Another man and his boat . . .

Today is my dad's 81st birthday so, to mark the occasion, I thought I'd blip a photo of him. This must be about 1990, I think, at a exhibition in Blackpool either at the Winter Gardens or the Tower. He made several model boats, from the plans, not from kits, thoroughly enjoyed doing them, and was mid way through one when he had his devastating stroke.

His shed was always full of lengths of wood, fascinating tools, old tobacco tins of screws and nails, things he'd rescued from the tip and everywhere there were bits and pieces which would come in useful one day! He was always making or doing!

Now he sits in his chair and sleeps. He has dementia and can no longer do very much at all, even walk. He and mum still live in their own home, he has lots of good care but he just wants to sleep, he's had enough, he says. Dad does have lucid moments, he knows it's his birthday and, when I spoke to him this morning, he was looking forward to going to my sister's for lunch and having a glass of wine and a piece of cake!

He's no longer the man he was, but he's still the best dad in the world in my book!