Here goes for our 2nd event of the year!

On waking at 5.30am to get ready the weather outside was atrocious, the heavens were open.

Head in hand, thinking, do we cancel? Hey Ho, in for a penny etc. we thought we can’t disappoint the children, especially at this late notice. So, we attached the trailer, which had been loaded the night before, put all the catering food into the car, and off we went at 6.00am.

As we drove to the venue, the weather got better, and by time we got there the rain had stopped.

Thank goodness.

When our convoy arrived at 7.10am, Peter Pearmain the fishery owner and Alistair Shirley was already there. Peter was erecting his marquee, Alistair getting the catering side sorted. We offloaded our new BBQ, food, tables and chairs, and set up the stands.

During this time Tim Wirth had gone to collect the bread, milk and rolls (this is another story which he probably won’t talk about, needless to say the local supermarkets didn’t open until 7am. He did try a few of them). This was the first time we had done our own catering, hence Alistair being there to guide and help, bless him. Surprisingly we had forgotten a couple of items, one of which was still on the top of my freezer back home. Clare kindly offered to go to the shops for us. Saved again.

By this time numerous helpers and casters had started to arrive. All registered, headed for the catering tent and had bacon rolls and tea/coffee. The casters then got ready for the children who arrived at 10.15 from Prestwood Lodge, Prestwood Bucks.

Mad panic again as the children got their badges. They were paired with their caster and off they went. The children had a great time, many of them coping very well with retrieving and casting. Due to the weather of the previous day (and night), conditions were still not perfect. The wind was a bit on the stiff side, and, to make it worse, it continually kept changing direction making casting interesting.

The fish too seemed to have got shy and only four were caught all day, but there were still plenty of smiles!

Lunch stopped play at 12:00 noon, which after happy munching on burgers, sausages and rolls, followed by fruit and jelly together with the usual items, all were keen to return to the lake to carry on fishing. During lunch the raffle was drawn and many thanks to all those who took part.

During the afternoon fishing Graham Rampton, one of our helpers went around the lake with sandwiches from lunch. His tray came back empty. Fishing stopped at 2.00pm, when the certificates and medals were presented.

Mike Stanley from the Prestwood Lodge school made a small speech to thank everyone and then it was time to pack up after another hugely successful day.

Time now to prepare for 2007!

 

Please click here for more pictures from the event.