My Dad.....

My dear old Dad is 82 years old and lives in sheltered accomodation. He has his own little one bedroom bungalow, but it is in the grounds of a council run property where there is a warden who checks on all the residents every day to make sure they are ok. This is a great idea especially for the families of the residents, as it means if there are any problems we get to know straight away.

Just outside his backdoor is a communal garden. Well actually it wasn't really a garden at all, just a patch of grass and a border with some overgrown shrubs. My Dad said it was like looking out at a cemetery so, as he said he'd be seeing one soon enough, he decided to do something about it.

Photographs copyright 2007 Click on photos to enlarge

First he dug out his own borders and filled them with plants

Then, much to the council's chagrin, he dug all the shrubs up! Once the council found out what he'd done it was too late, they were a bit upset but he persuaded them to put some roses in to fill the gap, saying a bit of colour would cheer everyone up!

He then went to work creating some more flower beds, growing a lot of the flowers from seed.

Dad cleared this plot outside one of the other bungalows and replanted, because the man who lives there is in a wheelchair and blind.

And this bit of garden is outside another bungalow where the occupant is 90 years old - "she's an old lady, she can't possibly do it herself!" said my Dad.

The council are so pleased with what Dad has done they now supply him with new bedding plants every spring. Dad won't let the council gardeners put the plants in because he has put all sorts of bulbs etc of his own in and he says they wouldn't know where everything is!

He wanted us to buy him a lawnmower to cut the patch of grass because the council only cut it every 4 weeks, but we persuaded him that cutting the grass would really be too much work for him.

The council's head gardener has praised Dad for his work and a bench has been provided so that all the residents can enjoy the garden now it is so colourful.

I really don't know where Dad get's his energy from. He has arthritis in his hands and hips but it doesn't stop him doing anything. He's out most days at various places playing Bridge or Whist, but as soon as there's a bit of sunshine he's out there in the garden. What a guy!

I just hope if I reach the age of 82 I'm as sprightly as my dear old Dad.


My knee

Thursday 19th April

Getting around using one crutch now and doing really well. I have started using the ankle weights to help build up the muscle. I'm really pleased with myself!