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.
My amazing Daddah Glynn Baker would use this fabulous Hepburn Mark II radio everywhere,he is a keen gardener & fisherman….I tend to help him with his gardening now as he has quite a big garden,so we could listen to some music together in the sunshine,while tending to his veggie patch!
I also go fishing with him as I find it so relaxing and often have a draw/paint ; )
He would certainly use it whilst sat beside the lake or on the river bank,oh and then there’s home he would use it on a daily basis to listen to his sport and favourite music.
Thank you for the chance xx
Aah I’ll keep everything crossed for you Isabel :)
My dad would take it to his allotment where he loves spending time in amongst the veggies. He’s there every day apart from winter, sometimes twice a day at weekends. He loves it and only started it up after I took one on 8 years ago and it sparked his interest. Unfortunately I had to give mine up due to becoming unable to look after it due to chronic illness. My dad has never looked back after taking his on, both him and my mom love it, and I’m glad that through me they have both found a hobby that they love ☺️
Aaah what a lovely story — I’m sorry you had to give yours up Sue. Good luck :)
My daughters daddy would use it in his garage I’m sure he would live in it at times!!
Haha! I think a lot of women feel like that — what is it with men and their man-caves?! ;) Good luck!
Hi Caro,
Lovely blog… Your thoughts reminded me very of my hubby! We both love music – him rock n roll, me classical but we meet in the middle somewhere between blues and smooth jazz! He would adore a brown leather VQUK radio as it’s manly!! Perfect for outdoors where we garden together, sit and watch our kids play and take in the good life.
My eldest has the Emma Bridgewater one too and thinks it’s the best! I think this retro vibe is fab because they are so similar to the ones my grandparents all had back in their heyday. Happy memories ?
Good to have found your Listed Home. Look forward to hearing and seeing more!
Ah thanks ever so much Hannah — that’s lovely of you to say! Good luck! :)
This would be great to enjoy music in the garden with my dad :)
Fingers crossed Marian :)
My Hubby/Bitsy’s Dad would use a fab new brown leather VQ radio in his man cave, sorry, I mean garage! He loves to be in there fixing his bike and doing manly garagey things?! I’m sure he’d even take it on a run, ghetto blaster style, given half the chance.
Haha!! Can you imagine — I love the thought of that!!! Good luck Hayley :)
In the garden or doing DIY. Constantly has David Gray blaring so hopefully this will give us a bit kor variety when listening to his tuneless singing lol.
Laura x
Hahaha!! This made me laugh!! Good luck Laura — fingers crossed :)
My dad would use this in his man shed. A place where no one else goes. Who knows what else is in there!
Haha! Perish the thought! Good luck Samantha :)
My dad had a stroke, so he rarely goes out now! But he love to sit in their back garden catching a tan. I bet he would absolutely love to be able to listen to old songs whilst he is sat outside ?.
Aww bless your dad Sharon — fingers crossed you win it for him :)
He’d have it in the shed whilst he’s doing the gardening or chilling on the lounger with a cold beer Xx
Good luck Emma!