Meet the Instagran: Moreen Simpson, 72, Aberdeen

Moreen Simpson, 72, spent nearly 40 years as a journalist in Aberdeen.

Her plans for a leisurely retirement all changed when the first of her two gorgeous grandchildren was born in 2011.

Moreen still writes a weekly column for the Evening Express and enjoys holidays, lunches with pals and laughing – a lot! Here, she shares her fave snaps with P.S.

Out on the waves

I always longed for grandchildren so when my daughter Caroline’s firstborn, Callie, arrived I was ower the moon. Instant love.

Three years to the day later, her brother Jamie arrived. How I adore our days out together. This one was on one of those boats around Aberdeen harbour and along to Balgownie for dolphin-spotting.

I wasn’t all that sure if I had sea-legs and, sadly, not a dolphin in sight. But the speed of the boat was a thrill for all of us. And thankfully I didnae go all spewie-lewie!

Best wedding ever

A day to remember when Callie was the flower girl and Jamie page boy at their mum and dad’s wedding three years ago.

I spent most of the ceremony in floods. I particularly love this picture because it shows my daughter’s small army of bridesmaids – all of them inseparable friends – and Jamie’s expression is so cute.

Slides and squeals

We have treasure hunts and games using the huge box of summer play equipment I keep adding to. But best of all, if it’s warm enough, is digging out the paddling pool and setting it at the bottom of the chute to make a water slide.

Apologies to the neighbours for the squeals of delight (including the kids!) Last summer, because the weather was so good, the pool was barely emptied.

On this kind of afternoon, I know I’m truly blessed.

Bowling buddies

The other granny, Linda, is as potty about the Toots – my grandkids – as I am. They call her Grandma. I’m Nana, as my mum was to my two.

Both sides of the family get together regularly: birthdays, mother’s and father’s days, barbecues and pantos. This photo was taken in the 10-pin bowling at Cadona’s. The children are madly competitive. What a shock they got when grandma turned out to be a champion bowler!