I’ve spoken before about my love of gardening.
I guess it’s in the blood. My paternal grandmother was notoriously green fingered — as was my maternal grandfather. He was a really keen gardener and when he died I asked for a couple of rhubarb plants from his garden. I’ve written about the homemade rhubarb cordial that we make with the spoils each year and, this year, we’ve also taken over an allotment.
Even more scope for growing things!
Now, I say ‘I have a love of gardening’ — and that’s true — but if I’m being 100% honest, I rarely do any of the grunty stuff. My boy is head gardener in our household, without question.
He spends hours out there. Growing little plants from seed; tending them until they’re hardy enough to be replanted outside.
Oddly, he’s not normally one for solitude. If he’s left in the house by himself, for any reason, he has to go out. To the pub/shops/for a round of golf; anywhere where there’s other humans and the possibility of a conversation.
So I find it weird that, since my gorgeously gregarious husband has caught the gardening bug, he’s happy in the company of his plants and the local wildlife.
With father’s day coming up in a few week’s time I thought I’d get him something to keep him company whilst he’s digging in the allotment.
Enter the Hepburn Mark II radio by View Quest.
With gorgeous retro styling, this little beauty may look like an old fashioned kind of chap but with DAB, DAB+ and FM radio reception it’s beautifully styled exterior houses the most cutting edge technology.
It means that my green fingered boy will be able to access the full range of digital and analogue services across the UK — and Europe — whether he’s at home or in the allotment. And if he doesn’t have access to the mains, he can also use batteries to power it.
PLUS he can play his own music library, simply by connecting it to the iPad or phone via Bluetooth or with the inbuilt aux-in connection.
I’ve got my own VQ radio that keeps me company whilst I’m working and I absolutely LOVE it.
Mine’s the VQ Retro Mini — in an Emma Bridgewater polkadot print — but I’ve chosen a gorgeous brown leather version for my boy.
The Hepburn Mark II radio is the perfect kind of gift for father’s day! Makes a lovely change from socks — or aftershave — and is such a fab, thoughtful, present (for men of all ages).
It’s available in 11 gorgeous block colours and 5 Emma Bridgewater prints.
You could choose masculine black or antique brown leather — like the one shown here — or even pick British Racing Green or cherry red, to go with their car!
This is a collaborative post but all thoughts, words and images — as ever —
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Well I could give it to my dad, but he has his own so I might just keep it for myself! If I did part with it though, my dad would listen to it while he sat out in the garden catching some rays :) xx
HA! Then I think — if you won — you should keep it for yourself!! Your dad could always listen to it while he’s at your house!! ;)
Davey, my daughters fabulous step dad, would definitely want to use one in the bedroom. And it would be a blue one. When we decorated recently, I made him give up the ugly television, which was on the wall, in favour of some very beautiful fairy pictures! So, he wants a lovely looking radio as a superior substitute to an ugly TV and the Hepburn Mark 11 would fit the bill ??
You are very mean!!! Poor Davey — fancy having to give up his TV for fairy pictures!! ;) XX Good luck lovely!
My Dad would have it on in the living room so he could listen to his favourite talk show it during the day
Good luck Karen! :)
My dad would use this radio in the garden, fab giveaway x
Good luck Rachel — fingers crossed for you!
After a hard year struggling with treatment for prostate cancer, I’d love to see my hubby and amazing father of our six children, Chris, lounging in the gardening, listening to this gorgeous radio.
He more than deserves a bit of garden ‘me time’.
Aaah good luck! :)
I’m pretty sure my hubby would use this everywhere! We are working on the garden at the moment so it’ll be great for that.
It’s such a fab thing to have in the garden! I’ve been listening to my little polkadot radio in the garden today — they’re fantastic! :) Good luck!
He’d take it to his shed at his allotment. He’d be able to sing along to Elvis at the top of his voice without mum rolling her eyes and telling him to be quiet ?
Haha! I love this image! Good luck! :)
My dad used to love listening to the radio – especially old comedies like The Navy Lark and The Goons. However, as he is no longer with us, my partner would love to receive this instead. His radios are all very ugly and nowhere near as stylish as this one. He listens to old comedies too – especially Round The Horn.
Aah my dad was a massive Goons fan too!! SO funny!!! :) Good luck Nadia! x
In the kitchen! :)
Good luck Frank!
Garden
Good luck