My dad Jim. It has been a roller coaster of a year to say the least. And I don't want to go into detail -dad was a private man for all his "yah yah" as I called it. I first met Jim (or Dad
as I preferred to call him) when I was a few hours old (none of those dads in delivery rooms malarky when I was born in nineeteenhundredandfrozentodeath.... That wuz fer wimmin!!). A man who never resorted to smacking, maybe a semi tone raise in voice level - but that was enough. He was the first man to ever love me, unconditionally. And the first man I ever loved, certainly the most enduring love. I have his wit, his eyes, his mouth, sadly his legs but thankfully not his feet! He allowed me to grow and find who I am. At 53, when I was in a fix and reluctantly asked him for help he said "no matter how old you are, you will always be my little girl".... Mum and I had nicknames, mum was Big Plob and I was Little Plob.... Then along came my sister Sam when I was 11. She had difficulty saying my name and called me WAH which dad decided he too would call me, and so for the last 40 odd years I have been Wah!!. Dad loved taking on the authorities....and armed with his knowledge and using his arguments I too have "got off" parking fines and congestion charges The man did learn me well!!!. lol. Jim was Jim. He was funny, witty and stubborn. If he wanted to wear red trousers and a green shirt...he darn well would. In fact thinking about it.....I got his dress sense too
. He loved boats, so much so he grew a beard so people would call him Captain Birdseye. To that end, and because he was a staunch supporter, A.Cains are collating donations to RNLI in his name up to 19th Sept. Or the funeral director on the day at his FUNeral. Dad wouldn't want anyone being glum and would be quite coy at the lovely messages being left "what me...?" he would say. He was humble that way. We as a family are torn between joy that he is free and sadness that he has gone. Rest assured dad.... I will never forget you, i will remember you everytime I look at my legs !!! Love you Pop, always have and always will. Xxx nb. It was good to see Pop's pictures on the site -especially his Captain Birdseye days.