November 6, 2026 
Sarah & her Dad Steve…
Hi Friends.
Sarah and I have just returned from a lovely few days away in Doncaster, celebrating her Dad’s birthday. And, of course, I couldn’t possibly turn up without creating something musical! This time, I wrote and produced a special song celebrating his life, using some of his favourite musical genres to give it a sound I knew he would enjoy. The biggest challenge was trying to squeeze so many amazing experiences, achievements and stories from his life into just a few minutes of music. I also created some special EP cover artwork, which we used on the front of his birthday card and, even better, had printed on the back of a personalised ‘The Living Legend’ T-shirt we had made for him. So, he now has his very own musical release and merchandise! There’s actually quite a story behind how the song came together, including some of the memories and details that inspired the lyrics, so keep an eye out because “The Story Behind The Song” blog post is coming next! I think you’ll enjoy discovering a little more about the man behind the music. 🎸
Cafe Sol, Doncaster…☕
One of my favourite little discoveries in Doncaster has become Cafe Sol, a traditional independent café tucked away on the High Street in the town centre. It’s the sort of place that reminds you why local cafés are still so important: hearty breakfasts, generous portions and a relaxed atmosphere. Whenever Sarah and I stay at the Premier Inn, I always look forward to popping in for my favourite Eggs Benedict, accompanied by two Cumberland sausages, naturally! Some traditions are worth keeping, and this is definitely one of mine now! 😋
Markham Grange Garden Centre…
We then headed off to Markham Grange Garden Centre (Now I’m over 50 I’m getting used to visiting garden centres, lol). But honestly, this place was massive, with more variety of things than I’ve ever seen. There was so much to explore, and we even spent some time looking at the geckos, lizards, birds and hamsters. Quite an assortment! It certainly made for an interesting afternoon, and I think we could easily have spent considerably longer wandering around.
Birthday Burger & Proper Chips…
Sarah then treated her Dad (and me!) to a rather substantial Birthday Burger, complete with proper chips, And when I say substantial, I mean a proper beef burger! It seemed entirely appropriate for The Living Legend’s birthday celebrations, and I’m certainly not one to turn down a good burger and chips! 😋
The Walk Back…
Then came the slightly less glamorous part of the day… the walk back to Sarah’s Dad’s house! Now, this wasn’t exactly my usual trail, with no familiar VoiceVista navigation markers or carefully planned route to follow. Instead, I had the amazing Sarah acting as my personal guide, navigating us safely home. Anyone who knows me understands that walking unfamiliar routes without sight can be quite an undertaking, particularly when the surroundings and terrain keep changing. Thankfully, Sarah guided me every step of the way, and we made it back without injury, mishap or requiring a rescue helicopter! 🤣
A Thought To Take With You…
This trip was another reminder that adventures don’t always have to involve mountains, long-distance trails or finishing-line medals. Sometimes they’re simply about getting out, exploring somewhere different and enjoying the company of the people who matter most. Looking back, it was a lovely few days filled with family, good food, laughter and some special memories. And, of course, creating something meaningful for someone you love is always a rather rewarding experience. We all have stories worth celebrating, and sometimes it’s lovely to stop and remind the people around us just how much their lives and experiences mean to us.
So here’s to Sarah’s Dad, Steve, The Living Legend! Happy Birthday. It was a privilege to turn a little of your life story into a 4 song EP, and although I couldn’t fit absolutely everything into those few minutes, I hope you know just how much we enjoyed celebrating with you. And Sarah… thank you for being my guide, my travelling companion, my breakfast enabler and, generally, my favourite person to get lost with. Although, ideally, let’s keep the getting lost to a minimum! ❤️
What a joy to celebrate Sarah’s dad with so much joy and intent, writing music to honor him. You used your talents to gift him with something unique, that no one else could give him. You are a blessing to so many–as is Sarah!
Awww thank you Dayle, that’s such a lovely thing to say, and I really appreciate it. I think one of the greatest gifts we can give someone is to take the time to recognise their story and celebrate the life they’ve lived. Music gave me a way to bring so many of those memories together and create something truly personal for Sarah’s Dad. It was a real privilege, and seeing how much it meant to him made it all the more special.
And you’re absolutely right about Sarah… she’s a blessing in my life…And I can’t believe I get to spend every single day being her husband, unbelievable! ❤️