Once again not today but yesterday 11th. Well it actually started on 9th July with Charlie asking me Dad can I use the ute to take my welder to work. I responded, no worries mate just look after it same rules as with every request. Now it's 7pm on the 10th July and no sight or sound of Charlie and my ute
![Face with monocle :face_with_monocle: 🧐](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f9d0.png)
so I asked Kate have you heard from Charlie, is he working late, are we waiting for him or having dinner before he arrives home. Kate tells me he's working late but should be home around 8pm I said we'll wait and have dinner with him. 9pm rolls around, no Charlie, no ute and I'm having visions of Sally the cat spinning on a rotisserie over hot coals. I called Charlie and asked what's the hold up, Charlie, I'm just locking the gate see you in 20 minutes. Finally got to sit down and enjoy apricot chicken
![Face savoring food :yum: 😋](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60b.png)
bloody beautiful meal especially in winter
6.30am 11th, Charlie wakes me up and says happy birthday Dad you need to get up I've got a surprise
![Smiling face with smiling eyes :blush: 😊](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60a.png)
![IMG_20240712_223444.jpg IMG_20240712_223444.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/prospectingaustralia/data/attachments/14/14203-fe4eb10dbff095d5deddc33bc8ec06a2.jpg)
Turns out he spent the evening fitting a UHF (XRS) unit to the 79
![Smiling face with heart-eyes :heart_eyes: 😍](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60d.png)
![Smiling face with smiling eyes :blush: 😊](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60a.png)
a really nice surprise
![Thumbs up :thumbsup: 👍](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f44d.png)
Then he says start it up. If the smart UHF wasn't enough he's doubled down and fitted a 3 & 1/2" inch to 3" inch twin stainless exhaust system
![Face with open mouth :open_mouth: 😮](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f62e.png)
gotta say I'm gob smacked.
Moral of the story is not every time your kids are late while borrowing your vehicle are your kids or vehicle in danger or straying from home at your expense. I love our kids and like 99% of parents have been put through the ringer from time to time, nothing to sinister in our case with each experience thankfully. Just goes to show they really do listen and have appreciation more than we think at times. It's not the material aspect of the story rather the insight of the younger generation and how Charlie chose to express his gratitude
![Folded hands :pray: 🙏](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f64f.png)
We're in good hands there's a lot of really great young people in this world despite what the paper's say
![Smiling face with smiling eyes :blush: 😊](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f60a.png)