Ladies
A couple of weeks before Dad passed away, we were talking to him about the type of service he would like. Dress code was discussed - No Black was a reply –
Mum asked Dad - what he would like the ladies to wear suggesting bright and colourful clothes.
With a glint in his eye and a smile he said NAKED.

Sorry Dad the ladies are all beautifully dressed and there’s No 21-gun salute either. 

Holidays Abroad
Family Holidays abroad brought many new experiences to us all especially to 2 young boys.
We learnt from a English Lady tourist how to ask for EGGS in French supermarket, Say EGGGSSSS loudly and Again really loudly EGGGSSS!!! That has stayed with us always.

On our first Holiday abroad in Luxembourg we learnt how to erect a tent as well the Whittaker trait - ignoring instructions as we know better.
That venture caught the attention of a Dutch family camping nearby who could not stop laughing as this whole process unfolded in front of them.
After a few hours and when they had laughed enough, they came to help. The family became life long friends.

That was Dad and Mum always sociable and making friends like many of you.

Boats & Cars
There have been a few boats and Cars. Most Notably a little motor boat named Suzi Q after mum and a 1950’s era Sunbeam Talbot.
As a young family we spent many happy weekends on Suzi Q on the river Thames.

My main memory apart from wearing Grandmas itchy knitted jumpers, was seeing Dad standing up to his waste in the water fiddling with the engine, or replacing the split pin holding on the Propeller.

After cruising up the river These trips were generally finished with Fish and Chips for tea and a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock. We all had to have a drink before Simon though. He can explain why later. but it became a family joke.

Cars were always a passion
The classic cars started when returning one Saturday evening from a good drink after rugby. Announcing he had bought a classic 1930’s Morris 8 – which was currently being used as a chicken coop.
Not sure if he paid money or was paid to take it away. It really was a chicken coop complete with the SHTUFF chickens make.     

The cars progressed to a fully restored Red Sunbeam Talbot Alpine , a classic beauty from the 50’s. Dad and Mum spent many happy times driving this on Sunbeam Talbot owners’ club rallies in England and France.

Dad often drove around roundabouts 2 or 3 times until the correct exit was found. A tradition upheld today in the hearse. You can imagine the surprise of other motorists.   

Whittaker Traits & Becoming a Sporting Armchair expert
Simon and I have been fortunate to have inherited many of Dads ball skills and sporting abilities and he was always there with Mum supporting/cheering us on from the sideline at Rugby and Football matches.

It cost him a small fortune paying rewards for goals and tries scored. Simon once came back having scored 10 or more goals in a match and a max limit was imposed.

After retiring from participating in sport, Us Whittaker’s like to pass down our sporting knowledge and experience to others.
Even better if you can do it from your own Armchair. Dad was An Armchair Expert on the sports he played and on others gained from some of lifes experiences.

Windsurfing – How to fall in gracefully
Downhill and Slalom Skiing- I will leave to your imagination.

A prime example was Gymnastics “The Beam” exercise. He gained great expertise in this discipline whilst on a canal boat holiday.  Taking daily showers standing on the 6 inches wide gunnel on the outside of the boat whilst it moved.
He could also drop the bar of soap and land it perfectly flat on the area he was standing.

A cheeky sense of humor and Laughter and occasionally slapstick type accidents have always been a part of our family’s life.
I could recount stories of Dad dropping new glasses in pots of paint. Or covering himself with cream when opening the fridge door.

Many of you will have your own memories of fun times and hilarious situations when in Dad and Mums company. Maybe at a party, over a meal with a glass of wine or a large G&T or 2 or just spending time together.

Dad always loved a good laugh via the tellly or Radio. Some notable favorites were
The Two Ronnies four Candles. “No Handles for Forks”.
Or Victoria Woods “Two Soups”.

Radio shows like the Goons Round the Horne or recordings from Blaster Bates - reference the 21-gun salute.
He was a real fan of Peter Sellers Characters Blue Bottle “He’s fallen in the water” and Inspector Cluoseau.
One particular scene from the Revenge of the Pink Panther where the Inspector was working as he described it ”under the covers” as the Old Salty Swedish Sea dog.

Dressed in disguise as a peg legged pirate, Clouseau had an inflatable parrot on his shoulder which deflated from time to time.
Clouseau kept pumping his arm to reinflate it whilst muttering words with a Swedish accent.
Watching this Dad would have tears coming down his face and the more the inspector pumped the more Dad laughed, eventually the parrot blew off leading to Dad falling off the settee on to the floor.
The more he laughed the more we laughed. That piece of film will always remind us of special times with Dad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CARc1uUq1lA

Another of Dads favourite Peter Sellers monologues is “Balham Gate way to the South” He loved this and knew the words off by heart. Please Listen carefully and remember Dad/Bryans fun - that glint in his eye - and a special smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RTWk9QIKS0