31 December 2021
Doing an odd job or two everyday, tinkering about, making use of what I’ve got and only buying when it’s needed. For instance, the move has thrown up a few things we didn’t already have, including some scratty terracotta pots, well, I painted a few of them and planted hyacinths which are now showing through. It is pleasing when you do stuff for youself, much better really and, after all, being a bit imaginative (and practical) is better than hanging around doing fuck all, it is for me anyway.
30 December 2021
Better day, perrenial existential thoughts, what are you going to do but work them off? Can’t overlook that this is a fantastic place to live and to prove it we’ve just been for a walk up and down the front to get one or two bits from the shop,.The scenery is sublime, the air fresh, quiet, peaceful and what’s it all about Alfie?
29 December 2021
Bad day for a complex array of reasons, still, I managed to get some good guitar practice in. I’ve been looking at guitars again – jazz this time – and I’ve resisted the desire, I have two guitars both of which are of a reasonable standard. My Tanglewood plays jazz well – classical not so good – and is well set up. The Fender (Mexican) has specialist humbuckers and is pro set up which is great if I start playing blues or rock so, overall, it is plenty good enough so – and here lies the lesson – get better and they sound better.
28 December 2021
Getting ready to have a re-organisation of the garage although, I am afraid to say, my motivation is at a low point at present.
27 December 2021
Conditions are perfect on the lake and my little friends are here for breakfst. It is still mighty cold – three thermals – so you never know what the fishing will be like although the last couple of times have been good. Of course, i’m writing this tomorrow so it went well again, couldn’t use my knew rigs because the silicon that I have was too big but, I reckon, when they are up and running – together with a few other tweaks – my bit connection will be even better. Lovely little place this.
26 December 2021
Fukk programme of footy toady, in previous years I would be glued to amazon prime digesting the full, festive sprting feast but, with the damage covid has wreaked It feels artificially forced. So, instead, I’ll consume a couple of good films as well as the other stuff, guitar, prep for fishing ps4 etc. Boredom – thanks to the internet – has been eradicated. Oh, nearly forgot, it’s meet the parents time for Jamie, he does seem a great lad and I’m sure he is, got a good feeling.
25 December 2021
Quite a good xmas day, pleasant all in all, the lads are at their mums – which is okay of course – but I do miss them.
24 December 2021
Yeah, done a couple of jobs, had me porridge so, next, off for a game, christmas golf who would have thunk it
23 December 2021
The footy is a shambles at the minute, so much so that I’m not fussed about watching it, which is saying something. Matches are postponed because of covid and teams are playing with reserverves, load of bollocks and it should be clled off until it abates. Wake up with a plan each morning but then , as there is so much to do out of doors, it can change. Not much today just a few bits of pottering about aintermixed with the daily jazz guitar practice, enjoying thhis and making steady progress both with the practice and theory.
22 December 2021
Don’t know why I should feel like I am experty fishing the pole as I have only really used it seriously a handful of times. It is, if used correctly, an unbeatable method and I am beginning to get the bits right that allow fishing to me smooth and efficient. Today was cold and a bit blustery but I managed to catch consistently well and I have found what I will refer to as the “two section ” method. Also, together with the sea fishing, I am going to stick to rigs I know work well and stop chopping and changing terminal tackle. Fishing is about presenting the bait as naturally as possible where the fish are after you have attracted them to the swim, normally this is just off the bottom except in summer when it can be higher up. Still thinking about Hereford but I might give the fishery in Flint a try, probably will in the new year.
21 December 2021
Getting the tackle ready for another session on the pond. One of the benefits of a great hobby – although it’s not a hobby if you don’t work, it’s a life -is that you tend to think about tweaks, which occupies your mind nicely. And then you have to apply the thoughts practically which also occupies the mind – and body in a good way.
20 December 2021
Ambivilant about xmas although I’m always welcome of the turn into new year. Very satisfied with the way the days are panning out, bet some jobs done, no hassle, great views, fresh air, lovely house…yeah it’s alright.
19 December 2021
Ironically now I don’t much care about my golf game I’m gettin alright at it. This year I will get my handicap and see how it goes. Also, you never know, I’m assuming it will get gradually even better but, as with many aspects of life, it doesn’t do it if you take your eye off the ball. Today we played with another couple of members and we did ourselves justice, boy it was cold though, a sea mist came in and chilled the place right down..
Got some terminal tackle arriving today so I’ll make some rigs up for both fresh and sea, not sure how Hereford will pan out as covid is rampant again, not fussed though plenty here.
18 December 2021
The new variant of covid – omicron – is rampant and a new lockdown is surely only days away. Many European countries have already implemented measures and banned travel. Here we go again. No football today as four of the five matches have been abandoned, the season, I think, stops on Monday.
17 December 2021
No, I wasn’t pleased with the fishing session on the lake the other day, not great technique and overly bothered by what the others were catching on the nearside pegs. Therefore, I watched and picked up a few pointers and decided to put them into practice. So all nicely prepared, early start, set up and, whooaaa, forgot my frigging landing net. Mental adjustment, should I stay or should I go. It put me off a bit I can tell you but, settle down, make the best of it and don’t ever panic. Turns out to be one of the best sessions I’ve had fishing, not comparable to my amazing Ribble sessions (for obvious reasons) but, nevertheless I caught well from the off and kept catching thrpoughout. Certain aspects were particularly pleasing. The rigs I made – with my own hook lengths – landed everything without problem, my feeding pattern was smooth, precise and effective and the maggots that I saved in my home-made cooler were lively. Roach, skimmers, crucians, common, mirror, ide and gudgeon, over fifty I reckon and very enjoyable.
16 December 2021
The weather is great, calm, warmish and bright. Swift game of golf this afternoon aftter the guitar practice and then back to make a few rigs for tomorrow.
15 December 2021
On the theme of it being a great place, as I have mentioned befor,e perhaps the best thing of all is walking out of the front door and having the most glorious, heartlifting views, puts a smile on the old visage.
14 December 2021
Looking back at last year it was about this time that I decided to try to learn music theory. Must say the progress has been better than expected and I am now begining to understand it. Learning jazz helps, I never though i’d say that but it does, partly this is because the disipline doesn’t use predictable major/minor voicing prefering instead to use more complex (interesting) 7th 6th 9th etc. Therefore you need to know where the triads are which I am getting to know, nice. What else, doing a few nice jobs and loving it, great place.
13 December 2021
Just got back from fishing the pond, five members there already and – although I am a member now they made me feel like I was intruding, apart from Phil (the old secretary who was okay) What a bunch of tossers, suggesting that the best fishing is away from them around the other side – well why are you all round here then? Anyway I got going and managed a roach/skimmer a cast but no carp or F1’s, they did and I reckon they thought it was real fishing, it isn’t, I knew that when I was pulling them out previously, it’s a carp puddle, good fun though and handy.
12 December 2021
Sunday, thinking back, oh yeah, Jill and Michael, went for a stroll along the front past the shops and had a brew at one of the Cayley kiosks. All this is being refurbished in the coming year or so which will make it even better, today, being a dream of a day in mid-winter shows the scenery off and it is very impressive
11 December 2021
Changing rooms again as we have another set of visitors, our friends Jill, Michael and the lovely little (old) pooch Bailey. I got all the shopping in yesterday while Carol got her booster so this morning I can platy some guitar and watch the footy, Man City V Wolves so there will be no surprises there. Can’t watch the UFC tonight for obvious reasons but I will view it as soon as possible over the next few days.
10 December 2021
This covid stuff is becoming a regular part of life, masks on everywhere and – as the winter months are settling in – so is the virus. What to do? for me nothing, just don’t get it and if I do rely on being in good shape. Keep thinking I should start running again but then I catch myself and think, for what? my fitness is great as is my stamina, I can cart stuff around that many lads half my age might struggle with, so bollocks to that I’m taking it easy whenever I can which, given the general setup, is quite often.
9 December 2021
Feeling a bit better nothing much to report, Carol’s brother is staying with us and we are going to Llandudno for lunch tas it is Caro’s mums birthday. That’s it really quiet week but still good, getting to know that guitar these days.
8 December 2021
Feel dreadful, body aching like hell, probably feels like this as you get to the later stages of being an old git, well I reckong I’ll shake it off with another good nights sleep.
7 December 2021
Got the booster shot and after a few hours start to get achy, not great but then again it justifies my not doing a lot. Keep saying it but, bloody hell, I’m pleased with the guitar playing.
6 December 2021
Bit of a fallow period for doing stuff, mainly due to the weather but it is the middle of winter now so it’s to be expected, doesn’t mean there isn’t planning going on, there is always planning. Anyway off I go to get my booster jab for the covid and I get turned away because my shot is tomorrow, I could have done without that.
5 December 2021
After a few days in it’s nice to get the winter glad rags on and head out. Conway today, always a pleasant half-day and even better when it’s free. The stupid pose was intentional btw.
4 December 2021
Just watched a cracking match (Sat lunchtime BT special) West Ham V Chelsea, David Moyes pulled it off again, I don’t think I’ve ever been as pleased for a manager as I am for that bloke, he really has incredible tenacity inspired by a belief in his ability, organisation plus motivation not a common trait (Ole didn’t have it and Jose has lost it) great to see.
3 December 2021
Bit of re-arranging as there are visitors for a few days. Bit of gardening in preparation for the season, we still have the allotment that might materialise soon so best to be prepared. I’ve got some ideas of what to grow and all the spring bulbs – including the indoor hyacynths are in so that should be pleasant.
2 December 2021
Enjoying doing a few jobs in and around, the garage is brilliant for nipping in to mess about with a few ideas. Still thinking of Hereford for the fishing although I have been attracted to a fishery in Flint, it looks good and, of course, it’s nearer, but it is still a commercial fishery and as such just not the same. I also thought it might be possible to travel to Hereford and back in a day but it isn’t. If money was a bit freer then it would be incontentestable but, then again, it is only a couple of hundred quid for three/four days fishing and it isn’t that far so I’m sticking with the original plan.
1 December 2021
Finishing the kitchen as the weather is not clement, then just a day in, love it. The guitar (jazz) is going great, really picking it up and understanding the theory. Short entries I know but the days are full. Nearly missed a full programme of Premier class footy on Amazon Prime, but I didn’t, thre nights of tip-top action culminating in a resurgent Man Utd beating Arsenal tonight (I’m writing it in the morning obvs)
30 November 2021
Day in/out today, meaning just out for a walk or something. Nearly finished the garage doors then on to something else, oh actually getting the bus to the garden centre to pick a xmas tree, nice.
29 November 2021
The colours of late dawn looking east and west from Llandudno were among the most beautiful views I have seen. The tide was on the retreat , the water calm and the fishing poor, hardly a bite till a couple of good knocks resulted in a pulled hook, first blank on the pier but it was still a lovely few hours, and my feathered friends kept me company.
28 November 2021
One of those baddish days, you know the ones where you know things are good but they don’t feel like it, oh well used to it by now don’t give in or make it worse by reacting, just do the normal things. Finishing off the painting, getting my gear ready for a session on the pier etc. Guitar going really well.
Yeah, it blew things about a bit but – we think – no tiles lost. The cold frame that I built had the plastic blown out of it but I expected that at some point, think I got ripped off with it anyway, actually paid for the stuff which came so flimsy I could have farted a hole in it, so not too bothered about that. When we were tidying up the storm had blown in a few decent pieces of really thick plastic which, ironically, seem more suited to the job. Off to Llandudno for a bit of food shopping after the footy, Arsenal V Newcastle.
27 November 2021
Started painting the kitchen, the house is very nice, good place to live and a lick of paint always makes it look even better, big storm moving in tonight.
26 November 2021
The weather is here so, as planned, we are decorating the kitchen, we were supposed to pick up the wallpaper from a shop in Mochdre but (wow it’s great round here) the ownwer phoned us up and asked if we would like it dropped off, um yes please. Of all things, I’ve started watching (with vigour) Peep Show, yes the kids were right it is at the top level of English comedy which, being the top level in the history of the world, places it in a pretty elevated position. For some reason I started on series five but I will go back and watch it all again.
25 November 2021
Covid 3 is taking a grip in Europe, West Ham play in Austria tonight without a crowd, other countries are in partial lockdown and it seems – regradless of the vaccination programme – that the UK will follow quite soon. My thought is that Xmas will be allowed but only just. We have aquired a piano, lovely looking thing that sounds great, a lady up the road was giving it free which we saw i the local facebook page, so we got two men and a van and here it is.
24 November 2021
Just got back from the pier. There is a storm approaching so this was the window that I could fish for a few days. It was still quite rough, although the weather may seem a bit blustery on the shore when you get on the end of the pier – especially as the tide is coming in – the it is a bit of a doozy. Anyway I stayed a couple of hours, got a couple of tiny whiting, lost a couple of rigs and came home to paint the garage doors.
23 November 2021
Funny thing about fishing – well the way I approach it – i s that I’m usually left woth the feeling that I could have done better. Maybe that is a good thing, it certainly keeps me thinking on ways to improve and, on these lines (ahem) I’ve though of a couple of ways to improve on Colbryn.I will be going to Hereford to fish in the near future and, with a few adjustments, I will approach this in the way I fished the Ribble. Still a lot to work on worth the sea angling but that’s good as well.
22 November 2021
Met a bloke called Russ on the pond who is the club secretary or something, decent bloke and we had a chat, it’s hard not too on such a small water and, honestly, I would rather go fishing and not have to make small talk. Also it brings out the bad competative element from way back which makes me flustered when the other bloke is catching and I’m not, or equally the cockiness in me when I am winning. So, overall, I’d just rather do it myself. Anyway the temperature had drooped and the bites were harded to come by but I still got a few roach, a nice crucian and a decent common. Lovely little place – if I was on my own.
21 November 2021
Llandudno xmas market today, Katie is staying in Llandudno with her new partner (hope it goes well) and I have been instructed to stay well away if viewed – actually they are going to Conway to avoid any chance. Off for a session at Corbryn tomorrow, see what it fishes like in winter, really pleased with the fishing overall after a poor start but now, with Colbryn and the pier it is really good and something to build on, chuffed. Ole has finally got the heave ho, hope they get Brendan from Leicester.
20 November 2021
Won a bit of terminal tackle of ebay for the pole gear, the floats are fine but the hooks are a bit old, look in good nick though and I would have used then but they are barbed so, not wanting to waste them I will rig the up as pouting/wrasse rigs for the pier and them use the better ones for the first trip to the Wye. Good foty match on BT Leicester V Chelsea, the latter team look invincible this year, wish I could say the same for Utd who are beset woith problems.
19 November 2021
Carol has a doctors appointment this afternoon, nothing serious, then nipping in to the garden centre to see if the Xmas trees are in, exciting stuff what?
18 November 2021
Have I mentioned this before? the weather here is much better than the mill town and today is a good example, I’m in shorts and t-shirt painting the garage doors. Fair enough, Carol is round the back painting fence panels and she is cold, but there you go eh. Going for a walk this afternoon and not a lot else.
17 November 2021
Still can’t see the attraction of lobbing huge baits out to sea in the hope of a bullhuss or something, it’s the same as carp or barbel fishing, give me roach and dace any day. Saying that I might have a session on the prom when the tide is in later on in the afternoon and into the evening. the pier fishing for wrasse, pouting and whiting with the light tackle is great fun, had a few yesterday but still lost a few rigs, I’m working on that though. And I’ve decided to go for the bass next time, why not. Sticking with fishing I got the membership for Llandudlas Angling club yesterday so that is the local coarse fishing sorted. Still planning Hereford.
16 November 2021
Quick 9 holes this morning, just got back actually. Very surprise about the weather here, drier than the mill town and much lighter, much more conducive for doing stuff outdoors and keeping the mood chipper. As for the golf my game is improving but I’m not that bothered, I will get my handicap in the new year and play a few comps butit doesn’t affect me noggin. Jazz guitar is progressing steadily, the theory is beginning to make sense too, twice a day, every day.
15 November 2021
So far the tall cold frame has remained intact so I’m pleased about that, we’ve just filled a mini skip up with a fair bit of excess rubbish which, I believe, is always good practice. This climate change thing is getting going a good bit, people all het up and blaming each other or big buisiness (as if we are not all part of it) It would be refreshing if the news hegemony nudged people to see what positives have been achieved, but that isn’t the way it works is it, so much easier to worry and doommonger, don’t have to do anything just criticise and follow orders.
14 November 2021
Nah not going at weekend again. The cycle ride was straighforward (buses on strike) but the pier was a bit too full for my liking and, because of the proximity you have to talk to the other individuals which requires me to put an act on. Still, I learnt a bit more about the specifics of pier fishing and how I can apply it to the type of fishing I like, took me a while on the Ribble and the lancy but I nailed those. Going again this week. Golf tomorrow, lovely.
13 November 2021
I hope it isn’t an aberation but the climate here seems so much better than the mill town, so much so that – although it is mid November – there are still fuschias flowering, the geraniums are still in and the dahlias have not yet been life (although I might do that job tomorrow) All his means that the season is extending pleasantly well which, in turn, results in a tidy little return on life. Of course when you are next to the sea in a beautiful area and next to a golf course that is playable through the year, it all adds up.
Fishing off the pier tomorrow, don’t normally go at weekend for obvious reasons (people) but we’ll see.
12 November 2021
Same as, few jobs, the garage is a great space for me to work in, I got a speaker so that I could listen to music etc and I did for a couple of times but since then, nah, I just like the quiet. Strang that I feel I should be playing golf twice a week – in the middle of November – when I wouldn’t even be thinking of it back in the mill town, might get a game in tomorrow (Sat). England play in a qualifier tonight against Albania, what is the point?
11November 2021
The buses are threatening to go on strike, well not the actuall busses but the drivers, quite right too as they are paid about a quid an hour less than their peers in England, no wonder they seem a bit noughty. Anyway that kind of scuppers the fishing, or does it? Well certainly I won’t be going to Corbryn pond but Llandudno pier is certainly cycleable if I pare down the gear and walk up the Little Orme bit, if the strike goes ahead this is what I will do on Sunday, I think. Just a normal day of jobs, I’ve sort of finished the cold frame, not sure it will stand up to a weather battering but you never know.
10 November 2021
Don’t give up, I nearly did, the tide was low water, calm as a millpond sea and – fishing on the left side I lost my two rigs in nearly as many casts. I now had no smaller hooks other than an old sabiki rig and there was just nothing happening on the big bait rod (I’m just not the kind of fisherman that can wait hours for a bite) Well, I put the sabiki on and chucked it over the left side tipped with fresh lugworm, straight away I pulled out two small whiting and after that it was virtually a fish a cast includng, to my delight, about half a dozen nice wrasse. Just before the tide can in I had a great bite and pulled in – still on the small hook sabiki – what I think is a pollock (could be a coalfish) and a decent whiting on the same cast. So a session where I nearly gave up to a very good one and one that I can build on.
9 November 2021
Nine holes this afternoon, as I thought the weather here is dry so the course will be playable, hopefullf, throughout the year. There will be prolonged downpours like last week, when the course becomes temporarily waterlogged but, overall, it is dry and, as such, feels much warmer than the cotton towns. Off to the tackle shop for tomorrows session on the pier.
8 November 2021
Day doing a few jobs (what’s new eh?) keeping busy in the best way possible, walk to the shops along the promenade, never without a comment of how scenic the views are and how clean the air is.
7 November 2021
Bit tired after staying up to watch UFC 268, although I did have a kip earlier on. Just a few jobs today – as usual – and then this evening we plan to hike up Little Orme to watch the firework display in LLandudno (just got back actually so here is the pic)
6 November2021
Short trip into town to get a few bits, it sounds nothing but, maybe, this is the best part of living here (and there are a lot of parts!) Just to go out of the front door and withing seconds be presented with uplifting scenery and the freshest of sea air. I know it’s only early days but I can’t envisage thinking about living anywhere else.
Brighton V Newcastle todays match, hope Newcastle go down for the way they treated Steve Bruce, I know that’s part of the game but what do these clubs want? Brighton though, under Graham Potter seem to be going from strength to strength so I am rooting for them.
5 November 2021
Really good way to live this, freedom to choose what to do everyday, stay in, play out, play it by ear on the day. Going to the local garden centre this morning which is just up the road in Penrynh Bay, last time we went was on the free bus but we could walk ir along the promenade past the golf club, we decide though to get the bikes out and have a lovely cycle along the seafront with Snowdonia to our leaf and lapping waves to our right. Got some cyclamen for the front tubs and they look all nice and seasonal with the scymia.
After the evening meal Carol noticed a firework display advertised that could be viewed from the brekwater, we had a stroll up about sevenish and it was lovely, calm, clear night which reminded both of us when we were in Malta.
4 November 2021
Our house is Edwardian, about 1915 or thereabouts and it is tall. We know the roof wants attention but – at about 23-25 thousand – it’s a bit too much attention than we can pay it, at the moment. We will do it eventually and it isn’t that urgent because if anything immediate occurs we will initiate the repairs. But for the rest of the house what can be done by myself and Carol will be done, it is our mode of opps, and today attention turns to gutters. Tall buidings mean long ladders – usually – but I haven’t got any and if I did I would be hesitant to use them so, instead, I purchased a long, extendable gutter pole – with attachments which, after a few attempts was wieldy enough tp block the downspout. What an ace feeling when you feed the hose up to it after the gardening has been poked about a bit and it gushes clear. The drains are blocked too, poor maintenance, but they are easily cleared and the front is now nearly done. Oh forgot, the best bit was putting the little camera up top for a diagnostic prior to the job so I knew what needed to be done.
3 November 2021
Got to the pier about 8 ish, blustery as I said but still pleasant enough, cold out on the end though. Nothing on the big rod but plenty of bites on the near rod and a few whiting on the smaller hooks, never caught one before so another species, and, no paying again so – with the free transport and using very little bait – virtually free fishing, grand.
Liverpool destroyed Athletico Madrid.
2 November 2021
Got to wait in this morning for the broken fridge to be collected ( turns out they wouldn’t because it was unpacked) pity really because it’s a good day for fishing. The golf course has just reopened after a day or so closed dued to waterlogging, not to worry off to the tackle shop for bait (sea) and a few bits needed for the rigs, tomoorow looks a bit more blustery but going anyway.
Man Utd, bloody hell, they have walked the plank in the Champions qualifying group, Ronaldo got them out off the stew (or in it, who knows?) in the last minute twice in as many weeks, can’t do it forever though.
1 November 2021
Of all things we decided to do the heritage walk around Rhos, what a surprise, amongst other things the Cayley Flyer is the spot where the first fixe wing aircraft flew fifty years before the Wright Brothers stuck an engine on it. Now, if this was the United Hates they would have buit a tourist industry around it but here, lovely old Walesland puts a bus stop outside of a cafe, where would you rather be?
31 October 2021
Keep telling the lads that resting is part of training yet I am struggling (a little bit) with another day in it’s dousing down again which means no golf or much else. Should I go for a run, nah, I do enough and, at 62, resting up for a few days is no bad thing so, get the PS4 fired up, learn a bit more jazz guitar and tap into whatever the streaming services are putting my way.
30 October 2021
Bit of shopping at Colwyn Bay and then straight back for what could be a decent gaome, Leicester V Arsenal. I didn’t give Arteta a hope in hell after the first three matches of the season, out for the count was my prediction , but, good on the bloke, fighting sprit matched with an assurity that he is up to it and he has pulled it back. They look good and I hope they give Leicester a tonking at their home ground. And then, starting at 5pm our time, from Dubai, we are presented with UFC 267, a great card and a full on evening of top notch entertainment, gladiator class, all in the luxury of your own lovely home, I thank you.
29 October 2021
The golf is still off due to waterlooging after the heavy rain, was going for a swim but then remembered it was half term in a public pool, nah thanks. We went to LLandudno anyway to get a few things for the jobs and I’ve had a good sort out of the indoor plants not overlooking that this is gardening too (they do look good).
28 October 2021
I was begining to think it never rained that badly here, at least compared with the dip that Preston was in, yet today the weather has moved in off the sea and it is thrashing it down. There was a potential golf game this morning but that isn’t happening, instead we are giving the kitchen a good prep ready fpr decorating. The roof is in abeyance due to a lack of funds so that is out of mind now, not really a bad thing as it frees up a bit of fluid for day-to-day living.
Looking at Hereford for a spot of river fishing in the new year, a couple of hours on the train, bunk up in a budget hotel for a couple of nights and off we go.
The weather turned lovely in the afternoon so we downed our sponges, put on our walking boots and strode off up the Little Orme, loads of seals pupping.
27 October 2021
Nine holes of golf this morning, Carol is doing eighteen for her card so I will be playing behind her, bit of gardening when I get back and I’m starting on the garage doors.
26 October 2021
Really should update this more regularly, let me see I went fishing on Monday so what did I do today, oh yeah Carol’s brother visited and we went to the village for an ice cream. Good weather again and it was a pleasant day, just do a few little jobs a day and then focus on the hobbies, not to be forgotten I’ve become – through lots of thoughtful practice – quite good at PS4 golf. I can remember many occasions when I’ve got andry that I couldn’t play it as good as I wanted, well, now, I’m nice and calm and well up there, don’t get angry anymore, how good is that and long may it continue.
25 October 2021
Nearly November, clear skies, salt from the sea in the air and a balmy twelve degrees. Nevertheless I’ve been caught out with being cold on the on the riverbank at this time of year before so it was on with the thermals. When I got to the pier there was a lad already fishing and I got chatting to him. Turns out he is the son of one of the blokes who works at the tackle shop in the village, what a sound chap he was too, While I was tackling up his live bait rod, which was on the left side that I was fishing on, was going mad, I nearly struck to prevent it going over the side but realised it was bungied on, I landed the fish for him in his drop net, a lovely sea bass perfect for the table. After that he pointe me in the right direction tackle wise and I caught my first dogfish and pouting. This is a good spot.
24 October 2021
And the jazz guitar, don’t forget about that, it’s going great. I have understood the theory so far and have been able to apply it to my satisfaction. As with virtually everything that requires skill, the foundation is crucial to the development, what looks easy – or natural – is almost always the result of countless hours graft, frustration, mistakes and small victories, again, this is why most people don’t try.
23 October 2021
Just got back from the golf competition and, can you credit it, we won! Obviously the players in our fourball were good but, nertheless, we played our part and we won, haha, quite chuffed. The best aspect of this is that we can play golf as many times as we choose for the rest of our lives, bodies permitting, and, for me, the same goes for fishing of which the tackle is prepared for a session on the pier.
22 October 2021
Played well at golf again, Carol has signed us up for the Texas Scramble on Saturday, oh well. I do say that you’ve got to do stuff and I am convinced that this is the way, however, I understand why most people don’t do anything, watching and being critical of others, it’s far easier – till they are on their regetful death bed.
21 October 2021
Still lots of gardenig to do even though at first sight it may not appear the area is that big. Planted loads of sppring bulbs already mistakenly I’ve set the hyacyinths in with the daffodils and tulips when I could have used them decoratively in terracota pots, I think there are some left I only need half a dozen, if not I’ll (gulp) have to buy some. Playing nine holes this afternoon behind Carol who is trying for a handicap score, at the moment it looks like she will get the default 56.
20 October 2021
Talking about doing stuff yourself, I was looking to buy a pole pot for fishing and on Amazon (which has gone off in my opinion) they are about six to eight quid, well I made one in under 10 minutes – fitted – for nothing from an old spray can top. Trip out to Llandudno today to buy the stuff I can’t make.
19 October 2021
Just a few jobs round the garden, preparation for a full season next year. As already mentioned the vegetable patch is up and running and i am now in the process of making a cold frame for the yong plants, I could buy one but it’s so much better to apply yourself to materials and a task. The bulbs we brought from Preston have all lasted and are now ready to plant, some tulips, some daffs and a few hyacynths, good job as well because the price of bulbs now is very high, must be a shortage because of the (lack of) European union.
18 October 2021
Was going fishing but I have relegated this activity to later on in the week, or even next week come to that. Played twelve holes yesterday and very enjoyable it is getting to be, might even start scoring myself soon to see if I can improve the consistency, got to be aware though that progress at golf is not linear and that past performance is not a guarantee, though like most skills it has to be persued with persistence. 62 today, pizza as a treat tonight and Katie and me are watching Snatch.
17 October 2021
Sunday, what did I do today? Well it’s past the middle of October and things are speeding along pleasingly. I’m watching old programmes with Jack Walker on Youtube who, along with Mr Crabtree was one of my few growing up heroes, and watching him now I can – with a heart free of world weariness – say that he still is. Funny old world, to still be inspired and gratified to know that, all along, this was what I was trying to do. It can take a lot of effort and skill to be simple and real.
16 October 2021
Artisan market at Colwyn Bay this morning so we are having a look at that, then the weekly shop (big shop) and then footy, Liverpool V Watford. For the rest of the day – they seem to whizz through – it’s a few jobs outdoors and a couple inside. Started eating the late crops out of the veggie plot, radish, mizuno and pak choi.
15 October 2021
Probably the best golf I have played, still made a few duds but I’ve begun to realise that you have to let your swing run free and purposful, really enjoed it, makes a real difference playing twice a week. Today is a day out (actually just got back) and what a variety of places to choose from, all within striking distance and all free to get to. We decided on Betwsy-Coed, which is Snowdonia’s equivilant of Ambleside, but, nevertheless, what a lovely place and a great base to plan some longer walks from, which we will do very shortly I’m sure. Got the train straight back to LLandudno and that’s free too!
14 October 2021
Carol is playing a golf competition today – Texas ladies scramble – so I’m playing on my own, not done that for a bit, probablbly when we were back working in the Lakes so I’m looking forward to it. As I’ve previously noted I’m not that bothered about getting much better at golf – certainly not as bothered as when I first started – but, saying that, I think I have improved recently just by playing more and regularly. The fishing is getting sorted and, of course, everything else is bang on.
13 October 2021
Just got back from a session at Clobryn fishery, it’s not bad at all actually, quite like it, not the Ribble obviously but better than the Lancy. Wow the tackle worked great, pole rests are good and the elastic that I fitted held onto an F1 first cast that had my heart racing a bit. The other chaps there said that it had been fishing poorly but Idid fine, you can catch small roach all day long but the idea is to get the crucians and skimmers feeding and then hang onto the carp when they take up. Problem with the other blokes is that they wait for the big one with big baits, that’s fine of course but my belief is that if you fish a peg well with regular small baits/attractors the bigger fish will move in, well that’s what happened today, good session.
12 October 2021
Another very fine day indeed, shorts on and out in the garden for a bit of work. Got to say that of all the interests gardening is still the best all-rounder in all senses, you think about it constantly simply because there is always something to do – if you are a gardener that is. What I mean by that is, well just look around, front or back, a few plants shoved into a few scraggy pots, overpriced annuals banged in on a hot day in June then left, or just nothing, which, sad to say, is the norm. Well I’m not, and I’ve just remembered about the page I have here on gardening, get that updated in the next few days.
11 October 2021
Carol is playing in a Women’s golf competionon Thursday so we are going for nine holes in the afternoon. Nothing major before that, good guitar lesson (youtube) and a couple of little jobs, then off. The weather is still fine for the time of year so i’m planning on a fishing session on Tuesday, can’t go tomorrow as the wardrobes are being fitted, tackle is sorted though.
10 October 2021
This week seems to have been one of those where the days are really full, it’s great, see below.
9 October 2021
Just a day around doing jobs. It is extraodinairy but the human mind (and I think mine is one) thrives with creative interest, can’t speak for most people – no hang on I can actually – most people need something to do and many people need something creative to do, finding what that is, which neccecitates delving into implicit character, is the difficult bit. That’s why there is so much angst and frustration. Even the Alexander syndrome (no more worlds) reflects the nature of unresolved drive. Commonly the belief is that money – having loads of it – or fame, or success at a non-skilled activity, brings satisfaction, maybe it does for a while but the worm creeps back, always does.
Anyroad, I’ve got a few jobs to do today. I’m making a seat rest for pole fishing, I’m re-elasticating my end sections, I’m starting another section of the garden, I’m halway through the cold frame I’m making, the guitar is coming on very well and, last but not to be overlooked I’m edging towards the top fifty in the PS4 pro division, and that has taken some doing.
8 October 2021
Warm days this week and today is the warmest reaching just under 20 degrees. Various jobs to do, finish off the vegetable patch, put up the garden trellis and sort my coarse tackle out for next week. I was going to have a session today but it has been an active week so, day in/out and enjoy the weather.
Went for a walk on the beach first thing and it was, of course, lovely. Tried pumping for lug but still no luck yet.
7 October 2021
Off for a swim at LLandudno and then meeting up with Carol’s brother and mum for lunch. Good game of golf yesterday, think I am improving a little but, actually, I am not that bothered about getting much better, I can get round okay and I enjoy it so that’s enough. Might start painting again this winter, I am definitly going to get the big camera out and point it at things, progress on the guitar is moving along well and has turned out to be a major interest.
6 October 2021
We have had a quote for the roof. The buyers survey strongly suggested a new one, but it also said that most of the houses adjacent and around might fall into the same category because of the climate. The idea was that we would use some of our savings (which are intended to last until the state pension) together with a significant contribution from Carol’s mum. However, this doesn’t seem now to be a viable solution so the alternative is forking out for patch ups, bit of a disapointment but, as they say, hey ho.
Carol’s brother is visiting today and we are off for a round of golf, full 18 holes this time, he is staying over this evening which is nice for Carol and her mum.
5 October 2021
This place is a joy. Even on the days that I don’t feel particularly joyous about life as we’re given it, it still a joy to be here. The weather is better, the air quality – which to me is a factor of real wealth – is superb, the openness of the sea on our doorstep, the expanse of hills and mountains in the near distance, the infrastructure of towns and villages, the culture and history of the place, golf, fishing, walking. And the house is great too.
4 October 2021
All of a sudden time has sneaked into October,it doesn’t seem like it because the weather is perfectly mild. Nevertheless, because I am off to Llandudno pier this morning to try to break my Welsh duck at sea angling I am digging out the winter thermals. It’s always a bit strange trying a new venue but after a few visits the place seems like a second home, it certainly felt like that on the Ribble and, to a lesser extent, the Lancaster Canal.
Got there about an hour before the tide and there were only a couple of lads fishing (they disapeared before the cafe opened so they didn’t have to pay) so the whole pier was my own. Set up my main sea rod with a medium rig and a river rod over the side to see what was close in. First cast, bang! great bite but when I hit it the rig got snagged on something nasty and I pulled out. Next cast I hit into a lovely cuckoo wrasse and the duck was banished forever! Shortly after the tide started pulling and I had to give up wit the light tackle. When the other lads had gone I moved over to the left side which proved to be far less snaggy and I started getting smallish bites – with a bit more sea fishing experience I will start connecting with these, hopefully. Then the rod tip went properly round and I hooked into a really nice fish which I was pulling in when it dropped off, I think it was a pollack but it could have been a codling. When the tide calmed down a bit I had a small whiting on the left side, then I ran out of bait. All in all easy fishing and definitly room for improvement, which makes it all the more interesting. Plenty of attention from the gallery of visitors on the pier too!
3 October 2021
Decided to sneak a round of golf in today. Back at our old haunt we would never have done this for a few reasons, firstly weekend (too many club members playing) then money ( too expensive at weekends) then money again (used to only play twilight and the days have drawn in) then weather, we would look out of the window in the morning and decide not to play if it wasn’t perfect. Well here, it just blows over. Actually it didn’t untill we were teeing off and we got a bit wet, then, wow, what a great afternoon!
2 October 2021
Saturday is footy day, I know that much! Actually first I am watching the main bout from last evenings Bellator event, one of our British lads is fighting and it gets a bit of a build up so I will give that a peruse. Man Utd V Everton today in the Prem, Ole escaped the bullet midweek in the Champions so we will see what reaction that will bring. I think it will be a different season for the big clubs as, I believe, the clubs lower down are learning to play them and are pressing for a Europa place, like West Ham did last season (they are doing well againg so far) Not sure what I’m doing for the rest of the day, its a bit rainy so I will just nip in and out of the garage for a few jobs.
1 October 2021
Can’t think what I did on Friday so I’ll talk about the jazz guitar. Learning classical is invaluable, of course, just not thinking about which fingers on the right hand are plucking the strings, and then the rudiments of music theory, you just can’t take the step without these. Sure, you can learn some nice chords but apart from that there is little knowledge about what is happening on the fretboard. In little over a week – again thanks to the thousand plus hours already put in – I can play 2-5-1 jazz progressions in any major key and move between them, also I understand seventh chord structures, the diatonic seventh scale, and I can (nearly) improvise with 9th and 11th chords, not bad I reckon.
29 September 2021
The plasterer is finishing off the job today so that’s another one ticked off, got to say he seems to be making a lot of it, two small pieces of skirting board and he looks as though he is thinking it through as he goes along, even asked to borrow a workmate and if I had any long screws! This is a little preamble to wave another flag for how much I have improved at doing jobs like that, could have done it easily – not the bricking or the plastering – but the other bits, no problem. Nipping to BQ for a couple of fence posts to strengthen the structure for the trellis in the garden, it will look very lovely when it’s done, actually looking miles better in the short time we have been here. Front aspect has scrubbed up particularly well.
28 September 2021
Behind by almost a week, but it’s good to catch up and it shows I’ve been busy, I always am really but this is the best busiest. Uhm Wednesday I think, yes, right weather looks clearish, bit on the windy side so, slow morning (still like them a lot) and a nine holer this afternoon. Oh, and I’m learning the rudiments of jazz guitar, I’m a week ahead so more of that in a bit.
27 September 2021
Don’t think I’m going fishing this week, although I might depending on the weather, definitly play golf at some point though and lots of good jobs to keep me busy.
26 September 2021
Staying up was a trial but it was well worth it, these moments in time are priceless and I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to enjoy them in this lifetime. The lads are in amazing shape and are dedicated to Brazilian Jui Jitsu. Great weekend.
25 September 2021
The routine is, off to the supermarket for the shopping, get a coffee while waiting for the train, pick the guests up (this time it’s the lads) and back into Rhos. Daniel visited with Sophie last weekend – which went really well – so I am particularly looking forward to seeing Adam, who has now had a haircut almost identical to Dans. The idea is that we have a walk up the Little Orme, watch the footy (Chelsea V City) and then watch UFC 266, which is on from 11pm till 6 in the morning, I actually enjoy it tremendously but, nevertheless, it is a daunting prospect fro an old codger!
24 September 2021
Moving furniture about in Carol’s mums room as the wall is now in place, bit of decorating to do but, overall, a good job. And, although I keep looking and listening, there is no sign of our lttle unwanted friend. Golf booked in for this afternoon, 9 holes again (second game this week) bit windy but you have to learn to adapt to all weathers, especially on a seaside course. The lads are coming tomorrow, which I am looking forward to, so the beds need changing, do those and then alls well, sunny day again and edging towards twenty degrees, sweet.
23 September 2021
Builders coming today to finish off the plastering between the two rooms. It’s a lovely day again, nice temperature and pleasing to watch any of the darker clouds say bye on their way over, this has happened almost daily since we arrived and I believe it to be a normal weather tendency, another reason to feel very fortunate to be here. Got a few jobs on the boil as always so I will crack on with those as the day slides along.
22 September 2021
Day in today but still plenty to keep me busy. The produce patch is nearly done and that has worked out great, it’s not in the best position regarding sunshine hours but you have to utilise the space you’ve got. We are getting a few good comments from people walking past the front for the work we have already done, in honesty the bones were already there and it just needed bringing to life. The rear and side area are similar – still decent amounts of graft – but pleasing, steady progress. Internally progress is equally steady, the builder didn’t come yesterday but he gave assurance of his face making an appearance today. And I think I’ve eradicated our little unwanted guest, at least there has been no sign now for about a week. Off for an evening stroll to Bryn Euryn to watch the sunset.
21 September 2021
Nice day, got the golf booked for half one so a few little jobs – including a cycle to the village for the fishing day ticket tomorrow – and then it’s the shorts and polo shirt on ready for tee-time.
20 September 2021
Spending the morning watching MOTD and UFC with Dan then off to the village for a walk and coffee. Sophie is a lovely girl and they seem to be close as a couple, which, of course, is great to see. We joined the golf club yesterday, so form now we can play at any point in the week, tomorrow and the next few days are forecast as fine again ( surprisingly little rain here over the two months we have been here) so I will suggest a game tomorrow.
19 September 2021
Funny old world isn’t it, fine today, positive and eager to go. Been so busy i’ve not even had the camera out, Dan and Sophie are coming to visit today and I’m looking forward to it very much, so proud of the kids. I’ll take them to see the seals of course.
18 September 2021
It was perhaps the bad nights sleep, or maybe that Carol and Katie had heard rustling in the attic during the night, this, together with being a bit knacked, set me off on a bad mood day that I know will not get any better. I will still do jobs – there are washing machines to move and plumb as well as guest bedrooms to re-assemble – but I will be doing them all with bitterness in my mind and heart. It is both unpleasant and irrational to think like I do on these occasions, but I am getting better at managing the external display of internal discomfort but not, I’m afraid today. Not anger just disappointment and dispondency, it will pass after a good nights sleep. Just want to be on my own in time like these. Did the jobs though.
17 September 2021
Anothe Indian summer day. Couldn’t be more pleasant for Katie and her friend, who today are being accompanied by the tour guide (me again) over Little Orme and into Llandudno. At this point we I am leaving them and having a spot of lunch with Carol and her mum before setting off on the bus for a trip to Conway. (Just got back and it was a lovely day all round)
16 September 2021
Katie has a friend staying and I am doing the tour guide stint on the first day to Angel Bay and back. Everytime we have been the seals have obliged us with their precence, they are pupping at present and, as it was a lovely sunny day, they were particularly playful ( or painful depending on the cycle of nature) Nothing much else for the rest of the day, the jobs around and about the house are still being ticked off, the most pressing one being the unexpected rodent problem. I think I may have found a solution – we will see – but it has certainly been stressful for me with the number of visitors and the expectation that the house will attain a standard of presentation that does not include any unwanted little guests.
15 September 2021
Here we go again a new (mini) adventure. Giving the sea fishing a (mini) break and I’m trying the solitary coarse fishery which is a small one at the other side of Old Cowyn, about 4 miles away. Got my bait on line, nothing live round here for coarse, but I’ve used dead maggots just before I left Preston with good results. So on the bus – can’t help it, it’s free again – and managed to get off at the right stop. What an advantage to take my box fishing once again, all the stuff neatly inside and a comfy place for my arse all day. So I’m on Colbryn Road and can’t find the fishery, I know it’s there as i’ve googled it, but no, can’t find it. Starting to get a bit angry and my mind is not focusing so I need to take stock. Went back to the start of the road (it’s hilly) and I found the path, yippee I’m on it.
Looks good too, small, but good pegs and a few old lads on, spoke to one of them who checked my day ticket, he was friendly and gave me a few pointers, but its a commercial so what’s to know really. Got a Crucian first cast (first ever) on the tip which boosted the old confidence and caught steadily throughout the day. Really enjoyed it, but it’s a pole venue so I will get that sorted for next time.
14 September 2021
Hey, hey, the builders are here! A quote of 2-3 weeks (yeah!) turned into 6 and we – I – thought that it wasn’t going to happen. So what we are having done is only a smallish job involving re-partitioning the internal wall between the two rooms. Effectively this means that Carol’s mum now has a completely separate annexe allowing us to finalise the living room and kitchen. Anyroad that’s enough of the domestics, it’s all fab really. And – have I mentioned it – round here is just so great. Got an OS map yesterday to allow me to look arounfd a bit more, exploring we will go, petal tourism, exept we aren’t tourists.
13 September 2021
Off to llandudno for a day out with Carol, Lee and her mum. Got one of my bad sinus days, it’s really a sod to deal with as I know it will last all day and, maybe, into the next, but then it goes. Not sure what triggers it but I reckon it’s exercise/calorie/hydradtion, some combination of these.
12 September 2021
Carol’s son Lee staying with us and this morning we are doing the tour guide role to the seals on Little Orme. Not a lot different after that, just a few jobs round the outside, finishing the veggie patch (coming on a treat) and then, this evening, I’m walking to Colwyn to pick Katie up from the station and walk back home with her, she’s been staying in Manchester since Thursday, working and playing, after the breakup with her long-term partner. She’ll be alright.
11 September 2021
We have a little visitor in the house scurrying around the back of the kitchen cabinets, oh well, another job for me then Actually I like the idea of being the handyman and, if I can beat my own tamborine, I can do most of the jobs to an alrigh standard. Never thought about this much but it is a decent achievement that does not come as a birth skill, these things have to be grafted at in addition to having the physicality to do them. At (nearly) 62 I am chuffed with this, the lesson, I think, is that you have to do stuff to be able to do stuff, sitting on your arse thinking your clever will be ultimately be a frustrating and meaningless passage through life. Not for me that option, although I do sit on my arse and think I’m clever, most days, but only after the work is done.
10 September 2021
Off to Llandudno again, this time for a nice swim…not in the sea I will add! So, it’s £13 a year for a loyalty card then you get two swims a week free one of which is at a designated time, any others after that are £2 a pop, oh and, yes, the transport is all free. What a great pool too, about twice the size as First Fitness, and when we swam we could have chosen several lanes. Quite please that I managed to get up and down, we stayed about an hour and it will become another regular port of call. Another massive plus building on the others.
9 September 2021
Carol’s brother and wife are visiting again today from Preston so it’s a day off from doing stuff, probably go into Rhos centre for a coffee or something.
8 September 2021
What a day! Just got back, knackered but completely enthused by this place. We went to LLandudno on a scorching hot day to watch the cycling, well not just any old cycling but the Tour of Britain stage that finished on top of the Great Orme. When we got there the venicular was closed (as were the roads up) which meant a steep ascent to the top, not many other 60 year olds doing that can I just say! All the big names in world cycling were there and we were at the finishing line to greet them, amazing!
Before we went up the Orme I had a look at the end of the pier, this is the next sorte out at sea fishing I reckon, looks good, only drawback is the number and proximity of other anglers, that will tail off though as the holiday season comes to an end.
7 September 2021
Sea fishing is more difficult than coarse if you approach it in the same way, ie I’m getting a bit frustrated about all the blanks but, on the one hand the number of rod hours is relatively small and, on the other, I really did get to grips with the coarse venues that I previously fished. All that said there is an aspect to sea fishing that I am starting to appreciate, just being in such wonderful places. Last evening, for instance was brilliant regardless of the blank, today, sunbathing at LLandudno North watching everybody else catching nothing was a fabulous experience, it will be different in winter but no less for that.
6 September 2021
The one thing that isn’t going as expected is the fishing, well in respect of the fact I haven’t caught anything yet. In fairness to me my tackle and presentation has been good it’s just that the quarry is not showing. I’ve just got back from trying Colwyn Bay at low water and it is very shallow indeed, not much more than knee deep so there is little chance of catching. I had to come back as the tide was coming in because the light was fading, but actually this is the time I should have started. It was amazingly scenic though, a pleasure to be there. A couple of tourists talked to me for a while and I couldn’t help telling them that I lived here, do I? oh yes.
5 September 2021
Busy days, in the best way. Over the Little Orme with Katie and Carol, going early because the temperature is set for the middle twenties. There will be plenty of pictures being taken and videos etc, all set for Instagram. England are playing Andora in the World Cup qualifier tonight, we smashed Hungary a few days ago and will probably turn Poland over on Wednesday. Veggie patch is working out well as is the rest of the garden.
4 September 2021
Same again, don’t quite recall what I did today other than it was brilliant. The weather is superb, and when it bathes an area of beauty like this you just drink it in.
3 September 2021
Off up to the top of Bryn Nature reserve today, it’s a good walk, starting straight from our house and with decent elevation, it’s a few miles and you certainly know you have striden out. Katie is coming too which is good. Then for the rest of the day, just enjoying everything without too much structure. This is an unexpected and very welcome development. Previously it had to be A<B<C, fit them all in, but now the inclination is to do things as and when. For instance, I haven’t been fishing for over a week and we haven’t played golf for over two but it doesn’t feel like missing out, not at all. So much else to do, great walks – even the one along the prom straight out of our front door is tirelessly lovely – good places to visit – not even had time for Conway or Angelsey yet – and, this week we are off to the Great Orme on Wednesday to watch the Tour of Britain cycle race. Started my veggie patch as well.
2 September 2021
Struggling to remember what I did today (I’m doing this on the 3rd) Maybe it’s early onset, who knows, probably just laziness trying to recall. Anyway the slightly down mood has lifted, I think it was triggered by the tailing off of initial exhuberence with how exciting and wonderful the move was, we are here for the forseeable now and some shades of normality may be dulling the brightness, not for long though because it’s ace. Katie has settled in and things seem fine in that respect although, obviously, her relationship with Dom has ended.
Making myself a little plot for growing vegetables. Surprisingly there is more gardening space here than I though albeit in different form, I like that, makes you think a bit ( always good) and, of course, the doing is always beneficial.
1 September 2021
Feeling no better today which is unfortunate as Katie leaves Manchester and is coming to stay with us for an indefinate period. Carol and her mum are very accomodating and I am sure she will be made welcome but it isn’t the same as having your own place in these situations. We will see, fingers crossed, I’ve been in these positions before where I am trying to placate everyones feelings and they never seem to consider mine.
Evening update, Katie arrived with her friend Amy, everything hunky dory, mood lifted (don’t like feeling like that)
30 August 2021
I have written the two previous posts retrospectivly and the brevity of them reflects that I am in a poor mood. The small things that set people off (and I am one of those) are always indicative of deeper emotional states. I can’t go into any detail but it is bad.
29 August 2021
Weather is still good, just doing the normal stuff, the real hard work is nearly over which would leave odd daily jobs and then plenty of time for other stuff. I feel that the guitar playing is getting to a point that is very satisfying and, although I have still practised every day, maybe a return to twice daily may be good.
28 August 2021
Still working on the outdoors, Carol is away at a party for three days.
27 August 2021
Busy day, in all the right ways. I got up early and the sun was streaming through the windows, glorious. I’ve started to listen to half an hours classical first thing but today it was just too lovely outside, so outside it was. Carol decided to come with me, nothing really much, just a cycle along the front and a stroll to the waters edge along the beach at Colwyn. All in all it took us about 40 minutes (we had to get back as the tree fellers were due) but early doors – in such nice weather – it really did feel as good as the Med. It wasn’t enough for me so I nipped on the bus (free!!) and had an hours fishing at LLandudno north, then off for some decking treatment at BQ nearby, back, and stuck in to the garden, moving logs and stuff after the tree guys had finished.
26 August 2021
Only a couple of days ago but I can’t remember exactly what I did, maybe a bit of laid-back senility taking over, who knows. Anyway we went somewhere, and later on this evening we are climbing Bryn nature hill with Steven and Rasa to watch the sunset, all good, again.
Still practising scales daily, and playing through a few pieces, probably picki it up fully againg when the weather isn’t so great, but I can play now so that is an achievement, and it is another skill that I work on which, for me, is the value of a human life.
25 August 2021
The consensus is that we feel it’s a great holiday about to come to an end, but we live here and, of course, it isn’t. The house itself is, as I may have mentiond, in a superb position in addition to being characterful, spacious and well presented. However, there is still plenty for us to do, both outside and in, which we are doing daily. Not that this is the main reason but all that we do adds to the value which, I believe, is increasing incrementally.
But thats not it though, when we feel like it we step outside – for a walk, golf ,fishing, cycling, or just a sit – and there we are, on holiday, all the time.
24 August 2021
Carol wanted to do the walk I did the other day from Pensarn station to Rhyl. The tide was well in so we couldn’t walk along the beach, which was a pity, but, nevertheless it was a great walk. Rhyl is a bit Blackpoolish but I don’t mind that, some do though. Had a good chat with a sea angler who had experience of fishing all along the coast9he lived in Colwyn for years) and he gave me some very useful advice which I will follow up on.
23 August 2021
I know what we did today, great walk with Steven and Rasa, from our house along the prom, up Little Orme, across, and down into Llandudno. Fair old hike over the top and, of course, wonderful on a clear, sunny day, which it was. Got some great plants in one of the main stores in LLandudno and put them in when I got back.
22 August 2021
The days are working out differently to the previous pattern, there is so much to do round here – just going outside the front door is a pleasure – the tendency is that the day just develops into itself without overplanning. Therefore, for once, I can’t quite remember what we did today, but it was good.
21 August 2021
More bits of jobs around the house/garden, nothing over demanding but enough to make me feel fit, strong and fulfilled, especially when this is mixed in with all the other great outdoor stuff. Today, for example, I’m cycling down to Colwyn Bay for a couple of hours mackerel fishing(wish I could catch one) then back, brew and a bite, then off for a stroll to the village centre for an ice cream, then back for a bit of gardening. It’s a grand way to mash your parsnips!
20 August 2021
The footy season is well under way and my prediction for the first manager to get the elbow is Mikael Arteta. The weather here is about to get glorious, and when this happens it will feel like the Med, wow, how great is it here. The new apartments down the road are being marketed with all the ammunition that I have said for ages, ie that this is the next South West coast only better (Snowdownia as a backdrop as well as other stuff) Steven and Ras are visiting for a week and then Katie will be staying with us for a while, with the guest bedroom/bathroom it hardly feels like anyone else is in the house. It really does seem like a different life.
19 August 2021
Got the bus to Pensarn Beach and then a walk to Rhyl. Took my bait pump with me but only managed a few tiddly lug, don’t give up though, get the knowledge and make it work. On the way to Pensarn the bus passed Clobryn Road where the coarse fishery is, I have to say that is convienient too and I will have to pay that a visit, maybe on a regular basis. One problem I haven’t quite solved is bait. The reason I got a pump is to keep the cost down and, if I am doing a spot of coarse as well, the maggot availability seems a bit scarce. here are ways round these things. Firstly, I have to be aware that the money issue isn’t as tight as it has been, therefore, I can buy sea bait from the local tackle shop if I can’t pump it, secondly, I have proved to myself that maggots are not the only bait for still waters, for instance, if I get the composter up and running this should be a good supply of worms. Bread too will catch, as will corn or pellets, and I can buy casters online.
The walk to Rhyl took longer than I thought but it was fantastic, miles of big skies with waves desceding outwards on the tide, hills to each side and behind. The harbour at Rhyl is easy fishing and is supposed to be good for flatties, whiting and a few other species. I might leave this till it gets a bit colder, we are after all still in holiday season.
Still plenty to do around the house, very satisfying work I have to say.
18 August 2021
No butter, no pasta, rice, very little processed bread, lots of fresh fruit, loads of fresh vegetables, virtually all meals home hade from scratch, yet I’ve been stung by the lure of fish and chips. But these aren’t any old fish and chips, oh no, these are from The Galleon in Rhos-on-Sea, voted in 2020 (again) as the best chippy in Wales, so anyway we’ve had them once a week since we got here and we’re having them again tonight.
Going tp Rhyll tomorrow – Carol and her mum are going for a kitchen consutation in LLandudno – for a scout about. I’ve seen another youtube video about fishing off the harbour and also fishing off Pensarn beach. The latter has some good estuary lugworm beds so I willtake my pump and see if I can get some bait. Not fishing today just having a look around. What a place to live!
17 August 2021
Went for an evening session on a tide along the Colwyn bay prom, still nothing but learning about rigs and stuff. The two rods (light and heavy) work well but the rigs need a bit of development, also haven’t managed t pump any worms yet but, hopefully, both will be sorted out soon. Used my free bus pass for the first time and it worked a treat, this means, of course, that I can bob along the coast in either direction without a cost.
Still got rooms to sort out and boxes to unpack, the house is bigger and better than we envisaged which is great. Going to the timber merchants for small fence panels to fix on the front which is looking nice with the bit of work i’ve already done.
16 August 2021
The position we have in Rhos-on-Sea is delightfully quiet. I expected, at least at this time of year, for there to be lots of people on holiday, either on foot or in cars, but it isn’t the case. The village itself is reasonably busy, especially on a sunny day, but nothing like what we have come from. All of it has exceeded my expectations. And as for the surrounding area, well, I have likened it to the South West and, perhaps, that may be doing it a disservice, Bodmin V Snowdonia, Portland V Anglesy, Newquay V Colwyn. We have, in fact, just come back from a walk to the top of Little Orme from which you have views over Llandudno, Conway, Abergele, Colwyn, Rhos and more. It is on our doorstep and it is wonderful.
15 August 2021
Mahler is pathetic and, I dread to say, Schopenhauer – in regard to music was probably wrong. Nothing can be thought or communicated that is not an abstraction from the style humans think about everything. Pretending to know there is a general purpose – a design – whether good, bad or disinterested, is only ever a guess, and any one is as good as the next. In our own thoughts we might feel the idea of another aspect to something else but that is as far as it goes. Music follows the rules of conceptualisation as much as its sibling-skill mathematics, both of which tell us nothing more than the way that we are geared up to think. We are the universe, we make it by conciousness, it is not a search ‘out there’ because there is no ‘out there’ it always comes back.
Of course this doesn’t mean that Mahler is not interesting to listen to, just the same really as reading great fiction, but it doesn’t get me, not in that way, I see the trick.
14 August 2021
As expected there is more to this sea fishing palaver than just chuck it and hope. Understandable really if you compare it to the degree of tweaking required to be succesful on a canal or a river. The primary fundemental of any fishing is to fish where the fish are, otherwise, of course, all the best tackle and bait are useless. With this in mind I am taking note everytime I go and watching other anglers, every blank is good experience if you learn from it. Yesterday’s conditions looked great apart from the fact that the mackerel were not there, next session I will try conventional sea rigs and light running ledger rigs.
Start of the footy season last night with newcomers Brentford showing Arsenal how to compet at that level 2-0 and they must be full of confidence. Man Utd V Leeds early afternoon kick off, I predict a struggle for leeds this seaon after the good showing last year, third album syndrome.
13 August 2021
Breezy on the course but, nevertheless a great three-quarters of a round. We played well, Carol is a fine player given the relatively few times she has been on a course, which makes it a pleasure to play a round. The club pro suggetsted joining in mid-September to get the best deal which we will do, but till then it’s twilight golf once a week. When we do join we envisage two-three times per week 9-13 holes which, I believe, will take us both up a level, as wellas getting our legs tanned! No midges or horseflies either, glad about that.
Just been to sign up at the local surgery, everyone really friendly and helpful which has been our experience generally since we got here. Going to try for a mackere.l again just along the prom at Colwyn
12 August 2021
Feeling better – and if anything stronger – after another good nights sleep. Wow this has got to be the healthiest lifestyle going (Mike Parker died today, suddenly, at his computer!), the proximimty to the sea, the lack of cars, outdoors doing stuff, and, certainly not to be overlooked, the views. Bound to get tired with all the activity but it is invigoration in abeyance.
Off to Colwyn bay today to get some ideas about bedrooms and kitchens – not my remit – and this evening I’m going to suggetst a round of golf.
11 August 2021
Don’t mind admitting it, I’ve overdone the physical stuff since getting here. Very fortunately my body is strong (weight training in the youthful phase) and I have good stamina (Long distance and fell walking in the middle years) but i do get bad sinus pain when I get physically tired, this then develops into headaches which don’t seem to shift with analgesics. Some people would call this a migraine and it probably is, but I hate the idea that I might have an ailment that other people know about, just not me at all. And I dislike others that talk about their own ailments, especially if I consider these to be less than they are making out, if I think people talk their discomfort up for sympathy or advantage then I silently view them with abject scorn. Anyway a good night sleep or two sorts me out then I’m back and bouncy.
Carol’s brother and wife are visiting from Preston today with their little pooch, so it’s a welcome day of rest.
10 August 2021
I’m glad that my bus pass will be coming soon because that cycle ride is a gruel, so knackered when I got back from fishing I though that was it! Didn’t catch anything other than a few crabs, but then again nobody seemed to as far as I could see and there was quite a few fishing. However, it has to be the most enjoyable blank I have ever had, the fishing was a pleasure and the new beachcaster rig worked great, I will try some other terminal rigs until I hit upon some that work, but other than that welcome to Wales again, I got here.
9 August 2021
Another busy day doing one thing or another. Actually tried a spot of fishing along the coast as well. I cycle past Colwyn beach, which was very busy as the day was lovely to a spot just past the arches, there was a step down to rocks and I rigged my gear up (river tackle) and gave it a punt, didn’t catch anything and I lost one rig but it was fun, going to Llandudno north tomorrow to see what that’s about.
8 August 2021
We went for another walk last evening to the Bryn Euryn nature reserve, which you can see from our house ond is a short stroll in the opposite direction to the sea. There are allotments there, small and neat, which have changed my mind about having another one, if we get one of these it would be easy to manage and very close by. Further up the hill – it is a bit of a pull – the path extends through woodland to a hilltop summit that took our breath away. There are benches at the top that cry out for a little picnic and we will be taking advantage of them regularly over the, well, all the time because we live here.
7 August 2021
I will start taking photos and videos when I find the camera, still a bit of unpaking and sorting to do. The house is bigger and in better shape than we thought, which is great of course, but it does take time to work through. We have been getting out every day, sometimes twice, on foot or on the bikes. Even the walk to the co-op in the village along the promenade is delightful and, I expect, wewill never tire of. This morning we are cycling to the bigger supermarket in Colwyn Bay which has a bit more choice and is probably better value. Going to try my new bait pump out later this evening.
6 August 2021
Again, it felt like we were playing in the Med. Views of distant Snowdon one way and the tinkling sea in the other while driving down immaculate fairways and putting on carpet greens. We only played nine holes as we were bith gassed with all the work and the general hardship of the move. It is all working out like a dream, perhaps it is, hope I don’t wake up then!
5 August 2021
Just got back from the garden nursery it is, I would guess, about a mile and a half away, an easy cycle or stroll for us but a taxi ride with Mari. As we are sharing the general costs this doesn’t matter as overall everything is comfortably manageable. Anyway it’s a proper little place similar to the one we used to go to but, possible, a bit more reasonable. The delivery is coming tomorrow and we bought enough plants just for the front, which will show off our veranda now that the hedge has gone. Fishing tackle should be arriving soon, I’ve bought some mackeral rigs from the local tackle shop and I am itching for a few casts. Also there is a coarse fishery not too far away which I intend to visit when I get my free bus pass which is in application.
As the weather is still very good we have booked a round of twighlight golf this evening. We are going to join but the special offer starts in mid-September so, until then, it is better to pay as you play, we have lots to do with the house sort so once a week till then is fine.
4 August 2021
Another Mediterranean feel to the place, we can see the sea front to the left of our house and this morning it is glistening. I’ve some hard work to do today with the conifers but I’m looking forward to it, the improvement should be instant and then we can start prettying the rest of the front up. The property was built circa 1910 and has many good features one of these being the front veranda, so we want to make the best of it, which we will. The inside is coming along too, I have nearly set my own room up and, although I haven’t practised as much as usual, the accoustics in the room – in addition to the quietness and views – make it a pleasure to be in. Another tick to add to the collection.
3 August 2021
Bike ride this morning along the promenade to Colwyn Bay. It’s just under two miles, traffic free, parallel to the sea which, again, is Agean blue/green in the splendid weather. I’ve been in shorts and vest since we got here and I predict a gravy coloured bod by the end of summer! The front of the house has a lovely low grey stone wall which is consistent with almost all of the properties in the area. Unfortunately ours is overgrown with over a dozen lopped conifers which are windblown and unsightly, tomorrow though these are coming down, but first I need a new saw which I will get from Llandudno where we are off too right now.
2 August 2021
Things are coming together in the house. It is bigger than I reckoned and much better fitted. A builder came round yesterday to price up the partition to Mari’s section of the house and he commented on the fine condition of the property, there is still the roof issues to be dealt with, which we will, in due course. A pleasant walk along the promenade to the village with Carol and Mari in the late afternoon, with more boxes to unpack tomorrow.
1 August 2021
It seemed like a heavenly dream. All that we had imagined realised in the short walk to the outcrop of hilly rock jutting out into the sea. We passed the golf course, the morning was clear and the view extended past the elevated nature reserve to Snowdonia. When we wlaked along the lower part of Little Orme we saw seals diving for food in the sea foliage. I liken the promenade to being in the Med but this could be the Californian coast, at least on a day like this.
31 July 2021
Wales
The first day and it is a good one. There is a lot of work to be done, satisfying work aimed at establishing a home, it is what people do and it is what Carol and myself do well, so here we go.
First though, it’s on with the walking shoes and off to Little Orme.
30 July 2021
…is the last day. Train to Wales for me at 10am, drop the key off at the estate agents first and then off I go. Many, many times I have let my mind wander to this point and it feels every bit as good as I thought it would do.
Of course it is a big house move, well two actually, so the anxiety does not end with leaving Preston, no sirreee bob! Our completion – being the last in a decent length chain – has not happened by the time I get to Fletcher and Poole in Rhos (it is very lovely by the way) So I have a walk up to the new house and a walk up to the golf club, no phone calls as yet. Another walk around the shops, a coffee, still no phone call and it is now 3pm. Carol and Mari are following in David’s car and are stuck in traffic as is the main removal van. The smaller advance transit is at the house and Brittania – dirty opportunists – are trying to bill us for the delay, even though the van has not yet arrived!!! Fuck me, what a nerve.
It has to happen today, Carol assures me, although our solicitor has told her she is getting a bit nervous, not what you want to hear. 3.30 and the call comes through, the money is on it’s way, fifteen minutes later the keys are in my hand and the grafting begins.
29 July 2021
Last full day. Carol’s mum has been with us since Tuesday and her house contents are in storage till Saturday. I have done the majority of the packing in our house but there is still plenty to do. In a real sense I have had the easier ride as the admin aspects of the move are stressy and reasonably complex (modern world, two houses into one). 2pm and the house movers are coming to take the majority of our stuff so everything that we need for this evening has to go into the back room, and then tommorrow…
28 July 2021
Packing has taken on a different feel now that we are assured of the move. I have no inclination to take a last photo on Friday or anything like that, for a very long time I have been of the mind that it would be goodbye to all that.
27 July 2021
I parked up outside the old people’s home my grandmother was put in to die, Deepdale House, opposite the Deepdale pub and just a few streets away from our house in St Andrews Road. The buyer of the house, a young lad whose dad owned a small plastics firm off Aqueduct Street, had recieved the survey and was threatening to pull out unless we had work done on the damp course. I didn’t know what to do. We had our hearts set on the new house and thought the move was near enough done, but it wasn’t. My heart was racing and I banged the steering wheel. Getting on in life is usually hard, I think I called at the off licence before going home – there was one in the bank of shops opposite the pub – to buy a 2ltr strong cider, cheap and it did the job.
I decided to pay our estate agent in Penwortham a visit. Calmly I asked one of the staff – the one we had been dealing with – if she could explain again what the situation was. I could sense she was nervous by my prescence, I said very little, nothing much to say really, everything is in place other than the first time buyer at the bottom of the chain cannot be reached in order for him to confirm the exchange to his solicitor.
4pm, the exchange has taken place and we are now moving to Wales on Friday.
26 July 2021
It is supposed to be happening today, without fail I seem to recall the estate agent saying. Just words, I’m afraid, because the day has panned out with stressful phone calls and little else.
25 July 2021
Carol’s mum is moving on tuesday, well the contents are. They are about three quarters way through the packing and need some more help to complete, so I am going again today to do the heavier work. I have steadily packed a good deal at our house but, as mentioned, it is with the sense of doubt arising from the exchange not being done, the pressure this has caused has been, at best, uncomfortable. The mind races in uncertainty.
24 July 2021
Saturday, maybe the last one I will spend in Preston. When I was very young, just learning to read, the best part of the week was waiting for the sound of the weekend papers to drop through the box. My comics were with them. I scurried down the stairs and straight back up again, Beano, Dandy, Whizzer and Chips inside a pyjama arm. Those times, without people, reading myself into a world without touch, are the ones I would do again.
23 July 2021
Yesterday got to a high of over 30 degrees, saps your energy it does, most of the rooms are now ready though. Just phoned the solicitor and exchange isn’t going to happen today, they really are a bunch of money grubbing charlatans, but then again who isn’t?
22 July 2021
Carol is at her mum’s packing and I’m doing the same here. Wales is a new start from all angles, in shortly over a week I may be leaving Preston for good, close to 62 years. My recollection of it are here to be read, of course they are from a perspective yet I do not expect to miss the pace, although, surprisingly, I am becoming less embittered about it. The world is too big to blame.
21 July 2021
Same again, packing, bit of sunbathing (tan coming along) still making progress with the guitar which is pleasing. Olympics starts today.
20 July 2021
The hot spell of weather carries on, el scorchio! It does make the practical aspect of packing a bit more ugh as the energy levels are lower, still got to crack on, bit by bit. Blackpool is now sold which is a significant plus to the efficacy of the overall move. Because of the pandemic and easing of lockdown, moving companies are very busy which means that they are a bit coccky with their attitude and prices. The result is that we have to commit – and pay – about £5k for the joint move, gulp! Also, if it falls through or the dates get changed we are down a whack.
19 July 2021
Don’t think there will be much to note during the next few day as the attention will be on packing. As yet there has been no exchange of contracts on our house although we are assured (mmm, yeah) that this will take place on Friday or Monday at the latest. This said, we are now confident that the move will happen a week on Friday. With the addition of Carol’s mum’s house sale everything is more complex and, consequentially, more stressful. That sale fell through late last week and, almost immediately, sold again, albeit for a reduced price. Today we were informed that the original purchaser has stated an itention to buy (and exchange) within 48 hours for the original price, phew!
18 July 2021
Not talked about Covid 19 for a while but it’s still very much a thing. Of course the senior members of the government are selfish pragmators (see 16th July) who are now making self-isolation guidlines fit to their own circumstances, hard to do in a world of spotlights and instant news cycles, so they got rumbled and now look like pratts, or more like pratts, whichever suits best. Tomorrow sees all regulations lifting, strange really as infection rates – regardles of vaccination – are rising exponentially. The scientific/statistical bodies are pleading that the evidence is clear, another wave is imminent.
The olympics starts this week. No crowds, in a country that doesn’t want it, Japan. With hundreds of new cases a day, new variants too. Athletes locked up in quarantine conditions, but still getting infected…should be a spectacle to remember eh?
17 July 2021
Carol’s mums house sale has fallen through, great! It doesn’t change the initial move to Rhos but it does make the money very tight for the first few months, if it lingers on the market, shouldn’t think it will though. Played golf last evening, good, but I had one bad hole which, as usual, got into my head. I’m getting much b etter at realising that these mind-gremlins are there to make you worse at skill so, therefore, the objective is to confront them and, ultimately, to fuck them right off with impunity, easier said than done I know.
16 July 2021
We won’t have a big garden but it doesn’t need to be. The initial idea was to get a house with a decent piece of land and an alright house in a rural area, that’s changed but it’s probably going to be better. I’ve missed gardening including, of course, the allotments. Indoor stuff doesn’t compensate for the frustration of not having a daily reason for doing some pottering. Anyway I’ve just phoned the estate agent and she reckons that everything is now in place for an exchange early next week. Got to take this with the understanding that they, and solicitors, are generally selfish pragmators (bastards that lie to your face) but they can’t dodge the clock and it has nearly ticked through.
15 July 2021
The good weather is finally here, not that it’s been that bad just doesn’t seem to have been warm enough to sit outside for more than an hour or so. I’m not going to try to tan in a couple of days, for one thing I find sitting out in it for more than, say, fifteen minutes or so, boring and uncomfortable. Hopefully, when we get to Wales I’ll be able to tan when I’m actually doing something.
14 July 2021
Another early start, this time for a session on the Ribble (just got back). Pretty much like the last session, lots of small fish followed by some better ones and a few lost fish (I think biggish perch). There may not be many sessions left as we are supposed to move in a couple of weeks. Carol has been on the phone all week trying to shake people up but, I haven’t said so, I think the useless ‘professionals’ are immune to hassle, it has probably brought our chain into a bit more focus but I think they wait till the last 10-14 ays anyway, who knows?
13 July 2021
Got another removal bloke coming round this morning to give a quote for a double move tp Wales. The process has to this point proved unpleasant, due almost entirely by the half-hearted approach of solicitors and estate agents. I feel the move will take place (to Rhos) but it has required a good deal of mental re-assessment. In other words, fuck ’em.
Katie and her boyfriend are splitting up after 11 years, they have a pleasant rented hous in Manchester so it is not going to be a walk in the park for her. We have spoken a few times this week and she seems, after the first heartbreaking pangs, to have seen him in his true guise. Her approach will win. All in the mind.
12 July 2021
Dramatic it was in bucket loads, enjoyable to watch it was not. Like the Croatia semi-final a few years back we played well, scored early on and then realised that we might win, so we decided to lose. All in the mind.
11 July 2021
Bit goosed as I got up at 1am to watch UFC 264 with Adam and Daniel (they are in Manchester of course). I didn’t believe so but I genuinly enjoy the sport and find the five or so hours tremendous entertainment. This would have been near impossible when I was a beer drinker, but now, and this is the thing see, I feel good almost all of the time. In terms of mood there are many more aspects to the human condition that control this aspect of behaviour but, without doubt, feeling good – or at least not normal/shit – has a considerable impact.
The Euro Final is today, 8 pm at Wembley, I do’t know about this one.
10 July 2021
Listening solely to Bach through the brilliant productions of the Netherlands Bach Society. I’ve mentioned this before and the experience has become deeply rewarding. At present I am taking in the cantatas, each one is a story – religious, of course – but easily interpreted as analogies of human experience in this realm. One of them, I think it is BMV 124, has the theme of an individual (Bach himself probably) becoming full of the world, not in a euphoric sense, but as the idea of not wanting or seeking any more fulfilment from it. What a fine way of presenting stoicim as just simply having had enough, not neccesarily pursuing an end to earthly tribulations, or railing Lear-like, but just accepting them as an inevitable process towards an end.
9 July 2021
The maggots had all died from leaving them in the car boot all day yesterday. I was a bit dispirited about that and ny confidence level wasn’t great when I didn’t get bites straight away in conditions that looked perfect. In the end I have found a new wonder bait that gets the bigger fish and keeps nuisance small dace off. The only snag was that I lost a number of very good fish through using hook lengths that were too light, that will soon be sorted though, Got some nice roach, chub, perch etc and hooked into a couple off really nice fish one of which just tore off and snagged me up, the other I got to nearly netting and it pinged off, Good bag of decent fish with no one else doing much.
8 July 2021
I tried to calm myself through deep breathing to no avail. Throughout the match my bpm was around 120 which is absurd for a wednesday night watching the telly. My analysis had it for a comfortable England win but when they landed a beauty of a free kick after twenty minutes I thought I might have missed a factor. It went to extra time and we got a dubious penalty which Schmichael saved, but did he? no, a rebound and Kane puts it home. We played the last ten minutes out without them getting the ball and now we are in the final against Italy on Sunday. I haven’t had a think about this yet, however, my initial feeling is that we will play freely as some of the more inhibitating pressure is now off. And now I am off, to bed, as it’s an early sessio on the Ribble.
7 July 2021
Off to Carol’s mum’s to help sort the planters in the garden out prior to the move, and then back for the England match.
6 July 2021
We though the contracts were being exchanged yesterday, that didn’t happen, we thought, well it must be today, just found out that this isn’t happening either. Apparantly we have been misled by our estate agent (all bastards!) in that the people buying our house are subject to a chain and, not as we were led to believe, not first time buyers. So it’s all a load of bollocks really as the bottom of the chain are not in a position to exchange at this point. I tink it will still happen on the 30th July but, really, aho know?
5 July 2021
And it was a good game too, probably the best we have both played, some good shots but, overall, it was the consistency that pleased the most. Nothing else to report other than the guitar progress is still good, again it’s the consistency of practice matched with small incremental improvements.
4 July 2021
The Euro’s are drawing to the the important matches, we obliterated Ukraine last night, a brilliantly controlled performance that ended at 4-0 but could have been more other than the team stepped off the gas. How many times have we underperformed in situations like that with no other reason than nerves and lack of planning. Denmark next – on Wednesday which should be tougher but still straightfoward. Playing golf this evening.
3 July 2021
Carrying on with the football we are, of course, still in it and today we face a Ukraine side which is depleted and tired after a tough last match. I say they have little chance. Our mind set – forged through a solidly thought out managerial plan – is too much for them. Our players also – the whole squad of A listers – will prove far too much for them.
And it was. I did call it as such, even as far as predicting Maguire would score the first from a set play (it was the second but come on!) A few minutes into the second half and it was all over. It ended up 4-0 but we made some subs and played the match out without strain or injury risk, that’s how you do it. Denmark on Wednesday.
2 Juy 2021
The contracts are being exchanged on Monday, or at the latest Tuesday. Well the elusive feeling suddenly got a good bit more tangible. 30 July, Friday, is the move date and I am now looking at shore fishing tackle. Couple of amazing matches in the Euros, incomprehensible really, and maybe the best day’s footy ever. Spain went 3-1 up against a decent Croatia with a few minutes to go, all over in the modern game you might have thought, got one back, nah can’t happen, it did. The Spanish won it well in injury time but what drama. France V Switzerland, same thing 3-1 up with a bit left on the clock, they scored, then equalised, then won it on penalties, incredible.
1 July 2021
New month and a nice day. I tend to spend less time sunning myself to a tan these days. Partly it’s because of the damaging effects of over exposure in addition to the incongruity of a deep tan on an English man. A nice natural look is, well, a nice natural look. Yesterday, I started to take the metal shelving down out of the shed and realised I was quite tired from the previous day’s firshing so I cut it short. I realise that doing a task when I am unengaged with it or if I am tired, or worse, both, make me short tempered. Perhaps, this is the reason that I have been a tetchy bugger most of my life, and that nowadays I am Mr Chill the meekman who does the job well, when the time is right.
30 June 2021
Well I was right about the football, not exactly easy but, nevertheless, a comfortable win against a well organised yet ageing German side who lack real matchwinners. So, that leads us into a tie on Saturday with, I think, either Ukraine or Sweden, neither of who should keep us up at night. Still treading water regarding Wales, it’s happening that’s for sure but it remains elusive.
29 June 2021
Made a few videos yesterday with my new (fake) GoPro, one of which I’ve put on YouTube, the others are on the BTCloud. Caught a few, another bream, some okay roach, a chub and loads of miniscule dace. I tried the pole but it is hopeless on the river, far too difficult to fish with any control or comfort. The matches at the Euro’s were two of the greatest games I’ve ever seen, high drama in both with Spain and France both squandering a 3-1 lead against, respectivly, Croatia and Switzerland. France, incredibly, got knocked out. No dramas today as we will glide past Germany.
28 June 2021
3.45 am and I’m up and (nearly) ready to go, I’ll fish till about dinnertime and then it will be hot and hopeless. Two equally big Euro matches on today so, obviously, both of those will be viewed.
27 June 2021
Walking to the tackle shop for a bit of bait for tomorrows session on the Ribble, there is even less water in the drink than last week so I’m not expecting a netful. Two big Euro matches on today so I’ll wtch these of course.
26 June 2021
Apart from this I’m not doing any writing at the moment, I have ideas and I reckon I have the tenacity to express them, but, what’s the point? the world is awash with the written word, a bit like ‘art’. So if that’s the case the benefit is to express your feelings and ideas, well, rather not at the minute, if that’s okay. Anyroad, I’m improving steadily on the classical guitar, I practice daily, at least, I would say, an hour and sometimes more. This I can do for myself without any need for an end product, the product is the skill learnt and the enjoyment that virtually no-one has the strength to learn things through.
25 June 2021
First class day with Katie yesterday, we do get on well and I very much enjoyed it. Tend to forget I’m 62 this year, 62! bloody hell, how did that happen?
24 June 2021
Off to Manchester to see Katie prior to her birthday tomorrow, not seeing the lads as they will be working, hey are both coming to Preston at the weekend so I’m hoping to see them at some point then. The house move in Wales has come together all of a sudden. Yesterday, I was on the phone to the estate agent in Wales just about to ask to view other properties when she told me that the seller had been in and informed her that they were willing to exchange contracts as soon as possible, phew, what a palaver.
23 June 2021
Opposite the cafe along the river prom I noticed something in the clam water along the far bank of the river, I stoped cycling to take a closer look and it was an otter, the first I have seen and I would never have thought it possible to see one in my river when I started fishing in the late 60’s. I know they eat a lot of big fish but, come on, nature balances itself out, and who would not want to see them, cormorants, well different story there. I caught more than I expected and it was a lovely day. We won our match and Scotland lost theirs.
22 June 2021
Got up at 4am for an early start on the river. As I’ve mentioned i’m not at all confident about the condition of the river – very low – but I’m off anyway. England play tonight in the last of the group Euro games as do Scotland, we will win our match and they will lose theirs.
21 June 2021
Really want to smash the PS4 controller to bits, it’s sticking and, of course, it’s costing me positions in the leagues I’m playing in. I very much recall being at various stages and thinking how much more staisfied I would be when I get to the next level, and so on. Well I’ve got there and I want to get to the next level, all the time never really satisfied, what goes on eh? Just the same thing with real golf last evening, lovely conditions and I played the first five or six holes exceptionally well, and then blap! all went wrong off the tee, I managed to get it back but couldn’t shake it from my mind, still can’t, what goes on eh! Anyway I’m going to try a session on the Ribble tomorrow, I don’t think think there is much water in so it might not be great, never know.
20 June 2021
Still in the ennui phase of the house move, everything seems to be dragging and, while we are confident that some kind of move will take place, the process is a dul one. Golf this evening, another activity that I push myself unneccesarily hard at, I;ve started to enjoy fishing now I have got rid of the idea that I have to accomplish thos and that, I hope I can relax into golf the same way. Do you know what, all this happened because of my upbtinging (surprise, surprise) always trying to prove myself at whatever I, competetive, hateful of criticism and dismissive of praise, it really does take most of the pleasure out of the process. On a brighter note, I am begining to enjoy guitar grades and, as I have just mentioned, fishing…got to say I’m missing gardening, come on Wales hurry up!
19 June 2021
Scotland took us for a draw at Wembley in the Euros and they are prancing about like the’ve won the thing. Actually a draw might have done us a nice favour and they are, after all, still bottom of the group and favourites to be asked to go home. Some more good matches today including Portugal V Germany, a must win for the latter team who will, of course, be getting my resounding discouragment. Nipping to Tesco first for some essentials and a fair bit of guitar in between.
18 June 2021
The sellers of the house in Wales are fucking us around for moving dates. Everyone in the chain (including them we thought) were working on an end of june moving date now, it seems, they can’t move out till the end of July. Obviously this gets us thinking about motives as well as getting us mighty pissed off that the delay will cost us two and a half thousand in extra stamp duty. Well, moving house is always fraught and this is no different, in our case the configuration of the move – two housholds into one – makes it even more so. But I’m taking a phlegmatic approach, much different than the reaction I would have taken in the past. We’ve given the allotments up, so what, more time for other things, we won’t move for another month, great, a months fishing on the Ribble, and so on.
17 June 2021
Off for a game of golf this evening, the weather looks perfect and the light is good till late on so we should get a fair number of holes played, maybe even a full round.
16 June 2021
Well the photo’s worked well as I had already adjusted the resolution, the video, however, was not great. It did record – visual and aural – but I had the resolution on 4k which made it far too shaky, I have now dropped it to 1080 which, I reckon, will be fine. Good session in tricky conditions (hot, clear and midday) but I caught steadily on the pole, great cycle ride again, so glad I’ve done that over the last couple of years.
15 June 2021
Start of a new river fishing season, well it’s not really, I made that mistake last year and I might have faced a hefty fine for it. The start is actually the 15th inclusive which means that the real start date is midnight on the 16th. Last years session – if I recall – was a bit mixed, the water level was very low and clear which made the fishing difficult, added to that the weed had built up and what it needed was a good wash through. If anything the levels are even lower this year which means that I am going to wait for a bit of rain, can’t wait too long as the move to Wales is looming. Decided to have a last (probably) session on the canal as the weather is grand and I’m not that bothered about a net full of fish. Also I’m testing out my new little onboard camera which takes photos and videos on the move, I bought it primarily for Wales but I’m giving it a test run.
14 June 2021
Got to say I think I might have turned a corner playing guitar. Difficult to (haha) put a finger on it but it feels like I’m shaking off the hesitation that initiates mistakes and poor playing. Practice, of course, is the real reason for this, not just hours spent at the fretboard, but learning about the theory of the art. For instance, I have had, over decades, several attempts to try to learn blues music, now, by rigourously being able to play any major scale in any position, it is a simple adjustment to alter this and play a minor or major blues pentatonic. And then, as I now understand the rudiments of the circle of fifths, I can think about chord progressions. This is all satisfying but it is the classical playing that I most interested in and doing that makes the other stuff much more straightfoward.
13 June 2021
Got up in the early hours (half one) to watch UFC and, as all the other ones were, it was worth it and then some, fantastic sport. And this afternoon England kick off in the Euro’s, not building my expectations up but I do hope, this time, that we have the organisation and concentration to match the clear talent we possess. Strange occurance yeaterday, Christian Ericsson, had a heart attack while playing for Denmark, nearly died, but he’s recovering now.
12 June 2021
Well the allotments have now been given up, the factor in this that is disadvantageous is that we haven’t, for some time now, been cycling two/three times a week, and then doing a bit of graft. This will be replaced with different activities in Wales but, for now, the rest is pleasant but the body feels a bit unworked. Still, we’ve both done – and are still doing – much more activity than people our age even think about, so there!
11 June 2021
Just the same really, getting ready for the move, well we are really, could do it tomorrow. There are a lot of little hurdles to get over some, I believe, geared towards making money for the professionals, and why not I would.
10 June 2021
The moving date should be coming soon, we are comitted to relocating now whether this happens before the end of June or not, so it is about a little bit of patience which, surprisingly, these days I seem to be equiped with. Day in today, well clearing out the last bits in the allotment shed, but apart from that it’s guitar, golf and classical music. Oh, and the Euro’s starts tomorrow.
9 June 2021
I cycled straight home with my tackle, if I do go again – or have a session on the Ribble – it will be from base rather than from the allotment. The old one, by the end of the week, will be empty and we will then give notice on it. Off to Blackpool to help clear Carol’s mums garage stuff into the skip.
8 June 2021
It felt better as soon as I saw the colour of the water. Even at the Preston end, which is often at this time of year, choked with chickweed, the water was clear and looked good, you never know though. When I got there the bloke that watched me catching a few weeks ago was packing up, he told me the fish were feeding well which I was pleased to hear. I didn’t feel inclined to fish near the other side of the basin as it was a little late to think about the bigger bream but I started catching near from the off and, at the end of what may be my last foray on ‘The Lancy’ I had a decent net of fish. Felt strong on the bike too, nearly 62, fit, healthy and with a (kind of) clear mind.
7 June 2021
Yep, played well again, Penwortham isn’t long but it is an undulating woodland course and it is not easy to get round if you aren’t dead straight. Nevertheless I got a couple of pars and not bad on the rest, it augers well. Going fishing on the canal this morning, it’a another fine day, not full sun, and even after a tasty 13 holes last evening I am feeling fit and strong so, whatever existential angst plays around in my head it is a good feeling that I can now cycle 12 plus miles with all my tackle on the back, and enjoy it!
6 June 2021
Playing golf this evening which could be one of the (possibly the penultimate) game in Penwortham. I have played well given the amount of pratice and this should get better when we join a golf club in Wales. I remember how difficult I found the game initially and my ball striking has got through the stage (hopefully) where it is – literally – hit or miss, hope so.
5 June 2021
Usual stuff, another nice day and the tan is coming along well, goes good with the long hair – not had it cut in over a year and the boiffant bush is (with the help of wax) levelling out.
4 June 2021
Still listening to classical music every morning and a Bach performance in the early afternoon, it is – I find – an immediate brake to the whirling and churning of the conceptual mind. Nice day again, days like this on the coast of Wales should be pleasant.
3 June 2021
It’s easy to through stuff out when you start. The Wales move is drawing closer and I am now commited to packing things up, mainly it’s the garden and shed so – as we have no garden as such in the new place – it’s not that much of a problem. Emptying the planters is now done and I am clearing the shed out bit by bit, the weather is great so it’s a shorts and vest job.
2 June 2021
Walked to the old allotment yesterday evening and walked back with the wheelbarrow with the chairs. Bit sad that it is running down, the new one is such a mess we decided to give it up there and then, that chapter has been read.
1 June 2021
Here we are then, flaming June, and it is too! Looks like the pandemic is nearly over, bit of a changer but things will get back to ‘normal’ in a fingersnap. Couple of predictions I made are coming through, town centres are fucked and combustion engines are on the way out, electric transport first then autonymous. Not sure what will happen to shops and town centres but technology has, and will continue, to change stuff.
31 May 2021
Still a good ‘en, weather wise, making use of it by sorting the pots out for transportion to Wales. Normal day otherwise, guitar etc, still listening – and learning – classical music, half an hour in the morning and then a concert (love YouTube) in the early afternoon. Staring to love Bach, you can’t whistle along to him but he can take you to another place.
30 May 2021
Well Manchester got nothing out of Europe when all looked possible. United lost (woefully) to Villa Real and Coty lost (nervously) to Chelsea. Who knows eh? makes for another interesting season next year. Euro’s start in a couple of weeks, full on footy for a month, will we do welll? mmm, you never know in a cup competion, if it was a league then yes we would probably win it. I always have hope, increasingly this is based on solid foundations as the skill level and tactical nous is top level, but, it is a cup competition and there are pixies at play. 25 degrees and sunny today and again tomorrow, first time this year you could say summer has arrived.
29 May 2021
Think I’m getting a little out of shape and losing a bit of stamina. Of course I’m not cycling to the allotment three times a week, or much else in honesty – Gym, walking, running. This has an effect incremently which I am certain will be rectified whne we move to Wales. Still not in bad shape though, and I am pretty fit and healthy, but once you get to a standard you don’t want it to drop do you. But, with age of course, drop it will certainly do, and that is the frustrating aspect to life, you strive to get better, achieve something, and then the elastic band draws it back in. However, being as I am, I will never stop doing, and I will never stop being motivated by people who do nothing with their lives and who have the nerve to criticise those that do.
28 May 2021
In the late afternoon yesterday I played pratice scales and a couple of pieces from memory and realised that the playing seemed different. I have always been tense and clumsy, too mindful about making mistakes, always aware that ‘other people’ (if they were listening) might not think the playing was any good, a test and a fail. That is why I have been pushing myself to learn the instrument formally and to do it properly. The hours/days/weeks/months of this have been towards the goal of ridding my mind of these voices. It hasn’t happened yet, not by a way, it may never do, but yesterday, in the late afternoon, they were quiet.
27 May 2021
Sitting down with my normal morning cup of tea, early, about half six. The bloke across the road is off to work before seven, a couple of other blokes have walked past on their way, cars begin to pass, women will start to drop kids off before eight, and thus this little part of the world continues with the droning. Seeing this cheered me up, not in an “oh bla dee, oh bla dah life goes on” sense, but just through the realisation that I am not part of it, haven’t been for years, and will never (truly, deeply hope not) be again. Started preparing for the move a little yesterday, and doing a bit more today, throwing stuff out on the basis that it ‘might come in handy one day’.
26 May 2021
I knew from the start it was going to be a bad day, today that is not yesterday. Part of it was the deep impression incurred by the pointlessness of aquiring piles of utterly useless things, together with the realisation that it is very difficult (for many) to actually disgard them. My lesson on that note will continue to be learnt, I will clear my ‘things’ with this firmly in mind.
Then there was more legal stuff to sort from the buyers solicitor, which Carol sorts out but which makes me react negatively, and without real grounds. There is a lot riding on the Wales move and I want to cut through or bypass this kind of complication, of course it needs to be navigated, but I shy away from this. Yes, a fairly bad day all round, mood sour and outlook gloomy, oh and Man Utd lost on penalties to Villa Real, how? not sure, it shouldn’t have happened, not sure Oly has got the nous to reach the level required, but then again, who else is available. Still think they should have stuck with Moyes.
25 May 2021
Off to Carol’s mum’s to help sort the garage and stores out prior to the move to Wales, looking forward to doing someting witha bit of purpose. Nothing else today as we wiil be home late.
24 May 2021
Feel poorly, the covid jab obviously, take it easy toaday, I think, ha, just like any other day then. Watched another piece on Schubert and, you know, I’ve gone right off these dark spirited Romantic era dudes, I do appreciate his legacy but someone like Bach is categorically different in the approach to music (tentativly said).
23 May 2021
Off to town for the second covid jab. I believe few would have predicted that many town centre’s would become desplate places, obviously the pandemic accelerated this but the revolution is down to internet shopping. Debenhams is now gone which creates a big void together, it seems, with every other shop being boarded up, I couldn’t care less, actually I’m glad because it was a false time and I hated every second of my many years of working in town centres. Last day of the Prem, although the top two places are sorted, as are the relugation spots, the battle for Europe is still on, so a few interesting matches.
22 May 2021
Nothing much else to do after guitar and music (last day of the footy season tomorrow and then the Euros) so I’ll watch the full Bellator card, got to say MMA is a great watch.
21 May 2021
Weather is cold and wet so it’s another day in, just thinking though last year (and previous ones) I had aquired a fairly decent tan by this point, this year there has been a couple of days when you would want to sit out, if you tried it today it’s hypothermia.
20 May 2021
As well as learning classical guitar I am listening and aquiring a knowledge of the music. It’s a msleading term, I think, classical, like all conceptual formats it comes with preconceptions that, in turn, create barriers and blockages. At present I’m just allowing the music to assimilate while slowly trying to understand the basics of its world. For instance, I have an understanding why I find Bach less immediatly accessible than the later homophonic tunes of the romantic classical period. However, Bach is a towering genius and there are some wonderful performances available which I have been watching. The Netherlands Bach Society has a series on YouTube which is of the highest quality, I have watched five of the cello pieces so far.
19 May 2021
Added to the feeling of limbo is the bad weather. It hasn’t, apart from an odd couple of days, been warm yet, the temperature on most days doesn’t get above the low tens and over the next few days the wind and rain are making a return. Remember last year? when locdown was tight, people were out and about doing all sorts, not in this they’re not.
18 May 2021
I enjoyed the cycle ride, as usual, but the fishing in the basin has gone completely off, no one catching anything and very few bites, poor I know, but that’s fishing for you. Wales looks good all round for outdoor activities, looking forward to it, I have been for a while now.
17 May 2021
Again little to report other than the searches are being done on the respective houses which means that the next stage is moving dates.
16 May 2021
Bit knacked from staying up (nearly) to watch UFC but I really enjoyed it and it is a great shared thing with the lads. Same today as previously, bit of a limbo, filling the days with music and various other bits and bobs, my knowledge of serious music is expanding.
15 May 2021
FA cup final today Chelsea V Leicester followed in the early hours of tomorrow morning by UFC 236. I predicted Lampard would do well at Chelsea – and he did – but obviously not well enough because he got sacked. The new man Tuchel, is a different entity, on what he has done so far he is a rival to Pep, neither individual seems content without their idea of perfection and, thankfully, with a style of play that is great to watch. I used to like Spurs for the way they played but Jose found out the club were soft-centered, still, its Man Utd in all respects for me, always has been, don’t know why.
14 May 2021
Composer of the day is Olivier Messiaen. A genius of course, imprisoned in France by the little nazis he wrote one of his great works Quartet for the End of Time in prison and, somehow, performed it there. I watched it in the comfort of my room in hi-fi quality performed by the Tri Orion with a guest clarinet player and it was superb.
Carol’s mum’s house in Blackpool is sold – to Fred Dibnah’s widow – so things now seem well in order for the move.
13 May 2021
Based on what I believe to be sound practice (abrsm grade 3/4) I have started to explore musical theory in a bit more depth. For instance, as a warm up I have begun to use the circle of fifth key signatures in rotation (clockwise) and each signatures corresponding minor (melodic not natural). In this I can now, with satisfaction, play each key in major and minor in octaves along the fretboard and down, also with an arpeggio. When I was thinking about basic chord structures I began to play triads in each key with root, third and seventh, I found this interesting as it created tension which resolved pleasantly. After a bit of googling I initially found that seventh chords must consist of four notes including my ommited fifth. A bit more google proved this to be false (as my ears thought) as the fifth is largely an amplification and not an essential to the character of the sound. Good eh?
12 May 2021
And I don’t work, haven’t done for years, even when I did it wasn’t that hard and I never commited to it. Somehow I always had an eye on the vision that I would walk off into the sunshine, I think that’s why I was selfish with money, it’s the key to freedom. But you have to know how the locks work. And never become a happy prisoner. Win the lottery and then go back to work, are you fucking joking? More than enough money to retire comfortably and then go back to work ‘for something to do’ are you fucking joking?
Lovely morning, just listened to a bit of classical music, bit of breakfast and a nice coffee, then off on my bike for a lovely cycle along the canal and a few hours fishing.
11 May 2021
Things are returning to normal. The pandemic – if that word is the right one – is now not one and people are allowed to mill about, crowds are back at the footy grounds this weekend, in limited numbers, so that’s good. Still in abeyance for Wales altough I am now enjoying the new daily routine, every hour filled (as is my nature) with something.
10 May 2021
Been listening to ‘composer of the week’ on radio 3, phew, not uncommonly the ‘gift’ of enviable genius comes with the price. Would you really want to live Schubert’s life, or Chopin’s or (I know) Keat’s or Spike Milligan’s. The relationship is impossible to justify unless there is an inner belief in the nature of sublime experience and then, from some of the rest of us, thank you.
9 May 2021
My blockage with playing music is the tension that arises from potential mistakes. But it doesn’t come naturally, that free, dancing flow, nothing like that hardly ever does. With learning an instrument – and with it learning music theory – is an application of the mind and a repetition of the body, learn the ropes, then play around. Long way to go but the right path has been found, ’bout time eh?
8 May 2021
Oh, not to mention sport, football, of course, but MMA too, getting into that thanks to the lads. Loads of sublime music available and I’ve only opened one tiny little drawer, it seems to be welcoming me in.
7 May 2021
And all the good streaming dramas, don’t forget those, wonderful.
6 May 2021
I thought it would be a frustrating experience being faced with little reason to venture outside (alltment, fishing etc) but it doesn’t seem to be. The next few days are primarily going to be indoors, so what to do. Boy have I read a lot of good stuff in my life, this, together with experience allows me to think with a degree of discipline, however, there are whole mountainsides of trash available which I do not intend to waste time delving into. So little if any reading. Classical music, now then what’s this al about then.
5 May 2021
Picking a few tulips for the house from the new allotment. It’s such a shame because it needs attention that we can’t justify ourselves to give it as we should be soon giving it up. When we got back the survey for the new house was ready and, boy, was it a shock. The gaffe needs a new roof, in essence, wow, that was nearly that, I turned awy from the whole idea but gradually we both came back round and decided, on the advice of the surveyor/valuer to re-negotiate the price. Not too bothered now, either way.
4 May 2021
Dentist this morning, cycle there and back, just a filling, actually I’m surprised I’ve got most of my teeth left given the terrible attention to them that was given to me as a child, no cleaning, great, thanks a lot.
3 May 2021
We played golf yesterday evening, first time for a very long time because of covid. What a lovely evening too, pastoral, Carol played perticularly well and I was pleased with my game too, we will join Rhos on Sea golf club as soon as we get there and play two or three times a week, as well as other stuff.
2 May 2021
I am listening to a classical piece (or a section of) each day. In addition I am gaining a bit of knowledge regrading the thread of lineage and biographical details of the composers. I’ve tried before and given up although this time, with a change of mindset and an understanding of theory, I may get beyond the first stages.
Still the same in terms of waiting for Wales, I am trying to be phlegmatic about it, but I’m not, have to say I’m itching to go.
1 May 2021
Tulips should be ready at the new allotment so we are off to pick some. At the moment I am missing the activity of growing produce, the payoff, however, should be worth it. Listened to some great music so far, Stravinsky, Bach (cello) Dvorak, Part, and more to come, a piece every day, wonderful.
30 April 2021
Friday, not a lot going on again, improvement all round on guitar through constant applied practice and, because the pieces I am learning are classical I am also listening to a piece everyday to try to immerse myself in the form.
29 April 2021
Sitll at a loose end as there is nothing to be done at the allotments, they were, of course, one of the main reasons for getting out of the house and doing something. Anyway I decided a trip to the canal would be a good idea, and it was. The cycle ride, as previously mentioned, is satisfying in terms of exercise and because it’s nice, so that is justification on it’s own. The weather has turned chilly again and it isn’t as calm as it was but you can’t twitch the net curtains can you? Different method today, I decided to leave the pole in the shed and fish with two feeder rods, didn’t get a proper bite for about half an hour and nearly packed up (colder than I thought) but a nice skimmer bream saved the blank. Then, of all things, I landed a little jack pike, followed by a couple of perch. After a couple of hours I had five species in the net and the last cast got me into another, much bigger, jack pike that woke up when it was near the bank and pinged off – size 18 hooks, single maggot and 2lb hook lengths aren’t exactly ideal for landing those kind of fish.
28 April 2021
Each day brings Wales a bit closer. At all previous stages it felt that it wouldn’t happen – it still might not – but it does seem probable that it now will.
27 April 2021
Picking up on the immortal Wodehouse, I am slightly over half-way through the 90 odd books and I intend to consume the package before the bugle so off we go, Laughing Gas. Also, as i’m watching the terrific series (yes another one) Mozart in the Jungle, I’m trying again to implant the seed of rudimentary knowledge regarding classical music. I would have thought, after memorising Beethoven’s 6th before I was ten that by now I’d be an international expert in the area but glam rock – then punk – diverted the path to glory.
26 April 2021
Another pleasant day. Been up since before 2am watching the latest UFC (261 I think) and, surprisingly, I have become a real fan of the sport thanks to the lads knowledge and persuasion. My interest in classical guitar – it is becoming clear that I need to buy an instrument for the next stage – is burgeoning and I believe this will develop into an appreciation of orchestral music. I have tried to connect by assimilation previously through emotional impact but this has not happened, however, by understanding music better theoretically, I hope this will open avenues.
25 April 2021
Nice day, warm and sunny so it’s sticking around at home and soaking up a few rays. It is a pity that the interest and consequent effort has gone from the allotments, this is after all the busiest time, it might transpire that the move falls through and I pick things up again, but that looks very unlikely now. So, again, it is a period of abeyance, and planning the next stage.
23 April 2021
A bloke a little older than me hung around while I was tackling up. Previously this would have made me agitated, to show I was doing the right thing, not any more. My methods are individual and are utilised because they work. People, and fishermen are often people, think in fixed routes, unable to see that innovation or pragmatism soon becomes standard practice. And they think that standard practice falls from the sky, it doesn’t, it is constantly worked on. I lost a good fish first cast on the tip, then I got a nice skimmer first cast on the pole. He stayed for about half an hour and I caught regularly. I don’t think he could take in the methods I was using but he was impressed, not that I care that much any more. Great day again, better catch and the bike ride is lovely.
22 April 2021
Got the removal company coming round for a quote, it is going to be expensive but it is a significant move in terms of distance. I’ve started to think of the move as my Robert Graves Deia, Goodbye To All That. I’ve felt an affinity to Graves for a long time, there is a magic to life unnaccounted for in the utilitarean methods, which, I believe, is nurtured through opening other doors. Wales is another door and Preston will then be closed.
21 April 2021
Just the same, nip to the allotment to pick some flowers, guitar etc.
20 April 2021
We, mainly Carol, have done a great deal in the last week in order for the house move to progress. it hasn’t been straighforward as there are many additional considerations, however, most of these seem to have been resolved and things are sorting well. I am looking forward to this.
19 April 2021
The intention was to leave late morning and stay till later in the afternoon, but I got itchy and had to go. Just got back actually and it was a brilliant day, not neccesarily for the amount I caught – although it was much more than a couple of weeks ago – but just for the whole experience. No urgency to get there, in fact I enjoy the cycle ride there and back nearly as much as the fishing, lovely day.
18 April 2021
I’m begining to appreciate fine weather just for what it is. You have to catch yourself on, previously (and this still applies to a lesser extent) I have pushed myself to fill the day with constructive activities, all of which were outside. In Wales I intend to appreciate how slowness can enhance perception. Just getting up (early, of course, don’t want to miss anything) and sitting with a cup of tea and my thoughts looking out, if possible, at the seasun washing the grassrock of Little Orme.
17 April 2021
Two FA Cup semi finals over the weekend, Man City V Chelsea and Leicester V Southampton. Only a few years ago the ‘big’ teams seemed to disregard the gravitas of this competion, the battle for Champions places has changed all that, as has the desire for laurels, so we should see some gumption. The weather is picking up so I am planning a session on the canal for Monday, nothing much today, trip uptown to return the library books and buy an inner tube and then, as I’ve said, footy – guitar in between of course.
16 April 2021
It’s going to be quietish for the journal over the next few weeks as there is no allotment activity and, maybe, just a couple of fishing sessions. For the rest of it I am making very good progress on guitar, possibly, I may be able to sneak through a grade 3 exam with a bit of cramming and an odd exam biased lesson, I have ordered a grade 4 book which I will work through next, and I have my on a new guitar shortly after the move.
15 April 2021
I’m kicking myself for buying a new coarse licence and a canal licence when I didn’t really need to as we are now very probably moving to Wales, doesn’t that show what a penny-pincher I really am. We got the call and it’s a green light, wow this could be alright, shame about those licences though, never get that back.
14 April 2021
English teams are doing well in the European competions, Liverpool are out (major injury problems) but Man City (favourites) and Chelsea are still in the Champions while Man Utd and Arsenal (maybe) are in the semi finals of the Europa. It could be that Manchester brings back both trophies, that would be good. Thought about a trip to the canal, the weather is fine but it is still cold and the water needs to warm uo a bit for it to fish well. And the move to Wales might be back on as we have had a call to say the seller is seriously considering our offer, we wil know in the morning.
13 April 2021
This is the place we want to be, that is agreed on. Rhos on Sea/Colwyn Bay. The property was fine, we put an offer in for what they were asking and before close of play we were told someone else had offered more. Well, back to the drawing board, except now we know the place we want to be.
12 April 2021
Tried to get an appointment to view the property in Wales, however, it is the first day of lockdown easing and things are too busy, tomorrow though, just after lunch. As a belt and braces thing we are viewing another one round the corner, it doesn’t look as much of a possibility but you never know, they do make them look good on the pictures. We are compromising on the garden, don’t know how that will work in the medium term, the initial idea was to move fora bigger one, but then it all changed, again we’ll see. Loads to get stuck into though, other than that.
11 April 2021
Just got back from visiting the kids in Mancester for the first time in a year. No details needed, we went for a lovely walk in Didsbury Park and it was one of the best days in my life. It all turned out well
10 April 2021
Visit to the allotments, no more than that really, not a lot to do apart from tidy up. Rhos on Sea has two allotment allocations one of which is situated in a nature reserve. Also, the sea fishing is very good all along the coast and I should be able to adjust whatever method I find works to catch (and eat) a lot of fish. Things still in limbo and a fair way to go but, to use a new (not very good) cliche, we’re getting there.
9 April 2021
Back on! Who knows, this one might be the one, it looks good, ticks all the boxes so to speak, and the financing is in place. Arrangements for a viewing are being made and a decision has been agreed that quick action is needed. The house is in Rhos-on-Sea.
8 April 2021
The house in Prestatyn wasn’t suitable. They’ve just got back and the consensus was that there was a little too much work to be done on the outside and, apart from the amazing position and breathtaking views, the house itself just didn’t pack the ‘wow’ factor. I don’t know what the implications of all this are, I suppose we must go through the motions of looking, although the list of essentials has outstripped the available budget by an unbridgable margin. My position in all of this has become fraught. I wanted this to work very much but it does apear now that it won’t. The consequences, therefore, are not uplifting.
7 April 2021
The house in Baglitt – one of the properties to be viewed tomorrow – has been sold after a bidding battle. This has confirmed in me the belief that it is improbable that a suitable house can be found. One viewing left. Bad performance by Liverpool in the Champions but Chelsea are looking good under the new German manager Tuchel, they are an outside touch for the cup.
6 April 2021
Very cold weather again, not more than 5-6 degrees, it has been like this for a while and looks like staying so for about a week. It keeps everything back. The seeds stop any real vigour which means that, apart from a bit of tidying up (today) there is little to do at the allotments. Fishing is off, it’s just to cold for the canal and, of course, it’s close season on the river. Also things are unsettled regarding the house move.
5 April 2021
I am reading the poems of Robert Graves. I have a long standing affinity with Graves and have read most of his work, he is most well-known for the Greek myths and, of course, Cladius, but he is a poet firstly and I have just read one that made me cry. His autobiography, Goodbye To All That, had a profound influence on me which I now believe greatly assisted my resolve in the struggle for a way of life that fits.
4 April 2021
We’ve accepted an offer on the house. Carol, Mari and David are going to Wales to have a gander at a couple of properties this week, so the new chapter is now under way.
Here’s a slave for existential angst (or not). Pudding theory: Imagine facing a meal – a main course – with the thought that, on finishing it, there was a lovely sweet pudding to follow. Or that, if you don’t finish it, the pudding will not be there. Or, worse still, there is no pudding and the main course is all we have. Nobody has ever seen or tasted the pudding but we are convinced – through faith – that it is in waiting. What to do?
Her’s a salve for existential angst (or not) When you choose a holiday do you choose somwhere awful, somewhere that will make you unhappy, uncomfortable, dangerous, an ugly place? Probably not. A holiday is short, a week or two, maybe more if you’re lucky, and we want it to be an all-round good experience, we pay good money for it and work for it too, so we require it to be right, we invest in it. So why not everyday life, why not make that better, whatever stage/position/place we are in, by increments to make it better. Tidy it up. Don’t make it worse. One week, two weeks, three months, four years, it’s all about time isn’t it?
3 April 2021
Just shown the second couple round the house, I will be surprised if one of them doesn’t make a good offer on it, once again, we’ll see. Footy today then a bit in the garden, another front puncture on the bike which has to be repaired, and I’m going to buy a new front tyre while I’m at it.
2 April 2021
The estate agent said Wednesday’s viewing went well and that the couple will be making an offer when their house has one, we’ll see eh? Off to the new allotment today, potting on a few cabbages and pak choi to put in the poly tunnel, new method which, I think, is an improvement. That place – BM Bargains – was sickening yesterday, this is how people choose to get through the time they have, more stuff, more stuff, drive to a place, buy more stuff, more stuff, more stuff, more stuff. It is not lost on me that we were there too, although we nearly didn’t go in. We cycled there, of course, and we fell for the branding of it as a garden centre so it could have had some interest for us, but it wasn’t what it claimed, of course. More stuff.
1 April 2021
Broke my front dental plate biting into a slice of melon, of all things. So this morning I’m droping it off at the dentist to get it fixed. After that it’s a further cycle ride to the new BM Bargains on the docks, why we are going there is because it has named itself a ‘garden centre’, which means it’s a hypermarket with a few scratty pansies in the outside section. Even ‘proper’ garden centres are dour places where people (pre-pandemic) piled into the food sections to waste their money on coffee/cake/soup and a sandwich as a feeble excuse for a day out. Nursery centres are for the real gardeners but they are seasonal and even they have to supplement their income with other merchandise. Garden centres are very busy at Xmas.
31 March 2021
I caught haf a dozen small roach and I broke the top section of my polle while tackling down, yet I enjoyed the day fully. The weather was perfect, the cycle ride was lovely along the quiet towpath, and the section of the canal I fish – Salwick basin – has lovely aspects. The water was still very cold so that was the reason the fish weren’t moving yet – no bream of course – but that will change very quickly but it doesn’t matter as much as it did. The experience, and the lovely nature of the exercise, make it pleasantly rewarding.
Bit of gardening at home today. There is a viewing later in the afternoon (blah!) and England play Poland tonight which could be tough but they should win it. Lockdown is coming to an end so I will go and see the kids some time during the next couple of weeks.
30 March 2021
How does that happen? From 5-8 degrees, bitterly breezy, two-fleece weather, to twenty degrees and ice-pops. Anyway I’m off up the canal for a days fishing, it was poor last time but, hopefully, it will have warmed up a little. There will be a few people about which is a drawback, but then again it is an imperfect world.
29 March 2021
England won against a decent Albania side, soon the crowds will tentativly re-enter the stadiums as covid restrictions are slowly lifting. Actually, apart from not being able to see the kids it’s been a breeze, couldn’t give a care for the aspects of life that have been witheld, not fussed. Off to plant some dahlias at he new allotment today, a bit early but I am planting them in a biggish cloche container that has been warmed up over the last few weeks. The weather seems better this week so a canal session is on the cards tomorrow, once more it is just as much to get out as to catch a net full.
28 March 2021
Planted the onions yesterday at the new allotments, still don’t know for sure if we will be here by the time they are cropping but I have to assume we will be, therefore, putting all probables and possibles to one side. Been up since the early hours watching UFC260, it is a fascinating sport, gladitorial, immensly skillful and exciting for the watcher, and it is a shared interest with Adam and Daniel (who put me on to it, reluctantly) There are some fine days ahead next week but today is a proper washout so its guitar, bit of seed planting and the England game tonight (Abania in the qualifiers)
27 March 2021
Seeds are sprouting and there are daily jobs to tackle. Stuff to do – when your heart is in it – is just the right thing for a human being to wake up for and, as I am mostly human, it is a good thing for me too! Might go to bed early this evening as there is a good MMA card on starting at 3am, I’m sure the lads will be watching it is good for that too.
26 March 2021
Was going to the allotments again but the weather has intervened. It looks highly unlikely that the right series of conditions will come together to allow a move in the near future, so this means that the future is here, so I intend to make the best of it. Starting to think I might start painting again, maybe.
25 March 2021
A much better end to an awful day which was a bookend to an awful couple of weeks. As I expected the ‘dream’ cottage was unattainable at this stage so we reverted back to the property in Ffynangrow, all this after accepting an offer on our house. Ffynangrow sold late on the previous evening so now we are in a bit of a pickle. Following a frantic few hours the couple gave backword on our house and we both felt a palpadle wash of relief. Instantly the outlook changed, well mine certainly did, why are we doing this? North Wales is only up the road, Preston has the best rail links and we live in probably the best part of the city. If we were in Bristol or London our standard of living would be unattainable. Fuck living in Wales then, I’m staying put, at least for now.
Right, glad that’s sorted, now then lots to do on the allotments, plenty coming up and rows of onions to plant (not bought one in nearly a year) so I’m off there after guitar pratice and breakfast.
24 March 2021
Well the village was delightful, potentially very fitting for a good life over the ensuing years. For various reasons the likelyhood that this will happen is slendor so, for now, I am again deflated.
23 March 2021
The author of the book I am reading, Noah Harain (Deus), is stuck. What, he asks, is the relationship between mind and brain, what are they both for and why do we need them? (the metaphor is the same old animal on the African savannagh). The fundemental oversight with all soft philosphising like this is that the subject – scientist, ethical moralist, economist etc – is ignored, Mind cannot objectify mind, Concepts that are formed through human perceptual apparatus cannot be sterilised to approach such questions. The breakthrough has to be analysis that accounts for this.
Off to Wales again this morning to look at two or three more properties, It would be advantageous if I could temper my enthusiasm if I see a dwelling that looks possible.
22 March 2021
The problem is a very human one. I need another incentive to do something. The gardening – while of course it is never done – is pretty much done, as are the allotments (apart from the seasonal growing), I’ve written the book (might do another but don’t feel like it at the moment) the fitness and health are great, I’ve caught well and consistently on both the river and canal, we’ve walked and cycled everywhere round here, we’ve walked, lived and worked in the Lakes. I don’t paint or draw anymore but learning music theory and classical guitar has become important. But the daily inspiration has nearly gone and that is a big problem. We’ve got to sell this house and move sharpish. We know where to go it’s just finding the right combination of factors, today we are ringing an estate agent in Wales to arrange viewing of two properties in waht looks like a lovely village a couple of miles inland from Prestatyn, right next to a golf club, we could be getting somewhere here.
21 March 2021
Unhappy at the moment, I know I shouldn’t be but how many people are not when they perhaps should? A little Alexander in my days perhaps.
20 March 2021
Didn’t catch much or get many bites, however, I enjoyed that little session on the canal very much. Previously I have cycled along the roads in order to avoid towpath punctures but this time, I thought, bollocks to that and the cycle ride was a pleasure in itself. It is a lovely spot, different from fishing the river, much easier and calmer, and a nice place to be, therefore, I intend to see future sessions as a day out in the country – like the walking used to be – rather than be qualified by how much I catch. And just that slight shift in thinking is good.
People coming to view today, just before the first FA cup match, Bournmouth V Southampton, the other one Everton V Man City is on later so I’ll get a couple of good guitar sessions in and plant some seeds in between.
19 March 2021
Weather seems okay so I’m going to have a bit of a session on the canal. A fair part of the motivation for this is to get out of the house for a decent chunk of the day. The allotments do it to a certain extent although we have done almost all of the work neccesary for the coming season, so if you go three times a week, for instance, what are you going to do? it’s too early to plant and all the seed produce is prepared at the house. We might have a walk round the park, or to Tesco, but then what? The classical guitar studies are going well but I’m only half convinced that I will take my grade exams, and this itself takes up only a portion of the day. And I still get up just after six, so by half past nine-ish, I’ve read a book chapter, done this journal, had my fruit, looked at the news and done my scale pratice. So getting on the bike and having a ride out is very much part of it. But even this, because I have become used to the easy days, causes me to think twice about whether I can be bothered with the effort. See how it happens.
18 March 2021
Had another couple round today, late middle age, nice enough, half an hour or so after the viewing they made an offer of £262,000. We politely turned it down straight away, we have decided that it is more effective to take our time with this rather than over-eager the potential deal with the house in Ffynangrow.
17 March 2021
So now it’s a waiting game, selling, buying, yes it will be quite exciting for a while and the quality of location will be better (although I still insist that Preston is an alright little spot) I think most of the drawbacks are existential – what’s it all for in the end eh? – but you do have to look at the alternative. If you don’t keep pushing for better standards of existence, in other words if you give up, then look around you, slobs who can’t think. The idea, I think, is economy of effort, the maximum benefit from the smallest amount of graft, but then again the goal that motivates you may require a good deal of effort, or, you might want to stay indoors all your life eating Pringles and watching American comedies. It is a quandry, no doubt. Anyway, it’s a couple of hours guitar practice again today followed by a couple of Europa matches this evening, Chelsea got through against Simeone’s heathens so there is a great English showing in the quarters of the Champions.
16 March 2021
Just seen the estate agent out, pictures taken and very confident that the sale will proceed quickly, this could all be a mover, phew. What else today, well not much really, got a decent book to read but I tend not to read after the first morning hour, so it’s guitar and a bit more box set – Boardwalk Empire, really good.
15 March 2021
The house move is going to be the next thing, I think, so althought I’ve just nipped to the allotment it seems a little pointless to do any other jobs than cultivating seeds, and even those may not be planted here. Also the river season is over, I might try the canal this week but it’s still a bit cold and early. Other than that it’s music theory and guitar practice, which is becoming a bigger thing than I expected, in a very good way.
14 March 2021
Still not great in terms of weather but the low front over the house has lifted and the spirits are in the ascendency again, thankfully. So this means that we have agreed to move and, specifically, to make an offer on the house we viewed on Friday. I am reasonably convinced that the area, and of course the house itself, is right but equally I didn’t want to force the issue on Carol. The alternative was, unfortunately, that we stay in Preston and continue to live like we have been doing, which, it can be said, is a pretty decent way to shuffle a pack, but that’s not how to win the next campaign, is it?
13 March 2021
Still a bit deflated, well more than a bit, nothing to do today either as the weather is bad, ah well, at least the footy is on.
12 March 2021
On what should have been an uplifting day, a day that offered a real opportunity for even better future years, I have been left flat and downbeat. The house was, to my eyes, all that I had hoped for, in all aspects especially it’s location. The views were wonderful. But Carol doesn’t want to move, I know it, too safe, too settled, whatever it is. If we do move now it will be to placate me which is, of course, the wrong reason, no matter how it is presented. Yes, flat and downbeat. And trapped.
11 March 2021
Liverpool did well following a poor extended run of results, they beat a good Leipzig team solidly over both legs. It’s a great game and so interesting in its psychology, as all top level performance is. Their focus has deviated from the Premier to the Champions and it would not surprise me if they got to the final and then, well, who knows. Good games in the Europa tonight, Utd, Spurs and Arsenal all in the mix and facing quality opposition. Off to town again early afternoon as Carol is getting the covid vaccination. Hope she is okay for tomorrow as we are off to Wales to view the house we have been looking at.
10 March 2021
Weather front moving in, stormy, cold and wet, I was planning an allotment trip but that’s impractical. So, get the guitar tuned up and learn the instrument some more. Recently I watched an interview with Segovia – who is an extremely engaging individual as well as a maestro – who argued that the guitar is the only polyphonic instrument and, as such, is an orchestra in itself. He then demonstrated the differing colours of the instrument which I can now begin to appreciate. This inspired me and I am fascinated not only with the technical demands of the guitar – scales, arpeggios, reading etc – but also in how these sound through my fingers. My inclination would once have been to think that a different instrument would supply the improvement but this is nonsense, my guitar is a good one, not classical but now it is set up with excellent strings it is ready to be played well. If it isn’t then it is for me to improve not it to be replaced.
9 March 2021
The time I spend in the early morning is best. Refreshed, clear in thought, receptive to ideas and to the development of interests. Sometimes I allow a few minutes in clear peace, not concerned or active about anything but just allowing the concepts to flow around without engagement. If I had to waste these moments preparing for money work I would consider myself a prisoner again.
8 March 2021
No good. Weather wasn’t great – cold and rainy, but I could have coped with that if the fishing was okay, but I knew from the first few casts that it wasn’t going to be a good one, low water and crystal clear. Added to that I started to feel a bit achy from the vaccine which, with the wet and cold, didn’t add to the ambience. I did get a nice chub though which was gratifying as I had tid my own 18 hooks to very fine lines on a quick release swivel and it held. Man Utd beat City, Liverpool lost again (downfall) and Gareth Bale is back on form with Spurs (what an attacking line-up they have now. Feel a bit crappy with the vaccine ugh.
7 March 2021
Just had the jab, everything seems very well organised and, well, it’s done, got to go for another one in a few weeks but this is the main one. The weather looks worse for tomorrow but I’m still going to go for a session on the Ribble, don’t know if it will be any good, I doubt it as the level is extremely low for this time of year. Some good matches on today City V Utd for example, but none on BT so it will have to be MOTD when I get back.
6 March 2021
The house we were going to have a look at has just been sold, pity that because I think it would have been good, nevermind there are a lot of them out there. In fact we have another in mind that we are probably going to see next week, in a place in Wales that is unspellable, near Prestatyn. Off to the old allotment to plant the first early spuds, all the beds are ready now and its business as usual regardless of the whether we up-sticks. Session on the Ribble early start on Monday, the last one of the current season I think. Wonder what the fishing is like where the house in Wales is?
5 March 2021
We are moving. Or more accurately we have decided to move. The house has been valued at a good price with the suggestion that it would the estate agent could sell it without putting it on the market, the property and the area are that good. Tomorrow Carol is going to arrange a viewing for a property in Anglesey, all very exciting. Burnley V Arsenal tomorrow, I won’t be rushing back from the allotment for that one.
4 March 2021
Yep, another kind of nothing day today, it’s great isn’t it. Oh apart from I got my covid vaccination date, which is this Sunday. A year ago I wrote that it would be a two week thing, well, the unspoken narrative is that it has been the biggest overreaction – apart from two World wars – in human history. If the disease had started and ended in Africa, with ten-times the fatalities, few people would know its name.
3 March 2021
Yep, a kind of nothing day today, just the same, doing a bit of gardening, scales, pieces etc, footy tonight, a kind of nothing game too, sometimes life’s like this.
2 March 2021
Ordered a set of good quality nylon strings for the guitar, hopefully they will give my classical learning a bit more tonal quality, steel strings, regardless of the quality of the guitar, aren’t right. I will have to buy a classical instrument soonish but I want to choose it carefully so, for now, I’ll keep cracking on with the theory, scales and pieces.
Allotment again today. Very pleased with my energy levels these days after the fishing trips (yesterday I nearly got to the river and realised I’d forgotten my rods so it was double hills) and it is a good feeling to be up early and raring to go. I do get plenty of rest too, and a great diet, so all that adds up, of course. Going to bring some tackle back home and tie my own hooks in preparation, the recent tip methods are working a treat but I do want to get my own hooks right, knots etc, so that’s on todays adgenda. Some good footy on again, it’s all good really, and the crowds should be starting to filter back soon so that will be good.
1 March 2021
Wow that was a big tide, like fishing an estuary. I should have known really, it is spring (neep) and very nearly a full moon, both of which initiate the biggest tides of the year. The water started swooshing, which made me a bit wary, and then it started to rise without stopping till it got to the bank, I even had to move my bike higher up! The bank of fishermen to my left looked a bit flummoxed, they didn’t seem to be catching much – low pre-tide level and cold air – and I knew that it would take and hour or so to return to good a fishing level, so I packed up slightly earlier than planned. By then, being first there, I had some nice fish, two good perch – the first from that peg – and some decent roach, as well as the usual, but not as many, dace and chublets. Got back early afternoon and did an hour or so in the garden.
28 February 2021
Off to the allotment on a lovely day. It’s the new allotment today as the old one is now being utilsed for staple crops such as spuds, onions, beetroot and a few varieties of cabbage. Mainly this is because the people running it are a bunch of petty Mainwairings, snooping about and sending warning letters to those they think they can boss around. They tried it with me and they lost, but other people have just given up after years of work which just makes me want to have a right go, but then again eh. So we are keeping the plot for the above reasons and as a great storage area for my fishing tackle together with the othere stuff for the new patch. The early seed planting is a bit hit and miss, not unexpectedly, with many straggly shoots, however, some tomato, pepper and chilli seeds have sprouted and look okay, very early days though. Leicester V Arsenal early afternoon kick off, I’ll record it and watch it when I get back.
27 February 2021
Feel great today, don’t feel too bad most days yet today I can’t remember feeling so fit, healthy and confident, well, there you are then. Man City V West Ham today, Moyes is doing anmazing stuff in London but Guadiolla, phew, he is relentless and, I suspect, will win everything this year.
26 February 2021
Yet another great session on the Ribble. The early starts are an experience worth doing on their own. This morning, 4.30am, it was slightly frosty, calm and with a clear sky, everyone else tucked up in bed getting ready for the day’s, well whatever it is they do, chances are they’ll never see this.
25 February 2021
The sense that lockdown is easing and that society will have to accomodate covid is increasing, and it is probably the only option. I think there will be great opportunities from this for people – in this amazing country – to make use of the changes in how daily life has been conducted. For myself, I have tried to further distance myself from bothersome distractions, concentrating on the aspects of living which are essential to my character, thinking, learning, applying, appreciating, doing – all suitcase terms but all in opposition to being a cow in a field.
Off to the tackle shop now for some bait and a couple of bank sticks.
24 February 2021
Same kind of day today, quite glad that the pandemic has restricted activities such as gym, bridge etc yet still allows fishing and the allotment. My classical guitar self-education is going well, I am very motivated to learn and don’t miss a day, I reckon about an hour and a half or more each day, probably more with thinking about the theory. I am working on a grade three syllabus which is challenging but within an achievable time frame, I think maybe two or three more months, maybe more.
23 February 2021
Attenborough is at it again. The shameless narrator and media executive has upped the ante with his gilt-brand doom mongering about the environment. This time he states, in so many words, that he would rather be dead than face up to the inevitable end of the world. In a generation, he states with groundless kudos, whole cities will be destroyed by the wrath of the planet. Well, David, listen, many people, millions actually, me included, care deeply about how we live in the world and do a lot – unsung – to try to live in it properly. What about the big positives we never seem to hear about, rewilding, whale regeneration, peregrine falcons in cities, the imminenet end to combustion engines…hundreds more David, hundreds. But, oh no, his business is gloom, it’s how he makes his way in the world, oh and jetting off all over the world staying in top energy-guzzling hotels to film set-up nature stories for people who have never seen a real dawn.
Off to the allotment today – on my bike – to finish off compost propagator 2, I think this one might be a goer, couple more jobs as well, nice day, bit windy but nice, lots of birds flitting about at the moment, lovely to see.
22 February 2021
I wasn’t the first there. About half five and there was a bloke un-pilling an army of tackle from the boot of his car when I whisked past him on my trust two-wheeler. You’ve got to then unpack and lug your gear over the gate, re-assemble, and then about half a mile to the best pegs on the Ribble. He was about ten minutes behind me. I really like going early, although it was drizzling I was equiped for the weather, as always, and never really noticed it. The hour or so before dawn gives me time to tackle up properly and set up for the day without rushing. The new mini-methods I am using are working a treat, no split shot any more, beads and stoppers are so much better. I started catching from the off and didn’t really have a lull, the result was a proper netful which impressed the two lads from liverpool who were itching to get on my peg as I was about to pack up. Really good day again, and another bonus bream bigger, I think, than the last one.
21 February 2021
Few nice hours on the allotment, took coffee and a scone. The poly-tunnel is working out well, it is now set for growing a few crops and bringing on seedlings, like anything new it’s a bit trial and error but, with experience, I hope there will be less of the error. Early to bed tonight ffor a very early start tomorrow, about 4:15am.
20 February 2021
Got my new tip from the tackle shop, the owner looked as if I had given him a sabretooth bone but he found me one. I had to whittle it down a little but it should do the job, I’ll find out tomorrow. When the money gets a bit easier I will buy a whole new set of quality tackle from new but, for now, I enjoy the making do, it is a great and proper principle in life, especially if, like me, you don’t really have to.
Southhampton V Chelsea is the Saturday lunchtime match which I always try to watch (as well as most of the others) The Russian Blues are doing alright since Lampard got sacked but they were doing alright before he got sacked so who knows, don’t like ’em so I hope they get beat. Windy and a bit wet today so we’ll leave the allotment till tomorrow and make a bit of a day of it.
19 February 2021
What an experience learning to read music is. I have, as yet, only a foot-hold in the door but it has adjusted the way in which I appreciate what music can do. Everything, without any qualification, results from human perception of which concepts are the tools for use. We search for something outside of this, through a myriad of forms, to escape ourselves, to enter the paradise world of the timeless sublime. Drink and drugs certainly does it but the payback is severe. Is it like learning to read? yes of course it is. Imagine the excitement then of entering a world like that, on your own, not knowing quite where it will lead other than being apart from the material urgencies. I am learning and practising – playing as well as you can is crucial – daily, two or three sessions, slowly I know but this time is mine.
18 February 2021
I didn’t finish the compost propagator, it just felt wrong and it looked shit (pretty apt for what it was intended for) so I dismantaled it and used the reclaimed alloy cloche that I liberated last year. It was what I wanted to use in the first place but I was dazzled by all the wood left over from our old fence panels, anyway, it will work better, I think, and it certainly looks neater. I’ve been uhmming and ahinng about a new feeder rod, the one I bought last year works great but the one I’ve had for ages is a bit heavy on the tip. The problem is that there are fewer and fewer bigger fish in the Ribble because of otters so you have to concentrate mainly on roach, dace and smaller chub. This isn’t a problem for me as I love this type of fishing, I just want, with the second rod, a bit more sensitivity – especially when the river is low. So, I’m sticking to what I’ve got (it’s a really good classic Diawa) and nipping to the store later today for a new tip, if they have one.
Couple of Euro footy matches on tonight, Liverpool did extremely well againgst Leipzig on Tuesday (after a poor run of results) and tonight four English teams are playing, I will watch Man Utd (of course) and, after that, Arsenal.
17 February 2021
Finished the Africa book that Daniel bought me. I do, and have, read extensivly and I am pleased that this has been rekindled recently. This book is an education of post-colonial African politics, the phrase the author uses at the end of the book encapsulates the dark reality of the continent, he states that “Africa has been hollowed out by its leaders”. What interests me is whether this genocidal narrative can be extended to support the thesis that this is what we are as a species. It is only a bleak view when taken from the perspective of the individual, there is the realm of real loss, however, as an animal on earth, a reproducing species using the environment, we are and continue to be doing quite nicely. Of course, how we judge success or loss is entirely within the remit of human conceptual fabrication – there is no ‘outside of us’ – so whichever way we spin it has equal validity, to a point. That’s one good reason why raping leaders get away with it, they say what we want to believe as a means to gain and hold power, for their own enrichment.
Did some work in the garden/shed yesterday and today I’ll probably nip to the allotment to do a couple of jobs. The new allotment is full of birdlife as it is surrounded by bushes and trees. Each visit greets us with song (don’t know which ones they are) and at this time of year the birds are getting active and can be seen in the naked branches. Lovely. I always see a few regulars on theriver too, yellow and grey wagtails bobbing nearby for a few stray maggots, the neon, mini superhero kingfisher, and the horrible swans, sorry I’m an angler and I don’t like them.
16 February 2021
Yes another good session with the new method, although the river was low I still managed to have a good catch rate and over four hours a decent net of fish, I have an idea for honing the method when the river is that low, got to keep tweaking. Day in today, do some seed planting, pricking out etc might nip to the allotment later on we’ll see.
It’s interesting what is happening to Preston and, in particular, to our area of higher Penwortham, the city keeps getting noticed as a good place to live and often polls high on top city residules. I know you can’t read too much into these things but the evidence from my own knowledge is that there is a lot here and it is getting better. Our own area is probably the best in the city and in the last year, with traffic diversion, shop developments and other bits and bobs, it is, I don’t hesitate to say, bloody alright. The question then is, why move? In a few more years the money gets a bit more fluid so we can visit places and, possibly, spend s good chunk of the winter abroad, hum! worth weighing up.
15 February 2021
And off we go, very early, just before five and the weather is much warmer, the river is very low at the moment and it has been cold for a couple of months so we’ll see.
14 February 2021
Up at 5am for the MMA fight between Usman and Burns, I did tell the lads who would win but they decided, nevertheless, to place a small wager on the wrong fighter, ha! Off to the allotment later and apart from that very much more of the same, good living really, and tomorrow a full session on the Ribble, the water is very low but we’ll see eh.
13 February 2021
Weather geting warmer, maybe not today but from Monday big rise in temperature. Got a couple of jobs in the garden this morning and then lunchtime match is Leicester V Liverpool, should be a good one. Still banging out the box sets, Big Love was great and I’m just starting the last series of The Wire, not sure what comes next but there will be something.
12 February 2021
Walked to the tackle shop for bait and a few bits, just knock on the door and walk in, although it is against the law at the moment to be inside shops I bet many – like this one – are relaxing the regulations. The problem is one of ethics, how many people – or more accurately, what type of person – do we throw overboard so the ship can leave harbour again? There will be a new normal and blind eyes will be turned, they always are.
11 february 2021
Still bitterly cold, we’ve just come back from the new allotment, I’m trying to get a head start on the seeds by propagating them inside and hardening them off in the poly-tunnel. The first ones are radishes – easy to grow usually – but the poly-tunnel is frozen inside so I don’t hold out a great deal of hope, the weather, however, is due to get warmer so things will change. This also means the fishing is back on, Monday looks the likeliest so I’ll go get some bait (click and collect) tomorrow and we’ll go from there. Because of the chilly weather the bait I bough five or six weeks ago has lasted in the shed at the old allotment but I do need some more now. The new fence is done, looks good and I will reclaim the good bits of wood from the old one for future use. We used the recycling bins for scaffolding.
10 February 2021
Bit of home gardening, guitaring going well doing some everyday and learning music as I go, very rewarding but like anything else, practice, practice, practice. Another cup tie tonight, it’s good watching it but without the crowds there is the danger of over-exposure, big events coming up as well, the Euros, Olympics, can’t see how these can take place as things are.
9 February 2021
Should finish the fence panels off today, we did two yesterday and although the job seemed quite a difficult one we seem to have done it well, through planning and application. The house is done now, a lovely home inside and out, the area is very good and improving all the time. Nearly time to move. Man Utd beat West Ham in the cup, Everton V Spurs tonight, Mourinho has resorted to type, fear football, no good, although he does have Kane and Son so they will get him something.
8 February 2021
Decided to give the fishing a miss this week because it’s just so cold. Because of diet and the amount of exercise I get I have a lowish body fat so, almost regardless of the layers I wear the cold does get to me after a few hours and it takes away from the pleasure, a bit. And it’s getting a bit stormy too with the latest one – Darcy – messing about with the trees. Anyway plenty to be getting on with, more fence panels to put in, seeds to plant, container area to re-mantle, all the jobs to make life pleasant, as it should be.
Finished my second grade 3 music piece although I will keep practicing them until I can play them with decent confidence and feeling. Don’t think there is any footy on tonight but the next few nights have some good matches.
7 February 2021
Colder day but brighter and drier so a few little jobs at the allotment and for the rest of the day, well much the same really. I might take a look at continuing the ‘Out and About’ section of the site later on, I’ve not done any for a bit and there are no excuses really other than I can’t be bothered. Don’t think there will be any newer additions in the near future either, with the pandemic all travel, national and abroad is off the agenda.
6 February 2021
Okay so the afterlife then, heaven, paradise, the otherworld, whatever you want to call it, what’s that all about and what can we say about it? Well, of course, the answer is we don’t know and, while we are as we are, we will never know. Doesn’t stop people guessing though and all the attempts are characterised by extensions of earthly life without the bollocks. It’s in us, the will to life, very, very strong and we are unwilling, in the extreme, to let it go. We can only state that there is a non-conciousness after material existence, but this does not mean a ‘nothing’ because that, in itself is an extension of ‘something’ and we cannot make that step. All guesses then hold equal credence and all of them are wrong. However, I believe that this life is a series of developments, a construction of human character without the knowledge of what we are supposed to achieve or why, just a feeling that we might, or not, be on the right path. It is not too bold to present the idea that the goal of life is a quietening of the will, settlement of the mind, not by fucking off to some Buddhist retreat in the foothills of Bhutan, but in the maelstrom of whichever part of everyday life you are in. This is a great challenge and it is personal to the individual human. Worth remembering that some find a path in the direst of circumstances and some, in the presence of heaven on earth, don’t. If you do get on it it will lead somewhere, that’s for sure.
Change of weather again today, another Saturday piss down. Ah well a few jobs to do in the shed and a couple of decent matches on BT, interspersed with guitar practice, of course. No need to nip out for anything either as we have been to the new Tesco a couple of times.
5 February 2021
Have to say I was a bit pissed off at not catching more from the peg on Monday which is odd given the catches I’ve made over the last couple of years, however, I’ve just got back from an early session on the ‘sandbank’ and I’ve never caught so much, nothing really big but nothing finger sized either. The method works not much doubt about that, which was confirmed by the guy on the next peg trying to trot into my swim, praise indeed. Don’t know how much or how many but it was a fair weight of fish, and the day was more pleasant too, very gratifying all round. Not doing a lot else today as I’m goosed, played a bit of guitar and had a couple of rounds of golf and that’s it, bit of TV and bed.
4 February 2021
Existential angst can certainly take the shine off an apple. Fortunately I don’t get it in a way that puts the red light on, I always manage to keep on doing stuff, more so perhaps as I tend to push on with projects as a direct challenge to the ‘what’s the point’ pixies pratting about in my noggin. With that in mind it’s a fence panel today and a session on the Ribble tomorrow. Very pleased with the guitar studies, I know I’m not naturally inclined to playing but I do have a musical feel, a nose for the sublime, and when I do understand a piece and can play it competently (after sacks of practice) it tends to stay learnt. And I chip away at things, so it’s an everyday activity – like this journal – so the hours mount up and when, like now, I can recite a few pleasant pieces with confidence, it is very rewarding and that, thank goodness, is the antidote to the angst.
3 February 2021
I said it was a strange season, some odd results, Man Utd lost to Sheffield then, last night beat Southampton 9-0, how do you square that? Strange season, strange times. Just read a few more Shakespeare sonnets, I haven’t finished King John yet but I pick the sonnets up regularly. He was a deeply troubled man in later life, bothered about his legacy, what comes next, how to motivate himself, all the gems that life presents us, and no, these are not love poems. How can serious Shakespearian scholars take perhaps his greatest personal insights as literal statements? He alludes, he uses mirrors, his themes are universal. I don’t know, I just read them differently that’s all.
Not sure about today, might put another fence panel in, might nip to the allotment, maybe not. Chitted the potatoes yesterday, three varieties, absolute pleasure your own grown spuds, what a shame the majority of people never get to taste fresh vegetables, full of taste and goodness, oh well they can read about it in the Sunday supplements or some lucky blokes website.
2 February 2021
I’m still getting ideas for writing but don’t feel inclined to start up a piece just yet, that will come I’m sure of it, but it’s better to let the process take its course. Very much into learning guitar in a mor formal way and, as I mentioned below, reading music is opening up a vista. Did some jobs on the new allotment the other day, getting the poly tunnel ready for planting and building my propagator out of reclaimed scraps. Two more premier matches on the BT today, it’s all gone a bit antiseptic without the crowds, good yes, but not the same, not really.
1 February 2021
Didn’t stay too long on the river today, even though the conditions were fairly good. I wasn’t on the ‘sandbank’ but, nevertheless. I was suprised by how few bites I got on the peg next to it. I think the fish – mainly dace, chublets and small roach, are shoaled up in a specific area in winter and you have to be on top of them to bag up. I’ve done that many times now and had some great bonus fish as well and, well, it all got a bit ‘samey’ so I packed up and did a couple of jobs at the old allotment. I do still like going and, hopefully, I can get over the competative aspect of the pastime and appreciate even more the great benefit of being outside on the riverbank.
31 January 2021
Guadi got up, early, had a smoke and a think, grabbed his lunch and set off to work. He had big ideas together with the realisation that humans achieve the big ideas by thoughtfully chipping away at them. Does the apprehension that a bomber or an earthquake might destroy, in an hour, ten years work, stop them? Or that time – that malleable daunter – wipes the slate clean like an etch-a sketch? No.
I’m on my second piece of music reading for grade 3 guitar. I remember when I realised that the words of a comic made sense – five or six years old probably – and that I could use this self-taught skill at school to get through the things they were making me do. What a world that opened up for me, a breath above the waves, and the green shoots of looking at a piece of music and being able to play it, slowly, tentativly, but accurately, is kind of the same. I will build on this.
30 January 2021
The new Tesco is, well, a Tesco, very handy and a great source for good quality fruit and vegetables as well as other bits and bobs but it just sells 80% shit and plastic packaged rubbish like the rest of commercial ventures. Cold day today, so it’s a few little jobs and another day in playing guitar and watching football. An indication of the chilliness was the football mangagers in the technical areas wearing hats, gloves and scarves, never seen it before and, of course, as the stadiums are empty they are much colder, 50,000 people jumping up and down, shouting and singing generates a good bit of warmth.
29 January 2021
The river is up again, pity because it’s a bit warmer today and I was intending a bit of a session, certainly doesn’t take much when the water table is up and the level – 2.2mtrs – is unfishable, it’ll be down in a day or two though, I’ll wait. The new Tesco opens today so we’ll pay that a visit for a few provisions, very handy and likely to put a few grand on the house price when we decide to move. Over the last couple of years there have been major infrastructure improvements to the higher Penwortham area, building on an already desirable place to live, we should get a decent price when the time comes. Still fancy Anglesey.
28 January 2021
Just got back from a walk in the rain to the new allotment. Carol did the sweet peas and I planted the aliums that someone donated to the ‘not wanted’ area, it’s wet, a bit warmer, but still decidedly winter. Utd last night, utterly dreadful, can’t explain it other than they were overconfident and lost focus, that doesn’t excuse the lack of effort though, a big guarantee of a shock at this level.
27 January 2021
Katie says I take these positions because I am a controversialist. There may be something in this but, I insist, this is not the reason for arguing that David Attenborough is a harmful charlatan. I know this sounds like blasphemy and that is the main reason we should vigorously question the profitable hegemony he has cleverly created around the ‘threat to nature’. What bothers me is that he makes us all feel so bad about ourselves – as planet destroyers – without giving the tiniest voice to the huge ongoing effort of countless people who strive to make the world a better place to live. Evidence? look around you, do you see any smog, are the northern rivers clean and full of fish, is there dog shit on every pavement, is the end of combustion engines very near? This and masses more, not a word out of his mouth, not a thought of all this in the minds of his audience. Billy Graham.
We braved the ice and sleet to nip to the new allotment yesterday. I did a bit on the compost propagator and Carol prepared the tubes for the seasons sweet peas. Also some kind bod left about fifty allium bulbs in the reclaimation area so we snaffled those and will find a spot in one of the flower sections. The new Tesco store opens on Friday, sounds contrary to our lifestyle but I think supermarkets are fantastic places, if you want to buy food that is, and by that I don’t mean bags of doughnuts or Jamie Oliver pasta sauce.
26 January 2021
Cycling through the park on my way to the river kids were sledging down the hill, enjoying the crispy morning snow and no school. Perhaps little different from any other time the scene invoked a small snap of human happiness. It was a beautiful English winter scene, and it continued through the next park to the river. But boy it was cold. It’s different when you’re moving, obviously, sitting or standing on a river bank increases the chill to the point when your concentration can waver and you start thinking about warm baths and hot food. What an interesting session though, again I have to state there is a categorical difference between fishing a river like the Ribble and any commercial fishery I am aware of. Two sessions, a week apart, pegs fifty yards distanced and it could have been a different river entirely. The level was down to .5mtrs from .85 and the colour was much clearer. I used the same method and got a stamp roach first cast, then a bit of a wait (only one rod) until I hit a good bite to a perfect roach just under a pound, then I lost another good one and decided to change hook size. Half an hour later, after missing a few good bites and netting a couple of smaller fish I landed four fish around the pound mark and one well over. It was great fishing, again, and in just over two hours I had six quality fish and a few smaller ones. I lost an impact bomb on the last cast (my own fault) and that pissed me off, but any proper angler in the country would have been chuffed with the catch. I would have stayed longer but the cold won.
Thought my PS4 was knacked when I got back, data corrupted info screen, gulp! Anyway, so what I thought, I’ll have to find something else to do if it can’t be fixed, certainly not buying another one. But I had a look at some fixes, tried them, didn’t seem to work, but then I did it again and it did! Fixed my standard dimmer lamp too, it has a slow-blow 5amp glass fuse (didn’t know there was such a thing) that wsn’t in right so I got another fiddled with it and it is now illuminating this entry.
Chelsea sacked Lampard which I called a few days ago in this journal, he knew what to expect he played under nine managers after all. Four matches on BT tonight so I will indulge, of course. Weather allowing it’s new allotment late morning.
25 January 2021
Snowed overnight and it’s not quite above freezing but I’m still going. Not been out much in a week which, for me is unheard of, I’ve enjoyed the enforced rest though, might as well. But It’s beautiful this morning and I’m having a session as much to take pleasure in the day as to catch a few roach, dace and chub. Utd beat Liverpool, great match, major result, Ole well done.
24 January 2021
Well the weather has certainly played a role this week, rained off for the early part then, yesterday, frosted and snowed indoors yet again. It’s always pleasant to look at and to walk in, although any thoughts of a couple of hours at one of the allotments were quickly dispelled. You have to be patient with these things. Watched Uncle Vanya in the afternoon, a superb production filmed in the abscence of an audience but vey well acted with Toby Jones as Vanya. The Russian stuff – as P.G. Wodehouse noted – is not inclined to elevate the spirits and this one reflected on the usual existential bother, but then again that’s the mix isn’t it.
Footy just tends to get on with it – as P.G Wodehouse probably noted – which is one of its many plus points. Good programme of matches next week but today is Utd V Liverpool in the cup. Southampton beat Arsenal yesterday and there are a few other minnows playing today as well, but I don’t tend to watch them. I’m trying again to grow my hair long, with the accomanying beard, I would like it to flow like an ageing Hollywood actors but, as Daniel noted, it will likely end up as a Karl Marx look.
23 January 2021
Well well, Liverpool lost to Burnley – at home – in the prem, strange season but that leaves Manchester (Utd and City) with a clear tilt at first and second place, London is out of the reckoning, probably, leaving Leicester as the only possibly threat. Big weekend of FA cup matches too, todat is Southampton V Arsenal, tomorrow Utd V Liverpool and another one, Spurs I think, No messing about here, full strength teams and 100 percent commitment, should be good.
Off to the allotment for a couple of hours, going to finish off the compost propagator and one or two other bits. Did some more seed planting in the little propagator yesterday, I know it’s early but I can’t help trying to get going.
22 January 2021
Not much doubt about it life is bonkers, but it presses on regardless. It’s purpose, well that changes with persepective, but one thing is for sure the push is towards material well-being. Of course that doesn’t mean satisfaction, it helps, but the grail is peace of mind, a little freedom from relentless striving, contentment with the sense that you have become who you are.
21 January 2021
Not been out in the last few days which, for me, is an absolute first. The weather for one thing has been atrocious, various parts of the country – including Manchester – are under flood, but all this will pass and tomorrow it will be back to allotment planning. It’s great though, if your heads in the right place, being indoors for a bit, lots of good stuff on box set and, yesterday, I had a full late afternoon/evening watching sport, including a great half an hour or so on video call with Adam and Daniel while we watched some live MMA (getting into this actually). Covid showing no signs of letting up.
20 January 2021
It’s only weather, and I know it’s winter but it is only weather. Patterns do flucuate over time but what has changed is the constant, minute by minute, reporting of the changes. I do it myself. Everyday I check the weather and I can choose with a good degree of accuracy what part, if any, of the day is best for doing outside stuff. Yesterday was pissing down again and the river is flooded, so are parts of Wales and, I know it will rain heavily today again and by Saturday this will ease. All this information creates a sense of immediacy to weather variations that overlooks the fact that it is, whan all is said and done, just weather.
Anyway, a days pissing down means a nice day in. Got up really early again (normal pattern seems to be before six) read me book, did me music theory, checked the news (and the weather!), did me journal, had me fruit, settled down withthat P.G Wodehouse and it was still before eight. Anyway all that means I can have a few games of golf on the PS4 and watch a bit of telly. One of the series I am watching has got really good, Britannia, deeper than you might think. Two good matches on BT later on City V Villa and Fulham V Utd. Leicester beat Chelsea last night, Lampard is under pressure, he got the job on reputation not ability so he is, unsurprisingly, struggling. David Moyes – like the bloke very much – is a very good Prem manager and is doing nicely at West Ham, incredible tenacity.
19 January 2021
Normally I fish with two rods, one with a bigger bait for bonus fish and the other, the main rod, for roach, dace and chublets. With the new method the action on the main rod was instant and never stopped for the whole of the four hour session. After about an hour I had to concentrate on the main rod and packed the other one up, Perhaps more importantly I was hitting nearly every bite, which is notoriously difficult when fishing maggot, and at the finish I had a very impressive bag of mixed coarse fish of a decent stamp. Hardly any of them were ‘fish to hand’ especially given the light hook lengths. This is the key, I think, boss the river with tackle as light as the conditions allow, the new impact bombs are sensational for getting a small amount of bait (my own special mix) directly next to the hook bait. What is the point of throwing in loads of bait on a river? or using massive ‘sea fishing’ swimfeeders that you can’t quickly retrieve. My new method is almost like trotting but the huge advantage of being able to access the ‘crease’ of the river. The pictures don’t really indicate the size of the net and I’m useless at guessing weights but it was very decent. No one else seemed to be doing much.
18 January 2021
Man Utd got a draw wih Liverpool which they were disapointed with, it still leaves them on top of the prem and a world away from where they were last year when they lost against Klopp 2-0, well done Ole, keep it up. Conditions look good so it’s off for a session on the Ribble, a match angler posted on Youtube how he wished he lived local to this river, well I do and I appreciate it. Not only that but Preston too, I used to loath it but on reflection it wasn’t the place – which has a lot to offer – but the people, at least the ones I was attached to. Those links are now broken without a sliver of regret.
17 January 2021
Aspects of human life often become superseded. Poetry, for instance, became defunct as soon as young people began listening to song lyrics, theatre was lost to television, writing to the computer keyboard. Very soon the same will happen to personalised motor car transport. I have been saying this for years based on the valid observation that driving a car is shit. New economies will flourish around transport, what they will be who knows? will they make the human condition better, probably yes, will people think so, probably no.
I like the timeless stuff. Being out before dawn and seeing the morning develop, allowing my senses to draw the perception that everything happened before and after me being here. Growing my own food, Fixing my own bike. Making do even though I can afford to buy a new thing. Keeping healthy, fit and strong (which is not easy) Appreciating that excellence and skill in others is hard won. Reading between the lines.
Man Utd V Liverpool is today actually, what a luxury though three matches semi-perused yesterday, none of them riveting and I dozed a bit during each one. We cycled to the new allotment and managed to get the rest of the spring bulbs in so, in about six weeks, we should have our own flowers in the house again. Still cropping beetroot and kale.
16 January 2021
Yeh it was cold, never got above freezing and towards the end an eerie, hoary mist enveloped the river. At that point, even though I was still catching, decided to leave some in for the next session. It was a good one, I have honed a method that seems to work well on the river, missed a lot of bites still, but caught a good few, the stamp of fish is better, I think, than the ‘trotters’ and the options are better if the fish change feeding areas. The last few times I reckon I have bettered the stick floaters in the sense that they are aware that my catch ratio/size is not what they expect from the chuck it and hope ‘tip’ anglers. And I’m going to get better. Had to defrost the shed lock to get in again (see pic).
Big match today Man Utd V Liverpool, I think the reds have it this time, we’ll see eh. Two matches available to me and I don’t normally pass these days. We”ll probably nip to the new allotment to finish the spring bulb planting, bit late I know but the ground has been stone hard. I’ve cut the wood for the propagator so might take that down too.
15 January 2021
It’s down again, the river, so from settling not to go I’m having breakfast and then I’m off. All the tackle/bait is prepared and the likelihood of other anglers is low due to pandemic travel bans so off we pop. It’s not going to get much above freezing all day so it’s going to be cold but who cares, not sure what the fishing will be like, not as bothered about that as I used to be either.
14 January 2021
A couple of years ago changing the brakes on my bike would have taken a bit of thought, since rebuilding my old Felt, however, yesterday I changed them in about 15 minutes. Actually this is how the day went. Up at seven, cup of tea (china cup and properly brewed) read a section of the Africa book, have some fruit (pineapple, melon, pomegranette, grapes, rehydrated figs and prunes, grapefruit and blood orange) fresh coffee followed by a round of golf on the PS4 (a member of four Pro class online societies), second breakfast (small omlette with home-made bread) re-upholster two seats on my sofa with a section of memory foam, another cup of tea, have a look at the news and do the journal, out into the potting shed to make some sweet pea tubes, back in for a piece of home-made cake (coconut, delicious) another round of golf, replace the bike brakes and done. Oh, forgot, two twenty minute periods of guitar practice in between. Looked at the clock and it was twenty to three, blimey!
Thrashed down during the night and the river is up to Mondays level, meaning tomorrows potential session is unlikely, I don’t have to go pre-dawn so I’ll see how it is in the morning. Spurs V Fulham was a good match last evening, a draw, makes me think that Spurs are a bit toothless if Kane and Son don’t fire. Man Utd v Liverpool over the weekend, City on the ascendency again, fascinating season so far.
13 January 2021
It’s coming down in buckets today which is a pity because the river is at its normalish height again. It must have been what I thought, a big thaw in the hills. Friday looks likely for a session so I’ll work on that. In the meantime plenty of work to be done for the growing season, more seeds, wood to cut for the new compost propagator, this and that. Man Utd on top of the prem for the first time in a bag of years, great to see and Ole and team deserve a self congratulatory wink in the shaving mirror, although, of course, it is footy and tides are fickle, keep building.
12 January 2021
Just checked the river levels (5 30 am) and after weeks of very low water – and decreasing catch ratios – the river is in full spate (2.6m meters and rising). Bit surprising as it only really rained for a few hours yesterday which, normally, would have only put a bit of extra water in, so, it has to be an extensive thaw up in the hills which has bloated the water levels. The photo below was taken yesterday and it shows the potential power of the river when in flood, this morning it will be up to around the tree log. Bit disappointed but there is always something else to do. Planted the first of the new season seeds yesterday, spring onions and leeks.
11 January 2021
Slowly getting through my first piece of music by sight reading, got to say I’m really chuffed to be able to play the short piece – salterello del predetto ballo – albeit slowly. It is the same as learning to read, at the moment I am at Jack and Jill level but in a few months I will be reading Proust, ha don’t think so, but it’s great when learning retains its ability to enthuse. Off to the tackle shop for some bait and a few bits for a session on the Ribble tomorrow. In keeping with the new regime we are walking rather than cycling, dropping the gear off at the allotment its about 4-5 miles round trip, the weather is a bit meagre so full wets are in order.
10 January 2021
Five foot by six fence posts are not easy to put in. The physical effort is enough in itself although I’ve never been too put off by that, what does get me though is the demotivation caused by not seeing the point of doing something. It’s probably the right thing to do, and the house looks great with the stuff already done, but the fence panels are largely hidden by a mass of climbing plants – which need to be moved – so what is the benefit? Well they are here now and I suppose the argument is that it will help to sell the house when – or more likely a big if – we ever get round to moving.
Got an idea for seed propagation that might work. I thought about a heated matt for the two propagators that I’ve used over the last few years but, through nothing other than impatience, I want to get things moving ahead of the game, and I’m not convinced that’s the answer. So, I’m off to the new allotment today to measure up a small raised manure bed, I already have a reclaimed perspex lid from an old cloche, so I’ll just buid a wooden frame to fit (with the wood from the old fence panel frames) fill it full of steaming hot horse shit (mounds of it all free and waiting) put some reclaimed wire troughs on top and off we go. And, it will be another ready source of worms for fishing, all easy to get at too.
9 January 2021
Surreal. By the time I had made a brew and a bite to eat the new fence panels we had ordered were outside and ready to be unloaded. Coming from Fulwood, and with the roads empty through lockdown, it wasn’t a long journey lockdown but, nevertheless. Anyway we carted them round the back and over the next week or so we will fit them, another job done, we have a pleasant home but we work at it.
The government has done a swift u-turn on fishing and they have decided to allow it, with the very firm understanding that anglers must not travel outside their area, well I won’t, promise. So, going from a mindset of not knowing when I’ll be able to venture forth, I now can do it with the realisation that one of the best stretches of coarse river fishing in the North is, for a good bit, exclusive to Prestonians. Might leave it till next week though, the water is an icy-clear trickle at the moment but that will change, click and collect my bait and bits and there you go.
Turned the footy off last night. Youth team Villa V full strength Liverpool or two depleted mid table sides half-heartedly playing for the next round of the FA cup, nah! Covid is seriously running amok and football cannot continue with any moral grounding, I haven’t checked yet but it wouldn’t surprise me if today it gets called off for the duration.
8 January 2021
Music learning is starting to stick, albeit slowly. But that’s how it goes isn’t it. I often wonder how the brain responds to learning motor skills like playing an instrument, how, for instance, does the experience of progressive repetition make for better performance. It’s very complicated but it does work. However, I am convinced that if you doun’t want to learn something, if your heart isn’t in it, then you can’t really trick the brain into learning it effectively. This is the reason most people can’t do very much, not simply because they are lazy arsed puddings, but because the desire does not outweigh the hardness of the doing.
We’ve decided to walk more during lockdown 3. We cycle everywhere, it’s not a hobby it’s a mode of transport, yet it is nonetheless a different physicality to striding out, so that’s the reason. Also it’s pleasant to have a stroll when the clock isn’t wagging its finger at you. Sweet peas in the next few days, also I’m going to re-pot a few house plants.
7 January 2021
Another angler told me that fishing had been banned during lockdown, he wasn’t fishing himself but, having checked his information was correct, I had no choice but to pack up and go home. It was perfect too, and selfishly I thought the lockdown would allow me to fish the Ribble ‘deeps’ stretch without much company over the next couple of months, not to be I’m afraid. Ah well, turn my attention more towards the allotments then, maybe try a bit more photography, still bollocks though. And Man Utd lost the EFL semi-final to City, double bollocks.
6 January 2021
If P G Wodehouse had been born in the Black Hill we would have written with a mining tinge, as it was, he wasn’t, so he didn’t. What makes the greats is that they apply imagination to create their own bullseye, if we choose to apply the product of this artistic endevour to a specific socio-political context and it fits – as Shakespeare does – then good. If it doesn’t, then don’t. Most of Wodehouse’s characters, like the plots, are a bit scrawny; but the music flows effortlessly, like a Cezanne stroke, leaving the unencumbered reader, for a moment, out of their time. I’m about halfway through the collected and thought lockdown 2 is ripe for a re-start, so here we go again, Laughing Gas (1936), wonderful.
Not reading any this morning, however, as its off for a session on the Ribble. Not pre-dawn but early enough to get some kind of decent peg, if not, well its great exercise and a lovely place to be. We’ve had a couple of good walks over the last two days which stretched the pins a bit, only way to keep in shape is by getting off your arse and doing it, or photoshop, that does the job too.
5 January 2021
Big day yesterday, inevitable really, all the signs were there that something had to happen given the unexpected developments of the past nine months, yes Liverpool lost to Southampton. I had a feeling about this, the momentum wasn’t there following two very poor draws in recent matches. The bounce back just didn’t happen and it will be interesting to see what will happen in the next few games. Much as I love it football should be placed on hold until the pandemic is controlled, it doesn’t feel right, and when that occurs it generally isn’t.
I can still go fishing but others, the anglers that travel distances to fish the Ribble, can’t. Some will chance it but it’s a daft thing to do, as well as being against the law, it pains me to say it but we all need to do as we’re told, for a bit. All none-essentials are closed eh, and I passed on a visit to the barbers yesterday, could be a long, cold hairy lockdown!
4 January 2021
American snake oil salesman are fascinating, I’m not aware of a similar type in British culture, maybe there is I don’t know, probably a more subtle variant, but that wouldn’t be the same, somehow. I watched a couple of fine examples of the craft on Netflix yesterday, The Minimalists as they call themselves. The premise is great, of course it has to be, in this case ‘hey look, the way you are living your lives is all wrong, look what we did and how fantastic it is, and we can show you how to do it!” Essentially they clear their apartments out a little bit (they still seem to have a lot of stuff though) make a blog out of it, sell the blog to Netflix, get all yuppified and hip, and then, sell, sell, sell! They are doing well out of it, making a good living, driving nice cars, taking nice vacations, buying nice property and all in all, still in the game.
Didn’t go to the plots yesterday, the ground was frozen so we will have a walk today and do a bit. National lockdown is pending, probably this week, I don’t know what the difference to tier 4 will be, I hope it doesn’t curtail fishing, that would be a blow but, if so, I’ll adapt. Bill from the new allotment dropped the seeds for the new season off yesterday, so I’ll sort through those today, living the dream eh?
3 January 2021
Still don’t feel inclined to start a new writing project or, for that that matter, to paint or draw. Guitar, however, is a different matter and I practice daily, always with the intent to accrue quality improvements. Finger picking is such an obvious advantage, for instance, I fancied learning ‘Blackbird’ and played it reasonably well within minutes. Music theory, and learning to read, will no doubt complement this.
It’s cold again and the river is clear and low, poor conditions really, I might try a session on Tuesday but not pre-dawn. Think I might nip to one of the allotments later in the afternoon to shift some horse shit from the free area to one of my composting areas, good exercise after the rest day yesterday.
2 January 2021
It was a lovely cycle ride, heavy frost and, even at 8 ocklock in the morning, hardly a body in sight. It isn’t easy to fish, the flow is swift and the banks are a bit precarious, but I had a go anyway. I am an impatient fisherman, can’t stand waiting about for bites and, when you’re fishing for the bigger fish that is what you have to do, usually. So I gave it about an hour and moved on, walking towards ‘church deeps’. There are some other good spots around the farm area which I will try at some point, however, it is no coincidence that anglers want to fish the few pegs around the sandbank. Nobody was doing much yesterday, spoke to a few and they had all blanked, even the stick float merchants were only catching the odd dace/roach. I dropped a tentative feeder in for half an hour or so and got and odd one but it wasn’t really what I set out to do which was have a look at other spots. Bloody hell though, fishermen from all over the north west again during what is, effectively, a national lockdown. Crowds too all along the boulevard and outside the continental boozing.
Man Utd beat Villa to go joint top of the prem, well done Ole and the team, playing very well.
1 January 2021
Yesterday I cycled further along the river path than where I normally unload in order to find a different spot. Where I fish is generally thought to be one of the premium stretches in the North West, anglers on YouTube are posting videos of run-of-the-mill catches with exhuberance, often travelling long distances to fish my local river. Well, I fancy having a look at somewhere less popular that they can’t get to. It’s the cars you see, the modern coarse angler needs proximity to the stretch in order to offload the mass of tackle they think they need for a session. Last summer I witnessed a bloke drag a trolley load of expensive tackle to Salwick basin, set up poles, whips, feeder rods, all for an hours fishing. Anyway I think I have found a likely stretch, just about 10 minutes further, no need to unload and load again, and with the potential for bigger chub or even barbel. I have done well at the ‘deeps’ and generally end up with a good net of fish but the larger fish (apart from quality roach and dace) don’t seem to show. Well anyway I’m going in about an hour (also no need for super early starts) so we’ll see. Quite excited really.
First prem match of the new year tonight, Everton V West Ham, should be a good one, the toffees are doing well as is Moyes (like the guy) at the hammers. That’s if it’s not posponed because of covid.
Michael Leo Parker 