Rose Croft, Brentwood, - 13th March 1972

Dear Celiah-ha-ha! It wus so cold Saturday I did not venture out, but sat coddled on the furniture and sung "Beat out the rhythm on the drum" ( expergated ) We went to see "Rosemary's Baby" last night at the Arts Centre (Basildon), it was really weak, no nightmarish hideous monsters, only in the audience! The shelves have started off a Do-It-Yourself bug in the Croft. Ed's making a second story to his cupboard/room ( he's invited all Brentwood's dwarves in for a room warming ) He reckons he'll have space to hang his rags, called clothes! Well, it keeps him off the streets. Bill made the board to paint the sign on for Lynne and D's shop. I've started painting on it now, the usual old stuff- hilly landscape with a banana moon. Just heard on the radio that a lorry has shed it's load in Vange! 24 HOURS LATER, Yerk! Enough to put you off yer mince pies aint it?! I made some today , 'cos that's all there was to eat. They were delicious! Even if I say so myself. What's dis? Another month from last year's art calender. My breeze blocks! How many more?! Good ol' Barry Bendybeard has got the tickets for the Captain Marvel? er Video? umm Kirk? urm Carrotnose? Anyway, the hip swinging rock-boogie shuffler from accross the big sea water. Captain Sealegs! POW! ED's just taken the mouse from the front of your envelope, he want's to copy it. Is nothing sacred? Yes, Viv Stanshall used to go to Southend School of Artful Craftiness also, but left before I got there, so he must be at leat 46! Pie-face Pete is a friend of his. When the Bonzo's came to Manchester once ( only time ) Pie face went to see them and afterwards had a drink with "Viv baby" as he was called by his nearest and dearest so he told us, mind you, he was a devout liar! What's an andy? Oh an essay! I see! Bill is sitting on the floor altering photos in the Radio Times with a red felt tip pen. I think he's bored. He's chuckling to himself, tee - hee! as he draws on another scar on Sandie Shaw's 'orrible mush. I've nearly finished the sign, just the name and spots to do. I think L&D like it, everytime they enter the room they go "Oooh!" "Ahhh!" and hissing noises! They sold a jock strap holder today. What fun it is to sit in the sun, phew it's hot! Like Summer. Ed is applying the kiss of life to two concussed motorbikes, or perhaps he's performing a transplant operation. He's driving a stake through one's heart, or just trying to prize the cleaver out?! Spring fever here at the Croft - Lynne is sorting out her books, selling all the "twinky" ones. Beds and wet sheets are hanging about in trees and from gutterings - so picturesque! A LITTLE LATER THAT SAME DAY. Well! there's the sign finished ! Ummm! very eye catchin'! Just needs a couple of coats of varnish to protect it from the Southend weather. I've painted the Rose Croft sign too with the excess paint. Ed cleaned up the garden of his rubbish and "prunes" ( branches pruned from the apple trees ) Now it looks quite tidy again, for a few days anyway! He nearly chopped Dinah's head off whilst she was ironing with a tin bakin' dish we was playing "frisbee" with! She rain indoors screaming and threatened to make us a cup of coffee, the swine! Must go and search out a crust to eat now. Are you going to Linda's farty? I'm not! Best George's , Hajduk Split , but held together with safety pin etc.