More things that have kept me busy

In addition to the items that I posted yesterday, I have some more, should you be interested. The first picture is of a couple of leather knife sheaths that I made. I like knives (quality ones that is) and I have quite a collection. These two knives I bought second hand, on separate occasions and neither one had a sheath, so I designed and made a couple using a piece of thick saddlery leather that I bought for fifty pence at a car boot sale, once I had cut them out I hand stitched them using some waxed linen thread that I again bought from a car boot sale. I made the small sheath first just to see if I could do it then the larger one once I was happy. Don't ask me why I like knives, I have no desire to do a Rambo impersonation or anything, I think it is the feel of something well made that attracts me, rather like marine boat fittings and climbing equipment. Anyway, there they are, no one is ever likely to see them for real as I keep them locked in a safe, out of harms way.

The next item that I have posted uses the silver fork that I picked up at a car boot sale in Portmadog last Sunday for twenty pence and a short piece of driftwood fencing that I salvaged from the beach near Criccieth. In case you have no idea what it is, let me tell you. It is a tea towel hook. The wood is mounted on the wall and the towel hung from the fork handle. I'm sorry if you do not like it, I thought that it was a bit of a novelty.

Finally, here is a work in progress, another piece of drift wood that I have begun to whittle. I will not divulge what it is intended to be, like most of the items here I have never made one of these before so I don't know quite how it will turn out, we shall just have to wait and see but I think it will take many more hours yet.

End of the brown trout season

30th September is the last day of the brown trout fishing season, so yesterday I took full advantage of the weather and our location which is in very close proximity to the River Dwyfach (about 20ft). For a good hour I could not find what the fish were feeding on, even though they were feeding voraciously. I kept at it, changing flies, changing tactics and getting more and more frustrated. I had a couple of bites but missed them. When just about at the point of giving up BANG! a large fish hit the fly, I lifted the rod and the hook was set. I could see it was a trout, as it thrashed about violently in a valiant attempt to throw the hook. I did not want to lose this fish. I kept the rod high and slowly brought the fish to the bank, all of the time thinking what a fighter this was. Safely out of the water and on the bank the fish did not look as large as I had thought it might be. Quickly I measured it, 9 inches, this was a specimen fish for such a small river and just on the size limit to take. I then photographed it, because I know that no-one would believe me. Doesn't look so large, does it? It's all relative you see, fish do not grow to any real size in this river, because the food is just not available. This summer I have caught about fifty fish here and have never hooked into anything the size of this one. I savoured the moment and admired my catch for just a few seconds longer before returning it to river, maybe I'll see it next year. As you might be able to tell I was ecstatic, so while waiting for my evening meal I fished a little further down stream for another half hour. I landed another two fish, the usual size and lost several more. What a great note on which to end the season. Thank you river, thank you fish, for the company, the many happy hours and I have really enjoyed the challenge.

Keeping myself occupied

In addition to my hobbies of photography, fishing, bird watching, walking etc. I like to make things, I like the principles of recyling and try to learn new skills. I consider myself quite fortunate, in so far as, I am quite good with my hands, a gift that I had passed on to me from my mother and father who between them could make or repair just about anything. For those that are interested I have put a few pictures on here to show the sort of things that I have made recently.

The first picture is of a couple of "monkey fist" knots, they were originally intended to weight the end of a rope to aid throwing it ashore. The coloured rope I found on the beach, I cleaned it and taught myself how to tie the knot. I have seen them used as paper weights and door stops. I just like them.

The second picture is a table mat, the rope is window sash cord that I had left over from the second monkey fist. The key rings and fobs I made from bits of odd leather and nylon cord.

On the right are some friendship bracelets that I made, I have made hundreds, in every colour of the spectrum. Once I had made a selection of colours I needed a way to show them off to their best advantage so I made a small version of a wire coat hanger on which to display them.

Adding some light on the subject

I just thought that this may be useful to any caravaners who have experienced a similar problem.

For several months now the 12V hob/worktop light in the truck has not worked, so whilst out and about we have looked in many caravan dealers and accessory shops in an attempt to buy a 12V 23" flourescent tube. We have often asked for help, we have been told many times, that it is not a standard size, and that we would probably need to get one from Germany as no UK manufacturers fit a 12V tube of this size. Today we went to a caravan accessory shop in Portmadog to be told a similar tale. Whilst carrying our old tube as a pattern, I looked at the rating that is printed on the glass and I noticed that there was no mention of voltage. I said to Pat, "I wonder if the voltage does not matter then" I decided to have a look in a domestic electrical suppliers outlet called CEF, I explained at the counter the background and questioned the voltage. The man said "You are right, tubes have no voltage rating and one used for a mains supply will work on 12V too". So I paid the man £3.91 and returned to the truck to test it out. Bingo, it lit up and worked just fine.

Taking it easy

Hi,for the last week we have been taking things easy, making the most of the warm autumn days. From Tuesday to Sunday last week the truck did not turn a wheel, we found more than enough to keep us occupied right where we are. I have fished every day at some point and some days have been more successful than others, still nothing that you could class as "pan size" though. I hooked one fish that I found very difficult to remove the hook from so now I have taken to removing the barbs from the hooks, as a result, I have lost a few fish. I don't mind though, it is better than doing damage from which the fish may never recover.

Sunday morning we were on the road early, to Portmadog. We went to the car boot sale and picked up a few bits and pieces. I bought an old silver dinning fork, I had an idea for making a towel hook with it. I bought a new fly reel with three spools and Pat picked up some bits for Christmas presents. Minutes after our return to the camp site, our friends Sandy and Maureen came, it was good to see them. Pat cooked a really tasty chicken dinner (as she always does) which everyone seemed to enjoy. We chatted and laughed, put the world to rights and all too quickly it was time for them to leave. Monday we had a long walk, down to the sea and along the beach, we collected some drift wood and watched the sea birds. The great thing about the coast at this time of year is that it is so quiet, we did not see a living sole other than a man in a fishing boat far from the shore.

It is early here, about 0800 hours and I have just watched a buzzard fly up the river skimming the water and dodging the over hanging tree branches, not twenty feet away from the truck. I have never viewed a buzzard from above before, what a good start to the day.

I am sensing that Pat is getting itchy feet again, so I wouldn't be surprised if we are on the move before much longer, personally I could stay here indefinitely. Be good, be happy. See you soon.

Thorn on the cobs

Well, here we are again, back in Llanystumdwy. We arrived here yesterday at about 1600 hours after a steady journey from the midlands. I am surprised at the amount of people that are still on holiday or it could be, like us, they are retired. I had to check out the river soon after arrival and during an hour and a half hours fishing ,caught a dozen or so fish, all trout and salmon parr, all too small for the table. It doesn't matter though, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and went to bed quite content.

Today began with a little rain, but it slowly got better and warmer so I had to give the river another bashing. Seven fish, including what must be the record for the smallest trout ever caught on the fly. What a little cutie it was, less than 2 inches from tip to tail, perfectly marked and released unharmed. I wish that I had photographed it just to show how small it really was. Early in the afternoon we went for a little walk, the intention was to collect some damsons if there were any still about. Sadly not, but we did come across a field full of "corn on the cob" or maize. I just had to have a couple, so with Pat reluctantly keeping watch I straddled the barbed wire fence with pen knife at the ready. I selected two beauties and was trying to find a pocket large enough in which to hide them when Pat warned me of an approaching car. In my haste to get back over the fence I caught the barbed wire right in my wedding tackle. Pat asked "Did you manage to get any?" "Yes" I replied "And a thorn on the cobs" She of course was highly amused and I bet she has a smile on her face when we eat it. Tarra for now. Bond............Vagabond.

Don't ask!

Where did the summer go? Don't ask, I can be of no help there. All that I can say is that we have had the most fantastic time. We have not been to many new places, but we have met loads more people and the quality of life keeps getting better. I am afraid that there is far too much to try and tell, it would take me weeks to put it all in writing and whilst I do enjoy writing I am afraid that I just don't have the time at the moment.

At present we are in Staffordshire but only for another 24 hours then it is "on the trail" once more. I have to keep this session short, but I will try to put in an appearance a little more frequently than I have done of late. So take care everyone, see you soon.