length. With it was a “Cavalcade of the Movies” – an essentially American show but very good – dealing with the progress the moving pictures made from the very beginning down to the September invention of the “Talkies”. Page 197

29 Saturday I’ve been reading a very good book on Essex which has fired me with a greater love and respect for the County than I had before – if Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

that be possible and I have decided to try to get to Castel Hedingham to-morrow though it is somewhere near 50 miles away. Unfortunately, all question of this is knocked on the head because George chose this week-end of all times to come over and get on with the super.-het. So I spent the evening in getting the jacks out of the old set for incorporation in the new

30 Sunday A glorious day, of course, and I had to stick indoors and help George with the super. het. Still, we made good progress and by the time we packed up we had everything mounted except four condensers. George may pop over during the week to have another go at it. October We took courses of brick flues and stacks in English and Flemish Page 198 1 Monday. Bond at Night School to-night. Williams, the teacher, informs us that we shall want an advanced Mitchell’s textbook which will cost half a guinea.

2 Tuesday Completed my homework for to-morrow night. Sunday was the only fine day we’ve had for the past few days. The others have been mostly showery though, at times, it has settled down to a steady drizzle.

3 Wednesday More Stresses to-night. Further notes too. I bought four notebooks at Woolworths for 1/- for this class and they really are very good for the money. It certainly doesn’t seem worth while paying 1/3 for a single note book which is the price of this volume. Only, of course, this will probably last longer and certainly holds more.

October. To-night we started learning the processes of quantities and gave Page 199 4 Thursday much attention to “squaring”, “timesing” and “dotting on.” We were given a few examples for homework.

5 Friday Did the Construction part of my homework. The only day this week that it didn’t rain – during the daytime of course. The evenings begin to draw in quickly now and Summer Time ends to-morrow.

6 Saturday I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve been as much as a fortnight behind with this journal. Last Sunday week was the last time I wrote anything in it and that was when I was having lunch at Rettendon. To-day I’m happy to say I’ve been able to get it up-to-date again.

7 Sunday I had meant to ignore the finishing of Summer time and get up at the usual time October which, of course, is 5 a.m. G.M.T. but it was so dark that I [?]miked Page 200 the other hour and rose at 6. I set off soon after eight o’clock and took the usual route up through Havering, Passingford Bridge and Ongar to Fyfield where I left the main road turning through Berners Roding and Aythorp Roding crossing Stane Street to High Easter. From here I was on strange country and I passed through Hounslow Green to North End and Felsted – the last seems principally to consist of a school. From here Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

I continued in a generally north-easterly direction (heading for Castle Hedingham) passing close to Broomfield and at last reaching Shalford. Up till now I had a roaring wind behind me and I was a little nervous about the return journey[.] This can be better understood when I say that the north of Essex is very open with very few hedges and not many trees while the roads are nearly level with the fields (a little higher than them mostly) and with no obstruction a good wind can nearly blow one’s ears off. I was also mixed up by the change of the time and after proceeding a little longer after Shalford October. I decided to return. Page 201 I took the quickest way into Braintree and crawled along Stane Street a few miles before turning into Felsted where I was agreeably surprised by seeing the time was only half past three. I had a puncture in the rear tyre at North End but I soon mended this and proceeded by the way I had come turning off soon after High Easter through Leaden Roding and Abbess Roding to Moreton whence I came home via North Weald and Epping. I reached home at half past eight having done 93 miles.

8 Monday This dinner hour I went down to Saddlers Wells theatre to get a programme and, if possible to book seats for “Die Fledermaus” (Strauss) but there isn’t one that will fit in with my evening classes till November. At Night School to-night we took an elevation of a chimney stack through three floors with all fireplaces together with details at each floor – all done in 4” scale which is October a great eye strain when one comes to try to measure 2¼” accurately. Page 202

9 Tuesday This evening, whilst coming home, I had to deliver a letter in Lower Regent Street and I took the opportunity of walking across the Mall and Trafalgar Square to Charing Cross. The sun had not long set and the pale blue light reflected by the stonework of the Admiralty was almost spectral. I quite enjoyed it. I spent the evening in getting my homework prepared for to-morrow and Thursday nights.

10 Wednesday Started on Strains to-night – this science is very dry. The chap that teaches us seems to be constantly referring to books in all that he says.

11 Thursday Quantities to-night. I’m sorry to say I only got two out of ten for my homework – rushed it on Tuesday, of course, and trying to listen to a play at the same time.

12 Friday Did my homework for next week to-night, [?]ing October greater care than before. Page 203 The weather this week has been very damp and muggy though the south-west wind has been going it hammer and tongs.

13 Saturday Took Mum to the Premier to see George Robey in “Chin Chin Chow” Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

and didn’t think much of it – not that I expected anything of a very high standard. The accompanying picture was also tripe.

14 Sunday As the wind was high from the north west I determined to go towards Buckinghamshire for a change. I set off at half-past eight and took the usual route to Enfield but, instead of turning off through Hadleigh Common I kept straight up against the wind to Potters Bar. Here I crossed the Great North Road through South Mimms, Shenley and Radlett to Aldenham where I took the Watford by-pass facing the wind. This wind was so strong that it was all I could do to keep moving at all. I turned off the main road just before it joined the Kings Langley road from Watford and kept through October Hazelwood on the east side of the Grand Union Canal through Kings Page 204 Langley and Hemel Hempstead after which I followed the railway line till I had to cross the main road at Bourne End. I climbed up to Bovington and Leyhill Common, descended into Chesham and again rose through Chartridge and round the north of The Lee coming down to the main Aylesbury road at a place marked on the map as Little London. Here, seeing I was only a mile from Wendover I proceeded to that place and then turned along the Upper Icknield Street as far as Ellesborough where I turned back past the Chequers Court to Great Hampden. Passing within two miles of Speen I free-wheeled with the wind dead behind (wasn’t it cold too!) to High Wycombe whence I took the main road through Uxbridge and London home arriving at about half-past eight. There was tons of traffic on the road from High Wycombe. Mileage for to-day was 102.

15 Monday I grumbled enough on the smallness of the scale we October used at last Monday’s Construction but to-night we got down to ⅛ Page 205 scale! And they expect you to get down to eighths of an inch in it! We had a fresh supply of drawing boards and T-squares to-night with paper of corresponding size – about twice the size of the old and on it we have to use these small scales!

16 Tuesday We are doing the plans of a small house, though much larger than 142, Kingsland Road, in Construction and to-night I finished mine off as best I could. They only occupy a small amount of the seemingly vast amount of paper (which, by the way, drowns my drawing board) but the idea is to fill up the rest with sections and elevations.

17 Wednesday To-night we mucked about finding the strains set up in a length of steel wire when subjected to various stresses but although we heaped on about 40 lbs we did not succeed in finding the elastic limit let alone breaking point of the wire.

18 Thursday We spent most of to-night learning how to reduce brickwork and received a goodly portion of homework on the subject. Page 206

19 Friday Mum has been invited over to Grandma’s for the week-end so Dad Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

and I are on our own. You may remember that I have not been using my watch since a little while after I returned from holiday as the freewheeling action occurs in both directions when attempting to wind it. Dad got hold of the watch tonight and, after knocking out sundry lumps of loose metal including a tiny bolt that took a deuce of a time for us to get back, we tightened up all the bolts that were loose and lo and behold! the thing is O.K.

20 Saturday I asked George over this afternoon and we finished fixing the rest of the condensers, etc. under the baseboard of the super-het. At the power stage end it is a proper wangle as the whole of the available space seems to be covered by transformers, choke and condenser on one or other side of the baseboard.

21 Sunday I was thinking of arranging my trip to-day October so that I could call in at Kenton to-night so that I could see Mum Page 207 before she came home. But I decided that two Sundays running with routes across London is more than enough. So I went east and visited a place I’ve often longed to see – Foulness. I took the shortest route to Southend, namely via Barking Bypass to Wennington, then, off the main road, towards North Ockendon, across the Fen to Bulphan, over Langdon Hills (where there was a cyclists hill climbing meeting) and down to Vange and by main road the rest – distance saved is 4 miles. This is the first time I’ve been to Southend this year. I continued along the promenade to Shoebury and turned off through Great Wakering. Now, on my map is laid out only what is known as the Broom Way – a road across Foulness Sands about a quarter of a mile from the land and only accessible at low tide. But I found a military road along which pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to pass but not mechanically propelled vehicles and this I took to its end October at Fisherman’s Head which is also at the end of the Broom Way. The Page 208 country is the flattest I have ever seen even including the Fens. The highest point is on the sea wall which is about ten feet above sea level though I believe at least one place on Foulness Island rises to 9 ft. above sea level. The tide was going down when I reached Fisherman’s Head (it goes out about five miles altogether) and after I had eaten my lunch (and had a nap) I walked out along the Broomway nearly as far as where it turns to run parallel with the shore. The sand is real sand – not like the mud at Southend – though ones feet sink in it a little. I had no end of a job to ride a bike along it though I am informed that army lorries frequently pass along it. There was a good, strong, southwesterly wind blowing and it blew hard across the flats. I left Foulness itself soon after half-past two and came back along the military road as far as Great Wakering where I turned off through Little Wakering to and eventually reached the Crouch at Creeksea. I crossed by Creeksea Ferry Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

October (I was charged ninepence) and came the shortest way home, that is, Page 209 by way of Fambridge, Wickford, Dunton, East Horndon and Upminster. I had that good, strong wind dead ahead most of the way and did not arrive till nine o’clock exactly. As I lilt up at about five- thirty, I reckon I just about had enough water in the lamp to last out. Mileage for to-day – 104.

22 Monday Spent the whole of 2½ hours in drawing part of a section through this house in Construction to-night. Over the week-end there is going on a great air race in connection with the Centenary celebrations at Melbourne, Australia. About twenty aeroplanes started last Saturday at dawn and there has been the greatest excitement and interest aroused everywhere. The Mollisons got as far as Baghdad in the first day but have since had trouble with their undercarriage and may have to withdraw from the race. Meanwhile, Scott (who is an Essex man) and Black have reached Darwin Australia in four hours over two days. October Scott and Black arrived at Melbourne this morning and a Dutch air Page 210 Tuesday 23 liner carrying three passengers and calling upon the Dutch colonies round about Batavia is expected to arrive second. Did my homework to-night. Our bloque for to-morrow night told us last Wednesday that he would teach us how to use a slide rule to-morrow night so to-night I bought one from Wilson and Whitworth’s by East Ham Station for five shillings. After homeworking I tried to learn something about it from the instructions supplied.

24 Wednesday He didn’t even say the words “Slide rule”. Anyhow I’m beginning to grasp the principles of the thing. We had reactions (at least, not us, but were taught something about reactions) to-night. This is most dry.

25 Thursday Started on measuring for excavations. All the mensuration one learnt at school seems to be the hardest way of doing things compared with the short cuts this bloque teaches. We had a whole trench excavation set for homework with October umpteen returns mixed in with it. Page 211

26 Friday I’ve been reading about Essex again, a more comprehensive book this time and, what is more, I’ve found out where the Bartlow hills are (or were). So on Sunday I make for the North West Corner of Essex (all being well) and have a look for these singularly constructed burial mounds. I have read in several books that they were cut up by the Great Eastern Railway but I hope to find some vestiges of them surviving.

27 Saturday I spoke too quickly about my wristwatch for the winding gear slips again to-day and I cannot wind the watch at all.

28 Sunday I left home about half past eight this morning and took the shortest route through Ilford and Chigwell, along the Ongar road, turning left in Stanford Rivers to Toot Hill and crossing the Ongar-Epping road at Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

Bobbingworth. From here I kept roughly north through Moreton and Matching Green (where I stopped for a drink and filled my lamp at the Page 212 same time), Hatfield Broad Oak and crossed the Stane Street at Takeley Four Ashes. From here I turned north east through Broxted and Thaxted to Great Sampford (near which I had lunch) and turned north-west almost to [blank] and then north through Ashdon to Bartlow. I was very much disappointed. According to old prints one would imagine that the Bartlow Hills lay in open country but I was chagrined to find that a young forest surrounded them[.] The also appear to be inaccessible as the north side is flanked by the railway and the south by somebody’s private park. I didn’t see anybody I could ask. However I believe I saw the top of one of the hills from the Church but that was poor consolation for having come so far. Up till the present I had had the wind behind me and it was a wind too! I was scared about facing it directly on the homeward journey so I made my way into Cambridgeshire with the intention of working a little more westward and so having the wind more crossways on. October I therefore took the road north-west through Linton almost to Page 213 Pampisford where I joined the road that leads to Royston. I turned off this to Duxford seeking shelter from the wind further up the hillside but instead found it more exposed than ever. However I got through to Chrishall where I found more sheltered roads, crossed that gently sloping valley that goes down to Wendens Ambo, and climbed up to Langley. From here I came home, greatly sheltered by the wind which dropped off a good deal as the day drew to a close, by way of the Pelhams and Hadhams, through Widford and Roydon to Epping. It was a glorious, sunny day though at home they say it was mostly dull. My lamp developed trouble from Roydon onwards and I had to come home using about twice as much water as I usually need. I think some grit has got into the valve and blocked it to some extent. My mileage for the day is the largest for a single day I have ever done – 110 - October beyond a touch of cramp near Roydon I didn’t notice any ill effects. Page 214

29 Monday While I was out yesterday there was a bit of a calamity at home. The three foot square speaker which was hanging on the wall in the front room suspended by a string suddenly descended frightening Mum nearly out of her wits and Dad almost so and in the progress of its descent trying to demolish a fire screen and the unfinished super- het. One of the tuning coils of the latter was knocked sideways but until I have time to examine it thoroughly I cannot say exactly how much damage was done. The larger diaphragm of the speaker was torn too. At Evening Classes to-night we did some more to the house.

30 Tuesday By contrast with yesterday and Sunday to-day is exceedingly cold. Cold enough for snow, I think. Really wintry weather.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

October It was colder still to-day – only eight degrees about freezing point Page 215 31 Wednesday during the morning. At Night School we started on Bending Moments.

November It remains very cold. 1 Thursday We had a really hard lot of homework set last week in Quantities – needless to say mine was far from right. And for next week it is even harder still.

2 Friday I went down to Ingersoll’s this lunch time and left my wristwatch to be repaired[.] 4/6 they are charging, C.O.D. I’ve caught up with this diary once more after being a week behind. The reason is that I am so busy at work owing to the shortness of the staff and at home with homework that I have to write up this journal when I can make time. It will probably be noticed that for a few weeks I’ve been using an ordinary pen instead of this fountain November pen and the reason is that I forgot to bring the fountain pen to work on Page 216 one or two occasions. The diary is mostly in my attaché case nowadays so that I have it with me whenever I get time to write it up. Before I forget it I may as well record that for the four cycle rides I did last month I averaged 102 miles. That is the biggest average yet and I don’t suppose will be exceeded. Anyhow I don’t intend to try. The cycle exhibition is being held next week which is about time. I want another pair of straps for the quick release of my bag. I made brief mention that Australia had been reached by Scott and Black by air in little over two and a half days. Now comes the news that Cathcart Jones and Ken. Waller have done the return journey, that is, to Melbourne and back, in 13½ days.

3 Saturday Had a mind to try to get in Sadlers Wells this evening but having a bath put me off as it was too late before I was dressed again. November I gave my acetylene lamp a thorough cleansing with hot water till it Page 217 fairly steamed inside and out. It ought not to give much trouble now though, I fear, there is still some grit in the water container.

4 Sunday I hadn’t made up my mind as to which way I should like to go when I set off this morning. I had thought of making for the Chilterns but the wind had gone right round to the east during the night so I was in a quandary. Anyhow, I thought I’d go to Epping first as that is a pretty central point for choosing a route. On the way up I bethought I might have a look at the prehistoric camp in the Forest known as Ambersbury Bank and located it by the aid of my map with comparative ease. I cannot say I was particularly struck with it though it is certainly of large size. Afterwards I struck off through the forest, keeping roughly parallel to the main road which I rejoined near Ivy Chimnies [sic]. I turned off before reaching Epping along the November Roydon road and again at Parndon near which it began to rain. I put Page 218 on my cape hoping it would soon leave off and in doing so I could not, of course, refer to my map as constantly as I might otherwise have done so that I found myself back at Roydon again. However I crossed the Stort and followed the Lead and New river to Ware though it Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

seems ages since I have been along these roads. As the rain seemed to be settling in I considered whether or not it would be as well to turn back home but I decided to push on for a bit at least. I therefore took the Erming Street through Wadesmill and High Cross (near the last I had dinner sitting on the side of the road in the rain) and then turned off through Hadham cross (the fords are most running again) and so eventually reached Sawbridgeworth. Frome here, as the wind had dropped and the rain seemed likely to ease up, I turned through Hatfield Heath to White Roding, south through Abbess Roding and east again almost to the Willingales but kept to the Roxwell road. Actually this is the first time I’ve been through Roxwell village itself and a November very charming one I find it. From here was but short step to Page 219 Chelmsford and I had to light up near the station. I wasn’t very keen on coming home via the main road through Ingatestone so I took the Writtle road and turned off through Highwood Quarter to Blackmore. The night was very dark – low clouds obscuring the stars (there was no moon) – and what with the misty rain and the fact that the spotlight from my lamp was somehow projecting upwards instead of down on the road I made those eight miles between Writtle and Blackmore at a very slow pace. However I adjusted the bearing of the lamp at Kelvedon Hatch and was able to see more clearly afterwards. By the time I reached Brentwood I had had enough of dark country road so I kept to the main road as far as Romford whence I came home by the usual route.

5 Monday We are getting very fed up now with this house in construction and the absurd amount of detail we are supposed to show on such a small November scale. Page 220

6 Tuesday I spent the evening in altering the H.F transformer on the set in use so that the H.T. ran through it on its way to the S.G. valve and in separating this potential from the aerial had to introduce a condenser that has made tuning in three valves a little too selective. Still we’ll see how it goes a day to two before we alter it back again.

7 Wednesday More practical experiments on beams, loads and bending moments at classes to-night.

8 Thursday A great deal of quantities for excavation formed the homework this week and, I’m pleased to say, I was mostly correct. For next week we have to abstract our taking off and bill the results While I think of it I might as well state with regard to the London to Melbourne Air Race that Scott and Black were entitled to both the time and handicap first prizes but, November since they were not allowed both the first prize in the handicap went to Page 221 the Dutch Douglas Air liner that was only a few hours behind them. The second speed prize went to a couple of American airmen whilst the second handicap prize went to an English youth of 21 yrs named Melrose who actually did the trip in about five days riding solo!

9 Friday This evening I altered the H.F. transformer of the set to what it was Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

previously but kept another prefixed condenser in the aerial-lead insofar as it controlled the three valve working so that it is more selective on three valves than originally and still comfortable on four.

10 Saturday I went to Olympia this afternoon to see the Cycle Show. I spoke to Brook’s about my quick release gear’s not working satisfactorily and they are going to write to me about it. I Picked up several lists of accessories in which I am interested, notably a catalogue November of the parts and methods of assembly and dismantling of Sturmey Page 222 Archer gear and brake hubs which will come in very useful. I have decided that over the Christmas holiday I will dismantle the bike and get clean and fixed up properly for 1935.

11 Sunday Armistice Day. I was very late starting this morning – I didn’t leave home till just before ten o’clock. I took the usual route to High Beech and thence to the Wake Arms where I turned west to Waltham Abbey and Cross. Here I kept to the main road as far as Broxbourne where I turned off west again till I came to Little Berkhampstead. From here was an easy descent through Essendon almost to Hatfield which I bypassed and after crossing the Great North Road I was not long in reaching Wheathampstead. It may be recollected that so far my route was November identical with that I traversed on the first day of my 1933 tour. Page 223 At Wheathampstead I turned slightly south-west and climbed up to Bowling Alley whence I descended almost into Harpenden and having crossed the main road made for Redbourne. Here I crossed Watling Street and climbed up to Gaddesden Row whence there was a typical Bucks road up to [blank] From here it was but a brief climb into Whipsnade where I skirted the Zoological Park but, apart from a moose and one or two mountain goats, I did not see any animals. I descended a terrific hill to Icknield Street and, I daresay, the view from the hill on a clear day is worth seeing but it was very misty as I descended. I kept alond [along] Icknield Street round the foot of Ivinghoe beacon and then took a road that cut out Tring and crossing the main road I found myself, after a little climbing, at the head of Chesham Vale. As November the sun had now set and I had not any water in my lamp I put my best Page 224 foot forward to reach Chesham before lighting-up time. However, to save a repeat performance of the Romford business I dismounted as soon as I reached the lighted streets and walked into the town (perhaps it was as well that I did so as I met a policeman on the way). I filled up my lamp and my tummy and having lit the lamp I took the road past Flaunden to Cheynies [Chenies] where I joined the main road to Rickmansworth – they have built a new bypass to this town since I was last there. From Rickmansworth I soon reached Watford and came down the bypass to London coming home by the usual route. I arrived just after nine o’clock. Mileage for to-day 103.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

12 Monday A miserable day – rain in drizzle most of the day cold with it. Quite like old times at Evening Classes November to-night when we went back to 1” scale to draw a detail of a manhole Page 225 for this same house.

13 Tuesday Coming through Aldgate on Sunday I found my back tyre had gone flat. I wasn’t keen on repairing it there so I managed to get as far as Trinity Church, Canning Town before it wanted blowing up again[.] To-night I had a look at the tyre and after a lot of bother which necessitated taking out the whole of the inner tube I located a beauty. I repaired it.

14 Wednesday Started on shearing stresses to-night together with shearing diagrams. I find my rear tyre is flat again which is, to say the least, vexing.

15 Thursday We brought a plan home from night school to work out the taking off up to dampcourse level a nasty thing with some chimney breasts in 4½” walls which will want some working November out. However S. has helped me quite a lot with a good few points. Page 226

16 Friday George came over to-night so I didn’t get on with the puncture. I am going to try to get in Sadlers [sic] Wells to-morrow to see the first performance of “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss so I shan’t have much time to see to the puncture so Dad has offered to do it for me.

17 Saturday I went without my usual sleep in order to mend that puncture. To save time I took the rear wheel right out and having located the hole soon put it right. I noticed that the plate at the side of the expanding brake was wobbly so I took it off and took the brake shoes out and was astounded to find a lot [of] oil in the drum. I carefully wiped it dry and reassembled the brake and afterwards put the wheel back into place I set off for Islington at about five oclock. I took a return on the bus to Aldgate and did the rest of the journey by tram changing November at City road. There was an immense crowd waiting to go in the Wells Page 227 but I attached myself to the rear of the Pit queue and, after waiting about an hour, got in. I had to stand and was among the last five to be admitted. 1/6 I had to pay and was inside by seven o’clock. The performance was worth the trouble it was excellent. Tudor Davies took the part of Eisenstein and he and [blank] who took the part of the Governor of the prison romped about like a couple of schoolboys. Powell Lloyd was also in it but had very little to do. I didn’t get home till close on midnight.

18 Sunday I was so late and so tired going to bed last night that I didn’t hear the alarm this morning. I eventually got away by half-past nine. I went a shorter route to Havering and unlike most short routes I think I will make it a “usual” route. It differs from the old in that instead of going through Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

November Romford I turn left at Becontree Heath, cross the Romford road at Page 228 Chadwell Heath and the Southend road a little further north and come through Collier Row to the foot of Havering Hill. I suppose I save a mile or so. I turned off at Stapleford Abbots along to Navestock Heath, crossed the Brentwood-Ongar road at Kelvedon Hatch, went round a little south of Blackmore and took the road to Writtle along which I had lunch, basking in the sunshine for it was a beautiful day. I turned off the main road near Chelmsford and almost reached Chignall Smeally before I turned again through Broomfield, crossed the Chelmer and went along its valley to Little Waltham. From here I headed for Terling but missed the road and eventually crossed the Colchester Road near Boreham after which I climbed up through Little Baddow to Danbury. I stayed a little looking for Danbury Camp which appeared to be in accessible and then put my pest pedal forward through West Hanningfield to reach Stock so that I could November fill up my lamp. I had to pump a good bit before I got the water to Page 229 come up. From Stock I came by the usual route (though I haven’t been along it for some time) as far as Warley where I turned left, crossed the Southend Road and reached Upminster at about six o’clock where I called on George. I hadn’t meant to stop long, especially as it it [sic] was misty down Corbets Tey road but I got talking and left only as nine o’clock was striking. I came home by the usual short route and only had a patch of thick mist between the Barking Creek and High Street South. I arrived at about ten o’clock.

19 Monday Fog. It wasn’t so bad this morning but thickened during the day. We were badly delayed when coming home to-night. There weren’t many at night school owing to the weather and we didn’t do much apart from November copying out a few pipe joints and left soon after nine o’clock. I had to Page 230 walk home as there were no buses running from the White Horse.

20 Tuesday Still very thick Fog. It took an hour to get to Aldgate this morning. So I was somewhat late. At Baker Street it cleared off by noon but at home it was still thick when I reached there in the evening. No homework done to-night. I spent about a couple of hours at the piano trying over “Die Fledermaus” (St. M. Library).

21 Wednesday I had to wait till after eight o’clock this morning before a train came into Upon Park at all. Even then it was so crowded that I had to catch the next one. I eventually arrived at work forty minutes late. More complicated formulae at night school. About internal resistances and their relations to bending moments about which I understand but little.

22 Thursday Mum’s Birthday. Dad bought her a clock for the Kitchen and I a Page 231 handbag. Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

We didn’t do anything fresh at Nigh School to-night but have a nice lot of quantities to get out for next week.

23 Friday Thank goodness the fog seems to have cleared off at last. It affected my throat rather badly and I fear I am in for a cold. Spent about an hour and a half with “Die Fledermaus” on the piano again. It goes back to-morrow.

24 Saturday I have got a cold. Anyhow, I used up four large handkerchiefs by ten o’clock this morning. I think I’d better stay in over this week-end and, perhaps, it will be better by Monday.

25 Sunday I spent most of the morning and afternoon mucking about with the wireless. Dad went up the road and bought a 0.0003 mfd. Differential reaction November condenser which I fitted in place of the old and I adjusted the detector Page 232 tuning condenser as it shorted in parts of its travel. At the same time I adjusted the position of the dial in connection with the vanes and, apart from about 15° difference in the readings, one can now oscillate all round the dial on both long and medium wavebands. Just lately we have taken up Plaistow Library once more and this week-end I’ve got a Jules Verne: “Robur the Conqueror” (which is another name for “Clipper of the Clouds”) “Master of the World,” and a sequel to Edgar Allan Poe’s remarkable “Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym.”

26 Monday It really seems we have finished building that detestable house at last. We took plumbing and strutting to trenches to-night.

27 Tuesday I went down to Westminster this lunch-hour to get my Standard Method of Measurement quite forgetting the Royal Wedding that occurs on Thursday. It took me nearly an hour to get November to the Surveyors Institute and I didn’t get back to the office till a Page 233 quarter to two o’clock. There were crowds of people and traffic jams galore everywhere south of Oxford Street. To-night, I set to and did my quantities homework as far as I could. I am several weeks behind with the Science and Construction as I have been giving most of my time to Quantities[.] However, I must endeavour to get them both up-to-date.

28 Wednesday At Night School we did more work on forces in beams, this time breaking stresses and module of rupture.

29 Thursday At last I got my homework marked in quantities for the last month or so. The marks were very poor but information received from the teacher will help me greatly in the future.

30 Friday I took Mum to the pictures to-night, “The Tupps”[,] to see “The Outcast” featuring Leslie Fuller and November like most of his pieces, it was very good and very funny. The rest of Page 234 the programme was mostly bilge.

Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

December I’ve got so fed up with constantly mending punctures in the back tyre 1 Saturday (there was one to mend to-day) that I changed the front and back tyres over. After tea I went upstairs with the vacuum cleaner to dust as many of the books in my bedroom cupboard as possible ready for them to be put away in the book-case Mum bought at Boardman’s which was delivered this week.

2 Sunday I had resolved to get up earlier this morning so that I could make an early start. I did get up at a quarter to seven but had to spend at least half-an-hour trying to light the fire with damp wood. Even when I did get off I had to come back for handkerchiefs. Then, going through Wanstead Park I found my rear tyre flat and had to stop under the trees and mend a puncture. (It was pouring with rain all the time, by the way). December However, to cut a long story short, I reached Epping soon after half Page 235 past eleven and, going via Sawbridgeworth, arrived at Much Hadham an hour later. I took the road north through Little Hadham and Albury, through the Pelhams) (a notice at Furneux Pelham said the road was liable to flooding and I should think so, too). I had my lunch in the pouring rain just short for Brent Pelham. From the latter village I climbed up to Langley and as I descended to the valley the other side the rain left off and I did not have any more, apart from a few catspaws, the rest of the day. I climbed up through Chrishall and scooted down the long descent to the Icknield Way and received another puncture doing it. This mended, I proceeded to [blank] which is a nice little place and then turned west to Melbourn which is a large town and well worth visiting because of the ancient houses in it. At Melbourn I reached a December main road – Royston-Cambridge – and in turning south-west for the Page 236 former town I found a strong wind full in my face. Owing to the unsheltered nature of the country and because of the wind I did not arrive at Royston till half-past four (light-up time). I didn’t stay any longer than I could help but climbed up Erming Street on my way home. The night was wild. The wind was howling in a prodigious manner through the telegraph wires at the side of the road and, owing to the low clouds one could not see very far beyond the beams of ones lamps. I had the road mostly to myself and, in the shelter of the trees and high banks I made good progress against the wind. I was greatly scared occasionally as leaves fell like giant snowflakes across my beam of light. And it seemed a long time before I reached Buntingford. After the lights of Puckeridge and Standon (where, at the latter, somebody was pulling at the church bell fit to crack it) December the darkness on the road to Much Hadham seemed even greater than Page 237 before and I was scared again by the noise of water running at the sides of the road about the fords and streams with which this part abounds. However, after Much Hadham I was in more civilized parts and I was able to make better progress through Widford and Hunsdon to Roydon. At Roydon I put some more water in my lamp which had been burning now for about three hours. I put on my best speed up to the Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

Epping Road but even so I ran out of carbide by the time I had crossed Wanstead Flats. So I walked thence as far as Woodgrange Road where, another cyclist having stopped and asked why I was walking, kindly lent me a pocket torch and accompanied me as far as the Greengate for which service I was more than ordinarily thankful. I arrived home at half-past ten. Mileage 101.

December The weather has continued mild for a considerable period and, Page 238 Monday 3 considering Christmas is so near, it does not look as though we shall have snow very soon. At Evening Classes to-night we took copious notes about Sandstones and their uses in Building Works. For drawing practice we took [blank]

Tuesday 4 Spend the evening getting my Quantities completed as far as possible. I must give up one Friday or Saturday to get my other homework up-to-date as, otherwise, I shall be spending my Christmas holiday doing so.

Wednesday 5 At last we had something in Science that we can understand – Voids in Concrete but probably only because we took it last year.

Thursday 6 This has been a most miserable week as regards weather. Heavy rain most of the time with very few bright intervals. December We took facings, at last, at Night School though we didn’t do much Page 239 about them[.] Also we received the rest of the drawings of the Sanatorium at Holt, Norfolk that we had to take the Quantities of several weeks back.

Friday 7 To-day, thank goodness, it is a little brighter though not so bright as one could wish. However it continues very mild so perhaps we shall have a fine week-end.

Saturday 8 George paid us a surprise visit this afternoon but did not stay long. I cleaned out my acetylene lamp to-night in readiness for to-morrow – the ash was just like a lot of pudding. It has been a glorious day to-day.

Sunday 9 I had intended to make for Castle Hedingham again to-day but, finding a strong wind was blowing I decided to go across London into Bucks. I went to London via the Commercial December Road, crossed it by way of Cornhill, Cheapside, Holborn and Oxford Page 240 Street, turned off along Wigmore Street and Marylebone High Street, up Allsop Place on to the St John’s Wood and Finchley Roads and then went up the full length of the Watford Bypass to where it joins Tring Road. Here I turned off through Hazelwood to Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead. Up to this point the weather had been very dull and showery but now the rain set in in grim earnest and I had to put on my leggings as well as my cape. I took the Dagnall Road which was a Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 23 December 1933 to 9 December 1934 (MSS.328/N90/3)

very easy climb but somehow I missed the signposts and instead of passing through Dagnall itself I found myself within four miles of Leighton Buzzard before I realized I was off my road. I therefore turned off through Slapton and, as it was now about two o’clock, ate part of my lunch under a railway arch near Chedlestone [Cheddington]. But it was too cold

[Enclosed in back cover: building science notes and calculations.]