In times like these

Despite the cold statistic of my life's journey being into it's seventieth year, nothing has prepared me for the trauma involved in dealing with Bev's deteriorating health situation. I'm incredibly fortunate to have a solid family behind me, plus living within a superbly tight-knit neighbourhood., support is always very close to hand. To add to this, I am totally in awe of the care being provided by the NHS District Nurses and the Community Urgent Care Team, plus that of the Pilgrim's Hospice staff. Absolutely incredible level of service, on the end of a phone, no matter what time of day, or night!

Bruno's walks have had to be curtailed, as I need to be as close to hand as is possible, so his only exercise takes place in the back garden. Fortunately he's happy to chase and retrieve a ball for hours on end, then takes a break for a drink and a nap, thus allowing me to potter around the bungalow and garden. This past couple of days have been absolutely glorious and the camera kit/binos always close to hand. Common Buzzards are still moving over the Newlands Farm area, with a nice 2nd c/y Red Kite drifting east this morning. A couple of adult Mediterranean Gulls added to the fun and the garden moth trapping is finally showing signs of improvement. Nothing out of the ordinary, thus far, but numbers are certainly on the up.

With so much time to ponder over things I have been sorting through the ridiculous amount of fishing kit which shares my study area. One very positive aside from this exercise was an email exchange with Les Shaw (Classic Vintage Fishing Tackle)  enquiring about service and/or repairs to some of the ancient kit I still use. As is always the case, Les was completely honest with his reply and I was put in touch with Martin Stone who has agreed to service my pair of 1975 ABU Cardinal 66X's at a very competitive price. However, my 1980's Shimano Carbomatic GT4000 reel and original Steve Neville bite alarm did not come within Les's sphere of contacts and so will remain unusable unless someone else knows differently?

An original Steve Neville bite alarm circa 1993?

Pre bait-runners, this was Shimano's answer to the ABU Cardinal 55