My Dad's Adventurous Soul

I remember the day my Dad said he would build a swimming pool in our back garden. He dug and dug into the ground whilst me and my siblings watched. He tried his best to get it built. I believe he had a big heart when it came to having fun. He wanted us to have fun too, along with us having an adventurous upbringing. A swimming pool was something he thought we needed because he had one as a child.

He had an adventurous soul when he was younger. I noticed that about him. He would always want us to have fun. Some of the things he wanted to do were always exciting for us. One of them was riding in an estate car all the way to Southern Ireland from London in the 1970s. We were squashed in the back with our cousins but we didn't care. We had fun. We giggled and played snap with a pack of cards. We sang fun songs too.

Dad would say, 'Come on… sing up.'

The journey to Ireland was so long but we didn't care. Dad would sometimes park up so we could eat the sandwiches that Mum made for us all. We also munched on fruit and then a slice of cake that Mum had made. Dad told us where we would head next. He told us historical stories about the places we were going to visit whilst we ate. I remember feeling a thrill of excitement.

'Right, our next stop will be in Wales. That's where the ferry is… so eat up. We need to get moving.'

The ferry was huge and we had an adventurous time exploring it. Dad drove onto it. He led us all inside and we had the most fun time there with our two cousins. We ate sweets and wandered around about the ferry but Dad would tell us not to go far. Mum would watch us whilst Dad tried to sleep but I don't remember ever seeing him sleep once.

I remember the time the ferry rocked us to sleep and made my brother sick. Dad took him to the toilets and told him to wash his face with cold water. Afterward, I would sit with my brother whilst Dad rubbed his head. Dad closed his eyes but his hand still kept moving upon my brother's head.

Once the ferry docked in Dublin, we got into the estate car and fell asleep whilst my Dad drove for hours to get us to our destination. We were heading to County Sligo to visit my grandparents (my mother's parents). I think he loved driving but most of all he wanted us to have fun visiting places we’d never been to before.

It took a long time to get there but once we arrived Dad would park the car on my grandparent's drive and unpack all our belongings. He didn't just do that, he would help my grandparents mend their electricity like update their lighting system back in the 1970s. He was good at everything but he had studied to be an Electrician.

My grandparents' home was in need of refurbishment and was so far behind ours at home. We had everything in London and Dad wanted to give them the same. He would give his time up and make their bathroom or kitchen better. He bought them a television too and got that going for them.

My Dad was generous but also very adventurous. He drove us to beaches in Ireland and towns taking us sightseeing. He would drive anywhere and everywhere for us. His soul was fun-loving and sincere. He put himself out so we got the fun and adventure he wanted to give us.

When he got older, he still drove us to places around the United Kingdom. We went to every seaside in the country. Later, when I was in my twenties he wanted to take us to the country he was from. So, he booked us on a flight to Cyprus and hired a seven-sitter car that took us all around Cyprus. We loved that about him.

In his older age, he was still adventurous as we all left home and he and Mum went on their own travels. When Mum passed away, he retreated. He passed away not long after. They are buried together now.

I will never forget you Dad. I hope your soul is resting and at peace.

©️ Denise Larkin 2021. All Rights Reserved.