welder

Done. Ian.

I'd gladly have eaten wild boar but the catching, killing and cooking bits would have been complicated and too gruesome to contemplate. I settled for a microwaved Chicken Provencal in the end. Hardly any bloodshed...…………. Ian.

Dayvid, you and I have fished together, albeit in decent weather, at Horseshoe. This experience was the polar opposite of that..... Whatever, yes I caught. Best was a 32lb common which came to the net like a defeated bream. The lake hasn't been fished in November for over 15 years so who knows what goes on. Most interesting element? Sitting reading a book with Mylo, the resident dog at my feet. He sat bolt upright, staring at something behind me. Two wild boar from the woodland behind the swim. They helped alleviate the loneliness...………….. Ian.

He's still not 100% but came back to work with me last Friday. Your wife is quite right, he planned to fly to Le Mans with me collecting him from there when released from hospital. He told one of the doctors as much and was told, in absolute terms, that it would probably be the death of him. He's since told me that he thought his demise was near, for a strapping, muscular 37 year old this was something of a shock. He'll get well, he's got to. We've got a backlog of wrought iron gates, railings etc to catch up with...………... Crusian, thanks for your concern and show this post to your wife, please. Ian.

I fished Rushes Lake in France from 11th November to the 19th, this year. It was dark longer than it was light and when it was light it was freezing! I was there because I'd promised the owners that I'd keep an eye on the place and feed their dog and cat while they were at their son's wedding in Dubai. My son was supposed to be with me but was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia on the day of departure and was in for 5 days. Never, ever have I felt so isolated or lonely. Won't be doing that again, trust me. Ian.

I seldom look down at my feet. It's a waistline thing...……………. Ian.

Know what? I'm going to investigate these. Perhaps I'm not as hard as I thought...………... Ian

I've never fished Bluewater but have fished several venues in France. The best advice I can offer is to ask what is used to feed the fish during the, usually closed, winter period. Use this as a background bait and either fish over it with any of the better known baits or whatever is sold at the fishery. The latter, ideally, as the fish will recognise the bait as food. Ian

Essential to life, mate. I cant remember ever leaving a tackle shop empty handed. Ian.

Agree. Always have my crocs at the doorway of the bivvy. No fleece lining, though. I'm hard, me. Ian.

I like a nice crossbow...……. Ian.

As I understand it most of the otters currently decimating fisheries were bred in captivity and illegally released by do-gooders who know very little about. the eco system. Did they ever ask themselves why otters were near extinction? It's called natural selection! Ian.

Hey, never fear change, cherish it. That specialised work you did must have been a solitary existence for 20 years and there's a lot to be said for frequent human interaction. One of many reasons that I enjoy working with Alan, my son. Like you, we're self employed and responsible only to ourselves, our clients and HMRC.....in diminishing order of interest....……..Really need to get a social organised soonish. I seem to spend more time fishing in France than in the UK in recent years. Ian

Ditto that...………. Ian

Have you quit plastering, Phil? Ian

A bit of furtive guesting. All admiration is due! Ian

Please do, Big Man. Sandhurst still owes me a couple of fish but, if I'm honest, anywhere will do. Ian.

It's high time that the old crew fished together again, Stevo. I'd have no problem with travelling north to your neck of the woods if you want to suggest a venue. Could be six or sixteen of us, like it matters. What do you think? Ian

Quite right, Stevo. Where shall we go? Ian

My bivvy has a broken rib...…………... Ian

Go Lydia! Ian

The River Tame at the back of our village is running about 8" deep. Never seen it so low. Ian

Enjoy, Rob. Ian

Phil, this won't come as a surprise to you but we've already discussed the supply and installation of wrought ironwork around the raised patio area of a property they're having built nearby...…. Are you a male witch or what? Ian

I had a very pleasant surprise last night. Kim and Iain, the owners of Rushes Lake, have invited me and my son Alan to house/dog/cats/ lake sit for ten days mid November. The lake is closed to fishing from October to March each year so we'll have complete access to everything. This is almost entirely down to the fact that their dog, Mylo, and my son became firm friends during our recent week there. They are off to visit their son in Dubai for a week. Excited? Oh, yes. Flattered? More than a little. Better get the ferry sorted...……. Ian