Diary 6 January
1987
We parked the ca
r just
thefirebreakandw off the road at the top of
alkeddown.Itwas
g
cloudy, the sun
from time to tim enerally
e bre
through to cast a
soft, almost dream aking
like glow
over the scene. A
gainst this light
tiny d
of moisture, so sm
all that they were rops
on the skin, gliste
not felt
ned
earth.Andrewrem as they floated gently to
arkedthatthecolo
ursofthe
vegetation aroun
d us, particularly g
reen hues,
hadatotallydiffer
ent,
Astrikinglycleard almostluminous,aspect.
oublerainbowstra
ddledthe
valley.Darkcloud
sgatheredandth
underinthe
distance becam
e constant.
Washing up duty.
“I would advise leaving him for a while before trying again”, he
was eventually able to say. “He probably senses danger.” His cheeks
were wet with tears. “But from what I’ve seen”, he was able to add
before being seized again with hysterics, “he’s perfectly safe.”
Things got worse. It transpired that Doug, my co-veteran, had
also been shaded by his pupil. The score there at the end of the day
was two to one in favour of Neil. I recovered slightly to manage
one reasonable fish, and Rick finished with two. I am embarrassed
Anyone for coffee?
P a g e 48
to confess that I was secretly relieved that his second fish was not
in the same class as the first. That meant that we had a total of six
for supper that night. Neil had already promised, the night previous,
that he would prepare a repast fit for royalty.
He did, but for he and I the meal was a sombre affair. We could
guess what was coming, but we knew we would not be able to do
anything about it.
“You fellows must be really glad we came along”, one of them
said. It doesn’t matter which one : they were both nauseating. “You
older fellows should keep your eyes open tomorrow if you want to
improve your game.”
“Yes”, agreed the other. “But I have to
admit that your culinary skills are excellent.
Perhaps the two of you should concentrate on
providing more meals like this one and we'll
catch the raw material.”
“Would anyone like coffee?” I asked.
“It’s good stuff. Real. It’s been percolating
for a couple of hours.” I knew I was guilty of
delivering my words staccato fashion. “But
I wouldn’t take too much of it. It could keep
you awake.”
“No chance”, said Rick. “Yes, my man, I'd
like a cup, please. Black, two sugars” and he
warned, “please don’t stir it too vigorously I
hate slops in the saucer. It would be very nice
if you could bring me one in the morning,
too”, he suggested. “Certainly encourage me
to pass on more of my angling expertise. You
could certainly use it! Don’t you agree, Neil?”
Rick was a big, powerful fellow.
He was lucky.
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