Father’s Day beers spark joyful memories of the past

Months after Father's Day, Paul Routledge finally opened a box set of beers gifted by his youngest daughter, who is 60 years old. The beers, marketed for gardeners, were packaged in a stylish case called The Thirsty Gardener. Each beer is crafted to provide refreshment after gardening activities, although Routledge humorously notes that he would need more than just beer after a day in the garden. The selection includes Gardener's Rest, Bee's Knees, and Shear Genius, all brewed in Staffordshire Moorlands. Routledge reflects on his past experiences, recalling a trip to Cheddleton near Leek, where he enjoyed a ride on the Churnet Valley heritage steam railway. He acknowledges that while the beers are appealing, three half-litre bottles are more than he can handle alone. He considers sharing them with Mick, a park worker, but ultimately decides to enjoy them with his wife, Josephine, who has recently developed a taste for beer. The couple shared the beers, with Routledge managing to drink two and Josephine one. Despite her usual preference for John Smith's bitter, she indulged her husband, which he appreciated. He also reminisces about a previous gift from Josephine, a £20 garden voucher, which remains unused but serves as a reminder of their shared history. This experience highlights the joy of reminiscing about family moments and the simple pleasures of sharing a drink, reinforcing the bond between father and daughter, as well as the passage of time since her birth in their student flat in Nottingham.