Another non-blog period

Yet another log period without adding to my blog - is it really worth having it I ask myself.

So what's happened since last entry? In no particular order.

Now added Treasurer role to my Membership duties in the ABF, Bob has a lot on and needed someone to take over.

Converted BarbelAngler to a new forum software, with help of course. It went well, and have Conrad on board to help now, as with Phoenix.

Enjoyed Arsenal beating thumping the old enemy last week, sweet, albeit after a couple of poor results (FA Cup and Champions League, but league form has been good, a far cry from earlier in the season when the wishful-thinkers were talking relegation. Was good to see the great man, Thierry, back for a spell. Will he return again? a bit old for regular games but surely a talisman and inspirational figure, hopefully with a coaching role. Denis Bergkamp was going to return too, where is he I wonder?

Enjoyed the (track) cycling world cup at the Olympic velodrome, London. Looks to be a fast track with atmospheric conditions and temperature well designed, but then all competitors will be faster.

Finished re-furbin' our bedroom. Walls and ceiling re-plastered, and opted for having wardrobe doors custom made. Old and new styles below

We like it so am starting the next bedroom soon.

Done some fishing recently, but the barbel are not playing very often. I know my chosen venue is hard but it lures us back time and time again. Still, a nicer place to blank would be hard to find. Why go fishing? in order to enjoy it, fish or not. Do I enjoy it? yes, definitely.

Am looking forward to the F1 season, but pi##ed off about the reduced coverage on (terrestrial) TV, yet another sport going the way of Sky, but for how long? Shame Martin Brundle and Ted Kravits going too, but at least "we" don't get that idiot Legard returning to BBC.

Daughter-in-Law still got her knees together, so no news of baby yet (due yesterday)

A bit more to do

After just over 1 year since the ABF went open I am going to add, subject to members ratification and agreement, another arm to my present team role. It's only because the current officer has too much on his plate at present and needs to take a backward step for a while. Deafened, as expected, by the vociferous :) clamour to get involved (NOT) it is only right to step in and help out. If we can't help each other at times, then it's time to say goodbye, and that's not happening.

Not blogged for a while

Wow, noticed it's almost 2 months since I last added anything, but doubt anyone missed it. So what's been happening?

Can't remember to be honest. Xmas came and went. My daughter is expecting and that's great. Going to be a double Grandad, Son's wife in March, daughter in June.

I need to find a new chiropractor, my back is not happy.

Was going to have a long break but ended up helping a pal finish a large kitchen refurb. My house next, it's been a while and 'er indoors has been patient, and we do need a bedroom re-fit. Whether complete new wardrobes or just new doors not sure yet.

Disappointed with Amir Khan losing, but seems some less than honest stuff went on. Sour grapes or not, hopefully there'll be a rematch.

Still enjoying fishing when I get out. Not catching much but just nice to be out. The older I get the less important it is to catch, adding weight to my old saying (not sure whether I coined it or read it) that "catching fish is a bonus to a good day out". Have been fishing quite a few sessions when I'm the only one on the bank, at least from early evening up until midnight. I'm glad I don't feel the cold, but always fish under a brolly, one with sides, and it makes a huge difference. In fact I've not fished wearing a coat for years, just a fleece as it gets later, even a few weeks ago when it was -3 degC at midnight. Cold yes, my brolly was like an igloo and I had to crack it, breath like vapour trails in the sky, but I wasn't cold.

My browser just crashed and I thought I'd lost this. But when it re-started it was still intact. Firefox, that's impressive. Better post now in case. See you soon.

Amateur boxing - at last

At last, they've changed the scoring for amateur bouts on TV. No longer will we have the stupid "running scores" on screen. Ok, we get the scores at the end of each round, but at least there's some excitement to watching a close bout again.

Smokin Joe, RIP

What a shame. Always loved watching Smokin Joe, being less tall than many he used the hook to good advantage, which was exciting - more like a middle.

That's better

5-3 at the bridge, that's better :-)

A "challenge"

I purchased a Barbus Riverking centrepin reel. My idea (well my good mate Dave's idea really, that just moved on) is that as a (longterm) charity "event" and a bit of fun, I issue a challenge for anyone to catch a barbel using this reel and pass it on. It won't be confined to ABF members, just those whom you trust as we need to get it back eventually :)

The "challenge" is to catch a barbel using this reel, record the details, and pass it on for the next person to do the same. At some time in the future we will ask each person who accepted the "challenge" to donate £5 to our nominated charity. The idea is that eventually when there are enough captors listed we may also raffle the reel for charity - it's a "perhaps" idea, but should be fun.

The Barbus reel is not a quality product as it only costs £10 + delivery, so do not expect too much. Both of the ratchet mechanisms are strange but it spins well enough and should be fine.

some blah blah blah here

I trust that someday I will get the reel back, and a charity will benefit.




I began the challenge on the Middle Trent yesterday, and was lucky enough to have this one at 11-08

I don't care to have my picture (with fish or without) on the net very much, but this is a good cause. Size is not important but it was a nice starter :) The reel has been passed on to my good mate "Biggun" ................ more anon.

A nasty crash

Although the MotoGP series has virtually ended when Casey Stoner was crowned champion, there is still lots to race for - pride, and not forgetting getting a contract for next term.

But it was so sad news when the horrific accident claimed the life of Marco Simoncelli. A rather aggressive rider for sure, and sometimes he was not the most popular because of this, but nobody would have wished for this.

It's such a bl##dy dangerous sport, and the 800cc spec has reached a limit. Next stage is a bigger engine but with a smaller pot, therefore requiring a longer stroke, and thus lower revs. Hopefully this will be safer, but then accidents like this will happen anyway, it's inevitable.

What's been happening?

Haven't blogged for a while, been pretty busy. So, what's been happening?

Had a holiday, a kind of "replacement" for the one we missed when we returned home early when Mother-in-Law's condition became terminal. A holiday in this country, in September, where we had a run of five consecutive days on the beach - whomever this Indian is who made the summer, I thank him.

Finished my van, so all is comfy now, and it's great for fishing.

Manx missile

Brilliant team performance that lead to Mark Cavendish's gold in the World Road Championships - eight men who cycled their b#lls off to allow Cav to stand on the podium. It's a hard sport where the team make all the difference, but rarely get the paludits that they deserve - except Cav always says he is only where he is because of the team-mates.

A gold also to Lucy Garner, a silver to Bradley Wiggins and a bronze to Emma Pooley - made this a fantastic championships.