Michael Leo Parker

31 December 2023

New Years Eve, love it, nearly spring.

30 December 2023

Nothing much different, off for a saunter to the allotment, I planted some kale and chard earlier on and they provide winter greens, look great when you add them to a curry. Reckon I’m going to live to a rude age, if not, well at least I’ve beaten Elvis, Lennon and Bowie, wait, hang on Bowie was 69 or something, oh well another Five Years then.

29 December 2023

No more gym from now on, what a waste of money! Weather is stretched out bad, but it is winter intit.

28 December 2023

Bit more footy and all the other stuff, oh, and I’ve been having a serious weigh up about Weymouth for some sea fishing, Chesil beach and a good pier/breakwater together with not too expensive accomodation. Only drawback is a seven hour journey, so what, I used to drive that twice a year to do the SWCP.

27 December 2023

Practising the minor pentatonic in order to establish its difference to the phyrigian mode. Turns out not a lot actually. Lot of overlapping going on when you get a bit more into it, and that’s a good thing because, although potentially confusing, patterns are good for knowledge. The mixolodian, for example, has a related major scale. All of this, I now realise, helps no end in doing music yet, and it is a big yet, the big tunes are not formula. I reckon this is why I admire Radiohead but don’t listen to them.

26 December 2023

Yes, the xmas period, while not yet beyond us, is footballing itself into a better day. Of which four matches, all of them televisualised and spaced for perusal. A well sauced up hyena could not be much more keener (thanks Ian)

24 December 2023

Blahh! Man Utd are in a spiral, got to get better soon. I’m doing a bit of painting or drawing usually everyday and always everyday for the guitar. I learned a sweet finger pattern for modal scales and I can now do these in any key, not auto style but with knowledge and with a bit of understanding how they sound in relation to major roots. really wish I would have known this at twenty, but who doesn’t eh?

23 December 2023

Still plenty of footy to watch, last match is on tomorrow and then it’s boxing day. Can I say it, I’m a bit relieved when this part of the year passes, then it feels like the outdoor days are nearer rather than further away. Things just change, everything alters and the value is in the skill you achieve, make use of your time if that is your bent.

22 December 2023

Maybe the diary bit is coming to an end, I don’t know what to put anymore apart from things are fine and the weather is a bit rum. Still having a daily walk, and here that means a walk along the seafront that is only a short distance from our front door, really good place to be.

21 December 2023

Strange really, not doing much at all, apart from everything that I’m doing that is. Again, just cracking on, learning, doing, what more is there?

20 December 2023

Not been clement weather, blowing galefully again with rain attached. I’ve made thirtyish rigs so far, and in the new year I will purchase a new reel with some good braid. Any old tackle I am giving away.

19 December 2023

How many times have you seen a dog pulling its owner on a walk. Both discontent, the dog choking towards its next piss, and the owner shouting commands in English, to a deaf, muted coil of instinct. This is a comparison I would draw between the body and the mind. One function, a responsibility really, of human life is to ensure the body is got through the events of its long walk. To do this is complex, requiring continuous control, strain, painful pressure, occasional comfort and perpertual attention. Fortunately we have an operating system nothing else has, thinking.

Off up town to buy a few bits and a present for Carol this xmas, again the only one I will purchase.

18 December 2023

Monday, the lads are 26 today, wow, time flies huh! What am I doing today you ask, well, firstly I am going to practice a random major scale and its associated dorian scale. Then I will play triad progressions with inversions, namely, major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished, tonic. The I’ll do some gypsy jazz, the chord sequences of which are usually in a minor key, and played quite differently than smoother jazz progressions. It sounds like I know what I’m talking about, but there is so much that I am only just beginning too. For the blues, however, its essentially root, fourth, fifth, with the chords being (usually) dominant sevenths. But you do have to know your triad inversions around the fretboard, and the associated scales, major and minor blues pentatonics. I’ve left the music levels for a bit but when I go back to them I will, hopefully, understand a bit more in addition to being a more competent player.

17 December 2023

Carol’s brother and family are visiting from England. Well they would be if this is Saturday which I’m not sure it is. Anyway it’s roughly in the same ball park, plenty of footy on still, good stuff. I keep saying it, the guitar playing is going well, I’m building on what I know in regard to theory, and regular (everyday) practice has made my playing reasonably assured. Of course I don’t play with another musician, if I did I’m sure they old drawbacks would resurface, but I don’t and it is unlikely I will so why bother? Pleased with my painting too, always a thing or two to learn eh?

16 December 2023

Few hours on the pool. Damn, I forgot – of all things – my reel, well very nearly, that was that. Bit of thinking later and I found about three foot of old line in my pack, so I tied this to the end eyelet, put a dropshot on and made do for a couple of hours, and I caught. Perhaps need to check a bit closer next time I set off.

15 December 2023

I’ve tried, but I don’t get classical music – unless it has a few decent tunes. I’ve had a good look, but I don’t get art, and I reckon I have an artistic bent. What I do get – and I get it very well indeed thank you kindly – is when ideas are expressed through the written word. Shakespeare. P.G. Wodehouse. All the others.

14 December 2023

Been up to the allotment a couple of times this week and planted a couple of hundred spring flowering bulbs. What’s the point of going to the gym – which I have sacked off – when you can save your dosh and get plenty of exercise in the pure Welsh hill air. The allotments are at the foot of an ancient hill fortress, Bryn Eurin, which offers amazing views over the coast and towards Conwy.

13 December 2023

Couple of hours fishing at the pool. We have decided to thin the silver fish out so I’m starting with that. Decent fishery this, feel like I’m a part of it and worth spending time making it even better.

12 December 2023

Of all the useful aspects Buddism offers the least convincing is generosity. Giving to others, so it goes, indicates compassion while nurturing release from material grasping. Does it? For instance, how much do you give, how much do you keep, why do you keep that much, why all those shoes, why that phone, give more. As well as the almost impossible question of how much to keep without being beholden to possesion, is the nasty association that visible giving has with self worth and social standing. I see it differently.

The goal must be a peaceful mind in the human realm. This monumental task takes place in a society of people. Wealthy societies offer chances and choices and, as I have come to acknowledge, a quiet, powerful means of individual giving. An example.

Three in every four individuals suffering from killer ailments in the wealthy world have no available cure. Type 2 diabetes, chronic obesity, metabolic cancers, inflamatory disease, heart disease etc. Worse still, they have no treatments, because the cause is overlooked in favour of the symptoms. So the symptoms are treated and the situation gets worse, for both the individual and society. All of these illnesses are preventable. If this is the case what a gift to give to both yourself and to society. By thinking firstly – and exclusivly – about you, your health and wellbeing, with no thought for others, you are exploding a wealth bomb of benefit to everyone around you. It is a start and it will make you feel a great deal better than pledging £10 to a mega-charity. But you won’t do it because you will take the easier choice and then you will blame an other.

11 December 2023

Off to the pond for a few hours. On my recommendation the club have introduced a keepnet trial to thin some of the excess fish out, of course this has led to disgruntlement among some of the members. I’m playing this as a game to see how far I can go. Bit ego driven for full, gold star karma status, although I am doing it for the benefit of the fishery and, ultimately, me.

10 December 2023

Good footy day yesterday, unless you’re a Man Utd fan that is. Love me Saturday footy watching just as much as I love my Sunday football watching which, oh yes, here we are, it’s Sunday, how nice xx.

9 December 2023

Decided to sack the gym off. Thinking about it, I’m 64, inb half decent nick, have an extremely good nutritional intake (protect the liver, feed the gut) do plenty of outdoor exercise…so why do I have to pay and travel to get a bit more that I don’t need. So I’m not, ha!

8 December 2023

Off uptown doing a bit of clothes shopping.

7 December 2023

Don’t know why I’m continuing with this, I’m usually behind by about a week and the days – although usually good – are a bit rinse and repeat. But then again who’s aren’t. Anyway, for now, the tree is here, I am still afflicted by a chesty cough and the guitar and painting is going well.

6 December 2023

Went for the xmas tree on Monday and it came yesterday, big one as usual and a tasty shape. This year it’s going in the window fully lit up with enough lights to keep Sellafield pumping for a month.

5 December 2023

What day is it, yep Tuesday, doesn’t matter really because I’m staying in again. The weather is a bit uhmmm, and I’m still feeling a bit blahhh, but I’m not bothered. Well when I say I’m staying in it means not fishing or going to the gym or climbing a hill, but, when you think about it, most of your life is indoors so it’s best to get it sorted. Loads of great footy on this week, Premier League, you can’t beat it.

4 December 2023

Still got a bit of a virus, chesty little bleeder this one. Not stopping me doing stuff though, and although I’ve not been to the gym in a while, I’m still doing yoga everymorning, still painting/drawing, and still learning music/guitar everyday (for all of them more or less.

Let’s have a look at what I know about music theory and playing guitar. I know scales. Major scales all over the neck in any key. From this I know the circle of fifths, although I need to think about them a little bit. Minor scales. I can relate any natural minor scale (6th) to a major scale without thinking and I know the other two, harmonic and melodic (with a bit of thought. I know parallel minor scales. I know modes but not comfortably well, aeolian yes, dorian yes, but the others, not quite. I understand how chords are constructed and I know the chord progression of any major scale or natural minor (just about) I can read a bit of music like a four year old reads Jack and Jill. I know and can play cowboy chords, basic jazz chords and basic gypsy jazz chords. I am getting to grips with triads and inverversions. I know several pieces of music and could play along with many others with little practice. I play guitar finger pickin in a rudimentary classical style. Unless I am away I practice at least once a day.

3 December 2023

In the whole of your life you will not encounter anything more precious to look after than yourself. I know, what about offspring, well if you are in good shape, mentally, emotionally and physically do you think you would nurture better? Karma means action, how you act, how you think. It doesn’t mean you have to walk around like a suited Mormon but it does mean this. If you go around with a gigantic cob on, spreading anger and bad shit, you will feel bad. And from this if you do bad really bad action you will suffer from this as will a batch of others. So if you are pleasant to yourself, treat yourself well, and at least don’t go around making bad moves – and don’t react to percieved bad moves in your vicinity, it might just pay off.

2 December 2023

Work party at Clobryn. Still feeling a bit under the weather but you soon get going. Strange this, being involved with the club, because I didn’t seek it and was hesitant to do it, and the first couple of meetings made me think what I had got into. Now though, even though I hardly fish the place I am committed to trying to make the place better. Previously the committee put blocks on nearly every proposal, well I just work round that and they are losing interest. Still though, I can take it or leave it.

1 December 2023

Still feeling bad with a virus, it really knocks you off balance. Got a work party at the pool tomorrow, not expecting a big turnout and I am still questioning why I am doing it, something to do I suppose.

30 November 2023

Ugh, feel unnice, bit of gardening, bit of everything else. Footy, Man Utd, terrible, they have been all season, the players are about to get rid of another manager, nothing to like about them but I can’t stop, problem is they don’t seem to be trying which is inexcusable.

29 November 2023

Feeis a bit flat after such a good break, and I’ve got a chest infection probably from someone on the plane. Reading more Buddhist stuff, does that help with life or am I just getting better at it, I’ll tell you in another thirty years.

28 November 2023

And it’s still…cold! Missed me guitar, but back on it, same with the drawing/painting.

27 November 2023

And it’s…cold! What do you do when you come back from holiday, pack your stuff away, get your washing done, catch up on other stuff and then, back to normal.

26 November 2023

Back home, stayed overnight in an airport hotel then train back, footy today couple of good matches including Man Utd. Great holiday probably the best.

25 November 2023

Last day and I’m writing in real time about an hour before the taxi collects us for the airport. Just been back to Birriana and had a nice relaxing lunch at a beach r. Posting a pic of another species I caught the other evening.

24 November 2023

Penultimate day, spending it lazing around. Actually we walked to another resort to the right of the hotel called Birianna, what a great walk and another lovely place.

23 November 2023

Out to a place called Amunecar which is a resort about ten miles away, going on the bus so should be back for an hours fishing. Sounds like the fishing is the main thing here but it isn’t, actually the whole experience has been fantastic, no need to search for another resort, this is it, bang on!

22 November 2023

Another day round the pool till about four and then an hour or so fishing, who wouldn’t eh?

21 November 2023

Back around the pool today, actually it isn’t, there are a few lounging areas at the hotel and the one we tend to go to is overlooking the sea, literally. All you can hear is the sea gently pushing the world back up and it is delightful. Balcon Europe is the name of the hotel, christened by the dude who carved it out of the cliff face, it’s a scorcher.

The fishing is going well, there is plenty to catch but they don’t give themselves up easily, had a few species so far and – until next time – I will have a ponder about tackle/rigs and the like.

20 November 2021

Up into the hills today at the back of Nerja. Bus into a little village called Friggiliana – only one and a bit euro – and from there a series of wakls of which we are going to get lost on one of the shorter ones. As it turned out we walked further than we thought through lovely dappled mountain paths mostly on a dried up riverbed. Back into the delightful village (I’m turning into a travel writer) for lunch with wonderful views over the steep terraces. Nice walk around the old town and back into Nerja on the bus (only one and a half euro again). Lots of ancient Islamic influence round this neck of the woods, not surprising as we are opposite (I think) Morocco across the Arboran Sea. Bit of fishing and off for the evening meal.

19 November 2021

Starting our petal tourism of the area. Off up the coastal route to the right (SE I think) of the hotel and, again, it’s all very lovely and interesting. Back to the hotel for a sunbathe and off for an hours fishing till the sun goes down.

18 November 2021

Bit out of synch with the days but who’s counting eh? This place could be the one, spoken Nerja sounds like Deja which means a lot to me, it being the place Rober Graves mumbled “goodbye to all that”. We’ve been up at dawn twice for me to cast a line out and, although they are small, a daily catch has ensued. Anywhere natural that you can cast in and get bites is a good spot for me, but when you add the glory of the surroundings it is completely bang on. Love it. Soon be here both sides of the year.

17 November 2023

Another lazy day round the pool then a stroll about and another bit of fishing, off to the mountains tomorrow.

16 November 2023

Day by the pool/beach, what an ace place. Fishing in the morning at the crack of dawn, what a wonderful experience, got a couple of little gobies and a saddled sea bream, actuall quite chuffed with that. Tackle shop in the village selling bait and bits.

15 November 2023

Landed at Malaga about tweveish and scored a private taxi shuttle to the hotel. What a great place, instant hit and straight away we are planning longer term winter vacation. The hotel is superb and the town is gently bustling – no traffic allowed in during the day and, oh yes, sunshine. Mountains to the rear and beautiful views out to sea and along the coast. We had a light lunch and a wander then checked in, tired but so happy with the initial impression.

14 November 2023

And we’re off! Well we’re on the train to the airport, the flight is at sixish in the morning so we have booked an overnight airport room which, actually, is alright. Watched a bit of something on the chromecast – evry impressed with this gadget at home and away – and off to sleep as we’re up at four. Not easy to get healthy food when your in places like this, well not to worry at least the coffee is alright.

13 November 2023

Blowing a proper hoot on the coast which, as we are on the coast, means that it is blowing a proper hoot here. Don’t like breezy weather much but I’m getting inured to it (is that the right word/spelling?). Not even packing today although we are off tomorrow, just the normal stuff. Carol’s lads are with us and Steven and his partner are staying on when we leave for Spain.

12 November 2023

Sunday, going to Southern Spain next week but today it’s another footy Sunday interspersed with baking, guitaring, painting, gesturing against the universe and everyone in it. Actually I’ll skip the last bit as I’m in a decently perky fom (frame of mind).

11 November 2023

Work party at the pool, second phase of clearing the path ready for the heavy work. Have to say I enjoyed it, good atmosphere and a sense of doing something. Got back and, although It was half an hour after kick off I managed to watvh it from the start due to the new chromecast thingy, and it doesn’t lag either. Good matches too.

10 November 2023

Couple or three hours on the pool, good fishing that cannot be denied, but my mind was way off.

9 November 2023

Thursday, what am I up to? just the normal stuff. Doing a painting nearly every day, didn’t think I would enjoy it this much. And the music theory is sticking too, although I’m not doing any reading I’m learning about the nuts and bolts. No regrets but it might have been handy doing this in my teens, but I wasn’t equiped for it and, don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not dead yet.

8 November 2023

Up at quarter to seven. As always I’ve got stuff to do. This morning – and by that I mean before eleven – I will update my journal (doing it now fgs) learn the dorian mode around the fretboard (I know the major scale all over obviously and the aolian, which is the natural minor) and paint, or draw, a fat person jumping for a painting I have planned. If I get chance I will have a look at the chord pattern to Hey Bulldog and see what mode that piece of genius uses. The off to the gym for another boring 12km.

7 November 2023

Out in the garden. We container garden for the most part and, in many ways it is quite difficult, if you want to do it well that is. So there is a lot to do. Getting the summer annuals out (Contrary to opinion you can overwinter them or at least you can try) getting the dahlias up and inside (essential) and underplanting ready spring with seasonal plants above. The key is still the compost. Like the human body the ourward appearance hides the real work inside.

Just watched Spurs v Chelsea, one of the daftest matches I’ve ever seen. Premier League footy is great!

6 November 2023

Actually today is yesterday. Raining and blowing a bit so I’m changing focus onto productivly using the hours. This does not mean that I will spend the days reading Proust (not great btw), painting masterpieces and playing (not listening btw) great music. Well, my paintings are not masterpieces but I like them, and my music isn’t great but I like it, and as for Proust, nah, Shakespeare and P.G for me . The point is though, if you have time and money on your hands make it work for you. Just imagine getting up in the morning and having nothing to do, mmm, still trying…

5 November 2023

Bit of baking today, don’t buy factory bread anymore, then footy. Intermixed between are the staples, yoga first thing, guitar pratice, painting. Reading a good book about the body. The upshot is, I think, that it is so complex as to be – like the next world – almost beyong comprehension. But I know this now, if you feed it poorly it will not work well and, ultimately (increasingly sooner) it will start to fail. Then you will take a pill to cure you just like the indolent person you are. Then you will get worse. Then you will blame something external. Then…

4 November 2023

Off to the gym, 12km on the machines with a combination of rowing, jolking (fast walking) and cycling, it’s boring but you feel great after. Footy today, Man Utd under the cosh again, we’ll see.

3 November 2023

The coming week could be the first for a good while without fishing or golf. As for the latter I think I’m going to sack it next year, I just don’t like it and would rather spend my time doing other stuff. Going to Spain in another week so that’s a nice break.

2 November 2023

up early as usual, well it’s up when the sun comes up. In summer this is as early as fiveish but at the minute it’s about half six. Downstairs, cup of tea and a bit of breakfast. I don’t eat large meals and I absolutely do not eat processed shite, so five spoons of oats and a couple of spoons of seeds soaked overnight is typical if I’m off out or, if not a couple of slices of my own bread and some fruit or nuts. Physically I’m alright but it’s just the “what’s it all about, Alfie” that gets to me a bit. Some people don’t think about it, and that seems like a good idea, like a cow in a field. After all I did choose this option.

1 November 2023

How do you fix existential anxiety? Mmm. This is without doubt a world of worry, people say you shouldn’t, and I certainly shouldn’t as I’ve done near enough everything I wanted to. So why am I not whistling through the day?

31 October 2023

The saying is that you need to put a thousand hours in if you want to learn a proper skill, well, it’s probably a good guide. I’ve done it (and more) with the guitar over the last few years. Started by learning how to finger pick, which I can now do. Then learning the scales up and down the neck, major, minors, which I can now do. Then learning some pieces, which I can now do. Read music, which I now very much cannot do. And today, by just learning a tiny bit of gypsy jazz, I can play a 2-5-1 in any key without thinking and resolve it to a major or minor tonic. yep, I think that’s cool (man).

30 October 2023

Big tide, nearly 8mtrs and I’m fishing right at the start of it, too much really, got a fair sized mackeral first cast then a small pollack and wrasse then called it off for the day. Home, last episode of Billions (brilliant) painting, guitar, very good life innit.

29 October 2023

Today is actually Sunday…just see the 27th!

28 October 2023

Actually a bit out of synch with me days. This is Friday and I’m back on the pier testing my new travel rod (the post below is about this coming Sunday so work that one out). Pretty busy day on the jetty but I managed to nuzzle in. In terms of getting about the rod and tackle are amazing, so compact and light. I thought the rod was rated at about an ounce but it’s more than that, more like two and a half which is great as it supplements what I’ve already got. Need to balance it up with the right reel and some good braid and then we have a game on. Got some pollack and wrasse with it, plenty.

27 October 2023

Man Utd have just played Man City. I have watched united play for a long time now, and over the last year or so I have watched all the other premier league teams as well. My opinion is this. Manchester United are not a football team. Various managers have tried to make them into one and all have failed. The current one – Ten Hag – has failed. There are some very good players, some expensive, overrated players, some average players and some players panning out their careers on reputation and good salaries. But that is not a football team. Until the decision is taken to make a football team the it is hopeless. They will get some results but the performances will remain sporadically poor.

26 October 2023

Saturday, still no golf and I don’t miss it. Near;y decided not to join next year, well I’ve got till April, just so much else I enjoy doing. Still thinking about exploring different places to fish. Not, however, rivers or commercials but piers and harbours with packaway light tackle. Just think of all the places and, bearing in mind I am still a budget conscious tighty pants, seven hundred nicker would get me a few places to start with (golf fees that is).

25 October 2023

One of the best sessions, brilliant from start to finish. Got a tope and a dragonet which makes the species count for the year over twenty.

24 October 2023

One of the day’s in, baking and other stuff. Still practicing guitar everyday, and painting. Up at dawnish, bit of yoga, good food, don’t drink don’t smoke, what do you do?

23 October 2023

First cast mackeral, then another and another. I remember in my boyhood reading about how well they fight and, especiallly on super light gear, it is great fun. I’ll probably stick with the club at least for next year then, like the golf, we’ll see.

22 October 2023

This is last Sunday so, let me see, oh yeah, footy, and all the other stuff.

21 October 2023

The Israeli-Arab war has kicked off again, Civilians on both sides being torn apart. Below is a list of wars or conflicts in my lifetime. It is not comprehensive.

1959 -1970 Too many to note, although you may heard of the Vietnam War, the Indo-Pakistan War , civil war in Chad, Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Nigeria and the first Arab-Israeli war.

1970 – 1990 A lot again, including, Iran-Iraq War, Falklands War, Lebanon War, USA invading Grenada and Panama, civil wars in Eritrea, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Yemen Afganistan and Liberia.

1990 – present. Do you really want to know? Gulf War, Rwanda War, Croatia, Bosnia, Congo, Kosovo, Eritrea-Ethiopia, Congo, Chechnia/Dagestan, Afganistan, Darfur, First Iraq, Central African Republic, Somalia, Mali, Second Iraq, Ukraine. All proper jobs this lot not civil wars, or the bits and bobs like our tiff with Ireland. Well, there you have it, that’s the price of fish.

20 October 2023

Off we go again, or, actually, here we are writing about it a few days later. This time of the year, I note to myself, is fab on the pier. Nobody fishing, which just a week or so ago would have seemed very unlikely, and the fishing is great. Using my own rigs based on sabiki/feathers they are being hit with gusto, really plaesed. Also, a bit of a method tweak meant I didn’t lose a rig, which is a first ever.

19 October 2023

The inclination is to stay in bed. Lovely house, fantastic area, lots to do, nah, up at six and off to the pier on the twenty to seven bus. Still strange the amount of timid anxiety I still get, thoughts and stuff, what might go wrong, what’s the point of it all. Doesn’t stop me however, actually I regard it as a spur to foil against, why do stuff? because that’s what I do whether I like it or not.

18 October 2023

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m…

17 October 2023

Tuesday, off for one of the last sessions on the pier. Well, maybe. Certainly for the summer species it’s getting to the end, although I’m still catching the odd mackeral. But the pollack are there if you fish for them in the right way, and then there are the whiting, which may be good fun on the light tackle, but I haven’t tried this yet. I think, if you chuck big baits out you might be blanking in the colder months, but there are still fish out there and it is much more interesting than fishing the pool, although in it’s own way I can’t knock it.

16 October 2023

The body eh? Not at all seperate from the mind, complete fallacy to regard it as such. One surprising aspect of modern human ideas is how much is based on little more than convention. Calories, for instance. Many (most?) (nearly all?) people have an idea about calories and food, but it is nonsense. The conception of calorific energy capacity was founded prior to the second WW in Germany, in a lab. It was very useful indeed to the food industry and, specifically, the mass processing of food. Okay, not going any further with this other than to present the truth that energy production in a complex organism relies on nutrition. Ultra processed food – regardless of ‘calories’ – is nutritionally barren. It will keep you alive, because we are very hard to kill through lifestyle choice, but your niggles – headaches, anxiety, inflamation, overweight, lethargy, diabetes, acne, attention deficit, anger, bowel disorder, oh and many, many more. Nah, nothing to do with what you eat, how could it be? Don’t Think Just Eat.

15 October 2023

The mind eh? A creator of all things and a harbinger of the very devil. Can’t really complain about my allocation, it does me alright, but the aspects that need (constant) tweaking are…Twinges of past action, fairly common I reckon , and hard to shelve. Best course here is not to outwardly react. Next, getting ahead of myself. Bit of a bastard this one, doing something with your mind on the next thing. Takes away the sparkle and is, probably, utterly pointless. Best course of action is not to allow it to interfere with what you’re doing. Then, doom. What’s it all about Alfie? Well, I’m not Alfie and I’m all I’ve got. The only purpose is to flower.

14 October 2023

Work party at Clobryn, yes, I know, still doing it although I don’t know why, probably ego because I can do it. Anyway we are doing a bit of work on the path, quite a lot of work actually, and it will make the opposite side of the pool much more accesible. Effectivly it will double the amount of real fishing pegs available.

13 October 2023

The two blokes from the Peak District fished next to me agaian, the bloke with two pubs.I had another good day, just down the sides, no casting out, loads of decent mackeral and bang! when a pollack hits you know about it, nearly lost my big rod a couple of times. And, interestingly, casting at a left angle with the lrf gear – even in the tide – caught me lots of smaller fish, and I can get out of the snags reasonably well. Must have had half a dozen decent pollack, maybe more, and not casting stops the doggies.

12 October 2023

Bit of painting, guitar etc you know the routine. No real football because of the phoney international break where we play friendlies against Exeter or Malawi or something, who cares?

11 October 2023

Normal day, out for a walk along the prom. Oh, what have I been watching you ask? well, at the moment it’s series 7 of Billions, brilliant series, great writing, characterisation and acting, love it. Apart from that, loads of stuff. When I flick through the films, apart from the John Wick? Fast and Furious? Mission Impossible stuff, which I detest, I find i’ve seen a great deal. But the good stuff is now on streaming – and I’ve watched bags of that. Gonna start Gangs of London over the next few days. New series of Das Boat is out and (soon) a new one of True Detective, always good.

10 October 2023

Tuesday, up early as usual, bread making. So far – and with good results – I have made lovely fruit loaves, seeded rye, classic (and delicious) white tin, naans and my own pizza base. Trouble is when you buy from the shops it isn’t just not very good, it is quite bad for your metabolism. I’ve said it before, good food – real whole food – is the basis for it all and bad food – anything in a packet that tells you it’s great – will do you in, slowly. It’s up to you but I will tell you this, pasta, bread, all boxed cereals, tinned anything, jars of this and that, all the trash you eat when you’re out, everytime you “treat yourself” it’s slow suicide by UPF. And an odd trip to Holland and Barret won’t do you any good either. You don’t drink diet colas do you?

9 October 2023

I am getting very good results off the pier with my refined methods. The mackeral are still coming, and now I am getting the good pollack in areas that I have discounted previously. Really good and I am enjoing it very much. Got a tub gurnard as well that puts the species hunt up to, well, I’ll add it up next time.

8 October 2023

Physically, nearing sixty four, that makes me an old man. Yet, no medication, no metabolic disorders, confident that I can do stuff and wanting to do it. Make all my own bread now, the factory foods are off the table and that, my brainwashed, marketed friends, is that.

7 October 2023

Go on then, Saturday, what do you think? Yep, painting, guitar, footy and nine holes of golf. The art stuf is really interesting, second or third time around and I am trying different styles.

6 October 2023

Normal stuff I reckon, bit of a walk thrown in as well. The kids are doing alright, I think, all working, getting on with life. Got to say they are all pretty damned alright, don’t see a lot of them but speak regularly on the phone, yeah, doing alright.

5 October 2023

Is it weekend? let’s have a look. Today is the, uhmm, 10th, which is a Tuesday, that makes this a Thursday, is that all? Better start catching up.

4 October 2023

When you’re not old you don’t notice it as much, if at all, but food is directly related to health and well being. Eating badly is a slow way to die, you probably put it down to something other than what you eat, and it probably isn’t. Eventually you will drag yourself to the doctors and be prescribed a pill, statins maybe or something for blood pressure. They might suggest you lose a bit of weight, get more exercise, cut down on the bottle and a half of red at weekend (don’t tell them about the rest eh) but, mmm, they won’t ask you about the quality of the food you eat. And that is what’s doing it.

3 October 2023

Had a couple of decent little walks this week as well. Today we are off up the Little Orme, see the seals, down into Llandudno, coffee, bit of shopping and home, cracking. Don’t think I will join the golf club next year, gone off it a bit, golf that is.

2 October 2023

Bit windy so a few hours at Clobryn. You know it is a cracking fishery, brilliant sport that I would have thought only other people had when I was a boy. Now, of course, I find it a bit on the easy side, but I’m not taking it for granted

1 October 2023

Still behind a bit. Busy days. Just to recap, I finished working nearly ten years ago and since then have dedicated myself to, well, me really. Just a cursory look at what work is and it pings up some serious questions…is that who you are? is that what you want to do? Maybe for swathes of billions affirmation is the answer to both questions. Becoming who you are is not a downhill struggle, but it is a life, one I regard as illuminated. Sixty four this month, will you still feed me?

29 September 2023

The only time I don’;t seem to catch is on the apex of the tide. Today it is due about elevenish so that means thre or so hours of decent fishing. Uhmded and ahed as to whether to set up the lrf gear but I’m glad I did because I discovered another method. This is very slowly lowering down and stopping half way – bang! – pollack (not big) up in the water. Plenty of fun till the tidegot really high, no mackeral today which was a surprise. Got home and watched the Ryder cup all afternoon which was brilliant.

28 September 2023

Had a round of golf, well as usual half a round, played well too although I’m not in the slightest bothered about that any more. Much, much better being alright at something than shit at it, then you shrug your shoulders.

27 September 2023

Not been to the gym for a bit. This bothers me only on a financial level, even if I can afford it I need to believe I am not wasting the cash. This is deeply ingrained with me and I would like to think that I can get easier with this as time (and money) progresses.

26 September 2023

Went for a few hours, had three mackeral in the first chuck and then decided to try a few different lures without much success. Tried a lot of different methods on the pier – you have to because it is constantly changing – but I have some good knowledge now and I really enjoy it.

25 September 2023

Physically, inside and out, I feel chippydee do.

24 September 2023

That means its Tuesday. The tides this week are high at mid-morning so I thought I’d do a couple or three hours and then come back. Had to work hard with the old mind games in the last week. On the face of it things are sweet – and they definitly are – but the worm in the noggiin does me no favours at times (most of the time tbh) I believe there is something else and struggle to justify the value of doing stuff. However, not only does this not stop me doing stuff it motivates me to practice getting better, an obvious CBT but I don’t know any better method.

23 September 2023

Way behind on the lournal, not the best method when you’re getting older. Monday, I think, which would normally mean fishing, but I went yesterday so it can’t be. Okay I can’t remember, played guitar – got good at this too, in my well rounded opinion – did me painting (learning and enjoying and, again I think, I went to the allotment cropped some runner beans and kale.

22 September 2023

Straight back and straight on the pier. I’m glad to say that I can now fish any part of the tide, wheras previously I was picking a bit. And not just fish it, catch through it (on the whole) I still lose a little bit of tackle, but that is to be expected. Really getting to grips with it, the only problem is what rod to concentrate on, can’t feather for mackeral and lrf for wrasse at the same time.

21 September 2023

Eventful trip back. We decided to return the longer yet more scenic route through Snowdonia. Heavy rain meant that one of the buses couldn’t get through but we managed to get to Bwtys-y-Coed. Then it got interesting. The train was cancelled and the first bus driver said they couldn’t through as the water in the valleys was rising fast. Another service said they had re-routed and was going to try it. When we got about half way we met a log jam of cars cut off in rising water and had to turn back. The little Welsh streams had turned the scene into the Nile delta. Of course we got back but it was hairy for a while.

20 September 2023

Off again, this time it’s Towyn to uhm, a place further up the coast. Great day actually, stil a bit breezy but spectacular views, amazing walking and really glad to be able to do stuff like this. The painting below is one of mine but not of the Lynn.

19 September 2023

Worse weather for a bit, a proper storm, 40 plus winds and rain driving along them. Obviously no coastal walking today, start again next time. The Lynn peninsula is lovely, well the first part that we have seen certainly is, three good days walking and a nice apartment in Pwllheli, grand little break. Even got some bits from the local tackle shop for Thursdays fishing.

18 September 2023

Bit windy but apart from that one of the memorable days walking, splendid! Nefyn to Towyn.

17 September 2023

Only one bus out and one bus back to Nefyn from Pwllheli, which means we have to tank it around and keep an eye on the clock. Given this we decided to have a day off. Not easy just chilling when you are used to doing stuf, but it was worth it and the right decision.

16 September 2023

Phew! that was a hard day. Beautiful walk from where we left off yesterday to Nefyn, over some mighty shoreside hills, it’s always a good feeling when you’ve done one of these.

15 September 2023

Have I mentioned that the buses in Wales are free for junior fogies like me? well they are and advantage will be taken. Number 12 to Llandudno, number 5 to Caernarfon, number T2 to our designated start poin. Actually we got the wrong last bus, we should have got the 12 (not the 12) and this cost us about an hour and a halfand a couple of miles. Anyroad it isn’t the nicest walk as it is adjacent to a busy road but it’s ticked off and our apartment in the base at Pwllheli is very acceptable.

14 September 2023

Day off today, bit of painting, guitar and one thing and another. Off walking the Lynn peninsula tomorrow, should be good.

13 September 2023

Wpw, tide just starting to come in and I dropped the mackeral rig down the side on the left and bang! four in one cast, then three, then two’s and singles. If I was properly reeling in for them I reckon I could have had thirty easily in a short period. Still busy with people but fished well for wrasse down the side again, didn’t lose much tackle either.

12 September 2023

Not played golf yet this week, and as we are going away on a walking holiday on Friday I don’t reckon I will. This has got me thinking, can I do without joining, not much point to that as the money is there so might as well use it.

11 September 2023

Trying to remember (and no I’m not dementiad) umm, oh yeah. pier. Fished on the left and into the mackeral again, wrasse down the side and doggies out on the bank. The good thing about this is that I can now fish at any point of the tide. Meeting of the club and, once more, I have to ask myself why I am doing this, complete waste of time and effort.

10 September 2023

If I’m not on the pier – which I will be tomorrow – I’m doing all the other stuff, and enjoying it in a great place (have I mentioned this before?)

9 September 2023

So pleased with the progress I’ve made at sea fishing. The session below was a cracker and I follwed it with another decent do on Saturday (today). Fished with some chaps from Caernarfon who put the days results on Facebook. I got a tope pup which I am claiming, although actually it was on anoher blokes rod, nevertheless, it does count as my land, and another species.

8 September 2023

Much the same, golf I think, or painting, guitar…or is it a footy day? not sure I’m about a week behind. Actually I’m in Pwllheli doing the Lynn peninsular section of the Wales coast path and it’s the 15th so the rest of the days are a bit of a catch up.

7 September 2023

Geoff and Alain were there before me, at just after 7am! Handshakes all round but, whoa, do they not give a fuck about the two rod rule, both sides of the pier stacked with gear. Anyway, politness is always a decent tool and I took the left ahnd side, as I was planning to do. What a session! Actually lost count of the number of good mackeral – which I gave away bar two – and on freshly baited sabikis I had (after a run of doggies) a nice bull huss which I landed with their drop net. Also four nice pollock on the same retrieve! Maybe though the best thing for me was fishing a method that works like the river (tide dependant) for wrasse on LRF gear. If I was fishing just for these I reckon I could have had, maybe fifty.

6 September 2023

Day off from fishing. But not from thinking and planning about fishing. Oh yeah played a round or two of golf this week and played wellish. Back to the fishing, yeah planning and refining, thats the idea. Getting my hair cut as well, oh and going to the allotment.

5 September 2023

Wonderful to get up early here and experience the dawn on a fabulous morning; even more when the tackle is ready and off we go fishing, again! Not been to the pool in weeks, I will leave that to later in the year.

4 September 2023

El scorchio this week so we are more like the med than usual. Pier today, so into this as my methods and experience are now paying off, and after that, straight into the usual stuff. Enjoying the painting/drawing and I am picking things up along the journey, isn’t it always like that?

3 September 2023

Sunday, so busy these days I always seem to be way behind on the journal. Anyway, as I may have mentioned, life is pretty, pretty good, thank you very much.

2 September 2023

Footy day today, watching of course haha. And again good life! More of the same and, to coin a phrase, loving it.

1 September 2023

Not been on the pond for quite a while, probably winter, then spring and summer the pier. And off we go again. Wow, perfect conditions, got there early set up three rods – no bass fishing today – I knew it was going to be a huge tide so just a few hours before the real pull started. Nothing much down the sides early on, I know now that it starts getting going as the tide starts moving in, and so it proved. Bang, into something with the lrf rod, turned out to be a nice ballan (see photo) but what was really interesting was the big rod. I stole the idea from the guys last week, big weight with sabiki rigs, long cast and long pull through. The tide was well on its way in by now and, previously, I would have stuck with the light gear. This is no good in a pulling water. I should have known this by now, especially after fishing the rivers, but it has taken a long time to sink in. Six ounce weight, big sabiki rig and – first cast – lovely mackeral. Second cast, decent pollack (couldn’t get photos as the phone had lost charge) Only had about half an hour or so and I got two pollack and two mackeral, all good sizes. In between this I fished a two ounce rig down the side with a medium baited sabiki and pulled the wrasse and pouting out. Great session, no doggies or bought bait either.

31 August 2023

Yeah, good life, really good.

30 August 2023

Big tide. Although I am a solitary fisherman (leaving fisherman out still works well) it is interesting to see the different individuals I have met since angling in Wales. Especially so on the pier. Today the Italian chap who was fishing on Monday was there and he wasn’t catching a lot. Although I had my new method ready to go it was too crowded to cast with any commitment, so I stuck to down the side. I had a few and then told the Italian I was having a cast and that I would catch a mackeral, bam! first cast and I did, so I gave it him. Big tide though, difficult to fish when it’s pulling.

29 August 2023

The dentist appointment is at 9.45 (new denture today) but before that I have done yoga, started a new watercolour painting and made the dough for two artisan loaves. When I get back I will bake them then go for a game of golf. While the bread is baking I will do my guitar pratice and when I get back I will do more guitar, play two rounds of online golf and make the evening meal.

28 August 2023

Bank holiday, forgot we still had these. Nevertheless off we go for a pier session. Tide was not great and it was very busy, no mackerel to speak of, just the odd one, well I’ve got the rigs now if anyone starts pulling them in for fun. Only doggies being caught on bait but – even in the tide swell – I still managed a few wrasse and pouts down the side, which I could not do last year.

27 August 2023

Sunday, footy and – again – all the other stuff. Really enjoying watercolur painting again, I’ve started to get up even earlier to fit an odd three-quarters of an hour in. My bread is really good. Fit and healthy.

26 August 2023

What are we on? oh yeh Saturday, footy then. And all the other stuff.

25 August 2023

Got straight back and ordered myself a load of sabiki rigs, can’t beat ’em join ’em eh? I would have thought I might get a bass or two this week but nah. The lrf method works well although I am losing a few rigs, unavoidable really. I don’t do well with setbacks – or do I _ I certainly learn from them, bloody hell it’s only a bit of fishing for fucks sake, maybe I’m getting a bit obsessed with it…and I am fishing in close proximity with a lot of very dumb people which takes its toll I’m afraid. Don’t bet against me smashing the sabiki’s from now on.

24 August 2023

Gym in the morning, envigorating, then a bit of gardening, breadmaking, guitar, making rigs etc

23 August 2023

Back on the pier, not a touch on the livebait again but loads of fun on the LRF gear. Got back and tried to cram everything into the remaining time before the evening meal. On that, our diet and food is absolutely tip-top and we are benefitting from it greatly. We are introducing back a little dairy, with the emphasis on qualityy and absolutely aganst UPF. My bread, by the way, is a success, love it.

22 August 2023

Tuesday, dentist cancelled so I went for a swift nine holes instead, played really well too. I think I’m keeping so busy to keep the ennui at bay. Oh yeah went to the gym too, plenty of cardio plus a swim.

21 August 2023

On the pier again, nice day, t-shirts and shorts. Actually I’m writing this on Friday and I’m a bit pissed off because the sabiki rigs were pulling mackerel out and my home made ones just were not working the same, although, to be fair, I got one and had a couple of hits and, of course, I am fishing the LRF gear for the most part. However, on a positive, I have sussed out how to catch the pouting and wrasse, also my little tin for livebait works a treat. Fished the livebait again today and not a touch, disappointing really, still learning though.

20 August 2023

Sunday. womens world cup final, mmm, not so great, got played off the park, they must be down about it. Not a brilliant start to the footy season, what with this and Man Utd back to the bad old days; I hope not but they don’t seem up to much atm, maybe it will change when the new striker gets fit. Another match this afternoon then a bit of golf viewing tonight.

19 August 2023

Just six days behind now, nearly ther eh, it’s still last Friday but I will be with you soon.

18 August 2023

Sounds crass but the golf too is going splendid. Feel great about stuff in this wonderful place. bags of energy.

17 August 2023

A session on the pier, I think, unless this is the weekend which means footy and golf. Learning a lot this year from the pier, so changeable with th tides and one thing or another, bit of luck involved but then again.

16 August 2023

Lets just say it was most of the things below, oh forgot, the allotment.

15 August 2023

And anyway the things I do daily are well documented and fill the deadly hours very nicely thank you kindly. However, there have been additions and here are they. The fishing club. being treasurer takes up a bit, but I have also built them a new website and new membership applications. Football, new season is upon us. Bread making, oh yes forgot this, so, as a consequence of our abhorrence of ultra processed factory fodder (what people mistakenly call food) I have begun making my own bread. For a few months now I have done rye bread with honey and oats – which I can now make without looking at a recipie, and in the last couple of weeks or so, I have made naans and fruit loaf, both of which are really good. And all this takes time you see. Oh yeah and the gym/swim two or three times a week.

14 August 2023

Way behind woth the daily posts. One reason for this is that I am getting up at sixish and then, after yoga and tea, doing something. Now that I am painting again – which I am enjoing – I tend to want to do some everyday, this, with the other things makes me time conscious, which is why I am behind.

13 August 2023

Off to the pier again, no pool this week – or for a while probably – simply because I find the sea fishing I am doing far more interesting. There is not one method, for instance, far from it and, like river fishing you have to take strong account of water conditions and the weather. Nobody that I have encountered seems interested in superlight sea angling which, for me, is the big draw. If it was, for example, a river or a canal and a matchman was pulling out dace and roach when nobody else was having much luck he would be lauded. Today I expect to catch scores of pouting, a good few wrasse, maybe an odd unusual species, chance of a good size pollack and all on light tackle, and all the while watching the snooker cues pull out an odd dogfish (actually I had the big one in and pulled out half a dozen myself. I still want to target other species such as flatties and gurnard, oh and I am still getting bass runs but not hitting them, so loads more to go at. Below is a corkwing wrasse

12 August 2023

Trying to fit a game of golf in around the weather and the footy, good match too, Chelsea v Liverpool, kick off 4pm , probably going to miss itbut it is a long season and I have got full BT and Sky now so there will be a lot of matches. The womens England team are doing so well again, they will be forever superstars if they manage to win this one. And, I might miss some of Man Utd’s first match of the season tomorrow evening because of the stupid, fucking fishing meeting, blah!

11 August 2023

Footy season kicked off last night, but it was only Man City so the real stuff starts today so, off we go. Normal stuff as well, this and that.

10 August 2023

Don’t know if it was anything to do with putting the photo up on Facebook but another session on the pier this morning and it was heaving, and by lunchtime anglers couldn’t get on, probably coincidence. Didn’t get another bass today but I did miss a few runs, with the bait coming back in half. Getting to know this place and I love it.

9 August 2023

Hot one on the pier, shorts, t-shirts and a neat little session. Plenty of little pouting down the sides which nobody seems to (or wants to catch) neither are they able to with huge hooks and snooker cues. However, with the LRF rigs I have been working at it’s pretty good fun, bit like catching dace and roach on the rivers with the chance of a bigger fish. The pouting are also great bait. With that in mind I put one on the big rod and had a dog straight away. This made me think, why can’t I catch loads and use them for bait instead of wasting cash on squid and mackerel? Also, of course, they are splendid bass bait and today I tried them with a bit of effort and got the reward. Plenty of wrasse too.

8 August 2023

Busy day today and not the usual stuff. First, off to the bank to try to put this blasted money in, hurray! it’s open, in we go, job done 9.40. Quick walk up the road in Colwyn Bay to the dentist for another denture fitting. Bus to Llandudno, gym and swim, lovely day, no golf this week btw as it’s open week and loads of comps on. Then, tootle from the gym to the Lifeboat station to meet a couple of the fellows from the angling club to present a cheque for £500 from the charity match. Now, walk along the pier to get the weekly code and then the bus home. Bit peckish I’ve got to say, guitar then watering as it has been dry and warm.

7 August 2023

Session at Clobryn, back on the F!’s lost count of how many but – unless I missed the bite – it was a fish a cast, crucians, roach, skimmers F1s. Stayed only three hours as it does get a bit easy and I wanted to watch the womens world cup match, we won – just!

6 August 2023

Sunday, day in still cool and breezy, bit of everything, guitar, painting etc better get to the allotment this week nearly forgot about it.

5 August 2023

Gym, then the usual stuff. One of the great things about fishing, for me, is the preparation and anticipation. On the pool this aspect is largely gone, I can now fish on any peg and do about the same as I usually do. Now don’t get me wrong this has advantages, you always, for instance, get to see your float going under. But the challenge is gone, no question about that. At sea it is entirely different. And what I am striving to avoid here is the chuck it and hope method that I see in most sea anglers. This is the area of thinking and preparation.

4 August 2023

Wow, fishing off the pier is not gentle coars fishing. What you have to remember is that, essentially, you are off the shore on a platform – like being in a boat but solid. I thought today that I could fish through the wind but I couldn’t, so in effect a non-session. Can’t remember what I did for the rest off the day, have a guess.

3 August 2023

This is last Thursday, what the hell did I do then? I know I’m going on the pier tomorrow but what about today, oh what can it be, really? normal stuff, think I had a walk up to the allotment. No I didn’t I remember, gym, good workout.

2 August 2023

Not been great weather in July, wet, cool and breezy for the most part, however, it is only weather and when did that really stop things. Right, today is Wednesday, what’s going on then, mmm, oh yeah, tried to bank some cash for the club in Colwyn but the bank was shut because of staff shortages; pleasantish evening so played nine holes, usual stuff around that.

1 August 2023

Usual session at Clobryn, bit too many small roach but still good. The website that I’ve done seems to be working fine and i’m quite enjoing being involved in the club, again it’s another new thing for the day.

31 July 2023

Can’t remember, I think a gym workout 10 times 3, then the usual stuff. Have to say though, the days are busy, not much hanging around, and now I’ve started the gym – and resumed painting – it is a test to try to get a bit of everything in.

30 July 2023

Got the tram to Katies and we had a really lovely late morning- with brunch – in west Didsbury, then we went back to her flat and had a good chat and coffee. Pleasant weekend overall.

29 July 2023

Off to MCR to see the kids. Meeting Adam and Daniel first, and Daniel’s girlfriend, then off for a meal. We are staying in a hotel on Salford Quays and travelling down on a bus because the trains are on strike. Got to say I don’t much care for city life, gets me all-a-flummoxed.

28 July 2023

Finished the kitchen and it looks really good, decent house, all in all. Usual stuff today and off to Manchester tomorrow. – on the bus as the trains are on strike. Had a good workout at Eirias Park gym, suprised myself with my cardio, did 10 mins on the rower, 10 mins running and 10 mins on the bike, then a few weights, felt good.

27 July 2023

Two blokes fishing already, one serious young fellow with his son off the far right corner. Neither had caught anything. I fished down the side for small fish with my latest rig and it could not have worked better. I gave some pouting to the other guys and they were appreciative of it. Tried again with live bait for bass but nothing. Really enjoy the ultra light sea fishing with resonsive tackle, you never really know what’s going to hit next, loads of pouting though and several double catches.

26 July 2023

And the lesson is, well, sometimes things don’t go as you would want them to. Put your brain in gear, draw on your skills (if you have any) have a nights sleep and have another do. The website is up and running, pleased with it and I am now going to get aquainted with search engine optimisation.So what’s on the agenda today, not sure, but have a look back and you will get a clue.

25 July 2023

Trying to write a new website for the club. As I’m doing it I’m thinking why the fuck am I at this? well I’m down the road now so might as well continue. Speaking of the club I’m off for a session (just got back) as usual fantastic fishing if you know the water.

24 July 2023

Today is monday, trying to remember, oh yeah, induction at the gym. Usual stuff, quite a lot of questions actually, both Carol and myself no health issues, no medication, great weight and posture, don’t think he could believe it…guess how that happened?

23 July 2023

Wet day. Not great for sport. The test match – which we would have won to draw the series, we will now draw to lose the series. The Open golf will play out but in the wetest conditions. However, the midsummer rain is a good thing, In between the showers we visited the allotment and the beetroot , which I planted out directly, is showing, along with thousands of tiny weeds. It is so easy to manage though, being raised.

22 July 2023

Still on the subject of interaction with others, ugh!

21 July 2023

Interjecting the decorating with watching the golf, it’s the Open championship from Hoylake which is just across the water in England, not much else as it’s thrashing down. I did do something else actually but can’t remember. One of the problems formed through my emotionally traumatic childhood is to mistrust people. I used to be vulnerable in that I saw many others as naturally more capable than myself, classic inferiority persona, I’m glad I kept them away, bit lonely but much better really.

20 July 2023

Some trash weather coming in, good for the plants but not for fishing, okay so paint the kitchen then. Set up my paint gear in the garage and I’ve started again, practicing this time rather than trying to produce a finished piece.

19 July 2023

Session on the pier. Learning a bit about the tides, this one was not the best, high tide about an hour into the session which meant a big pull for a few hours and, obviously, no light LRF fishing. Still managed a few down the side though, which is what I aimed for this year. There is a film being shot in Llandudno and the crew were on the pier doing some bits with a drone.

18 July 2023

Dentist today, fitting for the new denture so, with this and the other I will have a spare; NHS crisis in dentistry across the UK (how the fuck does that happen?) so had to pay private but I’m not bothered because I can afford it.

17 July 2023

Swift nine holes followed – and preceded by – the usual stuff. Oh, and we’ve joined the gym again, well actually the first time in Wales. Brilliant package, two great gyms, two good pools, exercise classes all over the place and a big discount for achieving oldness, off we go!

16 July 2023

Started painting again, set my stuff up in the garage off we go. Instead of trying to produce an acceptable (for me) painting as a one off I am going to, this time, practice the techniques. That seems the right way to go about things. Golf on the telly today, Scottish Open with Rory in a good position.

15 July 2023

Saturday. Bit mixed with the weather, some strong winds coming this aft. Decided to have a couple of hours on the poo. Actually just got back and there was nobody there. Fished on peg one with my brolley set up and it worked a treat, fished worm over hemp and hit the good F1s instantly, must have had thirty pounds plus in a short period of time, lovely place to fish, fantastic!

14 July 2023

Off to the allotment and it should be finished today so, in a week, it has been cleared, turned over and planted with beetroot and carrots, good aquisition. Watching the golf today.

13 July 2023

I’ve been informed that the one on a right is a grey gurnard, so another new species. Thursday and the weather has changed so it’s a day in doing the normal indoor stuff, also the golf is on so that is worth watching. Kitchen wants a coat of paint but, nah, not today.

12 July 2023

So now I have the rig and tackle sorted for LRF fishing down the side of the pier. I’ve tried live baiting a couple of times for the bass but nothing as yet. Interesting session on the bigger rods, obviously the dogs were active so I tried some other rigs. On one cast I got a bite on the drop and it was a red gurnard (another new species) then left the rigs which came back stripped. Did the same thing again and got a bite on the drop, another gurnard, then nothing when I left the rigs. I’m thinking that this could be another interesting method but I’m realising that I can’t fish attentivly with two or three rods, just not possible, especially with th LRF, so I’m having a think (and that’s what makes it interesting)

11 July 2023

Off to the allotment, two short sessions and it’s nearly done, don’t think we will be there a lot. Anyway, back, get some food, watch an episode of The Sopranos (really enjoying it second time around) and off for an early evening nine holes. I’m playing well, worth noting that I have tried quite hard to get to the position that I am confident hitting the ball and I can score (stableford) 13-15 off 25 comfortably and if the putts go okay 16 -20 which I reckon is good off an honest card. Still very glad I gave up playing comps though.

10 July 2023

Just a couple or three hours before the rain starts, on the pier, honing the skills. Bloke from Bolton there already so I went to the left put a big baited sabiki out and within minutes I had to make a dash for it in order to save my tackle. I struck in and instantly knew it was a big fish. It felt like a snag but you know that it isn’t so I tried to play it like a carp on light tackle but it just took me with the tide. After a while I got it to the pier and then the difficulties started, what I wanted was to get a look at it and then, if possible, a photo. I regret not taking a snap of the big bass from a few weeks ago because, even with a drop net, getting a sizeable fish up the side of the pier an relatively light tackle is difficult. So, for my interests, a photo at the side when the fish is under control counts as a catch. It was a catch, possibly/probably a tope or, if not, then a very decent smoothhound, the tail and the head do suggest a tope. What a scrap and another species listed, then the rain started, ha, couldn’t care less!

9 July 2023

England under 21’s won a thrilling Euro championship final against Spain, major victory this, very gratifying and, although I was out playing golf, England won the third test. These are very pleasant times, and when I look back I will remember them with affection.

8 July 2023

Sea fishing off the pier is interesting. Firstly I thought that I had to fish at low tide to utilise the LRF method but that isn’t the case. I think it was the little round weights that were the problem, and the rig I was using to fish with them, now, with a proper ounce bomb fixed to an ultra light paternoster I fished right up to high tide and was still getting the minis. Also, I can cast the rig out to fish for pollack or mackerel without tangles, and it works! Rigged a live bait up and got a run but missed it.

7 July 2023

Golf in the morning, played about the same, and off to the allotment for a recky and a tidy in the early evening.

6 July 2023

Good session on the pool, as usual, it is a belting little fishery and worth looking after. Watching the under 21’s in the Euros at footy, they look invincible, great to see talent unleashed in a system that works, possison football with fire.

5 July 2023

Phew! glad those blue days don’t last longer than they do, I could do without them though, not easy to see the wood at the end of the tunnel. Right, where were we, yep, Tuesday, dentist, mesuring up for a new denture which, at £750, is a hit on the finances but we’re alright so not bothersome really.

4 July 2023

Not my best day, overthinking, reacting to te small things that should be let go. Okay, so when you have a look at the Zen/Buddhist stuff it’s generally a wise old (male) master on a remote mountain etc, well good on ’em, but what about trying that in everyday life, not so easy eh? However, that is the challenge, don’t fight it – if you can – it will pass, it is almost always made worse by not letting it just go. And that’s the hard bit. What I am learning is that it is a skill and, as such, needs to be worked at. Mini session on the pier in the early evening, good, a few little pouting, a wrasse and a pollack in about two hours.

3 July 2023

The band were very good and it was a very enjoyable evening. Got an email inviting us to look at a few available allotment plots up at Bryn Eurin, we decided 0n number 28 comprising a couple of decent raised beds, easy growing, looking forward to it.

2 July 2023

Nine holes of golf and out tonight, I know, what’s going on right? Well, actually, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, following a nice meal at the Blue Elephant.

1 July 2023

Saturday, same stuff again, clearing out the garage to make way for the art gear as I’m going to start painting again soon.

30 June 2023

And on the subject of thinking and tweaking I’ve just had a very satisfying session on the pier. This is fishing for me not for bragging rights and that means LRF fishing for summer species. Three rods and what have been loads of rigs and different baits have now been whittled down to consistent methods. Of course someone will come along and chuck something in which will pull three mackerel out first cast but this should not change my methods. Tomorrow it’s a garage sort out for putting the gear in place as I don’t need to have loads of it hanging about anymore.

29 June 2023

It’s crept under the radar but I’ve got efficient at golf. Played today and scored 28 in 15 holes with no duff shots and a few missed short putts, no blobs either. Maybe the I’ve got the handle on the game after quite a while, just shows, keep thinking and tweaking.

28 June 2023

The bloke fishing next to me with what looked like a pool cue with rings started on about immigrants, I told him I liked imigrants and that I didn’t talk like that and wished he wouldn’t. Just goes to show what people are really like, how many have I met that I could tolerate, nevermind like? how many have I actively detested and could not avoid dealing with? And in all this I bother what others think, ha!

Got the usual catch of dogfish and, with my first spin of the day, a nice pollack, nothing after that, however, I was getting bites down the side which is a very good sign.

27 June 2023

Whats new? got to buy myself a new landing net, that it? yeah.

26 June 2023

Yep, Clobryn it was. There was a match fished yesterday and the winning weight was 36 pounds, not completely sure but I would guess that I beat that comfortably. Anyway, still looking at getting back on the pier, I’m going to look up when the wrasse showed up last year, I think it was around now.

25 June 2023

A day out of sync so, although this is Sunday and we are having a very pleasant day in and around, we did play an excellent game of golf (brother-in-law free) yesterday. Not sure what to do tomorrow, it is a bit breezy so, probably, Clobryn.

24 June 2023

Playing golf with Carol and her brother. I was scoring and playing well when the scales fell and I realised that I didn’t want to be out there, on such a lovely day, in that company, and I told them. The problem was that nothing is ever good enough, and he is such a materialistic individual that little seems of value without a money shake – so I offered to pay for his round and he suggested that half seemed fair.

23 June 2023

Well was it worth it? For the fishing, in itself, I have to say no, but then again how could it be? A lot of effort, but then again, at nearly 64, I made no hesitation about being able to do it, and in doing such things like this it makes other stuff seem much easier. As an overall experience, well, I’m planning the next one.

22 June 2023

Last day and I thought I would try the other side of the bridge next to Nottingham Forrest, trotting with waggler (should have used a stick) managed a few nice roach in a couple of hours. Got back in just over four hours.

21 June 2023

Absolutely pissed it down overnight and well into the morning. A change of plan made me move pegs to the same one I fished yesterday but the conditions were not great, however, I still got a few and I landed a monster bream.

20 June 2023

Actually after I found it the Travellodge is in a fairly decent location for fishing the Trent. As for the fishing it was as I expected, quite a lot of effort for a few roach, perch and dace. If I lived around here and fished it regularly I would pick up the nuances reasonably quickly but, as I’m only here for a few sessions I will do my best.

19 June 2023

Taxi arriving at seven, train booked, hotel booked, weather warm, here we go.

Bit of a problem getting on the train as the handle came off the trolley and all the stuff went flying about, not to worry got it all together and, with a bit of fucking about managed to get myself sorted and comfortable. Same thing happened changing station but managed to to get sorted again and, when I did had a pleasant ride.

18 June 2023

Another not a lot doing kind of day. Thunderstorms this afternoon so the golf is sacked again. Preparation for Nottingham reminds me of the first long distance walk I did around the Isle of Man in 2002, wow twenty one years ago and I still feel capable of doing stuff like this, got to be a good thing and I will continue till I absolutely cannot.

17 June 2023

Off to Rhyl to buy some bait and bits for the Trent trip. We were going to play golf this afternoon but time creeps on so we sacked it.

16 June 2023

Friday, getting muy gear ready for Nottingham, decided to go so I will buy the tickets tomorrow. It is an odd feeling, I can now afford to do these things but still get a twinge of “is it worth it”. From this the feeling develops that I have to be successful – in terms of catch rates – to make the trip pragmatic. This in itself puts undue pressure on myself originating from what I have started to call the ‘bad mind’ We all have one but I reckon not many get round to quelling the intrusive fucker, and it’s always a hindrance (I think). Anyway I’m going, if it’s not great so what It’ll be an experience and that is what human life is.

15 June 2023

Still wonderful weather, off to Llandudno to buy a few additional plants, everything in the garden is looking goodish but you always need to water and tweak, feed and prod, weed and watch. Have a spot of lunch out for a change, feels like the Med, again.

14 June 2023

Golf and gardening. Cracking on with the Wodehouse, Joy in the Morning, it’s a Jeeves and Wooster, so effortlessly brilliant (or so it seems, plenty of screwed up paper hitting the bin I’ll bet)

13 June 2023

No idea what I did today, learnt some more guitar that’s for sure, blues is coming on nicely and I understand about theory increasingly.

12 June 2023

Off to the pool to do my treasurers bit, the security camera is going up and somebody needs eight quid so I have to be there! Not to worry, even though I was going to the pier a change of plan isn’t bad, take my tackle catch a load of decent fosh in a lovely place on a pleasant mid-summers day, what’s wrong with that?

11 June 2023

Sorting out the fishing in nottingham for next week, probably stay two nights with three days fishing. I am looking forward to it but it is a new thing (for me) so there is a bit of ooh err, however 63 now so fuck it, off we go. Speaking of which just got back from a breezy couple of hours on the pier, still no wrasse which is strange, or is it, I’ll look back to last year and see when they started showing, see you in a bit.

10 June 2023

Mediteranean (is that how you spell it, don’t have auto check on here) weather and it has been for a while. What a wonderful place to live, worth – I think – experiencing the below par run-up in Preston, well behind me now. The sweet peas I planted from Merrymans have been astounding, been cutting them ford several days now and they are the real job, all over the house, beautiful.

9 June 2023

Way behind and, really, not that much to say, great life etc. Finished a P G Wodehouse, well over the halway stage af the full works, also, reading a book of historic speeches (nearly put hysteric speeches, now that would be a read)

8 June 2023

West Ham won the Euro C cup, they were not the better team but they played like the continentals and got a chance in the last minute, dramatic and yes!! well done Mr Moyes and the boys.

7 June 2023

Few hours at Clobryn. Got to catch myself on here but I’m getting a bit bored with catching so many fish. If I were starting here it would be different, but now I know how to maximise the catch rate it is cast-bam! Fishing great, golf great, weather brilliant, living in a wonderful place, health bristling, not worked for nearly a decade, guitaring coming on nicely…I mean, come on!

6 June 2023

Not got a clue, must have been a good day because I’m here and it’s ace. Oh hang on, yeah, went to the dentist to have a tooth out, never pleasant but I’m glad I’m getting the work done, new denture too which will be a relief. Played golf about an hour or so after the extraction and played pretty well again.

5 June 2023

Missed a bite on the smaller rod that definately wasn’t a dogfish, it was like a seagull had flown into the line – which I have had before – but it wasn’t, luckily I had the rods tied on. Not long after the bigger rod did the same and I struck in. No dogfish. I managed to get it to the surface after a minute or two and it was a huge bass. I shouted over to the lads on the other side to ask if they had a dropnet, they didn’t but they ran over, had a look, and offered to hand it up. I knew it was too big to do that but we had a go and it shook the hook. This, if it was off the beach, or if there was a landing stage would have been a great photo, but as it was off the pier I am still counting it as a great catch. Phew, took me a few minutes to get over it, you plan for a fish like that and then, whoosh, it’s over, bloody good though.

4 June 2023

The bikes are out, all pumped up and itching for an eager foot on the pedal. Going over the Little Orme to Llandudno, coffee, and then to West shore and home, fantastic weather again.

3 June 2023

Fantastic weather (has it come to this?) but a bit chilly with a north-easter;y wind (afraid so!) Off for a game of golf, it’s Saturday and we used tp play the Texas scramble but not any more, in fact it has been abandoned through lack of interest. Carol still play regularly with the ladies, often twice a week, but I cannot play with others. Perhaps, probably, there is something in my history that rejects the experience, whatever it is I just don’t want to do it, don’t even like fishing if any one else is there, prefer my own company.

2 June 2023

Good session again on the pier, no summer species as yet – well not for me anyway – but I’m working on a tweak to my approach. River Trent is nearing.

1 June 2023

And the sweet peas are flowering.

31 May 2023

As someone who has no interest in revisiting the past or the people in it I seem to find it difficult to disallow thoughts about it from seeping in. Would I do what they did in the Kate Winslet film and wipe it clean, of course not, that is just sixth form nonsense thinking. What you can do is acknowledge the thoughts yet take no action on them. Possibly, if they are interpreted as an uninitiated hindrence, they may even be turned against themselves and used as motivation to empower. This takes some doing though. Everyone has a saga.

30 May 2023

Normal stuff today (getting boring this, it’s that good) off for a walk into the village, busy with holiday,akers and day-trippers, more than last year as the new beach is open. Garden areas at the house are looking lovely, all good.

29 May 2023

Sunday, good game of golf yesterday and out for another swift nine holer today, no fishing tomorrow as it is the bank holiday. Going across to the Trent soon, looking forward to it as well, the pool is good but it is getting a bit predictable, especially as I now know how to get virtually a fish a chuck, too easy, but I’m not knocking it, just too easy. Making some new rigs up for the pier.

28 May 2023

Everton survived through a wonder goal, Leicester, Leeds and Southampton down, Burnley, Coventry and someone else up. FA cup next weekend, Man Utd are playing very well but it’s a big ask.

27 May 2023

Bank holiday weekend and it’s lovely, really does feel like a Med holiday when it’s like this. Golf this morning and pottering round this aft. Last day of the season tomorrow.

26 May 2023

Ah, I’m getting a bit behind with this, actually it has crossed my mind to sack it, however, for the benefit of mankind in general – and my older self in particular – I will carry on. Friday it is and I don’t know what I did, oh yeah fishing off the pier. Got there as the tide was making and already there were a couple of blokes fishing on the left, no problem out to the right I will cast. Soon filled up, a couple of rough Manc lads rolled up and proceeded to get pissed and stoned but they were alright really, no different to what me and Mike would have been like, just goes to show though what an arse you are when you are half cut. Odd mackerel showing on the left but, considering the amount of rigs being cast out it isn’t a lot. Got a lot of doggies.

25 May 2023

Day in, or out actually because it is absolutely lovely. Gardening again, surprising how much there is to do, we have a lot of containers and I do grow quite a bit of my own stuff, nice day, nice place, what’s not to like. Guitar is still an hour a day, yoga in the morning. Dentist next week, can’t get an NHS one which is a load of bollocks, not to worry, not too badly off at the moment, need a bit of work and I’m not looking forward to it.

24 May 2023

Quick round of golf followed by a couple of hours gardening, shorts and vest all round.

23 May 2023

Tuesday, and I cant remember what the hell I did…oh yeah, got it, went to the new fishery with the club working party, bit of tidying up, and I mean a bit, followed by three bite free hours fishing. It is an old trout pool that holds a few decent carp, nice place but nah, not for me.

22 May 2023

Not that I’m competetive ot anything but I’ve just got back from the pool and landed 100 or so fish in about five hours, the same as a match. Eight of these were the big F1sand only half a dozen or eight were little roach, the rest crucians, roach, ide f1s. So, overall I reckon over forty pounds of fish. Off to the new fishery tomorrow for a work party and a couple of hours fishing.

21 May 2023

Same again really. Still doing a daily guitar practice but it isn’t as eager as when the weather is off. I do need to consciously adjust the way I think about things like this so that they don’t control me or, more accurately, control me in a way I’m comfortable with. I do reckon that in another couple of years I’ll be up another grade or two and playing a cracking classical guitar – not that the Tanglewood hasn’t done well but it is a steel string jumbo modified with nylon – so I’ll keep it and get another.

20 May 2023

Just got back from a great nine holes of golf with Carol, we both played well, blobbed a few holes and it went to the last put on the last hole, the vrowd went mad!

Couple of footy matches this afternoon, the main one I will listen to on the radio while I’m doin some gardening, Man Utd v Bournemouth, need a win to get into the Champions.

19 May 2023

Session on the pool. Things have changed a little over the last year since the bigger carp were lost. Firstly they were not eating all the grub and taking a load of the oxygen, this allowed the other fish to get bigger and livelier. Second, some of the members who fished specifically for them don’t come as much (good). Then we got the new water – which I am going to on Tuesday – allowing the carpers and others to fish there. Then, a few weeks back, we got the solar pumps which are great. So, the last few times I have been to the pool I have been on my own or with a solitary angler this, as well as suspending day tickwt sales, means that during the week it feels like a personal fishery. Fished today on the sunny side and got sixty odd fish in about three and a bit hours.

18 May 2023

Weather is still good and the forecast is the same so, why not, bit of outdoor stuff, might get the kite out soon.

17 May 2023

On the pier, keep trying new methods, I’ve pretty much sorted out the coarse fishing at Clobryn but sea fishing still keeps me thinking in terms of tackle, tides, bait etc. Tried sand eels today and got bites straight away, doggies as usual but still not having any joy with the silvers or the wrasse, might be a little early still, good fun with the doggies though, and, I might have snuck a bull huss in there as well, not sure. Weather was fab and I actually had my shorts on for a bit.

16 May 2023

Right getting up to date. another round of golf, this time on my own as Carol is in St Annes visiting played well and, most importantly, I think I know what I and doing with each shot, which has been a long time coming.

15 May 2023

Actually yesterday was today as I have missed out super Sunday, yeah, well, football again followed by a swift nine holer on our fabulous course.

14 May 2023

Session on the pool, fantastic again, followed by the monthly meeting of the club. Surprisingly I am taking to the role of treasurer and, against the odds, had my proposal of suspending day ticket sales passed, very much doubt we will re-instate them which means the water is now members only.

13 May 2023

Super Saturday followed by Super Sunday, plenty of football on but first, a couple of hours in the garden getting things (even) better for summer, lovely weather. Playing golf after Man Utd beat Wolves, which I now know they did.

12 May 2023

Just got back from another session on the pool. Nice and relaxed, no early start to get a peg I want, no bothering who is there and if they are catching or not. Total faith in my honed, simplified method paid off again, a fish a cast, no lulls, only a couple or three roach, a few skimmers and the rest lovely crucians or F1’s, great fishing. Actually one of the reasons I went was to pass the sim card over to get the security camera working, which it now does.

11 May 2023

I really should start painting and drawing again but the guitar takes up a lot of my indoor time. Just a quick word on that, I have reached a stage where my playing is different to what it has been, how can I put it? well, more fluid, like I’m actually playing the instrument rather than just an amalgamation of notes. I’ve watched the Tommy Emmanuel tips and one of them (surprise surprise) was that you have to do the basic housework, then the polishing, then the nice bit; in other words practise until it’s natural. If you ever think it’s too late to invest the time and effort on a new skill – if you really want to – then you’re three-quarters dead already.

10 May 2023

Quite enjoying my stint as treasurer of the club, although how long that lasts remains to be seen. I’m writing this a few days hence so I can’t remember what is occuring, however, the weather is pleasant so it will involve a good bit of outdoors stuff.

9 May 2023

Diver coming to the pool today to put the pumps in, actually I’m writing retro and it was good. Went home after it was done picked my tackle up went back and had another storming session, a dozen – maybe more – big F1s and a fish a cast of crucians, small F1’s nice roach and skimmers.

8 May 2023

Bank holiday Monday, pissing down after a nice couple of days. Not doing much and I’m not in a great mood. Thing is about poor moods is that, although the inclination is to go about like a bear with a tack in its paw, as a human being you have the capacity to choose how you react. Not easy I wil grant you but possible nevertheless and, like most things worth doing, it is worth working at and practicing. One thing I never do is to keep it inside and work on it there, by the time you have moaned and bleated about it it has gained precedence and you don’t want that. Keep the bastard down is what I say. Man Utd lost again and played bollocks which did not help one little jot.

7 May 2023

Well he didn’t get shot! What a bunch of absolute inbred goomers, arse lickers and nepotists. Anyway off for a nice game of golf while all you lot go to work, ha!

6 May 2023

What? busy, golf, guitar, gardening, making bread loads of stuff, okay…actually, not doing a lot today because there is a jackass being given a crown or something, I’ll watch it until he gets shot and then get on with my day. Oooh, probably end up in the tower for saying that, well, on that point the police arrested the peaceful protesters before they got their banners waving, thats democracy eh? God Save The King, Facist Regime.

5 May 2023

Real fun day, Katie came to visit from Manchester, yeah real fun day, lovely weather too.

4 May 2023

Jeesuss that was a great session. On the pool, same method, worm over particles, every cast decent fish, f1s, lovely roach, ide, skimmers and even a tench, wow, brilliant.

3 May 2023

Golf again, swift nine holes, done a bit of gardening this morning and the other usual stuff. Oh yeah, the morning meditation is coming along, like anything else worth doing you do need patience and practice.

2 May 2023

Just watched a tube about breakfast cereal. okay I know I harp on a bit about food but, come on, isn’t it obvious. One way of looking at it- literally – is to ask, would a nutritionist of a pre-hyper-processed consumable age be able to recognise say, a cornflake, or a cherrio, a weetbix or a bowl of all bran (never mind a pizza or a doritto), no, doubt it. These things – the cereals have up to twenty spoons of refined sugar in a bowl full, with no fibre to help the absorption, so, what happens next is a blood sugar spike followed by an energy collapse after about an hour and a half. Concentration depletes and attention wavers (adhd) then the calorie cravings start again (mid morning munchies) All this and it’s not yet twelve. You have to admire the human body to be able to withstand this malnutrition, obviously it can’t do it forever, hence the chronic rise in metabolic disorders. I’m don’t eat dairy – or processed bread – but egg on toast is a way better option.

Oh session on the pier, doggies are back, had a nice dab as well but no wrasse, pollack or mackerel yet.

1 May 2023

Can’t remember what I did, mm, obviously guitar practice, with the exception of staying away I never miss a session or (usually two) I’m still learning the grade 4 pieces, I can play three reasonably well and I can do all the scales/arpeggios etc. Oh yeah footy and gardening usual stuff, bank holiday tomorrow so ditto.

29 April 2023

Saturday, golf this morning, actually just got back and played, probably, the best ever, not neccesarily validated by score but by consistency and confidence of shot. Still doesn’t mean that I’m going to start playing in the comps again, even though I did alright I did not enjoy it, people pushing their ego’s in your face, ugh!

28 April 2023

We don’t get a lot of people walking past the house but when we do, especially on a lovely morning like today when we are sat at the front having a coffee, they often make comment about how lovely the planting is. This spring we are reaping the rewards of planting a good number of quality spring bulbs which have been giving a great display for weeks, daffodils are fine, of course, but once they are over you do need to fill the period till early summer.

27 April 2023

Up early as usual, got the gear ready yesterday so I’m off to the pool for a session. Back to what it has been in terms of the weather, about 7-9 degrees so layers are de rigeuer, ’bout time it warmed up a bit.

Great session again on the usual method of worm over hemp with the Drennan visi waggler. Turning my attention back to the sea now.

26 April 2023

Last day of the short break and it has been excellent. Holyhead is not a pretty place yet a Travellodge is a very welcome sight after a hard days hiking. Not a long one this morning, about six miles or so back along the coast to Valeyy and then the train back home, what a place to live.

25 April 2023

One of the best feelings I can describe is gettin a good nights sleep after a longish hike/walk and then setting off again feeling refreshed and strong. Today we are off to Holyhead along a section of wildish coastal scenery reminiscent, in many ways, of the South West Coast, which isn’t surprising as it is essentially a a continuation/start.

24 April 2023

off to Anglesey to continue the walk around the Welsh coastline and, ultimately, the walk around England and Wales. I won’t put too much detail in as I will be putting this in the ‘Walking’ section of the web site. The first day was a train ride from Colwyn to Valley and from there to Treadaur bay, lovely place to spend the evening although we missed the Northern lights.

23 April 2023

Off walking around Anglesey from tomorrow but today is footy Sunday, two good matches the later one being Man Utd v Brighton at Wembley in the FA cup semi.

22 April 2023

Saturday, don’t usually go on the pier at weekend but the weather was good so off we go. The good thing about the key code is that day-ticket anglers can’t get on till ten while I can choose the best spot. The tide was all wrong for the fishing I wanted to do but I got bites straight away on the big rod, nothing down the side, missed some stonking bites as well. More work to do on the rigs and I have some ideas, got a few whiting but no mackerel as yet.

21 April 2023

No ultra processed foods and I feel physically and mentally strong and healthy. How about this, get a skip fill it full of industrialised produce until it’s grey, mash it up with preservatives, add loads of sugar, fat and flavour, decide what you want it to be – burger, pizza, chicken, bread, breakfast cereal etc, and then sell it legally as food. Then, when people get seriously ill from it (takes a while) go to the ‘doctors’ and they will put prescribe medication which you have to pay for and does not work. Repeat till death. What’s the term again, oh yeah, fuck that!

20 April 2023

Peg one, early start, couple of fellows there already, no rush, nice and easy, outcaught them by a country mile. That isn’t the point of it I know, but thinking back, yeah, it’s much better that way about. I was planning on a pier session but it’s far too breezy, when I went to Llandudno to get the code the other day it was blowing like crazy off the end, maybe Saturday though.

19 April 2023

Played nine hole the other day and did quite well now I have the commitment of a full swing, playing again this evening as it’s ligh till past eight.

18 April 2023

Off to Llandudno to get the key code for the pier and bank the money for the fishing club. I went to the presentation evening last night, six trophys, six second place medals, eight people in attendance, twenty minutes later it’s all over.

17 April 2023

Monday, what am I doing today? again all the usual stuff. Guitar playing, at least one session per day, most times two, I’m starting to understand how it all comes together but, in a way, it’s like solving a puzzle which you have to physically complete at the same time, tricky yes but deeply satisfying. Would like a new guitar and I can afford one but I’m waiting due to the knowledge that kit does not equate to skill ( I could do with one though).

16 April 2023

Human anxiety is an admixture of innate animal anxiety and predicated conceptual conflict. The former cannot be resolved, we are all only a meal, a drink, a roof or a toilet away from bad levels of discomfort so, yes, we should be worried about this. However, it does seem that the infrastucture of most human congregations account for these basic needs. Still worth worrying about though. The latter – ie what we make up about the nature of existence – is a by-product of our incredibly powerful thinking mechanism. Something can be done about this. However, it requires great effeort, a lifetimes worth on occasion, and there is no money in it, unlike the economics of worry which is perrenially lucrative.

Couple of good matches today, West Ham v Arsenal and Forest v Man Utd, top four place in the offing for the mighty reds, yeah Forest not you, not really eh?

15 April 2023

8.40 tee off on a lovely Saturday morning. As I may have mentioned previously, the walk along the prom to the golf course is fabulous, straight out of the front door and 30 seconds later you are facing the sea, what a privilige. Then, just further along, look left and the Conway hills with Snowdownia as a backdrop. And I played well, as if that mattered (well, just a little)

One decent match at midday, Villa v Newcastle which I will watch, of course, the early evening fixture involves Pep Guardiola’s new football team which I refuse to watch unless they stand a chance of getting beaten which is the same thing. Actually we are going out for a meal tonight for Carol’s birthday, six of us to the pizza joint in the village.

14 April 2023

Pissed down all the session which was not forecast, doesn’t matter though as I had a bagful of fish again, what a brilliant little fishery, no one else there as well.

13 April 2023

Off to the garden centre to buy a climbing rose, then back, sort my gear out for a session tomorrow and usual stuff after that.

12 April 2023

Just a straight up and down day.The beach is now open so I am getting ready to think about flying the kite; it sounded a good idea when i bought it but, maybe, no so much now, and why I got the rainbow one I don’t know, well, actually I do as it was a tenner cheaper.

11 April 2023

Bit windy and chance of a downpour (has it come to this, talking about the weather, well, why not?) but I’m going for a few hours on the pool. As usual just got back and a couple of blokes fishing catching the odd silver/crucian, I fished opposite and, eventually, got the F1s interested together with some really good quality roach, bit windy and cold though. Footy tonight, champions league.

10 April 2023

We’ve booked for Anglesey, continuing the walk along the Welsh coast. Although I have not been the slightest bit inclined to have a break from Rhos I think now, maybe, I’m getting the itch again, and really anglesey isn’t that far but we will be ataying over, so that counts as a long way from the shire. Another pants day weather wise, we booked for golf and were all ready to go when the clouds burst, frustrating really. Played some guitar and had a shave, yipee.

9 April 2023

Lads are going home after footy today only stayed a day but it was great to see them, I’ll walk them to the station and then home for another match.

8 April 2023

Great day yesterday, lovely weather – t-shirt grade actually – and the lads are looking in top shape, doing very well indeed. Watching Man Utd today and then they are shooting back to Manchester as they have a bjj seminar tomorrow, Dan can’t participate as he has a torn miniscus.

7 April 2023

Adam and Daniel are coming to visit today, staying overnight, so we will have a day in Llandudno and watch a bit of tv tonight, really looking forward to seeing them.

6 April 2023

Oh yeah, the bloke who is the treasurerer came round yesterday to pass over the paperwork and show me what to do, it isn’t a lot of work but how I let myself get roped into it I’m not sure. However, speaking of which, I’ve just got back from the pool after an amazing session. Since the big carp snuffed it the other fish are thriving, quality roach, growing ide, lovely crucians and battling F1s around the 2-3lb mark, one after the other for over for hours, too much for one keepnet probably, storming day, all on worm.

5 April 2023

The nice day is tomorrow which mean fishing. Guitar is still progressing well although, after a fall on the golf course on Saturday, I’ve hurt my wrist a bit, not enough to stop me though, bit sore that’s all.

4 April 2023

Off to Llandudno to do a bit of shopping, yep it’s got to that stage of not a lot happening that’s different to previous weeks, although, the kitchen is fnished now and it is swish. also we’ve set a date for the Anglesey walk so, if the weather is good, that should be great. Not that day to day life isn’t, of course, it absolutely is, and, the new internet is lightning quick which means no lagging upstairs which, in turn, means footy streams like a dream. Bust my good headphones watching Man Utd on Sunday, fixedf them at half time and broke them again after 90 minutes.

3 April 2023

Had a session on the pier, packed out when I got there because it’s bank holiday, nobody catching except an odd dogfish (three in total between twelve or so rods) bit breezy and chilly, still too early I think. Back, and the kitchen floor is now laid, looks really grand. Footy tonight.

2 April 2023

…it’s up with the lark again. Guitar etc, power walk for a couple of miles, this and that, couple of little jobs, plan the walk around Anglesey and then – this being Sunday – two footy matches at two and half four)

1 April 2023

I’m aware that the posts are getting shorter, perhaps because my days are similar. This morning, for instance, I’m up at just before seven, cup of tea, in the front room for the morning light, lotus position (non-meditative), breakfast, guitar practice and out for nine hole of golf (teeing of at nine). Back at half eleven, bit of gardening, some lunch and then – this being Saturday – it’s footy at half twelve and then at half four. I’m making the evening meal and – after another guitar session we will start another streaming series, and then…

31 March 2023

Drawing, for the most part, is not an ability, it is a skill, an attribute requiring applied levels of learning. Imagine that it were taught in the education (incarceration) system – together with music – as a priority akin to the dire, ineffective obsession with maths and science.

Bad day yesterday, tired, pushing myself, still did my practice though, and potted on about a hundred plug plants. The kithchen is nearly finished, looks all new and spanking, nice I suppose.

30 March 2023

Grand session on the pool, my rig out with the brolley worked an absolute treat. The fishing, actually, is so good that I questioned why I neede to go and fish a river again, but it’s not the same, not really. Straigh back, bit of gardening and two guitar sessions.

29 March 2023

Early morning golf then back for the usual stuff, lovely morning, love the walk along the prom to the club.

28 March 2023

Tuesday, another day in waiting around for the kitchen to be fitted, they are cracking on but the house downstairs is upside down. I’m still not fullly proficient in the playing of the grade 4 pieces but I’m not far off, and I can sight read my way through two of them, practice will do it, of course. As for the scales I reckon I might pass now, and I know the theory behind them so, instead of just memorising particular patterns, I can play them in any key on demand, in any position, just.

27 March 2023

Excellent day for a session but I can’t go as I have to stick around for the kitchen blokes, not to worry a couple of guitar sessions and a nine holer later this afternoon is not a bad way of dicing your carrots, love it round here.

26 March 2023

Got to pack up the stuff ready for the kitchen fitters tomorrow and then, for the rest of the day, I think we are going to watch a bit of the World Match Play golf, Rory is in the semis so it should be good. First though it’s our Sunday morniing power walk along the beautiful promenade towards Colwyn Bay, love it round here.

25 March 2023

Up early and another grand little nine holes in a wonderful part of the world, love it round here.

24 March 2023

It’s evident to most but the fool that the idea of a big, man like, made-up god is – from all angles – a bad one. Especially as there is no requirement to make one up. Everyday, for everyone, for everything, palpable, immediate and real. The sun is god.

23 March 2023

Oh one of those days, physically feeling a little tired but overall fit and well yet the rest feels well out of kilter. Don’t know quite how to tackle these days, well, actually, that isn’t true I do know what to do but it isn’t particularly useful. You have to wait. Then it passes, usually after a nights sleep. Another thing, don’t overreact to how you are feeling and watch what you say because irritability is not your friend (although it pretends to be).

22 March 2023

Quick nine holes today and all the usual stuff, the house is full of kitchen ready for next week so I can’t move in the garage, not for long and it should look great.

21 March 2023

I’ve looked back at last years diary and it’s a similar pattern, nothing to be caught on the pier in winter right up to the middle of April or later. Same with the youtube blokes, blanks or a few pin whiting at night. I had a session yesterday and not a touch, although I have to say it was really enjoyable (much better with a catch though. The new system is great, code number on the gate and press to release, the number changes weekly so nobody can walk on and off. The Trent looks a real possibility, if it works out then I may try the Wye in winter although the pool is great fishing really, not complaining, oh no.

20 March 2023

People expel a fair amount of energy and cash traveling to look at things – pyramids, waterfalls, beaches – I’ve done it myself and intend to do more. But, maybe, the most amazing thing to experience is a sunrise and you don’t have to travel to see one of these, just get out of bed a little earlier.

19 March 2023

I’m a day in front, it’s Sunday and we are going for another power walk along the prom, Man Utd v Fulham in the FA cup today.

18 March 2023

Seriously considering a trip to Nottingham to fish the River Trent, got to wait till the season opens in June but it’s a three hour trip and the fishing is all in the city limits, might be a regular haunt. I can think about these things now as the money is fluid, very, very good quality of life. As for the fishing it was an outstanding session at the pool, no big carp left but that is a kind of blessing in disguise as the other fish are thriving. About twelve or more really good f1s to just over two pound, skimmers, nice roach and a couple of ide, bites from the off and never really stopped. Looking okay for the pier next week as well.

17 March 2023

And Thursday. Got another little greenhouse for the spring/summer, it is, at last, getting a little warmer so I’m planning on a session at Clobryn tomorrow. Nearly finished my third grade 4 piece, I can play one by memory, one by reading and the last one (nearly) by both. As for the technical stuff, I can play any major or natural minor scale in all positions and derive both. I can differentiate and play all three minor scales, I can play G major in sixths and tenths (only one octave at the moment) as well as the harmonic minor in sixths. My sight reading is getting better but still slow, progress though and practice every day most days twice.

16 March 2023

Wednesday, got to think about that because I’m catching up and its Sunday morning. No reason for not keeping the diary up to date just that the days are good and I’m not doing much different than I normally do. Oh BT are fitting the latest full fibre broadband, that’s new.

15 March 2023

Up early for golf, teeing off at half eight ish and it is a lovely morning, cold but clear, not so good later on but we can pick our times which is the essence of being alright.

14 March 2023

Went to the fishing club meeting the other evening, absolutely dire, what did I expect, the key here is not to get embroiled with it which I fully intend not to. Good little fishery though and better to be in the mix and keep ’em at a healthy distance.

13 March 2023

My guitars are good but I do require a good classical. My Tanglewood concert jumbo is nice to play and, unconventionally, I have put on some quality nylon strings which, when amplifed, give it a decent acoustic sound. However, it has got minor intonation problems as you travel up the neck which is frustrating, so, I’ve decided that when I get through level four (which I will) I will get myself a top modern classical, not a luthier but a very good one nevertheless. I’ve decided on a Cordoba but whether it is a 10 or a 12 depends on the moment.

12 March 2023

Thought about starting running again but quickly thought again. You do get a great feeling when you’ve done a jog but there is a danger, especially when you’re getting on a bit, that you can shaft your joints up. So, instead, I’m off out at 8ish for a power walk along the prom to Colwyn Bay, do that every couple of days and its job done.

11 March 2023

Still bloody cold and pissing down, oh well a couple of footy matches and all the other stuff.

10 March 2023

Little bit of snow hit the country yesterday so, of course, things slow down, well I can’t slow down much more or else I’ll go back in time, and I do not want to do that. Nice walk, so many of them so close by, this one is the ancient hill fort of Bryn Euryn just a short walk to the right and visible from the house.

9 March 2023

If anyone else mentions ‘that match’ again then they are tosspots! Anyway got to admit to a certain tension before the Real Betis game following Man Utd’s traumatic sunday game with the scousers (bollocks!) but I knew it was a feak game and I was proved right. At certain points in the first half it was a bit twitchy – especially when they equalised – but, really, with the chances and everything it could (should) have been 3-1. At the final whistle I reckon most fans would be a bit disappointed with the 4-1 score but it is plenty enough. Still in the cup mix and top four while the scousers have beaten is in one half of a football match, polish that!

8 March 2023

And it is still very cold, just over freezing. I know sea fishing (in terms of catching) is a bit of a waste of time at the moment because the youtubers are either not posting or, more honestly perhaps, are posting difficult sessions usually at night. I’ve irdered a load of plug plants so a bit to do when they come, today then it’s wrap up and go and whack a few balls around the countryside.

7 March 2023

Tree blokes coming to take the overgrown ivy off the adjacent garage next to us, it’s our plant apparantly but the landlord is going halves with us, it’s a fair old job too. Then, normal stuff ( keep looking at a new classical guitar) followed by Chelsea in the champions league.

6 March 2023

Yep, nothing to report, still a bit too cold for a session – just over freezing – but still a few jobs to do as well as the rest of the good stuff and, might I add, no going out to work, what is it now mmm, about seven years retired and I’m sixty three, sweet.

5 March 2023

Holy f@@k, I can’t bring myself to write the score down, utter humiliation for Man Utd against Liverpool. What nobody has mentioned though is that Liverpool had a similar degradation against Real Madrid – at home – only a few days previously, and that one was in the champions league. Lets see what the fallout is, the worst aspect is the lack of mental fortitude of individuals which assimilates into the team play. In the summer there will be a raft of changes, out = Maguire, Martial, Debeek, Mctominay, Lindeloff and, I hope, Fernandez. In = De Jong, Kane and a central defender (although I would have a look at Watkins at Villa.

Apart from that everything tickety boo.

4 March 2023

Eventually got the new PGA golf game 2023, when it was issued in October the price was about sixty quid so I passed and bought the railway game which I really like. I know, what’s an old geezer playing PS4 games for, well, the’re fun, progressive and mmm, I can, all day if I wanted too, ha! But, of course, I can’t play them all day because, well, it’s Saturday, and I have two premier league games to watch, and guitar practice.

3 March 2023

I’ve got everything ready for the new season on the pier but, as yet, it still feels a too cold. Looking back on last year the catch rate started to get healthy from the middle of April so there are a few weeks to go, just itching to get on, and I’ve got my yearly pass so I can come and go as I please.

2 March 2023

If it wasn’t already the next few posts are a bit repetitive, yep guitar practice, gardening, walking along the prom.

1 March 2023

Short session on the pond, normal catch rate for winter, still cold only 5-6-7 at best.

28 February 2023

Is this the end of Feb? I think it is, I should look it up really but, so what, if it isn’t it’s not, stupid name anyway, February. Well, all the same stuf today, the sight reading is coming on, although it is very much like “the cat sat on the matt”, and only doing half an hour a day (in addition to the other practice) requires patience. Still thinking about other guitars but I have – to my ears – got a good sound out of the big acoustic, with top quality nylon strings on a steel string, amped through a clean setting. It is progressing well. Physically I am in good shape, no ailments and – this is something that is of vital importance – with great gut health. You can only get this through proper whole food eating and it cannot be aquired through shortcuts, whether from Holland and Barrets or a Yacult tub. If you have declining gut health sooner or later – just like pouring effluent into a river – you will fuck up the system and then you will become ill. And then you will go to your doctors for help, and then they will give you a pill, see ya!

Still get a bit anxy though, but that’s just life on this planet, Man Utd keeping winning helps.

27 February 2023

Yeah I’m fine now thanks, have been for a few days but it is good to see the test negative. Booked a game of golf in for half twelve – it’s still cold, 6-7 degrees – just nine holes but what a great thing to be able to do, ten minutes walk and teeing off on a beautiful course. Still not sure about golf itself though, the game is great just something about the way it is organised and played, actually I think the ball should be hit with a bat, like in tennis, and then putt when on the green.

26 February 2023

Just finished the match…Manchester United, League Cup Winners 2023!!

25 February 2023

Read and played through my first piece of music – grade 4 – by sight. I am going to do this, not sure how good I’m going to be at it but, if it is anything like the progress I have made in terms of actual playing then it should be an accomplishment. It is surprising how you can accumulate difficult skills if you have the desire to do so. Still positive for covid)

24 February 2023

Still smitten with the virus. Sorted out the side bit of the garden with a couple of new planters, the whole aspect – front, sides and back – is now nicely sorted and ready. Man Utd had a storming win over a very good Barcelona side, Sunday if the league cup final over Newcastle and I cannot see anything other than a trophy (gulp!) Got my season ticket for the pier but I can’t go yet, miss you baby!

23 February 2023

It’s one of those days here. Woke to the birds (mostly rooks and gulls tbh) and sealight streaming through the guest bedroom (still in isolation). Went for a walk to the village without going into the shops of course, and then back to finish painting an outside wall ready for summer. Although the house is close to the sea front with views to Bryn Euryn it is still on a street, however, it’s a nice street and very quiet with hardly any cars and just a few pleasant neighbours passing. The sun is on the front in the morning till about two/threeish so it is lovely just to have a brew, do a few little jobs and – obla dee obla da – just participate in life going on.

22 February 2023

Might start a new attitude to doing. Oh, yeah, still got covid but my energy levels are back to good, and that’s it you see, I’m chomping to get out and do something – and it’s always something else, even when I’m doing something else. Quite frustrating at times. Okay, so I’m sixty three, everything is sorted, whats the big deal about really being in the moment without my mind putting me off. Odd occurances prompt me to have re-thinks about stuff. Last night it was Liverpool v Real Madrid (you can learn so much from premium level sport). Champions League, the scousers took a two nil lead after sixteen minutes. Normally you might have thought that would be a mighty long way towards winning the match and, ultimately the tie. Real Madrid did not change. They had forgotten how to change. No anxiety, no regard for the score, disregard for the crowd. Just a knowledge of what they can do. Liverpool crumbled. 2-5.

What’s the knowledge aquisition? Get good, get confident, disregard.

21 February 2023

Feeling considerably better, still a bit under the weather but the strength is coming back. I feel I should learn to read music. What I am doing is learning off the ABRSM music sheets in addition to YouTube lessons, then I practice till I know the piece by heart. There is a big problem with this though, if you forget your lines you can’t read the prompt sheet. So, I’m thinking, I know the basics of how to read, I practice with honesty, and I want to do it (you wouldn’t back against me would you?)

20 February 2023

Still bad with covid, no energy, flu symptoms, managing a bit of guitar but that’s about it.

19 February 2023

Went for a quick walk on the front, sea air and beautiful scenery got to do you good eh, nah, still shafted with covid so straight back to bed, up at 2 though for Utd v Leicester/

18 February 2023

Nope it’s not flu, it’s covid, did a test and it light up like a beacon. So, same as usual then, bit of this bit of that, can’t be bothered with most stuff although I am still picking the guitar up for an hour, footy though, there is always that.

17 February 2023

Bollocks! can’t understand it, I’ve got flu again, second or third time this winter (no, once was a bad reaction to the covid jab) It’s annoying because, firstly I feel shit and, secondly, it kind of puts a dent in my healthy living/ never get ill, position. Not even got any appetite, and the bastard is on my chest, come on immune system save the world!

16 February 2023

With a bit of tinkering the gap between now and when the pensions start rolling in has been lubricated. What this means is that we can be a bit freer with wonga. So, I’ve bought nyself a new rod (which I didn’t really need, and now I’m off to Primark to buy a new pair of jeans. Oh, we’ve also ordered a new kitchen.

15 February 2023

Some good Euro matches on this week culminating with Man Utd v Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Normal stuff then until the matches, guitar, messing about etc.

14 February 2023

Sp yesterdays session is now today. When I started fishing at Clobryn, eighteen months ago, I wanted to be the first there which was a remnant of fishing on the Ribble, now I just get up, plod about a bit, play a few scales and then go. Today was the same as usual, which is considerably better than when I first started, and the chairman of the club lingered ablut watching me catch a couple of F1s and then badgered me to apply for treasurer. Against all my better feelings I have decided to do it, it is a mistake I know but you have to make them don’t you.

13 February 2023

All set for a session at Clobryn when I remembered (or was informed) about an appointment that was not willing to be shelved. What a fine day too. Nevermind, get outside and do a bit of potering. All the spring bulbs have shaken off their caution and are now ready to dance and the sweet peas that I sowed a week or so ago are peeking. Last year was great even though the gardening space was limited and, of course, you always want to build on that don’t you. If you ever have doubts about what it’s all for just think about a seed or a bulb, or anything ele actually, it never stops, and neither should we, become who you are. Adam and Daniel are in Thailand having a great time.

12 February 2023

Another super Sunday. Up with the lark (if there were any) and looking at the moon in a crystal clear early morning sky the colour of which is best expressed on a canvas. 29.2 days, if I remember right and it is in its third quarter, after that its the crescent (I think) then something else and after that the waxing phases. Time and space.

11 February 2023

Played another nine holes. Tell you what is strange, gradually I have been able to go all day, golf, fishing whatever and not get tired. Now, bearing in mind that I don’t use a filthy killer car, that is, I reckon, pretty impressive. Up between half six and seven, yoga, meditation and way, way above anything else, a top of the range diet which is essentially, fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and grains. And virtually nothing processed or dairy. You will believe this when I’m dead.

10 February 2023

Day in and around, getting ready for the lighter days, the dawns here are sensational.

9 February 2023

Carol’s brother is visiting so we played a swift nine holes og golf on a lovely day. I did well and, dare I say it, I think I may be getting the hang of playing consistently alright and, dare I say it, I’m begining to enjoy playing.

8 February 2023

Got my yearly license for the pier so I thought I would pop down for a few hours to see if the fishing had improved. Four or five lads chucking eight or nine rods out, including the species hunt champion of 2021, and not a bite between them, well nothing to lose. I fished until the light faded and had one very good bite but my hook failed (got to sort that) Completely wonderful place to fish though, so easy for me to get to and now I can do it whenever I choose.

7 February 2023

Yep, a quiet day in. Just think, you get sixteen or so waking hours in a day, and if you don’t have to work (or as some loonies do, choose to) then the majority of that time is yours. And this time is the stuff of life. What you do with it defines you

6 February 2023

Pleasant day so I’m off to Clobryn for a session. Actually I’ve just got back and it was good, not a bit every five minutes but regular catching of a good stamp, because the big carp are not ther any more the F1s, roach and crucians (oh and the ide) are going to get bigger, great little fishery.

5 February 2023

This is a local walk we did today for the first time.

4 February 2023

Couple of matches on today but decided – as it is a lovely day – to have a round of golf with Carol and one of her (many) friends from the club. I stopped playing in the competetions gradually last for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t like golf that much and, second and by no means least, I don’t like associating with people. I know this now clearly. It is the single cause of deviation from the calmness I am working to, or, in other words, it messes me right up. All my life this has been true, but how do you not associate with people, I mean practically. There is a school that argues for the inclusion of more people in your life, well I hated school so, no, thanks. Anyway it was a pleasant enough game but I was glad to get back, get a brew, put my headphones on and, from a good distance, watch the match.

3 February 2023

Finally convinced myself that it was worth going to Clobryn for a few hours. Minimal tackle and bait, of course, even more pared down than ever. Winter fishing though, never that easy unless you are on a gold spot like Hereford or a crammed with fish commercial. Well Clobryn has plenty of fish but it is a natural water and is deep for a smallish water so that can quiten things down a bit, Tried a different peg and I had a pretty good session so, overall, glad I went.

I haven’t yet managed to deal with the unpleasant feeling that when I am doing something like fishing, or golf, or etc, I think I am behind in something else, guitar practice, gardening or etc. I’ve tried a few tricks to little avail, so what happens is I general pack up earlier than I should in order to get back and do a few other bits of stuff. I don’t fully understand what part of me has aquired this trait, whether it’s in my character or if it has been learnt. Doesn’t bother me when I’m watching footy though, thank fuck.

2 February 2023

I’ve started writing my understanding of the history of ideas. Good in principle but difficult to maintain motivation as the lilklihood of anyone reading it is downwardly compelling. Why should this matter? well, mainly, because all the great ideas by the great writers (of which I am a continuing student of) remain undusted or, at best picked at and then misunderstood. Who has read any of them? Who is interested? Well I am, but no-one I have met outside of a campus seems to be. So what you are left with is communicating with like minds in a bubble while the world proceeds in the same old way. And anyway why should anyone be interested in anything other than improved material conditions? well, I’ll tell you, because knowledge is power.

1 February 2023

Another big study published yesterday, and when I say big this one was a couple of hundred thousand people over ten years, peer reviewed, journals, that kind of stuff. Food. The most successful tyranny in the history of the modern world, I nearly said western world but it has now spread to Asia, Africa, well all over actually, the processed food meta-myth. I have originated the later term to assist in the comprehension of the scale of the belief, and to initiate the idea of a syncopated system that everyone values. In other words this is not an imposed propaganda – a Ceasar or a Stalin – it is actively sustained by the people that suffer it. The WHO list carcenogenic foods – the items people consume daily that are the same as smoking, but nobody cares, they are advertised all over and are fed to children virtually from birth. This study goes slightly further but along the same lines. Breakfast cereal, any white bread flour products, nearly all dairy and a list of other stuff which you will find in your cupboards and fridge. The link between them is direct, ie the more you eat the more likely it is you will get a cancer. Well, enjoy.

30 January 2023

Had a walk to the pier to see if they had sorted out the yearly memnership for fishing. What a palavar, so, if I wanted to pay for a days fishing it’s easy, go into the cafe and pay. Well I wanted to pay for a years fishing, which is available, so for the second time I went into the cafe and asked if I could pay for a years fishing. Oh no, not that easy (I suggested it was by taking my money and giving me a pass for a years fishing) they said I had to do it all online and then ( this is good) come back into the cafe to get the ticket for a years fishing. Anuway, of course I said I would but first, while I was there I though I might chuck a few LRF casts over the side, nothing doing again yet. When I got home, guess what? yep the link to the yearly fishing pass didn’t work.

Lots of people going on strike in the working world, bit nostalgic for me actually, takes me back to the seventies, well, no it doesn’t really, because life for me is great now and it wasn’t then, apart from the music which was.

29 January 2023

So, we are on the train station at Colwyn bay for a day out to see the kids. 8.59 cancelled due to bad weather and ice, strange that as the weather is lovely and there is no ice. Second train cancelled. Right that’s it sorry kids can’t make it due to bastards running the infrastructure, nevermind, back for the footy, Brighton v Liverpool in the FA cup.

28 January 2023

Just been to order our new kitchen. Although I retired from slavery around eight years ago the money that we planned to use in order to stretch till my pension at sixty six has not quite made it. However, we made an astute choice to sell up and move to Rhos and we were fortunate to be able to buy this house at the right time and for a very good price. Realistically this price, in a year and a quarter, has risen between fifty and a hundred grand so we are borrowing a little bit against this increase. The main aspect of ordering the kitchen is that our appointment is at nine-thirty which allows us to be back for golf at one, and then back for the two FA cup ties on telly one of which is PNE v Spurs at Deepdale. Carol has designed the kitchen and with all the modern computer stuff at Wren we can see it all as we want it, great, now back to the footy.

27 January 2023

Oh, a couple of days ago we went exploring parts of the local area we hadn’t been to. So, we walked to Mochdre with the intention of skirting over Bryn Purdie but we couldn’t find the path, we know where it is now because we looked on the map ( which we left at home. Ended up in Llandudno junction and got the bus back, lovely walk.

26 January 2023

Decided to try and record my first grade 5 piece – Handel, sonata for a musical clock – i can just about play it through from memory but I have to concentrate quite hard in order not to make mistakes, the real playing comes after a lot more play throughs. Nevertheless, as I have mentioned ( I think) when you press the play button it really accenuates your attention span; the only problem with this is that it also accenuates your nerves. It was frustrating because, try as I did, I couldn’t get my fingers to complete the initial arpeggio, I did do it – finally – but with hesitancy and – again not quite well enough – managed to record the piec through twice. Well it is down now which, if nothing else, proves I can play it, but I will, of course, keep practising, and the next time the red light blinks I reckon the nerves will be much less.

25 January 2023

Was going to play golf but then it started pissing down so, nah. Sorted a bit more of the outhouse out (is that right?) in preparation for the gardening season, and a bit more over the next few days, although, as i’ve mentioned, it is pretty much in order. Man Utd in the EFL semi tonight against Forest.

24 January 2023

Recorded another Beatles number, the first since I reorganised my room, and it turned out quite well. It makes a difference that you are your own judge and jury as to the quality of it – bit like this website – but I do believe that there is a palpable improvement. Fingerpicking guitar style makes it a different instrument and I am learning different methods, so far so good. Also I can play the first piece of the grade 5 guitar ABRSM level acceptably and from memory.

23 January 2023

Just got back from a session, the first of the new year actually, on the pier. Interestingly, when I went for some bait and a few bits from the tackle shop in the village the bloke informed me that the pier is doing a yearly pass. This could be a little belter for me in a few ways, mainly I can come and go whenever the time and tide suiits me, this is so much better all round. Anyay I went into the cafe to enquir and they confirmed it but, as yet, had no way of giving the permits out, no worry they took my details and will contact me as soon as – obviously I didn’t pay for the day session which was good because I blanked. As I was tackling up who popped his head over the railings? none other than Gamekeeper John who is the main angling YouTuber that I follow, turns out he was fishing and joined me for the (fishless) session. Couple of things to note, the tide was earlier than I thought and was very high, much better for the type of fishing I want to do is after the high tide and down.

22 January 2023

Big match today Arsenel v Man Utd with the Gunners in the ascendancy. I wrote a couple of years ago that Arteta was worth watching, he has fire and skill, an indomitable desire to succeed and, although he was struggling at the time, he overcame the dark period and now looks very good indeed. Man Utd are in the rebuild stage and are doing it right under Ten Hag, they are a huge club but it needs new owners, Americans don’t get European sport and they certainly don’t get England.

Anyway befoer all of that a swift nine holes on a cold day, why? mmm, well, might as well.

21 January 2023

Feel I should be a little bit further on with the garden stuff, however, the major work has been done last season so a few sessions will have it really nice. Might do a little bit today actually, footy at 12.30 Liverpool v Chelsea and another at 4.30 so there are windows of opportunity.

20 January 2023

Session on the pond, cold weather after a prolonged spell of, well, cold weather. Slow fishing got a few silvers but didn’t get anything bigger, I probably would have if I stayed, as they tend to come on after a while, but I grew bit bored. My thoughts have turned to the sea and, although it is possibly too early, I am preparing a session for next week, new rigs and all.

I know, I know, PS4 it’s for teenage lads right…wrong! It’s great, as are the other ones Xbox etc. Anyway my many hours of campaigning in the early days of the American railway network is paying of with, up to now, three Presidents medals…have you got a Presidents medal? eh? no didn’t think so, ha!

19 January 2023

I like me little room, play guitar, watch footy, play the PS4, watch footy.

18 January 2023

Another of the big plus’ of living in this sweet spot is that – if you have to – there are some very accesible shops. I know everyone lauds the idea of living “away from it” but that is mostly sunday supplement wishing, a bit like eating well or exercising or doing anything most people don’t. I reckon that if you put people on a desert island – or even the middle of Anglesey – they would be screeching for a Primark withing four days, max. So, anyway, we’re doing a bit of shopping today, oh and our shops are surrounded by the beautiful Conway mountains, so there!

17 January 2023

Day in messing about, Man Utd playing Palace tonight (actually they got stung by a late equaliser)

16 January 2023

Weather still bitterly cold but at least it’s not pissing down. so, half a day out around Conway. It is very beautiful round here/there and the mountains are topped with snow. I had a look for LRF spots but couldn’t see anything that would drag me away from the pier, still expect to have a trip to Hollyhead in the summer.

15 January 2023

Well this is good, Man Utd 2 – Man City 1. After many, many years we are now a team that other teams do not want to play, how did that happen in only a few weeks, really not sure but football eh, nothing like it.

Same as usual for the othe stuff, enjoying everyday doing the stuff I want, eating well and living well.

14 January 2023

Friday, got to sort the garage out ready for the re-start of fishing. Going to Conway early next week – when the weather gets a bit better – for a mooch around in preparation for a spot of LRF in the harbour. I don’t even know if anyone has fished there, the sea fisherpeople, as I have mentioned, are unimaginative in their approach, technical yes, but still whacking huge weights out into the brine with hope as the best chance. One of their usual sayings is ‘well that little 3oz whiting saved a blank’ or, another, ‘ugh another dogfish’ essentially I think they are mostly dumb which is why I want to try to vary it up a bit. Big match tomorrow, Utd v City.

12 January 2023

Been retired now for about eight years properly, given up alcohol for five or six, no meat for somewhere between the two and full vegan for about a year. Just a recap on another quiet but very satisfying day. Up at half six, a bit of yoga, then half an hour in padmasana (lotus) with a cup of honey water, actually I can’t get my feet onto my thighs but I have found a position that I sit in for a good bit of the day, such a relaxing, alert way to sit – and if you fall asleep you don’t fall over. Well that’s enough for this morning it’s half seven and I’m off to play PS4.

11 January 2023

Decided to work through the grade 4 ABRSM guitar course, I’ve done the grade 3 and, I reckon, would pass comfortably. However, my sight reading is virtually non existent which I would like to change, how do you do that? get on it. Since the grade 3 though I’ve learnt – and can play – some aspects of jazz, a resonable standard of blues, and a number of Beatles (and other) songs in chord melody style. This, as well as trying to get a bit better at singing, has all been extremely grtifying.

10 January 2023

My perception is that I haven’t been that busy, so let’s have a recap of the last few days. Actually, starting today the new carpets are being fitted, so, the furniture needs to be moved and emptied. Most of that we did last evening, after I had finished giving the (big) upstairs a second or third coat, Then there is all the cleaning up to do, then there is the food preparation, then – or actually before – the guitar practice, then all the footy. So, okay, not been out for many walks or knocking balls about but, still, a pleasant way of boxing your begonias.

9 January 2023

What is meditation? One thing it is not is turning your mind off, not possible. When I started to read, my wonderful part of the week was Saturday morning when the comics were delivered, straight back upstairs, back into bed, into another world. Nothing else to think about. Then a knock or a shout would break the spell, meditation over. So what if you can – through practice combined with general well-being – disengage with the knocks and shouts, wouldn’t that be something. Many of my bad memories, you know, the cringers, are through interactions with others, impossible to avoid I know, yet still the fertile medium of disquiet.

8 January 2023

Still a bit of painting to do but this afternoon we are off to the driving range at St Asaph. Apparantly it has all the mod cons and, as we are getting a lift, it should be good. Man City v Chelsea in the FA when I get back, Man Utd under Eric TH are resurrgent, so good to see after the dark ages.

7 January 2023

Hall, staircase (x2) and landings to paint before Tuesday so, even though it’s Saturday (footy yeah) I’ll crack on with it, it’s white on white so, hopefully, I’ll get away with one coat. I’ve come to acknowledge that life is fairly simple and that the more you complicate it the worse it seems to get. A simple life eh? takes a lot of thinking about and a fair bit of graft, still can’t believe i’ve been retired for eight years, love it.

Adam and Daniel are off to Thailand in a few weeks, good on ’em.

6 January 2023

My room is finished and I have to say I am very pleased with it, everyone needs a room.

5 January 2023

The spring bulbs are starting to show although it is far from uncold. I’ll soon turn my attention back to growing stuff – the sweet peas have been ordered already – and, of course, I am really looking at mastering the pier fishing, a robust challenge. To that end I’ve just bought a new LRF reel, some braid and some flourocarbon leader, the fishing on super-light tackle is great if you do it right, pollack, whiting, wrasse, bass and mackerel – some other suprises too, but that lot is plenty enough.

4 January 2023

Really getting into my new PS4 game, Railway Empire. keeps me off the streets so to speak. Never got round to starting a new novel, it is a lot of work although I did find the last one gratifying.

3 January 2023

First fishing trip of the new year, just to the pond but what a place to have on your doorstep (well on your tweny minute busride away at least. No big prep, all the tackle is now separated into various genres sea, coarse, lrf, and, with respect to coarse, I don’t even hassle about bait anymore, just two handfuls of worms out of the composter and off we go. Probably had about thirty, the F1’s and the crucians take a bit to get going in winter and, by the time they did, I was a bit chilly and ready for off, great though.

2 January 2023

It was in both of our characters, but since managing good quality holiday buisinesses we realise the value of presentaion when it comes to surroundings. Look around you, I’ll bet the majority of front gardens are dumps, bins in view, dead plants in expensive pots, kids toys etc, and people walk past it unoticing several times a day. Inside it is often not much better. Well that’s their look out. For us we want everything to look as nice as possible, obviously it isn’t to everybodys taste but, then again, most people live in dumps. What this means is that we have always got an eye on a move, always looking to sell and buy another. Doesn’t mean the house isn’t a home, far from it, but, well, kep up appearances and you keep up the price. So, essentially, that’s what we have been doing, indoors, for the few weeks, as well as everything else of coourse.

1 January 2023

Just watched a fishing programme on Sky about match fishing on the river Wye in Hereford. I’ve been thinking about this as I have noted but now, after seeing this, I realise that it is essentially very similar to the fishing I’ve done on the Ribble. So, from that, and much more of a challenge ( all this is not to say I would turn my nose up at Hereford) I am turning my sights on high catch rates – on super light tackle – from the pier. From what I have seen it hasn’t been done before which is something, I have had a few sessions approaching this last year but this year I aim to step things up a bit.

Extremely pleased with the progress I’ve made on the guitar last year.