Meet the Instagran: Margaret Smith, 66, from Saltcoats

Proud gran Margaret Smith, 66, from Saltcoats, has found a new lease of life in her semi-retirement, which helps her run around looking after her first grandchild, Ben.

Margaret loves stargazing, cooking, and taking strolls along the beach with her husband, Tony.

Here, she shares her favourite family snaps with P.S. readers…

A Martini moment

I celebrated my 66th birthday in Cecchini’s, a wonderful Italian restaurant in Ardrossan, last weekend with a French Martini, my favourite cocktail.

I’m enjoying the luxury of working two days a week since I took flexible retirement last summer. I work in an assisted support needs school in Renfrewshire and I love my job.

It is very rewarding, challenging and physically demanding so, being a Granny, I’m glad to be working part-time.

Cheers!

Brilliant Ben

Life has been enriched beyond imagination by the birth of our first grandson, Ben, who we look after every Friday.

Here Ben is only a few months old and enjoying listening to his grandad reading The Tale Of Peter Rabbit.

Ben loves to turn the pages and listen to the rhythm of his grandad’s voice.

Living by the sea

Here’s Ben enjoying one of his first goes on the swings in Saltcoats.

We are lucky to live right on the seafront and have a large beach on our doorstep. Our flat overlooks the River Clyde with fabulous views towards Arran and Ailsa Craig. The sunsets are glorious!

I’m looking forward to the summer when Ben comes to stay for a wee holiday to build sand castles.

I’ve always wanted to live by the sea and now Ben can benefit, too.

La dolce vita!

I love all things Italian, the food, the wine, the music. I celebrated my 60th on Lake Garda with Tony – this was before I took the plunge and went blonde!

We hired a speed boat and did 360 spins across the lake listening to Pavarotti singing Nessum Dorma after a concert we were meant to see was cancelled.

I’m still trying to learn the language…forse un giorno, which means “maybe one day”!