Back in June - Beth hit a landmark and turned 16... she's as independent as ever and i never really get to see her much these days - there's always a party, concert or boy to visit ;-)
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| My beautiful girl turned 16 !! |
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| 13lb Mirror from Henry's first 'All nighter' at Broom pits |
Me and Henry actually managed to get the Bivvy out for more than a day session - and managed to bag this nice looking low double mirror at Broom pits. We were plagued by small fish hitting the baits and caught several skimmers, but after dark they all moved off and the carp started to feed. We had 3 'runs' the first didnt take the hook, the second produced this fish and the 3rd resulted in a snap off.
The following morning and Henry had some fun on the rudd, I havent seen so many decent rudd in ages and they would even take a bare hook (just like they used to when i was a boy fishing brooke mares) Some of them were well over the lb mark, this picture doesnt do them justice, but they shone like gold in the sun.
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| 1lb rudd |
July and it was turkey hatching time ready for christmas.. Jimmy was a real charecter as a chick - just hope he (now a she) turns out to taste nice in December !
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| roger aka Jimmy Cricket |
We even managed to fit in a trip to Cornwall (Polzeath) again. such a great place, the kids loved the surfing as usual and Paul, Roger, Henry and me took a trip off Newquay fishing. Unfortunately Henry discovered he gets sea sick just like his dad and only caught a mackrell for his efforts. I got snapped off by a tope and caught a mackrell and a nice sized dog fish. Roger had a bit of luck and caught 2 lovelly bream and Paul got a ling 1/2 inch under size so it had to go back.
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| Henry with Rogers Bream |
while we were there Dad was looking after our place and was kept awake by 'strange noises' in the chimney. when we got back i rescued this poor little chap. he had been in there for 7 days and I had to look after him for 2 weeks before he was strong enough to make it on his own. How strange it is that hunters like me who think nothing of killing such a bird for the table when out shooting, wont think twice about rescuing a bird that's found itself in trouble.
I even suprised myself on holiday and got hold of some golf clubs. Paul is Sh1t hot at the game and put me to shame. But luckily Roger who has only taken up the game recently put me at ease and didnt thrash me too badly. Henry is quite a natural, maybe all the time he spent down the gym should have been on the gold course!
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| Our golf cart - they should build these for the marsh! |
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| Newquay harbour - being watched |
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| A pint of propper job at Rock while the women shop at Padstow |
Then the shooting season kicked off.. No fowling to begin with due to warm weather and too many chores still to do. Besides that me and Henry love to get the air rifles out if its nice weather in autumn, and we have had some truely amazing shots. One session saw 3 pigeons taken at 50+ yards and one paced out to 80 paces !
It was October before we got the shot guns dusted off. and our first trip was a 'Walk up' at Hellington with big cuz Ian and then a flight on the Broad. The walk up was fun and produced 2 pheasants and 3 partridges. I took the best driven partridge i have ever shot. about 45 yars up and going like stink to my right. I would guess about a 50 yard plus shot, clean killed in the air. It hit the ground so hard it totally smashed the body up and pushed it's guts out the back. I think it was rocket propelled
October 13th saw our first trip on the broad with 1 mallard and 2 Gadwall accouted for. Then our second trip at the end of October produced 1 Grey and a mallard to Henry, and a mallard to me. The freezer is filling up nicely, and we are starting to enjoy some lovely roast dinners...
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| The eyes say it all - 1st session on the Broad & happy to be back |
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| Henry on 1st October |
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| I never get tired of this view |
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| Henry on our second trip at then end of October - 1 Grey, 2 mallard and a shoveller |
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| On the Slaughters - a quick rain storm |
