I will always remember the day Dad burnt his belly on Exmouth beach. It would have been a rare family outing and I remember all four of us kids piling in the back of Dad’s white Ford transit van. Two kids on the wheel arches, one in front with Mum (normally Keith as he would be travel sick and then one lucky sibling (Martyn normally had that privilege being the eldest) would get to spin round in the back sitting on an old black leather office chair. It took great skill to counter the corners and avoid being spun out sidewides. (70’s parenting for you!) 

Once on the beach we kids would pair up to see who could bury each other the fastest in the sand. 

Meanwhile, following a picnic of corn beef sandwiches Dad fell asleep half propped up against the sea wall, shirt open revealing his trademark big belly in all its glory. It wouldnt have taken long to be roasted in the hot summer sun. He slept for hours!

After another fun trip in the back of the van to get home Dads belly was glowing pink. He couldn’t even bear the weight of his shirt touching the skin. I can’t remember which one of us kids said it but his skin was so PINK someone said he looked like the ‘Pink Panther’ and so the name was born and stuck for many years. He was never allowed to forget it. Happy memories.