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.
When he’s working in his garage
Fingers crossed Zoey!
Man in my life doesn’t listen to radio except in the car. So I’d have to keep it for myself for when I’m writing my bestseller in the shed :)
Aah every girl needs a shed Jax!! AND a radio to keep her company!! Good luck :)
in the shower luv
Good luck!
I’d give it to James, he’d possibly want to use it in the garden too but I think I’d encourage him to put it in the kitchen. We used to have our old iPod in there but it broke and we have no music now, very sad to have no tunes on when you’re cooking! They are lovely aren’t they, I love the colour you’ve gone for xx
They’re SO gorgeous aren’t they? If it had been for me, I’d have chosen the yellow one (funnily enough!) but I figured that the brown was more ‘manly’! Good luck lovely! x
My Dad would listen to it in the garden. He loves pottering around outside
Good luck! Fingers crossed!
Hubby would use this in this man-cave
Good luck Helen :)
My husband would use it in his man cave.
Good luck Melanie!!
Grandad would take it to his new shed (the old shed has been taken over by my brother!) and use it in there X
Aaah good luck Maria :)
I absolutely love it! I can just imagine my Dad pottering away in his shed singing along to classics!
What a great Father’s Day Present.
It’s lovely isn’t it? The VQ radios are gorgeous — I like them even more than my Roberts :)
That is such a handsome radio. My husband would love it!
Good luck lovely! :)