Father’s day took place on May the 9th in Bavaria. A day (according to my German teacher) when Bavarian Fathers are given spousal permission to indulge in their passion for beer and motorbikes (although hopefully not together!), and it usually coincides with the first days of better weather. I said usually.
Mr R doesn’t have a motorbike, but the Small People did work hard to produce specially written cards and letters at school. Small Boy produced a particularly detailed card, complete with beautiful writing that proclaimed his love for his father in German no less (which always makes me laugh). Mr R particularly touched, told Small Boy how much he liked his card, and that he would keep it forever. Small boy said he was especially pleased about that, as he and his close friend (of the same name) had decided to do each other’s Father’s Day cards this year. Not quite so special after all!
Although he is not going to thank me for including it, the picture above was actually taken on Father’s Day when we were in Italy, and it just about sums up how I feel about Mr R’s parenting skills – determined, incredibly caring and quite hilarious. I am sure that next year he will be hoping for a day on a motor bike, but he might just have to settle for the beer part… It’s been a testing couple of weeks what with natural and not so natural disasters, and I wanted to take this opportunity to say how much we love him, and what a great job he does… We have a huge adventure just around the corner, and although I highly doubt he will, I do hope he gets the rest he deserves at some point.
And to make up for the UK Father’s Day that I missed last Sunday, I am so looking forward to spending a few hours with my own Dad this weekend, another father who is determined, caring and hilarious (can I add stubborn to that list too?) on a flying visit home… I know he will be happy if I import one of those German Father’s day traditions – preferably the beer side of things!
Rachel says
Happy belated Bavarian father’s day! In Berlin, I believe the tradition is for the menfolk to spend the day carousing around with a cart and a keg…I’m not sure if the cart is to carry the keg or the menfolk around.
bavaria says
Probably the latter at the end of the day! :D
Mama Syder says
Aww fab photo and lovely post about your Hubby. Hope you have a great weekend with your Dad x
bavaria says
Thank you, it was really lovely to see him! xx
Jazzygal says
A lovely Father’s Day post and a fab photo, I loved it! Clever son too ;-)
Thanks for visiting my blog recently and sorry for the delay in getting back to you but I’ve been on holiday, as you may have guessed!
xx Jazzy
bavaria says
Thank you Jazzy! Hope you had a lovely lovely time! xx
Grace says
What a beautiful picture and blog – one to look back on and treasure. You are so clever. xx
bavaria says
Thank you Mama xxx
MummaG says
Lovely post and I love the idea of motor bikes and beer, though like you not together! Hope you had a good time with your dad x
bavaria says
Thanks very much! (:
older mum in a muddle says
What a fab post, and a lovely tribute to your other half. I really laughed that you son and his friend made each other’s cards! And that is a lovely dad with the kids shot on the beach! X.
bavaria says
Thank you… He was so proud of that as well, really made me laugh! See you tomorrow! :) x
Funky Wellies says
Lovely photo and post, great story about the card! Curious about this big adventure you are mentioning? xx
bavaria says
Thank you… All will become clear, all will become clear! :D
Sally (Recipe Junkie) says
Lovely post! I love it when the kids do something like that – make you feel special – and then not so special – all at once!
bavaria says
And they can totally get away with it! :D Thank you…
3yearsandhome says
Love the picture. Is Mr R a bit scared of the ducks? He looks quite tentative. Bizarrely, I think I’ve made up a few things in my head about your husband without you ever telling me – I imagine that his name is David and he works in telecommunications doing IT/software stuff. Don’t ask me where I got that from; I have no idea.
bavaria says
He is not that scared of ducks, the stones on the beach were sharp apparently! :D Your comment really really made me laugh. He’s not called David, but could have been as I was supposed to marry David Bowie… He used to work in the telecoms sector too! Are you retraining as Mystic Meg?!?!? :D
HelpfulMum says
Lovely post. The picture is great too. I have really enjoyed reading all of the posts this week.
bavaria says
Thank you! (:
Sara (@mumturnedmom) says
Lovely post and a beautiful photo. I’m still chuckling at your son and his friend swapping cards :)
bavaria says
Thank you… I know, they are so funny sometimes! :D
Jaime Oliver says
what a really lovely post xx
bavaria says
Thank you Jaime! :)
Franglaise Mummy says
What a gorgeous picture, he sounds like one great dad, and how lovely that you are getting a chance to see your own dad too!
bavaria says
Thank you! He is, and yes I am really looking forward to seeing mine as well! :D
Kelloggsville says
I love ‘from behind’ photos. They are always my favourite.
bavaria says
A lot more natural aren’t they? Thank you! :)
Lou's Lake Views says
A lovely tribute to him, cracking photo too! Enjoy your brief visit home, lucky girl x
bavaria says
Thank you! I will give it a big kiss from you too! :) x
Midlife Singlemum says
Hilarious that he gave his dad a card his friend did. And you’re right – I suspect he won’t want to be remembered as an amazing dad who liked ducks. That photo brings back memories of swimming in the Italian lakes.
bavaria says
Thank you… You wouldn’t find me swimming in them, far too cold! :D
Helen the good life mum says
Love that your son and best friend did each others cards how inventive next year they will be outsourcing im sure
bavaria says
I know, that’s what I think too! Thank you :D
Vanessa Jane Holburn says
Excellent work Small Boy! They always know how to keep you grounded…
bavaria says
They do don’t they! Thank you! :D
Notmyyearoff says
There are some wonderful Dads in your life – Love the caring, protective hand holding photo :)
bavaria says
Thanks so much… If only you could hear the yelps from him treading on the sharp pebbles and trying not to fall in! :D
A Patchwork Life says
That’s lovely Emma, and a great picture of Mr R with his little ones and the friendly ducks! Now I’m wondering about this big adventure around the corner? Have I missed something? Sounds exciting!
Hope you have a Brilliant weekend. Fingers crossed too x
bavaria says
Thank you… All will be revealed, and thanks for your good luck wishes, it’s enough for me to be in with the finalists, but we shall see what happens! :D xx
Suzanne says
A gorgeous post. I love that your husband is still fully clothed when the kids are so comfortable in their bathers! I also chuckled at your son creating a card for a different dad….quite ingenious really!
bavaria says
I had to tell the other little boys Mum, she said she thought his writing was different! They had both however drawn Luke Skywalker on the front! :D Thank you :)
Susan Mann says
Enjoy your time with your dad xxx
bavaria says
Thanks Susan xxx
valerie rees says
Proud of my boy and the wonderful job he does being a great dad to two sweet peas…Happy Father’s Day
bavaria says
That’s lovely… Thanks Val xxx
Deborah Patrick says
What a sweet photo and a lovely read. I’m glad the Dads all had a wonderful Fathers day x
bavaria says
Thank you Deborah! :)
LauraCYMFT says
Lovely post. How funny that your son and his friend swapped cards!
bavaria says
I can see a plan forming when it comes to tricky homework when they are older! Thanks Laura! :)
Herding Cats says
What a beautiful post and a heart warming picture.
bavaria says
Thank you (:
Sarah@The View From the Table says
What a lovely post. Excited to hear about your new adventure.. Safe journey back to Blighty at the weekend. Oh, and are their sharks in this part of Italy?? :)
bavaria says
I have only just noticed the Shark. How funny! :D Thank you! :) x
Janet Czekirda says
Well at least we did the beer part of the deal on Fathers Day this year by visiting the local Beerfest! However, the Fathers Day present was a bottle of Restore for male pattern baldness for (bless him) his receding hairline. We love him regardless of his increasing loss of hair! Lovely blog and nice pic.
bavaria says
Janet that’s hilarious! Thank you, look forward to catching up soon! xx