Father's 70Th Birthday

[Islay]

It's my fathers 70th Birthday in September and I have no idea what to get him at all.

He is retired but active, can no longer drive long distances, but does enjoy days out. He lives in East Anglia.

Any unusual gift ideas out there?

No idea of budget but not over £300 probably.

[gness]

I once bought MrG a day out on a steam train....with a meal and all the trimmings......I went with him, by the way...didn't just send him off out of the way for a day.....☺

[vulcan42]

Does he have any special interests?

[Islay]

Lol I can just see my pops sitting there on his todd!!

He lives in the same village as a steam train so nothing new there.

This is so difficult hence starting my search now!

[Islay]

He has an allotment and he likes whiskey and cheese.

But I have bought him stuff for his allotment and whiskey and cheese before.

[whiskeryron]

Providing your dad is up to date with his blood pressure medication how about,
http://www.fallenangels.uk.com/

[gness]

Okay....nick the steam train in the village and have a wild, mystery trip!

I'll keep thinking......☺

[wolf63]

All my dad ever wanted was pants and socks. When he died we found a few years worth of unopened pants and socks.

The steam train idea is good - there are so many types of experience days available. Or a driverless car and he can be a passenger.

:-)

[wolf63]

Some of the celeb chefs do things like cheese making days. Visit their websites.

[ummmm]

What about a canal boat?

[wolf63]

Day at Alton towers?

[vulcan42]

Visit a distillery, helicopter trip, stately home visit..

[Georgiesmum]

How about a balloon flight?
A long weekend in Paris or Amsterdam?
Tea at the Ritz?
A theatre trip?

[mallyh]

it might be an idea to ask him if he has anything he would like to do x

[jakep]

New shed and/or bench for the allotment?

[beegeebee]

Is he artisitc, would a week/weekend course in learning to draw or use watercolours as there are quite a few of these courses advertised?

[Buenchico]

Well I live in East Anglia, I enjoy days out and I've got a birthday coming up, So I've booked a day trip to Paris (with no driving):

2 x taxis to/from station = approx £25.

Trains to/from London, which is about 75 miles away (with Advance tickets) = approx £24.

Return fare to Paris on Eurostar (at offer prices) = £58.

So that's one possibility. If your father can get to Stansted, there are also loads of cheap day trips available from there, such as Amsterdam or Berlin.

[jourdain2]

Mr. J2 has his 83rd birthday coming up. He casually mentioned (ages ago) that he had once been in a glider and how he had enjoyed it - so I'm booking him a flight - just hope he doesn't try wing-walking!

If your Dad is fit and healthy he might enjoy something like that - there should be plenty air-based stuff in East Anglia.

[Islay]

Thanks for all the ideas.

He has been in gliders and many other winged transport
He has been to so many distilleries I have lost count

I like the idea of booking somewhere for him and his wife to go so will look around.

[mikey4444]

Islay...have you thought of a track day, where your Dad can drive a real sports car around a racing track.....Aston Martin, Ferrari, etc ?

[zebo]

I bought OH a flight simulator experience, comes up on Wowcher sometimes, a place down near Newmarket. My OH is not easily impressed with anything but he really enjoyed that, not a massive set-up but very good.