"Mum would have a go at anything, so when her brother bought a motorbike she wanted a go too."
I am married, in my 50s and living in Cannock. I work helping people with enduring mental health problems.
My interests are walking, gardening and wildlife.
I wanted to pay a tribute to my mother and share some of the happy memories.
Inside Lives was very interesting and educational. It was very thought-provoking at times. It was fun and I really enjoyed the company and workshop.
My mum was hard working and a bit of a character. She used to tell us some funny tales. She would turn her hand to anything. When I was little she made wine in bottles. Parsnip and rhubarb were very strong favourites! One day the corks flew out and the wine spilt all over the floor. Our dog found it first and he lapped it all up. He was legless for several hours. I remember it had the same effect on humans! Before she was married, she lived with her parents and seven brothers on a small-holding. Her youngest brother was a lot shorter than everyone else. Oh and he did want to be taller. They all laughed when he put muck in his shoes, because his sister had told him to - to make him grow. Anyway, it didn't work. Mum would have a go at anything, so when her brother bought a motorbike she wanted a go too. She really enjoyed herself riding around the fields, but then she realised she didn't know how to stop it! She just had to keep on riding round and round, until she ran out of fuel. She was like Old Mother Riley. I've always wished I'd been there to see it all. But then the first time I found myself at the top of a rockface, about to abseil off, it occurred to me that I've turned out to be just like her.
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