Help with gift ideas

Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated. All good ideas and I will ponder. I like the idea of taking him for a meal, he lives three hours drive away and I dont think he could cope with us staying, but we might be able to think of a way. His daughter gave him a Costas card loaded up with credit which I thought was brilliant.

I would agree to going out for lunch.
If there was a restaurant with a pleasant walk nearby it would be nice to 'walk off' lunch with a gentle stroll. Better than all bundling into the car and straight home.

Depending on hobbies and how much you want to spend, how about a magazine subscription. You only have to visit a local newsagent to see the array of choice.

Perhaps a subscription to Saga magazine?

A simple cookery book.
Agree with idea of taking him out for a meal

Does he like books in general? Or a CD? Or voucher of some kind

If he has a balcony or patio at the new apartment, what about a planted up pot to brighten it up? Failing which, a window box?

A Sunday lunch out with you and your DH?

If he's moving to a new area, one of those "History of X" books that contains old photos as well as information about how the area developed?

Hmm...difficult.
How about taking him out, to somewhere with gardens or of historic interest and include tea? That way he doesn't have to have the experience on his own.