Dad was quite simply a humble, quiet, polite and kind `gentleman` in the true sense of the word, underpinned by a quiet but firm Christian faith. He might not have been a high-flyer, but he worked hard to help provide for a us, three children and his beloved wife, making sure there was food on the table, a roof (occasionally leaky) over our heads, and an annual caravan holiday somewhere in Cornwall.
There are many memories, but on this blog I just want to mention how the kindness of my parents, and Dad`s never-ending patience, helped mould my life long interest in nature - birds in particular.
When Neil and I were young we always shared a room, and this room became our `den`, with my airfix planes hanging from the ceiling and posters on the wall. We were both keen on wildlife amongst other things, watching Anglia TVs` `Survival` programmes, and having a `World of Wildlife` magazine to share between us. One of these have a large, possibly A2, poster of a Cheetah which ended up on the wall. But this was also the beginnings of my wider interests in nature, and in particular birds. Dad (and Mum) were always encouraging, taking us to the then Plymouth Zoo, the Aquarium, and other places which kept this interest going.
When I was about 11 or 12, I received my first `big` (meaning slightly more expensive) Christmas present - my first pair of binoculars, which was top of my Christmas list. Although looking back they weren`t an `expensive` pair in terms of quality, brand, etc, (Boots 8 x 30s), I thought the world of them. It would have been a very expensive Christmas for my parents, quite sacrificial, to ensure we all had nice presents we wanted. I had in fact secretly "tried out" the binoculars before hand, having found out where they had been stored, un-boxing them then re-boxing them carefully after!
Probably the best and typical memory of Dad buying that Christmas present was that he sacrificed a very wet and cold Boxing Day afternoon to take me to the River Plym as I wanted to see what was on the mud flats with those new bins! This was just typical of Dad, giving up his time for one of his children, leaving the crackling fire and the box of Quality Street to stand in the wet with me. I`ve never forgotten it.
Dad and Mum always saved hard for our Christmas presents, Dad`s income being topped up by Mum working part-time in a local sweet shop. Those first binoculars really opened my eyes to what was around me, and I can honestly say that they set me on a path of enjoying nature more, and to where I am these days with my photography, and as a volunteer with the Wetlands Trust.
So the binocular story is just one of many i`ve been recounting where Dad has been gracious, giving of his time so willingly. The binoculars were eventually replaced of course, but Dad`s love and kindness never changed.
So proud to have had Dad as Dad.