'People think my son Robbie Savage is hard as nails but I know a different side'

11 August 2023 , 20:46

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'My favourite caff does fry-ups that don't break a tenner' (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

I've been longing to go to a special place for years now. Not the Bahamas, the Maldives or Hawaii: a little caff in Gwersyllt.

Now my new hip means I’m not in as much pain and can venture out without my walker, it was my first stop-off. The food’s to die for but it’s not the only draw. It’s the atmosphere. Staff know just how their regulars like everything on their menu. And customers enjoy a perfect piled-on-the-plate fry-up without breaking a tenner.

There’s a homely honesty about the scrubbed tables, old-favourites menu and simple décor. It’s never quiet but clinks with crockery, the gurgle of a tea urn and the hum of chit chat. As I was half-way out my friend Janet’s car, Sharon and Cath – the lovely ladies who run the caff – rushed out to the car park to put their arms around me. And before we sat down, a mug of just-the-way-I-like-it tea was on the table alongside a steaming black coffee for Janet.

We sat outside in the sun with two rounds of scrambled eggs on toast, chatting to everyone around us then leading a chorus of Staying Alive while doing John Travolta’s moves with my arms. I loved every minute of our stay there - all four hours of it. With full stomachs and happy minds, we headed to Home Bargains. After years trapped in the four walls of my home with next to no mobility, I’ve never been so excited to see aisles stacked with colourful things I didn’t know I needed.

'People think my son Robbie Savage is hard as nails but I know a different side' eiqrriheiehinv

'We led a chorus of Staying Alive' (Mirrorpix)

'People think my son Robbie Savage is hard as nails but I know a different side'

Val loves the gurgle of a tea urn (Getty Images)

But shopping made me hungry. Janet said: “Don’t tell me you want to go to the caff again?”. Correct! Back we went and I had a strawberry ice cream milkshake in a pint glass. The next morning I was out with Janet again for a few more doctors’ appointments. Everyone knows those appointments take it out of you. Janet gave me a look. “Not again?” she said.

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Back to the caff we went. Janet insisted she wasn’t hungry and just wanted a coffee. But for someone who had no appetite she did well to polish off two rounds of cheese on toast. We met older couples out for the day, kids popping in for summer holiday treats, sparkies grabbing bacon rolls to eat in the van and a young joiner having brunch with his girlfriend who gave me his number and promised to quote me for new doors.

Seeing new faces, hearing about people’s lives and the treat of being served hearty food was a tonic for someone like me whose mobility has been so restricted. When so many old pubs are closing and money is tight, local caffs serving affordable meals dished up with human warmth are the heart of communities. Support yours, if you can. I certainly enjoy supporting mine.

Grandson Charlie is doing us proud

My grandson Charlie is settling in grand at his new football club Reading FC. Playing against Millwall, he scored his first goal with a beautiful free kick. Charlie was elated – but our Robert was even happier to see his son do so well. People think our Robert is hard as nails because he had thousands of yellow cards when he played professionally. But I know a different side to him.

Val's grandson Charlie

He FaceTimed me from outside the ground before Charlie made his Reading debut and said he was a bag of nerves, up and down to the toilet. His eyes were as blue as the ocean as he said: “I just wish Dad was here.” That set me off. Because me too son, me too.

No sense of Rapport

Browsing for football videos on my iPad and trying to spot more of our Charlie, a clip of American footballer Megan Rapinoe popped up. She’s a big star and was at some awards do when a young fan nervously approached her to sign his football. Megan took his ball without even flicking her eyes at the lad. She signed it while saying hello to someone else, then gave it back without a word or even a nod to her fan.

Megan Rapinoe with fan's ball (@OliLondonTV/Twitter)

Rapinoe on the pitch (Getty Images)

It made me fume. Having plucked up the courage to approach his idol, the boy would have felt ecstatic to meet her. Now he’ll feel crushed at the memory. When our Robert was at Manchester United, players were constantly reminded that fans pay their wages. I know he learned that lesson because I’ve seen him barely able to eat a meal with his family because he’d never refuse a fan’s autograph or selfie. I’m glad he’s that way and not like rude Megan. Mind you, if someone tried to get between me and a spoonful of gravy I’d say: “Hang on a minute, pal!”

It’s another fine mess that I’m in

I’m following the rules from my doctors and occupational therapist so I recover quickly and fully from my hip op. One of the things I’m not allowed to do is bend from my hips, which makes washing my hair in the bath a no no. Bending backwards or forwards over a hairdresser’s sink is also out.

I have to keep ruffling it up so it doesn’t lie flat on my head but now my hairdo looks like Stan Laurel’s. It was last washed on July 3 and, to follow the advice, I can’t wash my hair until October and I’ll have to try dry shampoo.

I’m desperate for the sensation of water cleaning my scalp. I keep eyeing up neighbours’ garden sprinklers and wondering if they’d mind me standing across it while I lather my Head and Shoulders?

Thanks to NHS angels

My overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the NHS is not dying down. I can barely believe the agonising pain I had for years has eased every day in the month since my op. It’s only now I can admit how fed up I was being stuck in the house for so long. I’ve vowed never to moan about daft things like the rain or having a cold again. If I wake up and I’m alive enough to sing, that’s a good day and I’m going to enjoy it.