Well, it is not Mozambique - which is where me and some pals were meant to be right about now. But enough of Covid.
We have booked a couple of nights in a fly fishing venue to take in the air and give my wife a break from working as a Nurse in the NHS.
We may even catch some fish.
The girls away with the dogs (I am left with my old Bitch as she does not travel far these days) leave me and a pal on the banks and the anticipation of three days flogging the water.
I am, in truth, not much of a fisherman but I do enjoy the outdoors in whatever guise it comes. I know what a rod is - although the fact it is a No. 5 means nothing to me. I usually manage to mount the reel the correct way around and can tie a fly onto the leader. I have no idea what any fly is called and live in fear of being approached by a fellow fisherman and asked "What fly are you using?".
Throughout the course of the day I see, a Sparrow Hawk, Heron, Kite, Goldeneye, Dabchicks (those that laugh like cartoon characters "Chip & Dale") Swans, Geese and plenty of Roe in the fields beyond. Am I the only one to fish whilst wearing binoculars?
That evening we are sat outside the huts and feasting on venison casserole. The G&Ts are "home measures" and the firepit is well alight. It is not Mozambique and it is not the jungle but it is a fair impression and I am lost to the tranquillity of the evening.
The following morning I am awake before light and am on the banks in wonderful solitude. To be awake before the world and watch as it wakens is one of my very greatest pleasures.
That evening's repast is freshly caught trout. More G&Ts, another firepit and the company of like-minded folk. My phone has packed up a couple of days ago. There is no TV and no radio here and I have no idea what troubles the world. I do know that for at least three days they have not trouble me.
It is Friday morning - our last day - and once again I am first up and enjoying the beauty of the English countryside.
By about 0800 hours there is an influx of fishermen. One of them ambles across to me:- "What fly are you using?" Damn. I knew this would happen. I try and bluff my way out of it.
"A white one".
He recognises an idiot when he sees one.
"What you need is a blue dazzle whatyamacallit". He then produces the said item from his vast collection and gives it to me. He also gives me some magic paste that makes the leader invisible.
He then gives me casting lessons. I asked for none of it. I received it all gratefully.
It turns out my new best friend was part of the ten or so fisherman that had turned up on masse. They were with Fishing for Heroes.
What a fantastic charity. He had driven up from Devon to be with the group for the day. All ex-military and all diagnosed with PTSD (or similar). I did not think that my days on the bank could have been bettered but meeting these old warriors was the perfect end to a perfect couple of days.
Yes, I should have been in Mozambique.
I would not have missed this trip to an English river for the world.
PS
I mentioned that my phone has died. Hence no photographs immediately available.
You SD sceptics will have to imagine the size of the trout I caught.
We have booked a couple of nights in a fly fishing venue to take in the air and give my wife a break from working as a Nurse in the NHS.
We may even catch some fish.
The girls away with the dogs (I am left with my old Bitch as she does not travel far these days) leave me and a pal on the banks and the anticipation of three days flogging the water.
I am, in truth, not much of a fisherman but I do enjoy the outdoors in whatever guise it comes. I know what a rod is - although the fact it is a No. 5 means nothing to me. I usually manage to mount the reel the correct way around and can tie a fly onto the leader. I have no idea what any fly is called and live in fear of being approached by a fellow fisherman and asked "What fly are you using?".
Throughout the course of the day I see, a Sparrow Hawk, Heron, Kite, Goldeneye, Dabchicks (those that laugh like cartoon characters "Chip & Dale") Swans, Geese and plenty of Roe in the fields beyond. Am I the only one to fish whilst wearing binoculars?
That evening we are sat outside the huts and feasting on venison casserole. The G&Ts are "home measures" and the firepit is well alight. It is not Mozambique and it is not the jungle but it is a fair impression and I am lost to the tranquillity of the evening.
The following morning I am awake before light and am on the banks in wonderful solitude. To be awake before the world and watch as it wakens is one of my very greatest pleasures.
That evening's repast is freshly caught trout. More G&Ts, another firepit and the company of like-minded folk. My phone has packed up a couple of days ago. There is no TV and no radio here and I have no idea what troubles the world. I do know that for at least three days they have not trouble me.
It is Friday morning - our last day - and once again I am first up and enjoying the beauty of the English countryside.
By about 0800 hours there is an influx of fishermen. One of them ambles across to me:- "What fly are you using?" Damn. I knew this would happen. I try and bluff my way out of it.
"A white one".
He recognises an idiot when he sees one.
"What you need is a blue dazzle whatyamacallit". He then produces the said item from his vast collection and gives it to me. He also gives me some magic paste that makes the leader invisible.
He then gives me casting lessons. I asked for none of it. I received it all gratefully.
It turns out my new best friend was part of the ten or so fisherman that had turned up on masse. They were with Fishing for Heroes.
What a fantastic charity. He had driven up from Devon to be with the group for the day. All ex-military and all diagnosed with PTSD (or similar). I did not think that my days on the bank could have been bettered but meeting these old warriors was the perfect end to a perfect couple of days.
Yes, I should have been in Mozambique.
I would not have missed this trip to an English river for the world.
PS
I mentioned that my phone has died. Hence no photographs immediately available.
You SD sceptics will have to imagine the size of the trout I caught.
enjoy what you can when you can at the moment 
Sounds like you had a great time and it is amazing how bumping into some nice folks can change the whole day - I sometimes find myself spotting someone else coming towards my chosen spot and start thinking dark thoughts about wanting them to go away and leave me alone. However, by the end of the day bumping into them, having a chat, and sharing info, almost always turns out to have been the best part of the day. Even better if they have a dog I can pat 
