I'll explain..
Years and years ago when I couldn't drive ,a teenager ,I was desperate to go carp and course fishing,no regular bus service at all,and 15 miles minimum from the nearest lake..
So I used to cycle, and later on I bought a cb 125 t,good times..anyway I was on one of my long cycle trips ,I met old Tom Stone..at a lovely old pool.
I'd never met anyone like Tom,he was using antenna bite alarms ,and made most of his kit himself ,a real old character,his stories about the 2nd world war and spitfires kept me enthralled..sitting in his tackle shed,with all those wonderful smells and old tackle hanging up..
Despite our age differences we were mates,in fact he was the grandfather I never had ,in angling terms,anyway..
Time and tide ,wait for no man,and shan't bore one and all with all our escapades ,except age took its toll,dementia sadly kicked in ,and Tom became a frightened, scared old man...sometimes after a trip I'd knock on his cottage door for a chat,and he didn't even remember me..
So my tradition is every new years eve,I fish for remembering Tom Stone ..everytime I pass his cottage I nod to him..and the good chats and putting the world to rights..
Today...once again,I did indeed keep that tradition alive..
Years and years ago when I couldn't drive ,a teenager ,I was desperate to go carp and course fishing,no regular bus service at all,and 15 miles minimum from the nearest lake..
So I used to cycle, and later on I bought a cb 125 t,good times..anyway I was on one of my long cycle trips ,I met old Tom Stone..at a lovely old pool.
I'd never met anyone like Tom,he was using antenna bite alarms ,and made most of his kit himself ,a real old character,his stories about the 2nd world war and spitfires kept me enthralled..sitting in his tackle shed,with all those wonderful smells and old tackle hanging up..
Despite our age differences we were mates,in fact he was the grandfather I never had ,in angling terms,anyway..
Time and tide ,wait for no man,and shan't bore one and all with all our escapades ,except age took its toll,dementia sadly kicked in ,and Tom became a frightened, scared old man...sometimes after a trip I'd knock on his cottage door for a chat,and he didn't even remember me..
So my tradition is every new years eve,I fish for remembering Tom Stone ..everytime I pass his cottage I nod to him..and the good chats and putting the world to rights..
Today...once again,I did indeed keep that tradition alive..
In reply to Post #1
Nicely remembered. he left his mark, stories and kit making knowledge on you.
Nicely remembered. he left his mark, stories and kit making knowledge on you.
In reply to Post #3
He was a great man..a big guy I'd imagine in his day...but sofly spoken and nice with it..
Nothing but respect for him...not many old characters around like he was I'd guess ..
Great memories of cut down plastic cola bottles over his alarms to stop them shorting out in mizzle ,people laughed ,but it worked..!
He was a great man..a big guy I'd imagine in his day...but sofly spoken and nice with it..
Nothing but respect for him...not many old characters around like he was I'd guess ..
Great memories of cut down plastic cola bottles over his alarms to stop them shorting out in mizzle ,people laughed ,but it worked..!
In reply to Post #1
Lovely memories Adam.
I didn't have to cycle as far to my lake, maybe four and a half miles or so.
My friends and I also had an old boy that befriended us, a lovely bloke called Frank. Being a keener angler than my mates Frank and I really struck up great friendship. He would often give me hooks and other bits and bobs of gear and sometimes a bit of his 'special' paste.
Then one day Frank wasn't at the pit on his regular day and I never saw him again.
Lovely memories Adam.
I didn't have to cycle as far to my lake, maybe four and a half miles or so.
My friends and I also had an old boy that befriended us, a lovely bloke called Frank. Being a keener angler than my mates Frank and I really struck up great friendship. He would often give me hooks and other bits and bobs of gear and sometimes a bit of his 'special' paste.
Then one day Frank wasn't at the pit on his regular day and I never saw him again.
In reply to Post #5
Good memories Andy...an example of what he was like,he knew I had a family and money was tight ,so he'd literally find loads of little jobs for me to do ,painting,gardening ...lots of stuff..helped me out massively ..
These oldies are special, it's why I help a few in my village who show keeness,most are married now..
Once cycled to lower Tamar,22 miles there ,22 miles back...Raleigh 5 speed Arena ,with the hardest plastic saddle known to man kind..
I'm still just as keen...
Good memories Andy...an example of what he was like,he knew I had a family and money was tight ,so he'd literally find loads of little jobs for me to do ,painting,gardening ...lots of stuff..helped me out massively ..
These oldies are special, it's why I help a few in my village who show keeness,most are married now..
Once cycled to lower Tamar,22 miles there ,22 miles back...Raleigh 5 speed Arena ,with the hardest plastic saddle known to man kind..
I'm still just as keen...
In reply to Post #1
Nice
Nice