Thanks Donald.

Blippers Glassroad and BrodieB's parents came to stay with us in France some years ago, to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. While they were here Donald became ill and we were very worried about him. He recovered after a few days and lots of care.

My job was to cook nursery food for him. As a true Scot, when unwell, he favoured rice pudding, porridge and things that hadn't been too 'messed about with'. I set to peeling and seeding dozens of home-grown tomatoes and turning them into an unctuous soup. I received the highest possible accolade. 'Very, very good, just like Heinz.'

I loved Donald. He wasn't my dad, but he reminded me of my dad. Donald was always kind to me. Today he died peacefully in Perth, Western Australia, with BrodieB at his side and his wife and daughter, Glassroad, not far away. I shall miss him. Thank you for a thousand things Don.