An "inspiring" great grandad who turns 100-years-old today went parasailing on an "epic" holiday with family just months ago.
John Davies is "not your average" centenarian according to his granddaughter and just months ago he even hopped on a plane to Turkey where they went parasailing together. Kaija Gosling told the ECHO that in August, John, from Speke, travelled to join them on an "epic" family holiday before making the daring decision.
Recalling the trip, Liverpool FC fan John, who was born in 1922, said: "We were sunbathing and watching them going back and forwards and my granddaughter suggested we do it. It was very good.
READ MORE: Update on little girl 'fighting for her life' with Strep A in Alder Hey
"I really enjoyed it. I was a bit dubious at first, but once I was up there I quite enjoyed myself."
John met his "childhood sweetheart" Marjorie Davies at the Church Hall in Speke, when they were just 15 and 12-years-old. They pair married in 1945 - 11 days after the war - where they stayed together until 1992 when she died at the age of 66.
Speaking to the ECHO about his long life, John said that the war took "the best part" of his life away but he has many great memories with his loved ones. After leaving the navy, John worked on a cruise ship and in the Ford factory before retiring.
John's granddaughter Kaija described him as inspiring, independent and "not willing to be left behind".
In a heartwarming tribute she said: "He's so inspiring. I'm really lucky to be in my 40s and still have my grandad and he still has that sense of adventure. He jumped on the plane to Turkey to join us. It was epic.
"We have all sorts of lovely memories throughout my childhood and it's so lovely his great-grandchildren have a good relationship with him too. He does everything himself, earlier this year he took all the fish out of his pond, relined it and put them all back in.
"People often think he's my father not my grand-father because he doesn't look his age. He's not your average 100-year-old.
"To think of all the things that have changed and developed over the years, like technology, he embraces a lot of, he doesn't want to get left behind. He's done a computer course and has an Alexa."
Growing up in Toxteth, John was one of seven siblings who "grew up with no money", with a treat being "condensed milk butties and coco powder to dip your finger into".
John is set to spend the special celebration with his family.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Dad took girl, 5, to hospital three times before she died of Strep A
Murdered dad could have been victim in plot to destroy evidence
Liverpool's lost 'rough' pubs from 'criminal sanctuaries' to a 'dark ages Moe's Tavern'
When to take children to A&E over Strep A fears
We blind taste tested Marks and Spencer and Aldi mince pies and there was a clear winner
