Dave was born near Pontefract in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Both his parents were hard working Yorkshire folks who welcomed me into their family. He joined the Royal Navy at 15 and had a wonderful time travelling the world. Eventually he was stationed near Edinburgh where he met me. The rest is History!

I was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. My father was Italian and my mother Scots with some Irish on my maternal grandmothers side. I also spent 18 months in Denmark recuperating from TB. This made a great impact on me, being away from home for such a long time.

Dave and I met in Edinburgh while Dave was stationed at South Queensferry. He convinced me that Yorkshire was the place for me so in 1962 I relocated my life and waited for Dave to return from a long overseas posting. No Internet in those days, just "Snail Mail".

We married in 1964 and our first son Steven was born a year later.

Our second son Michael was born in Edinburgh where we had gone to live for a while during my father's illness.

We then moved back to Yorkshire in 1975 and have lived in our present home ever since

Our son Steve married Nickie in October 2005 (see link to the wedding pictures) so we gained a new

daughter in law plus a grand daughter, Bethany.

Michael shares his lfe with Nic is happy in his job.

We have four grand children so far.

Lucas, was 16 in August and Bethany, was 18 in July

and  Madison Emily Thompson will be 8 in November.

Miss Matilda Grace Thompson was born in August 2013....

Miss Evie Hope Thompson was born in June 2015

Dave worked at Leeds/Bradford airport until he retired and I ended my career as a Residential Social Worker (elderly). I have always worked with people and have personally gained so much from being allowed to enable others to maintain a reasonable life as well as an insight into what's in store should I live to a ripe old age.

We are both retired now and have found time to follow other pursuits including long distance travel.  Although we now are less ambitious :)

Prior to that we spent our holidays mainly in Italy, which we love. We always drove there and therefore spent time in other European countries. we have a caravan (home on wheels) and enjoy the Beautiful Dales as often as we can.

We both enjoy gardening and despite being disabled we love to keep it blooming.Shirley is involved with "Menston Cares" and helps provide respite for carers. We enjoy socialising and try to keep up with friends as well as trying to keep family ties intact.

We had three West Highland Terriers. Hamish, Callum and Jock (Jock belonged to Dave's parents who both died within 6 months of each other). Jock died in 2007 and Hamish in 2010. Lastly Callum  in September 2011 We miss them all very much.

Hamish is on the left, Jock in middle and Callum on the right. Three loveable rogues !

We acquired Wee Mac in 2012 and he keeps us on our toes!

Wee Mac