In reply to Post #420
Great story Pete, and one I can relate to as a youngster.
You are right, the days did seem longer and the weather better during those times.
Little or no cars about when walking through the country lanes, with all the widlife about and the smell of the wild flowers.

Great memories!!

Keep up the good work mate!!

In reply to Post #414
As you say, the red kite is a magnificent creature, and I hope they catch the moron that shot it.

As for the fox attacking the child, again I ask the same as you, what the hell is the fox doing in the house.
Surely, with the weather being cold you would expect all the outside doors to be closed, unless the family have been encouraging the animal to come into the house. Very foolish if they have!!

In reply to Post #575
Hi Pete,
You should follow your own advice and not give up on our great sport.
It must be tough for you, but your mates sound a great set of guys.
From what you say, your mates would not mind one jot in taking you to
those out of the way spots to fish for your favourite barbel.
You must be great company on the bank, so it will also be their loss
come the day when you do come to the decision to give up fishing.

As you yourself say, dont give up, and dont give up on the articles either.
Your tales of the old days are particularly enjoyable to read, and i am
sure there are many in this forum who would agree with me.
Therefore, please, "DON'T GIVE UP"!!!!!!!!

In reply to Post #548
Sorry to read you are poorly again Pete.
Get well soon and I look forward to the stories continuing.

In reply to Post #477
Excellent reading Pete as is usual with your stories.
You certainly take me back to my childhood days, and what great days they were.
I lived on the edge of countryside near Stoke in my childhood, and can relate to the old
guys mixing their "special" lime based solution to paint onto trees to catch wild birds..
It was great in those days to hear the song of the linnet, and my Dad used to buy
them off the so called "local specialist bird catchers", as he rated their song highly.
I had a paper round just like yourself and saved up my wage and tips to buy my fishing gear bit by bit. It took some time, but I used to love my fishing for roach, perch & bream.
Your tale of the lad being attacked by the owl made me think back to my earlier days.
I was in the so called "Back Fields" one day having a kick about with a football when I spotted one of my mates returning from fishing with another local lad walking very closely behind him. I ran over to ask whether he had had any luck, but as I got closer, I thought something looked very strange. My mate was in the front holding his rod over his shoulder like a rifle, and the other lad was walking directly behind him.
Then I spotted why. My mate had been casting out and the hook had caught into the local lads nose. It looked very funny but it must have been very painful for the lad.
They had walked about three miles from where they were fishing, avoiding as many roads as they could, and all they got from all of us playing football was a load of laughter on their arrival home. They walked all the way with the lad hooked up to the rod and reel, never thinking once about cutting the line near the hook.
The lads mother got the hook out, but he also had a belt because he had been told not to go fishing earlier that day. Should have stayed local and had a kick about with me and the other local lads instead I think. Even my mate and the other lad had a good laugh about it afterwards, a few days after they had served out their "grounding".
As I said before, your stories really are very interesting and you can express yourself really well, so please continue writing and above all, get back to full fitness very soon.
Best wishes for a quick return to good health.
Ken

In reply to Post #457
Pleased to hear you have had your op and I wish you a very speedy recovery.

I hope you can get the rods out soon and get on the bankside.
I am also looking fortward to reading your next articles on this forum very soon.

Good luck mate

In reply to Post #429
Best wishes for a speedy recovery from the op Pete.
Looking forward already to your next article.
Good Luck

In reply to Post #419
Very interesting reading and look forward to the story continuing.
A jack the lads tale, brilliant!
Keep up the good work Pete.