Irish Gran always said how #suave Grandpa looked, whether he was going to work or to a dinner party.
But, even after 60 years together, she could feel her heart skip a beat when she saw him, in his old suit and bow tie, ready to go outside and tend the garden #vss365
Irish Gran took great pride in looking after the house while Grandpa looked after the garden. Gran did the housework each day and washed their clothes every Monday without fail.
Grandpa chuckled as he told us how she would iron everything, even his underpants #vss365
Once Grandpa heard Irish Gran talking to a salesman at the front door. A few times he heard her say “no thank you” in a calm voice, but he knew she’d had enough.
He then heard her say “you need ta mind yor #business young man!” as she equally firmly shut the door #vss365
Sometimes Irish Gran misheard words much to our amusement.
Watching Olympic gymnastics once on the tv, she said in her lilting accent, “wud ya look at dat! How do dey do all dat on te #pummel horse?”
“It’s pommel, Gran”
“Well, it shud be called pummel,” she laughed #vss365
During our teenage years, we always had some crisis, whether it was boyfriends, friends or homework.
Irish Gran made us sit down and tell her all about it before making cheese on toast and tea. In the end she’d usually make us #laugh and see things differently #vss365
We loved visiting Irish Gran, but we knew from a young age Gran had house #rules.
In the house we were allowed to do anything we liked except keep our shoes on, run around each room or shout loudly at each other.
All of that we could do in the garden with Grandpa #vss365
When we were young Mum told us why Irish Gran always wore a silver necklace with a tiny #angel #charm.
She told us that she had been adopted as a baby because Gran and Grandpa’s own daughter was in heaven.
Mum then said, with a tear in her eye, how lucky she was. #vss365
We loved staying with Irish Gran but we knew that we had to behave ourselves and not cause any #mischief.
We didn’t dare jump on the sofa, put our feet up on the coffee table or put our elbows on the dinner table.
Gran always seemed to know what we were up to #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa often took us on picnics by the river when we were young.
We sat in the wild flower grass watching the butterflies and listening to the #hum of the bees.
Such sunny days, especially when Gran unpacked our favourite sandwiches: banana #vss365
After Irish Gran died, Grandpa grew fond of Poppet, the dog we got for him. It was so good to see the smile return to his face.
But, he would laugh out loud when a squirrel appeared on the large #elm tree. Not even a favourite treat could distract Poppet away #vss365
He sat pint in hand watching the dancing.
She arrived with 3 sisters, the image of Rita Hayworth with her red hair and #crimson lipstick. He was besotted.
Thinking he wouldn’t stand a chance, she said “yes” to a waltz.
So began 61 years of Irish Gran and Grandpa #vss365
When Irish Gran and Grandpa got married, they took their vows seriously....except one.
When they married in the 1940s, women would #promise to ‘love, honour and obey.’
It was no doubt Gran loved and honoured Grandpa, but it was Grandpa who was the one to obey. #vss365
When Irish Gran died from Alzheimer’s, Grandpa was so distraught. He missed her laughter, her kindness and her caring. The house was far too quiet.
He loved visits from the family but it was only when we gave him Poppet, that his #purpose and smiles were reborn. #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa were very alike. They loved routine and the comforts of home.
Where they differed never became a problem. Gran was fascinated by the #spiritual side of life while Grandpa had more interest in the physical world. They say opposites attract #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa were very alike. They loved routine and the comforts of home.
Where they differed never became a problem. Gran was fascinated by the #spiritual side of life while Grandpa had more interest in the physical world. They say opposites attract #vss365
Grandpa told us about how he asked Irish Gran to marry him.
It was at a Sunday lunch with her family when, just before they served the sherry trifle, he got down on one knee.
He chuckled when he told us how in all #innocence she was shocked but whispered “yes.” #vss365
Grandpa told us about how he asked Irish Gran to marry him.
It was at a Sunday lunch with her family when, just before they served the sherry trifle, he got down on one knee.
He chuckled when he told us how in all #innocence she was shocked but whispered “yes.” #vss365
When Irish Gran and Grandpa met at the tea dance in the 1940s, it was love at first sight. In his smart suit and tie, standing by the dance floor, Gran thought he was quite a dish.
With her red hair and #taffeta frock, Grandpa thought exactly the same about Gran. #vss365
We loved staying with Irish Gran and Grandpa. Gran always cooked us our favourite food and Grandpa often showed us something scientific.
He once made a rainbow with a torch and #prism, and then Gran let us have her glass jewellery to make our own little rainbows #vss365
Before Irish Gran married Grandpa in mid 1940s, she worked as a legal secretary in London.
When she married Grandpa she stopped working to start life as a housewife. She never complained about her job, but when she left she did admit her boss was a bit of a #heel #vss365
it’s petrichor
fills my senses of #nostalgia
from times long gone
but still dear to me
buttercups & ladybirds
lollipops and ice creams
wellies and puddles
skipping ropes & hopscotch
& playing knock knock ginger
even
in
the
rain
#vss365
it’s petrichor
fills my senses of #nostalgia
from times long gone
but still dear to me
buttercups & ladybirds
lollipops and ice creams
wellies and puddles
skipping ropes & hopscotch
& playing knock knock ginger
even
in
the
rain
#vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa never had a computer or used mobile phones. Their old tv set and books filled their quiet evenings.
Looking back, we now appreciate they were the generation bridging the gap of a simpler life with that of ours so dependent on technology #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa never had a computer or used mobile phones. Their old tv set and books filled their quiet evenings.
Looking back, we now appreciate they were the generation bridging the gap of a simpler life with that of ours so dependent on technology #vss365
Grandpa and Irish Gran met at a dance and danced throughout their lives together.
Once they entered a ballroom dancing competition. Gran made her dress, sewing every bead, feather and sequin herself.
They didn’t win but they loved every Fred and Ginger #moment. #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa always went to the same seaside town. They’d walk the beach, eat fish and chips and play bingo.
On a clear night they would stare up at the #starscape together. Gran would smile as she declined Grandpa’s offer of naming the stars #vss365
Irish Gran and Grandpa always went to the same seaside town. They’d walk the beach, eat fish and chips and play bingo.
On a clear night they would stare up at the #starscape together. Gran would smile as she declined Grandpa’s offer of naming the stars #vss365
We loved listening to Irish Gran telling us about her farm worker family from County Longford.
We were fascinated by her hardworking gt gt gt grandmother, Brigid Reilly, who was left with 6 children and had to take in laundry when her husband died #vss365 #true(ish)
We loved listening to Irish Gran telling us about her farm worker family from County Longford.
We were fascinated by her hardworking gt gt gt grandmother, Brigid Reilly, who was left with 6 children and had to take in laundry when her husband died #vss365 #true(ish)