I intend an homage to middle-aged fathers by assemblying a flat-pack deck chair,

and then sitting in it and reading a Sunday paper.

I am an introverted middle aged man.

I am married with two grown up sons. My family is a central part of my life.

I always try to do the Right Thing but with varying degrees of success.

I socialise under gentle pressure from my wife.

My father fought in France when he was 19 and was evacuated from Dunkirk.

It left him life-long commitment to peaceful pursuits, particularly organic gardening.

I am my father. (except for the gardening).

I get the impression that there are quite a lot of quiet dads pottering about in the background.

My dad is dead.

There is a sculpture called Dead Dad of a little dead dad.

One day my sons will have the dawning realization that they are in the front line of mortality.

That’s why this hour is called Alive Dad.

I want to be honest about who I am. I am not a performing seal.

I am reading a newspaper because democracy only works for as long as people are informed about society and interested in different opinions.

graham@austrianwine.co.uk