Happy 80th Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's birthday. He was 80! 

He doesn't look it or act it, mind you! 

He can out cycle me and walk for miles and miles. He doesn't ever get tired! 

We were planning on a trip to visit the steam trains (Bishops Lydeard to Minehead) which was the day out we used to do when the boys were much smaller, Dad's birthday falling in the school holidays. 

But they no longer run on a Friday - which was his birthday!  

So we did our next favourite thing, other than visit a National Trust place, and visited Slimbridge, The Wetlands.

The last time the boys and I went, we were coming out of lockdown, and Dad didn't come with us. (I used to have membership.) 

It was FAB to get to feed the birds again, especially one very confident swan. 

Ben, never a lover of dogs, is not afraid of swans!

Slimbridge did not disappoint. There had been some further updates and new bits to explore.

It brought out the big kids in us, although we didn't venture into Wellyboot Land - they grew out of that area years ago!

But it was a tranquil day bird watching, with a canoe safari thrown in for fun, too.

The cutest thing was watching one of the otters sunbathing and playing with her stone. 

And finally, after all the years we've been visiting, we saw the water voles! Hurrah! 

Plus we picked up a couple of Gromit Unleashed sculptures, as came home via the A38 (rather than M5) and stopped at Thornbury, too. 

All in all, we had a Grand Day out! 

Happy birthday, Dad! 

My garden would not look as awesome as it does without your assistance. 

I am always grateful the help you've given me over the years. Not sure where I would be without you.

Here's to more fun days out!  

Love Teresa x x x 

Happy Father's Day to My Hero

I'm incredibly lucky. I have a wonderful dad. He's my real life hero, but I've especially noticed this in the past years where I've been a single mum. Before, I realise, he didn't want to step on my husband's toes. But now there is no one to upset, he can offer his help more.

My dad has his own foibles, possibly a little eccentric in some things, and is certainly stuck in his ways, but I love him for who he is and the support he gives me. 

Although he does spoil me, it's not in ways of giving me everything I want, monetary wise. But if I need his help on something, he is ALWAYS there. In fact, I'm so used to things being done almost immediately, that when one of my son's takes too long to do something, I get very impatient, because I know with my dad, if I asked for him to help me with something, he just does it. 

My garden wouldn't be as wonderful as it is without his input - that's where I am spoilt - and the planting of all the plants over the past twelve years! 

He moved to Weston-super-Mare just before Ben, my eldest was born, so has been here with me nearly twenty one years. It's meant he's been a big part of the boys' lives growing up as Grandad Ron, too. He's taken them on walks and bike rides in the school holidays when I've had to work. We usually go out on his birthday. The Bishops Lydeard to Minehead steam trains being a favourite.

Please note, I don't have many good photos of my dad, because he doesn't really like being in photos, and then, when I take a sneaky photo, he's always blinking or talking! 

Dad's truck! 

Happy Father's Day, Dad. And to all the amazing daddy's out there! 

Gardening Therapy - I Talk To My Plants

On the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend, I'd written over a thousand words, and although it was a tad windy, the sun was out, so I thought I best get out in the garden in the afternoon.

Dad had picked me up some extra plants and I knew I needed to get them into the beds. Next week, the weather forecast wasn't looking so bright, plus I'd be working, and gardening is obviously done best in the sunshine. 

Pre-lockdown I would leave the gardening mostly to Dad. I potted up the hanging baskets, but that was about my forte. Then, in 2020, when my gardener wasn't allowed into the house, I had to stand on my two feet, roll up my green sleeves and just get on with it. 

Dad does still do a lot of the hard work, like cutting back the roses early spring etc. And my garden would not look so lovely if it wasn't for his hard work in it too. But I've got better at gardening. And I love it.

my favourite rose bush

I came in Sunday after getting all the bedding plants into my beds in the front and back garden, and I felt good. My mental health had had a boost. I'd been in the sunshine with the bees, busily working. I mean, literally, I had a bee on a plant right by my ear, and they weren't bothered by me. And I wasn't bothered by them. 

I even enjoy mowing the lawn. I do try to get the boys to do it - more to make them do a chore. And Dad sometimes cuts the lawn for me, if I'm at work and rain is due the next few following days.

My pond

All these people with their plastic grass (that's another subject where I could get on my soapbox on how bad that is for the planet and wildlife) - you're missing out on helping your mental health. Just get out in the garden, prune the plants, talk to the birds, the bees  - and the plants, like I do.

If you're struggling with your mental health, seriously, get out in your garden. It'll boost your mental and physical health.